A short while later, Naruto emerged with his usual calm expression, carrying the unconscious middle-aged cultivator upside down.
The other cultivators in the hall were stunned at the sight.
They had all clearly seen the difference in cultivation between Naruto and his opponent.
Yet Naruto had won. It was truly unexpected.
But not every cultivator was astonished.
The old man, whose face had remained stern throughout, revealed an extremely peculiar expression.
He gave Naruto a meaningful look. Although he said nothing, he seemed to know what had happened when Naruto attacked.
Naruto chuckled, casually placed the two bamboo slips in front of the old man, and set his unconscious opponent on the floor before returning to the victorious cultivators.
The old man glanced at the middle-aged cultivator lying unconscious at his feet, shook his head lightly, and gave a faint, ambiguous smile.
"Number eight."
When the final victor emerged, the old man looked at the other ten cultivators who had yet to fight, cleared his throat, and said indifferently:
"The challenges will now begin in numerical order. Anyone who feels their magical power is severely depleted may rest first and issue their challenge later."
"But all challenges must be completed today, or you will be considered to have forfeited. Challengers may not challenge anyone who has already fought another challenger. As for the extra contestant, number eleven, he may issue one challenge against the final ten victors."
"All right, begin!"
As soon as the old man finished speaking, the cultivator ranked number one eagerly selected the weakest-looking opponent among the ten cultivators, and the two entered the platform together.
His chosen opponent was only at the sixth layer, while he himself was at the seventh. His chances of winning certainly seemed good!
Yet a cup of tea's worth of