Chapter 84: A Level Seven Fighter?

According to the usual procedure, the next match should have been between Su Yi and Lie Feifei. However, after witnessing Su Yi’s performance, Lie Chen, with his sharp eye, could clearly tell that Lie Feifei was no match for Su Yi. Rather than have her defeated again, it was better to let Su Yi advance.

Of course, this did not mean that only the four of them were first-level fighters in the entire Changling City. In fact, there were quite a number of first-level fighters under the age of twenty-seven in the city, but those families were too embarrassed to bring them forward. Not only did these first-level fighters lack the ability to secure a top-five position, but their ages were also already well into their twenties. To possess such limited talent at the martial tournament was nothing short of humiliating.

Even if a first-level fighter in his twenties were to defeat a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old opponent of the same rank, there would be nothing to celebrate; rather, it would be a source of shame.

As a result, including Su Yi, there were only four first-level fighters participating in this martial tournament. Though the number seemed small, everyone understood that the participation of first-level fighters was mostly for show, their main purpose being to publicly flaunt their talent before the whole city.

Now, Lie Zhi was disgraced, and Gree was displeased. Yet at this moment, Gree could not help but steal a glance at Su Yi. His earlier display had genuinely astonished her—not only because of his effortless victory, but also for his rather unusual fighting style.

Hmph, Su Yi, it seems you do have some ability. Though I don’t know how you managed it, I wonder just how far you can go.

Completely unaware of his daughter’s secret thoughts, the Lord of Chet City merely paused in mild surprise upon hearing Lie Chen’s words. He nodded slightly and said, “Since that’s the case, the winner of the first-level fighter competition shall be Su Yi. Next, we proceed to the second-level fighter match.”

His calm voice echoed through the arena. The referee standing atop the stone platform nodded and announced, “Second-level fighter match: the contestants are Hu Guang and Lie Ren!”

At the referee’s call, Lie Ren, seated in the VIP section, reluctantly left his seat and slowly made his way onto the stone platform. In his opinion, he would rather be in a fine tavern enjoying drinks—preferably with a beautiful companion—than participating in some martial tournament.

Of course, he dared not say such things to his father, Lie Chen. All he could do now was force himself onto the stage.

He was unsure of his opponent’s strength. Although both were second-level fighters, skill varied from one to the next. He hoped his own abilities would prove superior so that he wouldn’t lose and anger his father. Yet, given how long he’d neglected his training, that seemed unlikely.

As he walked, Lie Ren gave a wry smile at the thought. He recalled Su Yi’s performance just moments earlier, which had made his eyes widen. The strike had been clean and decisive, exactly like the day Su Yi crippled Liu Xuan. Lie Ren wished he could show such flair; after all, if he only managed to win after a bitter struggle, his father Lie Chen would hardly be pleased.

With resigned thoughts, Lie Ren reached the platform and took his place, waiting for his opponent to appear.

From the VIP seats, Auburn Mountain glanced at Lie Ren’s sluggish gait and let out a cold chuckle. “Lie Chen, seeing how your son walks, I’d wager women have already sapped his strength. Aren’t you afraid he’ll embarrass your Lie family on stage?”

Lie Chen’s expression twitched and grew icy. Lie Ren was indeed the son who troubled him most; no matter how he tried to correct his ways, the boy would not improve. Still, how his family conducted its affairs was none of the Auburn family’s business!

With a stony face, Lie Chen retorted coldly, “Your son’s arm is crippled, and yet he’s here, isn’t he?”

Auburn Mountain and the youth behind him, Auburn Yu, both paled at these words. After a moment, Auburn Mountain shot Lie Chen a vicious glare and snapped, “We’ll see who laughs last!”

Witnessing the two clan leaders bicker so openly, the Lord of Chet City could not help but cough a few times. His gaze flickered to the old man beside him, but seeing the elder’s indifferent expression, as if he had heard nothing, the city lord could only breathe a silent sigh of relief and turn his attention back to the arena.

By now, Lie Ren was growing impatient atop the stone platform. Ever since he’d appeared, the crowd had recognized him and began whispering non-stop—likely discussing his notorious exploits.

He did not mind being the center of attention, but standing alone on stage like a fool, subjected to everyone’s pointing and gossip, was truly irksome.

Damn it, as if they’re all here to watch me make a fool of myself, Lie Ren cursed inwardly. Where the hell is that Hu Guang anyway?!

“Hey, it’s actually Lie Ren. He’s still just a second-level fighter?”

“Heh, you know what the second young master is like—spending his days in pleasure. Where would he find the time to train?”

“It must be nice to have such a family backing you. No one dares interfere, no matter what he does… Rumor has it another family’s daughter fell prey to him recently…”

“Really? I haven’t heard about that…”

…

While the crowd gossiped quietly, those in the VIP seats also sensed something amiss. That Hu Guang still hadn’t appeared—surely he was taking too long?

The Lord of Chet City frowned and was about to order someone to inquire when a guard hurried over and whispered a few words in his ear. After listening, the city lord nodded slightly and waved him away, then turned to Lie Chen.

“Clan Leader Lie, Hu Guang was unexpectedly injured and cannot participate. Moreover, there are no other second-level fighters entered. Therefore, Lie Ren is declared the winner by default…”

The news of the competitor’s injury surprised the audience, and Auburn Mountain let out a strange laugh. “The Lie family is truly formidable—frightened the opponent so badly he didn’t dare show up. A victory without a fight!”

Lie Chen, clearly dissatisfied, only snorted and shot Auburn Mountain a frosty glare without responding, the coldness in his eyes intensifying.

By this time, word had spread among the spectators. Soon, everyone was discussing and even making jokes.

“Ha! That’s our Lie Ren, second young master. With a mighty aura, he wins the match without making a move…”

“You don’t understand—that’s the legendary ultimate technique: winning without striking…”

Standing alone on the stone platform, hearing the referee declare him champion, Lie Ren was at a loss for words. He wanted to win, but this… this was just too much.

Standing there dazed for quite some time before someone came to tell him he could leave, he felt as if he was being toyed with.

Regardless of how Lie Ren felt, his match was over. Next would be the third- and fourth-level fighter contests. After the Lord of Chet City announced the start, the livelier matches finally began.

The reason they were called livelier was because there were more participants at these levels—six or seven matches in total. This also reflected the strength of other families in the city; compared to great clans like the Lie and Auburn families, the core disciples of lesser families usually only reached this stage, with few advancing higher.

For the audience, this made little difference. Compared to the first and second levels, the battles at the third and fourth levels were far more intense and thrilling.

The matches lasted longer, the moves were fierce, and the crowd roared with excitement, temporarily forgetting even Su Yi, who had previously captured their attention.

In the end, amid the regretful expressions of some families, a third-level and a fourth-level fighter each emerged victorious. After announcing the results, the Lord of Chet City continued, “From here on, there is one contestant each at the fifth, sixth, and seventh levels. As there are no further eliminations, those three—along with Clan Leader Lie’s earlier withdrawal of Lie Ren—added to the initial winner Su Yi, make a total of six finalists advancing to the ultimate round!”

His words ignited a new wave of excitement. The decisive moment had finally arrived! There would surely be even fiercer battles—and there was even a seventh-level fighter! Who could it be, and from which family? Wasn’t Lie Que of the Lie family the strongest amongst them?

And what of Su Yi? The coming matches would be far tougher than those at the first level—how far could he go?

A seventh-level fighter? As clan leader of the Lie family, Lie Chen’s expression changed slightly. He glanced at the Lord of Chet City and frowned. “City Lord, may I ask who the seventh-level fighter is?”

“It is I.”

Before the city lord could answer, a voice suddenly spoke up.

All eyes turned toward the speaker, and when they saw who it was, a look of astonishment swept across the faces of everyone present!