The Tournament Begins, Drawing Lots

"This kid... he drew this much attention just by entering. Is he afraid people won't know he broke through to Dou Wang?"

"Heh, he's hardly ever shown his face in the Inner Academy. Now that the Strong Ranking Competition has finally come around, if he doesn't show off his cultivation now, when is he going to hide it until?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. A third-year Dou Wang—among us old-timers, that strength would probably rank around the middle."

"But what is that green flame?"

"...Bright emerald in color, shaped like a nebula, with ever-changing edges. Could it be... the Myriad Stars Flame?!"

The elders on the high platform wore exceptionally vivid expressions at the sight.

It was not until Su Qian smiled and nodded that the elders withdrew their envious and emotional gazes.

Who could have imagined that the Fallen Fire Sect had been in a hopeless situation, only for Qin Han to forcibly tear open a path to survival and emerge as the greatest winner?

Qin Han landed steadily in the center of the arena with Han Yue, only releasing her hand then. The flaming wings on his back scattered into specks of flowing light and vanished.

His expression remained calm, as if he had merely done something insignificant.

Han Yue secretly shot him a glare, though the flush at the tips of her ears had yet to completely fade. Standing beside him, she could feel countless gazes converging on them, each carrying a different meaning.

The atmosphere in the arena was subtle.

Qin Han looked around as though nothing had happened, though his palms were faintly sweating as well.

Flying down together with Han Yue really had been an impulsive act of madness.

But with everyone staring at him now, he could only brace himself, keep a smile on his face, and pretend nothing had happened.

That was, until everyone's attention was drawn to another figure.

All forty-nine figures had arrived. Naturally, the last one was Zi Yan, who had just returned from the Back Mountain.

She had reverted to the size of a seven- or eight-year-old girl.

She slowly climbed up the ladder, a blue bruise on her face and several tears in her clothes. Her mouth kept muttering away, though no one knew what she was saying.

After looking around and spotting Qin Han's gloating gaze, Little Tiger Teeth bared his teeth and was already preparing to roll up his sleeves.

Qin Han hurriedly turned his head away.

"Ahem, ahem!"

Su Qian first shot Zi Yan and Qin Han a glare, then cleared his throat to suppress the uproar across the arena before solemnly announcing, "Most of you should already know the rules. However, this old man must reiterate them here."

He raised a hand slightly, and an elder beside him immediately brought forth an ancient greenwood box half the height of a man. The box was sealed, with only a round hole at the top large enough for an arm to reach through.

"Inside this box are twenty-five red and twenty-five blue Bamboo Signs. At the bottom of each Bamboo Sign is engraved a number from one to twenty-five."

Su Qian pointed at the wooden box. "Lots will determine your opponents for the first round. Those who draw red and blue signs bearing the same number will be opponents for this round. The winner advances to the next round. The loser..."

"Eliminated."

Simple and direct. Fifty would become twenty-five; half the contestants would be eliminated in the very first round!

"Additionally."

"On the arena, fists and feet have no eyes, and Dou Techniques are dangerous."

Su Qian's voice suddenly grew far more serious, his gaze deepening. "However, you are all elites carefully nurtured by Jia Nan Academy. You are classmates, and perhaps future companions who may fight side by side. This old man hopes..."

His gaze passed over Liu Qing, Lin Xiuyai, Xiao Yan, Qin Han, and the others whose strength clearly stood above the rest. His tone was solemn. "The matches may be fierce, and you must give your all in striving for victory, but remember to stop when appropriate. Unless necessary, you are forbidden from deliberately dealing killing blows or seriously injuring fellow students. Any violators will be severely punished by the academy!"

The warning carried a heavy weight, making several students whose eyes had initially been fierce, intending to use this opportunity to settle old grudges, feel a chill in their hearts and restrain some of their hostility.

The rules of the Inner Academy, especially under the Great Elder's personal supervision, were no joke.

"Now, begin drawing lots." Su Qian said no more and signaled for the elder holding the box to step forward.

There was no strict order for drawing lots. After a brief hesitation, someone stepped forward first.

The atmosphere became subtle once more. Everyone hoped to draw a "good sign" and avoid those publicly acknowledged monsters.

Liu Qing strode forward and thrust his hand into the wooden box without hesitation. After feeling around for a moment, he drew out a Bamboo Sign.

The Bamboo Sign was entirely crimson, with a conspicuous "Seven" engraved at the bottom.

He glanced at it and held it in his hand without expression.

Lin Xiuyai followed closely behind, drawing a blue Bamboo Sign with the number "Thirteen."

Xiao Yan stepped forward and drew a red "Fifteen."

One figure after another stepped up. Some looked relieved after drawing their signs, while others frowned slightly and involuntarily glanced toward potential opponents holding Bamboo Signs of the corresponding color.

When it was Qin Han's turn, he reached into the slightly cool wooden box. His fingertips touched a pile of smooth Bamboo Signs. He did not deliberately choose, simply grabbing one at random and pulling it out.

The Bamboo Sign felt warm in his hand. It was blue, and the number engraved on its bottom was—

"Three."

His gaze instinctively swept toward the crowd of people who had already drawn red Bamboo Signs, their expressions varied, searching for the "lucky one" he was about to face.

His gaze shifted, and very quickly, he met a pair of cool silver eyes.

The owner of those eyes was looking at him, a red bamboo sign pinched between her fingers. The number on it was also "three."

Han Yue.

She looked at Qin Han, and even her beautiful face—usually so expressionless—could not help showing a trace of astonishment.

Red Lips pursed her lips as well, an extremely complicated emotion flashing through her eyes—some surprise, some helplessness, and perhaps even a hint of resentment.

Out of twenty-five pairs of opponents, how had they run into each other by such a coincidence? And in the very first round, no less?