Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Another Battle Arises_1
Zhang Shunlong’s expression changed immediately, and he rose to his feet.
"I’m asking... are you ready?"
With just an easy sentence, Xiao Zhengyan’s body trembled.
This was not a negotiation; it was a blatant threat!
He could only respond hastily, "We’re ready! Definitely ready!"
Zhang Shunlong was then satisfied.
He came here simply to find someone to finance his expenses.
Even though he was an elder of the Innate Palace, his savings were not substantial, all spent on cultivation necessities.
And Xiao Zhengyan, being a businessman of moderate scale, was exactly who he could take advantage of.
"You, come with me to Canglang State," Zhang Shunlong ordered, pointing at Xiao Zhengyan.
Xiao Zhengyan didn’t dare to disobey, nodding his head like he was pounding garlic.
That’s when the always silent Xiao Yun also spoke up, "Grandmaster Zhang, may I accompany you?"
Xiao Zhengyan panicked at that, hurriedly saying, "A child has no place speaking out of turn!"
"Grandmaster Zhang, please don’t be angry, the child doesn’t understand!"
How could he dare to bring his own daughter to a dangerous man like Zhang Shunlong?
Zhang Shunlong glanced sideways, asking, "Why do you want to go?"
Xiao Yun’s expression turned cold, "I want Ye Fei to pay the price!"
...
The next day, the martial arts platform was set up again.
The crowd was in an uproar, all shouting and cheering.
When they learned that Ye Fei would be appearing today, their excitement intensified.
"Hey, did you see Ye Fei’s last match? He’s so strong!"
"I only saw the video, but such a powerful youngster, I’ve never seen one before. His methods are too ruthless!"
"Ruthless methods make for a good show! The past competitions for Qianyuan were too peaceful; I didn’t expect to see bloodshed this year! So thrilling!"
Ye Fei’s combat style undoubtedly excited everyone immensely.
Today, many people had come, all because of Ye Fei, this ruthless character.
At ringside, Wang Jianglong informed Ye Fei, "Your opponent today is quite ordinary, he hasn’t even reached the Postnatal stage."
"You shouldn’t have any problems, right?"
Ye Fei naturally had no problems. After all, there was no great array suppressing him this time, and dealing with an Innate-stage opponent was not difficult.
Now in the elimination phase, from the thirty-six states in the South, whether it was the war department, big families, or sects, everyone had participants.
A total of 1024 people.
After a full week of competition, there were now only 512 people left.
Today, it was the battle for the top 256!
The preparations for the match were complete, and the competitors took to the stage.
But in the next moment,
the host looked as if he had received some news, his facial expression changing immediately.
"Ladies and gentlemen in the audience, we have just received breaking news: one of our contestants has encountered a last-minute issue..."
The host’s voice spread throughout the venue, and everyone instantly felt uneasy.
Was this match going to end just like that?
"What the heck? This is just playing with our feelings, isn’t it?"
"I came all this way, and this is how you treat the audience?"
Emotions in the crowd exploded, and Ye Fei was also somewhat puzzled.
Just then, the host hurriedly said, "Everyone, please calm down, the match has not ended!"
"Zhang Shunlong, a committee member of the Martial Arts Association, has specially invited a heavyweight contestant for this match!"
"Please welcome, last year’s Qianyuan top thirty-two fighter, a Postnatal fifth-stage martial artist, Cui Xuan!"
As soon as these words were uttered,
the entire place erupted.
Postnatal fifth stage?
That was certainly amongst the strongest contenders!
And the name Cui Xuan was already well known throughout the entire martial arts world!
Last year it was this very person who, with his iron fists, forcefully smashed his way into the top thirty-two.
If he hadn’t met with that genius disciple from the Innate Palace, he would have ranked even higher!
Nobody doubted Cui Xuan’s strength.
And at that moment, some in the crowd realized something.
"Was it Committee Member Zhang Shunlong who asked Cui Xuan to come?"
Zhang Shunlong was Wang Yang’s master.
And Wang Yang had just died at Ye Fei’s hands last week.
It was impossible not to speculate!
Zhang Shunlong was an elder of the Innate Palace, and also a committee member of the Martial Arts Association.
He only needed to secretly spend some money, pull some strings, to have the original contestant drop out and be replaced by the strong Cui Xuan.
It was simply effortless.
"Looks like Zhang Shunlong’s revenge has come so quickly!"
"After all, he has power and influence; finding someone and spending a little money is just too easy!"
And at that very moment, Cui Xuan made his appearance.
First, there was a scream, followed by cheers so loud they nearly blew off the roof.
Within the crowd, Cui Xuan glowered at Ye Fei with fierce eyes like a tiger.
As the two of them took to the stage, the cheering from the crowd became even more fervent.
"Poor Ye Fei, no matter how good he is, he can’t possibly stand against Cui Xuan!"
"Indeed, although his last match was stunning, Cui Xuan’s strength and experience are both so formidable; Ye Fei has no chance at all."
For a time, the audience didn’t have much hope for Ye Fei.
After all, last edition’s top thirty-two were too terrifying in reputation!
That’s when someone noticed a person had arrived at the edge of the field.
It was Zhang Shunlong!
His purpose in coming today was to see Ye Fei sent to his doom!
Trailing behind Zhang Shunlong were Xiao Zhengyan and his daughter.
The money used to bribe the Martial Arts Association came from the Xiao Family.
And at that moment, Xiao Yun was also quietly watching Ye Fei in the arena, her thoughts unknown.
A great battle was on the verge of eruption.
Cui Xuan suddenly flashed Ye Fei a smile, a terrifying sight.
