Chapter Eighteen: Facial Cleanser (Second Update; Please Recommend and Bookmark)

Xia Yan withdrew the simulated pistol in his hand and took out the 203 Frenzy. The Frenzy pistol used special bullets, far more powerful than standard firearms. He aimed at the green giant's thigh and fired a shot. The bullet struck true, green fluid spilled from the giant's leg, but within moments, the wound healed completely.

Xia Yan then pointed the Frenzy at the giant’s single eye and unleashed three successive shots. Before the bullets could fully reach their target, the eye emitted a faint green glow, dissolving them into dust.

His expression darkened. Unless absolutely necessary, he had no desire for close combat with this green giant. His fire-based abilities must be preserved as his trump card. Now, Meimi hid behind the giant, rendering firearm attacks ineffective.

"Did you think it was just a stationary target?" Meimi laughed softly. "Xia Yan, your strength is considerable, but I have you firmly restrained. Too bad—you won’t make it into the top sixteen. I dislike Levin as well, but I can’t let you win just because of that."

With a thought, Meimi sent the green giant charging at Xia Yan. Despite its enormous size, its speed was astonishing. In a flash, the giant's fist smashed into Xia Yan’s position, shaking the ground and enveloping him in the force of the blow.

Many spectators closed their eyes, unable to watch. Was contestant 55 about to be smashed to pieces? With his level of strength, making it this far was nearly miraculous.

Even Nina, the referee, grew concerned. If Xia Yan couldn’t withstand this attack, she wouldn’t be able to intervene in time.

Amidst the cries of alarm, Xia Yan moved. He leapt lightly, dragonfly-like, soaring three or four meters into the air and effortlessly avoiding the devastating blow.

The entire arena was stunned. Was this truly the strength of number 55—the one everyone thought had made it here by luck alone?

No, this speed, agility, reaction, and composure—he was no weakling. On the contrary, he was a true powerhouse, an exceptionally strong one.

The audience erupted.

“Number 55 is incredible! He dodged that attack?”

“Unbelievable! Facing a giant’s punch, and he evaded it so easily.”

“His expression didn't change at all. Has 55 been hiding his abilities all along?”

“My god—just judging by his speed, 55's strength is top-tier.”

Now, Xia Yan's prowess was fully recognized by the crowd. No one thought he was just a lucky contender anymore. Among the spectators, there was confusion mixed with regret—number 55's opponent was simply too formidable.

“What a pity. 55 encountered Meimi—he can’t win.”

“Yeah, 55 isn’t weak, but his opponent is too strong. He’ll lose this match.”

Everyone believed that even though 55 was strong, his adversary was stronger, and the outcome was already decided.

Xia Yan began playing a game of cat and mouse with the green giant, occasionally attempting to attack Meimi. However, Meimi herself was quick and adept at evading and countering. Her coordination with the green giant was remarkable—no matter how Xia Yan pursued her, his attacks proved fruitless.

Xia Yan was helpless—he had fired more than fifty rounds from his simulated pistol, all in vain.

The battle continued for a full five minutes.

Nina watched from the sidelines, her tension easing from tightly furrowed brows to calm relaxation. This was a stalemate; Xia Yan’s strength was more formidable than she had imagined. Now, after falling into a deadlock, it was Meimi—not Xia Yan—who was at a disadvantage.

Only those watching closely understood the advantage Xia Yan’s speed gave him, allowing him to dictate the flow of the match.

Perhaps insiders could see the tide and strengths in the battle, but outsiders could only be astonished—again and again.

Unbelievable. No one could believe it—number 55 had lasted five whole minutes! What did this mean? It was as if two equally matched opponents were fighting.

But Meimi was ranked twelfth in the institution, not just anyone. Did this mean number 55’s strength was also around twelfth place?

Astounding, incredible.

Many veteran spectators had seen Meimi’s matches the previous year. No one had lasted five minutes against her—not even two. Most were defeated within two strikes, or surrendered outright.

“Number 55, you can win! Go for it!” Suddenly, a passionate shout rang from the crowd. A spectator, fired up, saw hope for number 55’s victory.

“55 can win!”

“Go, 55!”

“Big chest doesn’t mean much—I’m rooting for 55!”

“Go, 55! We’ll always support you!”

A portion of the audience switched allegiance, secretly hoping for a miracle from number 55—to defeat the most favored winner, Meimi.

The weak are always bullied by the strong, always forced to bow their heads, defeated as soon as they appear. But here was a weakling, stubbornly holding his ground, refusing to give up.

The crowd saw themselves in number 55—a tenacious spirit, just like their own.

“Go, number 55!”

“55 will win!”

“Xia Yan, go for it!”

“Transfer student Xia Yan will definitely win!”

“Xia Yan, you absolutely must win!”

As the cheers rose, Xia Yan’s name was carried high, the chants echoing throughout the arena, drowning out Meimi’s group of uncle fans.

Meimi couldn’t understand. If the match continued in stalemate, she was bound to lose. What was Xia Yan’s ability, or had he already used it? Why could his speed remain so high after five minutes, while she herself was close to exhaustion?

Why?

Very few knew about Xia Yan’s fire element ability—Tao Lu, Gu Yue’er, and Gong Kui certainly wouldn’t reveal it. And then the three he saved during the last mission—Zhu En and the others owed him, so they wouldn’t talk either.

Thus, Xia Yan could save his fire element as his ultimate move.

“Xia Yan,” Meimi’s face flushed, her chest heaving—she could barely hold on. “Are you just going to keep dodging? Can’t you face me openly for a fair fight?”

Xia Yan rolled his eyes. “If you want a fair fight, why not recall your summoned creature first?”

“Xia Yan, you’re so despicable,” Meimi fumed, her cheeks reddening. “Why not use your ability? I don’t believe your power is just speed enhancement.”

Meimi likely knew Xia Yan’s bravado, his open challenge to Levin, meant he was no weakling, and his ability hadn’t been revealed yet.

Xia Yan ignored her, holding his ground. The match had become a battle of endurance.

“Xia Yan,” Meimi was growing frantic. “Don’t think I don’t have a trump card! I have a bloodline ability too—are you forcing me to use it?”

“Go ahead and awaken it,” Xia Yan replied coolly. “But from the look of you, you’ve never activated your bloodline before. Are you really going to expose it now?”

“You, you, you—” Meimi was beside herself, glaring at Xia Yan. “You’re so despicable, using these tactics to win against me.”

Xia Yan paid her no mind.

“Fine, fine,” Meimi threw up her hands, nearly at her limit. She shot Xia Yan a fierce look and withdrew her summoned creature.

Xia Yan knew she no longer wanted to fight, so he didn’t attack her.

“I concede, I concede already,” Meimi declared, without much guile, proving the saying about big chests and empty heads. She was merely annoyed at Xia Yan’s lack of gentlemanly conduct—after all, a man facing a beautiful woman and only dodging, what was that?

With Meimi's surrender, the battle officially ended.

Nina stood watching in astonishment. She hadn’t expected Xia Yan to win so easily. Meimi was nearly spent, while Xia Yan still had enough stamina to fight much longer. The victory was so effortless—it was hard to believe.

At that moment, the stands erupted in uncontrollable cheers, nearly deafening. All the voices of frustration and anger were drowned in the sea of people.

“Xia Yan won—it’s Xia Yan’s victory!”

“A miracle! Xia Yan defeated Meimi, ranked twelfth!”

“My god, Xia Yan just joined the institution and already has such a terrifying record!”

“He’ll definitely take first place in this tournament!”

“Xia Yan is amazing—unbelievably so!”

The crowd erupted in extravagant praise, convinced Xia Yan would claim the championship. A man barely two meters tall had defeated a giant ten times his size—a miracle.

So strong, incredibly strong—enough to make one’s heart tremble.

“Xia Yan won!” Gu Yue’er smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons, overjoyed. She had silently cheered for Xia Yan all along.

“Xia Yan,” Tao Lu looked at him, lips curled up. “The championship is mine—you can’t compete with me for it.”

On the arena floor!

Meimi was a woman of little calculation. In fact, she had quite a favorable impression of Xia Yan, mainly because she disliked Levin, making them united by a common enemy.

She walked up to Xia Yan, eyes round and still glaring at him. “Xia Yan, you used me as a stepping stone, but you must defeat Levin—I’ve disliked him for ages.”

Xia Yan forced a smile. This formidable ranking member had a temperament like a little girl.

He was about to reply when his expression changed, a sudden pain stabbing his head. Darkness clouded his vision, and he collapsed to the ground.

“Xia Yan! Xia Yan!” Meimi panicked, rushing forward to catch him.

The entire arena focused on the spot, countless men likely thinking the same thing.

Face wash.

This cunning fellow—what was he up to? Surely it was intentional.

“Despicable! Xia Yan, you’re too despicable!”

“Meimi, don’t fall for this guy’s tricks—he’s doing it on purpose, don’t let him take advantage!”

“If Xia Yan was really exhausted, at most he’d be tired—never heard of someone fainting from it.”

“Xia Yan is amazing—a heartbreaker! I’ll try this trick myself someday!”

The match, amid the raucous chaos of the crowd, finally drew to a close.