Chapter 706: Tenth Place! (4/2, Extra Chapter for 'Ruichi Tianxia')

Saliva streamed down from the corner of her mouth as Yang Hongxia lost herself in thought, completely losing her dignity.

Fortunately, no one paid attention to Yang Hongxia at this moment.

Everyone's attention was fixed on Fang Yue on the arena.

Because this time, Fang Yue's opponent was the Guest representing the Bugu Merchant Group, ranked tenth in the Tianshang Alliance.

The strength of someone chosen as Guest for the tenth-ranked Bugu Merchant Group is unquestionable.

Though still only at the Mid-Level Human Realm, he was far beyond the former trio from Cangshan Sect.

Holding this position, this Guest had access to vast resource supplies, representing immense capital accumulation.

Such accumulation could elevate even a waste to a certain level of strength.

Not to mention being selected by the Bugu Merchant Group as Guest to defend their position and secure their tenth-place standing—clear proof of their confidence in him.

"Bugu Merchant Group Guest, Tan Jingmi."

The woman bowed slightly; though she was the Bugu Merchant Group's Guest, she showed great politeness.

"Dayang Fu Guest, Yese Liming."

Fang Yue returned the bow politely.

"After you?"

"After you."

At the referee's announcement, the battle began.

Tan Jingmi had originally looked down on Fang Yue, completely ignoring him.

But after Luo Yijie had issued him a challenge, she began paying closer attention to Fang Yue.

Through observation, she gradually realized Fang Yue's strength truly warranted Luo Yijie's attention.

But, it was only just enough to warrant it!

"Only I should be the one the Great Lord notices!"

A flash of malice crossed Tan Jingmi's eyes; as she closed in on Fang Yue, she struck immediately.

She specialized in palm techniques, her blows flowing continuously, one after another, forcing Fang Yue into steady retreat.

"Indeed, though he has strength, he's nowhere near the level the Great Lord Luo Yijie would notice!" Tan Jingmi thought inwardly.

"How many moves should it take to knock her off the arena? Against ordinary opponents, I usually use five to twenty moves—no need to reveal too much power. But this one is the Guest of the tenth-ranked Tianshang Alliance merchant group; I should show some face. Decided: fifty moves, then send her packing." Fang Yue calculated the number of exchanges.

Thus, a strange scene emerged.

Tan Jingmi relentlessly pushed Fang Yue back, her palm strikes chaining together in an unbroken flow, completely dominating the offensive.

Yet as Fang Yue continually retreated, occasionally blocking one or two blows, he remained utterly unharmed!

Instead, Tan Jingmi's internal energy and stamina were severely depleted.

Under the setting sun, their battle grew fiercer.

"Can't hit him! Can't hit him! Can't hit him!"

"Why is this happening! How is he so slippery, like an eel—I can't grab him at all!"

The more she fought, the angrier Tan Jingmi became.

Her earlier politeness and calm were all pretense—a persona, a label to maintain the merchant group's public image.

The real her was fiery as thunder, ignited at the slightest provocation, intolerant of even the tiniest setback.

Now, unable to land a single blow, she grew so frantic her internal energy flow began to waver.

"Stop running! What kind of man keeps fleeing?!"

With a furious roar, she swung another palm straight at Fang Yue's face.

Unexpectedly, Fang Yue did not dodge—he blocked it firmly.

"Fifty."

"What?"

"The fiftieth move."

"What does that mean?!"

Tan Jingmi's face darkened as she tried to retract her palm—but her hand had already frozen, encased in ice, fused to Fang Yue's blocking hand, utterly immobilized.

Her expression changed; her other hand shot toward Fang Yue's chest.

Before her palm could strike, she saw Fang Yue lift his foot—with no trace of chivalry or mercy—he kicked her squarely in the chest.

As the ice on her right hand instantly melted, her entire body was violently struck, flying backward.

"How could his strike be so fast?!"

Tan Jingmi had decent durability—she wasn't rendered helpless by a single kick. Already mid-air, she regained her senses, adjusted her posture, and prepared to land and counterattack.

But before she touched the ground, a dark shadow followed like a ghost, icy breath rushing toward her face.

Boom!!

With a thunderous crash, Tan Jingmi was kicked into uncontrollable high-speed rotation before slamming face-first onto the arena floor.

Crash!!

The specially built arena shattered, stones flying everywhere—proof of the sheer power and ferocity of Fang Yue's kick.

Amid flying debris and swirling dust, Tan Jingmi trembled as she struggled to rise, staring in terror at the figure before her.

"How could he… be this strong!"

"How could he be this strong?!"

"This feeling—it's the same pressure I felt fighting the Great Lord Luo Yijie!"

"He's just him! Just a Guest of Dayang Fu! How dare he be this strong?!"

Tan Jingmi clenched her fists in fury, her face streaked with scraped blood, yet her eyes locked onto Fang Yue without a flicker of doubt—she would still fight!

"It can't be this big… My gap with him absolutely cannot be this large!"

"There is only one Lord Luo Yijie! Beyond Lord Tian Wangchuan, who stands above the heavens, no one else can surpass Lord Luo Yijie!!"

Ah… ah! Ahhh! Aaaaaah!!!

Tan Jingmi gradually opened his mouth, emitting a resonant sound.

As the resonant sound arose, Fang Yue's outer skin rippled in concentric waves.

And this effect was not limited to the skin's surface—it extended deep into the five zang and six fu organs, even interfering with the fluctuations of his internal force.

This phenomenon appeared to grow stronger the closer one was to Tan Jingmi.

The spectators surrounding the arena heard Tan Jingmi's high-pitched sound but clearly suffered no effect.

"Interesting… too bad…"

Fang Yue narrowed his eyes.

A shadow flashed—suddenly appearing right before Tan Jingmi.

Amid the opponent's stunned expression, Fang Yue slapped Tan Jingmi squarely across the face.

Slap!!

The sharp crack of the slap echoed across the arena.

Tan Jingmi himself was sent flying by the blow, landing on the ground and immediately falling motionless.

This sight left the referee utterly stunned.

"Dead? It can't be that bad!"

Fang Yue's mutter nearly scared the referee to death.

He hurried over to check on Tan Jingmi and realized she had merely been knocked unconscious by the slap.

This was the Guest of the Bugu Merchant Group, ranked tenth in the Tian Shang Alliance! If anything happened to her, the referee would be in serious trouble!

No, correction—it was formerly the tenth-ranked merchant group. Since the opponent could no longer fight, Fang Yue had already won.

Therefore, the Dayang Merchant Group is now the true tenth-ranked merchant group of the Tian Shang Alliance!

A single battle lifted the Dayang Merchant Group from rank fifty-something straight to tenth!

Yang Hongxia burst into an excited scream, her shrill voice nearly matching Tan Jingmi's in volume, making everyone nearby frown.

Yet even so, no one dared to rebuke her.

Because from this moment on, the Dayang Merchant Group was the tenth-ranked merchant group of the Tian Shang Alliance!

Moreover, judging from the state of the Dayang Merchant Group's Guest, this did not seem to be the limit!

Tired

(End of Chapter)