“Each contestant’s number ranges from one to twenty. Two people hold the same number, and those with matching numbers are opponents in this duel. Matches proceed in order of the drawn numbers,” Fang Wentian announced loudly. “Now, will the holders of number one please take the stage!”

Liu Zhi steeled himself, clutching his token as he stepped onto the arena.

Tang Yan’s gaze flicked across the crowd and landed on Yu City’s section, where Yao Yuan rose with a smug grin.

The onlookers froze at the sight of the two contestants, then erupted into laughter.

“That’s Cloud City’s top fighter, facing off against Yu City’s Yao Yuan!”

“Don’t underestimate Young Master Liu. Just a while back, he took over a dozen slaps to the face with gusto!”

“Cloud City’s not just weak—they’ve got rotten luck too. First match, and they’re already set to lose face!”

Seeing his opponent, Liu Zhi’s heart skipped a beat. Yao Yuan had left a deep scar on his psyche.

“If one side concedes, the other must cease attacking. Let the match begin!” Fang Wentian declared.

“Young Master Liu, we meet again,” Yao Yuan said with a snicker, mockery glinting in his eyes.

“Hmph!” Liu Zhi snorted, though his confidence wavered.

“So, do you surrender right off, or should I slap you off the stage like last time?” Yao Yuan taunted further.

“Surrender to your grandma!” Fueled by the memory of past humiliation, Liu Zhi roared and charged, swinging his fists.

Though Liu Zhi lacked raw power, he wasn’t foolish. To avoid an instant loss, he knew he had to go all out from the start.

“Thunderclap Palm!” With a fierce shout, a wild aura burst from Liu Zhi. Several palm shadows materialized before him.

He lunged forward, his dual palms slicing through the air with ferocious force toward Yao Yuan.

“Oh, Mysterious Stage, rank one—how impressive!” Sensing Liu Zhi’s level, Yao Yuan chuckled mockingly. His own aura surged, unleashing the full might of Mysterious Stage, rank two.

“Thousand-Mile Collapse!”

With a low growl, Yao Yuan’s true energy flared, his robes snapping in the wind. A volatile orb of energy coalesced in front of him.

As both unleashed their moves, the outcome was clear to anyone with eyes.

Liu Zhi: Mysterious Stage, rank one, wielding a mid-tier Yellow Stage technique.

Yao Yuan: Mysterious Stage, rank two, using a high-tier Yellow Stage technique.

The gap in both strength and technique was glaring—victory was already decided.

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*Boom!* Their attacks clashed, and Liu Zhi staggered back three steps, blood trickling from his lips.

Yao Yuan’s combat prowess shone through. Capitalizing on his hit, he didn’t give Liu Zhi a moment to recover. He rushed forward and delivered six swift slaps.

*Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!*

Though Tang Yan and Lin Dongxue weren’t fond of Liu Zhi, he represented Cloud City’s honor in this competition.

In the first match, with tens of thousands of Eastern Domain spectators watching, the crisp sound of those slaps wasn’t just a strike on Liu Zhi’s face.

It was a slap to Cloud City’s dignity.

On the judges’ platform, Lin Xiao’s face darkened, fury blazing in his chest. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, “Yu City—such bold arrogance!”

Hearing Lin Xiao, Yu City’s lord, Yao Qian, smirked. “Don’t get riled up, Brother Lin. It’s just a spat between youngsters. Let’s enjoy the show.”

“Hmph!” Lin Xiao snorted, ignoring him.

The other city lords watched the exchange with keen interest. They’d all heard of the bad blood between Cloud City and Yu City. Any duel between their disciples in this competition promised to be brutal.

“I surrender!” Liu Zhi bellowed hoarsely.

*Slap!* But just before he got the words out, Yao Yuan’s seventh slap landed squarely on his cheek.

“Aren’t you Cloud City’s top fighter? What a coward—giving up right at the start? I haven’t even had my fill yet,” Yao Yuan sneered. He released Liu Zhi’s collar with a flourish and sauntered off the stage.

“Cloud City’s pathetic—can’t even take a hit!” Scornful looks spread through the crowd.

“Always the bottom-feeders. Mud that won’t stick to the wall.”

“Slapped in the first round—Cloud City’s completely lost face…”

Liu Zhi trudged back to Cloud City’s section, his face burning with shame.

Lin Dongxue sighed softly as he approached. “Rest up.”

Liu Zhi nodded faintly, slumping into a chair and closing his eyes. Two short minutes—yet the wound might take a lifetime to heal.

“Yu City’s Yao Yuan wins! Next, holders of number two, please take the stage!” A red-robed elder had taken over announcing duties from Fang Wentian.

“Whoa, Cheng Gong!” The crowd buzzed with excitement as the next contestant stepped up.

Hearing the gasps, Tang Yan turned his attention to the stage. This genius—one of the Eastern Domain’s Four Young Masters—had been a hot topic yesterday.

Clad in a black robe, Cheng Gong had sharp, chiseled lips and a quiet demeanor. His piercing eyes radiated intensity, daunting anyone who dared meet them.

Song City’s contender, Li Yang, was a lesser-known name in the Eastern Domain. Only a handful of Song City supporters cheered him on, their voices drowned out by the roar for Cheng Gong.

Li Yang had heard of Cheng Gong’s reputation. Stepping onto the stage, his face crumpled into a mournful grimace, as if attending his own funeral.

As the red-robed elder signaled the start, the two charged at each other.

In battle, courage is king.

Li Yang was already outmatched by Cheng Gong in strength. Now, with his fighting spirit shattered, his performance sank even lower.

Within a few exchanges, Li Yang was defeated.

Unlike Liu Zhi’s humiliating loss, Li Yang’s surrender spared him total disgrace. Losing to someone like Cheng Gong was expected—no one would fault him; they’d just pity his luck.

After the second match ended, the red-robed elder boomed, “Fang City’s Cheng Gong wins! Number three contestants, please take the stage!”

The crowd buzzed with anticipation at the rousing call of “take the stage.” Who would step up for the third round?

“Pfft, no way—Cloud City versus Yu City again?”

Laughter and commotion erupted as the contestants stood.

Tang Yan turned his head, spotting Yu City’s Su Wei as his opponent. A faint smirk curved his lips. *Today, I’ll use you to wipe away Cloud City’s shame!*

On the judges’ platform, the city lords reacted variably to the matchup.

Lin Xiao’s face remained neutral, betraying no emotion. Yao Qian wore a smug smile, exuding confidence. The other three lords watched with amused curiosity.

But the elder from the Azure Dragon Academy, Mo Bin, studied Tang Yan with keen interest.

“In all these years, no one’s scored a perfect ten on the sixth floor of the Assassins’ Tower. Don’t let me down,” Mo Bin mused silently.

Seeing Tang Yan, Su Wei’s heart leapt with glee. He’d lost to this kid in a recent challenge and had been itching for a chance to redeem himself. Who’d have thought it’d come so soon?