He Fell Asleep!

"It's actually number three!"

Liu Feng's expression suddenly changed.

His first-round opponent was actually Zhong Jing!

"Since I didn't draw you in the first round, I can only collect some interest from your good brother first."

Zhong Jing gave a sinister grin and walked away.

"He seems to have become even more violent."

Lin Nan watched Zhong Jing's retreating back, unsure whether it was just his imagination.

Before long, all the newly promoted inner disciples had finished drawing lots.

On the elevated platform at the front of the arena sat five men and one woman. One of them, a man in his sixties with a goatee, was Hall Master Jie of the White Snake Martial School.

"Everyone, another year has brought us together. Seeing that you are all still so young and spirited makes this old man envious."

Hall Master Jie said with a genial smile, cupping his hands in greeting.

"Old Jie, you humble us with those words. Who doesn't know that among the six of us, your martial cultivation is the highest?"

A man in his fifties wearing the uniform of Gale Martial Hall answered with a faint smile. "After all, you were once a Visceral Realm martial master."

"Every generation produces new talents. I'm old now; this is the era of you young people, isn't it, Little Qin?"

Hall Master Jie shook his head and turned toward the young man beside him, who wore black martial attire with a blood-red blade embroidered over his chest.

Qin Yue, leader of the Blood Blade Sect!

The youngest leader among the three gangs and three martial halls of the outer city!

Qin Yue's expression was cold as he merely said, "Enough pleasantries. Let's see what good seedlings this year has produced."

At the far left, in the seats belonging to Azure Rock Martial Hall, sat a plump middle-aged woman.

"Hehe, this is the only time of year worth looking forward to."

"Since everyone is here, let us begin."

Hall Master Jie rose to his feet and walked to the center of the platform, his kindly smile still in place.

"The Laba Tournament begins now! There are eight arenas in total. Step up according to the order of your draw. Weapons and armor are forbidden!"

Hall Master Jie loudly announced the rules. "Also, this is a friendly competition. No killing!"

"Then let the matches officially begin!"

"Arena One: Xu Ruizhe of Azure Rock Martial Hall versus Pan Wen of the Wild Sand Sect."

"Arena Two: Lin Nan of the White Snake Martial School versus Tu Heng of the Blood Blade Sect."

"Arena Three: Zhong Jing of the White Snake Martial School versus Liu Feng of the White Snake Martial School."

"Do your best. If you can't hold out later, just admit defeat. Leave him to me."

Lin Nan patted Liu Feng on the shoulder.

A vicious glint also flashed through Liu Feng's eyes. "Brother Lin, don't worry. I won't let off that bastard who cuckolded me."

Lin Nan smiled. It seemed Liu Feng had gained quite a bit of confidence from their recent special patrols.

He then walked up onto the arena step by step.

Across from him stood a heavily built young man with knotted muscles. He wore a black short-sleeved martial outfit, embroidered with a small blood-red blade.

"Lin Nan of the White Snake Martial School. Please enlighten me." Lin Nan cupped his hands toward him.

"I am Tu Heng of the Blood Blade Sect. Tu Scar was my cousin, and I heard you killed him."

"Tu Kui is my older brother. Not long ago, he was seriously wounded by a mysterious person while tracking you... All things considered, running into me in the first round means you're out of luck."

Tu Heng's lips curled upward. Encountering Lin Nan in the first round seemed to delight him greatly.

"So everyone in the Blood Blade Sect is surnamed Tu..."

Lin Nan was speechless.

"I'll properly torment and deal with you..."

Tu Heng's mouth curved into a crazed smile.

Smack!

The next instant, he stomped fiercely against the ground and shot toward Lin Nan like a cannonball.

"Blood Blade Sect's Fifth Form, Slaughtering Hand!"

Tu Heng used his hand as a blade, gathering the blood and qi throughout his body into his palm. His arm turned crimson as it stabbed forward like a long blade.

For my first match, I should hide a little of my strength. I only need to display enough to earn some resources.

Lin Nan felt the six sword-like gazes from the platform and made up his mind.

Blood and qi at the third level at age twenty might not be too shocking, but Skin-and-Flesh Realm third level at age twenty would definitely be frightening.

Besides, he had practiced martial arts for less than a year. If he displayed everything, plenty of hall master-level figures would surely take an interest in him.

In that case...

Lin Nan flashed aside, evading Tu Heng's hand blade, then casually swung a punch backhand.

"White Snake Fist: Serpent Flow Force!"

Thick blood and qi surged forth with the force of his punch.

Smack!

Tu Heng was struck across the cheek by the punch. He staggered back more than ten steps before stopping, yet the wild grin remained on his face.

"Not bad. You actually managed to hit me. You're a pretty good... op... opponent..."

Before he could finish speaking, his entire body fell stiffly backward.

He fell asleep!

Lin Nan: "..."

For a moment, the previously noisy crowd around the stands fell silent. From the Blood Blade Sect's section in particular came occasional sharp intakes of breath.

"Tu Heng was knocked down by a single punch?!"

Qin Yue's pupils contracted slightly.

He knew Tu Heng's strength well. At the third level of blood and qi, Tu Heng would have ranked among the top five newly promoted inner disciples in previous years.

Yet he had been knocked down with one punch!

"This Lin Nan... no wonder Tu Kui thought so highly of him. He probably has quite a significant secret..."

"Examiner!"

Lin Nan hurriedly raised his hand and pointed toward the fallen Tu Heng. "Reporting to the examiner, I wish to report him. He fell asleep on the spot during the match!"

Hall Master Jie's mouth twitched fiercely a few times. However, sensing the complicated looks from the other five hall masters and sect leaders, he could not help feeling secretly pleased.

"Arena Two: Lin Nan of the White Snake Martial School wins!"

Hall Master Jie shouted loudly.

Lin Nan stepped down from the arena and returned to the White Snake Martial School's group, his face full of regret.

"I didn't control my strength properly just now. It seems my control over my force still needs improvement."

"Nicely done." Jie Ling came over and patted him on the shoulder.

Tu Heng had been one of only two Blood Blade Sect disciples participating in this tournament who had reached the third level of blood and qi. Now that Lin Nan had taken one of them out, the White Snake Martial School's disciples had a better chance of entering the top ten.

"Hmm?"

Lin Nan looked toward the neighboring arena.

Liu Feng and Zhong Jing's match had already reached a fever pitch. Their fists flew like two white snakes locked in a fierce battle atop the stage.

"I never expected trash like you to reach the third level of blood and qi as well. Every time I see you, I think of how that bitch Xiao Ruo looked beneath me. It really brings me pleasure."

Zhong Jing sneered. His hands shifted as the force of Tongue-Thrust Baleful Intent surged and withdrew, continuously dismantling the Serpent Flow Force Liu Feng sent slamming toward him.

"Zhong Jing, shut the fuck up!"

Liu Feng's expression was icy. His feet shifted subtly, every step as effortless as a dragonfly touching the water.

He instantly evaded Zhong Jing's incoming punch, then closed in at once.

"So fast!"

At that instant, many martial school disciples were stunned.

"It's a movement technique!"

Lin Nan also possessed a movement technique and recognized it at a glance. That dragonfly-skimming speed in that single step was the hallmark of a movement technique.

Jie Ling nodded beside him. "So that guy went home for special training these past few days and actually learned the Liu family's movement technique, Grass Skimmer. Zhong Jing is in trouble now."

"Unfortunately, he wasn't the only one undergoing special training. Keep watching."

At some point, Zhao Xun had also arrived beside Jie Ling. He watched the arena with a smile.

Liu Feng had already gathered crimson blood and qi, sending a punch roaring out amid a fierce gale.

Boom!

His heavy fist smashed fiercely into Zhong Jing's chest with a tremendous bang.

"Is that all?"

Liu Feng suddenly looked up. The scene he had expected, Zhong Jing flying backward, did not appear. Zhong Jing's feet seemed nailed to the arena, and he merely swayed slightly.

Zhong Jing raised his head, his eyes brimming with ferocity.

"Now it's my turn!"

Qi congealed in the skin, blood concealed in the flesh—this was the sign of the first level of the Skin-and-Flesh Realm!

He had already tempered his skin and broken through!

Liu Feng's face was filled with disbelief.