Solothu, who was greatly affected

"Second Stage, Spirit Inquiry, concluded!"

All contestants returned to the resting area.

The judges and guests on the main platform deliberated carefully, and then several of them nodded simultaneously.

Subsequently, a ranking list appeared in the Void Realm.

The massive list included all the contestants present.

"After final confirmation, the results for the first two stages are out. Everyone can find their position!"

Lin Xiao looked up at the list.

"First place, Lin Xiao! Full marks in the first stage! Full marks in the second stage!"

"Second place, Ji Xiangnan! Full marks in the first stage! Ninety-five marks in the second stage!"

"Third place, Bing Qinru! Full marks in the first stage! Ninety-four marks in the second stage!"

...Many people found their rankings.

Ji Xiangnan looked at the rankings on the list, his expression calm, but those who knew him would understand that his heart was extremely turbulent at this moment.

He was a born Emperor; he would not allow anyone to step on his head!

"I didn't even make it into the top three?"

Jiang Ming's eyes widened. What went wrong? He was ranked fourth!

"In ten minutes, the third stage, Strength Inquiry, will commence!"

"This Heart Inquiry competition is divided into ten groups. Each group will select five qualifiers based on the number of victories, for a total of fifty Prodigies to participate in the final points competition!"

Lin Xiao was assigned to the fifth group.

He looked at Bing Qinru and found that she was in the first group. Bing Qinru was also watching him.

The two exchanged glances. Lin Xiao smiled, raised his fist, and offered encouragement.

Bing Qinru also raised her small hand, responding with effort.

"The third stage, Strength Inquiry, officially begins!"

The atmosphere instantly became heated, with fierce clashes occurring simultaneously on ten arenas.

The broadcasters outside the venue diligently began their work, while the contestants on stage went all out. With important figures present at this competition, they had to display their best form.

"Arena number five, Lin Xiao versus Ning Tian!"

Hearing the announcement from arena number five, many people around gathered their gazes there, all for that young man!

Ning Tian felt a bit bitter. He hadn't expected his luck to be so bad, encountering someone absolutely not to be provoked in his very first match.

Indeed, Lin Xiao had already been listed as one of the most unprovokable individuals by these ordinary Prodigies.

Lin Xiao walked to one side of the arena, looked at his opponent, and bowed slightly.

"Match starts!"

Ning Tian immediately adopted a fighting stance. Although the outcome was already decided, he still wanted to try.

"Please!"

Ning Tian activated his Ability. He had awakened an A-rank Ability — Gale.

After activating his Ability, his speed immediately increased by a tier. He moved as fast as a gust of wind, rapidly moving around the arena.

He constantly shifted positions, searching for weaknesses in his opponent.

Lin Xiao stood still. With his Grandmaster-level combat techniques, he instantly recognized his opponent's intention.

He took a step forward with his left foot, revealing an opening.

"This is it!"

Ning Tian saw that the timing was right, his speed increased even further, and he instantly appeared behind Lin Xiao. Gathering strength in his hand, he fiercely attacked Lin Xiao's lower groin area.

"You fell for it!"

Lin Xiao took a step back with his right foot, tilted his body slightly, and sidestepped, directly dodging the attack. At the same time, he swung his fist.

"Bang!"

Ning Tian was directly sent flying and crashed outside the ring.

"Match over, Lin Xiao wins!"

As expected!

There were no excessive cheers, as if Lin Xiao's victory was a given.

However, observant individuals noticed that Lin Xiao hadn't even used his Ability in this match.

Ning Tian, below the stage, also had a bitter expression. Alas!

After stepping off the arena, Lin Xiao's gaze swept across the other battlefields.

At this moment, a young man with a powerful presence stood on arena number three.

Ji Xiangnan!

Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes. He remembered this person. Murong Yun's handbook had a description: "A born Emperor, SS-rank Special Ability — Emperor!"

"Emperor, what a domineering name."

Ji Xiangnan made no moves at all, simply standing on the arena. A subtle, yet unmistakable, Imperial Qi emanated from him. This sacred and majestic aura pressured his opponent so much that he didn't dare to move, ultimately forcing him to concede.

"Ji Xiangnan wins!"

After the referee's declaration, Ji Xiangnan left the arena and returned to his seat as if no one else was present.

Many cameras followed him, and his Emperor-like demeanor gained him a large following online.

The competition was in full swing.

Lin Xiao found that his opponents were all of average strength, mostly First Tier contestants.

This allowed him to achieve ten consecutive victories, securing the first qualifying spot for arena number five on the spot.

"Bing Qinru achieves ten consecutive victories and successfully qualifies!"

A commotion erupted at arena number one. The beautiful ice maiden's ice abilities were exquisite, and those who fought her were instantly frozen into works of art.

She calmly stepped off the arena. In her eyes, these people were a bit too weak.

Time came to evening.

"The top fifty qualifiers for the third stage have been determined! Today's competition segment concludes here. The points competition will be held tomorrow morning!"

The fierce battles came to an end. Those who successfully qualified were overjoyed, while the defeated were dejected.

Lin Xiao rejoined the main group.

Mad Blade kept nodding at him.

"This time, seven of us from the West entered the top fifty. Not bad!"

He was quite satisfied. Last year, only three from their West entered the top fifty, but this year it more than doubled.

Plus, with a monstrous talent like Lin Xiao, he might even get first place!

Thinking of this, he was already eager for Lin Xiao to win first place so he could chat with those old friends.

Lin Xiao looked at Bing Qinru walking towards him and thought for a moment: "I watched your match; it was great! Good luck tomorrow!"

"Tha…thank you, I will!" Bing Qinru became a bit nervous. She was startled. As she was walking, her mind was preoccupied with how to greet him.

Lin Xiao was a bit puzzled. He pointed to himself.

"Am I scary?"

"Ah... no, no!"

"Then why do you seem so nervous?"

"Uh... I might... just... just finished the match, so I'm a bit excited..."

Bing Qinru grew more nervous as she spoke, eventually giving up and turning to run away.

Leaving a bewildered Lin Xiao in place, questioning life.

He even asked someone nearby, pointing to himself:

"Do I look scary?"

Uh... all the nearby hotels had been booked by the organizers.

Lin Xiao returned to his room.

He calculated the time.

"There's about ten more hours until the System upgrade is complete. I'm quite looking forward to it!"

He quickly washed up and lay on the bed to rest.

...The next day, Lin Xiao arrived at the competition venue early.

Soon, the venue was packed with people.

"All qualifying contestants, please enter!"

"Today's points match will be one-on-one draws. The winner gets +1 point, and the loser gets -1. The top ten in the final points ranking will be the top ten contestants of this competition."

"I announce, the competition officially begins!"

All contestants began drawing lots in an orderly fashion.

Lin Xiao looked at his opponent, raising his eyebrows slightly.

His opponent was named Soloto, with an S-rank Ability — Night, and his strength was at the Peak of the Second Tier Early Stage!

His opponent, Soloto, also frowned, even more speechless. How did he end up drawing Lin Xiao?

"Damn it, why is my luck so bad!" He was furious. With his strength, he was at least above average among these fifty contestants.

"Contestants Lin Xiao and Soloto, please come to the stage!"

"Click-clack, click-clack."

The cameras below the stage immediately started working, clearly capturing both contestants.

"Tsk tsk, I truly feel sorry for this guy named Soloto. Can this be understood as a pay-to-win tycoon meeting a cheater?"

"Is there any chance Lin Xiao will lose in the end?"

"Lin Xiao will lose? Brother, do you know the value of a Dual SSS-rank Ability?"

"Here, you'll find someone who looks down on Dual SSS-rank!"

Lin Xiao himself didn't know that, unknowingly, he had already gained a considerable number of fans silently supporting him.

"Match starts!"

Lin Xiao still stood in place.

Soloto, on the other hand, had a solemn expression. He had seen his opponent's battles and understood that his fighting style was reactive.

After a careful scan, Soloto became even more uneasy. He found that in his perception, Lin Xiao stood there like an ordinary person.

He seemed to be full of openings.

"I can't let this continue!" He felt immense pressure every moment, an invisible psychological pressure.

"Night Descends!"

He clapped his hands together, and a powerful Ability enveloped the entire arena, making it dark and lightless.

"Lin Xiao, from now on, this will be my home turf! Although you are strong, it's impossible to defeat me easily!"

In the darkness, Soloto became even stronger. This was his Domain. After casting Night Descends, all his attributes increased significantly.

He quickly rushed towards Lin Xiao, launching an attack.

Lin Xiao could see nothing now; darkness surrounded him, but only for an instant.

A faint divine glow emanated from his eyes. His originally pitch-black vision immediately disappeared, replaced by Soloto's clear figure.

"Lin Xiao! If you dare, don't dodge. Let's decide the victor head-on!"

Soloto continuously attacked, growing extremely frustrated. Even now, he couldn't even touch his opponent's clothing. How was he supposed to fight like this?

His internal Ability was constantly being consumed; Night Descends wouldn't last much longer.

"I can only use that move!"

He immediately gritted his teeth and gathered his remaining Ability in the center of his palm.

"Lin Xiao, let's see how you dodge this move!"

"Death's Night Raid!"

An incredibly massive skull palm print appeared in the center of his palm. The ground began to shake slightly. Those outside the arena had no idea what was happening!

"What's going on? Why is it so dark? Is it lagging?"

"It's dark here too. It's that guy Soloto's Ability!"

"Damn it! How are we supposed to watch Lin Xiao display his Divine Might?"

Someone complained.

Lin Xiao stopped. Seeing his opponent's attack, he was a little surprised. This move must be at the Second Tier Mid-stage level, right? This guy named Soloto still had some tricks up his sleeve!

"Then I won't dodge!"

He stood gently in place, his Space-Time Divine Eyes flickered slightly, and an invisible spatial barrier appeared!

And in Soloto's vision...

He only saw Lin Xiao stop in place, taking his ultimate move head-on with his body, which made him even more furious.

"Lin Xiao, you are too arrogant!"

Without further words, he struck out with his palm, enveloped by the huge skull handprint, targeting Lin Xiao!

"Boom!"

On the arena, the black mist gradually dissipated. Soloto's Ability was depleted, and he could no longer maintain Night Descends.

At this moment, many eyes were fixed on them, wanting to see what exactly had happened!

Soloto leaned on his legs with both hands, panting constantly, his gaze fixed on the front.

The smoke cleared, and a figure slowly appeared in everyone's vision.

At this moment, Lin Xiao was completely unharmed, not even a speck of dust on him.

Soloto's hanging heart finally died. He smiled, a somewhat bleak smile.

Then he lowered his head, as if he had suffered a huge blow, and jumped off the arena himself.

The referee looked around and waved his hand.

"Lin Xiao wins!"