Chapter 529 - 297: Dominating the Tournament, I Aim to Challenge 4th Tier! (Part 3)

"That old fool from the Tao Family is truly shameless to attack Wang Chan."

"If you, Wang Chan, had cultivated for as many years as him, you would likely have become a Great Cultivator already!"

Li Yao expressed his indignation on behalf of Su Mu, continually transmitting his thoughts.

Su Mu gently nodded to indicate he was unharmed, sat back down, and rested with closed eyes, repeatedly recalling the half-step retreat he intentionally made earlier.

Along with the subtle changes in expression from Tao Jidong, the Li Family elder, and the guests in attendance afterward.

"Life is like acting..."

Su Mu sighed inwardly, realizing today that he might have a knack for theatrics, as his closed, deep-set eyes roiled with killing intent.

Tao Xinglie was crippled, and I stepped back half a step.

The stage is set, now it’s time for the Tao Family to plunge into it.

...

"The ones guarding Tao Han are from the Tao Family’s Law Enforcement Hall, my people can’t act, but now everything’s fine..."

"Thank you."

An auditory message utilizing a Secret Technique reached his ear, Su Mu slowly opened his eyes, quietly nodding his head, and then slowly stood up, immediately drawing the attention of everyone present as all eyes fell on him.

At this moment, no one in the tournament can compare to Wang Chan’s brilliance.

Donglai Tournament only has the final match left, but everyone knows it’s just a formality now; with Wang Chan’s demonstrated strength, his opponent, Song Jingyuan, stands no chance.

"Tao Family’s Law Enforcement Hall..."

Su Mu stepped toward the Central Martial Arts Arena.

With each step, the blood circulating through his limbs became hotter, and the aura of Comprehension around him rose.

Everyone knows that Wang Chan will be crowned champion.

But only Su Mu knows...

The real battle has just begun, and the younger generation doesn’t concern him.

Song Jingyuan’s mind endlessly replayed Wang Chan’s bout against Tao Xinglie that left him crippled, with his previous arrogance completely vanished, only feeling nervous as Wang Chan approached.

After Wang Chan exhibited the ’Heaven-Burning Daoist’ legacy, Song Jingyuan already sensed trouble, thinking Tao Xinglie had hidden too deeply.

However...

The battle ended with Tao Xinglie being crippled, despite hiding so deeply, he couldn’t withstand a single punch from Wang Chan, proving Wang Chan was the true hidden monster!

On stage, Su Mu slowly flexed his muscles, the body under his rough martial robe stretched with chiseled lines producing crackling sounds.

In Su Mu’s eyes, there was no Song Jingyuan; only anger rising as images of Tao Yang and Tao Jidong emerged.

The sounds within him were like layers of ice breaking, a power resembling molten lava slowly awakening.

"Let’s end this farce quickly..."

Su Mu took a deep breath, "Anyone who touches someone close to me must pay the price!"

At this moment, Song Jingyuan, who had been full of pride during the Qingyue Pavilion Lu Ming Banquet and at the tournament, without ever acknowledging Su Mu, suddenly clenched his fist, leaving his final step suspended in mid-air.

His face abruptly turned red with shame.

"I forfeit..."

"Hmm?"

Su Mu’s muscle-flexing movement halted as he raised his gaze to meet Song Jingyuan’s calm eyes, causing Song Jingyuan to shiver, unable to face him, and instead turned to look at Gu Dongcheng.

On stage, Gu Dongcheng was stunned, while below, the crowd didn’t react, surprised that Song Jingyuan would yield the final tournament match.

"I admit defeat, this battle I forfeit..."

Song Jingyuan lowered his head, his face turning as red as liver, knowing Su Mu’s calm gaze before breaking Tao Xinglie, not wishing to follow in his footsteps.

Not to mention the earlier provocations; Song Jingyuan was no less than Tao Xinglie in terms of provocation, Wang Chan showed mercy to Gu Zhen only because Gu Zhen hadn’t provoked this monster.

The fate of those who provoked—Tao Xinglie became crippled.

Now, expecting him to fight Wang Chan, this monster?

He’s not that foolish!

When comparing being crippled and yielding, Song Jingyuan knew which choice to make.

"Brother Wang Chan, earlier I offended you, and offer my apologies."

After speaking, the second son of the Prefectural Governor Song Yuanshan, always viewing others with disdain, acted like an ostrich bowing deeply in apology to Wang Chan, then also bowing to Gu Dongcheng before quickly leaving the stage.

Song Jingyuan fled swiftly, avoiding the crowd’s strange gazes, yet feeling relieved.

Relieved to have survived, knowing he wasn’t the unlucky one who faced Wang Chan first—or else he’d have been crippled too—admitting defeat now made it impossible for Wang Chan to harm him, no matter how domineering he was!

"You, why did you forfeit?!"

An elderly member of the Song family furiously chased after Song Jingyuan, beyond the guest seats, Prefectural Governor Song Yuanshan merely glanced at his second son without anger.

"Jingyuan, why not try? Besides, facing an opponent like Wang Chan will greatly benefit your cultivation path..."

"It’s unnecessary; this tournament has already benefited me immensely, and directly forfeiting is of the greatest benefit to me."

"You, you..."

Having forfeited, Song Jingyuan knew he had lost face, but went all in, frustrating the elder of the Song family.

The final match of the tournament ended prematurely with Song Jingyuan’s voluntary surrender, and after a brief discussion among important figures at the guest seats, they prepared to announce the tournament’s results.

"This Donglai Tournament has seen the emergence of talented individuals, showcasing the prestige of Donglai County, and I am very pleased..."

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Su Mu.

His extraordinary talent dominated the tournament, defeating four major opponents.

After today, Wang Chan’s name will surely become renowned across Donglai County and even Qingzhou.

On stage, Donglai’s Governor Song Yuanshan, beaming with delight, looking at Su Mu with admiration, took a step forward, his authoritative voice permeating with Spiritual Qi across the mountaintop.

"On behalf of Donglai County, I announce the winner of this tournament is..."

Just as Song Yuanshan was about to declare Wang Chan’s name, a voice unexpectedly interrupted him.

"Wait..."

The noisy mountain peak plaza suddenly fell silent, and everyone turned toward the source of the voice, realizing it was none other than the main character about to ascend the pinnacle of the tournament.

"This junior has an unworthy request, hoping Lord Governor and esteemed elders will permit..."