Xiao Yu nodded coolly, then stepped forward. Her body swept through the air like a butterfly as she raised her fair wrist and joined her fingers like a sword, pointing at the space between her younger female cousin's brows.
"Sword Finger."
A High-grade Profound Tier Dou Technique.
Out of respect for the young cousin before her, she had used the only two High-grade Profound Tier Dou Techniques Brother Xiao Ling had taught her: Sword Finger.
Seeing this, a hint of unwillingness appeared in the blue-robed girl's eyes. She raised her delicate hand and struck toward Xiao Yu.
"Crushing Stone Palm!"
But, as expected, Xiao Yu's Sword Finger stopped firmly between the blue-robed girl's brows.
Xiao Yu then withdrew her hand and turned to walk off the stage.
Seeing this, the Third Elder shook his head and announced,
"Platform One, Xiao Yu wins."
On the other side, Xiao Wu also knocked his opponent down with a single move. He looked toward Xiao Yu, a hint of fighting spirit in his eyes.
"Platform Three, Xiao Wu wins."
As the elimination rounds continued, more and more of the Xiao Clan's younger generation were knocked out. Eventually, only ten people remained on the platforms.
The Third Elder looked toward the VIP seats again. Only after Xiao Zhan and Xiao Ling nodded to him did he announce,
"Next is the final round of the platform matches. You'll draw lots to determine your opponents. The ten of you will then enter the next round together: the Hunting Competition. Your results here won't determine your final ranking. If any of you perform well in the Hunting Competition, you'll still have a chance to move up one place. Is that clear?"
"We understand, Third Elder."
At his words, the Xiao Clan disciples nodded in reply.
They began drawing lots again. Xiao Yu picked up a bamboo slip and glanced at it. A large red number one was carved on it, making her brows furrow slightly.
Xiao Wu, standing beside her, looked her way and grinned. He turned over the bamboo slip in his hand. A large blue number one was carved on it as well.
Seeing this, the Third Elder shook his head with a wry smile.
"First match: Xiao Wu versus Xiao Yu. Everyone else, take a short break."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Wu strode onto the elevated platform at the front of the Martial Arts Arena—the main platform for today's matches. Looking toward Xiao Yu, he laughed,
"Cousin Xiao Yu, please show me what you've got."
Xiao Yu's expression grew serious. She lightly leaped onto the platform and replied in a clear voice,
"Cousin Xiao Wu, how about we settle this in one move?"
"Haha, good. Just what I had in mind."
Xiao Wu laughed.
He stepped forward, and the aura of Dou Power Stage Nine surged from his body. Then he glanced at Xiao Yu and said in a rumbling voice,
"Cousin Xiao Yu, show me your true strength. Otherwise, you won't be able to beat me."
"Fine, as you wish."
Suppressing her surprise, Xiao Yu raised her delicate foot and took one step. An aura slightly stronger than Xiao Wu's surged from her body.
"This... Holy crap... Were they both hiding their strength?"
"..."
The Xiao Clan's younger disciples around them began to whisper among themselves. The sight had thoroughly shocked them.
Xiao Wu raised his hand, curled his fingers into a claw, and reached for Xiao Yu's slender neck.
"Fierce Claw Strike!"
His Fierce Claw Strike wasn't the original version from the Xiao Clan. It was a version taught to him by Big Brother Xiao Ling. Its power was twice that of the original, and it had already reached the threshold of a Profound Tier Dou Technique.
Seeing this, Xiao Yu drew a deep breath. Her slightly rounded chest rose and fell, radiating the charm of youth.
She raised her hand, joined her fingers like a sword, and used Sword Finger once more. This time, its power was nothing like before. The instant she thrust her fingers forward, a faint sword aura accompanied them.
"Whoosh..."
As claw and finger clashed, an invisible wave of force spread in every direction. If the platform hadn't been made of such sturdy material, it might have gouged the ground three feet deep.
After they had been locked in a stalemate for more than ten seconds, Xiao Yu seized her chance. Exploiting the fleeting opening, she instantly broke through all of Xiao Wu's defenses.
"Cousin Xiao Wu, you let me win."
Xiao Yu cupped her hands, showing him the respect he was due. If she hadn't had the advantage of her Dou Technique, the outcome might well have gone the other way.
"Thank you for going easy on me, Cousin Xiao Yu. A loss is a loss. I'll win it back next time."
Xiao Wu laughed.
But just as Xiao Wu finished speaking, a figure dressed in black flew into the Martial Arts Arena. After landing, he didn't even wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth before hurriedly bowing toward the VIP seats.
"Young Master Xiao Ling, Patriarch, Aoba Pa and Jia Liebi forced their way in with their people. The brothers couldn't stop them in time..."
"Haha, Xiao Zhan, the dogs your Xiao Clan keeps have no manners. They even dared to stop us. I taught them a lesson for you. You don't mind, do you?!"
Aoba Pa and Jia Liebi led their family's experts and a group of teenagers toward the Martial Arts Arena as they spoke.
"You..."
At their words, the Xiao Clan disciples were so furious they could hardly contain themselves. If the Third Elder, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Wu hadn't held them back, they would already have rushed forward to fight!!
In the VIP seats, Xiao Ling gazed at Aoba Pa and the others. A trace of anger appeared on his usually cool face, and a fierce killing intent surged in his heart.
The sudden turn of events stirred something in Xiao Ling.
Could my presence have changed the course of events? After all, this never happened in the original story...
"Aoba Pa, Jia Liebi, you're asking for death!"
Xiao Zhan rose furiously to his feet. "Do you want to start a war with the Xiao Clan?!"
Before you continue