No Opportunity

These words seemed to resonate with some disgruntled individuals, who chimed in with their agreement.

"Steward Jiao, I also have my doubts about him."

"Me too. He clearly has no Profound Energy, so how could he have passed the assessment? Was it just based on that so-called physical strength? How is that possible?"

"Exactly, he must have cheated."

"..."

The stout man pondered with a furrowed brow. Cheated?

This made him suspicious. A normal person with no Profound Energy possessing physical strength comparable to a Nascent Breath Level 8 cultivator, while such a thing existed, was extremely rare.

After all, some disciples from major powers, unable to cultivate martial arts due to their innate constitution, would have their physiques strengthened by their families with vast amounts of rare treasures to prevent unforeseen circumstances.

However, that kind of investment was immense and not something ordinary powers could afford.

But!

Qin Jishi hadn't shown him any special treatment. How could he be a disciple of some major power?

Obviously not. Since he wasn't... this couldn't help but arouse the stout man's suspicion.

"Can you give me a reasonable explanation?"

"Steward Jiao!" Qin Jishi said earnestly, "Everything I just said is the truth."

"How do you prove it?" The stout man saw no ripple in Qin Jishi's eyes.

"Like this!" Qin Jishi looked at the Round-faced Youth. "He was the one who questioned my cheating just now. Steward Jiao, you can have him go on stage and spar with me in pure physical strength. If I unfortunately die by his hand, it will prove I indeed cheated and deserved my fate. If I can withstand his attack, won't the matter be clear?"

Qin Jishi had already given the Round-faced Youth a chance earlier. Since he didn't cherish it.

Fine!

Then he'd send him on his way.

People like him, if they lived, who knew how many innocent people would suffer.

"Good!" The stout man nodded. "This is not an unreasonable method."

"You..." While speaking, the stout man pointed at the Round-faced Youth. "Did you hear what he just said clearly? Now go on stage and spar with him."

"Understood!" The Round-faced Youth had been eager to do this. He had initially thought Qin Jishi would be reluctant, but he hadn't expected him to proactively make such a request.

Good!

Very good!

Before the Round-faced Youth could take a step, A'si, standing beside him, grabbed his arm.

"Third Brother, I have a feeling things aren't that simple. Don't be reckless."

"Third Brother!" A'wu also looked solemn. "Fourth Brother is right. That kid couldn't possibly not know your cultivation level. If he still dares to make such a request, he must have some reliance."

"Furthermore!"

"Have you forgotten the young master's instructions?"

For some reason, they felt something was wrong.

From beginning to end, Qin Jishi's demeanor was too calm, a calmness that unsettled them.

Also, back when they were outside the Imperial Capital City, Qin Jishi's speed of action was so fast that even their young master hadn't noticed it. Was that also a pretense?

"Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother!" The Round-faced Youth was dismissive. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. This kid is just putting on a show. If I hadn't underestimated him earlier, how could he have succeeded? Does he want to use some unknown means to muddle through again this time? I'll expose him and give him a good lesson at the same time."

"Offend me?"

"Hmph~"

"Blind his dog eyes."

Ignoring their attempts to stop him, the Round-faced Youth moved and stepped onto the circular platform.

"Third Brother!"

"Third Brother!"

The two were helpless. It was already too late to persuade him now. All they could do was pray they were overthinking things.

Upon seeing the Round-faced Youth walk onto the platform, the crowd below erupted in excitement.

"I say, expose his tricks and trample him thoroughly, let him know the consequences of deceiving us."

"Yeah, teach him a good lesson, make him spend the rest of his life in bed."

"..."

As the saying goes, onlookers never tire of a spectacle, especially those who were eliminated. They couldn't stand to see anyone else doing well.

Of course, those disciples who couldn't seize the opportunity to participate in the assessment were also indignant. If the other party was exposed, they would still have a chance.

Hearing the crowd's voices, the Round-faced Youth appeared brimming with confidence.

"Everyone, rest assured, I can't stand any impurities. I will never allow anyone to fish in troubled waters."

After speaking, the Round-faced Youth looked forward, his expression turning respectful. "Steward Jiao, can we begin now?"

Seeing the eager Round-faced Youth, the stout man couldn't help but notice something was amiss.

It was clear they had a conflict between them.

However, the stout man didn't pry. He said coldly, "I don't need to explain the rules. It's a test of pure physical strength only. No Profound Energy is allowed."

"Begin!"

"Wait!" Qin Jishi, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

"What?" the Round-faced Youth sneered, "Scared? Hmph, too late..."

"Scared?"

Qin Jishi shook his head. "Steward Jiao, I believe fists and feet have no eyes. If someone gets seriously injured, the other party will not pursue any blame."

Ugh!

Hearing this, everyone looked at Qin Jishi as if he were an idiot.

Was this kid out of his mind?

Was he pushing himself towards a dead end?

Or was he deliberately trying to bluff the other party?

The stout man frowned. "Are you sure?"

Qin Jishi nodded. "Sure!"

The stout man looked at the Round-faced Youth. "Do you accept?"

Without hesitation, the Round-faced Youth replied, "Accept... Of course, I accept."

What a joke! The Round-faced Youth was already wondering how to cripple the other party. These words were like giving him a free pass to act recklessly, completely removing any future worries.

"Good!"

The stout man took a step back. "In that case, you may begin."

Upon receiving the order, the Round-faced Youth sized up Qin Jishi with a half-smile. "Kid, we meet again."

"How do you want to die?" Qin Jishi asked indifferently.

"What?" The Round-faced Youth grinned sinisterly. "How do I want to die?"

"That's right!" Qin Jishi nodded. "I said before, if you provoke me again, you won't have another chance."

"Trying to scare me?" the Round-faced Youth scoffed. "Honestly, I admire your ability to put on a show. Even our young master was fooled by you."

"You're something else!"

The Round-faced Youth clenched his fist. "Unfortunately, you couldn't escape my dharma eye after all. The humiliation I suffered before, I will repay tenfold this time."

As his voice fell, the Round-faced Youth didn't want to waste any more words. His fist, filled with boundless rage, was thrown with all his might.

Even without the boost of Profound Energy, this punch still produced a whistling sound as it cut through the air.

"Dust to dust, earth to earth. People like you are a mistake just by being alive."

Facing the Round-faced Youth's furious punch, Qin Jishi slowly raised his arm to meet it.

Everyone who saw this sighed and shook their heads.

"Alas, a commoner fighting a Nascent Breath Level 8 martial artist, it's a joke."

"Look at his soft-looking fist. I really don't know why he's so eager to die."

"Oh dear~ If he dies, we'll have a chance. That last spot is definitely mine."

"..."

However, just as the crowd's ridicule was about to end, their fists collided. What happened next made everyone's eyes widen in disbelief.