"Haha, Bai Shan and Xiao Jietian, you two better fight to the death. That way, I'll have two fewer competitors," Hu Jia said, a sly smile on her beautiful face.
Wu Hao stood silently to the side, gripping his blood-red longsword, feeling the pressure from Xiao Jietian and trusting his instincts to survive in this ruthless world.
…
"Dong!" A bell rang across the plaza, and Vice Dean Hu Gan appeared in its center. Raising his hand, he quieted the arena.
"Over the past two days, fifty individuals have qualified for the Inner Academy. Ranking determines the cultivation benefits you will receive, so give it your all."
He continued, announcing a change in the competition rules: a free-for-all for all fifty contestants. Any method could be used, except outside interference. Rankings would be recorded by special referees.
Excitement erupted among the spectators. Xiao Yan, behind Xiao Jietian, smirked, realizing that with this format and Xiao Jietian's strength, victory might come easily.
"Four against forty-six," Xiao Jietian said, smiling at Xiao Yan, then looking at the pale-faced Xiao Yu. "Cousin Xiao Yu, stay with Xun'er and cheer from the back. We'll handle the rest."
Xiao Yu nodded weakly, Xun'er held Xiao Jietian's hand encouragingly, then released it to stand protectively in front of Xiao Yu.
"Do you all understand the rules?" Hu Gan asked.
"Understood!" The contestants shouted in unison. Hu Gan raised his hand and the competition began.
Colorful Dou Qi energy lit up the arena. Unprepared contestants were sent flying by sudden attacks, while others cautiously formed alliances. Xiao Jietian had Xiao Yan create a green Dou Qi shield around their team, which repelled many secret attacks.
Team battles began to form. A four-person team tried to attack Xiao Jietian's group but were sent flying by Xiao Yan's xuan heavy ruler.
"Tian Ge, should we try to recruit others?" Xiao Yan asked.
"No need. Most here are hostile," Xiao Jietian replied. Xun'er playfully stuck out her tongue.
The chaos settled into six forces: Xiao Jietian's four-person team, Bai Shan, Hu Jia, Wu Hao, and two other teams of strong individuals.
Bai Shan charged at Xiao Jietian's team. "You guys go eliminate them, Xiao Jietian is mine!" he shouted.
"Tian Ge, leave Bai Shan to me," Xiao Yan declared, charging forward with his xuan heavy ruler.
Bai Shan blocked Xiao Yan's strike and engaged in battle, while Xiao Jietian effortlessly eliminated other opponents with a single punch. Teasing Xun'er, he watched Xiao Yan fight Bai Shan. Xiao Yu looked on, resigned to the 'dog food' moment.
Bai Shan, angered by his team's elimination and Xiao Jietian's flirting, got distracted. Xiao Yan seized the opportunity, punching Bai Shan three steps back. They resumed battle, with Bai Shan using his Profound High-Rank Thunderclap Earth Arc Blast, which Xiao Yan countered with his flame.
The Fire Elder near Hu Gan immediately wanted Xiao Yan to join his Alchemy Department. Xiao Yan, now a seven-star Da Dou Shi, had rapidly improved without distractions.
Seeing their own challenges, Bai Shan suggested teaming up with Hu Jia and Wu Hao to eliminate the remaining threats before determining a final winner. The other two agreed, sensing Xiao Jietian and Xiao Yan were formidable.
Just as they were about to coordinate, a voice rang out:
"Alright, this competition should end now."