Chapter 88

The appearance of the dark horse was most exhilarating, and the enthusiasm of everyone at Xuan Yang Square soared to unprecedented heights. The young man named Jiang Chen had created a miracle, but at the same time, many people began to worry about him. It was clear that Jiang Chen had offended both Nanbeichao and Liang Xiao, neither of whom were easy to provoke, especially Nanbeichao, a shining new star of Qizhou, who was proud and arrogant.

The disciples of the four major sects looked at Jiang Chen, their hearts filled with mixed feelings. Jiang Chen's performance had also made them lose face. The Qizhou Grand Competition had been held for many years, but this was the first time that the first place had been taken by an outsider.

The first round ended, and the next was the second round, the intense arena battles, which people truly anticipated. A true genius must be the king of the arena. Although Jiang Chen had taken first place in the first round, he was not favored to perform well on the arena. Being able to resist the pressure did not necessarily mean great skill.

"Sky Ascending Ladder competition over, the top thirty proceed to the arena area."

Nanbeichao said, and the four geniuses' bodies flickered slightly as they directly soared into the air, landing on a high platform in the center of the square. In front of the high platform, fifteen arenas, each two zhang high, stood, perfectly prepared for the thirty participants.

These arenas were specifically designed for the Qizhou Grand Competition, and every year, the competition proceeded in the same manner. Thirty people would simultaneously enter the arenas, facing off in pairs, with the fifteen arenas being just right.

The top thirty from the Sky Ascending Ladder competition strode toward the arena area, their spirits high and their fighting spirit soaring, each one looking at the others with disdain. Those who could stand out from hundreds of disciples were all late-stage Human Dan Realm experts, with only Jiang Chen being at the early stage of the Human Dan Realm. However, the current Jiang Chen was much stronger than before he ascended the Sky Ascending Ladder. The formation of six dragon patterns had elevated his combat power to a new level, reaching the peak of the early stage of the Human Dan Realm, just a step away from the mid-stage.

On the high platform, Liang Xiao stepped forward and said loudly, "The first round of the Sky Ascending Ladder competition was just a warm-up, so don't take the rankings too seriously. There's no difference between first and thirtieth place. The first round is just a threshold for the second round. Only those who perform outstandingly in the second round have a chance to win the final reward."

Liang Xiao's words were clearly aimed at Jiang Chen, implying that the first place in the first round was not significant, and the second round was crucial.

"Senior Brother Liang, what is the reward this time?"

Tianjian Sect asked.

"Yes, tell us in advance to give us some motivation."

Someone said, not just the participants but even the spectators were eagerly anticipating it. After all, the rewards for the Qizhou Grand Competition were jointly prepared by the four major sects, and they were bound to be excellent.

"Alright, I'll tell you the rewards first. The first place in the outer sect competition will receive three treasures: a mid-grade battle weapon, a storage ring, and a thousand-year-old Deyuan Fruit."

Liang Xiao's voice was loud, and everyone in the square heard clearly. The announcement of these three rewards immediately caused a stir in the square.

"Amazing, no wonder it's the work of the four major sects. A mid-grade battle weapon, even within the four major sects, only inner sect disciples who reach the Heaven Dan Realm have a chance to obtain one. Now, the outer sect competition rewards a mid-grade battle weapon."

"The storage ring is even more precious, far superior to the storage bags we use. The storage ring is small and easy to carry, and it can hold one's divine sense, allowing only the owner to open it."

"The thousand-year-old Deyuan Fruit is also an extremely rare essence of heaven and earth. It is said that the Deyuan Fruit is difficult to form and requires specific geographical conditions, continuously absorbing the power of the earth, fusing the essence of the earth. This is truly a grand gesture."

...

Amazement echoed throughout the crowd. For ordinary people, each of these treasures was too rare to even dream of obtaining. It was easy to imagine that the appearance of such treasures would boost the disciples' fighting spirit, and the battles on the arenas would be incredibly fierce.

Jiang Chen's expression remained unchanged. With his status as the world's first sage, he had seen countless treasures, and a mid-grade battle weapon was not something he valued. However, the storage ring was a good thing. He currently used a very ordinary storage bag, and if he could obtain a storage ring, storing items would be much more convenient.

What truly attracted Jiang Chen was the Deyuan Fruit. Such an essence of heaven and earth was very rare. Although the thousand-year-old Deyuan Fruit did not contain sufficient earth essence, it was enough for his current needs. Combined with the benefits of his recent enlightenment, if he obtained the Deyuan Fruit, Jiang Chen was confident he could directly advance to the mid-stage of the Human Dan Realm, or even stronger.

In the crowd, the big yellow dog was gleefully counting his winnings, completely ignoring the nearly murderous gazes around him.

"Big Yellow Dog, do you think that kid will place first in the second round?"

Someone asked.

"Do I need to guess? He will definitely be first."

The big yellow dog said casually.

"First place? Ha, Big Yellow Dog, do you dare to bet again?"

The person immediately said, fearing that the big yellow dog would say no, in which case his Human Yuan Dan would be wasted.

"Of course, I dare. I just fear you don't. But this time, it's not ten to one, it's two to one."

The big yellow dog said seriously, and no one noticed the cunning in his eyes.

"Ha, this dog is scared. Two to one, it seems he doesn't have much confidence in that kid. The kid is only at the early stage of the Human Dan Realm, he's no match for the Little Demon King and Li Wushuang. First place is impossible. I'll bet my remaining hundred Human Yuan Dan that the kid won't be first."

"That's right, look at the big yellow dog, he's lost his confidence, reducing the odds from ten to one to two to one. He's afraid of losing everything if the kid loses. Don't be afraid, bet with him."

"I'll bet too. Damn it, I'll win back what I lost before."

For a moment, more people came to place bets than in the first round. Those who lost in the first round hoped to win back their losses in the second round, and those who didn't participate in the first round didn't want to miss this opportunity. Almost no one believed that Jiang Chen could take first place. After all, resisting pressure and defeating the Little Demon King were completely different concepts.

Seeing this, the big yellow dog's mouth almost reached his ears. His cunning plan had succeeded again. He deliberately lowered the odds, making people think he was uncertain, and they confidently bet their Human Yuan Dan on him.

"Ha, I'm too smart. This is such a good deal, it's too satisfying."

The big yellow dog was extremely pleased with himself, feeling that he was the most brilliant and wise being in the world. If there were a mirror in front of him, he would probably bow to himself.

In front of the arenas, the thirty participants were fully prepared, waiting for Nanbeichao's command.

Nanbeichao stepped forward and casually waved his hand, throwing out thirty wooden plaques made of green wood. They lined up, each plaque facing away from the participants.

"There are thirty plaques, each with a number from one to fifteen. You can freely draw one. Those with the same number will face off on the arena."

Nanbeichao said, and many people were familiar with this rule from previous years.

"Brother Jiang, if we draw the same number, don't hold back."

Han Yan smiled.

"Of course."

Jiang Chen also smiled.

"The rewards for the Qizhou Grand Competition are only for the first place, but your performance and ranking in this competition will be reported to the various sects. The sects will reward those who perform outstandingly, so everyone must give it their all."

Guan Yiyun said loudly, mainly addressing the Xuan Yi Sect.

"Alright, let's begin."

Nanbeichao said.

The thirty participants each stepped forward and drew a plaque, holding it in their hands. The four major sects were roughly evenly represented: Tianjian Sect and Fentian Pavilion each had eight, Xuan Yi Sect had seven, and Huanxi Valley had six, with Jiang Chen being the outsider.

Jiang Chen flipped his plaque and saw the number 'eight.' This meant that the other person who drew 'eight' would be his opponent, and they would face off on the eighth arena in the square.

The drawing seemed fair, but in reality, it was manipulated. Generally, people from the same sect would not draw the same number and would face opponents from other sects, otherwise, it would be meaningless.

"Let me remind you of the arena rules. All battles on the arena are to the death. The relationship between the four major sects is well-known. If you have the ability, kill your opponent and leave them no chance to surrender."

Nanbeichao said cruelly. This was the rule of the Qizhou Grand Competition. On the arena, there was only life and death. The only way for the loser to survive was to surrender voluntarily.

"I'm number nine, who will I face?"

"I'm number one. Damn it, who is my opponent? Come up and die quickly."

A muscular man leaped onto the first arena, speaking arrogantly. He was from Fentian Pavilion, a late-stage Human Dan Realm expert, with a very proud expression. However, the moment he saw his opponent, his pride vanished, and his arrogant demeanor turned into a bitter face, feeling an urge to bang his head against the ground.

Because his opponent was none other than the Little Demon King, Han Yan.

"Damn, my luck is the worst. I surrender."

The muscular man cursed, turning and jumping off the arena, faster than when he came up. Although he was proud, he knew his limits. Fighting the Little Demon King was no different from seeking death.

Fentian Pavilion lost one participant right away, and others also climbed onto the arenas. On the eighth arena, a disciple in Tianjian Sect attire had already jumped up.

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