302: Defend the ring

The afternoon matches were indeed several times more intense than the morning ones!

The twelve individuals who managed to stand out again from the twenty-five winners of the first round were all true elites of the Inner Academy; the weakest among them had reached Peak Dou Ling, and there were even Dou Wang Experts like Qin Xiao among them.

Above the arena, Dou Qi radiance crisscrossed, and the sounds of explosions and collisions were incessant.

The struggle for rankings near the top ten of the strong ranking list was particularly fierce; both sides often used every means available, frequently bombarding each other with various Profound Rank High-Grade Dou Technique, resulting in inseparable battles that caused the audience below the stage to gasp repeatedly and cheer with excitement.

Qin Xiao's opponent was a student ranked twelfth, a Peak of Nine-Star Dou Ling.

Although the opponent fought with all his might, even using a powerful quasi Di-rank Dou Technique, he still couldn't hold out for long against Qin Xiao's violent Thunder Fire Dou Qi.

Qin Xiao, in order to conserve strength, did not use his trump card, relying solely on the overwhelming suppression of his dual-attribute Thunder Fire Dou Qi to force his opponent off the stage within twenty moves, thus easily advancing.

Liu Qingsi's opponent was even more unlucky; facing her pervasive and bizarre poison technique, he had no way to defend himself, lasting less than a minute before feeling his Dou Qi circulation slow down and becoming dizzy, forcing him to proactively surrender for fear of being too deeply poisoned.

After a series of fierce contests, by the time the final match concluded, the setting sun had already stained the horizon red.

Great Elder reappeared, his gaze sweeping over the twelve winners standing on the stage whose auras were slightly unstable but whose eyes were sharp, as well as Jiang Donghua, who stood calmly to the side, and he announced loudly.

"The second round of matches is over! Congratulations to the thirteen of you for successfully advancing!"

Enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted from the stands.

Great Elder pressed his hands down virtually, signaling the crowd to quiet down, and continued speaking.

"As per tradition, tomorrow we will determine the final top ten rankings of the strong ranking list and confirm the list of those qualified to undergo the tempering of the Origin Heart Flame!"

He paused, looked at the expectant eyes of the crowd below and above the stage, and announced the specific method for determining the top ten tomorrow.

"Tomorrow's competition system is as follows: Arena Defense Point System!"

"Rule One: A main arena will be set up on the stage. The thirteen individuals will take turns defending the arena, with each person's defense time being one incense stick's worth of time. During the defense period, they must accept challenges from any other advancing participant."

"Rule Two: Winning a match earns three points; drawing a match earns one point; losing a match deducts one point."

"Rule Three: Each person has ten opportunities for an active challenge. The arena defender may not refuse a reasonable challenge."

"Rule Four: Finally, the ranking will be determined by the total points accumulated, and the top ten individuals with the highest scores will be this year's strong ranking list top ten!"

As soon as this system was announced, it immediately sparked thought and discussion among everyone.

"Arena Defense Point System? This method is good!"

"It tests both sustained combat ability and the strategy of selecting opponents!"

"Exactly! If you're strong enough, you can keep defending the arena to earn points! If you think you can't beat certain people, you can also choose to challenge relatively weaker opponents to protect your score!"

"And limiting the number of challenges prevents excessive continuous fighting and gives everyone time to adjust."

"Tsk tsk, there'll be a good show tomorrow! Someone is definitely going to challenge Qin Xiao and Liu Qingsi!"

"What about Jiang Donghua? Will he defend the arena? Who would dare challenge him?"

The Great Elder looked at the students discussing animatedly below the stage and added a final point.

"Today's matches are concluded. All advancing participants should return and rest well to adjust your condition! Tomorrow, the final decisive battle will take place here!"

After speaking, he announced the dispersal of the crowd.

The thirteen advancing participants had varying expressions; some were full of confidence, while others were secretly calculating their strategies for tomorrow.

Everyone's gaze involuntarily glanced toward Jiang Donghua, who had appeared exceptionally calm from start to finish.

What role would he play in tomorrow's arena?

Would he sweep aside everything and forcefully ascend to the peak?

Or would no one dare challenge him at all?

Meanwhile, Qin Xiao clenched his fists, battle fire burning in his eyes.

No matter how strong Jiang Donghua was, tomorrow, he absolutely had to fight him!

He wanted to personally verify how much the gap had narrowed after more than half a year of arduous cultivation!

The next day, the Central Arena was once again enveloped in a fervent atmosphere; the stands were packed, and everyone looked forward eagerly, anticipating the final decisive battle that would determine the ownership of the strong ranking list top ten today!

After Great Elder announced the rules, his gaze swept over the thirteen advancing participants below the stage, and he asked in a deep voice.

"Who wishes to be the first to ascend the stage and defend the arena?"

As soon as his voice fell, a figure lightly landed in the center of the arena, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm.

It was Jiang Donghua!

Seeing Jiang Donghua step onto the stage first, the remaining twelve advancing participants below, except for a few, showed clear expressions of difficulty and hesitation.

Fight this unfathomable fellow?

Wouldn't that be actively giving away points?

Worse yet, it might affect their own condition!

For a moment, no one dared to step forward and challenge him.

Just as the atmosphere grew somewhat stagnant, a rough, bold voice broke the silence!

"Hahaha! Old Lei will give it a try!"

Lei Lie, ranked fourth on the strong ranking list, was seen shouldering his heavy black iron rod and striding onto the stage, his face full of excitement and eager fighting intent, without the slightest hint of fear.

"Brother Jiang! We've known each other for so long, yet we've never had a real fight!"

"Today is the perfect day; let Old Lei experience your high moves!"

Lei Lie said in a booming voice, his eyes filled with pure fighting spirit.

Jiang Donghua looked at this outspoken and straightforward friend, a gentle smile appearing on his face, and nodded.

"Big Brother Lei, please!"

Lei Lie's appearance made many people below the stage breathe a sigh of relief, while also filling them with anticipation.

After all, Lei Lie was ranked fourth on the strong ranking list, possessing formidable strength; perhaps he could force Jiang Donghua to reveal some of his true capabilities?

However, just as Lei Lie stepped onto the stage, another cool, clear voice sounded.

"Wait."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, only to see Liu Qingsi slowly stand up, her deep eyes looking towards the arena, her tone flat but carrying an undeniable meaning.

"When Lei Lie is finished, I'll be next. I haven't sparred with him yet either."

As soon as she spoke, the entire venue immediately erupted in an uproar!

"My heavens! The strong ranking third place and fourth place are going to consecutively challenge Jiang Donghua?"

"Can this work? Will Senior Jiang be too exhausted?"

"What is Senior Liu trying to do? Does she think she has a chance?"

"No matter what, we're in for a good show now! Two great experts challenging him consecutively!"

Even Great Elder frowned slightly, but he did not intervene.

The rules allowed it, provided Jiang Donghua did not refuse.

Hearing this, Jiang Donghua merely glanced indifferently at Liu Qingsi and nodded calmly.

"You may."

"Good! How refreshing!"

Lei Lie roared, wasting no more words. The Dou Qi within him burst forth, and he swung his black iron rod, bringing forth a fierce wind as he unleashed his signature Dou Technique!

"Profound Rank High-Grade Dou Technique—Mountain Splitting Rod Technique!"

The rod shadow was like a mountain, heavy and powerful, smashing down fiercely toward Jiang Donghua!

Facing this fierce attack, Jiang Donghua's figure moved slightly; he did not meet the attack head-on but instead moved through the dense rod shadows as if strolling in a courtyard. His hands either brushed or guided the attacks, seemingly effortless, yet always managing to divert Lei Lie's violent power aside at crucial moments.

On the stage, Lei Lie roared repeatedly, rod shadows flew, and his momentum was astonishing.

However, Jiang Donghua was like a small boat amid terrifying waves—seemingly in danger, yet always composed.

After the two exchanged about ten moves, Jiang Donghua spotted an opening, his figure flashed, closing in on Lei Lie. His right hand seemingly casually pressed and guided the heavy black iron rod!

Lei Lie immediately felt an irresistible skillful force transmit through the rod; his stance faltered, and his entire body, along with the rod, was sent staggering a few steps. With a cry of surprise, he actually fell directly off the stage!

"Thank you for the match, Big Brother Lei."

Jiang Donghua stood at the edge of the arena, cupped his hands, and smiled.

Lei Lie climbed up from the ground, dusted himself off, and far from being discouraged, he grinned broadly.

"Hahaha! What a thrill!"

"Brother Jiang is truly amazing! Old Lei is convinced!"

He conceded wholeheartedly, knowing the immense gap between himself and Jiang Donghua.

Just as Lei Lie stepped down, Liu Qingsi's figure, like a willow leaf, silently floated onto the stage.

She wasted no words, forming seals with her hands. Dark green poisonous Dou Qi instantly spread out, transforming into several nimble and deadly vipers that attacked Jiang Donghua from tricky angles with astonishing speed!

Jiang Donghua's eyes narrowed slightly; he dared not be careless regarding Liu Qingsi's poison technique.

His figure swayed, and faint blue Dou Qi circulated around his fingertips, precisely striking the vulnerable spots of the vipers, scattering them.

At the same time, his footwork was mysterious, always finding a gap to escape before the poisonous mist could fully enclose him.

Liu Qingsi's offense was bizarre and continuous, but Jiang Donghua remained as steady as Mount Tai, countering every move. Again, after exchanging over a dozen moves, Jiang Donghua seized a subtle gap when Liu Qingsi was transitioning her Dou Qi; his figure suddenly accelerated, breaking through the blockade of poison mist, and he lightly pressed a palm toward her shoulder.

Liu Qingsi's expression changed slightly, and she rapidly retreated, but Jiang Donghua's palm followed like a shadow.

In the end, to avoid that palm strike, Liu Qingsi had no choice but to actively jump outside the arena boundary.

She landed below the stage, her expression somewhat unpleasant, but she ultimately gave Jiang Donghua a slight nod.

"I am impressed."

In a short period, Jiang Donghua consecutively defeated Liu Qingsi, the strong ranking third place, and Lei Lie, the fourth place!

And judging by appearances, he didn't seem to have used his full strength!

The entire audience watched mesmerized, cheering with great satisfaction!

The expressions of the remaining advancing participants below the stage grew even more solemn; since even Liu Qingsi and Lei Lie were defeated so cleanly, wouldn't they just be humiliating themselves by going up?

Jiang Donghua stood on the stage, his gaze calmly sweeping over the area below, and spoke lightly.

"Next?"