The first round of eliminations had ended. Of the two hundred participating disciples, only one hundred had successfully advanced after a fierce contest. The advancing disciples wore delighted expressions as they congratulated one another and discussed the matches that had just taken place. The eliminated disciples could only leave dejectedly, their eyes filled with disappointment and a trace of unwillingness. Secretly, they resolved to work even harder next time.
The Training Ground stewards swiftly cleared the bloodstains and shattered stones from the arenas, giving the advancing disciples half an hour to rest, replenish their depleted spiritual energy, adjust their condition, and prepare for the second round of ranking matches.
Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye. The stewards brought out ten Lottery Boxes once more, and the drawing for the second round of ranking matches officially began. This round would be even fiercer, for every victory meant an improvement in rank, and the higher one's rank, the richer the rewards. The prizes for the top ten were especially irresistible: not only large amounts of Spirit Stones and medicinal pills, but also High-grade Cultivation Methods and Foundation Establishment Pills—enough to drive any Qi Refining Stage disciple mad with desire.
Shen Hao and Zhang Shan followed the crowd to the Lottery Boxes again. Zhang Shan was still somewhat excited; defeating Liu Bo earlier had greatly boosted his confidence. He reached into the Lottery Box and fumbled around for a while before drawing a Bamboo Slip. When he saw the number on it, a relieved smile appeared on his face. "Great! My opponent is an Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer disciple, about as strong as Liu Bo."
Shen Hao patted his shoulder and smiled. "Good luck. Try to go even further."
Then Shen Hao stepped before the Lottery Box, took