Chapter 1 The Beginning
The first round of challenges has concluded, and everyone's scores are quite close. I hope you all remain humble and prepared for the next round of challenges. Take five minutes to confer, then step forward for your battles.
As the first round's challenge points were revealed, Miao Yunxiao smiled and spoke.
"Sect Master Li Xuan, how should we proceed?" Zhu Bing immediately asked Li Xuan as Miao Yunxiao finished speaking.
After all, the higher-ups of Tianyi Pavilion had clearly stated that Li Xuan was to lead this expedition. If any issues arose, Li Xuan would naturally be the one to make the decisions.
As gazes fell upon him, Li Xuan pondered for a moment before speaking, "Elder Geng Tian and Elder Jin Tian won the first match. I believe it would be prudent to have them fight again. As for the other three, let's have everyone reveal their true capabilities before we make a decision."
"Sect Master Li Xuan, if I unleash the Star Pearl to its full potential, my power can reach twenty-six million. However, I will need to use a secret technique, and I will likely be weakened for half a year after this battle," Zhou Qingzi said first after a moment of thought.
Li Xuan was slightly surprised. In less than a year, Zhou Qingzi had improved so much. Still, he was deeply gratified to hear this news at this moment. Zhou Qingzi's twenty-six million Star Pearl count was only one million less than Elder Geng Tian's.
With Zhou Qingzi's statement, the other sect masters also revealed their peak combat strengths.
Zhu Bing, over twenty-five million five hundred thousand Star Pearl count.
Wang Jianye, over twenty-four million seven hundred thousand Star Pearl count.
Ma Tianyu, over twenty-four million five hundred thousand Star Pearl count.
As for the other elders, their Star Pearl counts were all around twenty-five million. Without exception, they would all need to employ some kind of self-harming divine ability.
In truth, if they had known from the start that Miao Yunxiao would offer them healing, the situation might have unfolded differently.
"In that case, the remaining three positions will be filled by myself, Sect Master Zhou, and Sect Master Zhu. If I fight with all my might, my Star Pearl count can reach twenty-eight million. Even if Island Master Miao Yunxiao cannot help us eliminate the hidden dangers, at least our lives will be guaranteed."
"However, there is another point. Now that we all know Island Master Miao Yunxiao will intervene, they will naturally be aware of it too. Therefore, this challenge will likely be even more intense than the last round. So, everyone, just do your best."
"The Supreme Beings' entrustment is for me to bring all of you back alive." After listening to everyone's reports, Li Xuan made his decision and then said with a solemn expression.
"Sect Master Li Xuan, rest assured, we will give our all in this battle!" Zhou Qingzi, Zhu Bing, Elder Geng Tian, and Elder Jin Tian all nodded in agreement.
Li Xuan nodded and said, "Remember, staying alive is the most important thing."
"Time is up! Second round challenger teams, step forward!"
At the same time, Miao Yunxiao, seated in the east, opened his eyes, and a deep voice resounded through the heavens. The seven teams moved swiftly, and soon their figures stood at the forefront of their respective areas.
Li Xuan glanced around; the personnel in almost every team had changed. It was evident that all parties were sending out their strongest members for this round.
"For the second round of challenges, teams will select their opponents based on their rankings and points from the first round. Now, begin." Miao Yunxiao glanced at the teams and then his gaze fell directly upon the five individuals representing Youyu View.
"We, the Earth Spirit Sect, challenge the Tianyi Domain team!"
"We, the Twin Sun Sect, challenge the Holy Void Domain team!"
"We, the Questioning Heart Sect, challenge the Martial God Domain team!"
"We, the Nine Palaces Gate, challenge the Purple Cloud Domain team!"
"We, the Heaven Grade Sect, challenge the Fu Cang Domain team!"
"We, the Qian Tian Sect, challenge the Eternal Domain team!"
As Miao Yunxiao finished speaking, a figure from each of the six teams stepped forward and announced their challenge targets. To Li Xuan's surprise, apart from Youyu View receiving a bye once again, the other five teams all challenged the same factions they had challenged in the first round.
Among these challenged teams, only Li Xuan's Tianyi Domain had lost their first-round challenge.
"Have these guys colluded? They've all maintained their first-round targets. Could it be that they've all been hiding their strength and are preparing to turn the tables this time?" Zhou Qingzi, standing beside Li Xuan, muttered in a low voice.
"Ahem, Sect Master Zhou, among these five teams, only our Tianyi Pavilion lost in the first round," Elder Geng Tian interjected with a light cough.
"Are the Earth Spirit Sect guys thinking of defeating us again to enter the top six? Sect Master Li Xuan, we must teach them a lesson this time!" Zhou Qingzi blinked in surprise and then said indignantly.
"Sect Master Zhou, do not lose your composure. We must win this match to maintain our ranking. To maintain our ranking, we need at least four wins in this battle," Li Xuan said, patting Zhou Qingzi's shoulder.
"Challenge begins!"
Miao Yunxiao's voice rang out, and Li Xuan and the others instantly vanished from the front of their respective areas. In the next moment, in mid-air, Li Xuan's team and the Earth Spirit Sect's team stood opposed to each other.
"I am Xiao Chen. We won by luck in the last round. This time, we will let you choose your opponents," said a man leading the Earth Spirit Sect team, looking at Li Xuan and the others with a gentle smile.
Li Xuan's brows furrowed slightly, but before he could speak, Elder Geng Tian and Elder Jin Tian had already locked their auras onto one of the Earth Spirit Sect members each.
"Since you are so confident, then allow me to spar with you," Li Xuan said, shifting his gaze to Xiao Chen, his aura also locking onto him.
"As you wish." Xiao Chen paid no mind to Li Xuan's words. Then, with a flash of spiritual light, two suns appeared, hanging in the air. An awe-inspiring spiritual pressure filled the heavens and earth, revealing a Star Pearl count of twenty-four million.
Li Xuan knew that Xiao Chen must have other means of amplification. Of course, this would only happen if Li Xuan could force Xiao Chen to that extent.
As Xiao Chen revealed his spiritual pressure, the other four members also displayed their celestial suns. Each of their Star Pearl counts reached over twenty-three million.
"Sect Master Li Xuan, be careful. This Xiao Chen is not simple," Elder Geng Tian warned in a low voice.
Li Xuan nodded slightly, then took a step forward and declared, "Everyone, let's fight!"