The Great Melee

After three rounds of duels, the spots for the Inner Academy were mostly decided. Seeing that everyone who should be there was present, Hu Gan no longer intervened. It was good that the most talented individuals had not met with any accidents.

Looking at Xiao Li lounging comfortably in his seat, Hu Gan's eyes darted around. "Little fellow, it's not good for you to be so comfortable."

"This year, we won't have round-by-round matches. Instead, we'll have a passionate, blood-pumping free-for-all elimination tournament. Whoever lasts the longest in this elimination round will have the highest ranking, and vice versa."

Gazing at the numerous contestants entering the arena one after another, Hu Gan smirked wickedly. "Within this plaza, you can use any means you wish, even teaming up with others. But as long as you can preserve yourselves amidst the chaos, you will have achieved victory."

Seeing the students in an uproar below, Hu Gan cleared his throat. "Furthermore, to prevent certain individuals from being untouchable due to their strength and thus remaining aloof."

"Therefore, whoever knocks down the most opponents will personally receive a unique reward. I guarantee its rarity will be above that of ordinary fourth-grade pills."

Xiao Li, who had been indifferent, suddenly looked up, a spark of fervor igniting in his eyes.

A fourth-grade pill was equivalent to a Dou Ling expert. If it were a fourth-grade pill applicable to a Great Dou Master, it would surely allow him to leap in strength.

This pill, he was determined to have!

The slightly lean young man displayed unprecedented confidence. If he couldn't even surpass those from the Outer Academy, he would be unworthy of being a transmigrator.

The crowd began to enter the designated competition area, their eyes filled with a hint of hostility. They were all competitors now. Apart from Li Hao and Chu Junliang, who had a few loyal followers, most others were alone.

"Do you all understand the competition rules?" When no one else entered the plaza, Hu Gan swept his gaze across the arena and asked loudly.

"Understood!" Hearing Hu Gan's question, a unified cheer erupted from the arena.

"Good, since you all understand, I now declare..."

Hu Gan slowly raised his hand, and under the gaze of countless eyes, it slammed down: "The final round of the Inner Academy selection, the elimination tournament, begins now!"

As Hu Gan's hand fell, a thunderous roar erupted from the previously quiet arena, and dozens of colorful Dou Qi blasts erupted, dazzling the eyes.

With muffled thuds, figures darted rapidly across the field. Most people were quickly retreating towards the edges of the plaza, fearing that in a place where everyone was an enemy, they would be ambushed and knocked out.

Xiao Li was no different. Even a hero fears a pack of wolves. Even though he was a Great Dou Master, he couldn't ignore the combined assault of dozens of mid-to-high-level Dou Masters.

On the viewing platform, watching the arena erupt into battle almost from the very beginning, excited screams echoed through the heavens.

Many people were shouting themselves hoarse, cheering for their favorite contestants. Such a massive battle was far more stimulating than single-round matches.

Old Man Huo was somewhat surprised, a smile cracking his stern face. "This is a good idea. It not only tests the students' one-on-one combat skills but also their endurance and strategic decision-making in group fights."

"Heh heh, the Vice Principal's idea is indeed good. Although it's not absolutely fair, such a situation where one must constantly guard against ambushes is very effective in cultivating caution," an old man said with a smile to Hu Gan beside him, looking at the chaotic arena.

Hu Gan smiled smugly, but his eyes held a hint of contemplation.

Xiao Li, Xiao Li. You took such good things from me, so of course, I have to test you. Li Hao and the other two are definitely no match for you in a one-on-one fight. I wonder if you can withstand a group assault?

At this moment, within the competition arena, people occasionally clashed, but considering the presence of others, most engagements were brief retreats.

As the situation reached a stalemate, Li Hao's eyes turned cold, and he suddenly attacked someone in the distance. His Great Dou Master strength, combined with his few followers, was something no one else in the arena could withstand.

The person fell in response. Li Hao still held back, merely knocking him out of the competition circle without delivering a fatal blow.

Seeing Li Hao make a move, Chu Junliang no longer hesitated and fiercely struck down two students he had been eyeing.

Li Hao and Chu Junliang had the fewest people around them. No one dared to stand with these three.

Li Hao's and Chu Junliang's teams occupied opposite sides of the competition circle, while Xiao Li stood alone in a corner. The three divided the arena into three sections. The others, unable to stop them, had no choice but to head towards Xiao Li.

Xiao Li stood ready with his Thunder Scale Spear. Now, seven or eight people were rushing towards him, and even he had to be cautious.

"Big Brother Xiao Li, don't attack! Let's team up, how about it?"

The person at the forefront, tall and strong, called out. Xiao Li was taken aback, but his movements were not slow.

"Lightning Flash Strike!"

Lightning struck the open ground in front of him, forcing the approaching individuals to stop. Xiao Li's eyes were cold. The people before him might not necessarily want to team up; they might just want to make him lower his guard and then seize his advantageous position.

Seeing Xiao Li's cold demeanor, the approaching person gritted his teeth and said resolutely, "We just want to break into the top five. If you can help us fend off these pursuers, we will definitely help you with all our might if you ever need it in the future."

Seeing the seven or eight people bowing and pleading, Xiao Li hesitated. If they broke their promise after saying this in front of the entire school, they would be ruined.

"Alright, come over here. We'll team up."

The approaching individuals' faces lit up with joy, and they quickly moved to Xiao Li's side.

Seeing this, Li Hao raised his right hand, and the followers behind him stopped as ordered.

"Xiao Li, if you hand over these seven or eight people to me, I guarantee you a spot in the top five. How about it?" Li Hao called out loudly.

Xiao Li shook his head. "You must be Li Hao. I've heard others mention you. Since they have allied with me, I naturally cannot betray them."

"Moreover, I am also very interested in the reward for the most knockdowns."

As soon as Xiao Li said this, Li Hao's expression darkened. With Chu Junliang already there, and now Xiao Li joining, it would be much harder to compete for the reward of the most knockdowns.

Since that was the case, it was better to strike first.

Li Hao looked towards Chu Junliang on the other side and shouted, "Chu Junliang, let's team up and eliminate Xiao Li first. We are all seniors. If a newcomer snatches the first place, how will we maintain our standing?"

Chu Junliang's brow twitched. Although Li Hao's words were a provocation, the fact remained true.

"Alright, Brother Xiao Li, I apologize for this!"

Seeing the two team up, Xiao Li's heart sank. Two experts of the same level. Before he had cultivated his new Dou Skill, he might have been a little afraid, but now...

"You two, come at me. My spear also yearns to battle with you both!"