Over a hundred jade plaques flew from the elder's sleeve and hovered in midair. The participating disciples urged their true qi to claim them one after another. Lin Ye reached out through the air and caught one; seven characters were engraved on its face, with a small "three" marked beside them.
Once the groups had been assigned, the Sword Discussion Platform was divided into ten by an array, becoming ten separate arenas. The disciples from each group stepped onto the stages in turn.
Lin Ye entered Arena Seven. Most of the disciples in his group were at the second level of the Hua Yuan Realm, save for one burly young man at the third level. He was Shi Yue, a true disciple of Thick Earth Peak. The moment he stood upon the stage, an oppressive presence rushed outward.
Lin Ye swept his gaze around and spotted an old acquaintance as well—Yan Meng. His face was pale; evidently, his injuries had yet to heal.
"First match: Lin Ye, number three of Group Seven, versus Wang Kun, number eight of Group Seven!"
A spear-wielding disciple leaped onto the stage, his spearhead pointing straight at Lin Ye. "Junior Brother Lin Ye, please! I am Wang Kun!"
"Please."
Lin Ye stepped onto the arena. The Watersplitting Sword on his back remained utterly still—he was actually facing his opponent bare-handed.
"Arrogant!"
Anger flashed across Wang Kun's face as his spear shot toward Lin Ye's throat. Lin Ye shifted slightly aside, and the spear swept past his neck. He raised the index finger of his right hand and lightly flicked the shaft.
"Clang—"
Wang Kun felt a tremendous force surge up through the spear, nearly knocking it from his grasp. His expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly switched moves, sweeping his spear sideways in an attempt