Chapter 1997: Suspicion

“What?” Not only was Lion Rong’s head buzzing, but even the spectators in the distance looked utterly bewildered.

Those who could attend this conference were generally shrewd individuals. When people saw that the Lion Clan’s draw coincidentally pitted them against the Snake Clan’s participant, they immediately realized it must have been orchestrated.

Many were aware of the recent conflicts between the Lion and Snake Clans, and most assumed it was the Lion Clan’s doing.

However, only a few truly high-ranking individuals realized that the Lion Clan likely didn't possess the influence to manipulate the conference's draw. The only one with both the motive and the ability to achieve this was the person on the high platform.

Thus, the battle between them attracted widespread attention. While some were concerned for Zu An and his companions, most were simply there for the spectacle.

Additionally, there were also the clans with whom Yu Yanluo had recently fostered good relations through her social graces. They began to ponder whether it was necessary to distance themselves from the Snake Clan if they had offended the next Demon Emperor.

Initially, apart from Shang Liuyu and a few others, everyone expected to see the Lion Clan princes brutally beat the Snake Clan participant. Who would have thought Lion Rong would be kicked flying right at the start?

Lion King Shi Zhentian was chatting and laughing easily with those around him, completely relaxed. However, upon witnessing this scene, he instantly straightened up, his smile vanishing abruptly.

At this moment, Tiger Qianxiao, who was not far away, burst out laughing. “Oh my, who would’ve thought a dignified Lion Clan prince would be instantly defeated by an unknown figure? Tsk, tsk, tsk. The Lion Clan still has the nerve to call itself valiant. Perhaps it should rename itself the ‘Weak Chicken Clan’ from now on.”

The representative of the Rooster Clan in the distance shot him a resentful glance, wondering what grudge or enmity could cause them to be dragged into this unprovoked.

Shi Zhentian’s face turned ashen, yet he couldn't retort. He roared, “Lion Rong, what have I taught you? Never let your guard down against an opponent! What are you doing?!”

He had just assumed the match was a sure thing and therefore hadn’t paid attention to the details on the arena. In his opinion, there was no way a Snake Clan participant could defeat Lion Rong in a single move.

Hearing this, the others suddenly realized, "So Lion Rong was careless and negligent. No wonder.”

Tiger Qianxiao scoffed, “Why are you roaring so loudly? What, do you plan to personally step in and fight for your son?”

Shi Zhentian snorted, “Tiger Qianxiao, don’t gloat. Your own sons might unexpectedly stumble too.”

“My apologies,” Tiger Qianxiao chuckled smugly. “My sons are currently dominating and will soon achieve victory.”

Shi Zhentian glanced aside and, sure enough, Tiger Yong and his siblings had already beaten their opponents into submission, clearly on their way to victory.

Seeing this, his face twitched. Having lost so much face in front of his old rival, he vowed to string up and thoroughly beat that boy Lion Rong when they returned.

At this point, Lion Rong heard his father’s roar, and his dizzy mind finally cleared somewhat. He got back to his feet in the arena, glaring at Zu An with bloodshot eyes. “You little brat, you’re dead this time!”

Rage value from Lion Rong: 999,999,999…

To be kicked in the face by someone he looked down upon, in front of so many people—the proud and arrogant Lion Clan member couldn't possibly endure such humiliation.

Zu An smiled faintly. “So the renowned Lion Clan’s Lion Roar Technique relies on mere bluster, does it?”

Tiger Qianxiao, in the distance, slapped his thigh upon hearing this. “This kid is interesting. I like him more and more.”

Shi Zhentian’s face darkened, a murderous glint entering his eyes as he looked at Zu An.

Rage value from Shi Zhentian: 444,444,444…

Seeing the string of rage values on the backend, Zu An glanced towards Shi Zhentian but didn’t take it seriously. After all, given what happened with Lion Ling and at the Jade Garden a few days ago, enmity with the Lion Clan was already a foregone conclusion, and he figured, what’s a little more debt when you’re already deep in it?

“A perfect opportunity!” Lion Rong was both surprised and delighted to see Zu An looking around while facing him. He immediately launched a punch, holding nothing back this time. After suffering such immense humiliation, what did it matter if he killed him on the spot?

To his surprise, Zu An seemed to possess foresight, raising his leg and kicking from an incredible angle. Lion Rong tried to dodge, but no matter how he changed direction, that foot consistently shadowed him. Eventually, he ran out of breath, causing his movements to slow by half a beat, and he was once again kicked in the face.

Lion Rong once again fell heavily to the ground like a sandbag, unable to get up for a long time.

“Hmm?” Shi Zhentian's brow furrowed. Although Lion Rong was only at the peak of the ninth rank, making him the weakest among the princes, he was also young and, in terms of talent, an outstanding figure among his peers. How could he be utterly defenseless against this person?

Could the opponent's strength be far superior to his?

However, based on his observations, Zu An’s aura also appeared to be at the ninth rank, putting him on par with Lion Rong.

Then how did he do it?

Little did he know that Zu An possessed Yun Jianyue’s Bright Mirror Non-Platform and Yan Xuehen’s Supreme Emotionlessness, allowing him to conceal his vital energy fluctuations with considerable mastery. Unless he actively revealed it, his true strength would be very difficult to discern.

The reason he could defeat Lion Rong so easily was that he had previously sparred with Lion Ling and even West Lion, gaining a thorough understanding of their Savage Lion Overlord Fist.

Lion Rong, however, still lacked experience in this area. To someone familiar with the Savage Lion Overlord Fist, its flaws were easily noticeable.

But the Lion Clan members would never have imagined that Zu An would be so intimately familiar with their signature techniques, which was why they were so perplexed.

“I’ll fight you to the death!” Lion Rong got up again, blood and tears streaming down his face as he charged wildly at Zu An.

Rage value from Lion Rong: 999,999,999…

Tiger Qianxiao burst into laughter, watching the scene. “Brother Lion, your beloved son was actually made to cry by his opponent, haha.”

Shi Zhentian: “…”

His face flushed crimson, but unfortunately, the situation in the arena left him with no grounds to refute.

At that moment, Lion Rong shrieked and was kicked flying once more. Even in normal circumstances, Zu An exploited the flaws in his moves, let alone now, when he was overwhelmed by anger and practically riddled with weaknesses.

Lion Rong frantically tried to get up, but this time Zu An didn't let him. Instead, he firmly pressed his foot onto Lion Rong’s face, keeping him pinned to the ground.

Lion Rong struggled desperately, his fingers digging deep marks into the surrounding floor. Yet, the opponent’s foot felt like a mountain, firmly pinning him down, preventing him from rolling over.

Although his injuries weren't severe, the sense of humiliation was overwhelming. Overcome by rage, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and then passed out entirely.

Rage value from Lion Rong: 1,024,102,410,24…

Zu An felt a touch of regret. *This guy is so fragile. I was hoping to milk a bit more rage value out of him, but he just passed out?*

As he was about to splash some water to wake him up, a furious roar echoed: “Stop!”

A terrifying gust of wind and oppressive aura swept towards him. Zu An’s expression turned grim. Just as he focused his mind to defend, another figure shot out. The two figures instantly met with a palm strike, producing a thunderous boom that knocked many nearby competing participants off their feet.

“Brother Lion, it’s inappropriate for you to interfere in a normal match between juniors,” said Tiger Qianxiao, who was naturally the one who intervened. Witnessing the Lion Clan suffer such immense humiliation today truly made him feel as refreshed as eating iced watermelon on a scorching summer day.

“My son Rong’er has already passed out, and this fellow was still going for the kill; naturally, I had to intervene,” Shi Zhentian retorted swiftly, immediately finding a justification.

Zu An spread his hands. “I merely wanted to wake him up. How could I possibly go for the kill?”

“You, kind-hearted? Who would believe that!” Shi Zhentian said coldly.

Zu An smiled slightly. “Don’t forget, they owe our Snake Clan a hundred thousand Heaven-grade Origin Stones. If he died, whom would we collect from?”

Shi Zhentian: “…”

He had indeed heard about this matter and had thoroughly reprimanded his three sons for it. He had originally intended to use today’s arena matches as an opportunity to cripple the Snake Clan members, thus letting the matter drop. Little did he know, it was his own son who almost ended up crippled instead.

On the high platform, Crown Prince Jinwu looked perplexed. “Where did the Snake Clan get such a formidable expert?”

Could it be that detestable Zu An?