Chapter 89: Chen Shi vs Zhu Gang

The White-haired Elder looked around with a smile; everyone, including Xiao Fan, was astonished.

This amiable old man before them was actually the Sect Master of the Jixian Sect's Outer Sect.

The Jixian Sect was divided into the Inner Sect and the Outer Sect; this Elder was the most powerful person within the Outer Sect.

As for his cultivation level, Xiao Fan and the others naturally couldn't detect it; to them, the Elder seemed less like a Cultivator and more like an ordinary old man.

Because they couldn't sense any spiritual energy fluctuations from him at all…

"Alright, the self-introduction is over. Now, come and meet these teaching Elders of the Outer Sect," the Elder said with a kind expression.

The Elders behind him stepped forward one by one. The first to speak was He Yutang, who had a majestic appearance and a tall build. He spoke in a deep voice: "I am He Yutang. You've all gotten to know me these past few days. I am in charge of the Transmission of Techniques."

After He Yutang, the Black-haired Elder stepped out with a serious face and said coldly: "Jiang Yushan, in charge of the Dao of Alchemy."

His expression was arrogant from start to finish, his head held so high that one could even see his nostrils…

He seemed to have more of a Sect Master's air than the Outer Sect's Sect Master Xu Yongnian…

However, upon hearing that he was in charge of the Alchemy lineage, everyone understood. Alchemists carried themselves this way no matter where they were; it had nothing to do with cultivation, they relied entirely on their true skills.

Then it was the turn of the glamorous woman, who had a smiling face. She laughed and said: "My name is Elder Shi Ji, and I am in charge of the Dao of Formations."

The Formation Branch, like Alchemy, commanded respect. Formations were versatile; besides setting up incredibly powerful defensive arrays, one could also arrange offensive Magic Arrays, Spirit Gathering Arrays, Illusion Arrays, and many others.

Most Cultivators had some understanding of Formations, but most were only at the Entry-Level.

A truly powerful Formation Master could set up an incredibly potent Formation with a casual wave of the hand, making it easy to fight enemies of a higher Realm…

After those two, a thin, middle-aged man walked out. He had a very low presence and a very ordinary appearance. He looked around and said in a low voice: "Elder Cao Mu, in charge of the Artifact Refining Lineage."

The Artifact Refining Lineage had a long history, and its status was the same as that of Alchemists; they were highly respected everywhere.

The Magical Artifact currently in Xiao Fan's possession was a finished product; while it was decent, it wasn't specially crafted for him.

A tailor-made Magical Artifact was far too important for a Cultivator.

Once these four finished their introductions, Sect Master Xu Yongnian said with a smile: "These four are the teaching Elders responsible for the Outer Sect. They will hold regular classes in the future. If you are interested, you can go and learn…"

"During your matches later, these Chiefs will also be watching. If you are fortunate enough to be favored by them and taken under their wing, your future will be limitless…"

"Alright, let the competition begin. This time is different from before; it will be conducted entirely by drawing straws across three Arenas simultaneously. Those who lose once will lose their eligibility and be eliminated."

Sect Master Xu Yongnian smiled and then looked back at He Yutang, who nodded and stepped forward.

"I will continue to preside over the upcoming matches. Everyone, write your names on a slip of paper. Those whose names are called, come up to the stage."

He Yutang's voice was resonant. He slapped the Storage Pouch at his waist, and five hundred sets of paper and pens appeared, flying into everyone's hands.

After Xiao Fan and the others finished writing their names, Outer Sect Disciples in blue robes came over to collect the slips, finally placing them all into a wooden box.

He Yutang pointed casually, and a beam of light shot into the box, which immediately made "thump thump" sounds of impact.

Instantly, six slips of paper flew out of the box and floated into He Yutang's hands.

"Zhen Yuankai, Yang Hong."

"Lu Huan, Fang Mengzhu."

…

With a casual point, the six people for the first round of duels were selected.

The six went to their respective Arenas and began their duels…

"Half the people are eliminated after each round. After another round, barely a hundred people will be left…" Xiao Fan muttered to himself.

This kind of competition was actually very fast; it was entirely an elimination system, and it would get faster as it went on.

Match after match began. After half a quarter of an hour, Xiao Fan's name was called.

He leaped up and onto the Arena.

Xiao Fan's opponent was a youth at the sixth stage of the Huaqi Realm. His own cultivation wasn't weak for his age, with a Bone Age and Realm score of seven…

However, when he saw that his opponent was Xiao Fan, the look on his face was indescribably ugly, as if he had eaten a dead rat…

But since he had been chosen, he could only grit his teeth and duel Xiao Fan…

The result was obvious; in less than three moves, he was defeated, kicked flying by Xiao Fan.

No one was surprised by this result. After all, although Xiao Fan was at the seventh stage of the Huaqi Realm, he had previously defeated Zhao Ming, an Outer Sect Disciple at the ninth stage of the Huaqi Realm.

The first round of matches unfolded one by one.

Nangong Lingxuan, Chen Feixing, Shan Yanghui, and the others didn't run into each other, and the opponents they encountered all suffered crushing defeats.

While they didn't meet, other Prodigies from great families did; they were all Geniuses of their respective families.

They all exerted their full strength to rank higher and obtain better rewards.

The battles were also very intense…

Zhu Gang also took the stage, and his opponent made even Xiao Fan pause…

It wasn't a Genius from a great Family, but rather he had encountered Chen Shi.

The two had similar cultivation levels, both at the fifth stage of the Huaqi Realm…

Xiao Fan watched their clash with great interest, even more so than when watching Nangong Lingxuan and the others…

Both had cold expressions, treating each other as formidable enemies. If they were facing Cultivators whose strength far exceeded their own, Xiao Fan believed that given their personalities, they would likely just concede.

"Chen Shi…"

"Zhu Gang…"

The two cupped their fists and introduced themselves. As soon as they finished speaking, they rushed forward like lightning, striking with all their might…

Everyone who saw it was startled, thinking that although these two weren't very strong, their Battle Intent was quite high.

However, Xiao Fan, standing below the stage, knew very well that these two likely had the same idea: to take advantage of the other's lack of attention and strike first with a sneak attack…

Chen Shi punched Zhu Gang, and Zhu Gang kicked Chen Shi…

The clash between the two was very deadlocked. Few people were watching, and although there wasn't much fanfare, Xiao Fan found it very entertaining.

Besides him, there was another Prodigy watching their match; it was Chen Feixing.

In the end, Zhu Gang relied on a critical sneak attack kick to Chen Shi's groin… combined with his own Realm being higher than Chen Shi's, he defeated his opponent…

Chen Shi was full of indignation, clutching his crotch with both hands, tears streaming from his eyes…

Not many people paid attention to their fight, and even fewer saw this scene.

However, the way Xiao Fan and Chen Feixing looked at Zhu Gang was a bit strange…

They thought to themselves that this fat guy was too insidious.

…

Two hours later, the first round of the elimination matches ended, with only a little over two hundred people remaining.

The wooden box flickered, beginning to select the opponents for the second round.

"Xiao Fan, Li Dong."