Before the competition, no one would have imagined Lin Xiuyai failing to make the top ten.
Liu Qing had at least held on to tenth place. Lin Xiuyai had even lost his chance to undergo Heart Flame Body Tempering.
The result left everyone stunned.
"These newcomers... are they all this fierce?"
Gasps rose from the stands.
With the top ten decided, the ranking challenges came next.
Based on the earlier matches, the elders set the initial rankings: Zi Yan took first without dispute, Qin Han followed in second, Yan Hao placed third... and Liu Qing and Xiao Yan shared tenth.
The top three seemed separated from everyone else by an invisible chasm. For all the eagerness in the eyes of those below, no one dared challenge them lightly.
Instead, the fiercest contests centered on the closely ranked places from fourth through ninth.
Hoping for better rankings and resources, those competitors took turns challenging one another. One battle followed another.
After seven or eight grueling matches, the new top ten finally settled into place.
Some had won and some had lost, but excitement showed on most of their faces.
A difference of one or two places hardly mattered. They had secured their chance at Heart Flame Body Tempering and enjoyed a hard-fought battle. That was enough.
The spectators, who had watched fierce clashes all day, cheered themselves hoarse. Many were still caught up in the exchanges they had just witnessed and wanted more.
On the raised platform, the elders discussed the earlier battles among themselves.
Su Qian appeared at the right moment. "The Strong Ranking's top ten are settled. In five days, you'll follow me into the Burning Heaven Qi Refining Tower for Heart Flame Body Tempering."
"If anyone else wishes to compete onstage, you may begin."
This was the customary