The third match of the round of sixteen!
Both disciples were in position, and battle was about to erupt!
By now, ever more spectators had gathered inside and outside the venue, for the eight quarterfinalists would be decided today.
Although the top eight produced by the Sect Grand Tournament could not fully represent every disciple, they had been tested in actual combat and recognized by the public. This was practically an authoritative endorsement. Even declaring to outsiders that these disciples were the eight strongest of the Azure Cloud Sect's younger generation would be no exaggeration.
This also concerned the achievements of the senior officials of each Training Institute and the allocation of authority and resources in the coming year. It even affected whom Earth Rank Experts would take as apprentices, teach their arts, and designate as True Disciples. Even those who cared nothing for fame and profit could not help being drawn in and influenced while living in this sect, forced to pay all the more attention.
It was the sect's grand ceremony for selecting talent and passing on its legacy, as well as a place where disciples and Training Institutes could make their names. It had long since become far more than a few sparring matches and some excitement.
Fang Qianyuan stood on the platform, sizing up his opponent. The solemn expression on the other man's face made it clear that he was prepared for a bitter fight.
On this dueling platform, there were no fools who would underestimate him simply because his cultivation was low. On the contrary, every opponent treated him as a formidable enemy and exercised extreme caution, leaving Fang Qianyuan utterly speechless.
Still, Fang Qianyuan had already come to terms with it. He could not count on his opponents being careless and leaving openings for