Elimination Tournament

Two days later, the freshman assessment ended. Bai Cai, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao had won all ten of their round-robin matches, ranking seventh in victories.

A clean sweep was both simple and difficult to achieve.

Unless they were terribly unlucky, they would face at most two seeded teams in the ten round-robin matches. However, they had to fight nine battles in total on the second and third days.

A gauntlet of battles and a war of attrition tested not only individual strength and the rapport between teammates, but also the captain's tactical choices and strategic judgment.

Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong took turns on offense. Once Ralts used Psychic Lock to pin the enemy back line's limbs and vital joints, they immediately followed up with attacks, making victory relatively easy.

Of course, the tactics of Psychic Lock, Imprison, and surprise attacks weren't impossible to counter. Seeded teams with Soul Grandmasters all around, or led by a Soul Elder, could try to counterattack after safely weathering Bai Cai Team's opening assault.

"Xiao Bai, now that the freshman assessment is over, how about we celebrate with a meal?" Kneeling on the soft fur rug, Wang Dong raised a hand slightly and wiped her faintly damp, powder-blue hair.

"The elimination tournament starts tomorrow. Get some rest." Bai Cai stopped circulating her Calm Mind technique and opened his eyes. "Xiao Xiao must be exhausted after five battles. She's probably already asleep, so we shouldn't disturb her."

"Forget Xiao Xiao. Come with me, and I'll treat you." Wang Dong blinked her big powder-blue eyes and tried to sound casual. "You can pick anything from the window on the far side of the cafeteria. How about it?"

"No need." Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Bai Cai slowly held out his hand. "Just give me the money for the meal."

"Xiao Bai, that's too much." Wang Dong hugged a fluffy pillow, resting her chin on it. "No celebration, no dinner together. Was our freshman assessment really such a failure?"

"Is a clean sweep in the freshman assessment worth celebrating in style?" Bai Cai slowly rubbed the Blue Ring on his left index finger and said indifferently, "As far as I know, at least eleven teams went undefeated in the round-robin matches."

"Celebrating will mean something if we place in the top three of the elimination tournament." Lying flat on the bed, Bai Cai tipped his head back and closed his eyes. "Our goal should be third place, second place, or even the championship."

"What about after that?" Wang Dong asked eagerly. "If we make the top three, will we celebrate together?"

"The top three?" Bai Cai yawned, heavy with sleep, and brushed her off. "Whatever you like."

The elimination tournament schedule consisted of the round of sixty-four, the round of thirty-two, the round of sixteen, the quarterfinals, the semifinals, and the final.

The tournament would last three days, with one match in the morning and another in the afternoon. Eliminated teams would return to class, while the winners would continue competing.

The next day, the staff moved the partitions and reopened the Open Assessment Area, dividing it into thirty-two equal-sized battle arenas. Each arena was twice as large as before, allowing for a greater variety of tactics.

The 192 students assembled at the assessment grounds. Du Weilun, the Martial Soul Department's dean of instruction, began calling names, and each team sent a representative to draw lots.

Once the draw was complete, the round of sixty-four officially began. All thirty-two matches started at once, drastically shortening the assessment.

Bai Cai Team was randomly assigned to Battle Arena No. 18, where a middle-aged male teacher, around fifty years old, served as both examiner and referee.

"Freshman Class One: Bai Cai, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao. Freshman Class Four: Ao Wei, Xiu Ya, Cheng Xin. Both teams, enter."

Bai Cai Team kept formation as they entered the arena first. Their opponents filed in and lined up one after another.

The male student in front had black hair and dark eyes. His upper body was bare, and his sharply defined muscles looked like granite, brimming with explosive power.

The male student on the left had yellow hair and yellow eyes, an average build and ordinary looks. He stood barefoot on the arena floor. The male student on the right had black hair and blue eyes, a mask over his face, and his arms crossed over his chest in a swaggering pose.

"State your names!"

The male student in front clenched his fists and said solemnly, "Freshman Class Four, Ao Wei."

The male student on the left kept his eyes fixed on Xiao Xiao and said cautiously, "Freshman Class Four, Xiu Ya."

The male student on the right raised his mask slightly and declared arrogantly, "Freshman Class Four, Cheng Xin."

"Freshman Class One, Wang Dong."

"Freshman Class One, Xiao Xiao."

"Freshman Class One, Bai Cai."

Freshman Class One's undefeated team was famous far and wide for its fierce fighting style. They hadn't even revealed the effects of their Second Soul Ring's skill.

Ao Wei couldn't help thinking that they were terribly unlucky. There was a one-in-three chance of meeting the undefeated team in the round of sixty-four. How had they managed to draw them?

"Begin!"

At the referee's command, Ao Wei stepped forward with a roar. A king-shaped marking appeared on his forehead, his pupils turned vertical, and his canine teeth grew into fangs. His fingers gradually shortened and thickened as half-foot-long claws extended from their tips. Two Yellow Soul Rings rose rapidly.

Xiu Ya leaped in place, her leg joints bending backward. Her feet transformed into three-clawed talons, while her hands closed into two-pronged claws. Two Yellow Soul Rings formed a nested pair around her legs.

Cheng Xin leaned forward as his tailbone extended into a thick, armored crocodile tail. Black scales appeared across his skin, and two Yellow Soul Rings revolved around him.

Brilliant scaled wings unfurled in an instant. The Light Goddess Butterfly possessed Wang Dong, and she took to the air as usual, lightly beating her wings.

The Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron instantly expanded, covering herself and Bai Cai. Xiao Xiao took a step across, blocking the opponents' view.

Ralts appeared in a flash and perched on Bai Cai's left shoulder.

"Tiger Roar!"

His First Soul Ring flashed. Ao Wei threw back his head and roared, his thick black hair standing on end. Tiger Roar increased his defense and strength by fifteen percent each.

"High Jump Kick!"

Xiu Ya lowered her body and lit the Yellow Soul Ring nested around her bent right leg. She leaped seven or eight meters into the air, heading straight for Xiao Xiao.

"Black Water Swamp!"

Her First Soul Ring lit up. Cheng Xin touched the ground with both hands, and the hardened soil beneath Xiao Xiao and Bai Cai's shoes instantly turned into sticky black mud.

Ao Wei had a Saber-toothed Tiger Martial Soul and was a Power Attack System Battle Soul Master. Xiu Ya had a Golden Locust Martial Soul and was an Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master. Cheng Xin had a Black Water Swamp Crocodile Martial Soul and was a Control System Battle Soul Master.

The Black Water Swamp Crocodile had balanced attributes, with strong attacks, solid defense, and decent group control. Although Cheng Xin had chosen the Control System as his future path, before reaching the third ring, his close-combat skills were no worse than those of a Soul Master in the same rank from the Power Attack System.

One Power Attack System Battle Soul Master, one Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master, and one Control System Battle Soul Master whose close-combat skills matched those of his Power Attack System peers—every member of Ao Wei's team was a reckless brawler, afraid of nothing!

Ralts used Heart Separation Control to split her attention. She locked onto Xiu Ya as she soared through the air, pinning her limbs and vital joints, while creating a Psychic Shield to keep out the sticky black mud.

Wang Dong beat her butterfly wings and quickly intercepted Xiu Ya, whose face had gone pale with fear. She dodged, swung a whip-like kick, and sent Xiu Ya flying through the air. Like a target that couldn't fight back, Xiu Ya traced a beautiful arc before slamming down outside the arena, kicking up clouds of dust.

Ao Wei sidestepped, trying to get around the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron blocking his way. With a thought from Xiao Xiao, the cauldron split into three, sealing off Ao Wei's attack route.

"Bloodlust!"

Ao Wei roared. His Second Soul Ring flashed, his vertical pupils shrank, and a crimson gleam rose in his eyes. His muscles bulged, and veins stood out.