Many people wanted to watch the spectacle, but most didn’t dare get too close.

Seeing the three “brothers” remain so unhurried, someone couldn’t help but offer a warning.

“You all really aren’t afraid of death. Do you know how formidable Boss Yang’s skills are? Tsk, tsk—”

The man’s words sank without a trace, stirring not the slightest ripple.

Quite a few onlookers shifted from concern to disdain.

“These three brothers are far too arrogant. Even if the two older brothers have decent skills, they’re surely no match for Boss Yang.”

“And besides, the one Boss Yang is challenging is that frail, feeble third brother.”

“Exactly.” another man chimed in. “I heard from the guards that Boss Yang has the best martial arts of anyone who’s come this month.”

“Actually, he’s long had the chance to enter the inn — what the guards mean is, the Master deliberately wants to keep him here to weed out more people.”

“Lucky for us he’s leaving tomorrow, otherwise the rest of us probably wouldn’t stand a chance either.”

“Right, I heard that too.” Another man came over to join in.

“Offend Boss Yang, and he’ll make sure they regret it badly!”

These idle bystanders, unconcerned about how serious things might get, gathered together and chattered on without end.

Their words, beyond praising Boss Yang, mostly served to belittle the three “brothers” sitting together.

Everyone had seen Feng Jiu’er get in without ever lifting a hand — who would accept that?

Unfortunately, lacking Boss Yang’s favored standing, all they could do was vent through idle talk.

Soon, Boss Yang, who had left earlier, returned with several others in tow.

The man walking alongside him wore clothes of the same style as the guards’, but in a darker color.

“Captain, it’s him — he wants to challenge me.” Boss Yang came up beside Qiao Mu, staring at Feng Jiu’er.

“You, kid?” The guard following the captain looked at Feng Jiu’er, his face showing doubt.

“What’s going on?” the captain asked in a deep voice.

“Reporting, Captain.” The guard looked at the captain and cupped his hands in salute. “This is the one I mentioned, who got in today thanks to his elder brother.”

“That’s right.” Boss Yang also glanced back at the captain. “Captain, please allow me to have a match with him.”

“If he wins, I’ll give up my spot, leave this place, and come back in again from the start.”

“But if he loses, let him go out and fight my brother — whoever wins gets to come in.”

“You’re the one challenging me — how does that turn into me deliberately provoking you?” Feng Jiu’er looked up at Boss Yang.

Qiao Mu turned her head, sweeping a glance over those who had gathered.

“It’s your brother who’s incompetent, yet you’re pushing the blame onto someone else — how laughable!”

“I know my brother’s skills better than anyone. How could he possibly lose to someone so short, with not a shred of internal energy?” Boss Yang said coldly.

“If you don’t dare accept the challenge, then get out of here!”

The others, displeased, began pointing fingers at Feng Jiu’er again.

“Exactly, no ability to be here, just eating and drinking for free.”

“Right, if the Master found out he’s been feeding a useless person, he’d surely be furious!”

“Get lost! Your two brothers can’t protect you forever. Even if you stayed here a whole month, you’d never make it to the next zone!”

“You’re no man at all! No skill, but plenty of nerve!”

Feng Jiu’er swept a glance over the people before her, the corner of her mouth curving up slightly.

She was clearly smiling, yet it sent a chill through anyone who saw it.

That single smile instantly silenced nearly all the people who had been muttering.

Feng Jiu’er’s gaze returned to Boss Yang. “I’ll accept the challenge. But I have conditions.”

Her words took everyone by surprise.

“He’s insane! Boss Yang is a candidate for Thunder King — this kid must really be out of his mind.”

“No kidding, daring to challenge Boss Yang — even if he survives, he’ll lose a layer of skin.”

The onlookers whispered among themselves.

“No problem.” Boss Yang said disdainfully.

He didn’t take Feng Jiu’er seriously at all; all he could think of now was using his own ability to bring his brother in alongside him.

“It’s not your call to make.” Feng Jiu’er arched her crescent brows lightly, her gaze settling on the captain.

Feng Jiu’er was the first person to so blatantly disregard Boss Yang like this, and it caused whatever sliver of sympathy people had for her to vanish completely.

“Captain.” Feng Jiu’er said softly. “My condition is, if I can defeat him, then I — along with my two elder brothers — will all advance to the next zone together.”

“If the captain nods in agreement, I’ll accept the challenge.”

“If the captain doesn’t agree, then I might as well just stay here comfortably for a while longer.”

With that, Feng Jiu’er placed control of the matter squarely in the captain’s hands.

They had intended to conserve their strength, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t act at all.

Jian Yi had been protecting her the whole time; she hadn’t even had to lift a finger to get in.

She had come through this door without proper legitimacy, and Feng Jiu’er didn’t want to linger here much longer.

“Captain.” Seeing the captain hadn’t spoken yet, Boss Yang turned to look at him. “I’ve already asked around — this kid’s two brothers have decent skills.”

“It’s only a matter of time before they get in anyway. But I can’t stand him!” His gaze returned to Feng Jiu’er.

“It’s not just me — everyone here can’t stand him! And the Master surely wouldn’t be fond of someone who got in through trickery either, would he?”

“Fine!” The moment Boss Yang finished speaking, the captain nodded.

“It’s settled then. If you can beat Old Yang, you and your two brothers can advance to the next zone immediately.”

“But if you lose, the three of you will all get out of here, and if you want back in, you’ll have to start the trials all over again!”

As the captain, his own martial arts were certainly no weak thing. He had observed Feng Jiu’er for a while and hadn’t detected the slightest trace of internal energy in her.

Her two “brothers” were different — their internal energy was decent enough to mark them as promising talents.

As long as they had the ability, getting back in wouldn’t be hard for them; he’d simply make sure not to group them with this kid again next time.

What the captain didn’t realize was that he couldn’t sense Feng Jiu’er’s internal energy precisely because it was far too strong.

Even the internal energy that others could sense from Qiao Mu and Jian Yi was something they had deliberately allowed to be detected.

“Then it’s settled.” Feng Jiu’er nodded and looked away. “You all can set the time, the sooner the better.”

“It’s mealtime right now — whatever else needs deciding can wait until after the meal.”

“Fine.” Boss Yang frowned slightly. “The match will be set for a quarter past the hour of Shen, at arena number four.”

“It’s a deal.” Feng Jiu’er nodded, without looking up.

Boss Yang let out a cold snort, then followed the captain away, and the rest of the crowd dispersed as well.

At the hour of Shen, at arena number four.

Today wasn’t a scheduled competition day, so the area around the arena shouldn’t have had anyone around.

But with Boss Yang’s match against the “third brother” happening, a large crowd had now gathered at the scene.

Boss Yang, his mind fixed entirely on his brother, had long since shouldered his broadsword and taken his seat right in the center of the stage.

By the time Feng Jiu’er arrived, only a moment remained before the appointed quarter-hour.

She didn’t even carry a weapon in her hands, arriving flanked and supported by her two “elder brothers.”

Everyone already knew what the outcome of today’s match would be, yet everyone still wanted to witness this meaningful contest with their own eyes.

Challenging Boss Yang was practically no different from courting death!

Newcomers deserved to have their arrogance knocked down a peg!