"A quarter of an hour later, the winners of the first round will proceed to the rematch. Winners, please be ready!"
As Li Tieyi's voice echoed, Li Xuan and Li Mingkai exchanged glances and quickly sat down cross-legged.
Time passed gradually. On the high platform, the patriarchs of the six great families and four hidden sects, including Li Tieyi, retreated to their seats. Everyone's expression was calm, indicating that agreements had been reached.
"The Heavenly Extremity Divine Ranking Tournament has, without realizing it, reached the moment of the final decisive battles. For you one hundred and sixteen contestants who have entered the final, if you can defeat your opponents in these matches, you will successfully enter the top fifty-six positions on the Heavenly Extremity Divine Ranking."
"Of course, based on the numbers, there will inevitably be three contestants who, even if they win, will not be able to enter the top fifty-six of the Heavenly Extremity Divine Ranking. After discussion, Jiang Shi will select based on the accumulated points from the four procedures."
"Those with slightly lower points will miss out on a spot among the top fifty-six. However, even without entering the top fifty-six, you will still have the same qualification as the top fifty-six Heavenly Extremity Divine Ranking powerhouses to cultivate within the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion."
"This is the decision we have made after our discussion. Now, you one hundred and sixteen finalists will randomly select your opponents. Although it may seem unfair, luck is also a part of strength."
As soon as Li Tieyi finished speaking, he waved his hand. A divine light flashed, and a cluster of spiritual energy immediately reappeared in mid-air.
Judging by its small number, it seemed to be the ranking for all one hundred and eighteen contestants who had entered the final, including Li Xuan.
With the appearance of the spiritual energy cluster, Li Mingkai waved his hand, and a cluster instantly entered his hand. Seeing this, Li Xuan also moved his mind, and a cluster of spiritual energy landed in his palm.
"Forty-fifth, I wonder who it will be." Li Mingkai glanced at the number he had drawn, then turned to Li Xuan beside him and asked, "Brother Li, your number isn't forty-five, is it?"
Li Xuan shook his head slightly at the question, then spread out the number in his hand and said, "Don't worry, it's not. My number is twenty-eight."
Li Mingkai breathed a sigh of relief and then smiled, "Heh heh, I'm finally relieved. Otherwise, if we two had been matched up, it would have been a huge problem."
Li Xuan also smiled slightly. It was indeed a matter of luck that he hadn't drawn the forty-fifth number. If he had, Li Xuan wouldn't have known how to choose.
After all, over the course of their time together, Li Xuan had come to appreciate Li Mingkai a lot. Although they weren't sworn brothers, they were more than just acquaintances.
"Since everyone has drawn their numbers, let luck decide your fate." Li Tieyi said, looking at everyone after they had finished drawing.
Another beam of light shot out from his sleeve, and the matchups immediately appeared in mid-air.
"Qin Yueming, initial stage of the Mortal Realm. It looks like another tough battle," Li Mingkai said with a shrug as the matchups were announced.
The next moment, Li Mingkai's eyes widened, and he swallowed with a look of horror, saying to Li Xuan, "Brother Li, you're up against Gu Yang!"
Li Xuan saw Li Mingkai's reaction, a flicker of helplessness in his eyes, "It seems this Gu Yang is very strong."
Li Mingkai nodded with a wry smile, "Among those of our generation, our strengths are not that different. But this Gu Yang is far stronger than us. And half a year ago, this fellow had already entered the middle stage of the Mortal Realm."
Li Xuan smiled at this. A difference of one level was not a big deal.
"Brother Li, although I don't know your combat strength, facing Gu Yang, I'm afraid you're in grave danger," Li Mingkai said again when Li Xuan remained silent.
Li Xuan smiled and replied, "If it's too weak, it would make me a little disappointed with the Heavenly Extremity Divine Ranking. Someone you value highly should not be too ordinary. This competition is already satisfying me."
"Since Brother Li is so confident, then I have nothing to worry about," Li Mingkai said with a wry smile.
But he quickly added, "However, if Brother Li can defeat Gu Yang and crush his arrogance, I think she won't be so attached to Gu Yang anymore."
Li Xuan was startled and then looked at Li Mingkai, "You mean that Nangong Xuerui fancies this Gu Yang?"
Li Mingkai shrugged noncommittally, "In our circle, Xuerui only treats Gu Yang with a kinder attitude. And from the way she looks at Gu Yang, I can sense a different emotion."
Li Mingkai sighed with a slightly complex expression, "That Gu Yang surpasses us in every way. It's natural that he can attract Xuerui's attention. I think the other few fellows have probably seen through this as well."
Li Xuan smiled and said, "I think Brother Li can put his mind at ease and have a good talk with Miss Nangong Xuerui. Perhaps, there will be unexpected gains. At least, there will be a conclusion, won't there."
After speaking, Li Xuan shifted his gaze towards Nangong Xuerui not far away.
Having spent time together these past days, Li Xuan had a thorough understanding of Li Mingkai's character and personality. He could say that Li Mingkai was a good friend.
Moreover, Li Mingkai had a gentle and humorous personality, with a touch of playful cunning. If they were to become partners, he probably wouldn't bore Nangong Xuerui. Therefore, Li Xuan had encouraged Li Mingkai to confess.
"Brother Li, you mean I should take the initiative to strike up a conversation with Xuerui? This, how is this possible!" Li Mingkai was stunned, as if he had heard something incredibly shocking.
Before Li Xuan could speak, Li Mingkai continued, "Xuerui is famously aloof. Normally, she doesn't even bother to acknowledge us when we greet her. If I were to go and confess to her, she probably wouldn't even pay attention."
Li Xuan shook his head helplessly, "In that case, I can't help you. But I think it's better to express your feelings directly rather than to pine away in unrequited love."
After speaking, Li Xuan patted Li Mingkai's shoulder and continued to look towards Nangong Xuerui's location.
At this moment, Nangong Xuerui was preparing to go on stage.
However, the moment Li Xuan looked in Nangong Xuerui's direction, he vaguely sensed that Nangong Xuerui's gaze had just retracted from Li Mingkai.
"Did I sense it wrong?" Li Xuan felt surprised by this sensing and looked at Nangong Xuerui again, only to find that Nangong Xuerui had already stepped onto the stage and was completely facing away from him. He thought to himself.
"Brother Li, thank you. After the Heavenly Extremity Divine Ranking Tournament ends, I will express my feelings to Xuerui. Also, I will go all out in this Heavenly Extremity Divine Ranking Tournament to prove myself!"
Just as Li Xuan was contemplating, Li Mingkai's voice suddenly rang out.
Li Xuan snapped back to attention and smiled, nodding.
"This fellow has run into someone he shouldn't have, specifically against Xuerui. It seems his chances of entering the top fifty-six of the Heavenly Extremity Divine Ranking are slim," Li Mingkai said with a smile, looking at the man who was fighting Nangong Xuerui.
Nangong Xuerui already possessed the strength of the initial stage of the Mortal Realm, so dealing with a peak Heaven's End Realm existence should not be a problem. Moreover, Nangong Xuerui's background and heritage were not comparable to this man's.
Li Xuan nodded slightly as well. From the brief combat experience so far, Nangong Xuerui was clearly not a delicate flower.
Not only did she possess decent practical combat experience, but her spiritual energy was also extremely abundant.
On the surface, the man's strength was one level lower than Nangong Xuerui's.
Boom!
As expected, with a whip backswing from Nangong Xuerui, it instantly struck the opponent's waist.
The next moment, the man was sent flying out.
"This whip technique is performed beautifully. However, it's clear that Miss Nangong Xuerui ultimately held back."
As the man was flung out of the ring by Nangong Xuerui, the match concluded. Li Xuan nodded slightly upon seeing this.
While observing, he had learned a lot about Nangong Xuerui's strength. Li Xuan mentally compared, estimating that he would probably need to use nearly seventy percent of his strength to defeat Nangong Xuerui.
He had to admit that the foundations of the six great families and four hidden sects were extraordinary.
"Although Xuerui's Dream Reversal Whip is only a Post-Heaven Spiritual Treasure, even I would have to use all my might to dodge it. Otherwise, if that Dream Reversal Whip strikes you, the pain will be deep within your soul. Ordinary people can't withstand it."
Li Mingkai nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
Li Xuan nodded slightly, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Clearly, he hadn't expected Nangong Xuerui's Dream Reversal Whip to possess such power.
Time passed gradually, and the sky began to darken.
"Brother Li, the two people about to go on stage are from the twenty-seventh group. The next ones up will be you and Gu Yang. Are you really confident, Brother Li? If it's really not possible, I can talk to my father. After all, your strength is superior to mine."
Seeing Li Xuan begin to warm up his muscles, Li Mingkai suddenly spoke.
Li Xuan smiled and shook his head, "Your father is right, sometimes luck is a part of strength. Since this Gu Yang is the strongest existence among your ten families, fighting him should be satisfying enough for me."
As Li Xuan spoke, some matches on the ten arenas had already concluded.
Seeing this, Li Xuan stood up, then smiled and gestured to Li Mingkai before his figure shot towards the arena.
As Li Xuan appeared, a man in a scholar's green robe on the stage cupped his fists and said, "Gu Family, Gu Yang."
Li Xuan smiled and replied, "Li Xuan."