153: Chapter 153 The Preliminary Rounds End, Prodigies Take the Stage

Two days quietly passed amidst the chaotic battles.

On the ten arenas, countless brilliant duels took place.

Some became famous in a single battle, while others left in disappointment; finally, the dust settled.

On the arena where Ye Tian was, after he sent the Young man surnamed Wang flying with a single punch and effortlessly defeated several challengers like Han Xiangzi, no one else dared to easily step up and challenge him.

His performance of crushing Ningyuan Sixth Stage Late Stage Disciples using only Physical Body strength without using True Yuan had already spread among the participating Disciples, and he was regarded as an untouchable "freak."

By the second day, his arena was even more deserted, with no one showing interest.

Ye Tian was happy to be idle; seeing that no one challenged him, he simply sat cross-legged in the center of the arena, closed his eyes to concentrate, circulated the Star Qi Induction Art, and silently absorbed the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to continue his Cultivation, wasting no time at all.

This focus of his, falling into the eyes of Elder Lei Gang who had been secretly watching him, stirred up even deeper admiration.

"Good boy! Not arrogant in victory, not lazy in leisure, with a steady Heart-Nature and such diligence! Having extraordinary talent is secondary; this heart for martial arts is what's most precious! If this boy doesn't fall young, his future achievements will be limitless!"

Thunder Gang's evaluation of Ye Tian in his heart rose another level, already regarding him as a piece of peerless uncut jade waiting to be carved.

Once the two days were up, the bell tolled again, and the preliminaries officially ended.

On the Martial Arts Arena, the originally noisy ten arenas gradually quieted down.

The twenty-two Disciples who successfully defended or challenged the arenas stood tall on their respective platforms, accepting the countless envious and even jealous gazes from below.

While more losers could only retreat to the sidelines in silence with unwillingness and regret, becoming spectators.

Fortunately, several people familiar with Ye Tian all successfully advanced!

Liu Ruyan, relying on her exquisite movement technique, repeatedly defeated stronger opponents; though a few battles were quite thrilling, she ultimately defended her arena without further mishap.

Her pretty face was slightly pale, and her Aura was somewhat unstable, clearly having consumed a lot of energy, but her beautiful eyes flickered with the light of excitement.

Leng Feng was as sharp as ever, his sword strikes merciless, and almost all his opponents were defeated within ten moves.

His Aura was cold and piercing as he stood with his sword, like a peerless sword showing its edge, making people afraid to look directly at him.

His advancement was seen as a matter of course by many.

Chen Jianfeng and Ren Qianyang, these two veteran Heaven Ranking experts, though not in the top ten, were still powerhouses in the top thirty, and their advancement was without any suspense.

They had deep foundations and rich experience; the preliminaries were nothing more than a warm-up for them.

Elder Zhao Wuji once again flew onto the central arena, his majestic gaze sweeping across the twenty-two advanced Disciples in the field.

These twenty-two people were the elites who stood out from over three thousand participants, representing the high level of the Outer Sect Disciples.

"First, congratulations to you all for passing the preliminaries and advancing to the Top Thirty-Two!"

Zhao Wuji's voice spread throughout the field, "Being able to stand here proves that you are already the best among the Outer Sect Disciples!"

Applause and cheers erupted below the stage.

However, Zhao Wuji changed his tone, and his voice became serious: "But, do not be arrogant and complacent!

This is only the beginning! In the upcoming elimination matches, your opponents will be even more powerful, and the battles will be even more brutal! Every match could determine your final ranking, and even your future destiny!

I hope you all guard against arrogance and rashness, and give it your all!"

His words were like cold water poured over their heads, causing some Disciples who were a bit light-headed from advancing to instantly sober up, their expressions turning solemn again.

After saying this, Zhao Wuji's gaze suddenly became sharp, turning toward the entrance on one side of the Martial Arts Arena.

This action of his immediately caught everyone's attention.

The advanced Disciples, as well as the tens of thousands of spectators below, all looked curiously in the direction of his gaze.

There, it was the passage leading to the Inner Sect area, where few Outer Sect Disciples usually set foot.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, at the entrance of the passage, a figure slowly stepped out.

What first caught the eye was an ice-blue skirt, and then, a tall woman with a cold face and indifferent eyes appeared in everyone's sight.

She exuded a faint cold air all over her body, and everywhere she passed, it seemed as if a layer of ice crystals had formed.

"It's the tenth on the Heaven Ranking, Cold Ice Finger, Senior Sister Han Bing!"

"Condensing Essence Seventh Level Middle Stage!"

"Such a cold temperament..."

A low exclamation immediately sounded below the stage.

Han Bing, tenth on the Heaven Ranking, was famous for her bone-chilling finger technique; although she was only ranked tenth, no one wanted to easily provoke her, not even others on the Heaven Ranking.

Immediately after, an incomparably sharp Sword Intent soared into the sky!

A young man in snow-white clothes with a long sword on his back walked out.

His gaze swept across the field, carrying an arrogant Aura of 'who else but me'!

"It's Senior Brother Liu Jingtao! Ninth on the Heaven Ranking!"

"He broke through to the Condensing Essence Seventh Level! His Aura is so strong!"

"Defeated Elder Zhou in five sword strikes; his strength is unfathomable!"

Liu Jingtao's appearance caused an even greater commotion.

His record was too dazzling, and he was regarded as one of the strong contenders for the top spot in this year's Great Competition.

Then, one powerful Aura after another emerged from the passage in succession!

Eighth on the Heaven Ranking, "Wind Chasing Leg" Feng Xinglie; his figure was like the wind, so fast that his face couldn't be seen clearly.

Seventh on the Heaven Ranking, "Rock Fist" Shi Hao; he had a sturdy build and an Aura as steady as a mountain.

Sixth on the Heaven Ranking, "Gold Splitting Hand" Jin Wushuang; his hands shimmered with a golden-bronze color, showing a sharp edge.

These three, their cultivation bases were all at the Condensing Essence Seventh Level Late Stage, each with their own unique skills and great fame.

Their appearance made the atmosphere of the scene increasingly heated.

However, the climax was still to come!

Inside the passage, the light dimmed once more, and a woman wearing a black dress with a delicate face but a somewhat evil smile appeared silently.

She was still playing with several pitch-black iron pieces in her hand, her eyes agile and cunning, yet carrying a fatal danger.

"Senior Sister Mo Ling! Fifth on the Heaven Ranking! Ningyuan Eighth Stage Early Stage!"

"Thousand Machine Guide Mo Ling! It's said she's proficient in mechanism Formations and kills without a trace!"

"One of the most mysterious Heaven Ranking experts!"

Mo Ling's appearance caused many Disciples to feel a tremor in their hearts.

Her methods were eerie and impossible to guard against, making her an opponent no one wanted to face.

Finally, a scorching, wild, and terrifying Aura that seemed capable of burning everything swept out from the passage!

The temperature of the entire Martial Arts Arena suddenly rose by a few degrees!

Under the breath-holding gaze of everyone, a tall young man wearing crimson-red martial attire strode out!

Invisible flames burned around him, and every step he took made the ground tremble slightly; his Aura was terrifying!

"Senior Brother Lie Yang! Fourth on the Heaven Ranking! Ningyuan Eighth Stage Middle Stage!"

"Yan Yang Hand Lie Yang! The second most powerful person in the Outer Sect in terms of strength!"

"The hottest candidate for this Great Competition!"

Lie Yang's appearance pushed the atmosphere to its peak!

His gaze swept across the field, finally landing on the area where the Top Thirty-Two Disciples were, a wild smile curling on his lips, his Battle Intent completely undisguised!

His gaze especially lingered on Ye Tian for a moment.

The fourth to tenth on the Heaven Ranking, seven people in total, finally all appeared!

They lined up at the entrance of the passage, their powerful Auras merging into one, forming an invisible sense of pressure that enveloped the entire Martial Arts Arena!

These seven people represented the highest combat power of the Outer Sect Disciples on the surface!

Their appearance meant that the real battle was about to begin!

Among the Top Thirty-Two Disciples, except for Ye Tian who looked as usual, everyone else felt a huge pressure, their expressions solemn.

Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng's breathing became slightly rapid; facing these prodigies who were already famous, they felt the gap in their own strength.

Ye Tian's gaze calmly swept over these seven people, finally meeting Lie Yang's gaze, which was full of Battle Intent, in mid-air.

A nearly imperceptible curve rose at the corner of his mouth.

"I've been waiting for a long time..."