Chapter 44

The rules of the Ling兽 Mountain recruitment competition were well understood by all the young participants present. Many had predicted that no one would be foolish enough to challenge the arena match, as it was too risky. Even the most powerful and confident would exercise caution in such a significant event.

However, the current situation left countless people stunned. Not only did someone challenge the arena match, but five people appeared at once, especially Jiang Yi's appearance, which caused a stir. Although it was difficult to discern a martial artist's realm from their appearance, when Jiang Yi stepped onto the stage, he activated his Primordial Energy. Many people easily sensed that he was only at the Fourth Stage of the Cauldron Formation Realm.

A Fourth Stage Cauldron Formation Realm martial artist dared to participate in the arena match? This made many people feel both angry and amused. This person, wearing a wolf-head mask, looked peculiar. Was he here to act cute?

Even the important figures in the stands chuckled, but they were quite satisfied with Ji Tingyu, Jiang HenShui, and the other four. At such a young age, these four had reached such a realm and had the courage to challenge the arena match, which was rare.

Ji Tian clearly knew that Ji Tingyu would participate in the arena match. He smiled and nodded at the old man in the stands, who immediately waved his hand to suppress the noise in the venue and shouted, "Alright, since someone has challenged the arena match, the elimination round will be postponed. Now, anyone can step onto the stage to fight. The match is won when the opponent surrenders or is knocked off the stage. Remember, no killing!"

"Whoosh!"

As soon as the old man in the brocade robe finished speaking, a figure shot up from below, aiming directly at the stage where Jiang Yi was. This person didn't seem very strong, clearly thinking Jiang Yi was an easy target, hoping to win a match and gain some glory.

"Whoosh!"

A figure also shot up to the stage next to Jiang Yi, where the blue-robed youth was. This sudden appearance of a youth who wanted to secure a spot was not acceptable to the descendants of the various families in the city. However, the martial artist who stepped onto the stage wasn't very strong, clearly there to test the waters.

"Whoosh!"

People also stepped onto the other three stages. Many discerning people in the square immediately cursed, as the people challenging Leng Qianqian were from the Leng family, those challenging Jiang HenShui were from the Jiang family, and the one challenging Ji Tingyu was from a family subordinate to the Ji family. These three were clearly sent by the three major families to go through the motions, with the obvious aim of ensuring quick victories...

"Blue Wolf, I've heard of you. Why aren't you doing your job as a sparring partner in the Martial Hall? What are you doing here? Get lost! I, Yang Feng, will fight for you."

The challenger for Jiang Yi was a young master from the Yang family in the city, at the Sixth Stage of the Cauldron Formation Realm. He was the first to step onto the stage and felt very proud of himself. He shouted confidently and without further ado, leaped forward, his legs sweeping toward Jiang Yi like whips.

Jiang Yi rushed forward in a hurry, but he regretted it as soon as he stepped onto the stage. The arena match was too difficult. The top geniuses in the city wouldn't provoke Jiang HenShui or Ji Tingyu, so he naturally became the target of their attacks. Moreover, being the center of attention made it easy to expose his identity.

But since he was already on the stage, he had to fight to the death. Otherwise, he would lose his eligibility to participate and would have to be a slave in the Martial Hall for life, which was not the life he wanted.

Thinking of this, he realized that Ji Tingyu and the others were also on the stage, so he didn't have to fight them. This might not be a bad thing. He rallied his spirits and immediately activated his black Primordial Energy, his gaze sharp as he scanned the opponent's legs.

"Only a Sixth Stage Cauldron Formation Realm martial artist dares to be so arrogant? A flying kick? What a fool..."

Jiang Yi sneered inwardly. In a martial artist's battle, control was crucial. One had to control both the opponent and oneself. Once a person's legs left the ground, it was easy to lose balance. Once one lost control of their body, they were close to defeat.

"Roar!"

He shouted, quickly stepping back, and his fists shot out like lightning, aiming at the opponent's legs.

"Bang, bang, bang, bang!"

Yang Feng kicked out four times in a flash, and Jiang Yi punched four times. However, he didn't activate his black Primordial Energy, and his strength was far inferior to the opponent's. Despite his best efforts to stabilize himself, he was still pushed back several feet, nearly falling off the stage.

"Hmph, get off the stage, boy!"

Yang Feng, feeling very proud in front of so many people, saw that Jiang Yi was at the edge of the stage and wouldn't give him a chance to turn the tide. As soon as he landed, he leaped up again, delivering a powerful kick to Jiang Yi's head.

"Hmm, go down!"

Jiang Yi muttered softly and punched again, but this time he didn't use his full strength. Instead, his fist turned into a claw upon contact, grabbing the opponent's leg and pulling him forward while he leaned backward.

"Whoosh!"

Yang Feng flew straight down from the stage, still in the kicking position. Jiang Yi's body was half off the stage, but his legs stuck to it as if glued. Once Yang Feng fell, Jiang Yi's waist contracted, and he easily returned to the stage.

"Number 536 wins one match!"

The old man in the brocade robe's voice rang out, and the crowd below was stunned. Seeing the token hanging from Jiang Yi's waist, which was number 536, many people were both amused and frustrated. Jiang Yi, the weakest, was the first to win a match. The Sixth Stage Cauldron Formation Realm Yang Feng had flown off the stage in just two exchanges...

Yang Feng glared at Jiang Yi with hatred and quickly disappeared into the crowd. He had intended to use Jiang Yi to gain some glory and impress the important figures in the stands, but now he had lost face completely.

"I'll go!"

A figure shot up, and Jiang Yi felt a sense of familiarity. Upon closer inspection, he sighed. This person had fought him before and was also from the Yang family. It seemed the Yang family wanted to reclaim their lost honor.

"Yang Ling, Sixth Stage Cauldron Formation Realm, please guide me!"

This person had the same strength as the previous one but was much more composed. Jiang Yi's expression turned serious, and he nodded, making a gesture to invite the opponent. The opponent didn't rush in but began to circle the stage, looking for an opportunity to attack.

"Good!"

Suddenly, a chorus of approval rose from below. Jiang Yi and Yang Ling followed the crowd's gaze and saw Ji Tingyu kick her opponent off the stage, her body spinning gracefully in the air before landing softly. Her posture was beautiful, like a fairy.

"Good opportunity!"

Yang Ling, seeing Jiang Yi's eyes filled with admiration, completely forgot he was on the stage. He kicked off with both legs, his body shooting forward like an arrow. His palms glowed with a faint red light, and the air around him became scorching.

"Ah?"

As Yang Ling approached within three feet of Jiang Yi, Jiang Yi seemed to wake up. His eyes were filled with fear, and he slipped, his body swaying. He accidentally fell off the stage...

"Ha ha!"

The spectators around him burst into laughter. Yang Ling's steps faltered, his face full of surprise. He hadn't expected to win so easily and hadn't even used his prepared moves.

"Something's not right!"

Suddenly, he sensed a danger. A figure leaped from the nearby stage, legs like two venomous snakes, sweeping toward his lower body.

"Whoosh!"

Despite the sudden appearance and his momentary distraction, he immediately reacted, leaping like an eagle to dodge the attack. His legs then kicked out again, aiming at the opponent's body.

"Karo Hand!"

A low shout rang out, and the person made a strange hand sign, slapping at his legs.

"Boom!"

The powerful collision sent both of them flying back. The difference was that Yang Ling was at the edge of the stage, and he couldn't regain his balance in mid-air, falling to the ground.

"The Yang family's martial artists are all the same..."

Jiang Yi clapped his hands and looked up at the stands. The old man in the white robe nodded and said, "Number 536, two consecutive wins!"

"That's not right! He clearly fell off the stage, how can he still win?" Yang Ling, who had just landed, protested loudly.

The old man in the brocade robe's gaze swept over, and his eyes looked at Yang Ling as if he were a fool. He said coldly, "Didn't you see that Number 536 was holding onto the stage with one hand? Since I've been appointed as the referee by the City Lord, I will be fair and just. If you dare to question my judgment, you will be disqualified."

"This..."

The crowd below erupted in noise again. Many people looked at Jiang Yi with disdain, thinking he lacked true strength and was too cunning and deceitful, a complete scoundrel.

Jiang Yi didn't care. The black Primordial Energy enhanced his vision for a limited time, and he had no time to waste. He waved his hand impatiently, "Next!"

"Hmph!"

Having strength and acting tough was impressive, but lacking strength and acting tough was foolish. Jiang Yi's actions thoroughly enraged everyone nearby. A short, fat youth shot up, shouting, "I'll take you on!"

"Very well!"

A smile flashed in Jiang Yi's eyes. Without waiting for the opponent to make a move, he floated forward, not using any martial techniques or Primordial Energy, and casually punched the opponent off the stage. The opponent was only at the Third Stage of the Cauldron Formation Realm...

"Who else wants to challenge me? Hurry up and get up here!"

Jiang Yi stood on the stage, shouting arrogantly. His voice, deliberately altered, was sharp and grating.

"Whoosh!"

The crowd below erupted in chaos, and three people simultaneously rushed up, none of them very strong...

"Number 536, four consecutive wins!"

"Number 008, three consecutive wins!"

"Number 536, five consecutive wins!"

...

In just a moment, Jiang Yi had won six consecutive matches, far surpassing the other four. This unusual situation naturally caught the attention of the important figures in the stands.

A young male mentor from Ling兽 Mountain stroked his small beard and praised, "This young man has a high level of mental fortitude. At the Fourth Stage of the Cauldron Formation Realm, he can win so many matches? And it looks like he will be the first to achieve ten consecutive wins today!"

Another older mentor nodded, "Yes, I noticed this young man as soon as he stepped onto the stage. Each step seemed lucky, but in fact, it was all part of his plan. His provocation was very timely."

"Just a minor trick."

The female mentor, cold as an iceberg but beautiful like a snow lotus, shook her head indifferently, "In the face of absolute strength, any scheme is as thin as paper. This person lacks strength, and relying on a bit of cunning won't get him far. I bet he won't win ten matches today."