One move!
Xideler, who had been full of fighting spirit and confidence just moments before, was sent spitting blood and couldn't get up for a long time after being struck by Lin Haotian.
Watching the calm, burly man, they finally understood that his previous words were not arrogance, but that he truly possessed such strength.
Xideler was incredibly shaken. That punch not only utterly destroyed his Death Beads, but the sheer force of it made it impossible for him to resist.
A powerful tremor even surged into his body, continuously damaging his internal organs.
He could only suppress it with Death energy now, but he had lost all combat effectiveness.
"Has his strength reached the late Saint stage?"
Xideler, disregarding his now extremely fragile body, stared intently at the burly man in the distance, who looked somewhat simple and honest, his eyes filled with astonishment.
To be able to cripple him with a single punch, and seeing that the burly man clearly hadn't used his full strength, was something even a mid-Saint stage expert would find difficult to achieve.
To accomplish this meant he was at least a late-Saint stage expert.
"He looks to be around my age, yet his strength has reached such a level. No wonder teacher always says there's always someone better, and the world is full of wonders!" Xideler sighed inwardly, feeling deeply dejected.
He had always considered himself a once-in-a-century prodigy, believing his talent was not much inferior to Ailabella's in her prime.
However, Lin Haotian's appearance was a heavy slap in the face, delivered in front of everyone. Remembering his earlier boasts, he felt utterly ashamed.
"Do you want to continue?" Lin Haotian asked, looking at Xideler, who had just managed to stand up.
He had held back considerably just now. If he had used his full power, it was entirely possible he could have blown Xideler apart with a single punch.
"I concede. I am thoroughly convinced."
Xideler was an extremely proud individual, but he was truly humbled by Lin Haotian's immense power and had no desire to challenge him further.
"Even Ailabella back then likely couldn't compare to you," Xideler said before retreating from the arena and returning to the Black Hand's stronghold.
At this moment, the other observing gangs fell into silence. Lin Haotian's strength far surpassed the peak level of the younger generation and was enough to contend with old-generation Saints.
"Late Saint! How did this guy cultivate?"
Even many elder figures within the various gangs might not be Lin Haotian's match.
However, one thing puzzled them: with Lin Haotian's strength, the Hongmen should have been ranked first, so why were they willing to be second?
"Could it be because of that young man?" some sharp minds thought of Zhang Fan.
Zhang Fan claimed to be a member of the Black Tiger Gang and had displayed Saint-level strength.
Logically, given his age, he was definitely qualified to compete, but he had publicly stated he wouldn't participate, which was indeed quite thought-provoking.
This duel might have been the highest-level battle of this World Gang Competition, but it was also the shortest.
After Xideler's fight with Lin Haotian concluded, the gangs that had held hopes for the top three immediately chose to withdraw.
Each of these three major gangs had a Saint guarding them, and their formidable strength left the others with no desire to challenge them.
"The overall situation is decided. The top three spots are already secured by China. Let's consider if we should fight for fourth place."
The other gangs turned their attention to the Black Hand. Their participation this time was quite strong, after all, they had a Saint guarding them.
However, it was evident to discerning eyes that the Black Hand's Saint likely had little combat power left, making it an excellent opportunity for them to challenge.
"Miyamoto Ichito of the Yakuza challenges the Black Hand."
The Yakuza was the first gang to challenge the Black Hand.
However, in less than five minutes, the Yakuza was defeated. Their failure made it clear to all that even without Xideler, the Black Hand was not to be trifled with.
After all, Summers and Jedra were both top-tier existences among the Transcended. Although they had both lost to Peris, their strength was still not to be underestimated.
As challenge matches were limited to two opportunities, subsequent gangs became more cautious when issuing challenges.
However, this had nothing to do with Zhang Fan and his group. After watching the spectacle for nearly two hours, the challenge matches finally concluded.
With the end of the challenge matches, the rankings for this World Gang Competition were definitively set.
The top three spots were naturally taken by the three major Chinese gangs. Fourth place went to the Black Hand, and fifth place was secured by the equally strong Transcended Alliance.
After failing to challenge the Black Hand, the Transcended Alliance settled for fifth place. With Peris's formidable strength, they successfully defeated the Canadian Hells Angels, securing fifth.
Following them was the Russian Battle Axe.
The Russian Battle Axe was also powerful, but they ultimately missed their opportunity, allowing Peris to secure her challenge first.
Seventh place went to the American Brotherhood, eighth to the Canadian Hells Angels, ninth to the Southeast Asian Black Sorcery Hall, tenth to the Mexican gang Tijuana, and eleventh to Japan's Yakuza.
As for the last place, it naturally went to the North American Big Circle Gang, who had withdrawn from the competition early on.
This ranking was not merely a matter of honor; it also involved the division of territories and interests.
For example, major Chinese gangs like the Hongmen and Qingbang had considerable overseas assets. However, due to their consistently poor previous rankings, a significant portion of their overseas holdings had been reallocated.
This time's ranking allowed them to recover a substantial amount of their losses.
As for the Black Tiger Gang, Zhang Fan paid little attention to such matters. His perspective was on a different level than theirs, and he wouldn't waste his time and energy on petty squabbles over small territories.
After the competition, many gangs came to congratulate the major Chinese factions, hoping to build closer ties.
They all understood that if this trend continued, the Chinese factions would hold a significant position in future World Gang Competitions, and fostering good relationships was always beneficial.
"Let's go. This World Gang Competition was too boring. It's finally over," Zhang Fan waved to everyone and was the first to walk towards the exit.
"Boring?" Zhao Qingqing and her senior classmates found it hard to comprehend. The sights and experiences they had witnessed far exceeded their imagination and understanding. The excitement they felt made them believe they might even have trouble sleeping that night.
Yet Zhang Fan found it boring.
"Brother Zhang Fan, why do you find such spectacular fights boring?" Zhao Qingqing asked innocently.
"It's all just petty skirmishes, where's the excitement?" Zhang Fan shook his head.
Ailabella, overhearing this, couldn't help but let a smile grace her exquisite and beautiful face. "These fights are indeed petty skirmishes for Master. There's nothing much to see."
"Master?"
Zhao Qingqing looked at Ailabella with a face full of confusion. After a moment, she realized who the beautiful woman she envied was referring to as her master.
"Brother Zhang Fan, why does this beautiful lady call you Master?" Zhao Qingqing stared at Zhang Fan with a strange look, unable to believe that her cousin, whom she had spent so much time with, might have such peculiar tastes.
Hearing Zhao Qingqing's question, Zhang Fan felt helpless. He had asked Ailabella not to address him that way in front of others, but she always seemed to find ways to create trouble for him.
Zhang Fan shook his head, too weary to explain.
...