Chapter 203 - 202: A Taste of Their Own Medicine

"He’s a tough one. Everyone, come in and let’s deal with him together!"

Liu Tao glanced at Tang Yi, thought for a moment, and finally shouted to Qian Xiaoliu and the others outside.

Liu Tao himself walked over to the transparent Qi Shield and touched it. The shield immediately lit up, and a blurry human figure with indistinct features appeared in mid-air.

"Temporary number 55465 requests battle assistance. Do you consent?"

The blurry figure was clearly right in front of them, yet its voice seemed to come from all directions.

The independent challenge platform allowed for one-on-one, two-on-two, three-on-three, or even many-on-many spars. Once a spar began, no one else could enter and could only watch from outside the Qi Shield. To let outsiders in, a request for assistance must be made. Only if your opponent consented to your request could the outsiders enter.

This was a mechanism established to ensure fairness in the spars.

"I consent."

Tang Yi agreed without a second thought, then smiled at Liu Tao and said, "Now that’s more like it. If you’d done this earlier, you wouldn’t have had to take that knock to the forehead."

"Hmph!"

Liu Tao stood up and snorted coldly.

’He had only called for help because he had no other choice. After all, he’d started this challenge; even if he had to cheat, he had to see it through to the end! He couldn’t beat Tang Yi alone right now, so letting a group fight Tang Yi was an acceptable alternative. That wasn’t embarrassing. The real embarrassment would be losing here and getting beaten black and blue by Tang Yi. If word got out, how could he, the so-called fifth-ranked prodigy candidate from East District Fuyue City, ever show his face again?’

This was something Liu Tao could not accept.

’At least now, by calling for help and beating Tang Yi, if anyone asked, he could still say he won. As for *how* he won... who would ask about the details?’

"Brother Tao, we’re here!"

After Tang Yi consented, Qian Xiaoliu passed through the Qi Shield and came to Liu Tao’s side. Six others came in with him.

These six people all had the strength of an Eight-star Battle Grandmaster or higher. Even Qian Xiaoliu was a One-star Battle Spirit.

Such a force was truly impressive among the candidates. Gathered together, even the four prodigy candidates from East District Fuyue City who ranked above Liu Tao wouldn’t dare to provoke them.

Eight against one. It had to be said, it was quite unfair.

However, this was a condition Tang Yi had accepted, so no one could call it unfair.

"Kid, I admit you’re strong—stronger than me. But... are you really sure you want to take on the eight of us alone?"

Liu Tao’s expression improved. With Qian Xiaoliu and the others inside the Qi Shield, his confidence surged.

"Of course," Tang Yi said nonchalantly, not paying the eight of them any mind at all.

"Fine. In that case, we won’t be polite. Brothers, get him! Let’s teach this arrogant kid a lesson!"

Seeing Tang Yi’s utter disdain, Liu Tao was instantly infuriated. With a wave of his hand, he led Qian Xiaoliu and the others in a charge toward Tang Yi.

The duel had officially begun.

Hearing this, Qian Xiaoliu and the others drew their weapons and followed Liu Tao.

On the independent challenge platforms—no, in the Fighting Palace as a whole—the use of weapons was not restricted.

This was because some disciples of the Palaces specialized in weapon-based combat. Not allowing them to use weapons would be extremely unfair to them.

Therefore, in the Fighting Palace, whether on the independent challenge platforms or in the Eight Palaces Deer Battle Hall, weapons were permitted. As long as you didn’t take your opponent’s life, any kind of weapon could be used.

Long ones, short ones, thin ones, thick ones—there were no restrictions.

Facing the charge from Liu Tao and his seven companions, Tang Yi wasn’t the least bit nervous. He even turned his head to Mu Xianling, who was watching from outside the Qi Shield, and asked, "Immortal Spirit Servant, how do you want me to teach them a lesson? Should I break their arms? Or their legs? Or maybe... give them a few dozen slaps?"

"Huh?"

Seeing Tang Yi turn to speak to her, Mu Xianling was slightly stunned at first. Then, a sweet feeling bloomed in her heart. She felt that the grievances she had just suffered were all worth it, and the gloom in her heart instantly dissipated.

’Tang Yi is actually going to stand up for me? He’s going to teach those hooligans a lesson? This is truly a rare occasion.’

This moved Mu Xianling deeply, and she was overjoyed.

However, Mu Xianling didn’t show it on her face. Instead, she put on an air of nonchalance and said, "Then give each of them ten slaps. Let that be the price for their insolence and disrespect toward women."

"Alright."

Tang Yi nodded, then turned back to the charging Liu Tao and his men, a strange smile on his face.

If one were familiar with Tang Yi, they would know what that smile meant...

You’re in for a world of hurt!

’Slap us ten times? As the price for our insolence? Kid, you think too highly of yourself.’ Hearing the conversation between Tang Yi and Mu Xianling, Liu Tao scoffed inwardly.

"Haha, Brother Tao, I used to think you were arrogant, but now there’s someone even more arrogant than you. So what if he has a little strength? To be this conceited... Not only is he taking on the eight of us, but he’s also talking about giving each of us ten slaps. That’s the funniest joke in the world," Qian Xiaoliu sneered.

"Brother Tao, let’s set a goal for ourselves too. How about we each punch that kid in the face ten times? If ten punches aren’t enough, we’ll give him ten more, until his face is swollen like a pig’s head."

"Good idea. I’m on board."

"Xiaoqi, you’re really something else, thinking of that."

"Hehe, what’s so great about just hitting his face? If you ask me, we should each stomp on him!"

"Just one stomp?"

"One stomp apiece between the legs ought to do it, hahahaha!"

"Whoa, that’s evil! But I like it! Hahahaha!"

"Hahaha!"

"..."

Seeing that Tang Yi looked down on them, the candidates following Liu Tao began to mock him in return, growing more and more smug as they spoke.

Hearing their words, Tang Yi frowned and said, "Hm, thank you for the excellent suggestion. I’ve decided. I’ll follow your proposal and add one kick on top of the ten slaps for each of you."

As he spoke...

WHOOSH!

Tang Yi’s figure moved, as fast as lightning.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

His figure appeared here one moment and there the next. It seemed as if his shadows were all over the arena, making it impossible for anyone to tell which was his true body.

In the next moment, Tang Yi was instantly beside one of the East District candidates. Before the man could even react, Tang Yi swung his palm.

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

The barrage of blows made the candidate see stars.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten...

Ten slaps, no more, no less, landed squarely on the candidate’s face. After Tang Yi was done, the candidate’s face was swollen like a pig’s head, completely unrecognizable.

However, that wasn’t all...

Had these East District candidates not been courting death, his punishment would have ended there. But they just had to go and run their mouths, talking about kicking Tang Yi in the groin.

Alright then. Tang Yi was going to give them a taste of their own medicine. After slapping that candidate ten times, he immediately followed up with a kick.