Five hundred disciples entered the fifty areas one after another. As the referees announced the start, fierce battles erupted across the fields.
All the arenas were chaotic free-for-alls, as every participant was a rival, harbouring their own schemes and unable to trust others.
Lin Xiao’s gaze swept over the areas where Tianmen disciples were competing, finally settling on Area 30.
The blue-robed youth, Jia Chao, and others also turned their attention to Area 30, their eyes filled with mockery. Yu Xiang’s face was full of malice, eagerly awaiting Hu Yue’s humiliating defeat.
However, a bizarre scene unfolded. While battles raged fiercely in other areas, not a single person in Area 30 made a move.
The nine competitors in the arena began to look dazed, their bodies twitching uncontrollably. One by one, they collapsed, foaming at the mouth and convulsing on the ground.
“What the hell is this?” Jia Chao’s eyes widened, and he couldn’t help but shout.
The surrounding group, including the blue-robed youth and Yu Xiang, stared in disbelief, their faces full of shock.
They had been anticipating Jing Da’s attack on Hu Yue, but before the fight even started, Jing Da was foaming at the mouth and collapsing with the others?
Even Lin Xiao and Wang Long were stunned, as were the other Tianmen disciples.
Gu Juejin, Yu Long, and others also looked shocked. Though they had absolute confidence in their strength, this power still astonished them.
The crowd around the square turned their attention to Area 30, their eyes widening at the sight, as if their eyeballs might pop out.
Even the gazes from the main platform focused on Area 30. This arena was truly standing out.
“Illusion technique! That girl used an illusion technique!” After a moment of stunned silence, Baili He couldn’t help but speak, his tone tinged with astonishment.
“Oh?” The Seventh Elder beside him also showed a surprised expression.
Illusion techniques were a rare form of attack, mastered by few. For a girl of only fifteen or sixteen to wield illusions so proficiently, defeating nine opponents in mere moments, was extraordinary.
The referee for Area 30 was dumbfounded, rubbing his eyes before regaining his composure and announcing, “Area 30, first match, Hu Yue wins!”
Each participant had submitted their bamboo lot, and the referee had memorised the ten names and faces, so he knew Hu Yue’s identity.
Initially, he had favoured Jing Da, whose aura was the strongest in the group.
But the outcome was completely unexpected.
This was a hallmark of every ranking competition, and also what made it thrilling.
“My God, what kind of monster is that girl? She didn’t even lift a finger, and nine people were foaming at the mouth. She won first!”
“No idea what those nine went through, but it looks miserable.”
“As expected of the ranking competition—full of freaks!”
The crowd buzzed with excitement, waves of astonished voices rising. Area 30 had stolen the spotlight, winning without even fighting—a truly stunning performance.
Many showed envy. She had passed the first round so effortlessly.
Some disciples quietly sighed in relief, grateful they hadn’t faced this girl, or they’d have lost without knowing how.
Among the crowd, a woman in a green dress trembled, her eyes narrowing.
It was none other than Huan Die.
She practised illusion techniques, and Hu Yue’s feat of defeating nine opponents without resistance was nearly on par with her own current illusion skills.
Only she knew that Hu Yue had learned her illusions from the Linghuan Moon Robe, mastering them in just three months to achieve such power.
It was clear how formidable that illusion technique was.
She had once had a chance to obtain it but missed out.
“Clear the field, prepare for the next round,” the Area 30 referee announced. A group rushed in to carry out the ten competitors, a team dedicated to clearing the field, unexpectedly needed so soon.
The nine were nearly unconscious as they were carried out, their part in the competition over.
“Hahaha, Jing Da’s touch was really ‘light’!” Wang Long burst into excited laughter.
“Exactly, Jing Da’s incredible—down without even making a move!”
“Jing Da’s a genius, hahaha…”
The Tianmen disciples’ laughter rang out, filled with unrestrained glee.
The blue-robed youth and his group looked livid.
“Heh, that’s what happens to those who dare target Tianmen,” Lin Xiao smirked, glancing at their sour faces.
“Humph, we’ll see!” The blue-robed youth flicked his sleeve and stormed off. He had boasted about teaching Lin Xiao a lesson and anticipated watching his reaction, but Jing Da hadn’t lasted a single move. The reality was too humiliating, leaving him no face to stay.
“This score will be settled!” Yu Xiang gritted her teeth unwillingly as she left, the others following in shame and anger.
“Huh, why’re you all leaving?” Hu Yue, now out of the arena, approached and asked with feigned confusion.
Their steps faltered, and they left with cold snorts. The girl was clearly rubbing salt in their wounds.
Reaching Lin Xiao and the others, Hu Yue grinned smugly and said, “How’d I do?”
“Great!” Lin Xiao gave a thumbs-up.
“Great? That was beyond great—explosive! Did you see their faces? Priceless!” Ba Hu praised.
Hu Yue’s smug expression grew even prouder, a sly glint in her eyes. “Heh, wait till the second round when I challenge a Martial King. It’ll be even more spectacular.”
Ba Hu paused, then burst into hearty laughter.
Lin Xiao felt a surge of anticipation. In the Tianwu versus Martial King challenge, competitors could choose their opponents. With Hu Yue’s strength, defeating a first-level Martial King should be feasible. If she targeted Yu Xiang or her allies, their reactions would be even more spectacular.
Meanwhile, the battles raged on fiercely, with several arenas showcasing astonishing strength. Some competitors fought one against ten, swiftly eliminating all opponents.
As one match ended in an area, another began immediately, wasting no time.
After two hours, over 600 matches concluded.
Besides Hu Yue, more than a dozen other arenas drew significant attention.
In those matches, competitors defeated all nine opponents with a single strike, blasting them out of the arena.
Their strength was formidable.
Two disciples, however, stood out as the most unique and captivating, their methods extraordinarily distinctive.
