The top ten contestants in the Grand Tournament had been decided. To Su Jiu's surprise, Li Yaran was among them.
Who would have imagined that the young boy who had always worked at the Steward Hall would make it into the top ten of the Outer Gate Grand Competition?
The top ten competed in a round robin, meaning each disciple had to fight nine matches. Each victory earned one point, and whoever finished with the most points would take first place in this sect tournament.
The ten Outer Gate disciples who had distinguished themselves among twenty thousand could all be called outstanding. Aside from Su Jiu, their strength was almost evenly matched.
Seeing Su Jiu already on the arena platform, Li Yaran gave a wry smile. "Just my luck. I'm up against you in my very first match."
Su Jiu smiled. "Perhaps you'll win all eight of your remaining matches."
Li Yaran smiled too. "Then may your auspicious words come true."
Blades flashed and swords cast flickering shadows.
Li Yaran's real strength lay in swordsmanship, and his fundamentals were solid. As they fought, Su Jiu sensed that the solidity of his cultivation was almost on par with Su Mianmian and the others. His swordsmanship did not seem like something he had practiced haphazardly on his own, either. Someone appeared to have instructed him.
Recalling the arrogance on his face when she had first met him, Su Jiu suspected that his background was far from simple.
The Outer Gate truly was a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
Without realizing it, Su Jiu began putting a little more care into their exchanges.
Before the Heaven-and-Earth Mirror, the Sect Leader and the others were also watching the match.
"Eighth, your eldest grandson is quite good."
The Eighth Elder frowned and shook