As Lin Xiao spoke, Zi Huan, Pan Zihao, and others showed slight embarrassment on their faces.
“I, uh, I bet on Sheng Li,” Liu Yiran stammered, finally admitting honestly.
“I bet on Xing Tian,” Pan Zihao said.
“I bet on Sheng Li and also put some on Ziling,” Zi Hui added.
Lin Xiao’s face darkened. Not one of them had bet on him. As teammates, didn’t they have any faith in him?
“Hehe, Wanxiang Pavilion didn’t even list odds for you. The other three chambers did, though. Baichuan Hai offered the highest at one-to-eight. I bet a hundred cyan spirit stones on you,” Ziling said with a smile.
“You didn’t bet on yourself?” Lin Xiao asked, slightly stunned.
“You’ve created miracles every step of the way. Still, to be safe, I also bet a hundred cyan spirit stones on myself,” Ziling replied.
Lin Xiao was speechless.
“Hey, I went all in on you with fifty cyan spirit stones. Had to borrow them from my father,” Ling Hu said with a grin.
“At least someone believes in me,” Lin Xiao sighed.
If he had the chance, he’d definitely bet on himself. But it was too late now, and he didn’t have many cyan spirit stones left. Such casual betting couldn’t involve Martial Emperors anyway.
Soon, Lin Xiao and his group took their seats. Once all the Martial Emperors were seated, Sheng Qianyu stood and announced, “Everyone, the fourth round of the assembly is about to begin. This round’s ranking battle will determine the true strength rankings of the fifteen youths. Each will fight fourteen matches in a round-robin format, earning one point for a win and half a point for a draw. Final rankings will be based on points. First, the fifteen advancing youths will draw lots for their sequence numbers, then select opponents in order. To account for strong contenders clashing or significant stamina loss, each has one right to temporarily sit out a match. The drawn opponent speaks first. If the same person is drawn consecutively, a rest period will be granted. Other rules remain the same as the previous round.”
Sheng Qianyu explained the rules, then continued, “Now, each advancing youth, please come forward to draw lots.”
At this, Lin Xiao and Ziling stood, joining the other youths at one side of the stone platform.
“Someone wants me to kill you!” Li Renchou approached Lin Xiao with a smile before drawing lots.
“Oh?” Lin Xiao frowned slightly. “Many want me dead, but whether you can kill me depends on your strength.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing the shocked faces of those who want you dead when you shine!” Li Renchou said with a faint smile, then walked away.
Lin Xiao was puzzled. Wasn’t he supposed to want him dead? Why was he now anticipating his brilliance? Was this a warning that someone was coming for him?
His gaze drifted toward Jian Wuqu’s position. Among those present, few likely wanted him dead. Jian Wuqu was one, and the Duan family another.
“No matter who wants me dead, I won’t let you down,” Lin Xiao thought coldly.
As Li Renchou returned, Li Luo asked via transmission, confused, “Cousin, didn’t you say I shouldn’t kill him? Why now…”
“I said you shouldn’t, not me. But I won’t kill him either,” Li Renchou said calmly, arms crossed.
Li Luo was speechless. She felt her cousin had changed. He used to be quiet, but now his words were baffling.
“Is this Li Renchou strong?” Ling Hu asked Lin Xiao quietly.
“Very strong. I fought him in the illusion and we tied. Be careful if you’re matched against him,” Lin Xiao warned softly.
Ling Hu and Ziling were surprised. Few among their generation could match Lin Xiao, yet this Li Renchou had fought him to a draw. This assembly’s initial list was clearly more complex than it seemed.
Soon, Lin Xiao and the others drew their sequence numbers:
1. Sheng Li
2. Wu Shixun
3. Li Renchou
4. Ping Tianhao
5. Ling Hu
6. Xing Tian
7. Huyan Ziruo
8. Li Luo
9. Zilong
10. Lin Xiao
11. Tang Yang
12. Jin Yuxuan
13. Xiang Tianxing
14. Yin Mu
15. Ziling
After the fifteen drew their numbers, the array on the stone platform activated. A barrier surged from the altar around the platform, soaring to a thousand zhang high, creating a single battlefield spanning five hundred zhang in radius and a thousand zhang in height, vastly expanding the combat space.
“Now, please select opponents in order. The fourth round ranking battle begins!” Sheng Qianyu announced.
Sheng Li stepped forward first, drew a lot, and handed it to the referee. The referee opened it and declared, “First match: Sheng Li versus Xing Tian!”
The crowd erupted in noise. Sheng Li, Xing Tian, and Xiang Tianxing were the only third-tier Martial Lords among the youths, considered the strongest three. No one expected them to face off in the first match.
“The strongest clash right in the first match? That’s too early! Will they sit it out?”
“With so many matches left, a clash of titans isn’t good for either. They’ll probably sit out.”
“Maybe not. Both are vying for first. Neither might yield, so they could fight right away.”
Speculation filled the air, but soon Xing Tian’s voice rang out, “Sit out!”
The buzz quieted, aligning with most predictions. With one sit-out right per person, the fiercest battles were typically saved for later.
“Xing Tian sits out. Number two, please select an opponent!” the referee called.
Wu Shixun stepped forward, drew a lot, and handed it to the referee, who opened it and announced, “Wu Shixun versus Li Luo!”
“Fight!” Li Luo nodded, leaping onto the stone platform.
Wu Shixun stepped up, stopping a short distance from Li Luo, and bowed. “Miss Li, please!”
“Please!” Li Luo responded, releasing her second-tier Martial Lord aura fully. She swung her sword, unleashing a dazzling sword beam toward Wu Shixun.
