The final day of the elimination rounds ended without a ripple.
There was no earth-shattering reversal, no weaker student overcoming a stronger one and knocking down a student at the Da Dou Shi level.
Every student who had reached the Da Dou Shi level successfully made the top 50.
Xiao Yao looked down at the square from Yellow Class Two's section. It was afternoon, and there was still some time before the day ended.
The academy had also gathered the students who had made the top 50 here to ask what they wanted to do.
If any students needed more time to consolidate their strength, as Han Yue had the previous year, the academy would select replacements in another elimination round to fill out the top 50.
Several Eight-Star and Nine-Star Dou Shi students gritted their teeth, unwilling to miss their chance at the top five, and ultimately chose to try again the following year.
The academy immediately organized another elimination round to select students.
Instructor Ruo Lin, standing beside Xiao Yao, said with a smile,
"Actually, quite a few people choose to take more time every year, but very few can do what Han Yue did and truly compete for the top five after another year."
Xiao Yao looked thoughtful. He glanced at the students around him and said, "Is it because there are more than five students at the Da Dou Shi level every year?"
Instructor Ruo Lin nodded and smiled. "That's right. This year, for example, there are seven Da Dou Shi students, including you."
"Even if those students cultivate diligently for a year and succeed in breaking through to Da Dou Shi, they'll still have to fight students at the same level if they want a shot at the top five."
Xiao Yao added with a smile, "Even if there are exactly five Da Dou Shi students, they might run into each other early and miss out on the top five."
"Exactly. Luck plays a big part in the fight for the top five, but there's no denying that luck is sometimes a kind of strength too."
Ruo Lin patted Xiao Yao on the shoulder. "It's like opportunities out in the wild. Being strong doesn't guarantee you'll find one. On the contrary, there are plenty of stories about Dou Zhe finding opportunities and rising from then on."
"Xiao Yao, good luck. I hope you don't run into students at the same level one after another."
"Thank you, Instructor Ruo Lin."
Although Xiao Yao wasn't afraid of consecutive fights, he didn't explain further. He simply nodded with a smile and thanked Instructor Ruo Lin for her well-wishes.
The next day, the number of spectators around the square was even more staggering. They included not only students from the academy, but also spectators from Jia Nan City who had come after hearing about the event.
As residents of a city under Jia Nan Academy's protection, the people of Jia Nan City naturally knew that this day was a rare grand occasion at the academy.
On this day, a group of the most gifted students in Jia Nan Academy's Outer Academy would display their talent and strength to the fullest.
It was no exaggeration to call it a clash of dragons and tigers, and it naturally drew countless spectators eager to see the genius students in action.
The area outside the square was already packed with people. Xiao Yao and his companions only managed to enter through a dedicated passage.
"It's so lively!"
Xiao Yu stepped out of the dark passage and looked up. Startled by the dense sea of heads surrounding the square, she couldn't help exclaiming.
"Cousin Xiao Yao, do your best today!"
"Brother Xiao Yao, I know you can do it. I'll come find you in the Inner Academy next year."
Xun'er spoke with a beaming smile.
Xiao Yi Xian, meanwhile, was a little nervous. "Young Master Xiao Yao, please be careful."
Xiao Yao smiled confidently. "Don't worry. I'll bring first place back for you to see."
Xiao Yao had made no effort to lower his voice, and the other competing students around him heard what he said.
Quite a few couldn't help looking over. Some looked grave, some disdainful, and some even jealous.
After all, Xiao Yao stood out far too much with all those beauties around him, not to mention peerlessly beautiful girls like Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian.
Any male student who saw him couldn't help feeling envy, jealousy, and resentment, wishing he could take Xiao Yao's place.
Xiao Yao sensed the meaning behind those gazes and smiled faintly, paying them no mind. Once they got on the field, everything would become clear.
Clang!
A clear peal of a bell rang throughout the venue, finally quieting the uproarious square somewhat.
Countless gazes converged on the central viewing platform. Several figures had appeared there unnoticed, all higher-ups of the academy.
At their head was the academy's vice dean, Hu Gan.
Hu Gan stepped forward and first congratulated the 50 students before him, his voice filled with amusement.
"Congratulations on making it through the elimination rounds and into the top 50, earning yourselves the right to enter the Inner Academy."
"However, even within the Inner Academy, there are very clear rankings. If you want better cultivation conditions there, you must place as high as you can in this competition."
"So, do you understand? Fight with everything you have!"
As his words fell, the whole venue erupted in cheers.
After Hu Gan finished speaking, a Dou Ling instructor took charge of the competition.
The 50 students went up to the platform in turn and drew small balls from a wooden box. Numbers were written on the balls, and those who drew matching numbers would be opponents.
Xiao Yao stepped onto the platform and reached into the wooden box held by an elder. He sensed Dou Qi stirring inside it.
This was to prevent anyone from using their soul power to sense what was inside the box.
Xiao Yao had no intention of cheating either. He casually drew a ball with the number six written on it.
That's pretty early.
Xiao Yao thought to himself as he carried the ball down to the square and began to wait.
With time to spare, Xiao Yao looked up at the viewing platform. Besides Hu Gan, there were several elders who also gave off a powerful presence.
One of them, a quiet, taciturn elder dressed in an unusual uniform, caught Xiao Yao's attention.
From this elder, he sensed extremely dense fire-attribute energy and a powerful soul presence.
Taken together, there was a good chance the man was an alchemist.
Xiao Yao soon looked away, however, and turned his attention to the students beginning to enter the arena.
After Xiao Yao looked away, the elder raised his drooping eyelids and looked in Xiao Yao's direction, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Hmm? What unusual Dou Qi. It's far stronger than ordinary fire attribute Dou Qi. If used to assist with alchemy, it would be the best fuel there is!"
"Old Man Huo, what are you looking at?" The gray-robed elder beside him followed Old Man Huo's gaze to Xiao Yao.
"Oh? You've taken a fancy to Xiao Yao? His talent is excellent, but his attribute doesn't seem very well suited to an alchemist."
Old Man Huo gave a disdainful laugh. "What do you know? Do I need you to teach me how to pick an alchemist?"
The gray-robed elder shook his head, at a loss for words. Knowing the man had an eccentric temperament, he didn't stoop to arguing with him.
Still, the viewing platform at the center of the square was only so large. Even the slightest movement couldn't escape the notice of the other experts there.
Seeing that Xiao Yao had caught Old Man Huo's attention, the other academy higher-ups also cast curious glances at him.