... PS: Third update complete. Still asking for monthly votes. ... The combat circle instantly fell silent. Everyone stared, bewildered, at the smiling Nie Kong and Lu Tang, whose eyes were rolling back into his head from being choked. Just moments before, the crowd had been speculating on how the furious Lu Tang would launch a sneak attack on Nie Kong, but before Lu Tang could strike again, Nie Kong had already made his move.

And with that single move, victory was sealed.

The shift was so sudden, the execution so brief—it happened in the blink of an eye—that the scene was frozen in this state. The speed was such that many in the audience struggled to adjust their expressions; some inner-city disciples who had been mid-laugh simply opened their mouths in shock, their smiles still fixed in place.

The inner-city disciples watching the other three simultaneous fights suddenly noticed the unnerving quiet coming from this area and couldn't help but turn their gaze over. However, since they hadn't witnessed the opening exchange between Nie Kong and Lu Tang, while surprised, they weren't overly shocked.

Smack!

Nie Kong flicked his right hand lightly. Lu Tang’s body arced through the air, landing outside the boundary of the combat circle. His face was flushed crimson, and he clutched his throat, emitting strange, gurgling sounds.

The surrounding crowd snapped back to reality. Looking at Lu Tang, a touch of sympathy crept into their eyes. He had won four matches easily, expecting the final one to be just as simple, only to lose in such a baffling manner. The scene resembled nothing less than an eagle snatching a chick.

Of course, Nie Kong was the eagle, and Lu Tang, the tragic little chicken! It took Lu Tang a good while to catch his breath before glaring furiously at Nie Kong. Even though he now realized Nie Kong’s strength wasn't as negligible as he'd assumed, he never anticipated defeat—at worst, he expected to exert a bit more effort in dispatching Nie Kong. To suffer such a humiliating loss was entirely unexpected. Not only would he lose the coveted spot in the second round of the competition, but he would likely be the subject of ridicule for a long time to come.

How could Lu Tang accept this?

“I didn't expect it to be this easy. Senior Brother Lu Tang, thank you for gifting me such a swift victory.” Nie Kong ignored Lu Tang’s rage, gave a slight bow with a cheerful smile, and then dismissed the man. His gaze swept over the surroundings as he called out loudly, “Is there any fellow disciple willing to trade blows with me?”

“…”

The surrounding crowd exchanged uneasy glances.

They hadn’t even clearly seen how Nie Kong managed to grab Lu Tang just now, and Lu Tang himself hadn't seen it either. This suggested Nie Kong’s speed surpassed even Lu Tang, a Wind Spirit Master. To challenge him without knowing the depths of his ability seemed like inviting disaster.

Seeing this reaction, Nie Kong inwardly regretted ending the fight so quickly.

There were certainly experts among the spectators. He knew that at least two inner-city disciples at the eighth level of Spirit Transformation were watching near this circle, but they were too cautious, refusing to act without certainty. If no one challenged him within a quarter of an hour, Nie Kong would automatically advance to the second round.

However, this was not what Nie Kong intended.

In truth, Nie Kong wished the inner-city disciples challenging him in this first round were as strong as possible. Only by fighting various Spirit Masters could he continuously enrich his practical combat experience. In many scenarios, experience was the very factor that could tip the scales of victory or decide life and death.

“Any fellow disciple interested in a challenge?”

Nie Kong asked again, but still, no one responded. Just then, his gaze unexpectedly fell upon Miao Ge, Tai Ji, Gu Qi, and Tai Hong, who had moved closer to watch.

“I’ll challenge you!”

Tai Hong suddenly grinned, roared, pushed aside the people in front of him, and strode into the combat circle.

Without another word, Tai Hong swung his fist toward Nie Kong’s head. A flash of yellow brilliance streaked past, and a powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted from his massive fist, enveloping Nie Kong in a tide of force. Even the surrounding crowd could feel immense pressure.

Boom!

Nie Kong raised his arm to block. After the fierce collision, he was forced to take a step back.

But Tai Hong showed no sign of letting up. One punch followed another, aggressively pressing forward, seemingly determined to defeat Nie Kong in one sustained assault.

Boom! Boom! ...

Rapid, forceful explosions sounded one after another. Witnessing Tai Hong’s ferocious and wild attack, Miao Ge, Tai Ji, and Gu Qi were stunned speechless. Even Bai Yuqing, who had just arrived nearby to watch, knitted her brow slightly, clearly surprised that Tai Hong would challenge Nie Kong.

“Sister Tai Ji, why did he go out there? Wouldn't it have been better to let Brother Nie Kong advance directly to the second round?” Little Lori Gu Qi tilted her head, looking utterly confused.

“Who knows?” Tai Ji sounded somewhat annoyed. “Why is he acting crazy at a time like this?”

“…”

Not just them, but other inner-city disciples aware of the relationship between Nie Kong and Tai Hong were equally perplexed. Weren't these two friends, and seemingly quite close? Why would Tai Hong step in to undermine him? Undermining him was one thing, but attacking with such ferocity—was he trying to ensure Nie Kong’s spiritual energy was drained as slowly as possible?

Boom!

After another series of intense clashes, Nie Kong, who had been steadily retreating, finally seized a moment of respite. He shouted, “Tai Hong, stop it! Are you insane, you lunatic!”

Tai Hong let out a triumphant laugh, an expression on his face that begged for a beating. “I’m having fun! Why should I stop? Nie Kong, friends are friends, but a challenge is a challenge—I won't hold back!”

“Bastard!”

Nie Kong cursed through gritted teeth, but Tai Hong’s fist descended swiftly, forcing him to continue blocking. This time, however, Nie Kong did not retreat. Instead, he ducked low, his entire body rocketing forward like a cannonball directly into Tai Hong’s embrace. With a boom, the momentum-driven Tai Hong was sent flying backward.

Nie Kong showed no pause, darting in close and kicking fiercely towards the fallen Tai Hong. Tai Hong cried out in alarm, unable to scramble up in time, and tumbled several times.

Just as his toes were about to connect with Tai Hong’s body, Nie Kong’s right leg abruptly halted in mid-air—Tai Hong had just managed to roll clear of the boundary line. According to the rules of this inner-city competition, exiting the boundary, regardless of the reason, counted as a loss. If the victor struck again, they would be immediately disqualified.

Tai Hong paused, then quickly sprang up, dusting off his clothes and laughing heartily.

“You got lucky!”

Nie Kong glared hatefully at Tai Hong but could do nothing but retract his leg. Only then did the crowd notice that after that strange previous bout, Nie Kong’s face was flushed and he was breathing slightly heavily. Although he had disguised it well, the more observant inner-city disciples caught it.

“Nie Kong, you bullied my sister, and you still want to enter the second round? Heh heh, no way!” Tai Hong yelled out, sounding remarkably smug.

Nie Kong bullied Tai Hong’s sister?

The surrounding crowd turned their eyes towards Tai Ji, and understanding dawned upon them. Tai Ji was not only enchanting to look at, with a mature and graceful figure, but she was also a princess of the Shatu Empire, possessing high status. Such a woman was undeniably alluring. Since joining the inner city, many male disciples had tried, openly or subtly, to court her, hoping to pluck this delicate flower, but none had succeeded.

And yet, she had been bullied by Nie Kong? It explained why Tai Hong deliberately challenged Nie Kong, aiming to disqualify him from the second round. The only question remaining was just how deep the extent of Tai Hong’s ‘bullying’ went. If it was more than superficial, then this Nie Kong fellow was truly despicable!

Suddenly, a restless curiosity stirred in the hearts of the onlookers.

Tai Hong wasn't particularly strong, yet he managed to force Nie Kong into such a tight spot. Besides the element of surprise from his unexpected challenge, didn't this suggest that Nie Kong’s inherent strength wasn't as formidable as imagined, perhaps relying only on astonishing speed?

On the periphery of the circle, Tai Ji felt the ambiguous, strange gazes directed at her, causing her face to turn completely red. She glared fiercely at Tai Hong, mortified that her brother would utter such words in public, leaving her so deeply embarrassed.

Tai Hong seemed to realize the trouble he’d caused, as he actually retreated toward the boundary edge.

“Sister Tai Ji, were you really bullied by Brother Nie Kong?” Little Lori blinked suspiciously.

“No such thing, don't listen to his nonsense!” Tai Ji ground out through clenched teeth, her face still burning.

“Perhaps I know why Tai Hong suddenly made his move…” Miao Ge’s eyes flickered between Nie Kong and Tai Hong, and then she let out a soft chuckle.

“…”

Gu Qi and Tai Ji looked at Miao Ge in surprise.

Meanwhile, in the opposite combat circle, Nie Kong shot Tai Hong an annoyed glance. However, unlike before, he did not inquire about the next challenger. Instead, he slightly closed his eyes, a faint, dark-green aura swirling around him, seemingly using the time to recover his spiritual energy. This action further solidified the onlookers’ earlier suspicions.

“I’ll challenge you!”

A thin inner-city disciple was the first to lose patience. He leaped from the crowd, and by the time his figure landed in the circle, a purple longsword crackling with lightning was already in his hand. Without delay, the longsword pierced towards Nie Kong’s chest, wrapped in a savage aura.

According to the rules, there was no rest time between matches. The challenger could initiate an attack as soon as they entered the circle, requiring no formal challenge declaration. This rule was intentionally close to real combat, as enemies in actual fights rarely announce themselves or grant recovery time.

Clang!

A sound like clashing metal erupted. Nie Kong hastily condensed a large, dark-green blade and placed it before the purple sword. The two figures became entangled. After several minutes, the Lightning Spirit Master was struck in the shoulder by Nie Kong’s blade and kicked flying out of the circle.

Nie Kong won the third match, but his breathing was noticeably quicker and shallower, clearly indicating that the previous exchange had cost him a significant amount of spiritual energy.

The surrounding crowd grew more delighted—it seemed there was easy prey to be had!

Indeed, within seconds, a male disciple entered the circle. He, too, attacked Nie Kong without preamble. This man’s cultivation was clearly higher than the previous Thunder Spirit Master, and with his first move, he forced Nie Kong into a defensive scramble, appearing on the verge of defeat at any moment.

However, to the crowd's overwhelming joy, the one who ultimately fell was not Nie Kong, but the challenger. As long as Nie Kong didn't lose, it meant he still had to face another challenge, and they still had a chance to defeat him by expending less spiritual energy and mental strain.