The Second Test, Live Combat

"Good lad, it really was you!"

Stepping off the stage.

Sun Wangxian was so excited he nearly lunged at him.

The way he looked at He An, he liked everything about him.

He An smiled slightly: "Brother Sun, how about that? I didn't let you down, did I?"

"Hahaha!"

Sun Wangxian laughed heartily: "Let you down? You didn't just not let me down, you completely stunned me."

"Four times, a full four times!"

"Out of so many Martial Arts Geniuses, you were the one who lifted it the most. This is just like a dream."

Wang Zheng asked worriedly: "He An, even if your talent is outstanding, you shouldn't have such strength. Tell me the truth, did you overdraw your body?"

"Brother Wang Zheng, do you think I'm that stupid?" He An countered: "Would I overdraw my body just for some empty fame?"

"That's true!"

After the first test ended.

The crowd began to prepare intensely.

Because the next test was the one everyone loved to watch the most.

Live combat!

Two people fight, the winner advances.

Those who win consecutive battles and stand until the very last moment can claim the First Incense.

As they spoke.

He An looked up to see that Meng Cao had already arrived before him.

"Clerk Meng, Master Li, may I ask what business you two have with me?" He An looked at the pair with a provocative expression.

"Lad He, you are quite good, at the very least, better than I imagined."

Meng Cao's voice was gentle, his face full of smiles: "I was just thinking, there is really no need for the relationship between us to be so strained."

"Is that all Lord Meng wanted to say? If so, please leave."

He An put away his smile and said in a low voice: "After all, I don't think there is the slightest need to repair the relationship between us."

"Are you truly prepared for a mutual destruction?"

Meng Cao's expression stiffened, and he said coldly, "There is no benefit for you in dragging me down with you."

"Besides, don't think you can hide it from me. When you lifted that Stone Lock earlier, you suffered severe internal injuries. Your body right now is nothing more than a hollow shell."

"I value your martial talent, which is why I wanted to turn hostility into friendship."

"But if you remain stubborn and refuse to repent, then on the combat stage later, the only path awaiting you is your own demise. I hope you will consider this clearly."

"Lord Meng, you think quite beautifully, but why do I feel... that you don't look quite as beautiful as you think!"

He An laughed mockingly, instantly infuriating Meng Cao.

"You..."

He said with a sinister tone, "Good lad, your tongue is still as sharp as ever."

"I would like to see exactly what kind of strength you possess to back up such arrogance."

"Don't trouble yourself!"

Meng Cao flicked his sleeve.

"Let's go."

Master Li stepped forward and asked, "Brother Meng, why try to recruit him at a time like this? It is obvious he is not one of us. Wouldn't doing this just let him ride on our heads and crap?"

Meng Cao sighed.

"I didn't want to do this either, but the Meng Family Head secretly sent someone to find me earlier, wanting me to recruit him. Otherwise, I wouldn't have humiliated myself like this."

"It works out well now; it puts an end to the Meng Family Head's desire to recruit him."

"So that's how it is. I was wondering why the Meng Family Head would look for you at this time." Master Li breathed a sigh of relief, having truly thought Meng Cao wanted to recruit the boy.

If that were really the case, what would he do?

He had offended He An to the point of no return!

If he were on the same boat as the boy, once the boy's strength grew, it would be impossible for him not to skewer him to death.

At this moment, Meng Cao suddenly said, "The Meng Family Head also said that if he cannot be recruited, then he must be made to disappear completely. In short, he cannot be allowed to be recruited by other families."

"Go and instruct Xiao Si and Ning Yuan later; tell them that no matter what, they must kill this brat."

"Additionally, the disciples brought by Brother Liu and Brother Xu also have decent strength. Remember to warn them as well. Tell them that if they encounter this brat later, they must not hold back. Make sure you arrange it."

"Even if you have to wear him down, you must exhaust him to death for me!!"

"Understood!"

Master Li left.

Sitting back in his seat, Meng Cao's eyes glinted with a fierce light. He An, I want to see how you're going to survive this time!!

After he left, several more people approached He An.

Without exception.

They were all there to recruit him.

He An refused them one by one.

Unexpectedly, there was an old acquaintance among them.

Wei Yangyun.

"Lord Wei, who are you representing?" He An teased.

"You brat."

Wei Yangyun sighed with emotion. "I truly didn't expect you to have such strength. You even managed to keep it hidden from me; I am truly ashamed."

As he spoke, Wei Yangyun suddenly lowered his voice and whispered, "Kid He, since you want to know whose side I'm on, I'll be blunt."

"I am with the Xu family. I came to see you privately this time because I want to recruit you."

"How about it? Will you consider it?"

"If you agree, no matter who makes a move against you next, I can guarantee your life. From now on, your elder brother's family will no longer be threatened by anyone."

"Medicinal Pills, Spirit Medicines... whatever you need on your path of cultivation, the Xu family will do their best to assist you."

"Lord Wei, I understand what you mean."

He An replied with a smile. "You have shown me kindness, and I will certainly repay you in the future."

"However, I am already a member of the Town Martial Division, and you are my superior. There is no need for me to consider anything."

Hearing the meaning behind He An's words, Wei Yangyun let out a sigh.

"Since that is the case, then so be it."

"I will not force you, nor do I wish for good intentions to lead to ill will."

"If you have any trouble in the future, feel free to come to me. If you ever change your mind, you can come to me at any time. In this matter, I represent the Xu family."

"Understood."

After seeing Wei Yangyun off, He An did not feel the slightest bit surprised.

Long before this, he had already guessed that Wei Yangyun was likely not someone planted in the Town Martial Division by the Wu or Meng families, but rather someone from the Xu family.

Seeing it now, it was exactly as he had thought.

"You really are a popular commodity!" Seeing Wei Yangyun leave, Sun Wangxian and the others walked back over, unable to help but feel a touch of emotion.

The scene from just a moment ago.

It was the first time in their lives they had ever seen such a thing.

Almost everyone with any influence in Fangcheng had come.

"Wealth in the remote mountains brings visitors, poverty in the bustling market goes unnoticed"—this saying truly was not wrong at all!

Time flew by.

The several Combat Platforms had all been fully prepared.

Though they were called Combat Platforms, they were actually just the Sacrificial Altar divided into several sections to allow the contestants to fight simultaneously.

If they didn't do it this way, they probably wouldn't be able to finish in a single day.

At this moment.

A series of urgent, rhythmic drumbeats rang out.

After the drums stopped, County Governor Shen stood up.

"Next, the second test officially begins."

"Contestants, please step onto the platforms to draw lots and determine your opponents for the first round. The winners will advance to the next round, repeating this process until the end. The final victor will receive the First Incense of this year's River Sacrifice Festival."

"Additionally, the Inner Growth Pill will also belong to the victor."

He cautioned, "Those who can step onto these platforms are all the cream of the crop among the young generation of martial artists in our Fangcheng. Although life and death are not restricted on the stage, if anyone maliciously harms another, I will not sit idly by."

"A reminder to everyone: remember to show mercy!"