A deep, resonant chime echoed once more across Thunder Mountain, followed by Venerable Lei's thunderous voice, powerful enough to make the sky tremble.
"The free-for-all battle — begins!"
The moment his words fell, the crowd roared in excitement, their cheers shaking the heavens. The boiling fervor in the air was enough to make anyone's blood surge. Yet within the arena, the young contestants — true elites of the younger generation, all 3-Star Dou Huang and above — stood calm and vigilant, unshaken by the noise. No one dared make the first reckless move.
From his seat above, Liu Xi observed the vast arena below. Feng Qing'er, Mu Qingluan, Tang Ying, and Wang Chen — the four representatives of the Four Pavilions — each occupied their own section of the field. Their auras alone made the surrounding participants hesitate to approach. It was clear that, barring surprises, these four would secure half of the eight available finalist spots.
Meanwhile, Lin Yan and Han Yue stood side by side. Having trained together at Jia Nan Academy, their coordination was natural and seamless. A single glance was enough for Liu Xi to gauge their strength — both around the 4-Star Dou Huang level, just barely meeting the threshold to participate in the Grand Meeting.
Seeing familiar faces in this foreign land brought Liu Xi a faint sense of nostalgia, but he was no caretaker. He would not intervene unless necessary. Every cultivator had their own path to walk, and true strength was tempered only through battle. Injuries were inevitable — even necessary. Only when their lives were truly in danger would he act.
As he sat watching, Liu Xi occasionally exchanged words with the other Dou Zun powerhouses, discussing the competitors below. He offered calm, insightful remarks — which fighter showed the strongest surface power, who appeared to be a hidden dark horse — and praised the quality of the Four Pavilions' younger disciples.
From the mouth of an 8th Tier Alchemist, his words carried immense weight. The Dou Zun elders listened with pleased smiles, flattering him in return. They even complimented his "promising juniors," Lin Yan and Han Yue, for managing to hold their own among such competition.
Soon, the calm within the arena broke. The sound of a sharp exhale sliced through the air as a young fighter's gaze hardened. His figure blurred — and in the next instant, his weapon pierced into the blind spot of a nearby opponent. A savage strike, meant to kill.
Liu Xi's attention sharpened instantly. Fifty-four contestants filled the field, all of them at least 3-Star Dou Huang, with several reaching the 7th, 8th, or even 9th Star. The sight was spectacular.
He couldn't help but compare it to the past — the battles of the Jia Ma Empire, whether at Yunlan Sect or Black Mountain Fortress, where Dou Huang experts were few and far between. Even in the Black-Corner Region, one could scarcely gather such a lineup of young elites. Truly, the Central Plains was a land of unrivaled talent and abundance.
Thunder, flames, hurricanes, and frost — countless attributes of Dou Qi burst into being, colliding and detonating like a thousand storms within the arena. The destructive energy illuminated the battlefield, every blast shaking the ground.
But to Liu Xi's eyes, these attacks were little more than sparks. If he wished, he could have erased them with a wave of his hand. A typical Dou Huang couldn't even stir the void, much less shatter it.
Feng Qing'er and the other Pavilion prodigies made their moves one after another, sweeping aside opponents with overwhelming might. To reach the top eight, they would first clear the field.
At the edge of the chaos, Lin Yan and Han Yue fought back-to-back. Their teamwork allowed them to fend off attacks from both sides, staying mobile and avoiding concentrated assaults. For the moment, they managed to endure.
In such a battle, awareness was survival. Every fighter within reach could be an executioner waiting for a single lapse of focus. As time passed, the number of participants dwindled rapidly — unable to withstand the assault of the four Pavilion elites.
…Forty-five… thirty-eight… thirty-two… twenty-five…
Each clash drew wild cheers from the crowd. Faces flushed with excitement, spectators screamed as if their very souls were burning.
Those still standing now were far stronger than the first wave — most had reached 5-Star Dou Huang and above. The chaotic battlefield gradually grew quieter, every remaining fighter standing guard over a chosen position, conserving energy and awaiting the next opportunity.
Among them, Lin Yan and Han Yue stood out clearly. Though weaker than many others, their cooperation had carried them further than anyone expected. They stood back-to-back, battered and bloodstained, yet still on their feet.
But fortune runs thin. Three nearby Dou Huang had already turned their sights toward the pair, exchanging subtle nods before closing in.
They all knew of the duo's connection to Liu Xi — but this was a tournament, not a display of sentiment. Sooner or later, every battle demanded winners and losers. Better to eliminate them now.
The three fighters struck in unison, surrounding Lin Yan and Han Yue with a deadly rhythm.
From above, Liu Xi saw everything — and remained still. As long as they weren't in mortal danger, he would let them experience this battle fully.
Venerable Lei noticed the encirclement and turned with a smile.
"Master Liu, it seems your juniors are in a bit of trouble. Would you like me to have Qing'er lend them a hand?"
Venerable Feng and Venerable Jian both frowned. Interfering now would break the fairness of the match. Yet Venerable Huang chuckled darkly.
"Heh, this old man could send Wang Chen as well. With both of them helping, Master Liu's juniors might just make it to the top eight."
Liu Xi chuckled softly and shook his head.
"They have their own path to walk. As their senior, I won't interfere in their growth. As long as their lives are safe, whether victory or defeat, the experience itself will teach them more than words ever could."
Venerable Lei let out a hearty laugh. "Well said! Every one of us reached this stage by surviving countless battles, countless brushes with death. Master Liu, you truly see things clearly."
Liu Xi smiled faintly, turning his gaze back to the arena. As expected, under the combined assault of three higher-ranked Dou Huang, Lin Yan and Han Yue were pushed to their limits.
Eventually, Han Yue — her injuries accumulated — was struck hard and fell, unable to rise again. The three attackers refrained from delivering a fatal blow, instead turning on Lin Yan. Though he fought valiantly, he could not withstand their assault for long.
Both were eliminated, failing to reach the top eight.
Liu Xi sighed softly, shaking his head in mild regret. Their strength was still lacking. But now that they had fought and fallen, it was time for him to act.
"Venerable Lei," Liu Xi said with a faint smile, "please have my juniors brought up here. I'll tend to their injuries — and catch up with them properly."
(End of Chapter)
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