In this match of Liu Qing, it was undoubtedly one of the few outstanding battles in today’s competitions. However, with his strength, such a level of performance was not too surprising. After Liu Qing, many other strong contenders appeared one after another. The most eye-catching among them was Lin Xiuyan’s appearance, but his contest left people in a mixture of laughter and dismay. His opponent did not show up, choosing to concede and leave under the pressure of the second-ranked strong contender. Therefore, he naturally became the one who advanced most effortlessly, which somewhat disappointed Liu Qing, Xiao Yan, and others who wanted to probe Lin Xiuyan’s methods.
The twenty-five matches of the first day lasted from morning until late at night, concluding under the eyes of countless onlookers still yearning for more. Although some contestants did not perform well, no matter what, this “Strong Ranking” competition was the highest-level event in the Inner Academy, and the intense and exciting battles between strong contenders were enough to make others marvel. Moreover, everyone knew that the truly spectacular battles would not be the elimination matches of the first day, but rather the ones on the second and third days!
After this round of elimination, only twenty-five people remained, and whether or not they had any luck, at least it meant that none of them were mediocre. The excitement and intensity of battles at this level were far beyond what the first day’s elimination could compare to! So, all the spectators looked forward with anticipation and eagerness to even more exciting confrontations the next day!
As the night fell, the Inner Academy, which had been bustling and lively throughout the day, finally returned to silence. Specks of light dotted the vast courtyard, standing out in the towering mountains. In the quiet room, faint moonlight spilled through the window, illuminating Xiao Yan’s face as he sat cross-legged on the bed. He had his eyes tightly closed, breathing deeply and calmly. Strands of energy from the surroundings continuously flowed into his body with each breath, eventually being refined and contributing to his advancement, brick by brick.
After nearly two hours of cultivation, Xiao Yan’s eyes flickered slightly, and then he slowly opened them, exhaling a long-held breath. With this exhalation, a subtle glow appeared on Xiao Yan’s face, and the pallor caused by the intense battle during the day completely dissipated.
Feeling the surging Dou Qi within him, Xiao Yan smiled slightly. The Bai Cheng who wanted to fight desperately to make him lose subsequent victories was now out of luck. With the extraordinary effects of his “Burning Decree” and the combination of various pills, as long as he wasn’t seriously injured, a quick recovery was not difficult. “Tomorrow’s matches will likely be even more perilous,” Xiao Yan mused, his eyes gleaming. Among those who had entered the top twenty-five, apart from Wu Hao and a few others, they were all true powerhouses. These people were much stronger than Bai Cheng.
“But Liu Qing’s ‘Great Splitting Coffin Claw’ is truly terrifying in power. If we really fought, my ‘Eight Extremes Collapse’ might not be able to keep up,” Xiao Yan sighed, his fingers tightening slightly. Although both were high-rank Xuan level techniques, Xiao Yan had practiced “Eight Extremes Collapse” for only a couple of years, while Liu Qing had been honing his skills for nearly two decades. How could they compare? Moreover, Liu Qing’s strength was already far greater, and with the “Great Splitting Coffin Claw,” Xiao Yan could only temporarily avoid the confrontation.
His eyes flickering, Xiao Yan’s expression suddenly turned fierce. He muttered to himself, “Never mind, no matter who I meet, I must give it my all. I have to secure one of the top ten spots!”
In a quiet little room not far from Xiao Yan’s, a graceful figure stood tall under the moonlight. Behind her, an elder stood with his hands clasped. “Miss, a month has passed, don’t you need to leave?” The silence persisted for a moment before the elder raised his head, revealing the face of Ling Ying, who had always protected Xun’er.
The figure trembled slightly, and after a while, a soft sigh echoed, “Wait a few more days. Once Brother Xiao Yan secures a spot in the top ten, I can leave with peace of mind.” Ling Ying nodded helplessly, not saying anything more. His body twisted, transforming into a shadow and disappearing into the darkness.
Seemingly unaware of the elder’s disappearance, the girl remained like a statue by the window, her beautiful eyes filled with emotion, looking through the window at a distant room where faint lights lingered. This night, many were sleepless.
The next day arrived, eagerly awaited by countless people. When the first rays of dawn sprinkled down from the sky, the once quiet Inner Academy was again filled with commotion. Many students, after a simple breakfast, rushed to the square in groups.
In just two hours, the large square was packed, echoing with a variety of voices, as lively as the day before. Half an hour after arriving at the square, the elders took their seats one by one. When Grand Elder Su Qian took his seat, the second day of the competition officially began!
“Due to yesterday’s eliminations, there are only twenty-five participants left, so we need to redraw the lots,” Su Qian’s voice echoed clearly in the ears of everyone present. “However, there is one extra, so there will be only twelve matches today. The last person will automatically advance.”
Su Qian’s words caused a stir in the stands. Automatic advancement? Wasn’t that too easy? If someone had a bit of luck, wouldn’t they directly enter the top thirteen?
“Ha ha, this automatic advancement might be very attractive to many, but for fairness, after discussions, this spot will be given to Zi Yan,” Su Qian said with a smile.
With Su Qian’s words, the stands buzzed again, and on the high platform where the participants were, everyone nodded. That small monster advancing was no surprise, and giving her this spot meant they wouldn’t have to face her in this round.
“Do any of the participants object to this?” Su Qian asked, turning his gaze to the high platform.
Everyone shook their heads in unison, their uniform reaction leaving the crowd in the stands stunned.
“Ha ha, since that’s the case, let’s start drawing the lots,” Su Qian said with a nod, pointing to the bamboo tube on the stone platform.
Hearing this, the participants quickly rushed to the platform and drew their lots in sequence.
Seven, Xiao Yan glanced casually at the number on his lot and then followed the others back to the high platform, waiting quietly for the next match.
“Second round of the Strong Ranking Competition, first match, number three! Red lot number three and blue lot number three, please come forward!” Seeing everyone finish drawing their lots, Su Qian waved his hand and shouted.
At Su Qian’s command, two figures flashed down from the high platform, and their powerful auras instantly filled the arena.
Xiao Yan’s gaze fixed on the arena, listening to Wu Hao’s introduction, gaining a slight understanding of the two contestants. One was ranked twentieth on the “Strong Ranking,” and the other was twenty-second. Both were quite formidable, and their battle promised to be a sight to behold.
“Match begins!” Su Qian’s calm voice ignited the tension in the air, like a spark igniting a powder keg. The atmosphere exploded, and the match began without much warm-up, with both sides engaging in a fierce direct clash. The explosions of their powerful Dou Qi reverberated, creating waves of energy that swept across the arena like a storm.
Watching the battle intently, Xiao Yan nodded. Those who had made it this far were indeed skilled, and the overall strength had risen significantly compared to the previous day.
“Hey, Xiao Yan.” While Xiao Yan was focused on the battle, a familiar voice sounded in his ear, accompanied by a tap on his shoulder.
Turning around in confusion, Xiao Yan saw Lin Yan behind him, who was acting suspiciously. “What is it? Shouldn’t you be preparing for your next match?”
“Hehe, I’m doing this for your benefit. Your number is seven, right?” Lin Yan plopped down beside him, grinning.
“Yeah,” Xiao Yan nodded, eyeing him curiously.
“It seems you didn’t hide your number much. Originally, your opponent was a guy ranked twenty-fourth, but since he’s from Liu Qing’s faction, Yao Sheng swapped numbers with him. So, your opponent is now Yao Sheng, and it looks like he wants to teach you a lesson in the match.”
“Oh?” Xiao Yan’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Isn’t switching numbers against the rules?”
“For the second round, the numbers weren’t announced, and most people kept their numbers closely guarded. No one was as casual as you.” Lin Yan shrugged, taking out his lot and showing it to Xiao Yan. “How about we switch? My opponent is a guy ranked nineteenth, and while he’s strong, he’s not as tough as Yao Sheng.”
Touched by Lin Yan’s gesture, Xiao Yan smiled and pushed the lot back. “I’ve got a bone to pick with that guy. If I retreat, it would be a laughing matter.”
“Are you sure? That guy’s strength is probably at least top fifteen on the Strong Ranking,” Lin Yan said, frowning.
Xiao Yan patted Lin Yan’s shoulder, smiling. Turning his head, he met the cold, disdainful, and challenging gaze of Yao Sheng, who was looking at him from the other side of the high platform.
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