On the arena, Zhu Xiyan and Tao Kecheng stood facing each other. The outsiders in the audience, along with countless viewers watching the livestream, were all filled with anticipation.
Tao Kecheng spoke up. "May I ask what your cultivation level is? You defeated Song Jingchen with a single move, so I imagine you've reached at least the Fifth Level of the Forming Yuan Stage, perhaps even the Sixth?"
Zhu Xiyan replied coolly, "What does that matter?"
Tao Kecheng was taken aback, then shrugged. "It doesn't. I was just curious."
"Then why ask?"
Without giving him a chance to speak again, Zhu Xiyan continued, "All right, enough nonsense. We could've finished this match in the time we've spent talking."
Tao Kecheng froze, then furrowed his brow. His tone turned somewhat unfriendly. "From the way you're talking, do you really think you're guaranteed to beat me—and do it in no time at all?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Zhu Xiyan sounded perfectly matter-of-fact.
Tao Kecheng was somewhat angered. "Well, aren't you confident! Your cultivation may be much higher than mine, but winning against me—heh, won't be that easy!"
"Besides, it's still anyone's game! You may have beaten Song Jingchen with one move, which is impressive, but I'm no slouch either. I beat him just as easily."
"What makes you so sure you can beat me?"
Zhu Xiyan frowned, her tone impatient. "Are you done yet? What does the fact that you beat Song Jingchen easily have to do with me? In my eyes, you're no different from him."
"I'm asking you now: can we start or not? If I didn't want to give people an excuse to say I caught you off guard and won unfairly, this match would already be over."
"Fine! Fine!"
Tao Kecheng laughed in anger. He fixed Zhu Xiyan with