Chapter 44

Gazing at Xiao Ning, who had fallen into the crowd and was now unconscious, the entire venue fell silent once again.

After a moment, one pair of eyes after another, filled with a look as if they were seeing a monster, turned to the black-clothed youth on the high platform. Although many people did not know what had happened just now, they had all seen with their own eyes that Xiao Ning's strength had suddenly surged. However, to everyone's surprise, after his strength surged, Xiao Ning was defeated even more thoroughly and decisively, with a single punch causing severe injuries!

In the VIP seats, watching the changes in the arena, Ya Fei slowly covered her alluring red lips with her fair, slender hand. Her full chest rose and fell slightly, drawing a series of breathtaking arcs.

"Such a powerful combat technique... What level is this? Profound Rank? How is that possible?" Ya Fei took a deep breath, her heart trembling as she muttered. She was very well aware of how rare and difficult it was to cultivate a Profound Rank combat technique.

After being stunned for a while, Ya Fei's mind gradually returned to clarity. She recalled the powerful combat technique Xiao Yan had used earlier, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, and her thoughts raced: "If I remember correctly, the highest-level combat technique in the Xiao family should be a low-level Profound Rank technique, 'Lion Mountain Split,' which matches the Profound Rank cultivation method 'Raging Lion Fury,' right?"

"But the combat technique Xiao Yan used earlier was clearly not 'Lion Mountain Split'..." Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and the hand holding the teacup suddenly tightened. She whispered to herself, "Could it be... that this combat technique wasn't taught to him by Xiao Zhan?"

A sharp glint flashed in her half-closed, beautiful eyes, and Ya Fei subtly turned her head, just in time to catch the hidden shock on Xiao Zhan's face.

"Indeed, it wasn't taught to him by Xiao Zhan..." Her full chest gently lowered, and her slender, fair fingers intertwined behind the teacup. Recalling Xiao Yan's proficiency with those combat techniques, her heart suddenly stirred: "This little guy... must have a mysterious teacher behind him, right? Otherwise, it's impossible for a young man to achieve such mastery in a Profound Rank combat technique just by fumbling around."

"To be able to teach a Profound Rank combat technique, that mysterious person must be at least a Dou Ling (Spirit Warrior) level expert! Perhaps even stronger!" A serious expression flashed across her beautiful face, and Ya Fei elegantly put down her teacup. Her beautiful eyes, filled with a hint of inexplicable meaning, slowly examined the handsome young man in the arena: "This little thing... seems to be getting more and more mysterious, truly making one curious."

...

"Ah... This little Yan is becoming more and more inscrutable." As Ya Fei's thoughts raced, Xiao Zhan, beside her, couldn't help but sigh. The combat technique Xiao Yan had used earlier had even made him cheer inwardly. Such a decisive and powerful combat technique, in terms of offensive power, was almost on par with the family's Profound Rank combat technique, 'Lion Mountain Split'!

Shaking his head slowly, Xiao Zhan exhaled lightly, his eyes flashing with a sharp light: "There must be someone teaching Xiao Yan behind the scenes."

"Who taught him?" Rubbing his face, Xiao Zhan suddenly couldn't help but shift his gaze to Xun Er, who was standing far below the platform. At that moment, the beautiful young girl was smiling faintly as she watched the young man who was making a big splash in the arena.

"Could it be her?" His heart filled with doubt, he recalled Xun Er's usual closeness with Xiao Yan, and his heart finally felt somewhat relieved.

...

On the high platform, Xiao Yan slowly exhaled a turbid breath, and his rock-hard arms gradually returned to normal. The slightly bulging sleeves also softened.

Twisting his neck, Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Yu, who was hurriedly carrying the unconscious Xiao Ning from the platform. His face was indifferent, and he felt no pity in his heart. If it weren't for the two Profound Rank combat techniques he possessed, Xiao Ning's punch just now might have broken his right arm. Since the other party showed no mercy, he had no reason to be a foolish good person.

Slowly retracting his fist, Xiao Yan turned his head and said to the second elder, who was staring at him with wide eyes: "Is the match over?"

Swallowing hard, the second elder, who had just regained his composure, nodded quickly. Just as he was about to announce the result of the match, an angry shout interrupted him.

"Wait!" Below the platform, Xiao Yu, looking at the bloodied and unconscious Xiao Ning, angrily bit her lip and shouted.

The second elder frowned and sternly said, "Xiao Yu, what are you doing?"

Xiao Yu carefully handed the unconscious Xiao Ning to a clan member behind her, then nimbly leaped onto the platform. She glared at Xiao Yan and angrily said, "Xiao Ning is your cousin, yet you attacked him so viciously?"

Looking at Xiao Yu, who was clearly here to confront him, Xiao Yan sneered and turned his head, saying coldly, "It was just a meaningless challenge, but he violated the rules by taking a pill. Do you think he held back when he attacked me? If I hadn't counterattacked, I would be the one lying there now. At that time, would you have been so angry on my behalf? Xiao Ning is a person, but am I not a person? What can you do besides being a spoiled and biased person?"

Xiao Yu was momentarily stunned by Xiao Yan's barrage of accusations. Her rosy face turned pale and then red again. With her proud nature, when had she ever been publicly scolded by someone younger than her? Taking a deep breath, she suppressed her surging anger and said coldly, "I don't care about your excuses. I only know that you injured my brother. Now I challenge you. If you have the ability, accept it!"

"Xiao Yu, get down! This is not a place for you to act recklessly! The rules of the match are for Dou Zhe (Warriors) and below. You have no authority!" The second elder angrily shouted from the side.

Xiao Yu stubbornly bit her lip, glaring at Xiao Yan, and said coldly, "Are you afraid to accept?"

"This stupid woman."

In his heart, Xiao Yan cursed furiously. After fighting with Xiao Ning, he had already consumed a lot of his Dou Qi. Now, if he were to fight Xiao Yu, who was a three-star Dou Zhe, it would be clearly disadvantageous.

"Are you afraid to accept a challenge from a woman?" Looking at Xiao Yan, whose eyes had turned cold, Xiao Yu felt a great sense of satisfaction and sneered.

Rubbing his nose, Xiao Yan's lips twitched slightly, and his pitch-black eyes suddenly flashed with a fierce light.

Just as Xiao Yan was about to fight this long-legged woman, a delicate, bell-like laughter quietly drifted up to the high platform.

"Xiao Yu, Xiao Yan is already exhausted. Challenging him now is taking advantage of his weakness. If you really want to challenge someone, why don't I, Xun Er, try with you? Is that acceptable?"

(Seeking recommendations.)