"He's my boyfriend, he's my boyfriend!" Xu Xiaoyan shouted, beaming with pride.
Xiao Qi, standing not far away, heard this clearly and scoffed, "What's so great about that, afraid people won't know!"
Lin Ke gave an embarrassed smile, her attention elsewhere. She kept scanning her surroundings, but couldn't spot Lu Fan.
"With such meager skills, you dare to boast on the stage!" Boss Chu shook his head and said to Da Meng, "Take care of that kid!"
Brother Da Meng didn't say a word. He jumped off the stage and began to beat Jack mercilessly. He wasn't a martial artist, but with his muscular physique, Jack was like a dead dog in his hands.
Xu Xiaoyan's shouting abruptly stopped, replaced by awkward silence. Jack hadn't even managed to block a single move from Da Meng before being utterly defeated.
"Well fought, well fought!" Xiao Qi cheered repeatedly, while Lin Ke stood by, looking uncomfortable.
After Jack was dragged away, Da Meng provocatively challenged the crowd, "Who else!"
Several men jumped onto the stage and displayed various techniques, but in the face of absolute strength, they were no match for him. Some were even martial arts experts, yet they still lost to Brother Da Meng.
"Not bad, not bad, your subordinate can really fight!" Fatty Chen said with a smile from the main seat. "I really didn't see that coming!"
"What, you fatso, want to give it a try?" Boss Chu narrowed his eyes.
"Daoist Lin, it's your turn next!" Fatty Chen said with a smile to the Taoist priest beside him.
"Daoist, shouldn't you be in your temple instead of joining the fun!" Da Meng sneered. "Haven't you tasted the harshness of society?"
"Young man, you shouldn't speak like that," Daoist Lin replied with a smile. "We're all just trying to make a living. Why make things difficult for each other."
"I'm not making things difficult for you," Da Meng said coldly. "If you leave now, I won't lay a hand on you."
"Entrusted by my master, how can I leave so easily," Daoist Lin stated directly. "Why don't we have a spar!"
"Fine, since you don't know your place, I'll show you what real strength is!" Da Meng's expression turned cold. His clothes trembled and then shattered, prompting gasps from many.
Daoist Lin stood on the stage, unfazed, his expression even more serene. Da Meng was merely physically strong. He had already entered the martial path and was a master of martial arts, so why would he fear such a person?
Below the stage, many watched with anticipation. They had never witnessed such an exciting match, nor such a terrifying physique.
Amidst the crowd, Jack, who had been thrown off the stage, was left unattended, looking quite pathetic. His limbs felt numb. He, who had once won a championship, never expected to fall here.
Xu Xiaoyan paid him no mind, as if she didn't know Jack. She had only been with him hoping he would be noticed by the influential figures of Jiangnan at the martial arts tournament. Now that things had come to this, it was likely impossible.
"Xu Xiaoyan, wasn't he your boyfriend?" Xiao Qi asked with a smile from the crowd. "He's so badly injured, why aren't you saying anything?"
"Xiao Qi, we're university classmates, why be so sarcastic with me," Xu Xiaoyan said coldly. "He's just a cripple now, unable to stand out. How can he be worthy of being my man."
"You're quite practical!" Xiao Qi nodded slightly. "But he's quite lucky to see your true colors."
"Let's not talk about each other. We're all the same," Xu Xiaoyan said indifferently, with a proud expression.
"Xiao Qi, have you seen Lu Fan?" Lin Ke asked anxiously. "Did he get lost!"
"How can such a big person get lost!" Xiao Qi laughed. "I think you care too much. There are so many people here. When the martial arts tournament ends, he'll find us."
Lin Ke nodded slightly, not knowing what else to say. She then turned her gaze to the stage. Her purpose in coming to Bailong Town was to watch this martial arts competition, and she certainly couldn't miss it.
On the stage, Da Meng's muscles rippled with every step, each one as heavy as a mountain, looking terrifying. Daoist Lin, however, remained unconcerned, his palm containing a hidden force.
Suddenly, Da Meng's muscles bulged, and he swung a fist at Daoist Lin. Daoist Lin, though slender, was unfazed. He was a master of martial arts, and his strength was not to be underestimated.
On the main platform, Boss Chu looked smug. "Da Meng has been tempered and is now like a fierce tiger. How can that old man you sent be his opponent? It would be bad if someone died."
"Don't worry, Daoist Lin has been with me for many years. I know his methods all too well!" Fatty Chen said calmly, with a faint smile. "But if your subordinate loses, don't be embarrassed."
"My coming to Bailong Town this time is for the championship. My Chu family's deterrence in Jiangnan is not solely based on wealth," Boss Chu stated righteously.
"It's too early to say that," Old Master Zhao smiled. "True masters always appear last. If you want a foothold in Jiangnan, you must have some skills, otherwise, how can it be done?"
Following Old Master Zhao's words, Fatty Chen and Boss Chu simultaneously looked at the black-clothed man behind Old Master Zhao. Facing their scrutinizing gazes, the black-clothed man remained indifferent, his eyes filled with disdain.
"I've long heard that Old Master Zhao has taken in a Black Rakshasa, who can take a person's head and feet in an instant," Han Yunhai said with a light laugh. "Seeing him today, he is indeed extraordinary. His aura is so terrifying."
"Sect Master Han, you flatter me. You are also an extraordinary person. Judging by your aura, you are a master of martial arts." Black Rakshasa smiled. "Among the many influential figures, there is a martial arts expert who is truly unfathomable."
Little White Dragon was surprised. The fact that Black Rakshasa could discern Han Yunhai's cultivation was enough to show that Black Rakshasa's strength was above Han Yunhai's.
"Master, his aura is so terrifying, and his eyesight is so sharp," Little White Dragon frowned. "I wonder if Mr. Lu can deal with him. If he is defeated, what will happen to the Azure Dragon Sect?"
"The Black Rakshasa of Jiangnan is indeed no ordinary person," Han Yunhai stated directly. "It is quite a feat for Old Master Zhao to have him under his command."
"According to what Master said, will Mr. Lu really lose?" Little White Dragon's expression was grave. Lu Fan was the pillar of their Azure Dragon Sect. If he were to lose, the Azure Dragon Sect would likely have no place in Jiangnan and would be like a stray dog.
"Although Black Rakshasa is powerful, he may not be his opponent compared to Mr. Lu," Han Yunhai said directly, recalling the battle by West Lake, which made him even more certain.