Chapter 27
Cruel Single-Player Elimination: Ambition Buried in the Ground
At dawn, around 3 AM, the sky was still far from light.
The Shiyang Martial Arts School was brightly lit.
The nine people gathered, all dressed in tight-fitting robes, with the words "Shiyang" embroidered on them.
County Magistrate Zhao and Dean Yan stood in front.
Dean Yan said earnestly:
"Do not be discouraged by your defeat in the selection competition, and do not let your Dao hearts be broken. You still have a bright future ahead of you. Many sects will send you invitations, and you will be able to roam freely in the world."
"Remember, remember, if you're no match for your opponent, surrender immediately! Don't lose your life!"
The nine men clasped their hands in greeting and accepted the order.
Dean Yan waved his hand and walked out of the martial arts school in an orderly fashion.
The knife-wielder had been waiting for a long time.
Shi Yang and his group headed to the most prosperous central area of Chuwei County, where there was a huge arena that could accommodate nearly 100,000 people. It was forged by the Divine Dynasty specifically for the selection competition.
At the end of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), as dawn broke, the group arrived at the arena.
Gazing at the vast and boundless arena, everyone was stunned and deeply moved.
There are sixteen arenas and a high platform made entirely of granite in the center, with hundreds or even thousands of circular steps to accommodate spectators.
They arrived at Shiyang Academy quite early. Dean Yan asked the nine of them to close their eyes and rest, shutting out the noise from the outside world.
For a full half hour, the sun rose in the east, and the spectators in the martial arts arena stretched as far as the eye could see.
"Step onto the stage!" came the command from the orange-clad flying fish uniform.
The nine men followed him to a high platform that was ten zhang long and five zhang wide.
The area was already packed with participants.
At this moment, not only Liu Suifeng and Yan Shouxu, but even Zhu Yuting felt a sense of powerlessness.
Is he a genius?
of course.
He shone brightly, unstoppable, and stood out in the vast Shiyang County, ranking second!
But this place is so magnificent and resplendent.
He glanced at the scene and saw an eighteen-year-old at the seventh level of the Qi Condensation Realm. He also saw the highly anticipated Profound Realm prodigy, silently crushing everyone's confidence.
Is it possible to reach the other side?
Zhu Yuting shook his head and sighed, deciding that he could only rely on Young Master Qilin.
"clang--"
"Clang clang clang—"
As the clear, resonant tolling of bells rang out, the martial arts arena, capable of holding 100,000 people, fell completely silent.
The Chuzhou Academy of Literature and Taoism has arrived.
The leader was in his early forties, with an outstanding presence, dressed in a snow-white lotus-patterned robe.
The ten people behind him were all dressed in black lotus-patterned robes, with golden wolf-hair brushes hanging from their waists.
They were standing in the east, and one of the women was breathtakingly beautiful.
Many onlookers recognized her.
Nine years ago, Pei Ning fought her way through the same arena and eventually joined the Literary Academy!
Next up was the Chuzhou Martial Arts Hall.
Wearing a three-legged golden crow official robe, he looked down upon all living beings. The leader was also wearing a snow-white three-legged crow official robe, and Zhao Can was among the ten people behind him.
"Master Zhao Can Zhao!"
"Master Zhao Can Zhao!"
Many onlookers cheered in awe.
Six years ago, Zhao Can also overcame numerous obstacles here and was selected by the Martial Peak Hall.
The Wuji Hall is located in the west.
Standing opposite the Wendao Academy, the atmosphere was tense and ready to fight.
Clearly, the competition between the Literary Academy and the Martial Arts Hall is exceptionally fierce!
Tianxuanwei and Dongsi made their appearances one after another.
The Qilin and Xiezhi robes were particularly eye-catching.
Each stands in its north or south position.
All four sacred sites have made their appearance!
There are no ghostwriters; in their eyes, ghostwriters are not worthy of being on stage.
The entire room fell silent as Zhu Baihu of the Wendao Academy slowly stepped forward.
This time, the four holy sites have temporarily placed the Taoist Academy at the forefront.
His face was as calm as a still lake, overlooking all living beings, as he read out the imperial edict from the central government.
After the reading was completed, Zhu Baihu's voice boomed like thunder:
"The Holy Land Selection Tournament was a single-elimination tournament with a total of 256 participants. The top 32 will become ghostwriters!"
After he finished speaking, all was silent.
This time, only the top 32 can become ghostwriters!
In other words, there are six members of the Holy Land and twenty-six assistants!
How difficult it is to break into the top 32 on a competition stage filled with geniuses!
Of course, there are more ghostwriters than just these. After the selection competition, each of the six Holy Land members can choose three spots.
There should be forty-four ghostwriters, and eleven government offices under the jurisdiction of the Holy Land.
But there are only six spots available for the Holy Land!
Upon learning of the incredibly stringent conditions, all the participants felt a chill run down their spines. Despite being extremely nervous, they were not so nervous as to lose their composure by this point.
Zhu Baihu lowered his palm, and all was silent.
He solemnly read out the rules:
"Sixteen arenas, the spots to be decided in a single day."
"On the path of cultivation, luck is of paramount importance. No matter how strong your opponents are, you must not complain, or you will be annihilated on the spot!"
"The duel can only end when the weaker side concedes defeat. Anyone who interferes will be severely punished, their entire clan will be exterminated, for openly violating the laws of the Divine Dynasty!"
"Dying on stage is your destiny!"
"If an opponent insists on killing after admitting defeat, it is considered disobedience and they are to be executed on the spot!"
Hearing that deep, resonant voice, as heavy as bronze and iron, countless contestants felt a chill in their hearts.
Even though I knew beforehand, I only realized how cruel it was when I heard it with my own ears.
Once someone is dead, they are dead.
Assistance is not permitted.
He perished on the stage in front of 100,000 people.
He was brutally imprisoned in the underworld, witnessed by his own family and friends.
It buried not only ambition, but also life!
It's a hundred times more brutal than the academy's selection competition; this is the real holy land, and it needs unparalleled geniuses who have fought their way through countless battles!
On this infernal platform.
Luck is extremely important!
If you draw weak opponents all the way through, wouldn't you be able to advance smoothly?
A person's future achievements are largely determined by their luck, which is also a law followed by the Holy Land.
From the high platform, a figure in a snow-white lotus robe spoke in a clear voice:
"All contestants, immediately take the specially prepared pills, meditate for one hour, and then enter the battle in peak condition!"
Immediately afterwards, many assistants bowed and brought over a tray with a crystal-clear pill on it.
The participants took the medication one after another, and after a short while, their minds cleared, their fear vanished, and their mindset completely reversed.
All 256 contestants sat cross-legged, cherishing this one hour.
Zhu Baihu nodded in satisfaction.
There are no variants.
The so-called "abnormal species" refers to people possessed by demons. The greatest function of this elixir is actually to detect demonic energy.
The participants meditated peacefully, while the four sacred sites brought out a cylindrical ritual implement containing 250 stones, each engraved with the participant's name.
Use the magic device to randomly throw two pebbles!
Inside the training ground, nearly 100,000 spectators sat upright, all their eyes fixed on the high platform.
Among them were officials such as the Prefect and Assistant Prefect of Chuwei County, representatives of the ten major sects, and even powerful clans from other counties in Chuzhou, all of whom came to watch this grand event.
The selection competition is undoubtedly brutal. After today, how many Chuwei prodigies will perish on this high platform?
After a long wait, the time finally arrived as the bells and drums tolled.
"Silence!" Zhu Baihu of the Wendao Academy gave the order.
The entire room was completely silent; no one dared to make the slightest noise.
Rumbling--
A deafening roar, like a thunderclap.
The ritual implements simultaneously launched two stones.
The two names, Stone and Stone, appeared.
Wei Tianya!
Li Si!
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the two appeared dazed. If it weren't for the elixir to calm their minds, they would have been suffocating with tension.
"Athletics Arena Number One!" A deep voice echoed in all directions.
The two followed the swordsman to the number one dueling arena.
Continue with the draw.
He drew it fifteen times in a row.
There are a total of thirty participants!
This includes Liu Si from Shiyang Academy, whose opponent is a Qi Condensation Realm sixth-level cultivator from Taikang Academy.
Sixteen arenas, the atmosphere tense and ready to fight!
thump—
The sound of drums suddenly rang out.
The great war has begun.
Countless people were dazzled by the sight, unsure which arena to focus their attention on.
All the spectators in Shiyang County were naturally focused on the number seven arena.
With just one move, Liu Si was at a disadvantage. As the blade of internal energy sliced across his right arm, Liu Si screamed in exhaustion:
"I give up!"
The opponent ceased his attack and withdrew his internal energy.
A member of the Toji Temple, dressed in a xiezhi (a mythical beast) robe, remained expressionless.
"Liu Si is eliminated."
Liu Si was driven out of the No. 7 arena.
He returned to the platform dejectedly, utterly exhausted and dejected, a sense of humiliation and powerlessness ravaging his very being.
He began practicing cultivation at the age of six, moving from a small mountain village to the county town, and eventually reaching the top-tier academy, where he consistently ranked among the top ten elites.
Wasn't he trying hard enough?
All the expectations and efforts over the years.
There is only one move.
The spotlight he had imagined turned out to be completely ignored; he couldn't even withstand a single move.
The other eight people from Shiyang County spoke up to comfort Liu Si, while the Kirin Prince Zhao Yao stood with his hands behind his back, coldly staring at the other arena.
Useless trash! You've disgraced Shiyang County!
With just one move, does he even deserve to represent Shiyang Academy?
I am ashamed to associate with this person!
"He's dead." As someone exclaimed, countless onlookers turned their gaze toward the number nine arena.
One contestant's head flew off and was kicked to pieces in mid-air, a particularly gruesome scene.
The opponent stood calmly, his eyes showing no emotion.
Immediately afterwards, on arena number eleven, someone was killed.
One person died on the fourteenth dueling arena.
On the third dueling arena, one person suffered severed meridians and dantian, rendering him a cripple.
On the fifth dueling arena, one person was rendered useless.
In less than the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, sixteen life-or-death battles came to an end, with three people killed and two crippled!
Its gore is beyond description!
The accomplice quickly cleaned up the bloodstains and severed limbs on the dueling platform, as if nothing had happened. The spectators remained enthusiastic, while only the deceased's parents and teachers wept in anguish.
Zhu Baihu of Wendao Academy began to read out the names of the victors.
These sixteen people directly entered the top 128.
Next came a new round of drawing lots.
This time, Gu Lin drew the number eight arena.
The Shiyang Martial Arts School was brightly lit.
The nine people gathered, all dressed in tight-fitting robes, with the words "Shiyang" embroidered on them.
County Magistrate Zhao and Dean Yan stood in front.
Dean Yan said earnestly:
"Do not be discouraged by your defeat in the selection competition, and do not let your Dao hearts be broken. You still have a bright future ahead of you. Many sects will send you invitations, and you will be able to roam freely in the world."
"Remember, remember, if you're no match for your opponent, surrender immediately! Don't lose your life!"
The nine men clasped their hands in greeting and accepted the order.
Dean Yan waved his hand and walked out of the martial arts school in an orderly fashion.
The knife-wielder had been waiting for a long time.
Shi Yang and his group headed to the most prosperous central area of Chuwei County, where there was a huge arena that could accommodate nearly 100,000 people. It was forged by the Divine Dynasty specifically for the selection competition.
At the end of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), as dawn broke, the group arrived at the arena.
Gazing at the vast and boundless arena, everyone was stunned and deeply moved.
There are sixteen arenas and a high platform made entirely of granite in the center, with hundreds or even thousands of circular steps to accommodate spectators.
They arrived at Shiyang Academy quite early. Dean Yan asked the nine of them to close their eyes and rest, shutting out the noise from the outside world.
For a full half hour, the sun rose in the east, and the spectators in the martial arts arena stretched as far as the eye could see.
"Step onto the stage!" came the command from the orange-clad flying fish uniform.
The nine men followed him to a high platform that was ten zhang long and five zhang wide.
The area was already packed with participants.
At this moment, not only Liu Suifeng and Yan Shouxu, but even Zhu Yuting felt a sense of powerlessness.
Is he a genius?
of course.
He shone brightly, unstoppable, and stood out in the vast Shiyang County, ranking second!
But this place is so magnificent and resplendent.
He glanced at the scene and saw an eighteen-year-old at the seventh level of the Qi Condensation Realm. He also saw the highly anticipated Profound Realm prodigy, silently crushing everyone's confidence.
Is it possible to reach the other side?
Zhu Yuting shook his head and sighed, deciding that he could only rely on Young Master Qilin.
"clang--"
"Clang clang clang—"
As the clear, resonant tolling of bells rang out, the martial arts arena, capable of holding 100,000 people, fell completely silent.
The Chuzhou Academy of Literature and Taoism has arrived.
The leader was in his early forties, with an outstanding presence, dressed in a snow-white lotus-patterned robe.
The ten people behind him were all dressed in black lotus-patterned robes, with golden wolf-hair brushes hanging from their waists.
They were standing in the east, and one of the women was breathtakingly beautiful.
Many onlookers recognized her.
Nine years ago, Pei Ning fought her way through the same arena and eventually joined the Literary Academy!
Next up was the Chuzhou Martial Arts Hall.
Wearing a three-legged golden crow official robe, he looked down upon all living beings. The leader was also wearing a snow-white three-legged crow official robe, and Zhao Can was among the ten people behind him.
"Master Zhao Can Zhao!"
"Master Zhao Can Zhao!"
Many onlookers cheered in awe.
Six years ago, Zhao Can also overcame numerous obstacles here and was selected by the Martial Peak Hall.
The Wuji Hall is located in the west.
Standing opposite the Wendao Academy, the atmosphere was tense and ready to fight.
Clearly, the competition between the Literary Academy and the Martial Arts Hall is exceptionally fierce!
Tianxuanwei and Dongsi made their appearances one after another.
The Qilin and Xiezhi robes were particularly eye-catching.
Each stands in its north or south position.
All four sacred sites have made their appearance!
There are no ghostwriters; in their eyes, ghostwriters are not worthy of being on stage.
The entire room fell silent as Zhu Baihu of the Wendao Academy slowly stepped forward.
This time, the four holy sites have temporarily placed the Taoist Academy at the forefront.
His face was as calm as a still lake, overlooking all living beings, as he read out the imperial edict from the central government.
After the reading was completed, Zhu Baihu's voice boomed like thunder:
"The Holy Land Selection Tournament was a single-elimination tournament with a total of 256 participants. The top 32 will become ghostwriters!"
After he finished speaking, all was silent.
This time, only the top 32 can become ghostwriters!
In other words, there are six members of the Holy Land and twenty-six assistants!
How difficult it is to break into the top 32 on a competition stage filled with geniuses!
Of course, there are more ghostwriters than just these. After the selection competition, each of the six Holy Land members can choose three spots.
There should be forty-four ghostwriters, and eleven government offices under the jurisdiction of the Holy Land.
But there are only six spots available for the Holy Land!
Upon learning of the incredibly stringent conditions, all the participants felt a chill run down their spines. Despite being extremely nervous, they were not so nervous as to lose their composure by this point.
Zhu Baihu lowered his palm, and all was silent.
He solemnly read out the rules:
"Sixteen arenas, the spots to be decided in a single day."
"On the path of cultivation, luck is of paramount importance. No matter how strong your opponents are, you must not complain, or you will be annihilated on the spot!"
"The duel can only end when the weaker side concedes defeat. Anyone who interferes will be severely punished, their entire clan will be exterminated, for openly violating the laws of the Divine Dynasty!"
"Dying on stage is your destiny!"
"If an opponent insists on killing after admitting defeat, it is considered disobedience and they are to be executed on the spot!"
Hearing that deep, resonant voice, as heavy as bronze and iron, countless contestants felt a chill in their hearts.
Even though I knew beforehand, I only realized how cruel it was when I heard it with my own ears.
Once someone is dead, they are dead.
Assistance is not permitted.
He perished on the stage in front of 100,000 people.
He was brutally imprisoned in the underworld, witnessed by his own family and friends.
It buried not only ambition, but also life!
It's a hundred times more brutal than the academy's selection competition; this is the real holy land, and it needs unparalleled geniuses who have fought their way through countless battles!
On this infernal platform.
Luck is extremely important!
If you draw weak opponents all the way through, wouldn't you be able to advance smoothly?
A person's future achievements are largely determined by their luck, which is also a law followed by the Holy Land.
From the high platform, a figure in a snow-white lotus robe spoke in a clear voice:
"All contestants, immediately take the specially prepared pills, meditate for one hour, and then enter the battle in peak condition!"
Immediately afterwards, many assistants bowed and brought over a tray with a crystal-clear pill on it.
The participants took the medication one after another, and after a short while, their minds cleared, their fear vanished, and their mindset completely reversed.
All 256 contestants sat cross-legged, cherishing this one hour.
Zhu Baihu nodded in satisfaction.
There are no variants.
The so-called "abnormal species" refers to people possessed by demons. The greatest function of this elixir is actually to detect demonic energy.
The participants meditated peacefully, while the four sacred sites brought out a cylindrical ritual implement containing 250 stones, each engraved with the participant's name.
Use the magic device to randomly throw two pebbles!
Inside the training ground, nearly 100,000 spectators sat upright, all their eyes fixed on the high platform.
Among them were officials such as the Prefect and Assistant Prefect of Chuwei County, representatives of the ten major sects, and even powerful clans from other counties in Chuzhou, all of whom came to watch this grand event.
The selection competition is undoubtedly brutal. After today, how many Chuwei prodigies will perish on this high platform?
After a long wait, the time finally arrived as the bells and drums tolled.
"Silence!" Zhu Baihu of the Wendao Academy gave the order.
The entire room was completely silent; no one dared to make the slightest noise.
Rumbling--
A deafening roar, like a thunderclap.
The ritual implements simultaneously launched two stones.
The two names, Stone and Stone, appeared.
Wei Tianya!
Li Si!
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the two appeared dazed. If it weren't for the elixir to calm their minds, they would have been suffocating with tension.
"Athletics Arena Number One!" A deep voice echoed in all directions.
The two followed the swordsman to the number one dueling arena.
Continue with the draw.
He drew it fifteen times in a row.
There are a total of thirty participants!
This includes Liu Si from Shiyang Academy, whose opponent is a Qi Condensation Realm sixth-level cultivator from Taikang Academy.
Sixteen arenas, the atmosphere tense and ready to fight!
thump—
The sound of drums suddenly rang out.
The great war has begun.
Countless people were dazzled by the sight, unsure which arena to focus their attention on.
All the spectators in Shiyang County were naturally focused on the number seven arena.
With just one move, Liu Si was at a disadvantage. As the blade of internal energy sliced across his right arm, Liu Si screamed in exhaustion:
"I give up!"
The opponent ceased his attack and withdrew his internal energy.
A member of the Toji Temple, dressed in a xiezhi (a mythical beast) robe, remained expressionless.
"Liu Si is eliminated."
Liu Si was driven out of the No. 7 arena.
He returned to the platform dejectedly, utterly exhausted and dejected, a sense of humiliation and powerlessness ravaging his very being.
He began practicing cultivation at the age of six, moving from a small mountain village to the county town, and eventually reaching the top-tier academy, where he consistently ranked among the top ten elites.
Wasn't he trying hard enough?
All the expectations and efforts over the years.
There is only one move.
The spotlight he had imagined turned out to be completely ignored; he couldn't even withstand a single move.
The other eight people from Shiyang County spoke up to comfort Liu Si, while the Kirin Prince Zhao Yao stood with his hands behind his back, coldly staring at the other arena.
Useless trash! You've disgraced Shiyang County!
With just one move, does he even deserve to represent Shiyang Academy?
I am ashamed to associate with this person!
"He's dead." As someone exclaimed, countless onlookers turned their gaze toward the number nine arena.
One contestant's head flew off and was kicked to pieces in mid-air, a particularly gruesome scene.
The opponent stood calmly, his eyes showing no emotion.
Immediately afterwards, on arena number eleven, someone was killed.
One person died on the fourteenth dueling arena.
On the third dueling arena, one person suffered severed meridians and dantian, rendering him a cripple.
On the fifth dueling arena, one person was rendered useless.
In less than the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, sixteen life-or-death battles came to an end, with three people killed and two crippled!
Its gore is beyond description!
The accomplice quickly cleaned up the bloodstains and severed limbs on the dueling platform, as if nothing had happened. The spectators remained enthusiastic, while only the deceased's parents and teachers wept in anguish.
Zhu Baihu of Wendao Academy began to read out the names of the victors.
These sixteen people directly entered the top 128.
Next came a new round of drawing lots.
This time, Gu Lin drew the number eight arena.