“First match, Dao Yi wins!”
The referee’s voice rang out.
The surrounding crowd was somewhat shocked. Dao Yi was impressive, defeating his opponent in exactly three moves as promised.
Ba Hu’s expression grew serious. Yu Ning seemed weak, but his unleashed power wasn’t. Yet he was defeated in three moves, showing Dao Yi’s strength. If Ba Hu faced him, it’d be a tough fight.
“See that? Heavenly Martial ninth-level is nothing before me,” Dao Yi said, glancing at Lin Xiao and Ba Hu with disdain before leaving the arena.
Ba Hu clenched his fists, his eyes icy.
Lin Xiao was also surprised. Dao Yi’s strength among first-level Martial Kings was notable, no wonder the Sword Alliance valued him.
Those three slashes were casual, their depths unclear.
“Interesting!” Zhao Jing smirked, a smile on his face.
On the main platform, the Sword Alliance’s representative, Dao Chi, glanced at Arena 40. His expression remained calm, but he was satisfied with Dao Yi’s casual three-move victory, a promising new member.
His gaze lingered briefly before shifting to other arenas, as battles had begun across all fields.
Cheers and discussions erupted from every direction, the square buzzing with excitement.
“Number two, Liao Wenhao, versus Jia Zhao!”
After the second draw for Group 40, the referee’s voice sounded again.
Liao Wenhao, a first-level Martial King, faced Jia Zhao, a second-level Martial King.
Once in the arena, Jia Zhao dominated, also using three moves to defeat the lower-level Liao Wenhao.
“Hmph, a first-level Martial King dares to challenge me!” Jia Zhao snorted, eyes full of disdain, then glanced at Lin Xiao, using the remark to prove first-level Martial Kings were no match for him.
Lin Xiao ignored him.
“Third match, Bi Zhu, versus Lin Xiao!”
As the announcement came, Zhao Jing and others’ eyes lit up, eager to see what this “trash” Lin Xiao could do.
But seeing his opponent, Bi Zhu looked dejected. As Lin Xiao entered the arena, he immediately said, “I surrender!”
Zhao Jing, Fang Yang, and others were disappointed. A first-level Martial King surrendering right away—what was this?
“Senior Brother Zhao, Brother Fang, they fought before, and Bi Zhu lost, so he surrendered,” Jia Zhao explained respectfully beside them.
Hearing this, they nodded. Surrendering instantly was something only their level could command. A first-level Martial King didn’t have that privilege.
“Fourth match, Zhu Shi, versus Liao Wenhao!”
As the referee called, Liao Wenhao took the stage again.
The draw system meant fighters went up in numbered order, but opponents were randomly selected, so even someone who just fought could be picked again.
Thus, Liao Wenhao, fresh off a match, was chosen again.
Both were cross-tier fighters. Zhu Shi, a second-level Martial King, was strong but couldn’t defeat Liao Wenhao in a few moves.
After a fierce battle, Zhu Shi finally won.
This showed many that Zhu Shi wasn’t that formidable.
Jia Zhao felt smug. If Zhu Shi struggled, it meant he could easily beat him, adding another win to his tally.
In this arena, besides Fang Yang and Zhao Jing, he could likely defeat everyone else, aiming for five wins.
Five wins might not guarantee advancement, but it gave him a shot at the twenty extra spots across the forty groups.
“Fifth match, Ba Hu, versus Liao Wenhao!”
The referee’s voice sounded, and the crowd around Arena 40 sighed.
Liao Wenhao was truly unlucky. In just five matches for Group 40, he’d been picked three times, fresh off a brutal fight.
He must’ve felt like crying.
Hearing the call, Liao Wenhao trudged up, looking defeated. Luckily, his opponent was only ninth-level Heavenly Martial, or he’d have surrendered.
“No offence!” Ba Hu roared, launching a ferocious assault like a savage beast. Liao Wenhao was stunned—this Heavenly Martial ninth-level was no pushover. It’d be a tough fight.
After a fierce quarter-hour, Liaoみる Wenhao fell to Ba Hu.
This was the first cross-tier win by a ninth-level Heavenly Martial, though luck played a part.
Liao Wenhao was exhausted from his previous battle.
Next, number six, Fang Yang, drew his lot. Everyone’s gazes grew serious. As a third-level Martial King and Zhao Jing’s lackey, his strength was likely formidable.
“Sixth match, Fang Yang, versus Jia Zhao!”
Jia Zhao frowned. His opponent was Fang Yang?
Though he sensed Fang Yang’s strength, he wasn’t ready to give up, determined to fight.
“Brother Fang Yang, please go easy!” Jia Zhao bowed before engaging, but Fang Yang’s power exceeded his and everyone’s expectations.
One move—Fang Yang defeated Jia Zhao in a single move.
Even Lin Xiao was surprised. Fang Yang’s strength was indeed exceptional, stronger than the average third-level Martial King.
For the seventh match, number seven, Yu Ning, drew Zhao Jing.
As Zhao Jing stepped up, Yu Ning immediately said, “Senior Brother Zhao, I surrender!”
“Smart move!” Zhao Jing smirked, then left the arena.
Everyone agreed no one would dare fight Zhao Jing. He’d likely advance undefeated.
“Eighth match, Jia Zhao, versus Lin Xiao!”
Jia Zhao’s eyes lit up, and he burst into excited laughter. “Hahaha, Lin Xiao, finally drew you!”
Outside, Yu Xiang, still recovering from Hu Yue’s attack yesterday, was watching Arena 40. She’d come to see Lin Xiao and Hu Yue get crushed.
“Brother Jia will win. Lin Xiao’s doomed!”
“Right, Big Brother Jia Zhao is a second-level Martial King. No matter how strong Lin Xiao is, he can’t cross tiers to beat him!”
Jia Zhao’s eliminated allies, now siding with Yu Xiang because of Lin Xiao, voiced their support.
Yu Xiang nodded slightly, her unease calming.
Jia Zhao would surely defeat Lin Xiao.
Her confidence grew firm.
