Chapter 1 The First Match
The first solo match concluded.
Members of the Dragon Team immediately stepped forward to help the injured Xiao Dao back.
At the same time.
They looked at Zhang Yang with disbelief.
As Zhang Yang had predicted, Xiao Dao was indeed no match for the opponent.
"I'm truly sorry. My subordinate didn't hold back, and couldn't control his strength in time," Nangong Wu said with a smile.
"But speaking of which, the Dragon Team's strength this year is rather poor. It's truly disappointing."
Having won the first solo match, Nangong Wu's sarcastic remarks followed.
The members of the Patrol Division also let out loud laughter.
This made Qi Dalei and the other Dragon Team members' faces turn ashen.
But there was nothing they could do.
After all, they had lost.
And they had lost so miserably in the very first match.
"Xiao Li, go and take care of the Dragon Team's second participant. Finish it quickly and end this boring match sooner," Nangong Wu said with a smile.
Qi Dalei's expression was grim.
He glanced at Zhang Yang, who, without holding any grudges, was tending to the injuries of the unconscious Xiao Dao.
Qi Dalei felt a pang of regret.
He shouldn't have ignored Zhang Yang's advice to warn Xiao Dao to be careful.
Now, in the team match, the Dragon Team would be missing a strong member.
"Xiao He, do your best. If it's really impossible, prioritize your own safety and concede voluntarily," Qi Dalei instructed.
"Losing ten points isn't a big deal. We can win them back in the team match."
Xiao He nodded, his face solemn as he walked towards the Patrol Division members.
However, before the match could even begin.
Nangong Wu, who was spectating, suddenly sneered and snapped his fingers.
*Snap*
The aura of the Patrol Division's second participant in the solo match changed.
A surge of powerful vital energy emanated from him.
The Dragon Team members were instantly shocked!
The second participant from the Patrol Division was also a Geng-level external body refining expert!
Moreover, judging by the density of his vital energy, he was even stronger than Feng Yang, who had fought Xiao Dao!
Qi Dalei's expression was extremely grim.
Xiao He was merely an external body refining expert at the initial Xin level, and his strength was significantly weaker than Xiao Dao's.
He was no match for the opponent at all.
"Mayor Huang, we concede the second solo match." Although unwilling, Qi Dalei directly raised his hand to concede.
To preserve their strength, Qi Dalei chose to voluntarily forfeit.
While this would affect their team's morale, it was better than incurring more casualties and putting the team match at a disadvantage.
Huang Rui was slightly taken aback but didn't say much.
"Alright, that concludes the solo matches. The Patrol Division currently leads by 10 points."
"Both sides, take a short break, and then you can begin the team match."
In the solo matches, the Dragon Team had suffered a crushing defeat.
In the first match, Xiao Dao was easily incapacitated.
In the second match, the opponent revealed their cultivation level, and Qi Dalei chose to concede to preserve their strength.
It could be said that from the start of the competition.
Nangong Wu had planned everything, first destroying Xiao Dao, who was known to be the strongest in the Dragon Team besides Qi Dalei.
Then, in the second match, he completely demoralized the Dragon Team's overall morale.
Even Fang Zheng, who was on the stage, had a face so grim it could drip water.
However, he didn't blame Qi Dalei and the others, because the Patrol Division this year was outrageously strong.
Still, Fang Zheng secretly speculated.
Was it only the Patrol Division of Jiangnan City that had such a strong lineup, or were all other city Patrol Divisions like this?
If so, what were they trying to achieve?
"Sigh, this year's competition isn't as exciting as previous years. I thought the solo matches would be interesting, but who would have thought the Dragon Team would be so disappointing this year," Gao Feng said with a cold laugh.
Although his words were filled with a sense of pity, Fang Zheng could clearly hear the mockery.
"There's still the team match, why are you in such a hurry?"
"Heh heh, I'm worried the Dragon Team will lose even more embarrassingly in the upcoming team match."
"Gao Feng, if you're so confident, why don't the two of us step down and join the team match for a spar?"
"Fang Zheng, if you have that intention, I will certainly accompany you."
"..."
Seeing that the two were about to argue again, Huang Rui couldn't help but feel helpless.
Every year, the competition between the Dragon Team and the Patrol Division was the most difficult for them, the mayors.
They always had to mediate between the two, acting as peacemakers.
This was a thankless task.
"I say, you two should stop making trouble. The competition is for the younger generation, so just calm down."
"Once the injured members of the Dragon Team are attended to, the team match can begin."
After speaking.
Huang Rui cast his gaze towards the Dragon Team. When he saw Zhang Yang's bone-setting technique.
His eyes showed a hint of curiosity.
Huang Rui secretly noted Zhang Yang's appearance and pondered something thoughtfully.
Having lost the solo matches, the Dragon Team members were all dejected.
"Sigh, I told you long ago, but you didn't listen. If I had gone up, I could have turned the tide," Zhang Yang sighed.
He had been busy with Xiao Dao for a while and finally managed to reset the young man's broken bones.
He had used some of his vital energy to allow Xiao Dao to move normally.
However, it was impossible for him to continue participating in the fight.
Xiao Dao, who had woken up from his unconsciousness, felt very uncomfortable, feeling he had failed Qi Dalei's trust.
Furthermore, as soon as he woke up, he heard Zhang Yang's sarcastic remarks, which made him even more displeased.
"Zhang Yang, don't think that just because you set my bones, I'll be grateful to you."
"Even if you were right just now, what does it matter? I would have lost the duel anyway."
"If you had gone up, the situation would probably have been even worse."
Xiao Dao's attitude was poor. Despite being seriously injured, his mouth was still sharp.
Zhang Yang glanced at him and sneered.
"The only thing you have left is your mouth to babble, what else can you do?"
This remark infuriated Xiao Dao to no end.
He wanted to retort, but Qi Dalei's gaze stopped him.
At this point.
If Qi Dalei still didn't realize that Zhang Yang was not simple.
Then he would truly be foolish.
"Zhang Yang, you saw through the opponent's cultivation and strength from the beginning? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Qi Dalei asked.
"I wanted to say something just now, but did you give me a chance?" Zhang Yang said speechlessly.
This...
Qi Dalei couldn't help but recall.
The situation at that time seemed to be exactly as Zhang Yang had said.
"Zhang Yang, what is your current cultivation level?" Qi Dalei asked.
"I'm not sure, but I should be very strong," Zhang Yang replied after some thought.
His cultivation level division was different from Qi Dalei's, so he couldn't describe it accurately.
"I..." Qi Dalei was exasperated.
The other Dragon Team members also curled their lips, feeling that Zhang Yang was bragging again.
He didn't even dare to state his cultivation level, yet he claimed to be very strong?
The only one who didn't underestimate Zhang Yang was Qi Dalei.
He stared intently at Zhang Yang, frowning and pondering.
In fact.
Qi Dalei's original intention for Zhang Yang to participate in the competition was for him to act as the "Kingpin" in the team match.
The rules for the team match were actually very simple.
The members of both teams would enter the mountain in front of them and engage in wilderness combat.
Every time a person lost their fighting ability or was eliminated from the competition.
The opponent's score would increase by five points.
In addition to this bonus, there was also the Kingpin of each team.
Defeating the Kingpin would earn thirty points.
Qi Dalei's original intention was to have Zhang Yang serve as the Kingpin this time.
Because.
In previous competitions, the Kingpin would hide and had never been eliminated until the end.
And since the Dragon Team's A Tian could not participate, Qi Dalei did not want the Dragon Team members to act as the Kingpin.
After all, this would mean they would have one less attacking member.
Therefore, it was perfect for Zhang Yang to fill this role.
As long as Zhang Yang hid well, Qi Dalei would find a way to handle the rest.
However, now that Qi Dalei knew Zhang Yang was not simple, he decided to change his strategy.
"Zhang Yang, in the team match later, you will join the frontal combat."
"This time, Xiao Dao will serve as the Kingpin, and we will act together to eliminate the members of the Patrol Division!"
Clearly.
The current situation made Qi Dalei feel a sense of gravity.
The strength of the Patrol Division exceeded Qi Dalei's imagination, so having one more person to fight would be beneficial.