Chapter 143

You want to fight?

Then I’ll fight!

When Cang Luo spoke these words, the new and old members of the Warwolf Gang immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

No longer will we be sacrificial lambs!

Wang Fuhai looked at him with a bitter expression, lips parting but no words coming out.

Xiang Yunjiao was on the verge of tears, unwilling for Cang Luo to duel the opponent, fearing he would be killed.

Yin Mengruo shook her head helplessly; she knew Cang Luo was trapped in a dead end, and this time he was in grave danger—the Warwolf Gang...

Zhao Renwu’s heart surged with joy; everything unfolding now was exactly as he had planned.

He had summoned Chen Yun and Chen Dahu; he had provoked this fight; no matter the outcome, Zhao Renwu would profit.

If Cang Luo loses, he will likely be killed on the spot, and Zhao Renwu will seize complete control of the Warwolf Gang.

Even if he survives, he’ll lose face and be forced to step down—Zhao Renwu, with his current prestige, will surely become the new Gang Leader.

If Cang Luo somehow wins, he’ll face the fury of Ouyang Lie and the Lietian Gang—and still die.

Zhao Renwu’s calculations clicked loudly; he was already contemplating life as Gang Leader.

He planned to persuade the others—especially Zang Feng, head of the Council Chamber—to give Ouyang Lie fifty percent of the Warwolf Barbecue Shop’s profits, and if necessary, up to seventy percent, in exchange for protection from Ouyang Lie and the Lietian Gang, turning the Warwolf Gang into a subordinate faction.

Thus, he would finally have powerful backing.

As the saying goes: it’s easier to rest in the shade of a great tree. With the support of the Top Ten Outer Disciples and the strongest gang, his affairs would become far easier, his circle and connections would expand, his access to cultivation resources would improve, and his martial path would grow smoother...

Though Cang Luo didn’t know Zhao Renwu’s plans, he knew that after this fight, he would face Ouyang Lie—and the Lietian Gang—head-on.

The consequences would be dire.

But Cang Luo had no time to dwell on it now—he must first defeat Chen Yun to establish dominance, obliterate him with absolute power, suppress Zhao Renwu, and reclaim control of the Warwolf Gang.

He’d deal with what came after later; there would always be a way out.

Worst case—he’d disband the Warwolf Gang and vanish into the Beast Mountains to cultivate in solitude until he reached the Martial Master realm, then return to settle all scores!

Cang Luo had prepared for the worst; his eyes locked onto Chen Yun, his battle intent blazing.

“You want to fight? Then fight? How mighty!” Chen Yun sneered, then coldly added: “Then let’s settle it on the Death Arena. Come, return to the sect.”

The Death Arena, as the name implies, is a stage for mortal duels—the place where sect disciples resolve disputes; killing an opponent there incurs no sect punishment.

Of course, both parties must voluntarily enter, and a supervisor must witness the duel.

The Outer Disciples’ Death Arena stood at the center of the training ground; Chen Yun led the Lietian Gang members ahead, while Chen Dahu, bringing up the rear, turned back to glare fiercely at Cang Luo and made a slashing motion across his throat—the meaning was clear.

You’re dead.

“Senior Brother Luo...”

“Gang Leader...”

As soon as the Lietian Gang members left, Xiang Yunjiao rushed to Cang Luo’s side, her face filled with worry.

Wang Fuhai did the same, sighing: “Do you have confidence?”

Zhao Renwu also feigned concern: “Gang Leader, if you can’t win... then surrender. The supervisors watching will not let you die.”

After Zhao Renwu spoke, several elders echoed his concern—they were Zhao Renwu’s men, yet they still didn’t wish for Cang Luo to lose, didn’t want him killed.

After all, Cang Luo had taught them Military Boxing, and during their training in the Beast Mountains, he had guided their cultivation; in just half a month, nearly everyone had advanced a full realm—they still remembered his kindness.

The newcomers, however, showed indifference; they had received no favor from Cang Luo, had never even seen him before, and his death or survival meant nothing to them—though they hoped he’d die.

If Cang Luo died, Zhao Renwu would surely take the throne; as Zhao Renwu’s loyalists and confidants, they would rise with him, gaining higher positions and more resources...

Cang Luo scanned the crowd, memorizing their expressions and faces, silently distinguishing allies from enemies, then smiled: “Why do you all assume I’ll lose?”

No one answered Cang Luo’s question—but their answers were written plainly on their faces.

Yes. You’re going to lose.

Even Wang Fuhai believed Cang Luo would lose; he was Cang Luo’s investor, had bet everything on him—funding the Warwolf Gang’s startup capital, the gang’s base—he was the one who most wanted Cang Luo to win.

Unfortunately, the opponent was too strong; Cang Luo had no chance of victory.

Chen Yun was at Martial Master Second Realm—and as Deputy Head of the Lietian Gang’s Xuanwu Hall, his true combat power likely equaled that of a Martial Master Fifth or Sixth Realm.

Cang Luo, meanwhile, was only at Warrior Ninth Realm... Wait, Warrior Ninth Realm was his cultivation level half a month ago—what about now?

Wang Fuhai suddenly remembered: since Cang Luo’s return, he hadn’t spoken more than a few words to him. Zhao Renwu’s power grab hadn’t been resolved, and now the Lietian Gang had appeared—it was internal strife and external threat, leaving him utterly overwhelmed.

He’d even forgotten to report on the fashion project’s progress, hadn’t asked where Cang Luo had been or how his cultivation had progressed.

According to Zang Feng and others, Cang Luo’s cultivation had advanced rapidly—he’d risen from Warrior Third Realm to Warrior Sixth Realm in just over half a month.

Then, after forming the Warwolf Gang, he’d advanced from Warrior Sixth Realm to Warrior Ninth Realm in a single month...

That speed was extraordinary—nearly matching Zhao Renwu’s pace during this period.

So, with another half-month passed, had he broken through to Martial Master?

And if he kept his previous pace, he might even have reached Martial Master Second Realm.

If he had reached Martial Master Second Realm, and combined with his combat power far exceeding his cultivation level, even if Chen Yun possessed the strength of a Martial Master Sixth Realm, victory wouldn’t be impossible.

After thinking of this, Wang Fuhai immediately asked anxiously: “Gang Leader, what is your current cultivation level?”

Cang Luo looked utterly unimpressed: You finally remembered to ask?

I raced back here nonstop—no, wheel-unstopping—to witness your stunned expressions upon learning my cultivation level.

But first Zhao Renwu showed off, stole all the spotlight, and no one paid me any attention.

Then the Lietian Gang showed up, Chen Yun demanded vengeance for Chen Dahu, and everyone panicked, thinking I was dead and the Warwolf Gang was dissolving...

“Sigh.”

Cang Luo sighed, his desire to show off gone; he said listlessly: “Martial Master Fourth Realm.”

“Martial Master?!”

“Fourth Realm?!”

The crowd froze, staring at each other—some thought they’d misheard, others believed Cang Luo had misspoken.

Zhao Renwu’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Cang Luo, sweat pouring into his palm from the steel folding fan he gripped.

He was certain he hadn’t misheard—Cang Luo had clearly said “Martial Master Fourth Realm.”

Cang Luo was now at Martial Master Fourth Realm?

How is that possible?!

Lying? No need.

But how much time had passed?

Less than a month—from Warrior Ninth Realm to Martial Master Fourth Realm?

What kind of cultivation speed was this?

He’d thought his own rise from Warrior Seventh Realm to Warrior Ninth Realm in half a month was lightning-fast.

Yet Cang Luo was even faster!

Zhao Renwu was utterly stunned—but soon regained his composure.

So what if he was Martial Master Fourth Realm?

So what if he had a technique to temporarily boost his power?

Even if you defeat Chen Yun and survive this, can you defeat Ouyang Lie, who stands at Martial Master Ninth Realm Peak?

Ouyang Lie isn’t just strong himself—he commands hundreds of followers, dozens of whom are Martial Masters.

Can you, Cang Luo, stand alone against the entire Lietian Gang?

Your fate is death.

And I—will follow my plan, replace you as Gang Leader, and claim everything the Warwolf Gang owns!

Then, I’ll forge an alliance with Ouyang Lie...

Thinking his plan would surely succeed, Zhao Renwu couldn’t help smiling—but no one saw it; all eyes were fixed on Cang Luo.

Wang Fuhai stared blankly: “Martial Master Fourth Realm? Gang Leader, you’re not joking, are you? So fast?!”

Cang Luo, watching the retreating Lietian Gang members, said casually: “Do I have any reason to joke?”

Seeing Cang Luo wasn’t joking—and realizing there was no reason to—Wang Fuhai believed him, and burst into excitement: “So you can defeat Chen Yun?!”

“Naturally.”

Cang Luo spoke with confidence, ease, ignoring the stunned expressions around him, calmly adding: “Let’s go—don’t keep them waiting. Oh, bring all the gang funds.”

Wang Fuhai frowned: “Bring all the gang funds? For what?”

As Cang Luo walked toward the rune-chariot, he smiled: “Doesn’t the Xuantian Sect have a custom? When two duel, others open betting booths.”

“So you mean... we bet everything on you winning...”

Wang Fuhai was getting excited—but then noticed Cang Luo seemed about to tamper with someone else’s mechanical vehicle, and quickly stopped him: “Gang Leader, that’s a guest’s mechanical vehicle parked outside our shop—don’t touch it! If you damage it, we can’t afford to pay!”

As far as he knew, the Mo Family’s Mechanical City rarely sold mechanical vehicles to outsiders; they were nearly nonexistent in the outside world. Owning one was proof of status and power.

If we broke it, the Warwolf Gang couldn’t pay, nor could we afford to anger whoever owned it.

Cang Luo stepped onto the chariot and grinned: “This is my personal vehicle. What’s there to pay for?”

At these words, the crowd was stunned again.

This mechanical vehicle belonged to the Gang Leader? Where had he been? What had he done?

Not only had his cultivation skyrocketed—he’d acquired a mechanical vehicle?

A miraculous encounter?