In the blink of an eye, Su Ming vanished from everyone's sight.
Bang!
A dull thud echoed as Su Ming reappeared. At the same time, another figure emerged in mid-air—Chen Moran.
Horror filled Chen Moran's face. He couldn't wrap his head around it. One moment he was standing firm; the next, he was flying backward, completely blindsided by a force that refused to relent. His entire body felt as though it had been torn apart.
Smack!
Finally, Chen Moran crashed to the ground, sliding several meters before coming to a stop. By then, Su Ming had already turned and closed the distance toward Wang Can with swift strides.
No flashy techniques—just a simple punch.
Bam!
Wang Can immediately sensed an overwhelming force crash into him, sending him stumbling back uncontrollably. It took nearly ten full steps for him to regain his footing, his eyes wide with terror as he stared at Su Ming.
Two strikes. The first easily deflected, the second seemingly casual—but just as unstoppable.
"What's going on? How is this outsider so strong?"
"One against two, dominating both effortlessly! Where did the Ning family find such a powerhouse?"
"No wonder he dared to hold the stage alone!"
Whispers broke out among the crowd. Any mockery or doubt evaporated. Reality spoke louder than words.
"Baji Quan… This is Baji Quan," murmured the patriarch of the Wang family, his voice tinged with nostalgia.
Ning Cangyun's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. Earlier, he had gambled on Su Ming's strength—and now, victory seemed certain.
But the battle wasn't over yet. Rising from the ground, Wang Can locked eyes with Chen Moran. Without hesitation, they charged at Su Ming once more.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The air vibrated with the sound of blows exchanged. Despite their relentless assault, Wang Can and Chen Moran were pushed back repeatedly, only to lunge forward again. They had unleashed everything they had, but Su Ming remained calm, almost casual. Parrying punches, deflecting palms, countering with minimal effort—he sent them reeling time and again.
"This can't be real! How can he be this strong?!" Chen Moran roared, abandoning all restraint. Each strike now aimed for vital points. And there, the brutal nature of true martial arts revealed itself: not sport, but murderous intent.
Su Ming's gaze hardened. In one fluid motion—
"Heart-Piercing Elbow Strike!"
His elbow shot forward, carrying with it an explosive wave of raw power.
Crash!
Chen Moran, caught mid-attack, collapsed under the blow.
Cough! Blood sprayed from his mouth as he flew backward, slamming into the ground over ten meters away. Without missing a beat, Su Ming spun around and unleashed another punch straight at Wang Can.
Wang Can barely managed to raise his guard.
Boom!
The impact sent him flying through the air. After flipping once, he landed hard, skidding across the ground until finally stopping. Kneeling, he panted heavily, sweat pouring down his face, his body trembling with exhaustion.
"Do you still want to fight?" Su Ming's voice cut through the silence like ice.
Dead silence blanketed the arena. Every eye was fixed on him—the lone figure standing tall in the center of the stage.
After what felt like an eternity, Wang Can slowly got to his feet. Bowing deeply, he said, "Brother Su… I concede. Thank you for sparing me."
The crowd erupted into chaos.
"To lose to Baji Quan is no disgrace," the Wang patriarch remarked calmly.
The Chen patriarch glared daggers at Su Ming. Nearby, Ning Canghai clenched his fists, fury simmering beneath the surface as he stormed up the steps.
"He… actually won?" Ning Fengchi gawked, disbelief written all over his face. Beside him, Ning Fengqing's heart raced, her eyes glued to Su Ming's unwavering form.
On the field, Chen Moran remained silent, his head bowed. A savage snarl twisted his features.
"Patriarch Chen?" An elder's voice broke the tension.
The Chen patriarch gave a stiff nod. Defeat was inevitable—but as the announcer began declaring the victor—
"Look out!" Ning Fengqing screamed.
All heads snapped back to the scene.
Chen Moran's arm moved. A nearly invisible needle sliced through the air, hurtling toward Su Ming.
Su Meng's instincts flared. Energy surged within him, heightening his senses. With a slight tilt of his head, the needle whizzed past harmlessly.
Cold rage ignited in Su Ming's chest. His fingers snapped shut, capturing the needle in a cocoon of dense qi. With a flick of his wrist—
Hiss!
The needle reversed course, slicing through the air faster than the eye could follow.
"NO!" The Chen patriarch lunged forward, too late.
The needle pierced Chen Moran's arm.
"Y-you…" Chen Moran's eyes widened in shock. Before anyone could react, he collapsed, lifeless.
"MORAN!" The patriarch cradled his son's body, his voice breaking. But it was too late. Chen Moran's life had already slipped away.
"YOU MONSTER! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!"
The Chen patriarch exploded in rage, his aura surging like a tidal wave. Black hair whipped wildly around him as he charged toward Su Ming.
Su Ming stood motionless, his expression colder than steel. Power churned deep within him, coiled and ready to strike.
But before the patriarch could reach him, two figures stepped forward—Ning Cangyun and Wang Daoqian.
"Brother Chen," Wang Daoqian growled, his voice low but commanding, "Your son broke sacred rules with the Soul-Devouring Needle. His fate was sealed the moment he chose to use it. Will you further shame your house by attacking a junior?"
Cold sweat trickled down Wang Daoqian's spine. Had Wang Can faced that needle earlier…
Silence gripped the hall. The Chen patriarch trembled, his wrath boiling—but justice, for now, had spoken.