Chapter 1357: Suspicion

“What?” Not only was Shi Rong’s mind reeling, but even the distant spectators looked utterly bewildered.

Those who could attend such a conference were generally sharp individuals. When people saw the lion clan’s draw so coincidentally pit them against the snake clan’s contestant, they immediately realized this must have been deliberately arranged.

Many knew that the lion and snake clans had recently clashed, and most assumed this arrangement was the lion clan’s doing.

Only a few truly high-ranking individuals realized that the lion clan likely didn’t possess the power to influence the draw for the conference. The only one with the motive and ability to do so was the person on the high platform.

Thus, their battle attracted much attention. Some cared about Zu An and his companions, but more were simply there for the spectacle.

Additionally, some races that Yu Yanluo had recently skillfully befriended began to inwardly assess the situation: if the snake clan had offended the next Demon Emperor, was it necessary for them to sever ties with the snake clan?

Originally, apart from Shang Liuyu and a few others, everyone was expecting to see the lion clan’s princes thoroughly beat the snake clan’s contestant. Who would have thought that Shi Rong would be kicked away right at the start?

Lion King Shi Zhentian, who had been chatting and laughing with those around him, looking completely relaxed, instantly sat bolt upright upon witnessing the scene, his smile vanishing abruptly.

At this moment, Tiger King Qianxiao, who was not far away, burst into laughter. “Oh my, I never thought a dignified lion clan prince would be instantly defeated by an unknown individual! Tsk, tsk, tsk. How can the lion clan still call themselves valiant? Perhaps they should change their name to the Weak Chicken Clan!”

The representative of the chicken clan in the distance shot him a resentful look. What grudge, what animosity? They were basically caught in the crossfire while doing nothing.

Shi Zhentian’s face turned ashen, yet he couldn’t retort. He roared, “Shi Rong, what did I teach you? Never be careless when facing an enemy! What are you doing?!”

He had just assumed the match was a sure win and hadn’t paid attention to the details on the arena. In his view, there was no way the snake clan’s contestant could defeat Shi Rong in a single move.

Upon hearing this, others suddenly realized it must have been Shi Rong’s carelessness and negligence. No wonder.

Tiger King Qianxiao scoffed, “Why are you roaring so loudly? What, do you plan to step in and fight for your son yourself?”

Shi Zhentian snorted, “Tiger King Qianxiao, don’t gloat. Your own sons might accidentally stumble too.”

“My apologies, but my sons are currently dominating and will soon achieve victory,” Tiger King Qianxiao replied with a triumphant smile.

Shi Zhentian glanced aside and, sure enough, Tiger Yong and his companions had already rendered their respective opponents helpless, clearly set for victory.

Seeing this, his face twitched. Having lost so much face in front of his old rival this time, he vowed to string up and beat Shi Rong when they returned.

At this moment, hearing his father’s roar, Shi Rong’s dazed mind finally cleared somewhat. He stood up again in the arena, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Zu An. “You brat, you’re dead this time!”

Anger value from Shi Rong: +999, +999, +999…

Kicked in the face by someone he looked down upon, in front of so many people—the proud lion clan prince could not endure such humiliation.

Zu An smiled faintly. “So, the lion clan’s renowned Lion’s Roar technique is just for show, huh?”

Hearing this, Tiger King Qianxiao in the distance slapped his thigh. “This kid is interesting. I’m starting to like him more and more.”

Shi Zhentian’s face darkened, and a glint of killing intent entered his gaze as he looked at Zu An.

Anger value from Shi Zhentian: +444, +444, +444…

Seeing the string of anger values in the backend, Zu An glanced towards Shi Zhentian, but didn’t take it seriously. After all, given what happened with Shi Ling and the Jade Garden a few days prior, enmity with the lion clan was already a foregone conclusion. “More debts, less worry,” he thought.

“A good opportunity!” Seeing Zu An actually dare to look around while fighting him, Shi Rong was both surprised and delighted. He immediately lunged with a punch, holding nothing back this time. He had suffered such a humiliating defeat; what if he killed him on the spot?

Who knew that Zu An, as if he could predict the future, raised his leg and kicked from an incredible angle? Shi Rong tried to dodge, but found that no matter how he changed direction, the foot always seemed to cover him. He eventually ran out of breath, causing his movements to slow by half a beat, and then he was kicked in the face once more.

Boom!

Shi Rong once again fell heavily to the ground like a sandbag, unable to get up for a long time.

“Hm?” Shi Zhentian’s brows furrowed. Although Shi Rong was only at the peak of the ninth rank and the weakest among his sons, he was also young, and his talent made him outstanding among his peers. How could he be utterly powerless against this person?

Could the opponent’s strength be far greater than his?

But based on his observations, Zu An’s aura seemed to be only at the ninth rank, comparable to Shi Rong’s.

So how did he do it?

Little did he know that Zu An possessed Yun Jianyue’s Clear Mirror, Non-Platform technique, and Yan Xuehen’s Supreme Forgetfulness. His ability to conceal his aura fluctuations was now quite mature; unless he deliberately exposed it, it was difficult for others to discern his true strength.

The reason he could defeat Shi Rong so easily was that he had previously fought against Shi Ling and even Xi Shi, giving him a thorough understanding of their Fierce Lion Overlord Fist.

Shi Rong, however, was still lacking in experience with the technique. For someone familiar with the Fierce Lion Overlord Fist, its flaws were easily noticeable.

Yet, the lion clan members would never have imagined that Zu An was so familiar with their signature technique, which was why they were puzzled.

“I’ll fight you to the death!” When Shi Rong got up again, his nose bleeding and tears streaming, he charged at Zu An like a madman.

Anger value from Shi Rong: +999, +999, +999…

Tiger King Qianxiao laughed heartily at the sight. “Brother Lion, your beloved son was actually made to cry by his opponent, haha!”

Shi Zhentian: “…”

His face flushed crimson, but the situation in the arena left him utterly unable to refute.

At this point, Shi Rong shrieked and was kicked flying once more. Zu An had exploited his weaknesses even when he fought normally, let alone now that he was consumed by rage, making him full of openings.

Shi Rong frantically tried to get up, but this time, Zu An didn’t let him. Instead, he firmly planted a foot on Shi Rong’s face, keeping him pinned to the ground.

Shi Rong struggled desperately, his fingers clawing deep marks into the surrounding floor. Yet, the opponent’s foot felt like a mountain, keeping him pressed down and unable to turn over.

Although his physical injuries were not severe, the sense of humiliation was overwhelming. Overwhelmed by anger, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and then passed out.

Anger value from Shi Rong: +1024, +1024, +1024…

Zu An felt a bit disappointed. “This guy is so fragile,” he thought. “I wanted to farm some more anger value from him, but he just passed out?”

He was about to fetch some water to wake the opponent when an angry roar echoed: “Stop!”

A terrifying gust of wind and oppressive aura swept over. Zu An’s expression turned serious. Just as he prepared to defend, another figure shot out. The two figures instantly exchanged a palm strike, producing a loud bang that caused many nearby contestants, who were still competing, to fall to the ground from the shockwave.

“Brother Lion, it’s not appropriate for you to interfere in a normal match between juniors,” said the one who intervened, naturally Tiger King Qianxiao. Witnessing the lion clan lose so much face today made him feel as comfortable as eating an iced watermelon on the hottest summer day.

“My son Rong’er has already passed out, and this fellow was still going for the kill; naturally, I had to stop him,” Shi Zhentian retorted quickly, instantly coming up with an excuse.

Zu An spread his hands. “I merely wanted to wake him up. How could I possibly go for the kill?”

“You’d be that kind? Who would believe that!” Shi Zhentian said coldly.

Zu An smiled faintly. “You should know they owe our snake clan 100,000 Sky-grade Primeval Stones. If he died, who would we collect from?”

Shi Zhentian: “…”

He had heard about this matter and had harshly reprimanded his three sons for it. He had originally planned to use today’s arena matches to cripple the snake clan members and let the debt issue quietly disappear. Who would have thought his own son would almost be crippled instead?

On the high platform, Crown Prince Golden Crow looked puzzled. “Where did the snake clan find such a formidable master?”

“Could it be that detestable Zu An?”