Among martial cultivators, close-quarters combat undoubtedly tests fundamental reactions and proves combative skill the most.

The cultivators from Three Mountains City, having leapt across mountains since childhood as if they were level ground, and wrestled lions and tigers, were naturally exceptional. Although close-quarters combat was a risky move for him, he still held some confidence.

However, the Four Spirits Body Refining Art that Jiang Wang cultivated was a unique military cultivation technique, perfected by the Dao Evolution Platform in the Mirage of Grand Void. At this stage, it was a top-tier body refining method.

Jiang Wang’s muscles, though not quite surpassing steel, were not far off. Vast qi and blood lay dormant in every muscle, not usually visible in their magnitude, but on occasions like today, they erupted with unprecedented ferocity!

*Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Fists flew, feet lashed out, knees thrust, and elbows crashed.

Their fists collided, producing sounds like the beating of drums.

This kind of pure, physical intensity was unprecedented for Jiang Wang. In this battle, he felt the Four Spirits Body Refining Art gradually integrate into his body. Although he had diligently cultivated before, being from a Daoist academy, he did not truly understand the essence of body refinement.

In this direct clash, he felt his qi and blood grow fuller, his flesh become stronger, his Dao Yuan more vibrant, and he felt… his opponent’s power gradually weaken.

*Boom!*

In the final headbutt, the cultivator from Three Mountains City staggered backward.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to continue; it was simply that he could no longer squeeze out a single ounce of strength.

Only Jiang Wang, who fought him, truly knew how hard he had tried and how desperately he fought.

Several times, Jiang Wang thought the battle was decided, but then his opponent’s fist would come again.

He clearly felt the steel-like will of this cultivator from Three Mountains City.

He was desperately trying to win.

They didn’t want to be called barbarians!

Yet, tragically, the more desperately they fought, the more people would say, “Look, that’s how barbarians are, they don’t value their lives.”

…

The referee raised his flag, and victory was decided.

The surrounding crowd was silent for a moment, then erupted in cheers.

After all, this was Maplewood City, Jiang Wang’s home ground. Not to mention, there were several burly men hired by Zhao Rucheng, roaring with all their might for the generous reward. They seemed to have even deeper affection for Jiang Wang than Jiang An’an had for her brother.

Amidst the roaring cheers, Jiang Wang reached out and caught his opponent, preventing him from falling.

“May I ask for your esteemed name?” Jiang Wang asked, looking at this respectable opponent, showing his respect.

In fact, before the competition started, the referee had announced both their names, but Jiang Wang hadn’t bothered to remember.

Like many vulgar people, although he didn’t show it, he had grown up hearing about them and had internalized a contempt for these so-called “mountain barbarians.”

The cultivator from Three Mountains City stood shakily, almost his entire weight supported by Jiang Wang’s hand. His eyes were swollen, narrowed to slits.

“Yang Xingyong!” he said happily, “My name is Yang Xingyong!”

…

Outside the arena, Jiang An’an was applauding her brother when she suddenly heard her friend’s voice, “An’an!”

The little girl Qingzhi jumped up and down in the crowd, excitedly squeezing toward Jiang An’an.

Beside her was an old man, thin and hunched over. Yet, in this crowded throng, they moved without any hindrance, seemingly without affecting others.

Everyone was curious about Jiang An’an’s friend, especially the little girl who wanted to beat up Jiang Wang.

Huang Azhan’s perspective was always unique. He noticed the hunched old man at first glance.

The old man’s face… was strange. Although his expression was serious, he naturally gave off a feeling of lewdness.

Huang Azhan nudged Zhao Rucheng with his elbow. “Hey, look at that old man.”

“What is it?” Zhao Rucheng asked.

Huang Azhan lowered his voice. “Don’t you think his head… looks a lot like… a lot like…”

“A lot like what?”

Huang Azhan didn’t speak but looked down at Zhao Rucheng’s crotch.

Zhao Rucheng was initially wary. “What are you looking at!”

Then he realized what Huang Azhan was implying, and looked at the old man again, stroking his chin. “Hey! It does look a bit like…”

They were chatting quietly when the hunchbacked old man suddenly looked up, glaring at them. He had obviously heard everything they said.

“Don’t talk about it, don’t talk about it. Watch the match.” Huang Azhan turned his head away guiltily, trying to look nonchalant as he watched the arena.

“Ahem.” Zhao Rucheng coughed twice, reached out and took Jiang An’an from Ling He’s shoulders, placing her on his own. “An’an, your brother Ling He is tired. Sit on my shoulders for a while.”

He thought that since this old man was so old, he wouldn’t beat someone holding a child, right?

Jiang An’an was already very familiar with Zhao Rucheng, so she didn’t care whose shoulders she sat on and chatted happily with Qingzhi.

“My brother just won, he’s so amazing!”

…

Yang Xingyong was eventually carried away.

The other two matches had ended earlier. Another cultivator from Three Mountains City defeated his opponent from Wangjiang City with overwhelming force, while Lin Zhengli from Wangjiang City easily defeated the other freshman from Maplewood City.

But the audience’s attention was obviously drawn to Jiang Wang and Yang Xingyong’s fight, as it was a fierce battle with every punch felt.

“Just weak chickens pecking at each other. Maplewood City is really… even the people have no discerning eyes.” Lin Zhengli sneered at the other victor, probably seeking some recognition.

But the victor from Three Mountains City obviously didn’t buy it.

He said coldly, “Please respect your opponent.”

In his opinion, Lin Zhengli was not only disrespecting Jiang Wang but also Yang Xingyong, a cultivator from Three Mountains City.

Lin Zhengli was met with a cold shoulder, making him even more displeased. “Heh, barbarians.”

The Three Mountains City cultivator’s eyes almost shot fire, but he didn’t say anything else.

After the first round, each of the three cities had one victor, which could be considered a draw. Next was the round-robin stage, with the order determined by drawing lots. Luck was important in this round.

The referee from the Prefectural Academy was in charge of drawing lots, which undoubtedly reflected the greatest degree of fairness.

Taking a lot from the container, he read it and announced, “Jiang Wang!”

Ling He and Zhao Rucheng below the stage breathed a sigh of relief. This meant that Lin Zhengli and the Three Mountains City cultivator would fight first, and then Jiang Wang would fight them both separately. It was undoubtedly the best possible draw.

Jiang Wang stepped back to the side of the arena, leaving the center position to the two who were about to fight.

As they passed each other, Lin Zhengli chuckled. “Your luck is really good. You get to stay for another round.”

He implied that by the time the second round-robin match started, he would have beaten Jiang Wang to the point where he couldn’t continue fighting, his tone filled with contempt.

Jiang Wang smiled. “I hope your luck is a little better so you can still meet me later.”

What he meant was that Lin Zhengli might not even make it to the second match, and would be defeated in the first match.

When it came to trash talk, he had been thoroughly influenced by Zhao Rucheng, so it wasn’t as if he was completely unable to retort.

He just couldn’t understand where Lin Zhengli’s hostility toward him came from. Was it because the banner that Zhao Rucheng had made was too ostentatious?

This person didn’t seem like the straightforward type. An cultivator who had received a formal Daoist academy education, and was sent to represent Wangjiang City’s Daoist academy as an elite disciple, would he be so easily provoked?

Jiang Wang was actually very interested in the answer behind this.

As for the fight, he truly had no fear.

Compared to Lin Zhengli’s superficial anger, the cultivator from Three Mountains City remained silent, only staring at his opponent.

His attitude toward this battle was undoubtedly more serious.

It also showed that he had a stronger desire for the outcome of the battle.