The Top 32 had already been decided. On the Duel Platform in the very center, Zhuge Xiang and the other thirty-two stood together. After a morning of intense duels, these disciples who were merely at the Qi Cultivation Realm were all heavily drained.
As the Top 32 were decided, a man of about thirty walked onto the stage and began to announce that the morning duels had come to an end. The remaining battles would be held one by one, not simultaneously. It was getting late, and after lunch, the Grand Tournament would continue.
Being able to rest for an hour was naturally what Zhuge Xiang and the others wished for most. Of course, the nearly two hundred thousand disciples below were also ravenous. High-quality duels were something everyone wanted to see, especially the reserve disciples who had just arrived at the Asura Sect and were about to participate in special training. They were filled with anticipation, hoping that a year later, they too could stand out in this Grand Tournament. However, with only thirty-two out of a hundred thousand disciples, it was truly like picking one from ten thousand; it was destined that the vast majority of these people would be disappointed.
Zhuge Xiang, is your injury alright? As Zhuge Xiang walked off the stage, Niu Geng greeted him with concern. Although during the subsequent battles, Zhuge Xiang showed no abnormalities, Ji Wuxue's sword piercing through his chest earlier meant such a severe injury clearly wasn't so easy to treat.
No problem. Holding his chest with his hand, Zhuge Xiang's brows carried a trace of pain, though it flashed past and vanished. He shook his head and spoke.
The pain that flashed across Zhuge Xiang's brows was naturally seen by Niu Geng. Grabbing Zhuge Xiang, Niu Geng said, No, with such a severe injury, as a friend, I won't let you participate in the afternoon's battle. Not a single person among the Top 32 is mediocre; it's too dangerous for you to participate with a severely injured body. Let's go get your injury treated instead.
Alright, Niu Geng, trust me, I'm really fine. Zhuge Xiang was pulled by Niu Geng, but he firmly shook his head, his face bearing a stubborn expression, clearly steadfast in his belief to participate in the afternoon's Grand Tournament. The tug-of-war between Niu Geng and Zhuge Xiang naturally drew the attention of quite a few people. Many among the Top 32 had a hint of a smile surface at the corners of their mouths. They were very clear about Zhuge Xiang's injury; no matter how Zhuge Xiang forced himself to endure, in their view, the heavily injured Zhuge Xiang's threat level had been greatly reduced.
While these people were observing Zhuge Xiang, Zhuge Xiang, as one of the Top 32, was likewise observing them. As expected, none of the Top 32 were simple characters. Among them, there were actually twelve with the cultivation of the Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer. As for the others, even those at the Qi Cultivation Realm Second Layer had fighting prowess that could not be underestimated and possessed their own special methods.
Those twelve disciples of the Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer went without saying; they were all Chosen Ones who had comprehended Qi Energy within about half a year of entering the Asura Sect. Not only was their Qi Energy formidable, but because they had comprehended Qi Energy early enough, their realm of martial arts was also very high. Most importantly, nobody knew whether they still had other hidden cards up their sleeves.
Zhuge Xiang, famous in a single battle today, truly gratifying... Walking on the path to the Dining Hall, just as Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng were tugging at each other, a soft female voice sounded. Turning his head, it was precisely Lu Yuling.
Not at all, who doesn't know Senior Sister Lu's talent? Furthermore, you are good-looking and the ideal woman in the hearts of many senior brothers. Hearing Lu Yuling's praise, Zhuge Xiang smiled and replied. With the elevation of his strength, Zhuge Xiang now possessed the qualification to look Lu Yuling in the eye and could even crack a few jokes with her.
Oh? Including you? Lu Yuling did not feel aversion to Zhuge Xiang's banter, instead asking in return.
I, Zhuge Xiang, am also a normal guy, so naturally I'm no exception. It's just that for me right now, strength is the main thing. Zhuge Xiang's personality was indeed open and straightforward; there was not the slightest coyness when it came to matters involving romance.
Smiling, Lu Yuling was quite satisfied with Zhuge Xiang's answer.
To her, cultivation was also number one right now, and matters of love were indeed too early. If Zhuge Xiang had expressed that he wanted to pursue her, Lu Yuling would instead keep him at a respectful distance. Did he like her? This wasn't any strange answer; Lu Yuling was also very clear about her own charm. If Zhuge Xiang said he didn't like her, that would truly make people feel hypocritical.
Looking into Zhuge Xiang's crystal-clear eyes, Lu Yuling suddenly revealed a brilliant smile. If men in this world were all as open and direct as you, then being liked by someone wouldn't be a bad thing after all.
Suddenly, Zhuge Xiang acutely sensed several gazes carrying obvious hostility landing on him. Casually turning his head to look, they were all talented disciples of this generation, and also figures among the Top 32. Looking again at Lu Yuling's helpless expression, Zhuge Xiang understood that the hidden meaning in her words was that these people's fondness for her was not open and direct enough, only causing her to feel annoyance.
You aren't doing this on purpose, are you? Stirring up their hostility toward me so you can have one less competitor? The ancients truly did not deceive me when they said "most venomous is the heart of a woman"; you're even scheming against a wounded patient like me. Looking somewhat helplessly at Lu Yuling, Zhuge Xiang spoke up.
A wounded patient? Are you really injured? The day I said I was dealing with the Fox Demon, you insisted on clearly knowing the strength of the Fox Demon and me before you were willing to go. Someone like you who cherishes his life so much, would you really act under impulse and participate in the Top 32 duels with a heavily injured body?
Regarding Zhuge Xiang's words, Lu Yuling shook her head, clearly not believing it. Her meaning clearly implied that the dispute between him and Niu Geng could fool others, but it couldn't fool her.
Don't you know that a woman who is too smart won't get married? Zhuge Xiang didn't find it strange that Lu Yuling could see through his act. Through half a month of getting along, Lu Yuling had some understanding of his personality and so on, and similarly, Zhuge Xiang had some understanding of her. In Lu Yuling's heart, Zhuge Xiang was a strong competitor, and how could it be any different in Zhuge Xiang's heart?
The two of them chatted back and forth, and coupled with Niu Geng being somewhat constrained in front of Lu Yuling, the three of them arrived at the Dining Hall just like that. They got some food and sat down in a secluded spot. Because of the reputations of Lu Yuling and Zhuge Xiang, other people wouldn't come over to disturb them.
In front of Zhuge Xiang, Lu Yuling felt that she didn't need to maintain a certain vigilance like she did with other male disciples, because if other male disciples were closer to her relationship-wise, they would always harbor improper thoughts toward her, to the extent of stirring up romantic affairs that delayed cultivation.
As for Zhuge Xiang's personality, it was open and honest. Whether getting along or conversing with him, Lu Yuling could feel very relaxed. Perhaps because the two of them were alike, both taking cultivation as their primary purpose, Lu Yuling wasn't afraid that Zhuge Xiang would delay his cultivation because of so-called improper thoughts.
In everyone's mind, Lu Yuling was like the solitary moon in the firmament, arrogant yet aloof, making people not dare to desecrate her. In the minds of the crowd, she was forever that cold and detached appearance, especially for the many who fancied their own talent and believed they had the qualification to pursue Lu Yuling—they had run into walls no small number of times. Yet today, Lu Yuling was chatting and laughing with Zhuge Xiang, which made quite a few people who had designs on Lu Yuling full of hostility toward Zhuge Xiang.
Feeling the surrounding hostility, Zhuge Xiang not only didn't cower, but instead inwardly rejoiced. Possessing the Super Game System, Zhuge Xiang only feared having no battles; others holding hostility toward him was a good thing. Through the battles, once victorious, his strength could become even stronger. As for defeat? Zhuge Xiang had never considered it.
Although quite a few people harbored hostility toward Zhuge Xiang, no one deliberately stepped forward to provoke him. After all, Zhuge Xiang's strength was not weak, and moreover, the Grand Tournament was imminent; he couldn't waste Qi Energy. Just at this moment, however, a familiar male voice suddenly sounded behind Zhuge Xiang, calling out to him.
What? Are you unconvinced and want to fight me again? Looking at the person standing behind him, Zhuge Xiang narrowed his eyes slightly, while Niu Geng nervously stood up, clearly not wanting this person to disturb Zhuge Xiang.
As it turned out, the person standing behind Zhuge Xiang was impressively none other than Ji Wuxue. Having been carried down by staff to receive treatment, although Ji Wuxue's complexion was still pale and he hadn't fully recovered, it seemed his injuries had stabilized.
I lost today, and naturally I'll seek it back from you another day, but not right now. Shaking his head, Ji Wuxue flipped his hand and took out a blood-red pill. This is a Blood Ginseng Pill, a healing medicine of the sect. The injuries from my sword strike earlier should be quite severe, right? This pill should be able to heal your injuries.
Ah? Looking at the pill handed over by Ji Wuxue, Zhuge Xiang's eyes widened a bit. He completely hadn't expected that when he sought him out, not only was it not for revenge, but he actually wanted to help him heal his injuries. Judging by the look of it, this pill should have been given to him by the sect for healing, yet he had kept it back to give to him.
At Zhuge Xiang's astonished gaze, Ji Wuxue naturally also understood what it meant, and said frankly, Though I was defeated at your hands, I hope you can win a better ranking in the Grand Tournament so that others know my defeat at your hands was not unjust. If you were defeated by someone else immediately, that would be what brings dishonor to my reputation.
Shaking his head, Zhuge Xiang declined Ji Wuxue's good intentions. I can promise you that this time I will inevitably win first place in the Grand Tournament. As for the pill, there's no need; my injuries are of no major consequence.
Saying this, Zhuge Xiang paused slightly and then continued, Additionally, I want to say that someone like you isn't actually suited for a Demonic path sect like the Asura Sect.
Since Zhuge Xiang had confidence, Ji Wuxue said no more and turned to leave. Regarding Zhuge Xiang's evaluation of him, Ji Wuxue said nothing.
Sitting down, Niu Geng spoke up, Although this Ji Wuxue strikes ruthlessly, he can still be considered an upright person and is worth associating with.
He is a true swordsman, but such a personality is unsuitable in a Demonic path sect. Niu Geng's words caused Zhuge Xiang to shake his head. Then, looking at Niu Geng, he thought that actually, someone with a personality like his own wasn't suited either, being far too openhearted and trusting toward friends.
The affair in the Dining Hall was merely a small episode. After eating lunch, regulating their breath for a moment, and restoring themselves to their absolute peak state, Zhuge Xiang and the others arrived at the Duel Platform. The others had already gathered as well. The afternoon's battles—the Championship of the Top 32—officially began.
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