Leon Huang smiled faintly. "So what if I shut you out? Are you really going to force your way in?"
His words sounded calm, but they only fueled the other man's anger. "Force my way in? Sure, why not? What, is this place some kind of dragon's lair or tiger's den?"
"Tang Yunkai, stand down!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out. The Inner Sect disciple who had just stepped forward quickly pulled his foot back.
Though Tang Yunkai retreated, he was clearly unwilling. He turned to Frank Feng and said, "Senior Brother Feng, this guy is way too arrogant. We have to teach him a lesson!"
"Shut up!"
Frank Feng shot him a cold look, then stepped forward, locking eyes with Leon Huang as he spoke slowly: "Leon Huang, I'm Frank Feng. It's not convenient to talk here. May I come inside?"
"So you're Senior Brother Feng? My apologies!" Leon Huang lied through his teeth, then made a gesture of invitation. "Please, Senior Brother Feng, come in!"
Soon, the two of them entered the living room and took their seats as host and guest.
"Junior Brother Huang, I've come tonight for two reasons. First, I want to apologize for what happened during the day. It was mostly my fault—I didn't make things clear to that idiot, so he misunderstood my intentions and caused all that trouble."
At this point, Frank Feng paused, waiting for Leon Huang's response.
"Mm, apology accepted. What's the second thing?" Leon Huang said bluntly. Instantly, a cold glint flashed in Frank Feng's eyes. He thought to himself, 'This Leon kid is really shameless. When I get the chance, I'll make sure he pays for offending me.'
"As for the second thing, I hope that in tomorrow's or the next day's matches, if you face Fred Feng, you'll voluntarily concede."
Leon Huang chuckled, but there was a hint of mockery in his laughter.
Frank Feng grew even more annoyed at Song Yan's reaction, but pressed on: "Of course, I wouldn't let you suffer a loss. If you agree, I'll teach you a three-star martial technique and give you ten third-grade Xuan Pills. How about it?"
"Tsk tsk, a three-star martial technique and third-grade Xuan Pills are pretty nice, but I refuse!" Leon Huang replied playfully.
Even the weakest three-star martial technique is worth at least a hundred thousand taels of silver. As for third-grade Xuan Pills, Outer Sect disciples in the Pristine Way Sect aren't allowed to buy them—only Inner Sect disciples can, at five thousand taels each. Ten pills would be worth fifty thousand taels.
But for Frank Feng to spend a total of a hundred and fifty thousand taels just to get him to throw the match against Fred Feng—this instantly made Leon Huang realize there must be some hidden agenda behind this tournament.
"Junior Brother Huang, do you think my offer is too low?" Hearing Song Yan's refusal, even Frank Feng couldn't help but lose his temper.
Leon Huang couldn't help but laugh. "Didn't Senior Brother Feng bother to check before trying to bribe me? During the third round of the entrance exam, I casually tossed out a million taels of silver. Now you're trying to buy me off with a measly hundred and fifty thousand—is this an insult, or are you just broke?"
"Of course, if Senior Brother Feng can come up with two million taels in cash, maybe I'll consider it!"
"Two million taels? You sure have a big appetite!" Frank Feng laughed in fury.
"Yeah, my appetite is pretty big. Senior Brother Feng, you got that right."
Bang!
Frank Feng slapped the table. "Leon Huang, don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! If you agree to this, once you join the Inner Sect, I'll take good care of you. If not, when you get into the Inner Sect, I'll make sure you can't take a single step!"
Leon Huang curled his lip disdainfully. "I've heard threats like yours plenty of times—I'm bored of them. It's late, Senior Brother Feng, you'd better head back!"
"Fine! Very well!" Frank Feng was shaking with rage. The next moment, he took a deep breath. "Leon Huang, let me ask you one last time—do you agree or not?"
"Agree, my ass! Get lost!" Leon Huang said impatiently.
"You're asking for death!" Murderous intent flashed in Frank Feng's eyes.
"Want to fight? Go ahead, try me! Everyone living in these courtyards is one of my people. If you lay a finger on me, you'll regret it—and don't forget, the sect's rules aren't just for show. If you've got guts, hit me! If you don't, you're a coward!" Leon Huang taunted, completely unafraid.
"...You...!"
Frank Feng was nearly driven mad by Leon Huang's words, but managed to keep his cool. He said coldly, "Junior Brother Huang, just wait and see. One day, you'll regret this!"
With that, Frank Feng flung his sleeve and stormed out.
Next morning.
Outer Sect Martial Arena Plaza, packed with people.
Yesterday's 130 qualified Outer Sect disciples drew lots again for new groups.
Today, Leon Huang drew number 68—a pretty lucky number, he thought.
At the same time, the advancement matches for all thirteen groups began.
Today, Leon Huang drew number 68—a pretty lucky number, he thought.
At the same time, the advancement matches for all thirteen groups began.
At ring seven, the referee was announcing the competition rules.
A man and a woman leapt onto the ring. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the fight began.
Anyone who made it through yesterday's matches was no pushover.
So, the man and woman traded over five hundred moves before a winner emerged.
"Number 61 versus number 67, step up!"
In this round, number 61 emerged victorious.
"Number 68 versus number 65, step up!"
Leon Huang tapped his right foot lightly on the ground and leapt onto the three-meter-high ring. His opponent, number 65, wasn't about to be outdone—moving like lightning, he actually reached the ring a step ahead of Leon Huang.
"Junior Brother Huang, I've heard a lot about you. My name is Su Mo!"
"Senior Brother Su, pleased to meet you. I'm Leon Huang!"
"Let's begin!"
"Alright!"
The match was a total blowout—by the fourth move, Leon Huang had knocked Su Mo off the ring.
Half an hour later, the first round of today's matches was over.
After a fifteen-minute break, the second round began.
The five remaining number tokens were tossed into the wooden box again, but this time, one person would advance automatically.
"Number 68 advances automatically!"
"Heh, not bad!" Leon Huang laughed.
The other four couldn't help feeling a bit envious. They split into two teams and fought it out one after the other.
The third round of matches began.
As long as someone could defeat the other two, they'd become today's qualifier.
Leon Huang was overwhelmingly strong and quickly took down both opponents.
After finishing on ring seven, Leon Huang headed to ring three.
He happened to catch Frank Yun on the ring.
It had to be said, Frank Yun was truly formidable. In just three moves, he defeated an opponent of the same level—and Song Yan could tell he hadn't even gone all out.
In the end, Frank Yun claimed the qualifier spot for ring three.
Tomorrow would be the Top Ten Tournament, the final day of the Outer Sect competition.
So after the matches ended, the Outer Sect was abuzz with speculation—who would take first place tomorrow?
Among them, Leon Huang and Frank Yun were the top favorites.