But Duan Silie and Cheng Shouliang had already finished their match earlier that day, and naturally, Duan Silie had won.
Their fight had brought them together, however, and they had since become friends.
Seeing Mai Lingfei's gaze, Cheng Shouliang leaned toward Duan Silie.
"Brother Duan, just a few days ago, people were saying this Mai fellow was in poor condition. Yet today he's fighting with such valor. He must have made another breakthrough. And he's still so young-truly frightening!"
"Heh, isn't that perfect? I came to this Martial Arts Gathering precisely to meet the heroes of the world! The stronger he is, the better it suits me!"
At that moment, Duan Silie himself resembled an unstoppable spear, radiating a powerful presence.
Cheng Shouliang felt a slight tremor of awe beside him. Compared with earlier, he could not say for certain that Duan Silie had grown any stronger, yet he felt that if they fought again, he would lose even faster.
Cheng Shouliang drew a deep breath. This time, he accepted his defeat wholeheartedly, without any of his former arrogance and disdain for people of the Rivers and Lakes.
Though many people of the Rivers and Lakes were beneath his notice, their ranks also held true heroes in both bearing and martial skill.
On one of the raised viewing platforms around the perimeter, a group of martial artists were beside themselves with excitement.
"Hahahaha! I bet on Hero Mai to win! Hahahaha-"
"Me too, hahaha! One look at Fei Liang and you could tell he wasn't a match!"
"Next comes the showdown between the best and second-best under heaven. That match is bound to be spectacular!"
"Exactly! What are the odds now?" "No idea. The bookmakers don't dare settle on anything lightly!"
"I'd have a headache too!"
Yi Shuyuan stood in