"Why should I have to explain my actions to you?"

Song Wenrou's beautiful eyes lit up, her gaze on Lin Mu becoming as gentle as still water.

Guan Jiaojiao clapped her hands. "Well said!" she exclaimed. She looked at Ye Tong proudly and said, "A person needs some self-awareness. Who do you think you are, trying to teach others how to behave? You should worry about yourself first."

Ye Tong's face turned pale, her eyes brimming with tears. She hadn't expected Lin Mu to be so indifferent toward her. Although Lin Mu had always been reserved, even reluctant to interact with others, his words had never been so sharp.

Song Wenrou said softly, "Tongtong, you aren't Lin Mu, so how could you possibly know what kind of person he is? That's why we shouldn't judge someone based on appearances alone; it's not fair."

Fair? Ye Tong thought with a wry smile. You silly girl. With your status, of course no one would dare be unfair to you. But what about Lin Mu? He's just an ordinary person.

At that thought, her anger subsided significantly. Indeed, Lin Mu was different from them. He was just an ordinary person. So, Ye Tong offered Song Wenrou a smile, deciding to let it go. Then, she looked toward Jiang Xia on the stage and shot him a look, signaling that he had done enough.

Jiang Xia stared at Lin Mu for several seconds before shaking his head. "Boring. These people are too weak."

"It's not that they're too weak, it's that you're too strong, Director Jiang!" Gu Can chimed in, shamelessly flattering him. The praise immediately lifted Jiang Xia's mood, sweeping away any irritation he felt toward Lin Mu.

Li Ping added, "Of course. I mean, who is our Director Jiang? He's not like some people who are all talk."

"The king of empty boasts, you mean? Hahaha!" Xue Fei roared with laughter.

Jiang Xia nodded with a smile. "Tongtong, no offense, but your classmate really isn't up to par."

Ye Tong forced a smile. "Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Are we going to keep having fun or what?"

"As you wish."

Just as Jiang Xia was about to get off the stage, a sneering voice called out from the crowd. "Hey, kid, don't be in such a hurry to leave. You said the people here are so weak? How about letting this young master have a go with you?"

The crowd parted to reveal two men and a woman. It was Tian Boguang and his two disciples. The one who had spoken was Tian Boguang's disciple, Wang Wu.

"It's Master Tian from Lingcheng! I can't believe he's here."

"I heard Master Tian has reached the peak of External Strength, just a step away from becoming an Inner Strength Martial Artist capable of Qi Release. His disciples must be powerful."

"Of course. Among the younger generation, Wang Wu is known as the Little Martial King."

Hearing the discussions ripple through the crowd, the expressions on Ye Tong and her friends' faces changed, a hint of fear creeping in. Jiang Xia's expression was just as grim, and he remained silent.

Wang Wu's gaze first swept over Lin Mu with disdain, then settled on Jiang Xia on the stage. "So, are you up for it? Say something."

Jiang Xia's expression flickered, unsure whether he should accept. Although Li Ping and the others lauded his great strength, only he knew the truth: without cultivating Internal Energy, one couldn't truly be called a Martial Artist. As his coach had once told him, "Practicing form without cultivating power is pointless in a real fight." He understood that principle all too well. This Wang Wu, with his slightly bulging temples and steady, deep breathing, was clearly a Martial Artist who possessed Internal Energy. And the Master Tian behind him was an even greater expert in the Martial Way.

"What are you afraid of, Director Jiang? Just fight him!" Li Ping said indignantly. "Show them how powerful you are!"

"That's right, Director Jiang, we believe in you!" Gu Can and the others goaded him, as if Jiang Xia being looked down upon was a personal insult to them.

Seeing this, Lin Mu couldn't help but shake his head. What a bunch of useless teammates. That Wang Wu hasn't even reached the External Strength realm, but he's at least cultivated a sliver of Internal Energy. How could Jiang Xia, who only knows a few clumsy moves, possibly be his opponent?

Jiang Xia felt like his lungs were about to explode with rage. Are these three idiots trying to get me killed?

At that moment, Tian Boguang spoke. "The purpose of the River City Martial Arts Meet is to make friends through martial arts," he said calmly. "Just remember not to injure anyone." He directed that last part at his disciple. After speaking, Tian Boguang found a seat and sat down. As for Lin Mu? In Tian Boguang's eyes, such an insignificant figure wasn't even worth a glance.

"Alright, Master," Wang Wu agreed with a smile. He shot Lin Mu an extremely provocative gesture before tapping his foot on the ground. He vaulted into the air, using a chair as a stepping stone to execute a clean flip, landing lightly on the stage.

His movements were graceful and effortless. With that single move, Wang Wu instantly earned a round of thunderous applause.

Jiang Xia's expression turned even uglier.

"Let's begin," Wang Wu said, beckoning to Jiang Xia with his finger. "Don't say I'm bullying you. I'll give you the first three moves."

Jiang Xia's face darkened. This Wang Wu is too arrogant! Goaded by the cheers from below, Jiang Xia's eyes turned red. He was a man who cared deeply about his reputation, and he couldn't stand being looked down on like this. "Fine!" he snarled. "Then let me see what you're made of!" With a low roar, he threw a punch at Wang Wu.

"One," Wang Wu said, simply shaking his head and tilting it to the side to dodge the punch.

Jiang Xia's gaze sharpened. He changed his fist into a claw, attempting a grappling move on Wang Wu's shoulder.

But Wang Wu merely smiled, leaning back slightly to once again evade the strike. "Two."

Jiang Xia's face was flushed with rage, and he wished he could tear Wang Wu to pieces. Each of Wang Wu's words felt like a stinging slap to his face, leaving it burning with shame.

"Get him, Director Jiang!"

"Hit him, Director Jiang!"

Li Ping and the others cheered wildly from below the stage. They were so invested, their teeth clenched, that they looked as if they wanted to jump into the ring themselves.

Jiang Xia nearly ground his teeth to dust. Those three idiots! With a furious roar, he leaped into the air and aimed a flying kick at Wang Wu's chest.

"Too slow. Too weak. No technique. All flash and no substance." With just these few words, Wang Wu delivered his verdict on Jiang Xia. He then stepped forward and lightly bumped Jiang Xia's chest with his shoulder.

THUMP!

With a muffled sound, Jiang Xia cried out as he was sent flying from the ring, crashing hard onto the ground.

"Jiang Xia!"

"Director Jiang!"

Ye Tong and the others rushed over to help him up.

Li Ping looked up furiously at Wang Wu. "How could you be so heavy-handed?" she shouted. "Are you trying to kill someone?"

Wang Wu shot her a disdainful look. "Idiot," he sneered, looking down from the stage at the fallen Jiang Xia. "You may not be strong, but you were right about one thing." He added, "Her classmate truly is useless."

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