Chapter 246: Chapter 235: First Display of Prowess (Part 1)
The disciples from various nations returned to the viewing stands. The elders immediately called them over, using the rest period to strategize for the upcoming group stage battles.
To reduce the number of matches, the group stage battles didn’t simply have everyone fight each other once. Instead, they used a rule system similar to a reverse-challenge ladder.
The fifth-ranked disciple in a group would initiate the first challenge, taking on any disciple ranked higher than them.
If they won, the two would swap ranks, and the winner could continue challenging upwards. If they lost, their rank would remain unchanged, and so on.
In most cases, the top-ranked disciple in a group only needed to wait for the lower-ranked members to sort themselves out and then fight a single match against the second-place disciple.
Sometimes, if the second-place disciple felt their chances of winning were slim, they would simply forfeit the challenge.
Yang Lin wasn’t worried about Zhao Lin. He simply instructed, "I don’t have much to tell you. With your strength, as long as you don’t underestimate your opponents, it won’t be difficult to advance."
Zhao Lin replied seriously, "Rest assured, Headmaster. I will never underestimate any opponent. I will treat every match as if it were my last."
"Good."
Yang Lin nodded, then turned to discuss tactics with the other disciples.
Zhao Lin, with nothing to do, sent out an ultrasonic wave toward the section of the stands where Weizi was.
At that moment, Yi Rihao was sitting beside Elder Gu, listening to his instructions.
Elder Gu stroked his beard and said, "The third, fourth, and fifth-ranked disciples in your group are average. They’re no match for you, so advancing won’t be a problem."
"I suggest you fight a match against Zhao Lin. For someone so young to be that strong... what does that tell you?"
"It means he’s focused all his energy on strength. His other cultivation techniques are bound to be lacking. You might just have a chance."
"Even if you lose, you’ll help us gauge his true strength, paving the way for our other disciples. That would be a great service to the sect."
"This is my suggestion. What do you think?"
Yi Rihao was actually thinking the same thing. He felt that although his punching power was over a hundred points lower than Zhao Lin’s, he had been training longer and had far more combat experience.
If he could fight and win, he would take Zhao Lin’s place, securing an extremely advantageous position in the subsequent elimination rounds.
The risk was great, but the reward for success was even greater. It was worth a shot!
"Elder, I’ll fight him."
"Good!"
Elder Gu nodded with a smile, then drew his hand horizontally across his throat. "If you get the chance, go for the kill."
"Rest assured, Elder. A tournament like this is like a war between nations. I won’t hold back..."
Zhao Lin stopped listening. He lowered his gaze and snorted inwardly. ’Very well. I won’t hold back either. Let’s see which one of us ends up killing the other.’
After a short while, Elder Ruan of the Lotus Sect walked to the center of the training grounds and announced, "Everyone, the group stage is about to begin. As is tradition, I will now read the rules of the competition. I trust you will all abide by them."
He then took out a sheepskin scroll and began to read from it in a loud voice.
Zhao Lin listened carefully and found that the tournament’s rules were similar to those of ordinary matches, but with three key differences.
First difference: People in the viewing stands were forbidden from shouting reminders or advice to the disciples competing.
The first offense would earn a warning; a second would result in an immediate disqualification.
Secretive voice transmissions were also forbidden, as the Primordial Realm martial artists present were capable of detecting such sound fluctuations.
The second difference: During a match, a competitor could not have both feet off the ground for more than five breaths, or they would be disqualified.
This was also easy to understand. Blood Realm martial artists all possessed some ability to leap and stay airborne. This was especially true for those who practiced Wind Attribute cultivation techniques, as they could hover for extended periods.
Without this rule, you could have a situation where one person hovered in the sky while the other just stared up from the arena, making a proper match impossible.
The final point was that the rules did not explicitly forbid killing.
In other words, if you were not strong enough and failed to concede in time, you could very well be killed.
This was the cruel reality of the tournament. The competitors were not disciples from the same sect or nation; no one would show mercy.
After reading the rules, Elder Ruan lowered the sheepskin scroll and said, "The hour is late. Please take your positions. Let the group stage... begin!"
At the signal, the participating disciples rose and walked onto the training grounds. Following the guidance of the Lotus Sect’s attendants, they went to their assigned arenas.
An elder from Xiuzhao was stationed in front of each arena to act as a referee.
Zhao Lin was in Group Five, and his arena was situated right in the center of the training grounds.
"Jiang Qu, who do you challenge?"
the refereeing elder asked the fifth-ranked disciple.
The disciple named Jiang Qu answered without hesitation, "I challenge the fourth-ranked disciple, Saihan."
There was some strategy involved here. Only the top two from each group would advance. Some disciples, knowing they had no hope of advancing, would lower their sights, aiming just to get a single win to contribute to their nation’s overall record.
The refereeing elder nodded. "Very well. Both of you, enter the arena."
Jiang Qu and Saihan walked into the arena. Without a word, they raised their fists at almost the same time.
A raised fist signaled the start; a raised palm signaled concession.
The elder said, "Good," and began the count: "One... two... THREE!"
As one, the two fighters moved, lunging at each other and immediately engaging in a fierce exchange.
Zhao Lin knew that neither of these two posed a threat to him, but he still watched intently, studying their moves.
The two disciples were from the nations of Xiuzhao and Wuzhu. By observing their techniques and styles, he could gain some understanding of their respective martial arts. If he encountered disciples from these two nations later, he would have a better idea of what to expect.
Fights erupted on all nine arenas at nearly the same time. Fists and feet flew, and the air filled with the unceasing shouts of the combatants.
The hearts of the spectators were in their throats, all of them hoping their own nation’s disciples would score the first victory.
Before long, the match on the central arena was decided. Jiang Qu defeated Saihan, securing the first win.
However, in his next match, he lost to the third-ranked disciple from Wuche.
The Wuche disciple could only challenge upwards. He hesitated between Zhao Lin and Yi Rihao before finally choosing the latter. After all, Zhao Lin’s offensive power was simply too immense.
Yi Rihao’s punching power was ranked forty-sixth, and his signature technique was the Flame Sect’s most famous Fiery Flame Saber. Both his power and his cultivation technique were a cut above the Wuche disciple’s.
After just a dozen or so exchanges, Yi Rihao had beaten the Wuche disciple so badly that he raised his hand in surrender and left the arena, clutching his chest.
The refereeing elder asked, "Yi Rihao, will you challenge Zhao Lin, or will you stop here?"
Yi Rihao glanced at Zhao Lin. "I challenge Zhao Lin."
Even though he had already secured his spot to advance, he decided to risk it all for a better ranking.
If he managed to win, he would face a weaker opponent in the elimination rounds. The temptation was too great.
Zhao Lin knew the challenge was coming. Before Yi Rihao had even finished speaking, he was already ascending the steps to the arena.
In an instant, every eye in the venue was fixed on them...
Everyone wanted to see what this suddenly-emerged genius from Great Yue was capable of. Even the disciples waiting by the other arenas turned to watch.
Yi Rihao took a deep breath, suddenly feeling immense pressure.
Zhao Lin may be young, but his punching power of 522 was the real deal. If he were unlucky enough to take a direct hit, it would be difficult for his protective energy to withstand it.
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