"Damn it, all you do is hide behind that giant shield. Are you a turtle?"
"I knew it, why would the Hidden Group step forward to compete? So they sent a turtle to answer the challenge. The Hidden Group is too despicable..."
"Yeah! Truly shameless. What a good match, completely ruined the viewing experience and killed the mood!"
"Get down, I don't have time to watch you cower..."
As Tai Shan and Chen Gong began their fight, some of the surrounding crowd saw through Tai Shan's fighting style and immediately ignited their anger.
Originally, everyone thought the four contestants should come from four peak powers.
After all, only they were qualified to challenge each other.
But no one expected that someone from the Hidden Group would also step onto the stage.
This made them very displeased.
Although the Hidden Group was not weak, there was still a considerable gap compared to the peak powers, and they were not qualified to participate in such a competition.
Coupled with Tai Shan's current fighting method, many could no longer suppress their anger and roared directly.
In their opinion, even if one only defended and did not attack, they would still be looked down upon if they won.
Ye Cangtian's face also darkened at the sounds echoing throughout the venue.
As the saying goes, a black cat or a white cat is a good cat if it catches mice.
Fighting was the same. Whether it was proactive attack or passive defense, as long as one won, it was a good move. There was no inherent superiority between them.
After a moment of silence, Ye Cangtian looked at Qing Yan not far away and said indifferently, "Qing Yan Louzhu, may I ask, do the competition rules prohibit defense?"
Ye Cangtian's voice was not loud, but it echoed throughout the venue, and everyone's eyes turned to Qing Yan.
They so wished Qing Yan would directly negate Ye Cangtian's question, which would then end this boring competition.
On the other side, Qing Yan frowned slightly, glanced in Ye Cangtian's direction, and said, "Combat itself is divided into offense and defense, so how could there be such a rule!"
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian smiled slightly and said, "Since that's the case, isn't it a bit inappropriate for these people to chatter so much.
If it really affects the contestants' mentality, wouldn't the competition lose its fairness?"
"Silence! If you're watching the match, watch it properly. Anyone who makes loud noise and tries to influence the contestants will be cleared out without mercy..."
As Ye Cangtian's voice fell, Qing Yan immediately reprimanded them in a low voice.
With that, the venue instantly fell silent. Although many were unhappy at being scolded, they only dared to blame the Hidden Group for it.
On the other side, the match on the stage continued.
After a long duel, Chen Gong had used all his tricks, but without any success. On the contrary, he had consumed a lot of energy himself.
But he continued to persevere, as he represented Yulong Mountain Villa and could not disgrace it.
"Chen Gong, if you really can't break through the opponent's defense, I permit you to concede."
Just then, a figure's voice was transmitted, and although it was not loud, it still attracted the attention of many.
In an instant, many glanced at Yuan Hao of Yulong Mountain Villa, their expressions becoming displeased.
Clearly, the attacking party was suppressing the opponent without any chance to retaliate, and now they were being asked to concede proactively. To many, this was deliberately going easy on the Hidden Group.
Yuan Hao swept a glance at the crowd and snorted, "There's no point in continuing. Chen Gong has already given his all, and judging by the energy consumption of both sides, you should be able to make a judgment."
With his words, the people present fell silent again.
They didn't know if Chen Gong had given his all, but they could indeed see that Chen Gong had consumed a lot of energy. On the other hand, Tai Shan remained calm and composed, with little energy consumed.
Thus, if Chen Gong could not break through Tai Shan's defense, his defeat was only a matter of time.
Furthermore, if Chen Gong truly had any trump cards, he would have used them long ago. Why would he have consumed so much energy?
Therefore, Yuan Hao asking Chen Gong to concede was something they could reluctantly accept.
On the other side, after hearing Yuan Hao's voice, Chen Gong was silent for a moment, finally gave up attacking, and then said, "You win."
Although he felt a little unwilling, Chen Gong knew that continuing would inevitably lead to defeat. It was better to admit defeat frankly than to do so.
*Hoo!*
Tai Shan let out a heavy sigh, then looked at Chen Gong and said, "Brother, you are truly strong! I was almost at my limit."
*Heh heh.*
Chen Gong gave a disdainful smile. How could he take that seriously? It was clearly just words of comfort. He hadn't seen the other party at his limit, otherwise, he wouldn't have given up.
The match between the two ended, and they both left the stage for a short rest.
Next was the second match. A middle-aged man and a young man stepped forward; they were Wang Xiuquan and Su Yubai.
As the two began to fight, the venue immediately erupted in cheers.
Compared to the previous match, this was the real battle.
In a corner of the spectator stands, Shen Bingyang stood beside Yi Feipeng, his small eyes darting around.
The next moment, he came before Yi Feipeng and said in a low voice, "Second Tower Master, I think our wisest choice is to concede!"
"Presumptuous! This concerns the honor of the Swift Wind Tower, how can you concede so easily!" Yi Feipeng coldly reprimanded, his eyes already burning with anger.
Seeing this, Shen Bingyang quickly said, "Second Tower Master, can't you see? The Misty Rain Tower intends for Su Yubai to win this time, and the rewards are also prepared for Su Yubai..."
"I know that, but if he wants to keep good things for his disciples in this way, he needs to ask if we agree!"
Yi Feipeng's reasoning was simple: the more the Misty Rain Tower operated this way, the better the rewards would be.
Since the rewards were good, he naturally wanted to fight for the disciples of the Swift Wind Tower.
Shen Bingyang heard this and repeatedly shook his head, saying, "Second Tower Master, I have a different opinion from yours. Do you think even if Wang Xiuquan can win, he can defeat that Tai Shan?"
*Hmm?*
Yi Feipeng's eyes darted around upon hearing this.
In the previous match, Tai Shan, who defended, had forced Chen Gong of Yulong Mountain Villa to concede with little energy consumed.
Now, looking at Su Yubai and Wang Xiuquan on the stage.
As expected of a disciple meticulously trained by the Misty Rain Tower, Su Yubai on the stage had already gained the upper hand, completely suffocating Wang Xiuquan.
Under these circumstances, the possibility of Wang Xiuquan losing was very high.
Even if a miracle occurred and Wang Xiuquan managed to turn the tables against the odds, his energy consumption would be considerable.
Under such circumstances, trying to break through Tai Shan's defense in a subsequent encounter would be unrealistic.
Thinking of this, Yi Feipeng looked at Shen Bingyang and said, "The possibility of Wang Xiuquan defeating Su Yubai is indeed very small. Even if he wins, he probably won't be a match for Tai Shan."
"Exactly!"
Shen Bingyang's face immediately broke into a smile upon hearing this.
He quickly said, "It's difficult for our Swift Wind Tower to reach the end. In that case, why should we contend with the Misty Rain Tower? Why not go easy on them, and we can even curry favor with the Misty Rain Tower?"
Hearing this, Yi Feipeng's brow furrowed slightly, "But we are allies with the Hidden Group! What we cannot obtain should be obtained by the Hidden Group. It's better to keep resources within the family!"
Yi Feipeng stated that even if Wang Xiuquan couldn't fight to the end, he should at least try to consume Su Yubai's energy as much as possible, thereby increasing the Hidden Group's chances of winning.
"Second Tower Master, it's not worth doing this. You're making a wedding dress for the Hidden Group, and instead, you're creating a formidable enemy for the Swift Wind Tower. This is not beneficial for us!"
After a pause, Shen Bingyang continued, "If we concede voluntarily, we won't offend the Misty Rain Tower, and with Tai Shan's defense, there's still a chance to win.
The most crucial point is that the Hidden Group will not break ties with us over such a minor matter!"
*Hmm?*
Hearing this, Yi Feipeng immediately closed his eyes and began to ponder.
After a moment, he opened his eyes and said faintly, "Xiuquan, your situation is dire. Concede!"
As Yi Feipeng's voice fell, Wang Xiuquan immediately forced Su Yubai back and then said, "I concede."
Seeing this, Shen Bingyang's face immediately showed a triumphant smile, as if a scheme had succeeded.
*Heh heh, truly on the path to self-destruction, with no turning back!*
On the other side of the spectator stands, Ye Cangtian's gaze locked onto Shen Bingyang across the arena, a glint of killing intent flashing in his eyes.
Originally, he hadn't paid attention to the Swift Wind Tower's side, but when Yi Feipeng spoke, he felt something was amiss.
Although Wang Xiuquan was at a disadvantage, it wasn't impossible for him to make a comeback. At least, both sides definitely had trump cards.
If their trump cards were revealed, it was still uncertain who would win or lose.
Therefore, Yi Feipeng asking Wang Xiuquan to concede at this moment was definitely abnormal. Upon closer inspection, he saw Shen Bingyang's smug smile and immediately understood something.
Yi Feipeng's actions were likely inseparable from Shen Bingyang...