Chapter 105: Thank you, thank you very much

Bi Yuntao and Shi Longtao exchanged a glance; neither dared to underestimate Xin Lang anymore. However, they remained confident that even if Xin Lang were powerful, he could not withstand their combined assault.

Huangfu Sheng, seeing that everyone on the stage was ready, announced the start of the match.

Unsure of Xin Lang’s true strength but wary of his arrogant demeanor, the two men did not dare to test him lightly. They immediately joined forces and unleashed their most powerful techniques.

"Earth-rank technique: Water-Severing Palm!"
"Earth-rank technique: Stone-Splitting Fist!"

One was a fourth-level martial artist, the other a fifth-level. They attacked Xin Lang simultaneously from a forty-five-degree angle.

Their coordination was flawless, their offense and defense perfectly complementary. They had effectively cornered Xin Lang; if he did not engage, he would be forced off the stage. Yet, if he chose to confront one, he would inevitably be struck by the other.

"Good! Let’s see how arrogant he is now!" shouted a student.

"Hey! Who are you talking about?" Fatty Gu, who had been standing in front of that student, heard the remark and turned to glare at him.

"Uh..." Having witnessed Fatty Gu withstand a punch from Du Muhan on the stage and force his opponent to concede, the student knew he was not someone to be trifled with. He quickly slipped away into the crowd.

The Water-Severing Palm and Stone-Splitting Fist were not particularly profound Earth-rank techniques. Seeing the two men charging at him, Xin Lang remained unperturbed.

He threw both fists out simultaneously, striking at Bi Yuntao and Shi Longtao at the same time!

"High-level Earth-rank technique: Emperor’s World-Shocking Fist!"

Xin Lang was now a tenth-level martial artist. His strength followed his will, his hidden power surged, and combined with a high-level Earth-rank technique, Bi Yuntao and Shi Longtao were no match for him, even without him resorting to his super weapon, the "Heavenly Halberd."

Bang! Bang! Both men were struck by Xin Lang’s fists and sent flying off the stage!

Xin Lang’s seemingly casual punches carried the imposing aura of a monarch descending upon the world.

"This... this is the imperial secret technique of our Great Xia Dynasty, the 'Emperor’s World-Shocking Fist'!" Huangfu Sheng thought to himself, shocked. "What is his connection to the royal family? Is he some illegitimate prince?"

Huangfu Sheng mentally reviewed every member of the royal family, searching for any resemblance to Xin Lang, but found no one.

As Bi Yuntao and Shi Longtao collapsed on the ground, a deathly silence fell over the promotion hall. The spectators could not believe their eyes: two Silver-rank students had been defeated in a single blow.

Xin Lang retracted his fists, turned toward the challenger’s platform, and said, "Next!"

His voice was not loud, but it struck the audience like a heavy hammer, causing them to instinctively step back.

Wang Feihong sat on the challenger’s platform, feeling as if he were sitting on pins and needles. Although he could defeat Bi Yuntao and Shi Longtao, he could never do so as effortlessly as Xin Lang.

"Where did this kid come from? How can he be such a monster?" Wang Feihong lamented inwardly.

He had come to challenge Xin Lang out of jealousy and resentment after hearing that Hu Qingqing had visited Xin Lang’s dormitory. He had intended to cripple Xin Lang to vent his frustration, never expecting the boy to be this strong.

Wang Feihong had originally been a Gold-rank student, but after losing a match to a Silver-rank challenger who had just attained Gold-rank status, he had been demoted to Silver-rank.

Xin Lang had just defeated two Silver-rank students, earning twenty points. If Wang Feihong lost to Xin Lang as well, Xin Lang would seize his status, causing Wang Feihong to be demoted to Bronze-rank—the first person in the history of the Martial Arts Academy to drop two ranks from Gold to Bronze.

Wang Feihong deeply regretted his actions today. They say impulse is the devil, and it was certainly true; his momentary lapse in judgment had left him in a desperate, impossible situation.

With everyone watching, Wang Feihong had no choice but to bite the bullet and step onto the stage.

Xin Lang looked at him and said, "No need to fight. You’ve already lost."

"I’ve lost? We haven't even started! What makes you say that?" Wang Feihong asked, slightly angry.

"Am I wrong? Your footsteps are erratic, your resolve is wavering; it’s clear you have no confidence in beating me. How can someone without confidence defeat their opponent?"

"I..." Wang Feihong was speechless, unable to find a retort.

Xin Lang stood on the stage, hands behind his back, waiting in silence.

Even though Xin Lang did not move, Wang Feihong felt as if a massive mountain stood before him, impossible to overcome. He fell into deep contemplation.

After a long while, Wang Feihong finally spoke: "I concede..."

"Oh my god! You’re kidding, right?" The entire hall erupted in an uproar.

"Wang Feihong conceded! He gave up without even fighting! How is that possible? He used to be a Gold-rank student!" a student exclaimed.

Wang Feihong said softly, "I admit, I truly lack the confidence to defeat you right now. However, I will not give up. It won't be long before I challenge you again and reclaim my Silver-rank status!"

Xin Lang laughed, "Haha, that’s great! I welcome your challenges anytime! If you want, you can come every day!"

Since Qian Bai-du could no longer serve as his point-grinding tool, he was more than happy to have people come and help him farm experience points.

Xin Lang’s victory without a fight left many stunned, and those who had hoped to see him get beaten were deeply disappointed.

With Wang Feihong’s concession, Xin Lang officially promoted to Silver-rank, completing the five-diamond main quest of the upgrade system.

The system prompted: "Five-diamond main quest completed. Successfully promoted to Silver-rank student of the Martial Arts Academy. Gained 500 experience points!"

With those 500 points, his total experience reached 2313. Having finished the quest, Xin Lang felt a sense of relief, as the threat of being erased by the system had been lifted.

Excitedly, he walked over to Wang Feihong, shook his hand, and patted his shoulder warmly. "Thank you! Thank you very much!"

Wang Feihong was left bewildered by the "gratitude" and retreated from the stage with a flushed face.

As Wang Feihong stepped down, Huang Shiyu slowly rose from the challenger’s platform. With his hands behind his back and a steady, confident gait, he walked onto the stage.

"Huang Shiyu, victory is yours!" his followers suddenly shouted.
"Huang Shiyu, teach him a lesson!"
"Huang Shiyu, this kid insulted the school beauty, destroy him!"

Most of the audience had come to see Xin Lang get crushed. Disappointed by the first two matches, they pinned all their final hopes on Huang Shiyu.

Huang Shiyu was ranked tenth on the Gold List. Although he was last on the list, he was one of the ten strongest in the entire academy, and his strength was not to be underestimated.