Whoa!
Baili He’s words stirred a thousand waves, and the scene erupted into a frenzy.
Three months from now, a grand tournament would be held—not just for the ten outer courtyards’ disciples entering the inner courtyard, but also for those staying in Saint City who didn’t make the cut.
That meant nearly all the disciples here, plus those arriving later—some three to four thousand—would participate.
Add to that the geniuses from Saint City’s various factions, likely no fewer than the new disciples, and the veteran inner courtyard disciples, and the scale could hit several thousand. Even excluding the top one hundred eighty on the Star List, the numbers barely dipped.
In terms of quality, every outer courtyard disciple was a local prodigy, and the top ten from each were exceptionally gifted.
The toughest competition would likely be the veteran Shengyuan Academy disciples. With years of training, their age and cultivation outstripped the newcomers.
Even without the top one hundred eighty, the tournament might see five or six hundred Martial King geniuses among the veterans. Securing a top one hundred spot would be brutally tough.
Climbing higher, into the top几十名, was even harder.
The ten best new disciples from the outer courtyards might only scrape the top one hundred, with someone like Gu Juejin possibly pushing for seventieth or eightieth.
Yet, despite the challenge, the disciples weren’t discouraged—they were thrilled.
Top five hundred meant rewards equal to the slaughter trial’s fourth place, with attention comparable to that rank.
Higher ranks brought greater focus, and the top one hundred earned priority training from Shengyuan Academy.
The resources of a superpower like Shengyuan Academy were tantalising just to think about.
Most importantly, many had underperformed in the slaughter trial, but now they’d get a chance to shine.
A tournament was the most direct test of true strength—might made right.
Unlike kill points, which could be inflated, like Lin Xiao’s. They were convinced they’d outshine him by miles in the tournament.
And if they got lucky and faced Lin Xiao, defeating the million-point slaughter trial champion? That thought alone was exhilarating.
The scene would be spectacular!
Hearing this, Hong Feng, Yu Long, and Wu Ke smirked with sly grins. The ranking tournament—wasn’t it their stage too?
“Heh, Saint City’s ranking tournament—I’m eager to see how much water this slaughter trial champion’s got!” Hong Feng sneered at Lin Xiao, his tone dripping with mockery.
“All hype, no substance!” Wu Ke glanced dismissively at Lin Xiao, not taking him seriously.
“I’m actually rooting for Brother Lin Xiao!” Silver-shirted Bu Xi smiled at Lin Xiao, showing no scorn, his poise remarkable.
Yu Long said nothing, ignoring Lin Xiao and turning to Gu Juejin. “When the time comes, I hope we can clash and settle the score!”
Gu Juejin was his true rival.
“I’d be delighted!” Gu Juejin replied with a serene smile, his gaze shifting to Lin Xiao and Shura Butcher. “I’m also looking forward to facing you all.”
“Anytime!” Shura Butcher growled, aura menacing.
“Lin Xiao, I’ll show you who’s the real top dog of the Tenth Outer Courtyard!” Duan Cangsheng stepped forward, his face cold with intent.
“So many want to fight me—go ahead!” Lin Xiao gave a faint smile, meeting every challenge with a calm gaze.
To the crowd, though, it sounded different—like he feared no one and would take on any challenger.
That was just too arrogant, and the crowd, especially the First Outer Courtyard disciples, nearly exploded.
“Hmph, just Heavenly Martial eighth tier, and you’re acting cocky? I could crush you with one hand!”
“Right, in the real tournament, you’ll see the true gap between the Tenth and First Outer Courtyards!”
“The Tenth will be exposed—dead last!”
The First Outer Courtyard disciples hurled insults, brimming with provocation.
“Hmph, think our Tenth Outer Courtyard’s got no one? Watch our Shura Butcher—he’ll make you regret it, just like now!”
“Exactly, Lin Xiao killed a Martial Venerable fair and square—not some fluke!”
“Wait and see who the real deal is!”
The Tenth Outer Courtyard fired back, Tianmen disciples especially confident in Lin Xiao. Though Heavenly Martial eighth tier, he could battle early-stage Martial Kings with third-grade spiritual power, as strong as anyone.
With Hu Yue, a terrifying assassin, plus Shura Butcher, Duan Cangsheng, Huan Die, and Dao Yi, the Tenth’s overall strength matched the First’s.
“Our Second Outer Courtyard’s Yu Long will aim for first—Gu Juejin might even fall to him!”
“Heh, our Third Outer Courtyard’s Silver Sword Bu Xi’s no pushover.”
“Fifth Outer Courtyard’s Wu Ke—domineering and unmatched!”
Voices of bravado rang out for the new disciples’ tournament, each backing their courtyard’s top dog, confident in themselves and their peers.
“When the time comes, you’ll see the Ninth Outer Courtyard’s legendary Ma Bi show his might!” Ma Bi bellowed, drawing scornful looks.
You? With barely a thousand points? Legendary?
“Heh, you’ll see—I, Niu Bi, won’t claim first, but no one else dares claim second…” Niu Bi chuckled beside him.
“Oi, why’re you stealing my line?” Ma Bi cursed.
The nearby crowd was speechless.
These two, aiming for first? Pure fantasy.
“Hmph, Lin Xiao, I’ll show you—Ji Mo will surpass you!” Ji Mo glared coldly at Lin Xiao from the crowd, resolute, vowing inwardly.
Qi Mubai beside him felt the same—Lin Xiao was their target to overtake.
Others might not know, but they knew Lin Xiao’s strength.
Yet they believed they’d shine in the new disciples’ tournament.
“Brother Lin Xiao, I’m rooting for you!” Yu Jingge in the crowd looked at Lin Xiao with admiration.
“Heh, it’s great to see such confidence, but true strength is proven in battle. I look forward to your brilliance in the tournament. Now, head to Saint City. Those who didn’t pass the trial, form a separate group—you can choose your faction once inside.”
Baili He smiled, not dampening the new disciples’ spirits, and glanced at an inner courtyard youth, who nodded, stepping forward to lead.
“Everyone else, to Shengyuan Academy’s headquarters in Saint City!” Baili He spoke again, his gaze settling on Lin Xiao with a smile. “Lin Xiao, come with me!”
The excited crowd gasped—Lin Xiao, personally escorted by the top core elder? That treatment was unreal!
They got disciple escorts; Lin Xiao got the top core elder. The gap was massive.
Many cast envious looks. High-level attention meant high-level importance.
But what could they do? Their kill points paled next to Lin Xiao’s.
Still, they were convinced that after the tournament, Lin Xiao’s status would plummet, overtaken by countless others, likely ranking in the thousands.
Lin Xiao ignored their thoughts, more concerned about whether the academy’s higher-ups would demand his Void Phoenix Wings once he entered.
But considering Baili He’s character and Shengyuan Academy’s stature, they likely wouldn’t covet a disciple’s fortune.
Finally, Lin Xiao nodded to Baili He, ready to move. But at that moment, a vein pulsed on his forehead—he sensed a thick killing intent surging toward him.
It was the keen instinct honed by merging with the Devouring Heaven Spirit Emperor and his own experience.
Without hesitation, Lin Xiao retreated, hurling out his Green Corpse Puppet.
Clang!
A dagger struck the puppet, its immense force sending it flying back.
“Fifth-grade senior spiritual power!” Lin Xiao’s face paled. Had he not reacted swiftly, that strike would’ve killed him.
Someone was trying to assassinate him now—a fifth-grade senior spirit controller!
It didn’t take much to guess: it had to be Elder Zhong, the You Tian Demon Palace’s spirit controller, come to hunt him down.
The commotion stunned the crowd, who instinctively grasped the situation.
An ambush!
Someone dared try to kill Lin Xiao, the slaughter trial’s top disciple, right in front of Shengyuan Academy’s core elder. Who had such audacity?
