Chapter 83: Who Is Throwing Whom?

Hearing Lie Zhi’s rather arrogant and provocative words, Su Yi shook his head and then asked tentatively, “Lie Zhi, do you… know my strength?”

According to Su Yi’s thinking, if Lie Zhi had heard about him injuring Ao Benyu and Liu Xuan, as a mere first-level Fighter who had just broken through, he should at least show some caution and respect toward him—after all, one can never be too careful. However, judging by Lie Zhi’s confident demeanor, he was clearly overestimating himself.

“My strength? Hmph, are you talking about those rumors? What a joke. Do you think spreading those absurd tales would scare me?” Lie Zhi sneered. Having personally endured the arduous process of condensing Battle Qi Cyclone, he knew how difficult it was. With his own talent, he had barely managed to succeed—how could someone like Su Yi, whose Cyclone had already been destroyed, possibly do it?

Although there had been many rumors about Su Yi lately, and even Lie Zhi, who seldom left the family estate, had heard of them, he dismissed them with contempt. To him, Su Yi was merely seeking attention—he didn’t believe Su Yi truly possessed any real strength.

He’d heard that during his contest with Ao Benyu, they didn’t even use Battle Qi, merely arm-wrestled. What nonsense! Winning such a competition only proved some brute force. Did Su Yi really think that was enough to defeat him?

Even if Lie Zhi conceded that Su Yi had some ability, it was only at the level below a Fighter. Even though Su Yi was once a tenth-level Fighter and had some experience, without true strength, those advantages would never come into play. Perhaps back when they both practiced Battle Qi, Lie Zhi might have hesitated a little.

But now, having experienced the power of Battle Qi firsthand, Lie Zhi understood the vast difference. No matter how strong someone was in the stage below, they could never defeat a true Fighter. That would be even more difficult than fighting across levels!

Seeing Lie Zhi’s confidence, Su Yi didn’t bother to say more, choosing instead to give Lie Zhi a surprise in the arena. He turned to the referee, indicating he was ready. The referee looked at them both, then announced the start of the match.

Lie Zhi immediately grinned, extending his right hand as a Fighter’s aura burst forth. Battle Qi surged through his meridians. He glanced at the motionless Su Yi and sneered, adjusting his stance ever-so-slightly, ready to strike at any moment.

As the two squared off, the entire audience’s attention was drawn to them. Unlike the earlier match between Lie Feifei and Gree, this battle between men crackled with a more savage and ruthless energy.

With Su Yi’s mysterious reputation and rumored strength, even representatives from the major families couldn’t help but feel curious.

Lie Feifei, knowing Su Yi’s abilities well, had complete faith in his victory. However, since Lie Zhi was family, she couldn’t help but feel nervous—if Su Yi struck too hard, the consequences could be troublesome.

Meanwhile, Gree, who had been so embarrassed by her earlier defeat, temporarily set aside her frustration, focusing intently on the stone platform. She hadn’t seen Su Yi since the auction, and her doubts about him had never fully dissipated. This match would be a perfect opportunity to find out whether Su Yi was merely putting on a show or hiding something else. Especially after seeing Lie Feifei’s attitude toward him.

Deep down, Gree hoped Su Yi really was just a useless wretch—she was eager to see the look on Lie Feifei’s face if Su Yi were to lose.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Lie Zhi finally moved. He lunged at Su Yi, right fist roaring with Battle Qi as he aimed a heavy punch at Su Yi’s chest. For Su Yi, this blow was nothing, but among first-level Fighters, it was quite impressive.

Although Lie Zhi had only recently become a Fighter, his foundation was solid. After condensing his Cyclone, his cultivation speed had increased, revealing his undeniable talent.

Watching the forceful punch, Su Yi calmly extended his right hand and caught Lie Zhi’s fist just before it struck his chest. Lie Zhi’s fist had only just been seized when, instead of alarm, a cold smile appeared on his face. Did Su Yi really think mere Battle Qi could contend with true Battle Qi?

Perhaps in the past, Su Yi could have blocked him, but today, it was impossible!

His gaze sharpened as Battle Qi surged forth, flooding into his right arm. Lie Zhi grinned viciously, shaking his arm as his Battle Qi exploded, determined to break Su Yi’s grip.

Yet, when the surging energy crashed into Su Yi’s hand, to his shock, Su Yi’s grip didn’t loosen in the slightest. Alarmed, Lie Zhi struggled with all his might to pull away, only to find that no matter how hard he tried, Su Yi’s hand remained immovable.

Realizing something was wrong, Lie Zhi quickly tried to gather Battle Qi in his feet to kick out, but suddenly his body felt weightless. His feet left the ground, and he seemed to be flying.

Intent on a swift victory, Su Yi tightened his grip on Lie Zhi’s arm, spun his body clockwise, and, with a quick release, sent Lie Zhi flying off the stone platform like a sack of rice.

With a thud, Lie Zhi crashed onto the hard ground, rolling several times before coming to a stunned halt. His face was a mix of shock, confusion, and disbelief. As pain wracked his body, his eyes—locked on Su Yi—betrayed a flicker of fear.

Never in his wildest dreams had Lie Zhi imagined he would be so easily thrown out of the arena—by Su Yi, no less! Remembering his earlier boasts, he now wished he could dig a hole and disappear in his embarrassment.

The moment Lie Zhi was flung from the platform, the atmosphere in the arena became eerily quiet—not because of the outcome, but because the entire exchange had been so brief.

Many in the audience hadn’t even realized what happened. Some were just about to cheer when the match ended, their open-mouthed faces frozen in stupefaction, making for a somewhat comical sight.

“What just happened? Why did it end so quickly? I didn’t even get to cheer…”

“Look at how relaxed Su Yi is—this is too much! Could he really have reformed his Battle Qi Cyclone as the rumors say? But I didn’t sense any Battle Qi from him at all. He looks just like an ordinary person…”

While the audience whispered in confusion, representatives from all the powers in Changling City and the families seated in the VIP area exchanged surprised glances. Among them were many experts.

Yet, not a single one had sensed any trace of Battle Qi from Su Yi during the match. So how had he managed to defeat Lie Zhi so easily?

To toss someone that far with such ease—even some second-level Fighters couldn’t manage that. Su Yi’s feat defied all reason, especially given that he appeared rather frail, with a sickly pallor, looking for all the world like a feeble, ordinary man.

Since when could an ordinary person defeat a Fighter?

In the VIP area, Chief Qi Na’s eyes flashed as he pondered the matter, while Lie Chen’s expression darkened. After all, Lie Zhi was one of their own, and to be so easily defeated by someone Changling City considered a failure was a serious blow to the family’s reputation.

Ao Benshan, who understood this, couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased. Though he considered Su Yi a thorn in his side, he didn’t wish for Su Yi to be eliminated so easily. After all, his son Ao Benyu had sworn to make Su Yi pay with his own hands.

“So, Su Yi has some brute strength after all,” Ao Benyu commented, glancing at Meiya. “But I wonder how long he can last?”

Meiya, reclining elegantly in her seat, brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled faintly. “We’ll just have to keep watching, won’t we? I imagine Clan Leader Ao Benshan also hopes to see your son face Su Yi in battle.”

Ao Benshan’s face flickered with conflicting emotions. He snorted and said nothing more.

On the field, the referee, surprised to see Lie Zhi thrown out of the arena, glanced at Su Yi before announcing his victory. Su Yi’s expression remained unchanged at the result. He looked at the unsteady, dazed Lie Zhi and shook his head inwardly.

Beyond talent, composure and maturity were also crucial. After a year of hardship, Su Yi had come to understand many things. Even in victory, his emotions no longer swung so wildly—gone were the days of extreme excitement or despair.

In the end, both Su Yi and Lie Zhi returned to the VIP area. Meiya and Moben, who knew Su Yi’s strength, nodded approvingly at him. Lie Zhi, however, fared less well. Seeing Lie Chen’s dark expression, he bowed his head in shame. “Clan leader, I…”

“That’s enough, say no more,” Lie Chen interrupted impatiently, waving his hand before turning to City Lord Chete. “For the next round, Lie Feifei will withdraw. City Lord Chete, please commence the second-level Fighters’ matches directly.”

Martial Peak, Chapter 83: Who Threw Whom? — End of update.