Sun Hao stared at He Xin, forcing a dry laugh, "Little sister, you are no match for me. How about this, if you agree to be my girlfriend, I'll let you win."

"This jerk is so shameless," Lin Man cursed angrily next to Lin Chen.

Seeing He Xin step onto the stage, Lin Chen shook his head helplessly, well aware that she was no match for Sun Hao.

He Xin looked at Sun Hao with disdain, "You cold-hearted jerk don't deserve to be my boyfriend. Although I am not your match, for the honor of Peach Blossom Village Martial Arts Gym, I will fight until the last minute."

Upon hearing He Xin's words, Sun Hao's face turned even gloomier, "Since that's the case, I'll make sure to treat you well."

"It's trouble to see the two about to fight!"

Lin Chen shook his head helplessly and made his way through the crowd toward the stage."

He Xin took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on Sun Hao across from her, knowing she was no match but determined to make him pay a price even if she lost.

Sun Hao wore a proud expression, coldly saying, "You fool, do you really think you stand a chance against me?"

As he spoke, a powerful aura burst forth, and suddenly He Xin felt a surge of heat.

"What is this?" Under the pressure of this aura, He Xin couldn't help but step back.

"Mid-stage Qi Refinement?" Below the stage, Lu Qian's pupils shrank, and his face showed a look of shock.

Hearing Lu Qian reveal Sun Hao's cultivation level, He Xiong's heart tightened, and a look of terror appeared on his face.

He Xin was only at the ninth level of Body Refinement, and standing no chance against Sun Hao. The difference between Body Refinement and Qi Refinement stages, though only a word apart, was as vast as a lake compared to an ocean, an insurmountable gulf.

"Xin, don't fight anymore, quickly concede," He Xiong said anxiously.

At that moment, a cold look appeared on Sun Hao's face, "It's too late to leave now."

With that, Sun Hao turned into a blur, rapidly closing in on He Xin. On his right fist, a faint True Qi emerged, ruthlessly aiming for He Xin's chest.

Sun Hao had shown his true strength, moving so fast that He Xin had no time to react.

Seeing the fist rapidly enlarging before her eyes, a miserable smile appeared on He Xin's face.

She had hoped to cause Sun Hao some trouble, but never imagined the gap between them was so vast that she would be defeated in a single move.

Knowing she couldn't dodge the punch, He Xin had no choice but to give up resisting, closing her eyes and resigning herself to fate.

At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared in her mind. If he were here, perhaps Peach Blossom Village Martial Arts Gym wouldn't be in such a sorry state.

"Bang!"

Accompanied by a muffled sound, He Xin found that the oppressive force had suddenly vanished.

Opening her eyes, she saw a lean figure already standing in front of her, catching Sun Hao's attack with an outstretched hand.

He Xiong's heart had nearly leapt out of his chest during He Xin's close call, but seeing Lin Chen suddenly intervene, he finally sat down in his chair, still feeling the aftershocks.

Seeing Lin Chen save He Xin, He Xiong's face felt hot with shame.

It was he who had driven Lin Chen away, yet the facts now showed that he was utterly blind.

With a single move, He Xiong could tell that Lin Chen was far stronger than Dong Hu.

Yet he felt even more grateful to Lin Chen; despite how he had treated him, Lin Chen still chose to intervene and save the day. Such magnanimity.

"Lin Chen!" Seeing that figure, He Xin called out excitedly.

Lin Chen, like chastising a younger, scolded He Xin, "You don't have the skills yet you insist on taking risks on stage, really making it hard for others to rest easy."

Seeing Lin Chen, hope suddenly flared in He Xin's heart.

"Scared me to death, at least you have a conscience, Lin Chen—this guy is all yours. Beat him, and I'll treat you to a meal," He Xin patted her chest and heaved a sigh of relief.

"Sis, I agreed to save you, but I never said I'd fight for you," Lin Chen retorted as He Xin basically sold him out for a meal.

With a sly smile, He Xin whispered to Lin Chen, "If you don't fight for me, I'll expose all the things you've done to me in front of all our hometown folks."

"Damn, sis, that's really crossing the river and tearing down the bridge!" Lin Chen was dumbfounded after hearing He Xin's words.

He Xin, smiling radiantly, patted Lin Chen's shoulder, "Do your best, Little Chen. I believe in you!"

Lin Chen finally understood the unpredictability of a woman's heart. He was already on the 'thief ship', and there was nothing he could do about it.

Nodding with determination, he proclaimed, "Don't worry, sis. But you must keep your word—if I beat this guy, you'll have to kiss me in public."

Lin Chen's voice was loud enough that even the people in the first few rows around the ring could hear him.

He Xin, who was feeling triumphant about stepping down from the stage, nearly fell off when she heard Lin Chen's remark.

"A kiss, a kiss!"

"When did I say I'd kiss you!" He Xin tried to argue, but the crowd around the ring was already egging them on.

"Sis, don't worry. To earn a kiss from your cherry-like lips, I must defeat this guy no matter what," Lin Chen declared, his eyes brimming with fighting spirit.

He Xin was both embarrassed and annoyed. She had just been secretly pleased about tricking Lin Chen, but in the blink of an eye, this cunning fella had turned the tables on her.

In such a situation, He Xin couldn't continue to argue and had no choice but to hop off the stage with a red face.

Sun Hao was fuming with envy. He had always been the center of attention in the arena, but ever since this youngster stepped up, his limelight had been completely stolen.

What he couldn't stand the most was that the girl who had just rejected him was using Lin Chen as a bet and even had to kiss this pretty boy.

"Kid, are you done showing off your love? This is a fighting ring, not a place for your romantic confessions," Sun Hao said coldly.

It was only then that Lin Chen turned around and glanced at Sun Hao, "Sorry, I forgot there's still a single dog here. Sorry to make you jealous."

"You're courting death!"

Lin Chen smiled slightly, mimicking his tone, "I doubt you have the ability to kill me."

Anger flashed in Sun Hao's eyes, he clenched his fists tightly, and the next moment, he burst forward like an arrow released from a bow.

Lin Chen stood his ground with an indifferent smile, his eyes tranquilly watching the figure that swiftly approached him.

Just as Sun Hao's blade-like palm was about to hit his shoulder, Lin Chen lightly stepped to the right and tilted his body just enough to skillfully dodge the attack.

Sun Hao swung at the air and was shocked to find Lin Chen's palm, fast as lightning, already pressing against his right shoulder.

"Bang!"

With a muffled sound, Sun Hao staggered back several steps.

"Jeet Kune Do, inch punch!" Lu Qian's eyes sharpened.

Seeing Sun Hao being repelled, a buzz rose from the crowd, surprised that Lin Chen had managed to make him retreat with his first move.

Instantly, thunderous applause erupted from below the stage.

Sun Hao steadied himself, rubbing his somewhat painful arm, his expression growing even more grim.

"Kid, you really do have some skill, letting you sneak an attack successfully, but you won't have such an opportunity next time," he spat out.

"Swoosh!"

Sun Hao's figure dashed out again like a leopard, exuding a chilling aura as he burst forth unabated.