"Smack!"
Without wasting words, Xian He swung his arm in a wide arc and slapped Yan Dong across the face.
A large, faintly red handprint immediately appeared on Yan Dong's left cheek, giving him a first-level flaw.
"You actually managed to hurt me?" Yan Dong covered his face, his eyes full of disbelief.
He was a White Obsidian Three Star martial artist. For Xian He to give him a flaw, his force had to be at least nine hundred.
The audience was shocked.
"Xian He actually hurt Yan Dong, a White Obsidian Three Star! Is he a White Obsidian Four-star martial artist?"
"White Obsidian Four-star? My god, Xian He's been hiding his strength so well!"
"Girls, don't you think Xian He looks kind of handsome in profile?"
In the stands, Li Zhen folded his arms and scoffed disdainfully. "Bullshit, White Obsidian Four-star. He's White Obsidian Three Star at most. He got that force from eating eggs!"
"Being able to eat eggs is a kind of strength, too," Xiao Yang remarked.
He decided he'd have his father change the competition rules to forbid contestants from eating miracle foods before a match.
Old Man Yun stood behind the audience like a towering stone pillar, muttering, "No wonder that kid dared to enter the Azure Light Competition. He came prepared all along. He had me worried for nothing."
While he muttered, the two fighters on the platform began the second round.
This time, Yan Dong put aside his contempt and used all his strength.
"Smack!!"
Xian He braced himself against the table and didn't fall.
[ Ding! The host's head has been attacked. Thirteen Grand Protectors Horizontal Training Technique damage reduction activated. Subsequent physical damage from enemies reduced by 20%. Duration: one incense stick. ]
Yan Dong's Qi Control was probably around 333 points. After he struck Xian He's sealed left cheek, it reached 433.
Subtracting Xian He's 133 points of Qi Control left 300 points of Qi damage. Thirteen Grand Protectors Horizontal Training Technique reduced its power by 10%, leaving 270.
That strike raised the first-level seal on Xian He's left cheek to level two.
"Again!" Xian He clutched his left cheek, which felt as if it had been injected with anesthetic, but showed no sign of backing down.
Yan Dong snorted and dutifully took his position, bracing both hands against the table.
Judging by the color of the bruise on Xian He's face, Yan Dong had raised the seal on his cheek to level two.
But his strike should have raised the flaw on Xian He's face to level three. Was it because Xian He had thick skin?
"Smack!"
Before Yan Dong could figure out what was going on, a slap landed hard on his left cheek.
It stung like he'd been smeared with chili-plant sap.
Yan Dong knew the flaw on his left cheek had also risen to level two.
According to the rule that seals and flaws increased by one level each round, Yan Dong, who had the first strike, would win.
You really couldn't judge a person by appearances. He'd thought he could win easily, but now it looked like he'd only manage a hard-fought victory.
"Your turn now!" Yan Dong rubbed his heavy, swollen cheek and gritted his teeth as he spoke to Xian He in a sinister voice.
"Come on!" Xian He steadied himself against the table and stood straight.
Below the platform, the audience clenched their fists so tightly that fine beads of sweat appeared on their palms. They were on edge.
Most of them wanted Yan Dong to win. Otherwise, they'd lose all the money they'd bet.
"Xian He, stop being stubborn and surrender! You can't beat Yan Dong!"
"Yeah! If you keep this up, you're bound to lose in the end. Why put yourself through this?"
"Just give up, Xian He! It's hard enough for us to make a living. If we lose, our families won't have a way to survive!"
The audience all talked at once, trying to talk him into quitting, but Xian He ignored them.
Xian He thought, What do I care if your families live or die? I didn't make you gamble!
"Smack!!!"
Yan Dong's Iron Palm came down. His third strike was heavier than the first two.
[ Ding! The host's head has been attacked. Thirteen Grand Protectors Horizontal Training Technique damage reduction activated. Subsequent physical damage from enemies reduced by 30%. Duration: one incense stick. ]
Xian He's head jerked to one side. If he hadn't been holding onto the table, he would have fallen.
His left cheek had gone even more numb, but he was still conscious.
Xian He muttered inwardly, Yan Dong's third strike dealt 333 + 200 = 533 points of Qi damage. Subtract my Qi Control, then reduce its power by 20%. That leaves 320 points, raising the seal on my face to level three.
Once the seal reached level three, Yan Dong's next strike would deal 333 + 300 = 633 points of Qi damage. Subtracting Xian He's Qi Control and reducing its power by 30% left 350 points.
The seal would remain at level three!
The scales of victory were slowly tipping in Xian He's favor!
"Stand up straight! Now it's your turn!" Xian He rolled his neck, his confidence growing.
"Brother, stop being stubborn. What's the point? I had the first strike, so I'm bound to win in the end. Why take a beating for nothing?" Yan Dong tried to talk him into giving up.
Xian He glanced at the short, squat man and said coldly, "Cut the damn crap. I'm happy to take a beating. What's it to you? If you're going to take a hit, stand up straight. Now get in position!"
Once Yan Dong was standing ready, Xian He swung his arm in a wide arc and slapped him with all his strength.
"Smack!!!"
Yan Dong's head jerked to one side. If he hadn't been gripping the edge of the table, he would have fallen.
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