The arena fell silent for a moment, then erupted into an uproar.
The crowd was stunned, then started shouting, asking each other questions, discussing, trying to figure out what had just happened.
They couldn't be blamed for their reaction; the change had been too sudden.
Xu Yang had been dominating Gao Meng, but in the blink of an eye, the tables had turned, and Xu Yang was kicked off the stage.
"What?" Teng Haibo's mouth hung open, his eyes wide. "He won? That fast? So powerful?"
He couldn't comprehend it, feeling as if he were dreaming.
Did this mean he was about to take the position of branch leader?
This was too sudden!
What incredible luck!
Amidst the cheers and disbelieving murmurs, Song Qiao frowned. This girl truly didn't listen.
Sun Tengfei's usually calm expression finally shifted.
There was a hint of pain on his face.
It wasn't that he grudged losing something valuable, but rather he was constantly stroking his beard.
When he saw Gao Meng deliver that kick, described as a cornered antelope's horn, his hand trembled and pulled out a few beard hairs.
He hadn't expected Song Qiao's subordinate to possess such a hidden skill.
As he turned to look at Song Qiao, intending to offer praise, he saw Song Qiao's displeased expression and felt a pang of surprise.
"What's wrong, Xiao Song? Is something amiss?"
"Sigh, this girl..." Song Qiao shook his head with a hint of helplessness.
On Elder Xu's side, chaos ensued.
Elder Xu was shocked, his confident demeanor vanishing instantly.
He leaped to his feet with a "thump" and rushed to Xu Yang's side.
"Xu Yang, my good grandson, are you alright?" he cried, squatting down to examine him.
Tang Wen had been holding a cup of fragrant tea, sipping it while watching the match.
Suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of tea, even choking a little, coughing incessantly and looking disheveled.
He dropped his teacup and also rushed to Xu Yang's side.
A clear footprint was visible on Xu Yang's chest.
It was, of course, Gao Meng's.
Even now, a strong surge of energy was still rippling through Xu Yang's body.
Elder Xu hadn't expected his precious grandson to be defeated when his momentum and power were at their peak.
"This is impossible!" he shouted at Gao Meng.
By now, Gao Meng had descended from the high platform and was by Song Qiao's side.
Song Qiao looked at Gao Meng, his eyes filled with concern.
He could tell that Gao Meng had just used the secret breathing technique he had taught her.
It involved forcibly igniting blood essence and then unleashing a devastating kick.
This technique could instantly double one's power and increase speed by fifty percent.
The sudden change in power and speed would inevitably make an opponent accustomed to their existing rhythm incredibly uncomfortable, leading to an unprepared defeat.
However, this technique consumed a great deal of one's vital essence, or rather, it shortened one's lifespan.
Just look at her now; her face was pale, and while she walked seemingly normally, the vibrant energy she had possessed moments ago was gone.
He frowned and reprimanded her with great distress, "What are you doing? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Hearing this, Gao Meng immediately lowered her gaze, timidly looking at Song Qiao. Her hands fiddled with the hem of her clothes. "I'm sorry, I won't do it again... If I didn't use that move, I was afraid..."
Seeing this, Sun Tengfei felt deeply apologetic towards Gao Meng, but he didn't know what to say. He could only stand there awkwardly, looking at Song Qiao.
Teng Haibo, standing nearby, was quick-witted and fetched a chair. "Mr. Song, please help Miss Gao to sit here and rest properly."
While they were busy tending to Gao Meng, Xu Yang had already regained consciousness under Elder Xu's ministrations.
He opened his eyes and called out "Grandpa" to Elder Xu, then forcefully tried to break free from his grasp.
Elder Xu had already checked his pulse and found that he had only sustained a minor injury, so he relaxed and let go.
He let out a roar, performed a鲤鱼打挺 (carp leap), and instantly sprang to his feet.
His eyes blazed with fury.
He shouted at Gao Meng, "Bitch, using a surprise attack! I refuse to accept this!"
Since achieving mastery in martial arts, Xu Yang had suffered minor defeats, but never such a significant loss, especially not in full view of everyone, at his moment of greatest strength, being kicked flying by a woman.
"You're dead! Even if the King of Heaven came, he couldn't save you!" he roared, charging at Gao Meng.
His aura erupted completely, his killing intent concealed within.
Before Gao Meng could react, Song Qiao's anger flared.
"Is the Xu family unable to accept defeat?" he barked.
This Xu Yang was truly foolish, seeking his own demise.
Hmph, if you court death, don't blame me for being merciless.
Song Qiao shifted his steps lightly, placing himself in front of Gao Meng.
Teng Haibo also stood by her side to protect her.
Xu Yang lunged forward rapidly, his claws extended one after another, exuding a menacing aura.
His target was Gao Meng, but since Song Qiao was blocking his path, he would take the latter's life first.
In his eyes, Song Qiao was young and didn't possess a formidable aura, so he would be easily subdued.
However, to his surprise, the other party raised a leg and kicked.
The kick was swift and fierce, aimed directly at his lower body, clearly intending to cripple him.
Enraged!
He quickly blocked, but to his dismay, he couldn't block it at all.
"Ah!"
Xu Yang let out a piercing scream and was sent flying backward.
He crashed to the ground again.
This time, he fell even harder.
A large pool of blood stained the ground.
He curled up, clutching his groin with both hands, writhing in pain.
After the shocking turn of events, the crowd finally reacted and looked closely. The blood was coming from his crotch.
At that moment, everyone felt a chill in their lower regions.
Elder Xu rushed over again.
But upon seeing Xu Yang's grotesque state, he knew it was hopeless. He had been crippled!
He was utterly dumbfounded. How could this have happened?
Immediately, he became enraged, spewing insults at Song Qiao, constantly shouting, "You harmed my grandson like this! I, I will kill you!"
At this moment, he had lost the demeanor of a martial arts master and become a raging lion.
Suddenly, he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
He noticed that Song Qiao maintained a smile, his breathing and other actions were regular, and he suddenly became clear-headed.
Then, he lunged at Song Qiao instantly, attacking him directly.
What he used was his signature Dragon Claw Hand.
Compared to how Xu Yang had executed it, this martial art was more than twice as powerful in his hands.
The sound of "chichichi" echoed, the sound of his fingertip's vital energy cutting through the air.
He was filled with murderous intent, determined to kill Song Qiao here and avenge his grandson, Xu Yang.
Such a commotion naturally drew gasps from his supporters. The old ginger was indeed spicier.
Teng Haibo and his supporters, seeing this, were also greatly alarmed and worried for Song Qiao.
Sun Tengfei, however, watched with cold eyes, showing no concern whatsoever.
No one had more confidence in Song Qiao than he did.
Song Qiao merely let out a cold snort and then struck out with a palm.
Instantly, Elder Xu's shoulder was heavily struck, and he was sent flying backward.
His claws missed entirely, not even brushing Song Qiao's clothes.
*Snap!*
The fabric on Elder Xu's shoulder was shattered by the vital energy, and fragments of his clothes seemed to explode.
Along with the torn cloth, a large piece of something flew out.
"Ah!" Elder Xu let out a long, agonizing scream.
When he landed, it was visible that the bone in his shoulder had been shattered, and a large piece had been blasted out.
The wound was ghastly and terrifying, spurting blood relentlessly, instantly dyeing half of his body red.
Song Qiao looked at him and said coldly, "Today, I'm giving Grand Elder Sun face. Otherwise, you would have died!"
Elder Xu stared at Song Qiao, his eyes filled only with terror and pain.
Tang Wen and the others were ashen-faced with fear.