Sixteen to Eight

Qin Yue carefully thought back over what he had done these past few days, then turned his gaze to the two tearful girls embracing in front of him.

He realized that neither the competitions over the past few days nor the harmonious, friendly sparring session within their team just now could be separated from Ning Tian and Wu Feng.

However, Qin Yue still could not determine the exact reason. He was inclined to think it had something to do with fighting, but with the two girls sniffling and crying over there, he was genuinely too embarrassed to go up and plainly say that he wanted to beat them up again as a test.

Qin Yue turned a deaf ear to the whispers around him. After casually saying goodbye, he left the training grounds. He planned to talk with Ning Tian and Wu Feng once they had calmed down. For now, he simply returned to the dormitory to cultivate his Soul Power.

On the second day of the Elimination Tournament, there were far more people on the Observation Platform than yesterday. It was packed so densely that a slovenly old man occupying roughly three square meters of space by himself stood out all the more.

After much effort, Mu Jin squeezed out of the crowd and hurried over to the old man, greeting him quietly, "Elder Xuan, you're here."

"Mm." The old man did not even raise his head. He merely grunted and continued eating and drinking on his own.

Mu Jin could tell that Elder Xuan was impatient, so she took a step back and said nothing more. She believed that once the coming matches began, as long as this Elder of the Sea God Pavilion did not have something wrong with his head, Qin Yue and the other two... at least Qin Yue would definitely stand out.

The drawing of lots soon ended, and the Freshman Assessment's sixteen-to-eight Elimination Tournament officially began.

The competition grounds expanded considerably once more. This time, sixteen teams fought simultaneously, with the Freshman Assessment's final eight to be decided at the fastest possible pace.

As soon as Qin Yue's group stepped onto the stage, their attention was drawn to the opponents across from them. It was a fat, huge boy, a full 1.7 meters tall—only a little over ten centimeters shorter than Qin Yue. His body was extraordinarily broad, and even his waistline was close to 1.7 meters.

Looking at the boy across from them, who resembled a mountain of flesh, Wu Feng swallowed nervously, feeling a touch of PTSD. Could there be another monster almost like Qin Yue? Why were she and the Young Master so miserable? Normally, a three-ringed Soul Elder Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Soul Master was practically guaranteed to be champion...

Qin Yue found it hard to keep a straight face as well. If it had only been Xie Huanyue, that would have been one thing. The main issue was the two teammates behind him.

Both of them were as skinny as sticks, yet they stood to Xie Huanyue's left and right. The three of them together formed an Armstrong Cannon, making for a truly hilarious sight.

"State your names. Prepare for the match," the Proctor said solemnly.

The mountain-like boy abruptly slapped his chest, making the fat all over his body jiggle. "My name is Xie Huanyue, Freshman Class Two."

From the moment he stepped onto the stage, Xie Huanyue's gaze had remained fixed on Qin Yue. He knew exactly how powerful the person before him was. As for Ning Tian and Wu Feng standing behind Qin Yue, they were just accessories.

"Freshman Class Two, Luo Tianlong."

"Freshman Class Two, Luo Tianba."

Qin Yue's group stated their names as well. Having confirmed that Qin Yue was truly giving her a chance this match, Wu Feng was in a good mood. She strode aggressively to the front of the team, while Qin Yue returned to Ning Tian's side as the final safeguard for this match.

Xie Huanyue took in this scene and frowned slightly, staring at Qin Yue with a dark expression. "Why are you humiliating me?"

His meaning was simple. He did not believe the other side did not know that he was also a three-ringed Soul Elder. Sending a Soul Grandmaster forward—who were they looking down on?

Wu Feng's little face flushed red with anger. Crimson flames instantly burst from her body, while two streams of light flew out from the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda in Ning Tian's hand and entered Wu Feng's body.

Her strength and speed enhanced by forty percent, Wu Feng let out an enraged roar. Her Second Soul Skill, Dragon's Fury, activated, and she transformed into an incomparably furious Mother Tyrannosaurus, charging at Xie Huanyue amid fierce crimson flames.

Xie Huanyue was equally furious. After releasing his Martial Soul, his height shot up from 1.7 meters to 1.9 meters, and his skin turned incomparably dark. Without dodging or retreating, he took large strides straight toward Wu Feng.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda was renowned throughout the world, but he would make this little red dragon understand exactly how vast the gap between a Soul Elder and a Soul Grandmaster was!

After defeating this red dragon, he would see what method Qin Yue had left to evade him.

The brothers Luo Tianlong and Luo Tianba followed closely behind Xie Huanyue. Two yellow Soul Rings circled each of them. Their forearms simultaneously turned silver-white, and a massive, razor-sharp Mantis Blade grew from each of their hands.

The brothers knew very well that the deciding factor of this battle lay between Xie Huanyue and Qin Yue. Getting Wu Feng eliminated beforehand would undoubtedly give them a better chance of winning.

Wu Feng showed no fear even as she faced three opponents alone. Her First Soul Ring flashed, and blazing fire surged from her left hand, which had already transformed into a Dragon Claw. It likewise took the shape of a Dragon Claw and viciously clawed at the three people before her.

First Soul Skill: Dragon's Fire!

Xie Huanyue snorted coldly as his First Soul Ring finally lit up. His already enormous body actually swelled again, becoming like an inflated balloon as he firmly shielded the Luo Tianlong and Luo Tianba brothers behind him.

The blazing Dragon Claw struck Xie Huanyue, and the flames instantly ignited his academy uniform. Under the soaring firelight, even the air seemed to warp.

The next moment, two silver-white figures rushed out from behind Xie Huanyue, surrounding Wu Feng from both sides. They were the Luo Tianlong and Luo Tianba brothers.

The brothers' Soul Rings flashed simultaneously. Dozens of blade lights slashed out from their massive Mantis Blades, striking Wu Feng with utmost precision at the moment when her old force had been spent and new force had yet to arise.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A series of explosions rang out from Wu Feng's body, but a trace of disdain appeared on her face. Her speed did not slow in the slightest. Her fully transformed left hand swept out, and with only two strikes, she sent the Luo Tianlong and Luo Tianba brothers flying.

The brothers coughed up blood, feeling agonizing pain throughout their bodies. Yet they still struggled to adjust themselves and fight again. Unfortunately, the Proctor had already appeared beside them. With a casual wave, he extinguished the flames on their bodies, which had already burned away large patches of skin.

In the Proctor's judgment, the two were Agility Attack System Soul Masters. Taking a frontal strike from a Red Dragon Soul Master enhanced by the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda without being severely injured on the spot was already a matter of great luck. Not to mention the raging flames that had already taken root in their bodies. They had absolutely no ability to continue fighting.

The Proctor's intervention meant elimination. The brothers exchanged a glance, each seeing the nearly overflowing unwillingness in the other's eyes.

But rules were rules. The two could only snort coldly and leap off the stage, placing all their hopes on Xie Huanyue.