Despicable

As the flames were continuously drawn in, the thin, cloth-like wall of fire finally dissipated.

As the fire wall vanished, the hurricane blade mixed with flames came slashing down. Yet when it was just three centimeters from Huo Rulie's hair, the flames drawn into the wind blade suddenly scattered wildly like unbridled horses lashed by a whip!

Boom! The flames exploded directly, and the violent blaze rolled up waves of heat toward the spectator stands. Qi Yunlong was the one who stepped in and blocked the surging heat.

The fierce heat made Huo Rulie's robes billow, yet he stood tall and imposing, utterly unmoving, looking exceptionally valiant.

"Uh... how... is that possible..." Mo Changlong was already thirty meters away from Huo Rulie, his entire body charred black. Only his eyes remained white, though they were filled with bloodshot veins and utter disbelief.

Not only Mo Changlong, but even those in the stands were deeply shocked. "An unknown brat... actually... actually defeated Mo Changlong so thoroughly. He didn't even make a move, yet he burned Mo Changlong beyond recognition."

Huo Rulie looked at Mo Changlong and said, "Concede. You have no chance of winning."

"Me, lose? What a joke! How could I possibly lose!" He lay flat on the ground, but his voice remained hard. Wisps of white smoke still drifted from his mouth as he spoke...

"How could I possibly lose to you!" He was the publicly acknowledged genius of Flowing Wind City. He had come to this tournament to prove himself and make a name for himself. Now that he had lost to someone who had appeared out of nowhere, how could he accept it?

With a soft sigh, Huo Rulie said, "Sorry, but I am determined to win this tournament." With a flick of his sleeve, he gently swept Mo Changlong off the stage with profound energy.

Looking at Mo Changlong being carried off the stage, Qi Yunlong shouted, "Huo Rulie versus Mo Changlong—Huo Rulie wins!"

Hearing the announced result, Qi Panjian was dumbfounded. He looked at Xiao Feng in surprise. "How did you know?"

"The fire he used was no ordinary flame. The fire-element Mystic Art he cultivated must be extremely powerful. If it had been ordinary fire, Mo Changlong's approach might not have been without a chance. But he was too arrogant. He tried to absorb it directly despite being unable to control it, so he burned himself into defeat before Huo Rulie even made a move," Xiao Feng explained.

"This fire should be called Bonechill Netherflame." Qi Qingyun added from the side, "I once saw records of this flame in an ancient book. But according to the book, its inheritance had long since vanished. He must have encountered some great fortune and thereby refined this ancient netherflame..."

Xiao Feng had not read those ancient records. The reason he could judge it so clearly was because of the Vermillion Bird Requiem he cultivated. His understanding of fire-element profound energy had already reached an extremely high level.

With the official announcement of the result, the atmosphere at the scene grew even more heated.

"Who exactly is this person? He's actually this powerful."

"He defeated Mo Changlong without even making a move. This kid is truly terrifying."

"Yeah... His control over fire is so skilled. Flowing Wind City has gained another rising star..."

"Hahaha... Well done!" Qi Yunlong did not hesitate to praise him. He even extended an invitation. "Would this young friend be willing to join my Qi Family? I happen to be lacking a disciple. I will devote considerable resources to training you!"

"Hiss—" Qi Yunlong's words filled the audience below with intense envy. To be accepted by the Qi Family... how wonderful would that be if it were me?

"Exactly. And he would even become Qi Yunlong's personal disciple. His treatment and status would practically soar to the heavens in a single step."

Huo Rulie bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your appreciation, Qi Family Head. But before coming here, I had already made an agreement with the Si Family. They brought me to this tournament, and if I achieved outstanding results here, I would join the Si Family. Therefore, I cannot accept your generous offer. Please forgive me."

"Hahaha, what fault do you have? I'm the one who envies the Si Family for recruiting such a genius." He then looked toward the Si Family. "Your Si Family is truly fortunate to have recruited such a talent."

Situ Hao stood up and laughed. "Thank you for your kind words, Qi Family Head. But your Qi Family produced a Qing Yun. Doesn't it sound rather awkward for you to say that?"

"Hahaha..." Qi Yunlong laughed heartily. "Let us not delay everyone any longer. The matches will continue. Huo Rulie is now the reigning challenger. Anyone who wishes to challenge him may take the stage."

Time passed, and just as the time limit for defending the stage was about to end, no one had stepped onto the arena. After all, Huo Rulie had thoroughly defeated Mo Changlong. Other than people from the four great families, who else would go looking for trouble?

"I'll have a taste of your skills!" Just as the defense time was about to end, a figure flew out from the Wang Family seats. He had a leopard-like head, round eyes, and a face that radiated stern authority and ferocity.

After stepping onto the stage, he wore an arrogant expression. "Du Kongpo is here to seek your guidance!"

"It's Du Kongpo. Why did he come up?"

"How is this guy even qualified to compete?"

"..."

The moment he appeared, it was as though he had provoked public outrage, leaving many people indignant.

"What's his deal?" Xiao Feng asked Qi Panjian beside him.

"Hmph! Just a dog." Qi Panjian said disdainfully, "He is twenty years old and at level ten of the God Tribulation Realm. He is extremely vicious and violent. Relying on his little bit of talent, he has committed every sort of evil in the city.

"But he bullies the weak and fears the strong. He never provokes those he should not provoke, and he can even serve others like a dog. Only recently, after the Wang Family became the City Lord, did they recruit him. He has become somewhat more restrained since then."

"Who knows what went wrong with the Wang Family to recruit someone like him."

"I see..." Xiao Feng nodded in understanding.

"Please enlighten me." Huo Rulie paid no attention to the discussions around him and focused entirely on the man before him. Du Kongpo was at level ten of the God Tribulation Realm, two full levels above him. He had to be cautious.

After confirming that both sides were ready, Qi Yunlong announced loudly, "The match begins!"

The moment the words fell, Huo Rulie charged forward. Flames ignited in his hand as explosive fire fiercely blasted toward Du Kongpo.

"Pfft..."

"Heh..." Du Kongpo gave a cold, mocking laugh and raised his right hand, catching Huo Rulie's flaming fist one-handed. "That's it?" But in the next instant, his smile vanished.

"Arghhh!"

He staggered backward again and again... Less than two breaths after mocking Huo Rulie, the Bonechill Netherflame surrounding Huo Rulie clung to him like maggots on a corpse. The burning pain made him unable to suppress a scream.

But realizing that he was on the fighting stage, he forcibly swallowed his cries. Still, the twitching muscles on his face revealed his agony.

"Hahaha..."

"Serves him right..."

The moment he made a fool of himself, countless people in the stands mocked him. It was clear just how hated he was.

Huo Rulie gave him no chance to catch his breath. Flames instantly gathered in his palm, and a blazing fist slammed down.

Du Kongpo staggered as he raised his right hand to block it, a vicious look flashing through his eyes. His left hand slipped into his belt... As the flaming fist crashed down, his whole body was sent flying.

Huo Rulie pressed his advantage, placing his palm against Du Kongpo's body as he prepared to blast him off the stage... But in an instant, Du Kongpo's concealed left hand shot out and viciously swung at his face... Huo Rulie instinctively raised his other hand to block it, but what followed was not profound energy—it was a cloud of purple powder!

"Ah..." As the powder entered his eyes, Huo Rulie instinctively cried out. The profound energy he had just gathered instantly dispersed.

Taking advantage of the situation, Du Kongpo viciously slapped Huo Rulie.

Slap! The crisp sound pierced everyone's ears as Huo Rulie was sent flying.

Bang! The sound of his body hitting the ground echoed across the arena. He rolled several times before stopping, only for a large foot to viciously stomp down on his chest.

"Hahaha!! Weren't you impressive? Huh! Keep going!" Du Kongpo looked crazed. Not only did he keep his foot on Huo Rulie's chest, he twisted it continuously.

"Damn it!"

"Despicable and shameless!"

"How can this person be so shameless!"

"He used such underhanded tactics and still acts so arrogantly!"

"Hmph! The rules never said other methods could not be used to win," Du Kongpo replied arrogantly.

"..."

"Netherflame Burnweed!!!" Xiao Feng frowned and muttered, "This herb is dark purple in color. Once contaminated by it, the entire body will feel as though it is being scorched by raging flames. Most importantly, for this herb to remain dark purple in a world saturated with Abyssal Dust, its poison must be extremely potent. If it is not treated in time and the poison penetrates deeply, his eyes will go blind!"

"I concede..." Huo Rulie knew that he had no chance of winning in his current state. Just as he was about to admit defeat, Du Kongpo viciously stomped on his hand!

Crack!

"Arghhh!!"

The sound of shattering bones rang in everyone's ears. As the saying went, ten fingers were connected to the heart. That stomp had likely crushed every bone in Huo Rulie's hand.

"Hahaha... Weren't you enjoying beating me up just now? Keep going!" As he spoke, he raised his foot to stomp on Huo Rulie's other hand...

At that moment, Qi Yunlong flicked his sleeve and gently swept Du Kongpo away from Huo Rulie, then brought Huo Rulie to the Si Family's seats. Du Kongpo seemed to have expected this and watched coldly from the side.

"Brother... Brother..." A child's anguished voice called from nearby. It was Huo Rulie's younger sister. Tears streaked her cheeks as she looked sorrowfully at the barely conscious Huo Rulie.

Situ Hao's face turned livid as he looked at the barely conscious Huo Rulie. He demanded, "Using despicable and shameless means is one thing, but why did you have to be so cruel?"

"Haha... May I ask when the rules ever stated that special methods could not be used? And I never heard him admit defeat. Naturally, I had to keep attacking until he lost the ability to resist."

"You..." Situ Hao's face reddened. He had always been rather straightforward, and now he was left speechless by Du Kongpo's words.

"Besides..." Du Kongpo's voice slowly continued, "He did not concede, nor had he lost the ability to resist. Why was he taken off the stage directly? Qi Family Head, I'm afraid that does not comply with the rules either..."

"..."

The protagonist will appear in the next chapter...