Gorgeous Female Tenants

Chapter 337: Martial Arts Competition Begins

Purple Gold Villa, a grand four-story mansion, with three bedrooms on each floor, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an extraordinary presence.

The previous owner, Qin Daming, would occasionally visit the villa for a vacation. It had always been quiet, but today, it became lively.

Gu Xinyan and Lu Xiaomei were on the fourth floor, Liu Ningyan and Chen Yan stayed on the third floor, and Ouyang Jiahui claimed the second floor for herself. Citing gender differences, they didn’t allow Xu Xiangbei to stay on the same floor, so Xu Xiangbei had no choice but to reside on the first floor.

The move went smoothly, and the bulk of it was done by the afternoon. Ouyang Yude and his wife, upon hearing that their daughter moved into a new villa, came with Dongfang Bai, bringing three big bags of snacks that Ouyang Jiahui liked to celebrate.

Dongfang Bai handed Xu Xiangbei a gold-embossed invitation card, specifying the time of a combat challenge with Xiao Ye Fengci Lang, scheduled for tomorrow evening.

The location was again at the Qinghai Film and Television studio, the same venue where he previously fought Boxing King Jason.

Xu Xiangbei called Huang Qinghai: "Hello, President Huang. I’ll be there on time for the challenge tomorrow."

From the phone, President Huang’s sinister laugh echoed: "Good, I’ll be there to support you in tomorrow’s match."

At Xu Xiangbei’s invitation, Coach Martin and Dongfang Bai joined him at the studio for the combat challenge.

Upon entering the studio, Xu Xiangbei noticed Xiao Ye already kneeling on the ring. Xiao Ye gave him a silent glance before gently closing his eyes.

It was just a simple glance, yet Xu Xiangbei felt as if Xiao Ye had scrutinized him inside out.

A chilling sensation arose from within him.

Xu Xiangbei realized that with just that quick glance, Xiao Ye’s killing intent had firmly locked onto him.

Though he had watched countless videos of Xiao Ye Fengci Lang, seeing him in person for the first time felt unfamiliar.

Xiao Ye Fengci Lang appeared to lack any bulky muscles. His skin was fair, wearing an ordinary black training outfit, kneeling on one knee on the ring like a devout believer with hands crossed.

His posture was identical to the one in the videos, appearing leisurely and tranquil, yet he was actually concealing his killer instinct. You couldn’t tell if his hand was resting on the sword hilt at his waist.

As Xu Xiangbei entered the studio, everyone’s gaze focused on him.

Huang Qinghai sat in the front row closest to the ring, holding a wine glass in one hand and a cigar in the other, lounging back in his designated seat.

He wore his favorite light yellow suit, a colorful floral tie, and large sunglasses that hid half of his plump face.

He flashed a smile at Xu Xiangbei, a smile undecipherable as respectful or contemptuous.

President Qiao of Celestial Light Sea sat across the ring from Huang Qinghai. Though they privately had a good rapport, in this public live-streamed event, they maintained a facade of unfamiliarity.

Sitting beside him was Secretary Wang, both wearing expressions of indifference.

The spot where Thomas sat last time changed occupants, now occupied by Lei Ziming of the Thunderbird Group, surprising Xu Xiangbei a bit.

Prior to the challenge, Thomas had called Xu Xiangbei to inform him that due to issues at American Three Lions Studio, he couldn’t come to Earth Sea City to watch, but would view the match via live stream.

Lei Ziming, smiling, nodded at Xu Xiangbei, the excitement in his eyes akin to watching a wild beast battle at a zoo.

To him, regardless of the outcome, it promised to be an exciting contest, and if it resulted in a fatality, it would be all the more intriguing.

Xu Xiangbei noticed an interesting phenomenon.

Regardless of whether the gaze was cold or schadenfreude, they all focused on him. Beside Lei Ziming stood a handsome stranger in a black Prada suit, seemingly his bodyguard.

After locking eyes with Xu Xiangbei, the man immediately shrunk back, averting his gaze as if somewhat intimidated, though Xu Xiangbei did not know him.

This man in black was actually Xiao Ye’s senior brother, Zuo Mu, who had broken into Ouyang Yude’s study and was injured by Xu Xiangbei that night.

Recognizing Xu Xiangbei at once, the memory of being wounded resurfaced, leaving him guilty and afraid to meet Xu Xiangbei’s gaze.

Lei Ziming hadn’t noticed Zuo Mu’s strangeness. He smiled as he asked Zuo Mu, "Zuo Mu-jun, who do you think will win this bout? I’ve bet a million on Xiao Ye-jun to win."

Zuo Mu nodded awkwardly: "Of course, I believe Xiao Ye-jun will win. He is my junior brother, I know him well."

Lei Ziming’s smile was ambiguous: "Is that so? I hope Zuo Mu-jun gets what he wishes for."

Xu Xiangbei greeted Dongfang Bai and Coach Martin, taking their seats in the second row behind Huang Qinghai.

The referee smiled and nodded at Xu Xiangbei, signaling him to enter the ring, indicating the combat was about to begin.

Hearing Xu Xiangbei step into the ring, Xiao Ye Fengci Lang opened his eyes slightly for the second time, his fair face expressionless but with a hint of surprise in his eyes, gleaning something from Xu Xiangbei’s feather-light footsteps.

He nodded slightly, stiffly greeting with Huaxia language: "Hello."

Xu Xiangbei was surprised, wondering if this was a new tactic.

Having watched several of Xiao Ye Fengci Lang’s videos, he’d never initiated a greeting. This kid suddenly feigned courtesy, likely as part of a crafty ploy.

Since the opponent greeted him, it wouldn’t be polite to ignore. Courtesy before combat, reciprocation is key.

Xu Xiangbei raised an eyebrow, intending to mock him, but an invisible pressure as heavy as a mountain stifled him, draining his usual humor toward Xiao Ye.

He could only awkwardly respond: "Hello."

A bell rang for the first time, and the referee glanced at Xu Xiangbei and Xiao Ye Fengci Lang, inquiring with his eyes if they were ready.

Both Xu Xiangbei and Xiao Ye Fengci Lang nodded simultaneously.

The referee gestured an OK with his hands and gently blew the whistle, signaling the start of the match.

As the whistle ceased, the studio fell silent—you could hear a pin drop. The audience held their breath watching the ring, while on stage, the two remained utterly still.

Closing the large studio doors made it resemble an airtight arena, with Xu Xiangbei and Xiao Ye Fengci Lang as fierce beasts within, ready to fight to the death.

Having analyzed Xiao Ye’s videos, Xu Xiangbei devised an optimal offensive-defensive strategy, opting to remain still and watch Xiao Ye Fengci Lang rather than initiating the attack.

He appeared relaxed, with a charming dimple at his mouth’s edge, looking more like an admirer enjoying a beautiful scene than a participant in a life-or-death contest.

Seemingly motionless, four steel Iron Balls had slipped into Xu Xiangbei’s palm, and though he moved with caution, the balls clinked softly together.