In the fierce clash between Ye Chuan and Lei Hao, a blinding flash of lightning erupted in an instant. The intense light was like a suddenly detonated flashbang, causing the spectators to instinctively rise to their feet, their faces filled with shock and eyes brimming with disbelief.
"Wait, did someone throw a flashbang? Why is it so bright?" someone in the crowd blurted out.
Stop, stop! I'm going blind!
As the dazzling lightning gradually dissipated, everyone's gaze focused on the center of the arena—
There, Lei Hao lay stiffly on the ground before Ye Chuan, his entire body charred black, his clothes torn to shreds. The air even carried the pungent stench of scorched flesh.
Elder Xu froze for a moment before quickly stepping forward, his eyes locked onto the fallen Lei Hao and the composed Ye Chuan standing nearby. His face showed an expression of utter disbelief as he muttered to himself,
"The power that just erupted… is at the level of an Eighth-Rank Super Martial Artist?"
Eighth-Rank?
Ye Chuan was barely around twenty years old, wasn’t he?
The moment these words were spoken, the crowd erupted in uproar. How was this possible? A young man, barely out of his teens, could unleash such terrifying power—this completely defied everyone’s understanding.
"Lei Hao!" From the Lei Family’s side, someone cried out in frantic worry, their voice thick with concern. "Quick, save him!"
Several Lei Family martial artists swiftly reacted, rushing toward Lei Hao.
Meanwhile, Ye Chuan remained calm and composed, casually remarking,
"No worries, I only used a tiny bit of power. The deceased is resting peacefully."
The strength of a Second-Rank Mage, when placed in the Tianxuan Continent, would barely be at the Foundation Establishment level.
Besides, Ye Chuan hadn’t even exerted much power. Otherwise, Lei Hao wouldn’t have been left with an intact body—he would’ve been reduced to ashes on the spot, not even a speck remaining.
"You’re truly vicious!" The Lei Family members glared at Ye Chuan as if their eyes were sharp blades, filled with fury and hatred.
Hearing this, Ye Chuan grinned, flashing a row of pearly white teeth.
"Vicious? ‘Life and death are fated in the Super Martial Assembly’—weren’t those Lei Hao’s own words?"
Before his voice faded, dazzling arcs of lightning crackled to life in his palm, the electric currents snapping loudly in the air. An overwhelming pressure bore down on the Lei Family members, making their hearts tremble and fear rise uncontrollably.
"If anyone disagrees, step forward," Ye Chuan said coolly.
"I’ll take on ten."
Lightning attribute? How was it that this young man’s control over lightning surpassed even the Lei Family’s patriarch by such a vast margin?
At this moment, the Lei Family members were caught in an awkward standoff—unable to advance or retreat. Their faces flushed red with humiliation, their hearts seething with frustration.
"Huang Haotian has not violated any rules. The match may continue," Elder Xu’s voice cut through the tension at the critical moment, breaking the deadlock.
"In the Super Martial Assembly, life and death are fated. If you wish to avoid injury, you may withdraw immediately!"
"We withdraw!" The Lei Family patriarch declared without hesitation.
They weren’t fools. The power Ye Chuan had just displayed was far too terrifying—even their patriarch wasn’t confident in facing him. Sending their younger members up would be like lambs to the slaughter, doomed to instant defeat.
Were they supposed to line up to be beaten? They weren’t that stupid.
Though they couldn’t understand why Huang Haotian, with such strength, had let Wang Teng go first as cannon fodder.
Perhaps the Wang Family was playing some grand scheme.
"The Lei Family forfeits." Elder Xu’s announcement echoed clearly across the arena, instantly sparking another wave of astonishment. No one had expected the tables to turn so drastically—what was initially seen as a one-sided domination by the Lei Family had been completely reversed by Ye Chuan’s appearance, forcing them into surrender.
They didn’t even dare to utter a single complaint.
"Hahaha, oh man, I love seeing this." Old Master Wang burst into laughter as he watched the Lei Family forfeit, the years of pent-up frustration in his heart vanishing in an instant, replaced by sheer exhilaration.
The Lei Family had always been arrogant and overbearing, acting as if they ruled the world. Now, seeing them cowed into silence by Ye Chuan alone filled Old Master Wang with indescribable satisfaction.
The only regret was that the Lei Family hadn’t been stubborn enough to send a few more people up—then he could’ve enjoyed the sight of a few more "roasted pigs."
"Hey, Old Wang, what the hell is up with that kid? Did he take some kind of drug?" The Head of the Zhang Family stared wide-eyed, his face a picture of disbelief.
The power Ye Chuan had unleashed just now sent chills down the spine of even a seasoned Super Martial Artist like him. Where had this young man come from?
"He’s from ‘that place,’" Old Master Wang replied without hiding the truth from his old friend. After all, this wasn’t exactly a secret—many in the Wang Family already knew.
"Those reclusive clans and sects?" The Zhang Family patriarch’s heart jolted in shock.
Weren’t those hidden families and sects supposed to remain secluded, mysterious, and almost mythical—so elusive that even their shadows were never seen?
How had Old Wang managed to find such a formidable figure, one who was even willing to represent the Wang Family in the Super Martial Assembly?
No way. This was absolutely impossible!
The Zhang Family patriarch grew anxious.
They wanted an ally like that too!
"You didn’t empty your family’s treasury just to hire him for this Super Martial Assembly, did you?" The Zhang Family patriarch scrutinized Old Master Wang with suspicion.
"Nah, just reasonable compensation, reasonable compensation." Old Master Wang waved his hand, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
"I don’t believe you." Old Master Zhang remained skeptical, his eyes boring into Old Master Wang as if searching for any hint of deception.
Old Master Wang chuckled without answering. "Even if you invited me for a foot massage, I wouldn’t spill."
"Oh, is that so? Then I’ll just tell your Wang Family juniors that the great patriarch of the Super Martial Wang Family, a billionaire, sneaks off to get foot massages like some ordinary guy!"
"You do it too!" Old Master Wang retorted, flustered. "We’ve duo-queued plenty of times, you idiot!"
"You’re the idiot!"
The two old men immediately abandoned all decorum, rolling up their sleeves and launching into a heated exchange.
Meanwhile, the members of the Wang and Zhang Families acted as if this was nothing unusual, pretending they hadn’t heard a thing.
From then on, every opponent matched against the Wang Family chose to forfeit.
Ye Chuan’s strength was too terrifying—his mere presence cast a shadow over everyone’s hearts.
Only one family was the exception.
"The Super Martial Li Family challenges you!"
A man stood before Ye Chuan, though his appearance was hard to discern.
Because…
"You… are wearing a full insulated suit?" Ye Chuan stared blankly at the man clad in what looked like a tin can.
Seriously? Are you for real?