Zhou Qingyong hadn't wanted to come yesterday because he knew Xu Ke might win.

But today, he came to see Xu Ke lose.

As long as Xu Ke lost, Yihe Pharmaceuticals wouldn't need to change hands.

All his problems would solve themselves!

Seeing Zhou Qingyong eyeing him with a provocative gaze, as if watching a good show, Xu Ke paid him no mind. He simply withdrew his gaze and looked forward.

***

By the side of the ring, Yuan Shang's face was clouded with worry and gloom.

He was very concerned.

But the approaching Jin Hankang was smiling. "Vice Alliance Leader Yuan, I told you yesterday that you should be happy for these two days."

"Look at you. Why the long face again?"

Yuan Shang gave him a cold look and turned away.

Seeing Yuan Shang ignore him, Jin Hankang wasn't annoyed. Instead, he turned to Peng Hetong and said, "See that? The look of a beaten cur."

"I see, Elder Jin," Peng Hetong hurriedly nodded.

Jin Hankang laughed heartily.

「A while later.」

The time for the match arrived quickly.

The heated atmosphere made the temperature in the gymnasium feel as if it had risen quite a bit.

The crowd's heated gazes swept over Xu Ke and Qian Jun, eager to see how the two would behave before the match began.

They were even more eager to see panic and unease on Xu Ke's face.

Unfortunately for them, both men were equally composed.

Of course, some people also looked at Wong Qifu, who was sitting in her seat dressed in a black women's business suit.

Her fiancé was about to die. Surely Wong Qifu would show some emotion?

But Wong Qifu remained indifferent.

Just as the audience was about to be disappointed, the match began.

Jin Hankang stood up from the referee's table. After sweeping his eyes over Xu Ke with contempt, he cut straight to the point. "The final of the Martial Alliance selection tournament officially begins!"

"Will Xu Ke and Qian Jun please step into the ring."

He couldn't be bothered with pleasantries.

He wanted to see Xu Ke's pathetic state sooner—to see him trampled under Qian Jun's heel.

At his words, the entire venue erupted in cheers, the applause growing several degrees more intense.

By now, Xu Ke had already secured a top-three spot for Tianhai. No matter what happened, the interests and resources of their respective families would not be harmed.

With that in mind, they could now relax and watch the spectacle unfold. Naturally, they were ecstatic.

Xu Ke and Qian Jun stood up.

This time, as Xu Ke walked out, Qian Jun's men offered no more taunts.

They knew there was no longer any need to waste their breath on Xu Ke.

A dead man walks up, a corpse comes down.

To speak another word to Xu Ke would be a waste of their time!

Xu Ke and Qian Jun made their way toward the stage.

As they walked, Qian Jun glanced at Xu Ke's tall and straight posture and chuckled. "Xu Ke, how about a bet?"

"A bet? On what?" Xu Ke looked at him.

Qian Jun stated coolly, "If you can take one punch from me, I'll spare your life."

"If you can take two, I'll leave you your limbs."

"And if you can take three punches, I won't step on your head or humiliate you. I'll let you finish the match with dignity and walk off this stage."

"What do you say?"

His words were steeped in mockery.

The implication was clear.

Qian Jun believed his victory was certain.

Furthermore, if Xu Ke couldn't even take a single punch, then Qian Jun would crush his head underfoot, shatter his limbs, and ensure he wouldn't even have a grave.

Hearing this, Xu Ke showed no reaction. He simply shook his head slightly, turned to look straight ahead, and murmured to himself, "It seems I really was wrong."

"Wrong?"

Qian Jun burst into laughter, his smile dripping with scorn. "It's too late to realize your mistake now."

"The moment you saw me in the Martial Alliance meeting room, you should have knelt and admitted your error. That was your only chance."

"Too bad it's gone now!"

"You should know, Xu Ke, that there's no medicine for regret in this world!"

In his mind, he had already interpreted Xu Ke's words as an admission of regret.

Xu Ke was regretting having offended him!

He finally let a triumphant expression spread across his face, making no effort to hide it.

From the moment he arrived in Tianhai, he had longed to hear words of regret spill from Xu Ke's lips.

Now, he had finally heard them!

He was thrilled.

Extremely thrilled!

But Xu Ke didn't even acknowledge him this time, walking directly onto the stage.

What Qian Jun didn't know was that Xu Ke wasn't regretting having offended them. He regretted wasting so much energy preparing to put on an act. Qian Jun isn't worthy of it!

***

Soon, the two men stood on the stage.

At this moment, all eyes were fixed on them.

Qian Jun stared at Xu Ke.

Xu Ke stared back at Qian Jun.

A slight smirk touched Jin Hankang's lips. "Begin!"

As soon as he finished speaking, neither Xu Ke nor Qian Jun made a move.

Seeing this, the very air in the Tianhai Central Gymnasium seemed to solidify.

People grew tense, and they began to wonder.

Why aren't they moving?

Some even looked at Xu Ke with contempt.

Qian Jun's strength is unparalleled, so he can afford to stand still. But you, Xu Ke, you're practically a cripple, and you're not moving? Do you think standing still will turn the tide? It will only make your defeat all the more pathetic!

Qian Jun looked at the man before him and said indifferently, "I'm giving you the chance to make the first move."

"A lowlife like you from Shan City has probably never had the chance to stand on a stage like this in your entire life."

"If you can't even throw a single punch, I'll feel pity for you for the rest of your life!"

His posture was immensely arrogant.

His confidence came not just from his background, but also from his strength.

His strength was far beyond anything Xu Ke could imagine.

Upon hearing this, Xu Ke slowly raised his head and stared at Qian Jun. "Qian Jun, those were your words."

"So what if I said I'd let you go first? Do you really think a miracle can happen?!" Qian Jun laughed heartily.

At that moment, Xu Ke moved.

Everyone instantly focused their attention.

But to their astonishment, Xu Ke moved very slowly.

Extremely slowly!

Xu Ke was walking step by step toward Qian Jun.

That's right.

Not running, not charging, but walking.

As if he were on a leisurely stroll along a riverbank.

Seeing this, the crowd was in an uproar. "What is he doing?"

"Is he walking to his death?"

"Does he think this nonchalant act will intimidate Qian Jun? He's just putting on a show!"

The crowd's chatter was a noisy din, but it didn't affect Xu Ke or Qian Jun in the slightest.

Qian Jun watched Xu Ke's slow approach and scoffed, "Do you think you can intimidate me with this little act?"

"You piece of trash! A poisoned wreck like you, how could you possibly pressure me?!"

"Let me tell you, every step you take now is a step closer to death's door!"

Qian Jun had seen this type of display once before.

The great Wong Ting, the man who had made Qian Jun submit so completely, had once approached him with the same slow steps. Wong Ting's pace carried a domineering aura that left him no choice but to surrender.

But Xu Ke, while using the same gait, had no aura whatsoever.

Not only did he lack an aura, but in Qian Jun's eyes, Xu Ke was like a flickering candle in the wind.

Fragile!

He looked like he could collapse at any moment!

For a man poisoned to the brink of death to walk this way... wasn't he simply walking toward his grave?