Heaven-Piercing Peak.
Martial Arts Square.
Early the next morning.
The sun rose, scattering golden rays in every direction.
Rolling clouds churned beneath their feet, like a golden ocean.
The four enormous arenas still stood tall, but today's atmosphere was completely different from before.
The first few rounds had been a process of separating the wheat from the chaff, a mixed bag where any Tom, Dick, or Harry could show off a few moves.
Today was different. The eight remaining contestants were all elite among elites.
Disciples from the Seven Peaks of the Qingyun Sect packed the place, their clamor louder than a marketplace.
"Place your bets! No more bets once the match starts!"
Du Bishu was calling out as he ran the betting pool, a handful of spirit stones in his grasp and his eyes shining.
"Sixth Senior Brother."
"Take it easy. Don't lose the pants off your back."
Ye Xuan yawned lazily.
He casually picked an unknown spirit fruit from a nearby fruit platter and took a crisp bite.
"Seventh."
"That's bad luck to say!"
"Two of us from Great Bamboo Peak made it into the top eight today. What does that mean?"
"It means we've got fortune on our side!"
Du Bishu looked unconvinced.
"I put a hundred spirit stones on Eighth, betting he can last one incense stick!"
"Just a hundred?"
"Doesn't sound like you have much faith in him."
Ye Xuan pursed his lips and looked toward the arena in the distance.
The first match was Qi Hao of Dragon Head Peak against Chu Yuhong of Chaoyang Peak.
They were both familiar faces.
Qi Hao wore a white robe and carried himself with elegant grace.
That trademark gentle smile of his seemed practically designed to make female disciples scream.
His opponent, Chu Yuhong, wasn't bad-looking either.