The moment Wong Qiang's fist paused at Xu Ke's temple, the entire world fell eerily silent.

In the eyes of all the spectators, Wong Qiang had charged forward and struck Xu Ke, who didn't even attempt to dodge. It was as if Xu Ke hadn't reacted to the attack at all. Seeing this, they finally understood the gap between Xu Ke and Wong Ting.

So much for Xu Ke being amazing, a rising star, so incredible... What a load of bullshit! A single Wong Qiang was enough to hit him before he could even evade! And this was the rising star who was supposed to challenge Wong Ting?

Moreover, Wong Qiang's words got the crowd's blood pumping. They felt their own blood ignite at his words. Everyone had originally thought Wong Qiang was just a pushover, but now it seemed none of Wong Ting's people were weak. They suddenly felt that in this Martial Alliance competition, Xu Ke was merely a foil. Wong Ting's fifteen subordinates were the real main event.

If one Wong Qiang is this formidable, just how incredible must Qian Jun be?

At this moment, no one was more smug than Wong Qiang. I thought I was going to be slaughtered today, but who knew the Ghost Poison Duo would help me out so much!

In the contestant area, Qian Jun and the others were so smug their tails were practically scraping the sky. Qian Jun let out a disdainful snort. A worthless pretender!

However, while the audience and Qian Jun's people were ecstatic, others were not, especially the Huang and Ye Families. Ye Chong and Huang Sheng, far from being pleased, looked grim and were cursing under their breath. This isn't the first time we've seen something like this!

As for the Wang Family, apart from an anxious Wang Qiya, the others were unconcerned. They had already witnessed such a scene during Xu Ke's duel with Song Zhong.

Chen Xiong and Yuan Shang, meanwhile, were completely unflappable. Frankly, if Xu Ke had been hit by Qian Jun, we might have been worried. But by Wong Qiang? Heh!

As everyone reacted differently, a placid voice suddenly came through the loudspeaker. "Did you have breakfast this morning?"

Hearing the familiar voice, the crowd froze for a second before realizing who was speaking. Then they were flabbergasted. How is that possible?! He took a blow to the temple! Forgetting about not being dead or knocked out, he can still talk?

Face-to-face with Xu Ke, Wong Qiang's expression was one of utter disbelief that bordered on terror. He watched as Xu Ke slowly lifted his head and gazed at him calmly. Wong Qiang's eyes widened as his voice trembled, "You... h-how is this possible?!"

Wong Qiang's voice cracked, as if he had seen a ghost.

Xu Ke raised a hand and pried Wong Qiang's fist from his temple. "I'm asking you a question."

But how could Wong Qiang answer? Sweat beaded on his forehead as his face flushed a deep red, then started turning blue from the strain. Despair filled his pupils. He was trying to wrench his fist from Xu Ke's grip, but no matter how desperately he struggled, he couldn't break free.

Wong Qiang's mind screamed. Why?! Xu Ke looks so calm, but his hand is like an iron vise clamping down on my fist! What terrifying strength is this? Can I really defeat someone like him?

Wong Qiang plummeted from smugness to despair in mere seconds.

When the spectators saw this, they drew a sharp, collective breath, and the entire venue fell silent once more. The scene on the platform was bizarre. One man was casually asking if the other had eaten breakfast. The other, his face flushed with terror, couldn't wrench his fist free no matter how hard he tried.

Even an idiot could see who was dominating whom. This isn't an opening match; it's an adult toying with a child!

"L-let go!" Finally, after more than ten agonizing seconds, Wong Qiang begged in desperation.

He had no strength left. But why can't I break free from his grip? Wong Qiang's composure completely shattered. It was a testament to his training that he wasn't crying already.

"Let go?" Xu Ke laughed, then kicked Wong Qiang squarely in the stomach. "Are you kidding me? This is a competition, not playtime."

THUD!

"Ugh..."

Wong Qiang had no way to resist. Kicked so hard he retched, his entire body went limp. But even then, Xu Ke didn't release his grip. Instead, he said with a smile, "Let me ask you something. Do you know why I didn't dodge your fist just now?"

Wong Qiang couldn't answer. He had completely collapsed to the ground, clutching his stomach and staring at Xu Ke in terror. Only one thought filled his mind: Is this man really poisoned? Does he really only have a Postnatal Late Stage cultivation?

Qian Jun and his followers were completely silent. Seeing Xu Ke hold onto the defeated Wong Qiang just to interrogate him, the crowd drew a sharp, collective breath. This is humiliation! Blatant, naked humiliation!

Qian Jun's face was stiff and grim, unable to utter a single word. Nearby, Jin Hankang's face was expressionless, but his fists were clenched tightly. They knew Xu Ke wasn't just asking questions to humiliate Wong Qiang; he was doing it to humiliate all of them.

Wong Qiang couldn't answer, but that didn't mean Xu Ke wouldn't provide one. Gripping Wong Qiang's hand tightly, he straightened up and looked toward Qian Jun in the contestants' area. Their gazes met—one pair clear and indifferent, the other dark and venomous.

As Xu Ke stood up, Wong Qiang's body was involuntarily lifted from the platform floor, suspended in mid-air and swaying back and forth like a water balloon.

"Release... release me..." Wong Qiang felt a humiliation he had never known.

But Xu Ke ignored him, his eyes fixed on Qian Jun. "A moment ago, you told me I'd been ambushed. You said you were afraid I couldn't even block Wong Qiang's fist. Let me tell you, I could use just one hand and one foot and still slaughter you all like pigs."

The loudspeaker played a crucial role, ensuring every single person could hear, loud and clear, how Xu Ke was humiliating them.

Everyone's expression changed. Xu Ke hadn't just returned Qian Jun's earlier mockery with silent contempt; he had refuted it with cold, hard facts.

"You bastard!"

"Scoundrel!"

Zhao Xiangping and Su Ximing shot to their feet. All the other contestants glared furiously at Xu Ke.

Only Qian Jun remained seated, his face so dark it was almost black, staring intensely at Xu Ke without a word. I thought Wong Qiang might lose, but I never imagined he'd be defeated so miserably!

At that moment, Xu Ke continued, "Today is a good day, so I won't kill anyone. But if something *else* were to happen... I can't guarantee I could control myself."

At these words, Qian Jun's expression changed drastically. He looked up sharply. "Elder Jin!"

Jin Hankang was already on his feet, pointing an angry finger at Xu Ke. "What are you trying to do? He's already lost the ability to fight!"

With that, Jin Hankang leaped toward the platform to stop Xu Ke.

But he was too slow.

CRACK!

A sound far more terrifying than Wong Qiang's fist hitting Xu Ke echoed from the platform. Amplified by the loudspeakers, it boomed throughout the entire gymnasium, as loud as a gunshot, making the crowd feel as if a cannon had gone off right next to their ears.

The next moment, as the crowd looked toward the platform, everyone's expression froze.

Wong Qiang's body was sent flying backward like a rag doll, crashing into the corner of the platform.

THUD...

He landed on the ground without a sound.

He had arrived quickly, but he left even faster.