As Si Jiawen calmly defeated Su Changxin, the Sixteenth Match drew to a close, bringing every bout in the first round of the main competition on the bustling summit of Moonwatch Mountain to an end.
The intense arena battles finally came to a pause. No fighters remained on the Bluestone Arena, and the lingering gusts from their clashes slowly dispersed as the tension across the mountaintop plaza abruptly eased.
Duel after duel between heavenly prodigies, brilliant exchange after brilliant exchange-all came to rest at this moment. The first knockout round of this Jintai Grand Tournament, narrowing thirty-two contestants to sixteen, had reached its conclusion.
In the central seats at the very front of the plaza, the six leading figures who governed Jintai Prefecture's martial landscape exchanged glances and nods, conferring briefly.
Each was a towering figure within the Prefecture Domain, if not all of Jizhou. With discerning eyes and vast experience, they settled the rankings of every advancing martial artist in mere moments.
Once their discussion ended, the Prefect raised his hand slightly and passed a neatly transcribed paper list to the White-Robed Middle-Aged Man waiting beside him.
Taking the list, the White-Robed Middle-Aged Man strode swiftly onto the broad Bluestone Arena and respectfully handed it to Commandant Tan, who stood at its center.
Commandant Tan took the list, quickly scanned it, and gave a slight nod.
He walked slowly to the arena's exact center, his sharp eyes, suffused with the presence of the Core Realm, sweeping over the sea of spectators below.
A Core-Realm Expert's pressure was invisible and intangible, yet carried an awe-inspiring force on the scale of heaven and earth, enveloping the entire plaza.
The tens of thousands of spectators, who had still been chatting in small groups about the results, instantly grew solemn and fell silent.