Chapter 13

Izumo Stage.

The day before, the arena was packed with people, while the audience seats were sparse. Today, it was the opposite.

The eighteen stages still stood firm, and behind each stage, the audience seats were almost full. These people were all those who had been eliminated from the group stage.

Out of the 1,700 participants, only 180 managed to advance to the breakout round.

A 90% elimination rate was indeed too high!

In the sky above the main stage, Xiao Qixiu still stood with his sword on his back. The chief referee placed his hands in a calming gesture, and the restless crowd immediately quieted down.

He calmly took out a piece of paper from his pocket and slowly read it:

"Congratulations to you, 180 brave warriors, for successfully standing out in the group stage and advancing to the breakout round."

"This year's breakout round will still be divided into eighteen stages, with the champions of each group stage serving as the stage masters. The opponents will be randomly matched through a draw."

He took out a blue array token, infused it with spirit energy, and the token trembled.

Instantly, a large screen appeared on each of the eighteen stages, and the draw would be conducted through these screens.

The audience seats began to buzz, and Xiao Qixiu gestured for silence, as he still had more to say.

"This breakout round has only 64 slots. Before the slots are filled, anyone who wins three consecutive matches can successfully advance."

"Each person has two chances to challenge, including the stage masters."

"Of course, if you face a seeded player both times, you might as well start preparing for next year's competition or pack your bags and leave."

Xiao Qixiu chuckled, folded the paper, and put it back in his pocket.

"Now, the competition begins!"

With those words, the audience's excitement soared.

Compared to the immense pressure before, the audience who had stepped down from the stages now looked excited, cheering for their favorites.

"Go, Senior Sister!"

"Chao, this year you must defeat Senior Sister and take the first place!"

"Xu Xiaoshou, hold on!"

"Ah, Zhou Zuo, prove us wrong, I love you!"

Zhou Zuo trembled on the stage. He felt his legs shaking just standing there, and he finally realized that the breakout round wasn't as easy as he thought.

Looking around, most of the people were at the Eighth, Ninth, or even Tenth Realm. What merit did he, Zhou Zuo, have to stand among these powerful figures with only the Third Realm cultivation?

"Senior Brother Liu, I'm a bit nervous," he tugged at Liu Zhen's sleeve, his teeth chattering, and said sarcastically, "I'm probably the first in the Heavenly Mulberry Spirit Palace to dare stand here with such low cultivation."

Liu Zhen took a deep breath, "Don't worry, you might be the first, but you're not the only one."

Zhou Zuo looked up.

Liu Zhen revealed his Sixth Realm cultivation and said slowly, "I'm the same."

Xu Xiaoshou could be considered the most carefree among the three with the lowest cultivation. After all, he didn't rely on cultivation for fighting, he was just reckless!

The audience's cheers were overwhelming. He covered his ears, unable to bear the madness. What was all this about holding on and proving oneself? Were they here to cheer him on or to heckle him?

He took three steps as if they were two, wanting to quickly enter the 18th stage as the stage master and use the barrier to block out the noise. Suddenly, he glanced at the information bar.

"Encouraged, passive value, +43."

"Praised, passive value, +14."

"Mocked, passive value, +8."

"..."

The information updated one by one. Although the passive value increased by small amounts each time, it was steady.

Xu Xiaoshou, carrying a wooden sword, stopped in his tracks, turned around, and waved his hands.

"Thank you everyone."

"Thank you for your encouragement."

"I, Xu Xiaoshou, will definitely try my best and live up to your expectations. Please give me more encouragement and support!"

"I love you, send me hearts!"

The audience was stunned.

To be honest, they were just cheering symbolically to avoid an awkward silence. Getting such a greasy response made them feel uncomfortable.

"Is Xu Xiaoshou sick?"

"Everyone else is already in the stage, and he's still running around outside?"

"Look at his silly expression, is he really the stage master?"

"Come to think of it, his cultivation is only at the Sixth Realm, two realms lower than mine. How did he become the stage master?"

Xu Xiaoshou ran around the stage, checking the information bar. The audience was too enthusiastic, and with each wave of his hand, his passive value increased significantly.

"Mocked, passive value, +223."

"Mocked, passive value, +146."

"Mocked, passive value, +343."

Look at that, even though it turned into mockery, the value was high, and Xu Xiaoshou felt even more comfortable.

Good, keep mocking!

If you have the ability, mock more, let the storm come harder!

In just a short while, the passive value in his mind had broken into the thousands. Waving his hand could earn him a meal, and he didn't even have to fight. It was simply too enjoyable!

In the 18th stage, the referee paced back and forth.

"Why hasn't this person arrived yet?"

He remembered Xu Xiaoshou's tight legs from the last match and wondered if he had something important to do. He decided to go out and check.

After the last match, he had reflected on his experience, realizing that he was too easily provoked by Xu Xiaoshou and lost his composure.

As a referee, this was extremely irrational and unprofessional.

He adjusted his mindset, calmed down, and prepared to face the breakout round with a composed demeanor.

However, when he stepped out of the stage and saw what was happening, his composure shattered again.

What was this kid doing?

Other stages were about to start the draw, and this guy still hadn't come in to compete. As a stage master, he was running around the Izumo Stage, waving his hands.

The referee was completely shocked.

Last time, he was provoked during the match, but this time, even before the match started, he was about to burst with anger.

"Xu, Xiao, Shou!"

Xu Xiaoshou turned around in surprise, seeing the referee gritting his teeth and trying to look friendly while waving him over.

"Uh, is the match starting so soon?" Xu Xiaoshou walked over to the referee, "Wasn't there supposed to be a half-incense stick time for rest?"

Ha, you know the rules well!

The referee's face darkened, "Are you resting?"

"Yes!"

Xu Xiaoshou nodded seriously, "I'm warming up by running. I need to get my body moving to have the strength for the match later."

The referee trembled, took a deep breath, and said, "Come in!"

He didn't want to say another word to this kid and turned to leave.

Xu Xiaoshou found it strange but followed him into the stage. Indeed, once inside, the information bar became quiet.

What a pity for all that passive value!

Xu Xiaoshou concluded that to gain passive value, he needed to be close enough to feel others' emotions and words.

If there was a barrier or if the other person was far away and cursing him, he wouldn't gain anything.

"Cursed, passive value, +1."

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

Don't be so obvious, there are only two people here, Referee!

Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself as the screen above the stage began to flicker.

On the left, his name remained fixed, while on the right, it was flashing. Soon, it settled on a name.

"Di Xiner!"

A clear and beautiful woman stepped onto the stage. She carried a blue spirit sword and was at the Eighth Realm. As she walked up, her beautiful eyes showed a hint of reluctance.

She didn't want to fight Xu Xiaoshou. He was a physical cultivator, brutal and wild. If possible, she wanted to spar with a sword cultivator.

Even if she couldn't win, she could gain some experience!

But now, she had no choice. She bowed slightly when she reached the stage, "Hello, Senior Brother Xu."

She had been in the Spirit Palace for two years and was younger than Xu Xiaoshou, so she naturally called him "Senior Brother."

"Not good, not good!"

Xu Xiaoshou saw her attitude as she walked up and thought it was bad. Was this girl thinking of conceding?

Even if you had a sword that might hurt me, I wouldn't mind. I can earn passive value.

But what was that expression? Eighth Realm cultivation, higher than mine. Have a bit of confidence, will you?

Xu Xiaoshou feared that the girl would concede as soon as the match started, so he quickly said,

"Showing fear before the battle is a great taboo; fleeing without a fight is a disgrace to cultivation; surrendering without a struggle is a stain on one's life!"

Di Xiner was taken aback. She indeed had such thoughts, but considering she only had two chances to fight, she was hesitant.

Hearing Xu Xiaoshou's words, she accepted the reality and decided to fight well.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Xu. Xiner has learned a lot!"

"Gratitude, passive value, +1."

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled, showing a look of approval.

Before the match even started, he had a good omen with a positive start.

The referee's opinion of him had changed. He didn't expect this annoying Xu Xiaoshou to say such words, which were truly out of place!

He waved his hand, "The match begins!"