The entire scene erupted with excitement, the crowd buzzing with anticipation. A battle where life and death were at stake was a true fight, and only such stakes made it thrilling.
Hearing Shèng Qiānyǔ’s words, Lín Xiāo was stunned. The third round’s rules allowed for killing as long as the opponent didn’t concede. Grudges could be settled in the arena. No wonder Duàn Dōngfēng had warned that the consequences of not conceding would be unbearable; he had known the rules and intended to kill Lín Xiāo to avenge the Duàn Family and Duàn Tiānyá. However, whether Duàn Dōngfēng could kill him depended on his ability.
“Each participant may take healing elixirs outside the arena, but no elixirs or Martial Emperor seals are allowed during battle. Violators will result in their faction being banned from the Southeast Region Youth Meeting for three sessions,” Shèng Qiānyǔ added.
This rule was well-known to all Martial Emperors. A ban for three sessions meant thirty years of exclusion, a significant loss that would also tarnish a family’s reputation. Thus, participants typically ensured they carried no Martial Emperor seals, and any existing seals were removed beforehand.
“Now, each group will draw lots to begin,” Shèng Qiānyǔ announced.
Lín Xiāo stepped forward to draw his lot. The five participants first drew numbers, then drew opponents based on those numbers. Lín Xiāo drew number five, Lú Qīngyù drew one, Yīn Hǎo two, Duàn Dōngfēng three, and Luó Zhèng four. After inscribing their names on the bamboo sticks, they handed them to the referee.
Lú Qīngyù went first, drawing an opponent’s stick and passing it to the referee. The referee unsealed it and announced loudly, “Group One, first match: Lú Qīngyù versus Duàn Dōngfēng!” He displayed the stick for all to see.
Lú Qīngyù’s expression darkened. His first opponent was Duàn Dōngfēng, whose brother, Duàn Tiānyá, had made a name for himself in the first round. As Tiānyá’s clan brother, Duàn Dōngfēng was likely stronger, possibly among the top talents at the second-level Martial Monarch realm. Facing him in the first match left Lú Qīngyù in a dilemma: conceding would be humiliating, but fighting would likely lead to a beating or worse, endanger his life.
Duàn Dōngfēng, hearing his name, smirked disdainfully. A first-level Martial Monarch like Lú Qīngyù was beneath his notice.
“Concede,” Lín Xiāo transmitted to Lú Qīngyù, seeing clearly that he was no match for Duàn Dōngfēng. If Duàn Dōngfēng used Lín Xiāo’s connection to the Líng Family to target Lú Qīngyù ruthlessly, he would be in grave danger. Though Lú Qīngyù’s attitude toward him was poor, he was still part of the Líng Family’s team.
Lú Qīngyù shook his head and replied via transmission, “The Líng and Duàn Families have no enmity, and I have no personal conflict with them. Duàn Dōngfēng likely won’t kill me. Offending a Martial Emperor faction is unwise. I’ll test his strength and concede if necessary.”
He then stepped onto the first-layer arena’s stone platform, bowing to Duàn Dōngfēng. “Please go easy, Brother Duàn!”
“I’ll hold back for three moves,” Duàn Dōngfēng said disdainfully as he entered the arena.
“Thank you, Brother Duàn!” Lú Qīngyù said, slightly relieved.
“Let’s begin!” Duàn Dōngfēng said impatiently.
Lú Qīngyù nodded, drawing a long sword and releasing his first-level Martial Monarch aura.
“Duàn Dōngfēng from Group One is about to fight.”
“Duàn Tiānyá was already impressive. With higher cultivation, Duàn Dōngfēng should be even stronger.”
“Higher cultivation doesn’t always mean greater strength. Let’s see if he lives up to Tiānyá’s reputation.”
The crowd buzzed with discussion as other groups began their matches, figures darting into the layered Void Battlefields. The atmosphere was electric with continuous chatter.
Lú Qīngyù unleashed his strongest sword strike, a dazzling light bursting forth, illuminating all directions. The brilliant sword beam, infused with immense power, surged toward Duàn Dōngfēng.
Duàn Dōngfēng sneered, throwing a punch forward. A torrential aura erupted from him, his radiant fist beam carrying overwhelming killing intent and terrifying force, colliding with Lú Qīngyù’s sword beam.
“Not good!” Lín Xiāo’s brows furrowed. Far from holding back, Duàn Dōngfēng’s attack was laced with lethal intent, clearly aiming to kill Lú Qīngyù.
A thunderous explosion followed as their forces clashed. Lú Qīngyù’s sword beam shattered, and the unstoppable fist beam surged toward him. His face paled, eyes wide with terror at the sheer power of Duàn Dōngfēng’s first strike. The fist beam was too fast, striking him in an instant.
With a loud crash, the fist beam pierced Lú Qīngyù’s chest, blood spraying from the wound. His body flew backward, crashing onto the ground outside the arena, lifeless.
The crowd watching Group One gasped in shock. Lú Qīngyù had been killed by Duàn Dōngfēng in a single move?
“Duàn Dōngfēng’s strength is terrifying!”
“The Duàn Family’s talents are formidable. Duàn Tiānyá’s reputation was well-earned, and Duàn Dōngfēng’s strength is even more fearsome!”
“Killing an opponent in one move is too domineering. Isn’t he afraid of offending Líng Huáng?”
“This is the third round. Until a concession is made, life and death don’t matter. It’s within the rules, so even Líng Huáng can’t touch him.”
“Still, this shows no respect for the Líng Family. He’s provoked them indirectly.”
“Duàn Huáng isn’t one to be trifled with. If Líng Huáng retaliates covertly, it won’t end well.”
“The Líng Family is a new Emperor faction with a weak team. It’s not that Duàn Dōngfēng is too strong; Lú Qīngyù was just too weak.”
“Not necessarily. Duàn Dōngfēng didn’t even use his full strength. A casual strike killed Lú Qīngyù. Imagine how terrifying he’d be at full power.”
“Exactly. Lú Qīngyù was a first-level Martial Monarch, carefully selected from his region. Killing him so easily requires absolute strength.”
“With Duàn Dōngfēng this strong, Lín Xiāo is in danger, especially since he eliminated Duàn Tiānyá.”
“Let’s see if Lín Xiāo dares to fight when they’re matched.”
The crowd’s heated discussions continued. Compared to the first two rounds, the third was far bloodier, with the first match ending in a kill.
Seeing Lú Qīngyù’s death, Líng Xiāo’s expression darkened. He waved his hand, instructing Liǔ Yìrán to retrieve Lú Qīngyù’s body.
“Líng Huáng, my apologies. It was Duàn Dōngfēng’s first time in the arena, and he misjudged his strength,” Duàn Huáng said to Líng Xiāo.
“No matter. It was his own lack of skill,” Líng Xiāo replied.
“Indeed. In the arena, blades are merciless. If one lacks strength, it’s best to concede to avoid further accidents,” Duàn Huáng said, glancing at Zǐ Huáng and Lín Xiāo with a meaningful tone.
Líng Xiāo snorted coldly, saying no more.
Zǐ Huáng’s expression was also grim. With Duàn Dōngfēng’s strength, even Lín Xiāo might be at risk. “Didn’t you say you’d hold back for three moves?” Lín Xiāo said, frowning at Duàn Dōngfēng.
