Chapter 214: Chapter 214: Ranking Competition
The power of Intent, has always been elusive. However, for those participating in the Great Contest of Champions, almost 99 percent have grasped a form of Intent.
But there are differences among them.
The majority of outstanding warriors have their understanding of Intent born from their martial arts, similar to Shi Xiaole’s dangerous Intent. But there is a small part that has comprehended the pure form of Intent.
For instance, Xin Riyuan from the Spring Thunder Sect, who once lost to Shi Xiaole, had comprehended the Thunder Intent Realm.
This pure form of Intent is extremely difficult to understand from martial arts, as few around the world have martial skills containing only one principle. But once grasped, it is much more powerful than the mixed Intent.
Of course, the term "more powerful" also refers to the same level. After all, Xin Riyuan did not grasp the Thunder Intent Realm very deeply, so he could not fully utilize its effect.
Shi Xiaole was different. Having long been abiding by the inspiration of the wind, his Wind Intent Realm had already reached 30 percent, with the power comparable to an average Intent of 40 percent. Add into this his formidable speed—Pan Yue was not able to resist him.
"Elder Jade intervenes!"
Halfway through, Pan Yue’s forehead was covered in sweat, grinding his silver teeth, his body suddenly flipped in mid-air. His arms outlined a full circle, unleashing an invisible yet terrifying force that attacked Shi Xiaole.
Nevertheless, having fully understood his opponent, Shi Xiaole did not want to drag the fight on. Without waiting for his opponent to prove everything he had, Shi Xiaole took action, lifting his arms high and suddenly cleaving them forward.
Like a frenzy wind solidified into a light green blade, it rushed out aggressively. In just an instant, he did not know how many times he had struck Pan Yue. As Pan Yue displayed weak points and was knocked into the air once more, the air finally ripped with the sound of tearing fabric.
"Pu!"
Pan Yue clumsily landed outside the arena, vomiting blood, not because Shi Xiaole had hurt him severely, but out of anger.
He had arrived full of confidence, determined to act a part in the contest and achieve an even better performance than his master. But he lost even before the contest officially started.
He could accept being defeated, but what mattered most was that he was beaten by his opponent from the beginning to end without gaining the upper hand even once.
This was a complete and comprehensive defeat.
"Damn it, this guy’s strength can absolutely rank in the top fifteen."
Pan Yue was trembling all over, furious at his adversary for constantly pretending to be weaker than he was. Conversely, he would have directly given up, avoiding the exposure of his bottom card in vain.
"Shi Xiaole, victorious."
The sixth judge looked deeply at Shi Xiaole, unable to stem his surprise. From the first game, he thought he had already overestimated Shi Xiaole. In retrospect, it seems he had underestimated him.
"So effortless?"
"This man has terrifying strength, obviously superior to Pan Yue."
The audience was tongue-tied.
They had thought there would be a fierce battle, but it ended after only a few moves? The formidable observational abilities, the superb Flying Skill, and the threefold Wind Intent Realm, this Shi Xiaole was indeed a terrifying adversary!
On the side of the peak, among the tree branches, the Three Flower Ladies all had their gaze fixed, taking a long time to recover.
Madam Gold Flower was the calmest, exhaling a long breath, saying, "It’s not that Pan Yue is weak, but his opponent was simply too strong."
She did not believe that Shi Xiaole had unleashed his full power yet. Anyone with a slight discerning eye wouldn’t think so, so from the start, it wasn’t a match between equals. The outcome was already decided.
However, recalling the fleeting glimpse half a year ago, Madam Gold Flower was still somewhat confused, wondering how much progress Shi Xiaole had actually made during this period.
Yinhua Lady’s beautiful eyes flickered, secretly contemplating.
Yuhua Lady bit her red lips, her pretty face both shocked and embarrassed, and there was a sentiment she couldn’t express spreading within her.
On the other side, Elder Jade watched his beloved junior’s wretched defeat with a gloomy look, but he could only sigh in helplessness.
After the battle on the sixth platform finished, the first round of the knockout race entered the second half, and the referee group quickly announced the top nine competitors from each of the nine platforms based on their points.
Shi Xiaole, with a record of 24 victories, was tied with two others for second place in group six.
The three youthful swordsmen, Situ Changkong, Mo Ye, Gu Zhihang, Xu Nianxue, and Monk Wunian, were all undefeated as well.
Worth mentioning is that due to the tournament rules, there were a total of thirty-six people who achieved total victory. Among them, the second, seventh, and eighth platforms had some rematches, each with a few people tied for ninth place. They were forced into additional confrontations to determine the final candidates.
Meanwhile, the remaining groups began the final challenge match of the knockout tournament. Those who were not selected had one chance to challenge one of the top nine for their place.
Naturally, no one was foolish enough to challenge those acknowledged as the first tier. The second tier was also very careful, and as for the nine seed players, only someone insane would choose them.
So, those warriors who were lucky and scored high but couldn’t convince others with their strength were in big trouble, constantly being challenged by others. And to tell the truth, a few of them were indeed dethroned.
After several hours had passed.
The knockout round finally ended, and each group had finally confirmed the nine people entering the ranking competition. Expectedly, these eighty-one people were the top fighters in the New Little Hero Contest.
As a member of the referee group read out the names of these eighty-one people, each time a name was spoken, there was applause from the hillside. It must be the forces that each prodigy represented.
"Hahaha, blessed by the ancestral masters of all generations, we Guiding Faction finally had a disciple selected!"
"My brother will soon be up on the Junior Hero Leaderboard, ranked among the top eighty-one in the whole Qingxue State. Who will dare to mess with me then?"
Many people shouted with joy, many sect masters were moved to tears.
The Junior Hero Leaderboard is not merely an honor. Once selected, you enter the vision of the Qingxue Alliance. If the prodigy from an unestablished sect is listed, they will immediately receive a token to establish an officially recognized sect.
Moreover, if the prodigy performs well in the future, the sect benefits and may become a member of the Qingxue Alliance. That’s when you truly enter the mainstream view of the Qingxue State’s martial world, and your sect’s safety and interests will gain unprecedented protection!
"Junior Brother!"
When Shi Xiaole’s name was called, everyone from the Huajian Sect became incredibly excited. Sect Master Yu Fangge’s eyes turned red in an unprecedented moment. Big Brother Yuan Qiuwei laughed heartily, and Second Elder was so emotionally moved that his tears flowed freely.
Their happiness was not just for the reputation of their sect, but also because the young man who had become the focus of attention on the stage of Qingxue State was a disciple of their Huajian Sect.
"Leader."
Meng Qi looked at Su Yanru, and the deputy leader and others also had trembling faces.
Su Yanru could not hear them speaking or notice the expressions of others. Her gaze pierced through the cloud sea, staring fixedly at a certain figure. When that figure turned around, she felt numb all over, only knowing to shout Shi Xiaole’s name.
"Why, why isn’t he a disciple of my Truth Sword Sect?"
"The decades of disgrace for my Cloud Triangle has been broken today."
"The rise of this young man is truly unexpected."
The major powers in the Cloud Triangle, including the Truth Sword Sect, Justice Sect, Chongyang Sect, Astonishing Dragon Castle, Cloud Sword Pavilion, and other masters all voiced their admiration.
"Brother Shi, with what you’ve done, how can I ever repay your kindness?"
The once-called ’Dream Color Young Master’, Liu Mengse shook his head with a bitter smile.
Weaker sects were excited for their disciples who entered the Junior Hero Leaderboard, while the top sects and first-rate sects were comparing the number of disciples who entered the list.
"Our Asura Mansion only has three people selected? Humph, as long as Yuan Zong gets first place, the rest doesn’t matter."
"There were two people in the last stage, this time four, our Qiongjia Gang has a profit."
"Only one? Forget it, the rising stars of our Divine Fist Clan haven’t grown up yet, things will be better in the next stage. Besides, with Divine Martial, who dares to underestimate the Divine Fist Clan?"
People were either overjoyed or resentful, their expressions varied.
Unbeknownst to everyone, night had already fallen, and after the hustle and bustle of the day, the peak gradually quieted down. However, people’s fervor did not fade, but instead continued to escalate in anticipation of tomorrow’s competition.
Sun rise, red clouds dyeing the sky.
A new day begins.
The ranking competition of the Heroes Tournament officially begins.
As the name suggests, eighty-one listed masters will compete in eighty rounds, each will compete against each other, and the final ranking of the Junior Hero leaderboard will be determined according to their records.
Thunderous cheers erupted from the side peak.
Even at this moment, even Daoist Xuhuai and Master Honest, who were under the greeting pine, looked at each other and smiled, shifting their attention from the chessboard.
For these two masters, the competition between powerhouses in the ranking competition is the real match. The previous elimination rounds were meaningless as many players were not exerting their full strength and seed players wouldn’t even participate.
"Honest, do you think anyone this time will be able to carve their name on the Heroic Spirit Bell?"
Daoist Xuhuai flicked his duster.
There has always been a tradition in the Heroes Tournament. As long as you meet the standard, you can carve your name on the Heroic Spirit Bell. For young people, it is one of the highest honors in the martial world.
Unfortunately, since the establishment of the Flying Horse Dynasty, only a handful of seven people have received this honor. It’s because the requirements are too strict. The carver must excel in talent, charisma, and personality.
"Hard to say, my friend, a hundred years ago there was only one person who met the standard."
Master Honest said with a smile.
"If someone manages to do it in my presence, I might end up in the martial world’s history books, and even get a share of unparalleled fortune."
Daoist Xuhuai laughed heartily, showing a trace of expectation.
Of course, if no one can do it, he won’t be disappointed. After all, those who can carve their names are undoubtedly outstanding talents, and they come once in a blue moon.
I don’t know when, but the nine platforms in the middle of the main peak have been taken away by the disciples of the Mechanism Pavilion in a folded form. They brought big boxes and quickly built a platform, which was a hundred meters long and wide, and ten meters high.
The platform shone with a hard luster under the sunlight, like it was made of glass, and the joints were made cleverly, which made Shi Xiaole amazed.
The Mechanism Pavilion has had few disciples selected for the Junior Hero Leaderboard over the years, but relying on their powerful machine level, no top power in Qingxue State dares to underestimate them.
After a night of deliberation by the referee group, the ten rounds of the first day have been finalized. As soon as the platform was built, the ranking match began immediately under the announcement of the first referee.
