I Refuse to Accept It

"The winner is Kuang Qing!" 

Zheng Tao's words, filled with energy, resonated throughout the entire arena! 

Those who had already closed their eyes in despair couldn't believe what they were seeing as they opened their eyes. 

Kuang Qing, weakened and on the verge of collapse, stood on the edge of the platform. 

Below the stage, Lin Yang wore a bewildered expression. His physical condition was much better, but unfortunately, he was indeed beneath the arena. 

A wave of ecstasy rushed into everyone's hearts, an unexpected reversal from hell to heaven, almost causing fainting. 

Initially, they had prepared themselves for Kuang Qing sacrificing his life, and they had resigned themselves to Lin Yang's overwhelming victory. 

They were ready to accept the shame of Tianxuan losing face. 

But now, unbelievably, Lin Yang had unexpectedly lost. 

"Impossible, impossible! How could I lose? I clearly defeated you! You're deceiving me!" Lin Yang's gaze was hollow, his face filled with disbelief. 

Excitedly pointing at Mo Qingkuang, he shouted, "He's more injured than me! I can still fight! With one breath, he'll fall! I haven't lost!" 

"Mo Qingkuang, do you dare? Do you dare to fight me openly and fairly? You can't defeat me using these crooked methods. If you have the guts, come and fight me straightforwardly." 

Mo Qingkuang looked at Lin Yang's seemingly insane state and felt a great sense of satisfaction in his heart. 

Finally, he had won. Although it was through using tactics, he had still won. 

The heavy burden that Lin Yang had placed on his heart for a long time had finally lightened. 

Weakly looking at Lin Yang, he said, "Methods are also a form of battle. You should be grateful that this is just an arena match. In a life-or-death struggle in the martial world, who would face you head-on one-on-one?" 

"Hehehe, Lin Yang, are you confused? No matter how strong you are, if you can't stand till the end, you're a loser! The rule of the arena is that falling to the ground means defeat! You've lost!" 

Mo Qingkuang, weak and frail, spoke with a low volume, but every word was like a heavy hammer striking Lin Yang's heart. 

Indeed, in a real test of strength, Mo Qingkuang could never be Lin Yang's match, who had cultivated a Heavenly-ranked martial skill. 

His strength lay in speed, and in an open field, Lin Yang would never catch up to him in his entire life. Couldn't Mo Qingkuang just run if he couldn't win? 

However, in the arena, Mo Qingkuang's range of movement was greatly restricted. Lin Yang also set up the Flame Ascension Formation to limit Mo Qingkuang's evasion, pushing him further into a precarious situation. 

But no one could have expected that what was clearly a disadvantageous condition restricting Mo Qingkuang would be fully utilized by him to defeat Lin Yang. 

In the arena, the rule was to lose if you fell to the ground. Mo Qingkuang couldn't escape the arena to flee far away, but Lin Yang also couldn't leave the arena. 

As long as Mo Qingkuang could force Lin Yang out of the arena, he would win. 

"Ah —I refuse to accept it! Mo Qingkuang, I want to fight you again!" Lin Yang appeared crazed, forcefully coughing up a mouthful of stagnant blood. 

"According to the rules, each person has only one chance to challenge on each platform. If you're interested, you can go challenge the second-ranked platform. I believe Ninth Princess is more than willing to give up this second position for you," Mo Qingkuang grinned, raising his eyebrows towards Han Yan'er. 

Han Yan'er immediately caught on and coquettishly said, "Indeed, Young Master Lin Yang, with your outstanding strength, you deserve the position of Second Rank. This princess willingly concedes." 

Mo Qingkuang and Han Yan'er's coordinated response was remarkably tacit, both emphasizing the words 'Second Rank.' 

It was a message to Lin Yang, telling him not to have any illusions about the title of Martial Arts Champion. They were only willing to give him the position of Second Rank. 

However, thinking that Lin Yang would gain the second-ranked position, the Yuan Sword Sect could also be considered to have achieved a high position in this martial exam. It could be counted as a successful disruption. 

But in reality, many times, the second place was the ultimate loser. 

Later, the results of this martial exam would be recorded, and the news would spread far and wide. 

All the informed people would know that disciples of the Yuan Sword Sect had come to take advantage of the situation, making lofty promises and oaths but ultimately ending up with the position of second rank. 

At the same time, with the continuation of the Tianxuan Empire, the story of Kuang Qing, who turned the tide against all odds, would be passed down for many years, becoming a hero of the empire. 

Lin Yang, on the other hand, would serve as a backdrop, with his reputation forever tarnished! 

The crowd was already in an uproar, shouting, "Kuang Qing is mighty, long live Tianxuan!" 

Many were crying tears of joy, but among the jubilant crowd, those who were melancholic stood out awkwardly. 

Most noticeable was Chu Yanran, who had full confidence in Lin Yang and believed he had a secure victory. 

At this moment, her inner world was collapsing, and her mind was blank. 

It wasn't just because Lin Yang had lost the competition when victory seemed assured, but also because of Lin Yang's words: 'Mo Qingkuang!' 

Now she understood that the ultimate winner standing on the stage was none other than Mo Qingkuang, who had once flattered and catered to her. 

He was alive, not defeated by Lin Yang. The one who took forbidden drugs, Mo Qingkuang, had not died that time! 

He had become even stronger, not only standing firm after the setback but also using calculated methods to defeat Lin Yang on the stage. 

Although it was through some scheming, it no longer mattered; the winner wrote history. 

Chu Yanran finally understood why Kuang Qing, a genius who had no grievances with her, had humiliated her so much in the preliminary rounds. 

He was Mo Qingkuang! 

Chu Yanran was well-educated and always kind to others, and if she had any enemies in the world, it could only be him, who 'died because of her.' 

She didn't expect that the playboy Mo Qingkuang, whom she found annoying and casually used as a shield back then, would turn out to be such a remarkable genius like Lin Yang. 

Watching the extremely weak but unusually dazzling Mo Qingkuang on the stage, Chu Yanran couldn't help feeling a trace of regret. It wasn't regret for what you all are thinking of but regret for not taking advantage of the internal chaos in the Mo family to instruct her father to eliminate future troubles. 

On the high platform, Sword Emperor Qin Wufeng's expression turned even darker. The enthusiastic smile he had moments ago froze on his face, looking exceptionally doubtful. 

The officials who were forcibly entertained by him moments ago seemed to suddenly wake up and all of them felt strength returning to them. 

Holding a wine bottle, a minister walked up to Qin Wufeng with a smile and said, "Your Excellency Sword Emperor, you're right. Good poetry needs wine to complement it. Look, after drinking these few cups, I have found inspiration." 

"Your Excellency, let me compose a poem for him..." The minister laughed and said, but Qin Wufeng felt like a bomb was about to explode in his chest.