Chapter 399: The Final Round, In Full Swing

The audience buzzed with discussion, full of anticipation for the upcoming battles.

In the center of the Martial Arts Field.

Two hundred contestants stood in neat rows, waiting for the start of the final round.

On the high platform, True Person Ziyang slowly stood up.

"Everyone."

His voice spread throughout the field via spiritual power: "Congratulations on making it to the final round."

"Those who can stand here are all true Geniuses."

"But unfortunately…"

He paused: "Out of two hundred people, only ten can become Outer Sect Disciples."

"This means that most of you will still be eliminated."

"So…"

"In the upcoming battles, please give it your all."

"Do not hold back, and do not have regrets."

"Because…"

His eyes were sharp: "There is only one chance."

The entire field fell into silence.

All the contestants felt an immense pressure.

"Now, I announce the rules for the final round."

True Person Ziyang waved his hand, and a massive arena stage appeared in the center of the plaza.

The arena stage was a hundred thousand feet wide, cast entirely from Profound Iron, and was incredibly sturdy.

Around the arena stage, defensive Formations and observation Formations were engraved everywhere.

"The rules are simple—an arena tournament."

"Two hundred people will be divided into one hundred groups for one-on-one duels."

"The winner advances, and the loser is eliminated."

"After the first round, one hundred people will remain."

"In the second round, those hundred will duel, leaving fifty."

"And so on."

After True Person Ziyang finished speaking, he waved his hand and said: "Now, let the drawing of lots begin."

In the center of the plaza, a massive light screen appeared once again.

On the light screen, two hundred numbers flickered constantly, combining randomly.

A moment later, the list for the first round of duels appeared.

Zhou Chen looked up at the light screen and quickly found his opponent.

His opponent was named Zhang Lie, who was at the Venerable Realm Seventh Layer; for Zhou Chen, this posed no pressure at all.

He continued to scan the light screen, glancing at the opponents for Murong Fei and Zi Yan; both were quite weak.

Zhou Chen calculated in his mind: "It seems that in the first round, both Murong Fei and Zi Yan can easily advance. I wonder which round I will encounter them in."

"The true fierce battles will have to wait until the later rounds."

After the duel list was announced, the first round of the arena tournament officially began.

"First match, take the stage!"

The referee gave the order.

Two Cultivators leaped onto the arena stage, and a fierce battle erupted instantly.

Boom, boom, boom—

Spiritual power collided, and Laws surged.

The two went back and forth, locked in a stalemate.

Ultimately, one was a level above in skill and defeated the opponent.

"Winner advances!"

The referee announced the result, and the loser left the field dejectedly.

One battle after another played out on the arena stage.

Each match was spectacular, drawing bursts of cheers from the audience.

—

Soon, it was Murong Fei's turn.

"Fiftieth match, Murong Fei versus Wang Gang!"

"Both sides, take the stage!"

Murong Fei's figure flashed as he leaped onto the arena stage.

His opponent, Wang Gang, was a tall, burly man with a cultivation at the Sixth Layer of the Venerable Realm.

"Young Lord Murong."

Wang Gang cupped his hands: "I know I am no match for you, but since I drew this lot, I can only fight with all my strength."

"I ask that Young Lord Murong shows some mercy."

Murong Fei sneered: "Show mercy?"

"Are you worthy?"

A hint of killing intent flashed in his eyes: "You are far too ugly."

"It just so happens you can serve as this Young Lord's punching bag."

Wang Gang's expression changed: "Young Lord Murong, why must you be like this…"

"Enough nonsense!"

Murong Fei drew his sword and attacked directly without waiting for the referee to announce the start.

"Yunxiao Sword Technique—Nine Heavens Consecutive Slashes!"

Nine sword lights were slashed out instantly, each containing terrifying power.

Wang Gang was greatly alarmed and hurriedly activated his defensive Magic Treasure.

But his cultivation was several layers lower than Murong Fei's; he simply couldn't block this terrifying offensive.

Crack—

The defensive Magic Treasure shattered instantly.

The momentum of the nine sword lights did not diminish, and all of them slashed into Wang Gang's body.

Puff, puff, puff—

Nine deep, bone-deep wounds appeared on Wang Gang's body, and blood sprayed wildly.

"Ah—"

He let out a blood-curdling scream and fell onto the arena stage, his life hanging by a thread.

Buzz—

The arena's protective Formation activated, forcibly teleporting Wang Gang out.

Physicians were already standing by outside and immediately began treating Wang Gang.

"Winner, Murong Fei!"

The referee announced the result, a hint of dissatisfaction flashing in his eyes.

Murong Fei's attack was too ruthless; he clearly intended to kill Wang Gang.

If the protective Formation hadn't activated in time, Wang Gang would have certainly died.

"Hmph."

Murong Fei gave a cold snort, sheathed his sword, and left the arena stage.

As he passed the spectator stands, his gaze fell on Zhou Chen, his eyes full of provocation.

Zhou Chen remained expressionless, showing no reaction.

In the spectator stands, however, a commotion erupted.

"Murong Fei is way too ruthless…"

"That Wang Gang clearly already admitted defeat, yet he still struck so heavily…"

"It seems he really wanted to kill someone…"

"But this also shows that his strength is indeed formidable."

"The combat power of the Venerable Realm Ninth Layer is too terrifying."

—

The battles continued.

After another dozen or so matches, it was Zi Yan's turn.

"Thirtieth match, Zi Yan versus Li Hua!"

"Both sides, take the stage!"

Zi Yan leaped onto the arena stage, her aura cold and aloof.

Her opponent, Li Hua, was a young Cultivator dressed in green robes with a cultivation at the Sixth Layer of the Venerable Realm.

"Fellow Daoist Zi Yan."

Li Hua cupped his hands: "I know I am no match for you and am willing to concede voluntarily."

"I ask that Fellow Daoist Zi Yan shows mercy and does not take my life."

Zi Yan nodded: "Fine, you may leave the stage."

Li Hua breathed a sigh of relief and turned to leave the arena stage.

But at that moment, a sword light suddenly struck from behind him.

"Watch out!"

Someone in the spectator stands shouted.

Li Hua sensed the danger and tried to dodge.

But it was too late.

Puff!

The sword light pierced into his back, and blood gushed out.

"You…"

Li Hua turned back in disbelief, looking at Zi Yan.

Zi Yan sheathed her sword, expressionless: "Apologies."

"One cannot let their guard down on the arena stage."

"This is a lesson for you."

After saying that, she turned and left the arena stage.

Li Hua fell to the ground; though his injuries were severe, they were not fatal.

The protective Formation activated, teleporting him out for treatment.

"Winner, Zi Yan!"

The referee announced the result.

In the spectator stands, discussions broke out once again.

"Zi Yan also resorted to a sneak attack?"

"This doesn't fit her personality…"

"It seems the competition in this selection is truly fierce."

"If even Zi Yan is being this ruthless, there's no need to mention the others."

On the high platform, True Person Ziyang's brow furrowed slightly.

"This girl Zi Yan…"

"It seems she truly wants to take first place."

"Even her strikes have become ruthless."

He shook his head and sighed, but didn't say much else.

On the arena stage, life and death are up to fate.

As long as the rules aren't violated, any way of fighting is acceptable.

—

The battles continued.

Time passed bit by bit.

Finally, it was Zhou Chen's turn.

"Eighty-seventh match, Zhou Chen versus Zhang Lie!"

"Both sides, take the stage!"

Zhou Chen's figure flashed as he leaped onto the arena stage.

His opponent, Zhang Lie, was a middle-aged man dressed in black with a cultivation at the Venerable Realm Seventh Layer.

"So you're the one called Zhou Chen, right?"