A Breakthrough Before Battle! Perfected-Level Origin Guard Shield!

The wind began to rise.

The ten candidates who had made it to the end each claimed a spot, sat cross-legged to regulate their breathing, and waited for the third round that would decide their final rankings.

One sat in a corner with his eyes closed, though his eyelids kept twitching. Every so often, he stole a glance around him, plainly anxious and uneasy.

He was the lucky candidate Chu Bai and Ji Li had fought over as their last prey atop the Spirit Realm mountain.

The ordeal had been wretched, a narrow escape from death, but the result was undeniable: he had lasted to the end and landed a place in the top ten.

Of course, anyone who had come this far was no ordinary contender.

But he had seen those two gods of slaughter at work with his own eyes. Even now that he was safe, the pressure they had driven into the depths of his soul left him shaken.

I avoided fighting the whole time, so I'm in better shape than the others. But...

He sneaked a look at Chu Bai and Ji Li nearby, bitterness welling up inside him.

If I draw either of them, I won't stand a chance of fighting back!

Forget it. If that happens, I'll surrender at once. There's no shame in it.

He took a deep breath, trying to convince himself.

The image of those two killing with bloodshot eyes was still seared into his mind. Judge Li would oversee the arena matches, so he certainly would not die, but he had no wish to feel again the terror of being kneaded like an ant.

He looked toward Chu Bai.

The absurdly young first-year had already finished regulating his breathing and was testing the power of the Metal-Bearing Seal with keen