Everyone had only seen Wan Lei unleash his power once.
Some had witnessed it live, while others had seen videos on forums. No one had seen what Wan Lei looked like when he went all out.
With over ten thousand challenge letters received this time, they couldn't believe that not a single opponent would be worthy of him unleashing his full strength.
Wan Lei didn't pay much attention to their thoughts. He just wanted to quickly accumulate five hundred功勋点 (gōngxūn diǎn - merit points). Once he had that, he could take up a post in the prison.
Then came the prison break, escaping the Five Elements Hall. After that, would the opinions of the Five Elements Hall disciples even matter?
The next time they met, they would be mortal enemies.
Therefore, from Wan Lei's perspective, everyone present, whether they were mocking him, cursing him, or supporting and encouraging him, would eventually stand on opposing sides as enemies.
Xiao Jin, as Wan Lei's assistant, was allowed into the innermost area and sat on a chair, watching the battles.
In his hand, he held Wan Lei's spirit communication token, viewing the challenge letters Wan Lei had received.
He was selecting five hundred suitable opponents for Wan Lei, those whom he could defeat the fastest to accumulate merit points.
Wan Lei had instructed Xiao Jin not to provoke the disciples or get them to place bets, as that would be a waste of time and could even be seen as padding. It was better for Wan Lei to swiftly end each battle with a single punch and then move on.
Too much talking would really affect his image.
Xiao Jin agreed wholeheartedly with Wan Lei's assessment. He was prepared to accept the next challenge as soon as Wan Lei defeated an opponent, and then have the challenger immediately face Wan Lei.
Wan Lei wouldn't even need to appear.
The combat arena had elders and deacons responsible for judging victories and defeats. Since Wan Lei was only at the Tai Xu Realm cultivation level, their referee was just a Wu Liang Realm deacon.
Wan Lei stood proudly on the combat arena, his eyes downcast, gazing at the ground, awaiting his opponent.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of disciples surrounding the arena were also curious about what kind of opponent Wan Lei would choose for his first match.
Unfortunately, the right to choose the opponent was not in Wan Lei's hands.
"Qu Pei Hao, you are the first!"
Xiao Jin shouted towards someone in the Water Hall disciples' seating area.
Since all the challengers this time were Water Hall disciples, they occupied a large section. Others, seeing them seated together, consciously kept their distance to avoid being accidentally injured by the enraged Water Hall disciples.
The person whose name was called by Xiao Jin stood up, a look of confusion on his face. He didn't understand why Xiao Jin was shouting when he was the one challenging Wan Lei.
Then, Xiao Jin tapped "Accept" on Wan Lei's spirit token. Qu Pei Hao looked at his own token and saw that it was indeed him.
At this, Qu Pei Hao sneered and flew into the combat arena, facing Wan Lei from a distance.
Just as Qu Pei Hao was about to utter some harsh words, perhaps to list Wan Lei's transgressions and mock him, telling him to scram obediently, Xiao Jin suddenly spoke again.
"Zheng Wan Dong, be ready, you're next."
Xiao Jin's words caused an uproar throughout the entire arena.
The Water Hall disciples cursed Xiao Jin for his arrogance. They hadn't even fought yet, and he was already booking the next opponent? Did he know for sure they would lose?
The other disciples, however, immediately showed excited expressions. They remembered Wan Lei's words from yesterday.
"Those who want to challenge, line up, one by one."
His words were true. Was Wan Lei going to challenge all challengers without a break?
What a spectacle!
A rare sight in a hundred years!
"What are you looking at? My brother Wan Lei has the bearing of an Immortal Venerable!"
Xiao Jin declared with an arrogant hmph.
"Hmph, arrogant. Let's see how many moves you can take from me!"
Qu Pei Hao snorted coldly, looking provocatively at Wan Lei. At the same time, a water curtain appeared before him and rushed towards Wan Lei.
At this moment, Wan Lei finally raised his head and looked at...
The sky.
Well, it was early morning. He hoped to finish off five hundred enemies within two days.
He primarily hoped that the enemies wouldn't be too talkative and waste his time, and that as soon as one fell, another would quickly take their place.
Seeing that Wan Lei wasn't even looking at him, Qu Pei Hao was furious. He immediately amplified his cultivation output and charged towards Wan Lei.
As the enemy was about to reach him, Wan Lei finally moved. With lightning-fast speed, he unleashed a punch...
BOOM!!!
After a deafening roar, Qu Pei Hao, like a kicked football, traced a perfect parabola through the air and landed heavily on the ground.
He spat out blood, unmoving, his life or death uncertain.
The entire arena erupted!
"One punch, another one punch!"
"Last time it was one punch against Yao An, and this time it's one punch against Qu Pei Hao!"
"How strong is his combat power? Who can make him go all out!"
"Wan Lei is awesome, my idol!"
"As expected of a top player who can go toe-to-toe with saints!"
"Is he cheating? I love players like this!"
Unlike the excitement of the other disciples, the Water Hall disciples were a mixture of shock and anger, their faces as dark as water, their demeanor fitting their water attribute.
"Referee, can you announce the result?"
Wan Lei maintained his aloof persona, leaving the shouting to Xiao Jin.
The elder referee was momentarily stunned. He immediately flew into the arena, checked Qu Pei Hao's injuries, then waved his hand, signaling for the medical team to come and carry the man away for treatment.
Next, he cast a complex look at Wan Lei.
"Eighth Combat Arena, first match, Wan Lei wins."
The arena erupted in cheers once more.
Wan Lei stood in place, motionless, like a statue.
He perfectly embodied the phrase "calm as a mountain, swift as thunder!"
"Zheng Wan Dong, what are you dawdling for? Get down here!"
After tapping "Accept," Xiao Jin shouted again.
"Number three Chai Guang Kun, prepare yourself, you're next."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Wan Dong felt a deep sense of humiliation. He roared in anger and leaped down from the spectator stands. Without even touching the ground, he charged directly at Wan Lei and attacked!
Wan Lei gathered lightning around his fist and, once again like a bolt of lightning, flashed forward. With a single punch, he sent Zheng Wan Dong, who was still in mid-air, flying out of the arena.
"Awesome!"
"Another punch!"
"One-Punch Man!"
Wan Lei's matches were utterly lacking in spectacle. It was always a simple, unadorned punch that ended the fight, regardless of who stepped forward.
Yet, the more monotonous the combat, the more it ignited the passion of the audience.
This was invincibility!
The elder referee checked the unconscious Zheng Wan Dong, then waved his hand, and the medical team came to carry him away.
"Number three Chai Guang Kun, hurry up and come down, don't waste time. Number four Lou Dong Kai, be ready!"
Xiao Jin's voice rang out again.
On this day, throughout the entire combat arena, besides Wan Lei, Xiao Jin was the most dazzling.
Chai Guang Kun descended into the arena, fully prepared. This time, he did not attack proactively but chose to defend.
However, Wan Lei had no time to waste with him.