The Top Ten Decided!

Li Yao stood on the seventh platform and waited ages, but not a single person came up.

He looked down. One by one, they lowered their heads and pretended to look elsewhere.

"Hey, any of you want to come up and try?"

No one answered.

"I really am Sixth Rank. If I'm lying, I'm a dog."

Still, no one moved.

Li Yao sighed and touched the corner of his mouth.

He had wiped away that little bit of blood he'd forced out long ago. Now he stood straight and full of energy. Did he look injured?

"Shit, that guy's definitely faking it," someone muttered.

"No kidding. Look at him. Does he look hurt to you?"

"I told you. He's been hiding his strength and pretending to be in bad shape so people will go up there and get beaten."

"Anyone who wants to can go. I'm not doing it."

"Me neither. Even Eighth Rank fighters couldn't beat him. I'd just be asking for a beating at Seventh Rank."

By now, even a fool could see Li Yao had been hiding his strength on purpose.

What Sixth Rank Martial Master could take on that many people in a row without breaking a sweat?

And he had clearly faked coughing up blood. How else could he be so full of life now?

They were furious, but if asked to go up there, none of them could say they would win.

Most of those left were Seventh Rank Martial Masters. There were only a few at Eighth Rank, and more than half of those had already lost to Li Yao.

For once, Li Yao's platform fell quiet.

Seeing this, Li Yao could only put a hand to his forehead and rub his temples.

He looked over at the other platforms.

On the first, Ye Xiao stood with his arms crossed like a guardian statue. No one dared challenge him.

On the second, Yu Xuerou stood with a cool, distant air, like an iceberg. No one dared challenge her either.

The other platforms gradually drew challengers, but they were mostly Seventh and Eighth Rank contestants testing each other. The fights were hardly fierce.

"Guess there aren't any fools here. These people are hard to trick."

Li Yao shook his head and sat cross-legged on the platform.

He closed his eyes, settled his mind, and called out to the system.

"System, open the shop."

A translucent blue panel appeared before his eyes.

Li Yao checked his Background Value: 24,000 points.

Heaven-Rank Cultivation Technique "Nine-Turn Profound Art" — Redeemed, progress: 75%

Earth-Rank Cultivation Technique "Primordial Unity Art" — Background Value: 30,000 points

Spirit Artifact · Heaven-Piercing Sword — Background Value: 80,000 points

Pill · Marrow-Cleansing Pill — Background Value: 10,000 points

Ability · Fire Control — Background Value: 20,000 points

Ability · Lightning Control — Background Value: 25,000 points

Ability · Wind Control — Background Value: 18,000 points

Li Yao stared, his eyes widening.

"Holy shit, Lightning Control is only twenty-five thousand? That cheap?"

He was tempted, but decided to look around first.

"System, how much Background Value will it take to bring my Nine-Turn Profound Art to 100%?"

"Ding! Host's current Nine-Turn Profound Art progress: 80%. The remaining 20% requires 20,000 Background Value."

"Twenty thousand?" Li Yao did the math. He had 24,000 now, so he would still have some left afterward.

"Fine. Once the competition's over, I'll max it out." He was enjoying the thought when a commotion suddenly rose below the platform.

Li Yao opened his eyes and looked down. The other platforms were finally getting lively.

An Eighth Rank Martial Master leaped onto the third platform and fought its defender.

The two traded blows in a fierce exchange.

The fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth, ninth, and tenth platforms all had challengers.

But everyone who had dared take a platform from the start was formidable. The fights kept coming, yet the original defenders remained standing.

"Now that's interesting," Li Yao muttered.

He glanced at the first and second platforms again. No one dared go near them.

Ye Xiao and Yu Xuerou were both Ninth Rank Martial Masters, in a class of their own among this year's contestants.

"Looks like Ye Xiao and Yu Xuerou really do have some skills."

Time ticked by.

Li Yao sat on his platform, so bored he was nearly asleep.

He watched the other platforms. The fights were fierce, but there was little suspense.

The defender on the third platform was Zhao Tiezhu, an Eighth Rank Martial Master. His Iron Sand Palm struck with ferocious force, knocking down every challenger.

The fourth platform's defender was Shi Lei, also Eighth Rank. He had an Earth Element ability and exceptional defense. Others could pound on him without making him budge, then he would send them flying with a single punch.

The fifth platform's defender was a young woman named Li Mengqi, an Eighth Rank Martial Master who fought with a sword. Her sharp attacks left challengers scrambling to defend themselves.

The other platforms were much the same. Their defenders were all Eighth Rank Martial Masters, and none were weak.

As Li Yao watched, he began weighing them up.

These people have some real ability.

Just then, the referee's voice rang out.

"Time's up! The battle for the top ten is over!"

Li Yao blinked. That was it?

He looked at the other platforms. Every defender was still standing. Not one had been knocked down.

"Defenders, remain on your platforms! All other contestants, leave the arena!"

The people below began to retreat. The defeated challengers filed away with their heads hanging.

Li Yao stood on his platform and looked around.

Platform one: Ye Xiao.

Platform two: Yu Xuerou.

Platform three: Zhao Tiezhu.

Platform four: Wang Lei.

Platform five: Li Mengqi.

Platform six: Zhou Hao, an Eighth Rank Martial Master who wielded a long saber.

Platform seven: Li Yao.

Platform eight: Chen Wei, an Eighth Rank Martial Master who fought with his fists.

Platform nine: Liu Yang, an Eighth Rank Martial Master who used kicking techniques.

Platform ten: Zhang Tao, an Eighth Rank Martial Master who wielded a long spear.

Ten contestants. Li Yao was the only one at Sixth Rank; the rest were all Eighth or Ninth Rank.

Looking at the lineup, Li Yao felt a little smug.

A Sixth Rank Martial Master made it into the top ten. That makes me something of a legend, doesn't it?

As he thought this, the referee spoke again.

"Top ten contestants, gather in front of the main podium!"

Li Yao jumped off the platform and walked toward the podium with the others.

In the stands, Principal Shi Jian rose and looked at them with a satisfied smile.

"Not bad. This year's top ten are an impressive group." He paused, then continued, "The top-ten ranking matches will begin tomorrow at nine in the morning to decide the champion. Get some rest today and make sure you're ready."

Li Yao was listening when the system sounded.

Ding! Congratulations, host, on advancing to the top ten. Background Value +5,000 points. Current Background Value: 29,000 points.

Li Yao paused, then broke into a grin.

"Nice, nice. More Background Value coming in."

He was savoring that thought when someone called out beside him.

"Li Yao!"

Li Yao turned and saw Yu Xuerou.

Yu Xuerou walked up to him and said without expression, "You're strong."

Li Yao paused, then smiled. "Am I? I think I'm pretty strong too."

Yu Xuerou ignored that and continued, "Tomorrow, I'll beat you."

Li Yao raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That confident?"

"It's not confidence. It's a fact." With that, Yu Xuerou turned and walked away.

Li Yao watched her go and smiled.

"Interesting." He turned to leave as well.

Just then, his phone vibrated.

Li Yao took it out. Li Wenbin was calling.

"Hey, Uncle Bin. What's up?"

"Young Master, I'm waiting at the school gate."

"Okay, I'll be right out." Li Yao hung up and hurried toward the gate.

As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Li Wenbin beside a black sedan, his face grave.

"Uncle Bin, what happened?"

"Young Master, get in first. We'll talk in the car."

Li Yao got in. Li Wenbin started the car and drove away from the school.

"Young Master, I just received word. The Shangguan Family seems to be making a move."

Li Yao raised an eyebrow. "What kind of move?"

"They seem to be investigating the old master's injuries. They've also made contact with the Lin Family."

Li Yao's face darkened. "The Lin Family? The Northern Border Lin Family?"

"Yes, that Northern Border Lin Family," Li Wenbin said. "I suspect they may have joined forces."

Li Yao leaned back and watched the streets pass outside, turning it over in his mind.

Looks like things are getting more complicated.