On the seventh day of the twelfth month, beneath a clear, bright sky, everyone from the academy once again arrived at the Yu Division's tournament grounds to watch the final round of qualifying matches.
Starting today, the qualifiers from each group would be decided, thirty-two in all, forming the final thirty-two.
If Fang Qianyuan won today's match as well, he could decide his own fate with three victories in three matches, rather than having to rely on other people's performances through tiebreakers, evaluations, and the like, as the disciples burdened with losses did.
Gong Yuan told Fang Qianyuan, "This is the crucial match that will determine whether you qualify smoothly. Your opponent ranks fourth at the Wudong Training Institute, but anyone who can come here to compete in the Sect Grand Tournament is no ordinary fighter. Be careful."
"Don't worry, Elder. I'll win!" Fang Qianyuan assured him with complete confidence.
Gong Yuan nodded, then watched the matches with him.
The contestants for the first few matches were soon determined. Kong Chongshan took the stage in the second match and defeated Shi Fengping by a narrow margin.
Wu Longjie appeared next. After a hard-fought battle, he also defeated Yuan Hua, the second-ranked disciple of the Pingchuan Training Institute, pulling off a modest upset.
But immediately afterward, Shen Yiliang, the first-seeded disciple in their group, defeated the third-seeded Chang Qishan and secured three victories in three matches, utterly extinguishing Wu Longjie's already faint hopes of qualifying.
The fifth match was Ye Tianming's turn.
Ye Tianming looked much better today, and his strength had recovered to over ninety percent. He finally defeated Ma Yao, claiming his first victory since entering the Sect Grand Tournament.
But this victory was already his swan song in this year's Sect Grand Tournament. After offering brief congratulations, everyone