After the second round ended, everyone had another hour to rest and recover the True Origin energy they had expended.
Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, the hour quickly passed.
Xue Wuchang's gaze fell upon the remaining sixteen.
He said, "For the upcoming battles, the rules will change. The sixteen of you will not be eliminated so easily."
"The sixteen of you will receive detailed rankings."
No one's expression changed. They were not surprised that the battle rules would change.
Since the top eight had to be determined, at least two of those in the top ten would have to face each other.
Therefore, the previous rule forbidding challenges against the top ten naturally had to be abolished.
Moreover, a single match deciding victory or defeat would not work either.
Among the sixteen, seven were from Cloud Sea Sect alone, while Dragon Mountain Empire had ten.
If one match decided everything, it would mean that Dragon Mountain Empire would have at least four people in the top ten.
Dragon Mountain Empire could even arrange for its own people to fight each other—for example, have the weaker cultivators face off, ensuring one of them emerged victorious.
Meanwhile, the strongest, Gu Yi and Xiao Yi Xian, could challenge powerful opponents.
With Gu Yi's strength, he could easily continue eliminating talented figures such as Di Ling and Ling Xiao.
That would ensure that even more of them entered the top eight.
Naturally, Xue Wuchang would not allow such a thing to happen.
"Listen carefully to the rules." Xue Wuchang's gaze swept across the crowd, and the clamor throughout the arena immediately quieted, allowing his voice to carry across the plaza.
"The third round will be divided into two stages. During the first half, you will still follow the order of your Jade