After three bouts, the places in the Inner Academy were all but decided. Hu Gan saw that everyone who was supposed to make it had done so, and stopped paying attention to the matches. As long as nothing unexpected happened to the most talented few, that was good enough.
Watching Xiao Li lounging comfortably in his seat, Hu Gan's eyes turned. "Young fellow, I can't have you getting too comfortable."
"This year, we won't hold a series of one-on-one matches. Instead, we'll have a heated, thrilling battle royale. The longer you last in this elimination round, the higher your rank will be—and vice versa."
Watching the many contestants file into the arena, Hu Gan grinned mischievously. "Within this plaza, you can use any means you like. You can even team up with others. As long as you manage to stay in the battle royale, you'll be declared a winner."
Seeing the students below erupt in an uproar, Hu Gan cleared his throat. "Moreover, to keep certain people from sitting back and relaxing just because no one dares to challenge them..."
"So, whoever knocks out the most opponents will receive a special reward from me. I guarantee it'll be more precious than an ordinary fourth-grade pill."
Xiao Li, who hadn't cared before, abruptly looked up. A fiery glint flashed in his eyes.
Fourth-grade pills were on par with Dou Ling powerhouses. A fourth-grade pill suited to a Da Dou Shi would surely make his strength leap forward.
That pill was his!
The slender young man brimmed with unprecedented confidence. If he couldn't even beat people from the Outer Academy, then he'd be a disgrace to transmigrators everywhere.
Everyone began entering the designated arena. Their eyes took on a more hostile glint. Now they were all rivals. Aside from Li Hao and Chu Junliang, who each had a few loyal followers, almost everyone else stood alone.
"Do you all understand the rules?" Once no one else entered the plaza, Hu Gan swept his gaze across the arena and asked loudly.
"Understood!" At his question, a chorus of replies rang across the arena.
"Good. Since you all understand, I hereby declare..."
Hu Gan slowly raised his hand. Under countless watchful eyes, he brought it crashing down. "The final elimination round of the Inner Academy Selection Tournament begins now!"
As Hu Gan's hand fell, the once-quiet arena erupted. Dozens of streams of Dou Qi in different colors burst forth in a dazzling display.
A series of muffled thuds rang out as figures darted around the arena. Most contestants quickly retreated toward the edges. In a place surrounded by enemies, they feared being struck from behind and knocked out of bounds.
Xiao Li did the same. Even a hero feared a pack of wolves. Though he was a Da Dou Shi, he couldn't ignore the combined attacks of dozens of mid- and high-tier Dou Masters.
On the viewing platform, the battle that had erupted almost as soon as it began drew wave after wave of excited screams, shaking the sky.
Many people shouted themselves hoarse, cheering on their favorite contestants. A massive free-for-all like this was far more stirring than a series of one-on-one matches.
Old Man Huo was a little surprised. Even his stiff face broke into a smile. "That's a good idea. It tests not just the students' one-on-one skills, but also their stamina and strategic judgment in group battles."
"Heh, the vice dean's idea is indeed a good one. It may not be entirely fair, but a setting where you have to guard against attacks from every direction can easily teach people to be cautious." Watching the arena descend into chaos, an old man on the judges' platform chuckled to Hu Gan.
Hu Gan smiled smugly, though a thoughtful look entered his eyes.
Xiao Li, Xiao Li—you got something so good from me. Of course I had to put you to the test. Li Hao and Chu Junliang wouldn't be a match for you one-on-one. Let's see if you can withstand a group beating.
In the arena, contestants clashed from time to time, but with so many others around, most exchanges ended as quickly as they began.
As the stalemate dragged on, Li Hao's gaze turned cold. He suddenly attacked someone in the distance. With his Da Dou Shi strength and several lackeys joining forces with him, no one in the arena could stand against them.
The victim fell at once. Li Hao had still held back, merely knocking him out of the arena rather than dealing a fatal blow.
Seeing Li Hao make his move, Chu Junliang didn't hesitate either. He swiftly knocked out the two students he'd had his eye on.
Li Hao, Chu Junliang, and Xiao Li had the fewest people around them. No one dared to stand with any of the three.
Li Hao and Chu Junliang's groups held opposite sides of the arena, while Xiao Li stood alone in one corner. The three of them divided the arena into three sections. Unable to fight their way past the others, everyone else had no choice but to head toward Xiao Li.
Xiao Li held the Thunder Scale Spear at the ready. Seven or eight people were now running toward him, and even he had to stay on guard.
"Boss Xiao Li, don't attack! Let's team up—what do you say?"
The person at the front shouted loudly. Xiao Li paused, but his hands didn't slow.
"Lightning Flash Strike!"
Lightning struck the open ground in front of him, forcing the approaching contestants to stop. Xiao Li's gaze was cold. They weren't necessarily here to team up. They might just be trying to lower his guard before snatching his advantageous position.
Seeing Xiao Li's cool reception, the man gritted his teeth and said resolutely, "We only want to break into the top five. If you help us fend off our pursuers, we'll give you our full support whenever you need it in the future."
Seeing the seven or eight people clasp their hands and plead, Xiao Li hesitated. They'd made the promise in front of the whole school. If they went back on their word, they'd ruin their reputations.
"Fine. Come over. We'll team up."
The man's face lit up, and he hurried over to Xiao Li.
Seeing this, Li Hao raised his right hand. The lackeys behind him stopped at once.
"Xiao Li, hand those seven or eight people over to me, and I'll guarantee you a place in the top five," Li Hao called.
Xiao Li shook his head. "You must be Li Hao. I've heard others talk about you. They've joined forces with me, so I can't go back on my word."
"Besides, I'm very interested in the reward for knocking out the most people."
At Xiao Li's words, Li Hao's expression darkened. There had already been Chu Junliang, and now Xiao Li had joined in. Winning the reward for knocking out the most people would be much harder.
If that was the case, he'd have to strike first.
Li Hao looked toward Chu Junliang on the other side and shouted, "Chu Junliang, let's team up and eliminate Xiao Li first. We're both old students. If a newcomer takes first place from us, how will we ever show our faces again?"
Chu Junliang raised an eyebrow. Li Hao was trying to provoke him, but it was true.
"Fine. Brother Xiao Li, forgive us!"
Seeing the two team up, Xiao Li's heart sank. Two experts of the same level would have frightened him before he learned his new Dou Technique. But now...
"Come at me, then. My spear has been itching for a fight with the two of you!"