Chapter 23: One Fist, One Palm

On the arena, Xu Xiaoshou was overwhelmingly imposing.

He looked wildly arrogant, with his chest bared and muscles glistening, his entire body flushed red and steaming with heat, making him seem like a god of war come to life.

“Where is Zhang Fu? Come up and fight me!”

Xu Xiaoshou shouted, partly to provoke Zhang Fu into attacking him, and partly in the hope that Xiao Qixiu would see the brutal scene about to unfold and step in to save him.

Of course, the main goal was to eliminate the "Jin Zhao Huo Zhong" inside his body.

In the waiting area,

Zhang Fu and his friends wore expressions of deep concern.

“I think you should just admit defeat. He's Xu Xiaoshou, the most prominent dark horse among the two major Innate Realm successors. It won't be embarrassing!”

Zhang Fu hesitated. “But…”

“Look at him—he's definitely on some kind of drug. Didn't you see how he killed Wen Chong?”

“He wasn't this crazed back then. If you go up there, at best you'd be torn apart by five horses; at worst, you'd be shredded to pieces!”

Zhang Fu shivered, realizing his friend had a point.

But…

He glanced at the bite mark on his hand and frowned. "Still, I badmouthed him just yesterday. If I give up the moment we meet, wouldn't that be humiliating?”

“Losing face is one thing, but losing your life is another!”

Zhang Fu thought it over and shook his head. "He might not even break through my defense!”

He shook off his friend's attempt to hold him back and leaped onto the arena.

“Ah, what a fool!” came a desolate sigh from behind.

…

“So, you're Zhang Fu?”

Xu Xiaoshou eyed the tall, burly man, whose fists were as big as sandbags.

Perfect—this would make for a truly gruesome beating.

Exactly the effect he wanted!

He glanced smugly at Xiao Qixiu, thinking that under the audience's scrutiny, the referee couldn't just stand by and watch him die.

As long as Xiao Qixiu saved him, that troublesome thing inside his body wouldn't go unnoticed.

Zhang Fu cupped his hands in respect. "Greetings, Senior Brother Xu. I practice the 'Da Jin Tong Ti,' which gives me exceptional physical defense. I hope you'll be generous with your guidance.”

Da Jin Tong Ti?

Xu Xiaoshou stumbled slightly. Wasn't that a defensive spiritual technique?

You're supposed to be the one beating me—why practice something like that? What a waste of your build.

Xiao Qixiu couldn't help but laugh, knowing full well what schemes were brewing in Xu Xiaoshou's mind.

With a wave of his hand, he declared, "Let the match begin!”

Xu Xiaoshou felt this wouldn't do—he had to force the other side to make the first move, or his initial plan would fall apart.

He provocatively beckoned Zhang Fu with his hand, planting his feet firmly as if to say, "I won't move until you do.”

Zhang Fu smiled faintly and let out a low shout, mirroring the stance with spiritual energy surging around him, turning his skin a golden-bronze color.

The scene ground to a stalemate.

The audience erupted in laughter.

"Ha ha ha, these two are something else! What kind of match is this?”

"Zhang Fu's 'Da Jin Tong Technique' only has a counterattack in its final form. What's Xu Xiaoshou doing? Doesn't he have attacks? Go for it!”

"Go for it? You clearly don't get Xu the Punching Bag. Xu Xiaoshou only gets hit—he's itching all over if he doesn't take a beating for a day!”

"Ha ha, I could watch them hold their stances until nightfall!”

Xiao Qixiu's face darkened—he'd never been this frustrated in a year.

What were these people up to?

This was a competition!

“Competitors, please note: the match time is limited to two quarters of an hour!”

Xu Xiaoshou frowned. Zhang Fu had impressive self-control—he wasn't budging. Was his first plan really going to fizzle out?

Did he have to rely on fighting back to vent the scorching energy inside him?

He could fight, but he was worried Zhang Fu couldn't handle it.

Xu Xiaoshou turned to Xiao Qixiu. "You're really not going to save me?”

“Heh!” Xiao Qixiu replied with a scoff.

"You don't believe I'd kill him if I strike?” Xu Xiaoshou pointed at Zhang Fu.

Zhang Fu's face turned green. His legs went numb, and he barely resisted the urge to jump off the arena.

You two sort out your beef—why drag me into it? That's not heroic at all.

Xiao Qixiu's eyes turned cold. This kid was threatening him?

“Go ahead and strike. If Zhang Fu dies, I'll take the loss!”

Zhang Fu's legs trembled. Damn it, I'm not some gambling stake—I'm a living person!

Everyone in the backstage referee area was stunned.

"Has Boss Xiao lost his temper?”

"Whoa, this Xu Xiaoshou is something else to get Boss Xiao talking like that. I'm impressed!”

"Heh, I told you Xu Xiaoshou was capable. But now, I'm actually worried about that guy on the other side.”

"Ninth Realm… he should hold up, right…”

On the arena, Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow at Xiao Qixiu's words, barely glancing at Zhang Fu as he stared straight at the referee.

"You're sure about that?”

He stirred the aura of the "Jin Zhao Huo Zhong" within him and slammed a fist into the ground.

Bang!

The arena cratered with a massive pit, and the scorching energy exploded, blackening everything in a several-zhang radius.

"I've really taken drugs—no one can withstand this!”

Xu Xiaoshou flexed, showing off his muscles.

Is that it?

Xiao Qixiu showed his disdain.

Zhang Fu was exhausted. He saw Xu Xiaoshou's casual strike and Xiao Qixiu's scorn, but what chilled him most was his own bleak future.

Help! Should I keep holding on?

Xu Xiaoshou's punch made him half-scared to death, and the audience's eyes twitched.

"Oh my god, that destructive power…”

"Poor Zhang Fu—he's a three-win defender from the preliminary rounds, but against Xu Xiaoshou, he might as well not exist.”

"Come on, at least glance at Zhang Fu before you talk—his legs are shaking!”

Zhang Fu's legs did shake, and his voice trembled too. "Senior Brother Xu, go easy on me. When I said 'be generous with your guidance,' I just meant a light exchange.”

He pleaded humbly, "Give me some face…”

The audience burst into laughter. Seeing Xiao Qixiu remain silent, Xu Xiaoshou charged forward. "Enjoy your final moments!”

Xiao Qixiu stared intently, sensing the kid might be bluffing, but what if he wasn't?

Thud!

Xu Xiaoshou's fist slammed into Zhang Fu's chest, releasing a surge of scorching energy that brought a rush of relief.

Sizzle—

Zhang Fu's hair curled up, and his clothes scorched black, yet he didn't budge an inch.

Xu Xiaoshou was surprised. He could take a punch at half strength?

Not bad!

Since venting worked and the opponent's defense was this strong, there was no need for anyone to save him—just save Zhang Fu instead!

“Hah!”

Xu Xiaoshou took a deep breath, sinking his energy into his core, and for the first time channeled spiritual energy into an attack.

His left hand gathered a terrifying, visible blaze of scorching power, like invisible flames burning, distorting the space around it.

Zhang Fu's pupils shrank.

Hold on—you have to hold on!

Take this hit, then admit defeat. No shame in that!

Xu Xiaoshou said coolly, "One punch, one palm!”

Zhang Fu panicked and quickly changed his tune: "I admit—”

Boom!

A flash of light streaked by as Xu Xiaoshou's fist hammered his chest, causing a void explosion. A visible heat wave erupted, flipping the arena stones and leaving them charred black.

This palm struck like a giant swatting a fly, sending Zhang Fu flying.

The poor guy didn't even finish his sentence before being knocked out cold, skidding off the arena and carving a trench in the ground upon impact.

Whoosh!

The moment he stopped, sparks flew everywhere, and Zhang Fu's entire body burst into flames.

“Save him!” Xiao Qixiu roared.

The white-robed healers didn't need the call—they sprang into action the instant Zhang Fu flew, extinguishing the flames and treating his injuries with professional efficiency.

“Ah, that felt good!”

Xu Xiaoshou pulled out a Chi Jin Dan, sniffed it, and let out a contented groan.

That palm had expelled a good chunk of the scorching energy from his body. It still hurt, but at least it was a release!

Glancing at the glaring Xiao Qixiu, he said innocently, "I held back—if I hadn't, he'd be dead.”

Xiao Qixiu: …

Audience: …