Chapter 245: Don't Make Rash Statements, or You'll Only Expose Your Weakness, Zhou Yinglin's Arrogan

Chapter 245: Don't Make Rash Statements, or You'll Only Expose Your Weakness, Zhou Yinglin's Arrogant Proposal

As he watched the live broadcast of the draw, Xue Jing nodded calmly, unsurprised by the outcome.

"As expected, we're facing each other in the first match of the quarterfinals. It's most likely a rigged draw. They probably didn't pair us up in the initial draw to avoid making it too obvious, so they arranged for me to face Yin Mei and Dai Zongnian first, who are clearly weaker than me, to ensure my advancement."

"But in the quarterfinals, everyone left is a formidable opponent, and the outcome is highly uncertain. To prevent me from being eliminated by someone else, they had to make sure we face each other in the first match..."

Xue Jing chuckled and closed the live stream.

MiaoMiao was crouched beside him, idly swiping at his phone with her paw's pad, her fluffy tail swaying leisurely in the air.

"Ah Jing, it looks like things are heating up online."

She yawned, revealing her adorable sharp canines, and said lazily, "['Most anticipated episode'] ['Definitely rigged'] ['Xue Jing is in danger'] ['The organizers don't care about their image anymore']... The comments are flying in fast. A few hundred new ones with each refresh. This match is getting a lot of attention."

"Aren't you going to argue with them?" Xue Jing asked with a smile.

"It's a pointless effort..." MiaoMiao huffed. "Anyway, you'll beat them all up for looking down on you. There's no need for me to respond to them."

She would never admit that her typing skills were too slow and that she couldn't keep up with the others, so she could only remain silent and back down.

"...But it seems like public opinion online has turned a little more favorable towards you. It's not as one-sided as before. I guess it's because of your performance in the previous matches."

Xue Jing waved his hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter. I don't depend on others' evaluations for my success. Good or bad reviews are irrelevant to me; they are but a breeze that barely affects me."

He stood up and walked to the fridge, opened it, and took out a bottle of Coke. As he twisted the cap open, he said, "Public opinion can turn on a dime... More than 90% of people lose half their IQ when they get caught up in group mentality, and at the same time, due to the psychological effect of shared responsibility, they don't think their impulsive malicious words are that serious."

"After I crush Zhou Yinglin, most of those who insulted me will easily choose to forget their previous malice and may even turn their anger towards Zhou Yinglin, who embarrassed them... At that time, they'll become my 'fans' again because they need me as a comparison to more effectively attack Zhou Yinglin..."

Xue Jing took a sip of Coke and said softly, "It's truly boring."

MiaoMiao nodded as if she understood, pouting, "You say it's boring, but why do you know so much about it? It's as if you've studied it specifically..."

Xue Jing replied in a relaxed tone, "Read more books and deeply study dialectical materialism. Learn to see through the surface and grasp the essence, Teacher Wen."

"My low education is truly shameful!" MiaoMiao, who had been forced to drop out of high school and become the leader of the Dragon Sect, gritted her teeth.

...

The next day at noon, it was match day.

Xue Jing arrived at the Super Arena in Ning Yuantai's car.

"Wow, it's quite lively here today!"

Ning Yuantai, sitting in the driver's seat, widened his eyes as he steered the wheel and glanced through the car window at the square in front of the Super Arena's entrance.

The crowd was dense, like a real anthill, with people packed tightly together, visibly struggling to move, and their noisy voices could be heard even inside the car.

Xue Jing glanced out the window but remained silent.

"Brother Xue, it looks like the news about you and Zhou Yinglin has spread. Today's turnout is huge. I think the Super Arena will be packed, and there might not be enough seats!" Ning Yuantai said excitedly.

As an Iron Blooded Jing fan, he was one of the few who understood Xue Jing's true capabilities. He had no doubts about Xue Jing's ability to defeat Zhou Yinglin and was only eagerly anticipating the match.

"Don't stare; let's go in," Xue Jing reminded him.

"Okay, let's go," Ning Yuantai replied, turning the wheel and heading towards the parking lot.

After parking the car, the two got out and entered the Super Arena through the staff passage.

"Brother Xue, I'll go find my friends. See you later," Ning Yuantai said and left after a quick greeting, heading towards the organizers' staff area.

Xue Jing walked slowly down the long corridor alone, his footsteps echoing off the floor.

At that moment, a figure with a somewhat frivolous demeanor walked towards him.

Xue Jing raised his eyes and recognized a somewhat familiar face.

His name was Wei... Wei something, he thought.

It was the man who had announced that Zhou Yinglin intended to kill him on stage.

Wei Junwu greeted Xue Jing from a distance, waving and calling out in a familiar manner, "Old Xue!"

Xue Jing nodded at him, then thought for a moment. Unable to recall his name and not wanting to call him Old Wei, he simply said, "Morning."

Wei Junwu turned to glance at the scorching sun outside the window after hearing this, but he didn't mind. Instead, he walked over to Xue Jing with a smile, casually slinging an arm around his shoulder, and said with a wink, "Hey, Old Xue, how's it going? Have you been diligently practicing with that giant sword of yours... Hmm? Wait, where's your sword? Didn't you bring it?"

He looked puzzled when he noticed that Xue Jing's hands were empty.

"I have it with me, just not on me at the moment," Xue Jing replied casually.

Wei Junwu breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good."

"I know you might find this annoying, but I have to remind you again—don't underestimate Zhou Yinglin. He's extraordinary. Going up against him with mere martial arts techniques is a sure way to court death. You have to throw caution to the wind and rely solely on brute force from the get-go. Even if it means using ten units of force to overcome one unit of skill, it's better than having your hundred units of skill countered by a single skillful move..."

Xue Jing pushed away Wei Junwu's arm that was draped over his shoulder, responding with an ambiguous smile, "Oh? Is that so?"

Seeing that Xue Jing didn't seem too concerned, Wei Junwu scratched his head, unsure of what else to do. He sighed and said, "Also, he's a naturally gifted prodigy with an exceptionally high spiritual energy level, and he's extremely adept at utilizing spiritual power... He even wrote a martial arts thesis that won an award."

Xue Jing raised an eyebrow. "He did? What was it called, My Master, the Lord of Soldiers?"

Wei Junwu shook his head helplessly. "No, it was a thesis on the scientific development of spiritual consciousness computational abilities..."

Xue Jing waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, that's enough. I understand what you're trying to say."

Xue Jing took a step forward and continued walking without turning back, saying, "Wei... Old Wei, the only reason I've patiently listened to all this boring and irrelevant talk about Zhou Yinglin is because I know your intentions are good. But you need to understand something... I'm not like those people who let Zhou Yinglin ride on their heads and shit on them. I'm completely different."

"It doesn't matter if you don't understand now, you will soon."

Wei Junwu was taken aback, watching as Xue Jing's figure moved further away. He shook his head and sighed, "Ah, this is how geniuses are before they meet an even greater genius... I hope he'll be alright."

...

"Hello, everyone, and welcome back to the U19 Unlimited Elite Fighting Competition Yuancheng Finals! I'm your commentator, Tao Xingxiu!"

"Wow~ Today's crowd is just incredible! 'Packed like sardines' doesn't even begin to describe it. The enthusiasm of the audience here today is truly remarkable, even surpassing that of previous finals. It's clear how much everyone is anticipating this competition and its contestants..."

As the commentator rattled on, Xue Jing stood in the contestant observation area with his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the stage.

With only the top eight contestants remaining, each one a formidable opponent, the matches were bound to be highly valuable for observation. Xue Jing intended to watch the entire competition up close.

Yin Muhu stood by his side.

Thanks to Xue Jing's treatment and the rest over the past few days, Yin Muhu's muscles had started to bulge, and his features were becoming more rugged and masculine, though a hint of his former beauty remained.

Since even eliminated contestants were allowed in the observation area, it was quite lively today, with most of the thirty-two contestants present. They gathered in small groups, chatting amongst themselves.

Even Dai Zongnian, who had been thoroughly defeated by Xue Jing a few days prior, showed up, his body wrapped in bandages. He stood at the farthest corner, opposite to Xue Jing, seemingly too afraid to look in his direction, as if he had developed a psychological shadow from the experience.

As the commentator finished the opening remarks, the matches were about to begin. However, most of the audience members paid little attention to the upcoming bouts, their eyes frequently drifting towards the contestant observation area and Xue Jing.

"This is just sadistic. The hype is so intense that it feels like a public execution..."

"Was the drawing really not rigged? I'm starting to question the credibility of the U19 tournament."

"I didn't believe the rumor at first, but now that Wei Junwu has said it and the draw turned out like this... I'm starting to suspect it might be true."

"I hope Zhou Yinglin won't actually kill someone on stage. Even though the contestants have signed waivers, and it wouldn't be illegal, they would still be disqualified from the tournament."

"You can bring up other concerns, but mentioning disqualification is just laughable... Zhou Yinglin doesn't need the U19 championship title. He doesn't need the prize money or the recognition. The most important thing for him, the 'title bout points,' he already earned during the 'Little Dragon Gate Cup.' There's not much point in him participating in this tournament..."

"Whoa... Now that you mention it, it does sound a bit scary. Do you think he really came all this way just to kill Xue Jing?"

"If that's true, it would be such a waste. Such a young and talented man, finally making it out of the Outer Ring, only to meet his end here..."

"Why bother with all that? Let's just enjoy the show. It's rare to see someone killed in a martial arts competition. Today's going to be exciting and stimulating!"

"By the way, who are you betting on?"

Now, Xue Jing's odds of winning have reached twelve to one. Should we place a big bet?"

"Don't joke around. If it were anyone else, I might take a small gamble, but Tian Yi Wufeng is famously consistent in his performance, and there's rarely an upset. Zhou Yinglin has this in the bag; I won't bet on this one..."

...

"...So, without further ado, let the match begin!"

As the commentator's voice fell, the referee waved his hand, and the stage was enveloped in a repulsive membrane. On the stage, Wei Junwu and a young man named Huang Lu each took their fighting stances.

However, the audience suddenly erupted into a commotion, their gazes drawn to the contestant observation area.

Because... a boy with eyes sharp as a hawk had appeared there and was walking towards another focal point of everyone's attention!

"Wei Junwu's Fengti Stream is also a well-known school in the Inner Ring, especially proficient in forging gong bodies. It's said to be derived from an ancient martial art of the old era called the Transforming Phoenix Art..."

Yin Mu Hu enthusiastically introduced Xue Jing in her youthful, girlish voice.

But suddenly, she realized something was amiss.

Everyone around them... was staring at her and Xue Jing with strange, surprised looks.

Yin Mu Hu turned abruptly, her pupils shrinking to pinpricks.

Less than two meters behind her stood a person... who had been there for who knows how long, right behind her, and she hadn't sensed it at all!

Zhou Yinglin...

Yin Mu Hu warily eyed the sharp-eyed youth, unconsciously assuming a boxing stance out of instinct.

But Zhou Yinglin's gaze didn't linger on her at all.

"Yin Mei, move a little further away," Xue Jing said, his voice soft and calm.

Yin Mu Hu, upon hearing this, wiped the sweat that had somehow appeared on her forehead, nodded, and moved a little further away, as instructed.

Seeing this, Zhou Yinglin stepped forward and stood next to Xue Jing, extending his bony right hand and placing it on the railing in front of him, his eyes fixed on the stage.

All the contestants stared at the two of them standing side by side, and the atmosphere in the venue became strangely quiet.

On the stage, Wei Junwu and Huang Lu fought fiercely, but no one paid them any attention.

After a moment of silence, Zhou Yinglin spoke up.

"Xue Jing... I'll give you a chance."

His voice was as indifferent as ever.

"Before we go on stage, disable your foundation and vow never to practice martial arts again... If you do this, I'll spare your life."

Upon hearing this, everyone who heard it widened their eyes in shock.

Whether it was bravado or not, the fact that he openly admitted that he intended to kill Xue Jing on stage was shocking enough.

Before the crowd could recover from their astonishment, Zhou Yinglin continued indifferently:

"You should understand what I'm saying. My proposal is very reasonable."

Suddenly, a fierce gust of wind emanated from him, spreading in all directions.

An intense spiritual aura, like a thousand weights, bore down on those around him.

These young geniuses, who had made it to the U19 finals, trembled, their teeth clenched, unable to move.

And most of the oppressive aura bore down on Xue Jing.

"You... can't beat me," Zhou Yinglin said flatly.

The commotion on this side was too much, and not only did the audience turn their attention to them, but the two on the stage also paused to look towards the contestant observation area.

Under the gaze of everyone in the Super Arena, Xue Jing turned his head slightly and said calmly, his silver-white divine eyes indifferent and disdainful:

"Don't make rash statements, or you'll only expose your weakness."

As his words fell...

"Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!--!!!"

The floor cracked, the railing twisted, the air shook, and the light flickered.

Countless black lightning veins radiated from Xue Jing's body.

Zhou Yinglin's spiritual aura, which had been covering him, was instantly scattered.

"I'll give you a piece of advice," Xue Jing said slowly, turning his head to look at Zhou Yinglin, his silver-white divine pupils cold and contemptuous.

"...Having strength that doesn't match your mouth can have serious consequences."

...

(The climax needs to be built up; I know you're eager, but please be patient, or it will be dry and tasteless, and you won't enjoy it. Give the clumsy, slow-cooking chef some patience and time... The buildup and development before the climax are to enhance the impact of the climax. When the big climax comes, I'll write it all out at once and release it, so there won't be any neck-breaking.)

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end