Long Zheng stepped forward, as if ignoring Li Liang’s outcry, and announced loudly, “In this bout, Long Feng wins! That makes two consecutive victories for Long Feng!”

Li Liang’s statement, in truth, had also resonated deeply within Long Zheng.

Long Feng’s condition could only truly be explained by the use of a spirit elixir, and one taken right before the match to achieve such potent results. Many present had consumed spirit elixirs themselves; Long Zheng knew exactly the effect they had on inner energy cultivators.

However, whether Long Feng took one was his own affair, irrelevant to anyone else, and besides, there had been no initial rule forbidding elixirs before the contest. Thus, Long Zheng chose to pretend he hadn't heard Li Liang’s words.

“We won, we actually won!”

Many from the Long family erupted in cheers. They cared little for such technicalities; they only saw the result—victory for the Long family this time.

Listening to the surrounding clamor, Long Zheng couldn't help but cast his gaze again toward the high platform, specifically toward Zhang Yang. They knew Long Feng’s condition intimately; he possessed no elixirs when he came down the mountain, and he had been constantly with Zhang Yang. If he had taken a spirit elixir, Zhang Yang must be involved. This brought Long Zheng back to contemplating Zhang Yang’s background.

The lineage of the Medical Sage—the art of formulation from the Medical Sage’s line was unparalleled under the heavens.

It wasn't just him thinking this way. Long Haotian and the elders beside him, even Li Liang and Hu Yanpeng, all turned their attention toward Zhang Yang. Envy and jealousy flickered in many of their eyes.

Inside, Long Haotian’s heart churned. While others only speculated, he could practically confirm that Zhang Yang had administered a spirit elixir to Long Feng before the bout. Long Feng had initially reported his lost bet, mentioning elixirs then, and in a later report, had subtly alluded to the Zhang family's formulation skills. At that point, Long Haotian knew Zhang Yang possessed elixirs, and more than just one.

Now, seeing Long Feng’s sudden surge in strength, Long Haotian understood clearly: his son must have consumed quite a few elixirs; otherwise, this level of power was impossible through sheer arduous training alone. Looking at it now, following Zhang Yang hadn’t disadvantaged Long Feng at all; it had brought significant benefits. His decision to support Long Feng now seemed like one correct move he had made.

“That’s right, I did consume a Vital Blood Pill earlier!”

Long Feng smiled faintly, admitting it openly. Many were stunned, surprised he would confess.

“Taking medicine before the match—this bout doesn't count!”

Li Liang glared fiercely at Long Feng, then let out a cold snort before speaking slowly. Hu Yanpeng chimed in support.

“Brother Li Liang, that is unfair of you. We made no prior stipulation against consuming spirit elixirs. If you possessed elixirs, you could have taken them too. We imposed no restrictions. Now that you have lost, you claim the match is void—are you simply sore losers?” Long Haotian said with a smile, making Li Liang’s expression turn even uglier.

“Since we are fighting on Long family grounds, the rules are ours to set!”

A Long family elder, who had been silent until now, spoke up suddenly. The elders from the Li and Hu Yan families glanced at him, then both closed their eyes as if meditating, saying no more. Their joint effort to suppress the Long family this time was already an overreach. Pursuing this further might provoke a strong backlash from the Long family. It was better to remain silent now, considering they hadn't thought of this angle themselves.

Then again, who would think this way? Who would expect someone to use a precious spirit elixir merely for a ring contest? Such consumption caused immense depletion and waste; no one would willingly sacrifice it. Spirit elixirs were reserved for critical moments, such as when one was on the cusp of a breakthrough, used to facilitate that advancement.

“Long Feng wins this match! Does anyone object?”

Long Zheng called out again, his face still tight with anger as he glared fiercely at Li Liang on the high platform. If the family elders hadn't been present, he would have eagerly challenged Li Liang himself, wanting to teach that petty talker a lesson.

With the Long family elders having spoken and his own elders remaining silent, Li Liang dared not argue further, retreating sullenly to his seat.

Li Ye walked back around this time, his expression calm. He had lost, but not to a person, rather to a medicine. This brought him considerable balance. Seeing Li Ye hadn't suffered a severe blow, Li Liang’s mood finally eased slightly.

“Long Feng is victorious. You three great families, who will you send up next?”

Long Zheng boomed again, sounding far better than moments before. When Long Sheng had exited the stage, his face had been grim enough to drip water; now it was all smiles. He had expected to need outside help to secure a win, but Long Feng had emerged unexpectedly, achieving two straight victories.

Li Liang and Hu Yanpeng exchanged glances, neither speaking. Their strongest disciples had both fallen to Long Feng. While they still had others, sending anyone else up would be futile, merely inviting more humiliation. The gloom the Long family had felt earlier now settled upon them.

“Let a disciple from our Hua family contest this round,” a Hua family elder, who had been silent throughout, suddenly proposed with a faint, unctuous smile.

Li Liang and Hu Yanpeng looked at him in surprise. Long Feng clearly possessed late-stage Second Level cultivation, perhaps even peaking, and had consumed an elixir. For the Hua family to send someone up now was unexpected. Li Liang wondered if the Hua family intended to send a sacrificial pawn for the third round, allowing Long Feng the mandated rest period after three matches. Though, the Long family could also adjust their lineup and let Long Feng rest, as they weren't solely reliant on him.

“Hua Tian, you go!”

Before the other two could assent, the Hua elder spoke again. A young man seated among the Hua family’s younger disciples stood up and nodded slowly. The youth appeared twenty-seven or twenty-eight, plainly featured—the type easily lost in a crowd, unremarkable enough that one look wouldn't register him.

“Brother Hua, are you confident?” Hu Yanpeng hesitated before finally asking. The Hua elder smiled faintly and nodded gently. As he nodded, a flash of triumph crossed his eyes.

Li Liang and Hu Yanpeng were bewildered, but since the Hua family had already stepped forward as part of the alliance, they couldn't object. Moreover, they lacked suitable candidates now; simply conceding felt unjust. They might as well see what the Hua family was planning. If they couldn't defeat the Long family this time, the three allied families would collectively lose face, and the Long family’s prestige would soar. How could they claim prestige if they couldn't win three-against-one?

Hua Tian slowly ascended the platform, finally standing opposite Long Feng.

The smile on Zhang Yang’s face faded slightly; worry touched his features, a hint of hesitation in his posture. Finally, he sat up straight, fixing his gaze on the stage, saying nothing more.

“Hua Tian of the Hua family. No weapons. You may use your advantages,” Hua Tian stated quietly, his tone utterly flat, using no inner energy whatsoever. Only those with profound inner energy could hear him, Zhang Yang included. Not using a weapon, and allowing Long Feng to use his advantage—this man was either incredibly arrogant to the point of foolishness, or supremely confident.

Long Feng had already displayed his strength; he was late-stage Second Level. For this newcomer to act so presumptuously, especially considering the Hua family's unremarkable performance until now, many spectators already dismissed him as an idiot. Only Zhang Yang’s brow twitched slightly, followed by a faint shake of his head.

One person below the stage showed surprise: Li Changfeng. Li Changfeng had, by chance, cultivated a minor technique that allowed him to roughly gauge a person’s inner energy level. After observing carefully, he realized this Hua Tian was anything but simple.

Long Feng blinked, a flicker of anger immediately crossing his face. Hua Tian’s words carried a definite hint of looking down on him. He looped his Snow Whip around his body and declared, “Fine. If you don’t use one, I won’t either!”

Hua Tian said no more, merely offering a slight nod.

Long Zheng nodded faintly and could only announce the start of the match once more.

This was Long Feng’s third bout. Many now favored him immensely. After consecutively defeating two masters, Long Feng had instantly become the pride of every Long family member, an idol to many of the household servants. The surrounding crowd, many standing now, chanted Long Feng’s name.

Hua Tian simply stood there quietly, making no move to attack, barely even looking at Long Feng. His demeanor further stoked a spark of irritation within Long Feng, as if Hua Tian had completely failed to notice his presence.

“Take this!”

Long Feng threw a punch, his speed erupting instantly, driving straight toward Hua Tian. Although angered by Hua Tian’s attitude, Long Feng’s vigilance did not slacken; he never took any opponent lightly. He threw this strike with eighty percent of his strength. If this man was arrogant, one blow should suffice. Those stepping onto the stage now likely weren't completely incompetent. If this punch didn't kill him, it should at least allow Long Feng to gauge his true power, determining his next course of action.

Long Feng’s speed was incredible, already approaching that of a Third Level cultivator, perhaps even surpassing some early Third Level practitioners. Hua Tian could not evade in time; he could only extend his fist, meeting Long Feng’s blow head-on.

CRACK!

Their fists collided violently. Hua Tian’s body lurched backward sharply, his right leg stepping back a pace, surprise coloring his face. He had been forced back half a step by this heavy impact. Although only half a step, it was a retreat nonetheless.

Long Feng, the aggressor, retreated several steps in succession, backing seven or eight paces before steadying himself. When he finally raised his head, his face was etched with shock.

“Inner Energy Third Level!”

After a moment, Long Feng managed to utter those few words softly, a trace of bitterness in his expression. Inner Energy Third Level—who could have guessed beforehand that this disciple from the Hua family was already a master of the Third Level? The surprise wasn't limited to the Long family; the Li and Hu Yan families were equally astonished. Neither family had suspected the Hua family was hiding such depth, possessing a Third Level master among their younger disciples... Reaching Inner Energy Third Level before the age of thirty was the mark of a true martial genius, far superior to those ‘geniuses’ self-proclaimed within their ranks. Such an individual was a rare sight in any major clan, perhaps occurring once in a century, or even several centuries.