The object of their discussion was Qin Chuan.
Standing opposite Chen Xu was Qin Chuan's grandfather.
…
Xu An's matches yesterday were full of drama, although the bout with Zhou Xiong had made Xu An the center of attention.
The drug Zhou Xiong had taken had shifted everyone's focus onto him.
It could be said that today's match was when people truly acknowledged Xu An's strength.
Once or twice might be luck, but crushing opponents in every match could only be attributed to skill.
With a "bang," Xu An's fist slammed into the man's face.
The man, who hadn't even had time to retaliate, was sent flying by Xu An's punch.
Literally flying.
The man spun in place, his body flung away by Xu An like a tattered rag.
The surrounding crowd watched the scene unfold, their mouths agape as if they could swallow a lightbulb.
They had never known that a girl could possess such immense strength, capable of punching an adult man flying.
After confirming her opponent was incapable of resisting, the referee stepped forward to announce Xu An's victory.
Xu An's expression was calm, as if this victory had been expected all along.
The previously quiet crowd gradually became boisterous as Xu An descended from the ring.
"You're Xu An, right!" the leading woman said, mustering her courage and looking at the other person with a fierce demeanor.
If looks could kill, Xu An would have died hundreds of times by now.
"Is there something you need?" Xu An wasn't surprised that the woman knew her name; after all, there were display boards in the arena.
Who was fighting whom was clear at a glance.
"I think you should join us in protesting this behavior that is unfriendly to women!"
After speaking, the woman avoided Xu An's gaze, seemingly hesitant.
"And then?" Xu An asked.
"What then?" The woman seemed taken aback by Xu An's response.
Xu An sized up the woman in front of her, then glanced at the crowd behind her.
"You've been making noise here for quite some time, but has anyone paid you any attention?"
As Xu An finished speaking, a few murmurs rippled through the crowd.
This group of disruptive girls suddenly remembered that since they arrived that morning, no one had paid them any mind, not even a warning.
Xu An looked at the group of girls and asked casually, "If the authorities truly cared about your protest, wouldn't you see the surrounding law enforcement or referees intervening?"
"Do you really believe that simply causing a disturbance here will get you the results you want?"
A series of questions hit them, causing the surrounding girls' minds to race and, more importantly, to reflect.
Their ultimate goal in resisting was to fight for their legitimate rights.
But if no one paid them any mind, wouldn't they be like monkeys in a zoo, merely for others to watch?
The expressions on many of the girls' faces began to shift, their moods uncertain.
The girl who had initially led the protest, seeing that many were swayed by Xu An's words, immediately jumped out to refute her.
"How can you say that? We are merely fighting for our rightful dues; how can you call us unreasonable troublemakers?"
"Moreover, if this announcement is truly rescinded, you, as a girl, would also be a beneficiary. Why are you acting like a coward?"
Faced with the other's questioning, Xu An did not back down, responding firmly word by word.
"This is the apocalypse, it's the lighthouse. Please understand, this is not your old society where they'll play by the rules of law and equality. I am not your mother to indulge you!" Xu An's tone suddenly turned sharp.
"I don't know your reasons for inciting these girls, but you'd better open your eyes and see. Based on my strength, do I really need your so-called 'benefits'?"
The woman was rendered speechless by Xu An's retort and dared not speak further.
After all, Xu An's strength was evident to all. If someone truly wanted to snatch Xu An's points, they would have to consider if they themselves might end up being the one robbed.
However, having reached this point, the woman naturally wouldn't back down and admit she was wrong.
"Of course, you're not afraid because you're capable. But what about all these sisters? Everyone works hard in their matches, and no one wants their hard-earned points to be stolen."
It must be said that onlookers are the most fickle of people, lacking their own judgment on matters.
Whichever side sounded more convincing, they would follow their lead and denounce the other.
Hearing the woman speak so eloquently, they immediately turned back to her side and began to condemn Xu An.
Faced with these baseless accusations, Xu An let out a disdainful laugh and looked at the woman before her with cold eyes.
"So, how many of you have actually participated in matches? Or are you just spectators watching the show?"
The woman's face flushed with embarrassment. Although she was a participant, her score was still zero, almost as good as being eliminated.
"But the capable female contestants, when the announcement came, I believe they were thinking not of causing trouble, but of improving themselves, so as not to be eliminated in the next match."
"Who would be here protesting and demonstrating with you? Wake up, don't be used as a pawn without even realizing it!" Xu An said meaningfully, looking at the woman who had been at the forefront of the charge.
"The leaderboard is out now. May I know your esteemed name, so I can see how many points you've won? Are you that afraid of having them stolen?" Xu An questioned the woman mercilessly.
Cornered, the woman began to falter. The leaderboard was updated in real-time, so there was no use in lying.
Unsurprisingly, upon hearing Xu An's interrogation, the woman immediately panicked. "I... I just want to seek benefits for everyone. I... Although my abilities are lacking, my intentions are good!"
A playful smile spread across Xu An's lips. She took a step forward, closing in on the woman until she had nowhere left to retreat.
"So, your good intentions are to instigate other contestants, who should be competing, to give up their matches and join you, a failed outcast, in a pointless fuss, handing over their points without anyone even needing to snatch them?"
As soon as Xu An's words fell, they immediately caused a stir among the crowd.
Some, who were not completely foolish, immediately grasped the meaning of Xu An's words.
That's right, they had voluntarily forfeited their current matches due to an yet unknown point competition, allowing their opponents to win by default!
The crowd, which had been aggressively demanding, immediately deflated like a leaky balloon, standing rooted in place, filled with regret.
Many male onlookers watched with amusement, most of them treating this "farce" as entertainment.
They wished these foolish girls would continue their commotion, allowing them to win their matches effortlessly.
Now, realizing that among these people there was someone as smart as Xu An, they couldn't help but pay attention.