Chapter 064: The Semifinals (Second Update)

Xin Lang spoke from the side, “Fatty, you’d better be careful not to get yourself into trouble!”

Gu Fatty answered with a lascivious grin, “Don’t worry, boss, I know what I’m doing!”

“Ah!” Qian Baidu seemed to have guessed something and cried out, “You rascal, you didn’t come back all night—did you go to the City Lord’s mansion chasing girls?”

“Shh…” Gu Fatty hurriedly covered Qian Baidu’s mouth and whispered, “Not so loud, it’s not settled yet!”

Everyone had to admit defeat before Gu Fatty; no matter what kind of background a girl had, he dared to pursue her!

After Ouyang Tianfeng announced the new tournament rules, Meng Chuchu exclaimed indignantly, “They’re shameless! As the event organizers, they’ve clearly changed the rules for their own interests, yet they make it sound so dignified!”

Xin Lang smiled, “The new rules are fine by me—I actually like them.”

The new rules, as announced by Ouyang Tianfeng, changed the original best-of-five format to a relay: five people from each academy would go onstage one after another, and only when all five from the opposing team were defeated would a side claim victory. The new system stipulated that as long as one’s strength sufficed, a single contestant could battle through all five rounds alone!

Had this rule been in place earlier, Xin Lang wouldn’t have needed to put so much effort into boosting Qian Baidu’s and Gu Fatty’s abilities.

Ouyang Feiyun was supremely confident in his own strength, which was why he had pushed for this rule change with the tournament.

After Ouyang Tianfeng finished announcing the new rules, he proceeded with the lot-drawing for the four semifinal academies. Whether by coincidence or manipulation, Xuyang Academy and Shengyang Academy were drawn into the same group again for the finals.

Seeing this outcome, Ouyang Feiyun shot Xin Lang a sinister smile, “Xin Lang, you’re finished this time! If I don’t cripple you, I’m not Ouyang Feiyun!”

Xin Lang merely offered a faint smile in response to Ouyang Feiyun’s provocation. “You’d best prepare yourself. Miss this chance, and you may never have the opportunity to shine again.”

Ouyang Tianfeng, noticing the animosity between Ouyang Feiyun and Xin Lang, called Feiyun over and whispered, “Just teach that boy a lesson onstage. Until we’re certain of his relationship with the seventh-level potion master, don’t kill him.”

Ouyang Feiyun replied, “It’s common for accidents to happen in the ring. If he’s badly injured, that seventh-level potion master will surely come out to treat him, and then we can track his whereabouts. With our Ouyang family’s power in Jiuyang City, surely we can win the master’s support!”

Hearing this, Ouyang Tianfeng nodded approvingly. “Excellent! Yun’er, your thinking is meticulous and far-sighted. Do as you said, but mind your hand—don’t accidentally kill him!”

“Understood, Uncle,” Ouyang Feiyun replied, his eyes gleaming with a cold light.

The first semifinal of the day took place between Shengyang Academy and Xuyang Academy.

The first to step into the ring for Shengyang Academy was again their student, Lin Fei; for Xuyang Academy, it was Qian Baidu.

Lin Fei had watched Qian Baidu’s previous matches and had also visited Zhou Bufan after his injuries. He was deeply impressed by Qian Baidu’s advanced martial skill, “Heaven-Piercing Finger.”

“Qian, let’s keep this friendly—go easy on me!” Lin Fei said.

“Uh… that might be a bit difficult. Right before I went onstage, a pretty girl told me she’s the sister of the student from Feiyang Academy you injured. She said if I avenge her brother, she’ll go on a date with me tonight! You’re a man—you understand how it is!” Qian Baidu grinned, the lecherous smile he’d picked up from his time with Gu Fatty spreading across his face.

Lin Fei thought of the student he had beaten so badly before. While it had felt good to be the one dishing out the punishment, the thought of being on the receiving end was less appealing. His eyes darted around, torn between conceding and the fear that Ouyang Feiyun wouldn’t let him off easily.

“You want to forfeit? For the chance to date a pretty girl, I can’t let you!” Qian Baidu said.

He shifted his feet subtly—ready to strike in a flash should Lin Fei try to throw the match.

Cold sweat began to bead on Lin Fei’s forehead.

If he didn’t fight, Ouyang Feiyun wouldn’t allow it; but to fight, recalling Zhou Bufan’s injuries, terrified him even more.

Lin Fei swallowed nervously and his eyes flickered. “Qian, look, I also have a younger sister! If you go easy on me, I’ll introduce her to you!”

“You have a sister? Is she pretty?” Qian Baidu asked, clearly interested.

“Beautiful, of course!” Lin Fei stepped closer and pointed, “See for yourself!”

Qian Baidu followed his gaze and exclaimed, “Isn’t that Miss Chuchu from our academy?”

“Heh. You fell for it!” Lin Fei sneered. In the instant Qian Baidu was distracted, Lin Fei launched his “Scattered Stone Fist” straight at Qian Baidu’s chest.

“Trying to sneak attack?” Qian Baidu’s lips curled into a cruel smile. He faced Lin Fei’s flurry of punches without flinching, letting them land directly on his chest.

“How… how can this be?” Lin Fei could hardly believe his eyes.

“Ha! Your fists are as weak as a girl’s! Here—let me show you what a real punch feels like!” Qian Baidu declared, driving a fist straight at Lin Fei’s chest.

Lin Fei recoiled in terror, raising his arms to protect his chest.

With a dull thud, the air around the ring seemed to reverberate with the force of Qian Baidu’s punch. Lin Fei’s arms shattered under the blow, and he was sent flying off the stage, crashing to the ground.

“Vibrating Zen Force! Level Two martial artist!” Li Xuanming called out from the VIP section.

This time, everyone saw clearly just how powerful Qian Baidu was.

“A level two martial artist!” The principal of Luoyang Academy exclaimed bitterly, “Why? Why isn’t a student like that in our Luoyang Academy?”

The elite students of Luoyang Academy who had once fought Qian Baidu now trembled in fear, terrified he would seek revenge.

“Excellent! The boy’s got talent—I knew I had an eye for choosing him!” said Wang Junwei of the War Academy.

“Nonsense, I picked him first!” Li Xuanming of the Martial Arts Academy protested.

“Says who? I was the first! Lord Ouyang can vouch for me, can’t you, Lord Ouyang?” Wang Junwei insisted.

Li Xuanming and Wang Junwei began squabbling over Qian Baidu again, leaving Ouyang Tianfeng beside them looking livid and speechless.

Having defeated Lin Fei, Qian Baidu was entitled, under the new rules, to remain in the ring and continue fighting until he was knocked out or conceded.

He stood on the platform, awaiting the next challenger from Shengyang Academy.

Qian Baidu expected Ouyang Feiyun to step into the ring, but to everyone’s surprise, it was Ouyang Yanran who walked up instead.

Though only a level one martial artist, Ouyang Yanran was confident that with her mastery of an earth-grade technique, she could still defeat Qian Baidu.

Qian Baidu looked at her, shrugged, and laughed. “I concede!”

End of chapter two. If you’re enjoying this, please vote! Eight chapters remain—brothers, let’s burst forth together!