The expressions on Chen Zheng's face shifted numerous times as soon as the opposing sides were announced.
He had considered the possibility of encountering Qin Xuan, but he hadn't expected it to be so soon.
Qin Xuan thought the same, but unlike his opponent, he wasn't as apprehensive about Chen Zheng.
"Hey, kid, what are you doing?"
"Didn't I tell you not to wander around after coming in!"
Shi Chuangong, seeing Qin Xuan take a couple of steps forward, was bewildered.
He thought Qin Xuan felt he couldn't get a good view from there and took a couple of steps forward with him.
But it wasn't until Qin Xuan continued walking towards the competition arena ahead that he was greatly alarmed and pulled Qin Xuan back.
"What did I tell you?"
"Everyone here is a legendary Grandmaster-level figure. Sitting over there is one of the Dragon Country's only three Divine-level Supremes, Supreme Hu Sanqiang!"
"For a junior like you to walk so brazenly to the front, how will they perceive you?"
"No matter who your master is, they'll have to apologize on your behalf!"
Qin Xuan was quite touched by the sincere advice.
After all, to Shi Chuangong, he was just an unfamiliar junior.
Given his status, there was no need for him to care so much about him.
Yet, he could still genuinely think of his well-being.
It was even like an elder at home patiently teaching a junior.
This kindness alone was enough for Qin Xuan to respect him.
"Thank you for your concern and guidance, Senior."
"However, it is indeed time for this junior to take the stage."
"If I were to stay here and not go forward, I fear those Grandmasters would be even more angered."
"Don't be foolish, listen to me..."
"What did you say?"
"It's your turn to compete?!"
Seeing Qin Xuan's "stubbornness," Shi Chuangong still wanted to persuade him.
But halfway through his words, he suddenly realized what the other party had just said.
"That's right, you heard it just now."
"The third match is Chen Zheng versus Qin Xuan."
"The person standing on the arena now is Chen Zheng, and this junior is Qin Xuan."
Qin Xuan explained calmly, unfazed by Shi Chuangong's shock.
However, the Grandmasters on the stage and the audience in front of the big screen couldn't sit still.
Chen Zheng had been waiting for two minutes, so why hadn't Qin Xuan arrived yet?
Moreover, this name sounded very unfamiliar, not like a seasoned veteran.
So, before long, discussions began to erupt.
"What is this? Who exactly is this Qin Xuan?"
"How dare he make us wait for him like this!"
"Indeed, he's outrageous. To be promoted to Intermediate Grandmaster, he must have participated in dozens of martial arts tournaments."
"In that case, how could he not know the rules of this competition?"
"It seems this person is deliberately disregarding all of us present!"
The murmurs grew louder, and the voices of contempt and abuse towards Qin Xuan also escalated.
It wasn't until Hu Sanqiang issued an angry warning that everyone finally fell silent, staying put and waiting quietly.
Fortunately, Qin Xuan didn't delay much longer.
Although Shi Chuangong still couldn't accept that Qin Xuan was at the same cultivation level as him, he could see the situation clearly.
Therefore, he stopped bothering Qin Xuan and quickly urged him to get on stage.
However, as soon as Qin Xuan appeared, the arena, which had just quieted down, immediately became agitated again.
"Holy cow? Which family's junior is this, so clueless to run onto the Grandmaster competition stage?"
"I don't know, this junior looks very unfamiliar!"
"Outrageous! Who failed to instruct their junior properly? Causing trouble on the Grandmaster competition stage is courting death!"
Waves of dissuasive shouts came from all directions.
Qin Xuan walked unhurriedly, merely cupping his hands slightly towards Chen Zheng opposite him.
Then, concentrating his vital energy near his throat, he loudly apologized to the crowd, "My apologies, everyone. Qin Xuan was delayed by a minor matter."
"I now offer my apologies to all of you."
Qin Xuan's voice, amplified by the arena's sound system, reached every corner of the venue.
Whether it was the Grandmaster powerhouses preparing for battle nearby, or the younger generation spectators in the stands.
Upon hearing Qin Xuan's apology, they all fell silent.
After an unknown period, with a shout of, "What? He's Qin Xuan?!"
The entire arena was ignited once more.
Exclamations, doubts, mockery, and insults.
Countless voices poured in from various locations.
They almost blew the roof off the entire stadium.
Perhaps due to the sheer number of people discussing or out of pride, the three individuals responsible for maintaining order in the arena, Ke Wudi and his companions, did not intervene to stop the discussion.
As a result, the entire arena came to a standstill for nearly half an hour due to Qin Xuan's identity.
It wasn't until people had exhausted themselves and the discussions began to fade that Ke Wudi cleared his throat first.
Signaling everyone to remain quiet.
"Qin Xuan is indeed an Intermediate Grandmaster, there is no doubt about this."
"Therefore, I hope everyone can maintain order and watch the competition rationally."
With a Divine-level Supreme speaking, naturally, no one dared to say anything further.
Even though they still found Qin Xuan's presence surreal,
They could still maintain order and whisper their discussions.
"Alright, the third round, Chen Zheng versus Qin Xuan, officially begins!"
Giving Qin Xuan a satisfied glance, Hu Sanqiang announced the start of the match again.
Chen Zheng and Qin Xuan both bowed slightly, offering a courtesy to each other.
"General Qin, I know my own limits, and I am certainly no match for you."
"But I still hope you can fight me with your true abilities."
"Only then can Chen Zheng have no regrets and truly showcase his prowess!"
After the bow, Chen Zheng said slowly and sincerely to Qin Xuan.
Qin Xuan nodded gently, shifted his stance, and firmly rooted himself in a standard horse stance.
"Hu Family Internal Boxing, I request your guidance!"
"Good!"
Seeing Qin Xuan adopt an offensive posture, Chen Zheng shouted "Good!"
He then assumed his own stance and, with extreme speed, attacked Qin Xuan.
"Chen Zheng is not holding back with this punch!"
Although the discussion about Qin Xuan's identity had temporarily subsided, doubts about his strength flooded countless minds.
A youth who appeared to be in his early twenties possessed the same cultivation as those who had trained for a lifetime. Could his combat power truly match the title of Intermediate Grandmaster?
Therefore, as the competition returned to its normal course, most people's attention, excluding those who also needed to compete, was focused on the arena where Qin Xuan and Chen Zheng were.
And when Chen Zheng threw his first punch, the Martial Grandmasters who were also skilled in boxing exclaimed in surprise.
They had initially thought that Chen Zheng's first strike would be somewhat restrained due to Qin Xuan's age.
But now, it was clear that Chen Zheng's punch was not only unrestrained but also extremely sharp.
It was evident that he was going all out from the very beginning!