The arena match officially began, amidst Xiao Rulong's displeasure and Chen Shengping's anticipation.
Thanks to Yun Lang's confident demeanor, many spectators bet on him. As soon as the signal for the fight sounded, cheers erupted from the crowd.
"Go, Yun Lang!"
"Yun Lang, take down Xiao Rulong!"
"Show Xiao Rulong what you've got, I've been sick of him for ages!"
...
Of course, as a seasoned veteran of the arena, Xiao Rulong also had his share of supporters, and he was not about to lose in terms of morale.
"Who is this brash young brat? Get out of the way for Master Xiao!"
"Xiao Rulong is a Silver-tier warrior, what are you?"
"Go, Xiao Rulong!"
...
Voices rose and fell from the arena, and for a moment, the cheers for Yun Lang were nearly equal to those for Xiao Rulong.
It was precisely this near-equal amount of cheers that made Xiao Rulong's expression darken even further!
He had fought in this underground arena for years to gain such prestige, and this ignorant brat named Lin Lang, who had only been here for a few days, could already contend with him. It was utterly laughable!
Xiao Rulong was seething with annoyance and resolved to teach Yun Lang a lesson.
"Buzzz..."
Xiao Rulong clenched his fists. He hadn't intended to go all out, but he had to blame these short-sighted spectators for supporting Yun Lang!
The battle officially commenced!
"Hiss!" "Hiss!" "Hiss!"
Cheers erupted.
Those familiar with Yun Lang knew that his greatest strengths were speed and punches.
As soon as the fight began, Yun Lang did not disappoint his supporters. With a single step, he crossed more than half the stage and met Xiao Rulong head-on.
"This kid's speed is indeed ridiculously fast!" Xiao Rulong thought to himself.
The people at the arena had warned him before the match that Lin Lang wasn't very strong but was incredibly fast, slippery as an eel, and told him not to be too surprised.
Xiao Rulong was prepared and remained quite calm upon seeing Yun Lang's speed.
"Boom!"
Tai Chu Fist technique!
Powerful forces clashed mid-air, and the two were evenly matched!
Xiao Rulong stumbled back half a step, his expression growing grim. This brat's strength was also outrageously powerful.
"I advise you to surrender now, and I might spare your corpse," Xiao Rulong said coldly, looking at Yun Lang.
Yun Lang ignored his nonsense and kicked out at Xiao Rulong.
His legs had recently not only gained speed but also a significant amount of power!
Although Xiao Rulong appeared much stronger than Yun Lang, he was merely an ordinary cultivator. Once speed and strength were prioritized, other aspects were bound to fall behind. He could never achieve Yun Lang's all-around development.
Xiao Rulong had previously thought Yun Lang's legs were only for speed. Seeing him charge forward, he was somewhat dismissive, sneering and intending to block Yun Lang's attack with his bare hands.
"Boom!"
Xiao Rulong was sent flying back half a step. How could he have imagined that Yun Lang's leg strength was also so formidable!
"Then don't blame me for being ruthless! Seventh level of Foundation Establishment!"
Xiao Rulong's face turned red as he channeled his power to its limit, compressing his spiritual energy and charging towards Yun Lang.
Yun Lang smiled faintly. Xiao Rulong's imposing aura made him forget to conceal his fatal flaw in footwork.
Indeed, as powerful as Xiao Rulong was, he was a self-taught fighter. In moments of crisis, his footwork would become chaotic.
This was a massive weakness for someone like Yun Lang, who had meticulously studied cultivation techniques!
Yun Lang let out a loud laugh, employing a technique of "deflecting a thousand pounds with four ounces" to nullify the power of Xiao Rulong's attack to the utmost, and then unleashed his powerful Tai Chu Fist technique at him.
Xiao Rulong had launched his attack with full confidence, having not held back any spiritual energy. He never expected Yun Lang to dodge so easily and was caught off guard!
"Boom!"
Xiao Rulong stumbled back a step, only to hear thunderous cheers from the crowd.
He looked down in horror. This step had landed him precisely at the edge of the arena!
Xiao Rulong had inadvertently jumped out of the ring to avoid Yun Lang's move!
He had lost!
He had actually lost!
Xiao Rulong's eyes turned red with rage, wishing he could rush back onto the stage and fight again. He could not accept this outcome!
However, this was the underground arena, and despite the chaotic mix of people, there were rules.
Since Xiao Rulong had stepped out of the ring, he was considered defeated.
He could only watch as Yun Lang emerged victorious and became a Silver-tier warrior, just like himself!
Yun Lang, however, paid little attention to Xiao Rulong's feelings. As he saw that he had become a Silver-tier warrior, he couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief.
Finally, he could leave this damned place!
No matter from which angle one looked at it, the underground arena was not a good place. Although his strength had improved immensely, it was clearly not a good long-term prospect!
Regardless of Xiao Rulong's unwillingness, the match had come to an end.
Yun Lang paid no mind to Xiao Rulong's emotions. However, even as he left the arena, he could feel a sinister gaze fixed upon him.
This gaze naturally came from Xiao Rulong. Yun Lang smiled helplessly.
He headed straight for the inn. Xiao Rulong was patient enough to follow Yun Lang all the way back to his room.
As Yun Lang entered, he was surprised to find Zhao Wan'er sitting in his room, seemingly having come over out of fear.
But Zhao Wan'er didn't realize she had outsmarted herself. Before she could even rejoice at Yun Lang's arrival, Xiao Rulong broke through the window.
"Haha, watch me kill your woman first, then you!" Seeing Zhao Wan'er, Xiao Rulong burst into laughter.
However, in the next second, Xiao Rulong's neck was gripped by Yun Lang, silencing him.
"Did you think the rules of the arena weren't protecting you?" Yun Lang said coldly.
Those rules on the stage had restricted him; otherwise, with Xiao Rulong's level, he could have dealt with them all!
Yun Lang hadn't intended to bother with Xiao Rulong, but he hadn't expected him to be so foolish.
Zhao Wan'er, already terrified by the Wang family's affairs, was on the verge of collapsing from this new fright.
No matter how hard Xiao Rulong struggled, the hand on his neck was like an iron clamp, impossible to break free from!
It was only then that Xiao Rulong realized Yun Lang had been hiding his strength all along!
But it was too late for regret. His body was completely suppressed by Yun Lang's power, and he was thus lifted by the neck with one hand and thrown out of the window.
The outcome that followed was, needless to say.