Venerable White Frost raised his hand slightly. The runes on the spirit disc flickered again, and his voice rolled down like thunder:
"First match-Lin Sheng of Cloud Waves Gate against Tang Lie of Gale Hall!"
As his words fell, brilliant light flooded the center of the arena. Interwoven formation patterns created an independent space capable of withstanding an all-out clash between Qi Condensation Realm cultivators.
Lin Sheng, the leading outer disciple of Cloud Waves Gate, stepped into the arena with a trident in hand. Although his cultivation was only at initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm, his expression was composed and his gaze sharp. Water Spiritual Qi flowed over his body, and wherever his feet landed, Spiritual Qi rippled outward.
Opposite him, Tang Lie strode forward. He was tall, with a crimson saber strapped to his back, and Spiritual Qi raged around him like a storm. His cultivation was at the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, and his presence bore down on the entire gathering. Before his saber even left its sheath, its sharp presence was already slicing through space like a gale.
"Disciples, remember-hold nothing back. Prove your Dao through strength!" Venerable White Frost's voice rolled down.
"Begin!"
Boom!
The arena's formation patterns lit up instantly, sealing off heaven and earth and cutting off the presence of the outside world.
Tang Lie let out a low roar and whipped his saber from its sheath. A storm of flames erupted, and saber light blazed like the scorching sun as it lunged straight at Lin Sheng!
"Gale Saber: Void-Breaking Slash!"
The saber light swept across several zhang, carrying blazing fire and hurricane winds as it crashed down ahead.
Lin Sheng's expression remained unchanged. He gripped his trident with both hands, and Spiritual Qi surged from his body. Blue light gathered at the trident's tip, and a wave of water became a long dragon that rose with a furious roar to meet the gale-wreathed saber light!
"Sea Waves Halberd: Water Dragon Break!"
Boom!!!
The saber light and water dragon slammed together in the center of the arena. Spiritual Qi exploded, and wind and water intertwined into an enormous shock wave that made the arena's formation patterns flash repeatedly.
The watching disciples cried out together, their eyes fixed on the arena.
Tang Lie's saber momentum did not diminish. His fierce presence erupted again as he became a rushing gale and closed in. His saber cleaved downward as though to split both Lin Sheng and the arena in two!
Lin Sheng gritted his teeth and roared. His trident spun, and water Spiritual Qi burst into countless water blades, weaving a protective curtain to meet the attack head-on.
"Boom!"
Spiritual Qi roared and shook. Flaming Saber Qi tore through the water curtain, and the impact constricted Lin Sheng's chest. Blood surged into his throat, but he clenched his teeth and steadied himself, his gaze still unyielding.
Storms and waves intertwined above the arena, their rumbling unceasing.
Tang Lie laughed wildly and held his saber horizontally. Flames rose like a tide, and a crimson sun seemed to gather along its edge, its radiance so intense that no one could keep their eyes open.
"Lin Sheng! A mere initial-entry Qi Condensation cultivator like you cannot withstand Gale Hall's saber! Take this-Gale Heaven-Burning Slash!"
He stamped down, and the arena rumbled violently. His saber descended with a flaming radiance that could destroy heaven and earth, its momentum tearing a long, narrow fissure through the void!
Lin Sheng's face was pale, but he did not retreat half a step. With a furious roar, he drove his trident into the arena, burning the Spiritual Qi within him to its utmost.
"Sea Waves Halberd Art: Thousand Waves Returning to the Tide!"
Boom!!!
Water Spiritual Qi erupted from the trident's tip, becoming towering waves. A thousand layers of watery shadows appeared within them, like an ocean pouring backward, and crashed toward the flaming saber light.
Water and fire collided wildly in the center of the arena. Light exploded with thunderous roars that left countless disciples' eardrums ringing.
"Boom!"
The saber light cleaved through layer upon layer of waves. Its flames blazed with unmatched intensity, instantly burning away half the tidal shadows. Lin Sheng gritted his teeth and roared, spinning his trident and forcibly stopping the final blade edge.
Bang!!!
Waves of fire and water exploded together, and the savage shock wave hurled both Lin Sheng and Tang Lie back several zhang!
The watching disciples erupted in an uproar:
"Lin Sheng actually withstood Gale Hall's Gale Heaven-Burning Slash!"
"A Cloud Waves Gate disciple could be this tenacious!"
"But... I doubt he can last much longer."
Sure enough, Lin Sheng's arms trembled violently. The webbing between his thumbs and forefingers had split, and blood ran down his trident. He gasped for breath, his forehead covered in cold sweat, but his gaze remained resolute.
Tang Lie snorted coldly and raised his saber horizontally again. His presence grew stronger, and flames churned as though to burn the entire arena to ashes.
"Not bad. You actually took one of my moves. But this ends here!"
He unleashed his second move-Gale Mountain Severing!
The saber descended with the force of collapsing mountains and splitting earth. Flaming saber light swept forward with howling winds, its might terrifying.
Lin Sheng exhausted his final trace of Spiritual Qi and held his trident across his body, roaring, "Sea Waves: Countercurrent Break!"
But the difference in strength was too great.
"Boom!"
The saber light tore through the water curtain and slammed into Lin Sheng's chest!
Lin Sheng's chest tightened, and blood sprayed from his mouth. He was hurled more than ten zhang away and crashed heavily at the edge of the arena, his will to fight utterly shattered.
"Lin Sheng of Cloud Waves Gate-defeated!"
Venerable White Frost's stern voice rang out. The arena's spiritual formation flashed and carried Lin Sheng safely off the field.
In the square, the Cloud Waves Gate disciples shouted together, their eyes filled with pain and regret, while the Gale Hall disciples erupted in earthshaking cheers.
Tang Lie swept his saber, drawing back its flames. He surveyed the gathering proudly and said coldly:
"Next!"
Venerable White Frost's voice rang out again:
"Second match-Zhou Yuan of Cloud Waves Gate against Liu Chong of Gale Hall!"
Whoosh-
The arena's formation patterns flashed, and a protective barrier rose. Zhou Yuan stepped out from among the Cloud Waves Gate disciples. He was thin, with a stern face and light footsteps. Every step seemed to carry shadows of wind, as though his entire body had merged into the air.
Zhou Yuan was at initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm and cultivated the Wind Traversal Art. His movement technique was extremely fast, and his swordsmanship light, agile, and fierce.
Opposite him, Liu Chong of Gale Hall stepped into the arena. He carried a heavy sword across his back, his body tall and powerful, his presence fierce. An overbearing sharpness flashed in his eyes.
Liu Chong was at the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm and cultivated the Gale Heavy Sword Art. His sword was like a storm, seeking to cut down his opponent in a single strike.
"Begin!"
The arena's formation patterns shook with a boom, and both men erupted into motion!
Whoosh!
Zhou Yuan vanished abruptly, becoming an afterimage as he circled around Liu Chong's side. His sword thrust out, its light sharp as a cold star, aimed straight at Liu Chong's throat!
"Wind Shadow Sword: Star Chasing!"
The sword moved as swiftly as streaming light, almost too fast to react to!
Liu Chong snorted coldly. His body jolted, and his heavy sword swept across. Spiritual Qi roared, and fierce winds spread outward like a raging tide.
"Gale Heavy Sword: Mountain Cleaving!"
Boom!!!
The fierce Sword Qi raised by the heavy sword shattered Zhou Yuan's afterimage outright, sending ripples through space. Although Zhou Yuan dodged in time, the lingering winds still grazed him. His figure faltered, and a trickle of blood escaped his mouth.
The watching disciples cried out together:
"What terrifying strength! No matter how fast Zhou Yuan's movement technique is, Liu Chong's storm-like sword momentum still suppresses him!"
Yet Zhou Yuan's gaze remained resolute, and he poured Spiritual Qi into his feet again.
"Wind Traversal Nine Shadows!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
In an instant, his figure split into nine afterimages across the arena, each lifelike. They raced around Liu Chong so quickly that the sight dazzled the eyes. Sword light flashed simultaneously, like nine stars falling together, thrusting straight at Liu Chong's vital points!
Liu Chong's expression changed. With a furious roar, he unleashed the Spiritual Qi within him to its utmost and drove his heavy sword into the ground. A savage storm exploded outward with him at its center!
"Gale Heavy Sword: Storm Prison!"
Boom!
Countless streams of Sword Qi and hurricane winds rose, tearing all nine of Zhou Yuan's figures to pieces! The real Zhou Yuan was struck by the shock wave. He spat blood and was sent flying backward.
"Zhou Yuan-defeated!"
Venerable White Frost announced the result coldly.
The Cloud Waves Gate disciples looked stricken, while the Gale Hall disciples erupted in thunderous cheers once again.
Liu Chong put away his sword and stood, staring coldly toward Cloud Waves Gate. "Who else dares to come!"
Venerable White Frost's voice rolled out again:
"Third match-Ye Qing of Cloud Waves Gate against Sun Kui of Gale Hall!"
The arena shone brilliantly, its formation patterns flowing, as both men entered at once.
Ye Qing, a Cloud Waves Gate disciple, was at initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm and cultivated the Earth Rock Shield Art. He was strongly built, his steps steady. He held a thick, heavy stone hammer in both hands, his presence steady as a mountain.
Sun Kui, a Gale Hall disciple, was at the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm and cultivated Gale Slash. He was slender, and crimson light flickered along the spear in his hand. His presence was fierce as a hunting hawk, his eyes sharp and filled with disdain.
"Begin!"
The arena's formation patterns activated with a boom!
Sun Kui attacked first. His spear howled, stirring fierce winds and trailing crimson spear light. Like a venomous dragon emerging from the sea, it thrust straight toward Ye Qing's chest!
"Gale Spear: Shadow Breaking!"
The spear came swift and fierce, its thunderous passage through the wind bearing straight down on the heart!
Ye Qing's gaze sharpened. Gripping his stone hammer with both hands, he slammed it into the ground! Several rock shields instantly rose from the arena, and dense earth Spiritual Qi gathered into a wall before him!
"Earth Rock Art: Thick Wall Defense!"
Boom!!!
The spear light slammed into the rock shields. Sparks and storms intertwined, and cracks spread through the shields, but they forcibly withstood Sun Kui's furious assault.
"Hmph, nothing more than this!" Sun Kui sneered. His figure flashed as he circled to the shields' flank, spinning his spear into a storm before sweeping it across!
Ye Qing was already prepared. He stamped down, and rocks instantly rose from the arena to seal off his flank. At the same time, he roared and swung his stone hammer, pouring dense earth Spiritual Qi into it as he struck straight at Sun Kui!
"Earth Rock Art: Mountain Collapse Strike!"
Boom!
The stone hammer crashed down with crushing weight, carrying the power of the arena. Sun Kui held his spear across to block, but the brute force numbed his arms and nearly knocked it from his hands.
The watching disciples cried out, "Ye Qing's strength... is actually this great!"
Sun Kui roared and unleashed his Spiritual Qi at full force. Crimson light flared along his spear, and fierce gale spear intent became dozens of spear shadows that thrust out simultaneously!
"Gale Spear: Ten Thousand Shadows Break!"
Countless spear shadows covered Ye Qing's entire body like a storm!
Yet a ruthless gleam flashed through Ye Qing's eyes. He abruptly abandoned his defense, planting his feet like nails driven into the ground. His entire body became an unmoving mountain as he raised his stone hammer high and gathered all the Spiritual Qi within him into it!
"Earth Rock Art: Mountain Suppression!"
Boom!!!
The stone hammer collided head-on with the spear shadows. Spiritual light exploded across the arena, and fierce winds intertwined with earth and rock into a destructive storm!
Crack!
Under the stone hammer's blow, Sun Kui's spear actually broke apart, its shaft shattering inch by inch. The immense force struck him, and blood sprayed from his mouth as he was hurled heavily out of the arena!
"Sun Kui-defeated!"
Venerable White Frost announced coldly.
The entire gathering erupted!
"What?! Ye Qing, who is only at initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm, actually defeated Sun Kui, who is at the middle stage!"
"Cloud Waves Gate... actually won a match!"
"That combination of strength and the Earth Rock Art is simply terrifying!"
The Cloud Waves Gate disciples cheered and leaped with joy, their voices surging like a tide. The Gale Hall disciples, however, looked livid. Tang Lie tightened his grip on his saber, killing intent flashing in his eyes.
Gasping for breath, Ye Qing stood in the center of the arena with his stone hammer in hand, like an unshakable mountain. He grinned and declared in a ringing voice:
"Cloud Waves Gate will not fall easily!"
Venerable White Frost swept his sleeve, his voice like thunder:
"Fourth match-Lin Yue of the Mystic Crane Sect against Wei Feng of Cloud Waves Gate!"
The arena's spiritual patterns blazed to life with a boom as both men stepped into the arena together.
Lin Yue, an outer disciple of the Mystic Crane Sect, was at the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm and cultivated the Cloud Crane Movement Technique and Mystic Crane Sword Art. He was slender, his sword edge like a cold star, his presence cool, like a crane standing among the clouds.
Wei Feng, an outer disciple of Cloud Waves Gate, was at initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm. He held a bronze heavy saber and had a burly build. His presence was like blazing fire, his bright eyes carrying an unyielding will.
"Let the match begin!"
Before the words had finished, Lin Yue's figure flashed. He became a white crane phantom, and his sword light cleaved down from above!
"Mystic Crane Sword Art: Cloud Severing!"
The sword light poured down like frost and snow, incomparably swift and fierce, reaching the space above Wei Feng's head in an instant!
Wei Feng shouted and raised his heavy saber high with both hands. Spiritual Qi poured from his body into the blade, and the bronze saber instantly erupted with crimson light, its momentum sweeping forth like flames!
"Blazing Rock Saber: Fire Collapse!"
Boom!!!
Saber light and sword light exploded in midair, their radiance blinding. Flames and Sword Qi intertwined into a terrifying shock wave that made the arena's formation patterns tremble violently!
Lin Yue moved with a crane's grace. Layered sword shadows became cold gleams like crane feathers filling the sky, leaving no gaps as they pressed straight toward Wei Feng!
"Mystic Crane Sword Art: Crane Dance, Heavenly Frost!"
"Well met!" Wei Feng roared and stamped down hard, making the arena shudder. His heavy saber danced wildly as he broke finesse with strength, meeting the sword shadows head-on!
Saber light erupted like a volcano, while sword light scattered like cold frost. The two collided fiercely across the arena, explosions ringing without end. The watching disciples' blood boiled, and they did not dare blink!
Lin Yue shouted coldly. His sword radiance abruptly converged into an incomparably fierce sword rainbow that pierced the void!
"Mystic Crane Sword Art: Frost-Cold Single Sword!"
The strike was as fast as lightning, aimed straight at Wei Feng's heart!
Wei Feng's expression changed. Roaring, he mobilized all the Spiritual Qi in his body, and his heavy saber abruptly became a blazing blade of fire that swept outward!
"Blazing Rock Saber: Flame Prison Collapse!"
Boom!!!
The sword rainbow and blazing blade collided head-on. The resulting Spiritual Qi impact was like a volcanic explosion, and the formation patterns at the arena's edge flashed wildly, forcibly holding back the destructive shock wave.
As the dust cleared, Wei Feng was revealed kneeling on one knee, his heavy saber driven deep into the arena. Blood stained his chest, but he still stubbornly held himself up. Lin Yue had also been driven back several steps, his face slightly pale, but his sword point remained steadily aimed at Wei Feng.
Venerable White Frost said gravely:
"Wei Feng is severely injured and can no longer fight-Lin Yue of the Mystic Crane Sect wins this match!"
The Mystic Crane Sect disciples burst into cheers. Though the Cloud Waves Gate disciples had lost, they all shouted, "Well done, Senior Brother Wei!"
Wei Feng struggled to his feet and grinned broadly. "I have no complaints about losing, but Cloud Waves Gate won't concede!"
The spectators below the stage buzzed with discussion:
"The swordsmanship of Mystic Crane Sect's disciples really is fierce!"
"Though Wei Feng lost, he earned honor in defeat. He showed incredible resolve in this battle!"
Venerable White Frost waved his hand, and the spirit disc flashed again.
"The fifth match-Zhou Lie of Gale Hall against Fang Chen of Mystic Crane Sect!"
Light blazed across the arena as both men stepped onto the stage.
Zhou Lie, a disciple of Gale Hall, had reached the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm and cultivated the Fierce Wind Art. Tall and imposing, he held a long spear whose blade gleamed blue-gold, his presence as violent as a storm.
Fang Chen, a disciple of Mystic Crane Sect, was a sword cultivator at initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm. He was lean, but his eyes were keen. With a sword in hand, his entire being resembled a sharp blade drawn from its sheath.
"Let the match begin!"
Zhou Lie let out a long howl. His steps were as swift as a gale, and his spear thrust out fiercely amid howling winds, tearing narrow rifts through the void itself!
"Fierce Wind Spear: Sky-Piercing Thrust!"
Fang Chen's expression turned grave. Sword light erupted in an instant as he transformed into a streak of flowing light, sword shadows raining down like droplets!
"Crane Shadow Sword: Flowing Light Severance!"
Boom!!!
The spear radiance and sword shadows collided head-on in midair. Spiritual Qi surged, exploding like thunder and making the entire arena hum.
Zhou Lie shouted coldly. Unending spear radiance became a storm that swept across the entire arena!
"Fierce Wind Spear: Nine Howling Wind Strikes!"
In an instant, nine spear shadows became a furious tempest, engulfing Fang Chen from every direction!
Fang Chen's gaze sharpened. His sword's edge suddenly drew inward, instantly gathering Qi at its tip. Cold light flashed, and his sword intent broke through the spear shadows!
"Crane Shadow Sword: Void Breaking!"
Sword light thrust straight out with fierce momentum, like a white crane spreading its wings, breaking through the storm!
"Excellent!" Many disciples in the spectator stands cheered. The sight was utterly breathtaking.
Yet Zhou Lie was clearly a cut above him. His spear techniques surged like raging waves, his steps swift as a whirlwind, gradually suppressing the sword light.
Finally, Zhou Lie roared. Fierce winds gathered around his spearhead as it swept forth with the might to rout a thousand soldiers!
"Fierce Wind Spear: Gale Army Breaker!"
Boom!!!
A blast of air surged up, completely swallowing Fang Chen's sword light. With a muffled grunt, he was hurled more than ten zhang away and crashed heavily onto the edge of the arena. His presence weakened, and his sword slipped from his hand.
Venerable White Frost announced in a ringing voice:
"Fang Chen of Mystic Crane Sect can no longer fight. The winner of this match is Zhou Lie of Gale Hall!"
Gale Hall's disciples cheered in unison, their cries shaking the heavens: "Gale Hall is invincible!"
Meanwhile, Mystic Crane Sect's disciples wore dark expressions, clearly deeply dissatisfied with Fang Chen's defeat.
With that, five matches had ended: one victory for Cloud Waves Gate, three for Gale Hall, and one for Mystic Crane Sect.
Venerable White Frost's gaze sharpened. The spirit disc in his hand flashed, and his voice echoed throughout the grounds:
"The sixth match-Lin Yue of Mystic Crane Sect against Ye Qing of Cloud Waves Gate!"
Light suddenly surged from the arena, formation patterns lit up, and two figures slowly stepped onto the stage.
Lin Yue, a disciple of Mystic Crane Sect, had reached the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. He wore close-fitting black clothes, with an ink-black short saber hanging at his waist and eyes as sharp as a hawk's. He cultivated Mystic Crane Sect's rare Mystic Blade Art, a powerful, precise saber art that emphasized overcoming enemies with speed.
Ye Qing, a disciple of Cloud Waves Gate, had reached initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm. Burly and carrying a heavy iron hammer, he had a weighty presence. The Earth Rock Art he cultivated focused on solid defense and strength, pursuing victory through steadiness.
One was light, the other heavy; one swift, the other steady. Their dispositions were entirely different.
"Let the match begin!"
-Boom!!!
Lin Yue stamped down, his figure becoming a streak of fading light, swift as lightning. His black short saber suddenly swept out, its light like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, heading straight for Ye Qing's throat.
"Mystic Blade Art: Startling Thunder Slash!"
Ye Qing gave a low shout. His arms shook fiercely, and his heavy iron hammer swept across. Air currents churned, as though a mountain had risen before him.
"Earth and Rock Art: Iron Wall!"
The saber light struck the iron hammer, sending sparks flying as a deafening boom erupted across the arena!
Lin Yue raised an eyebrow. His figure flashed repeatedly, his saber shadows a furious tempest that instantly became dozens of streaks of fading light, slashing down without leaving a single gap.
"Mystic Blade Art: Hundred Shadow Frenzied Slash!"
A hundred black saber shadows seemed to appear abruptly in the arena, surrounding Ye Qing completely.
The watching disciples held their breath and focused. "Ye Qing will probably be suppressed now!"
Yet Ye Qing grinned and shouted, smashing both hammers down at once. Spiritual Qi erupted, the ground cracked with a boom, and the heavy power of earth and rock became a shield surrounding his body.
"Earth and Rock Art: Earth Suppresses the Prison!"
Boom!!!
Countless saber shadows collided head-on with the power of earth and rock, making the arena's formation patterns flicker wildly, as though they were about to be shattered outright!
When the dust cleared, Lin Yue staggered back three steps, his expression shifting slightly. Ye Qing stood in the center of the arena with his crossed hammers braced against the ground, his presence steady as a rock!
"What powerful defense!" The watching Gale Hall disciples could not help exclaiming.
Seizing the momentum, Ye Qing roared and stamped down hard. His entire body became a streak of light that shot into the sky. Spiritual Qi gathered around his twin hammers as he smashed them down!
"Earth and Rock Art: Mountain-Splitting Hammer!"
Boom!!!!
The strike seemed to split the entire arena in two! Unable to dodge completely in time, Lin Yue hastily blocked with his black saber, but the tremendous force split the webbing between his thumb and forefinger. He flew sideways more than ten zhang and slammed heavily into the arena's protective barrier, blood spraying from his mouth!
Venerable White Frost immediately announced:
"Lin Yue of Mystic Crane Sect is defeated! Ye Qing of Cloud Waves Gate wins!"
The entire crowd erupted!
Cloud Waves Gate's disciples burst into thunderous cheers that shook the heavens, while Mystic Crane Sect's disciples turned ashen, their gazes dark.
At this point-
Gale Hall had three victories, Cloud Waves Gate two, and Mystic Crane Sect only one. Mystic Crane Sect had almost no hope left of qualifying for the next round!
Venerable White Frost stood atop the high platform, his robes billowing without wind. His voice echoed like a great bell across White Frost Ancient City's square:
"Six matches have concluded. Gale Hall has three victories, Cloud Waves Gate two, and Mystic Crane Sect one. Under the tournament rules-Gale Hall and Cloud Waves Gate advance to the next round! Mystic Crane Sect is eliminated!"
A buzz-
The square instantly boiled over. Countless sect disciples whispered to one another, their discussions rising like a tide.
Gale Hall's disciples erupted in cheers like roaring mountains and seas, raising their weapons and shouting, "Gale Hall is invincible! Gale Hall is invincible!" Their momentum was like raging winds and furious tides, making people's eardrums tingle.
Though Cloud Waves Gate's disciples had only won twice, they too could not help raising their arms and shouting in unison, "Cloud Waves Gate will prevail! Cloud Waves Gate will prevail!"
In contrast, every Mystic Crane Sect disciple looked ashen, their eyes filled with resentment and anger. Their fists clenched, yet they could only lower their heads in silence.
Venerable White Frost's indifferent voice continued, carrying unquestionable authority:
"The victors hold their heads high; the defeated bear no grievances. Mystic Crane Sect may withdraw. There shall be no clamor or reckless words."
The elder leading Mystic Crane Sect looked utterly grim, but ultimately only cupped his hands in salute and replied solemnly, "We shall abide by the tournament rules." He then led the disciples away in dejection, their figures disappearing into the crowd.
Qin Yu's gaze sharpened slightly as he pondered inwardly:
So this was competition between sects. Victory and defeat were separated by a single thread. Once defeated, even the strongest sect disciples could only bow their heads and leave... If I wanted to gain a foothold on the Great Yan Continent, I had to keep growing stronger!
At that moment, Venerable White Frost spoke again from the high platform, sweeping his gaze over the crowd:
"In the next round, Gale Hall, Cloud Waves Gate, and Cloud-Leveling Hall will draw lots to determine their opponents. The tournament continues!"
-Boom!!!
As his voice fell, another wave of cheers swept through the grounds like a surge of heat. Countless sect disciples' hearts swelled as they anticipated the coming clashes at the summit!
Venerable White Frost swept his broad sleeve, and the spirit disc rose into the air again, blazing with golden light. Nine formation patterns burst open in the air like the starry rivers of the nine heavens, enveloping the entire tournament grounds.
"Disciples of Cloud-Leveling Hall, enter!"
Rumble-
Led by their elders, Cloud-Leveling Hall's disciples marched into the square in unison, robes snapping, their momentum like a rainbow. Outer and inner disciples stood in ranks on either side, their formation orderly, like a heavenly army descending upon the world. At that moment, countless gazes turned toward them, and discussions broke out everywhere.
"Cloud-Leveling Hall's disciples are here!"
"I heard an unparalleled genius emerged among their outer disciples. He rose against the odds from a Gray Spirit Root and fought his way to become the strongest in the outer sect!"
"Heh, I'd like to see just who this Qin Yu is, with all these miraculous stories about him!"
Cloud-Leveling Hall's grand elder personally stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Venerable White Frost, his voice ringing out:
"Cloud-Leveling Hall's disciples have arrived!"
Venerable White Frost swept his gaze over them and said coldly, "Begin drawing lots."
Boom-
The spirit disc blazed with light, its formation patterns shining. Pillars of light descended one after another, like divine judgments.
The first light fell-Cloud-Leveling Hall outer disciple Zhao Xinyu against Gale Hall disciple Tang Lie!
The square immediately stirred, many gazes carrying amusement and admiration. Zhao Xinyu stepped out lightly, her expression composed but her features resolute.
The second light fell-Cloud-Leveling Hall outer disciple Yang Zheng against Cloud Waves Gate disciple Zhou Yuan!
Yang Zheng tightened his grip on his sword, his heart pounding. Turning to Qin Yu, he grinned. "Brother Yu, watch me!"
The third light fell-Cloud-Leveling Hall outer disciple Nangong Heyao against Gale Hall disciple Zhou Lie!
Instantly, discussions outside the arena thundered: "That's Cloud-Leveling Hall's outer sect senior brother! Major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm! Now we're in for a good show!"
Pillar after pillar of light descended in turn. Cloud-Leveling Hall's disciples stepped forward one after another, pushing the atmosphere to a climax.
Finally-
When the last pillar of light suddenly burst apart, its radiance illuminating the entire square, every disciple involuntarily caught their breath.
That pillar of light slowly descended, shining upon Qin Yu!
"Cloud-Leveling Hall outer disciple-Qin Yu, against Cloud Waves Gate outer disciple Ye Qing!"
In an instant, the entire square of White Frost Ancient City seemed to erupt in a roar like mountains and seas.
"It's finally his turn!"
"The heaven-defying Gray Spirit Root disciple! Let's see whether his reputation is undeserved!"
"If he really can slay his opponent, Cloud-Leveling Hall's fortune will surely soar this year!"
Countless burning, provocative, and astonished gazes converged on Qin Yu at once. At that moment, the atmosphere in the square ignited completely!
Qin Yu slowly raised his head, his eyes clear and resolute. He gently tightened his grip on his battle spear and whispered in his heart:
It was finally time to take the stage... In this battle, I absolutely could not retreat!