Soon, the two combatants determined a winner.
Though Hu Shan possessed formidable physical strength, Xu Nian'an's agility left him flailing helplessly, his brute force dissipating like punches thrown into cotton. Exhausted, Hu Shan had no choice but to concede defeat with bitter reluctance.
"My respects, Brother Hu Shan," Xu Nian'an said.
A closer look would reveal currents of wind swirling around Xu Nian'an's feet, even lifting the hem of his trousers—clear evidence that the Xu Family specialized in wind manipulation and speed, hallmarks of their Super Martial heritage.
"Who's your brother? A coward who just scurries around!" Hu Shan snapped, his frustration boiling over as he stormed off the stage.
Unfazed, Xu Nian'an turned his gaze to the other young talents of the Hu Family.
"Your guidance, please."
...
Meanwhile, in the spectator stands, Old Master Wang was chatting with another elder of similar age. Watching the matches unfold, they couldn't help but reflect.
"Listen, Old Zhang, I don’t mean to criticize, but your family only has Zhang Chao among the younger generation. Maybe you shouldn’t always make him endure such hardship."
"Others compete in teams of three, but your boy always ends up fighting one against three."
"All these years, and still just that one child. Maybe you should reflect—were you diligent enough when it came to expanding the Zhang Family lineage?"
"Hmph, you’re one to talk!" Old Zhang retorted with a cold snort. "Who knows? If your juniors run into the Lei or Fire Families and get wiped out early, we might still squeeze into second-to-last place."
The Wang and Zhang Families had always been the bottom dwellers of the Super Martial Assembly.
The Wang Family struggled because their techniques were easily countered by many Super Martial lineages, while the Zhang Family’s problem was sheer lack of numbers—Zhang Chao was their sole representative.
"Oh, betting on us losing first, are you?" Wang Ba narrowed his eyes, leaning back. "Well, this time you might be in for a surprise. We’ve called in reinforcements."
The Head of the Zhang Family raised an eyebrow. "Oh? During the Super Martial Assembly? You managed to recruit outsiders?"
"Are they from another region?"
"Nope, guess again."
"Your secret love child?"
"I wish… At my age, I doubt I could even manage that," Wang Ba sighed. If only their family could produce someone like Ye Chuan—now that would be a blessing from the ancestors.
"Bullshit! Last week I saw you sneaking off for a foot massage, calling for Technicians 666 and 888!"
"Me? Weren’t you there too?!"
As the two old men bickered, the duel between the Xu and Hu Families concluded without them noticing.
"Xu Family advances to the next round," Elder Xu announced before nodding approvingly at Xu Nian'an. "Impressive. With such skill and composure at your age, you’re destined to become a leading figure in the future."
"You flatter me, Elder Xu. I still have much to learn," Xu Nian'an replied humbly.
"Of course. Go rest now."
With a respectful bow, Xu Nian'an stepped down. Elder Xu then called the next match.
"Wang Family versus Lei Family."
The moment the announcement rang out, the crowd erupted in murmurs, some even chuckling with schadenfreude.
"Hahaha! The Wang Family’s paired against the Lei Family again this year. What are the odds?"
"Honestly, the Wangs’ ghost-controlling arts are tricky, but the Lei Family’s lightning counters them perfectly. They can’t even land a single move."
"Looks like the Wangs are taking last place again."
Most spectators were just there for the show. While the Wang Family’s techniques were troublesome, they were also predictable—opponents who disliked dealing with spirits were more than happy to see them eliminated early.
"Damn it, I’m gonna fry that bastard!" Lei Hao couldn’t wait to get on stage, though everyone could clearly see two dark purple slap marks on his face.
"Wait… Who hit Lei Hao?"
"No idea. Maybe it’s not a beating—could be some special enhancement?"
"Sure looks like slap marks to me."
"Maybe it’s mystical body paint to boost his power?"
Lei Hao stood on the platform, his eyes locking onto Ye Chuan and the others seated with the Wang Family. "Get down here!"
Ye Chuan shrugged and was about to step forward when Old Master Wang intervened. "No rush, Master Ye. Let my grandson go first… to, uh, test the waters."
"Oh?" Ye Chuan didn’t mind either way.
"Wang Teng, clear the path for Master Ye," Wang Ba declared, causing Wang Teng, seated nearby, to stiffen.
Grandpa, you were totally about to say ‘sacrifice yourself,’ weren’t you?
Are you even my real grandfather?
Lei Hao was the Lei Family’s prodigy. While Wang Teng wasn’t weak and had a bright future ahead, the elemental disadvantage was brutal. He didn’t expect to last long.
But with the family head’s order and his own simmering frustration, Wang Teng had no choice. He stood up abruptly—ready to take the fall.
"What, Huang Haotian too scared to come up?" Lei Hao sneered when he saw Wang Teng instead.
"Huang Haotian?" Wang Teng blinked but didn’t dwell on it. With a wave of his hand, a shadowy figure materialized beside him.
"Western Specters, heed my call!"
He smashed a porcelain vial onto the ground, releasing a swirling mass of ghostly energy that coalesced into four or five wraiths.
"Go!"
The specters and shadow lunged at Lei Hao.
"Hahaha! Useless!" Lei Hao cackled, electricity crackling from his fists. With a surge of lightning, the spirits froze mid-air, paralyzed by the current.
"With thunder, I shatter the darkness!" Lei Hao closed the distance in a flash, driving his fist straight into Wang Teng’s face.
Wang Teng let out a yelp before collapsing, unconscious.
"Pathetic waste of time." With the frail body of a ghost-summoner knocked out, the wraiths instantly dissipated.
Lei Hao spat in contempt before roaring at the Wang Family’s seating area.
"Huang Haotian! Get your ass up here now!"
"Huang Haotian?"
The Wang Family members exchanged confused glances. Who the hell was Huang Haotian?
"Huang Haotian, your turn." At that moment, Ye Chuan, who had been sitting quietly, gave Lan Xiaoke a light pat on the rear. "Go on."
Lan Xiaoke pointed at herself in disbelief—
Wait… I’m Huang Haotian?
Ye Chuan merely smiled before stepping onto the platform himself.
"Huang Haotian? Since when did the Wang Family have someone like this? He’s not even a Wang!"
"Pretty sure he said ‘Wang Haotian.’"
"Never seen him before. But if he’s another ghost-summoner, he’s probably no match for Lei Hao either."
The spectators buzzed with confusion. The Wang Family’s younger generation was small and well-known—where had this stranger come from?
Seeing Ye Chuan finally approach, Tang Hao bared his teeth in a vicious grin. "Thought you’d keep hiding like a coward."
His fists clenched, electricity dancing across his knuckles.
"Don’t worry—I won’t hold back. I’ll fry you to a crisp!"
"Oh?" Ye Chuan remained unfazed.
"I’ll make you kneel before you die!"
Lei Hao lunged forward with explosive speed. "Remember the name—Lei Family’s Lei Hao!"
"What a coincidence," Ye Chuan mused. "I know a thing or two about lightning too."
The next instant, violent arcs of electricity erupted from his palm.
If Lei Hao's electric current was as thin as a strand of hair, then the lightning erupting from Ye Chuan's palm was as thick as an arm!
"First-tier magic, Electric Shock."
The moment they clashed, the current instantly swallowed Lei Hao whole!