164: The genius of the entire audience went berserk: Why is he the only protagonist?!

However, before he could finish his sentence, an urgent sound transmission interrupted him.

The old man's expression changed slightly, and then, as if he had received some command, a look of difficulty and helplessness appeared on his face.

He glanced at Li Qing, then at the Grand Princess on the Viewing Platform, and finally, could only brace himself and announce loudly:

"Everyone! We have just received a temporary notice from the organizing committee!"

"Given that this year's Great Xia Martial Selection has produced numerous Geniuses, whose strength far surpasses previous years, and in order to better test the comprehensive strength and sustained combat power of all contestants, and to make the competition even more exciting!"

"After joint deliberation between the chief examiner and the Imperial Family, it has been decided to temporarily change the rules for the final round of the ranking competition!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue erupted in an uproar!

Temporarily change the rules?

This had never happened in the history of the Great Xia Martial Selection!

Everyone held their breath, waiting for what was to come.

The old man took a deep breath and, in a modulated tone, shouted loudly:

"From now on, the ranking competition will be changed to a 'Arena battle' (Arena Defense Battle)!"

"The winner of the first match, Li Qing, will become the first Arena Defender!"

"The remaining ninety-nine contestants can all go on stage and challenge him!"

"Continuous battles! Endless continuous battles!"

"Until no one dares to challenge him anymore, or the Arena Defender is defeated!"

Boom—!!!

This news, like a heavy bomb, exploded throughout the entire Martial Arena!

Everyone was stunned!

Arena Defense Battle?

Continuous battles?

What the hell kind of competition is this?

This was clearly meant to drive Li Qing to his death!

"Shameless! Too shameless!"

"How can he fight like this? One person against ninety-nine? Even an iron man would be exhausted to death!"

"They have no shame!"

"It's over, it's over, Li Qing is truly in danger this time!"

Instantly, the crowd was enraged, and the entire Martial Arena erupted.

Everyone could see that this was a blatant, undisguised targeting!

However, the rules were set, and no one could change them.

On the Viewing Platform, the Grand Princess's lips curved into a victorious, cruel arc.

Li Qing, aren't you strong?

Aren't your defenses invincible?

This Princess wants to see if you can withstand the attacks of ten people, can you also withstand a hundred?

Furthermore, these hundred people below are not weaklings!

This Princess wants you to be exhausted to death!

Just when everyone thought Li Qing would be angry and protest.

On the arena, the black figure simply listened quietly.

After the old man announced the unfair rules, he slowly turned around, his gaze calmly sweeping over the ninety-nine Geniuses in the contestant waiting area, who were either excited or fearful.

"Absurd!"

A furious shout, like a thunderclap, suddenly boomed from the high Viewing Platform!

Everyone looked over, only to see Crown Prince Xia Yuan suddenly stand up from his seat!

His usually gentle and refined face was now covered in frost, and his eyes burned with undisguised anger!

He hadn't expected Xia Qingyue's methods to be so despicable.

Using such a trick, wasn't she afraid of being ridiculed?

Now Li Qing was his person, and his talent was astonishing; he was bound to achieve boundless success in the future!

By all accounts, he could not stand idly by.

"Imperial Father!"

Xia Yuan directly bowed to the Emperor of Great Xia on the dragon throne, his voice loud and clear, echoing throughout the entire Martial Arena.

"Your son believes this action is inappropriate!"

"The Great Xia Martial Selection is a grand event for selecting talent for the nation. For a hundred years, the rules have been deeply ingrained in people's hearts, with fairness and justice as its foundation!"

"Changing rules at the last minute is already a great taboo! What's more, to change them to such an unheard-of Arena Defense Battle?"

"To make one contestant face the remaining ninety-nine Geniuses of the same rank? How is this any different from continuous attrition and a group attack?"

"How is this selecting talent? This is clearly an unfair hunt targeting an individual!"

"If this were to spread, how would the world view our Great Xia Dynasty? How would they view our Imperial Family?"

"Where is the face of our Great Xia? Where is the majesty of the Imperial Family?"

Xia Yuan's words were forceful and righteous!

He did not mention Li Qing, nor anyone else.

This matter was solely about rules, fairness, and the face of the Dynasty!

These words instantly resonated with hundreds of thousands of spectators below!

"Crown Prince Your Highness is right!"

"This is simply unfair!"

"Even if Li Qing is strong, they shouldn't bully him like this!"

"Support Crown Prince Your Highness!"

Wave after wave of shouts almost overturned the entire Martial Arena.

On the dragon throne, the Emperor of Great Xia looked at his son below, who was full of integrity and spoke eloquently, and a trace of imperceptible admiration flashed in his eyes.

Not bad.

He has improved.

He knows how to speak from the moral high ground.

He slowly raised his hand and pressed it down.

The entire Martial Arena fell silent once again.

His gaze slowly moved from Crown Prince Xia Yuan's face to his other daughter, who had been sitting upright all along, as if everything had nothing to do with her.

"Qingyue, what do you think?"

The Emperor of Great Xia's voice betrayed no emotion.

He knew his eldest daughter's heart very well.

Undeniably, Xia Qingyue was indeed more outstanding than Crown Prince Xia Yuan before, but now it seems she has made many mistakes recently.

Xia Qingyue slowly stood up, bowed slightly to her Imperial Father, and said in a cool voice:

"Replying to Imperial Father, your daughter believes that the chief examiner's proposal is not inappropriate."

"As the saying goes, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

"This Young Master Li Qing's strength is immense and his talent is extraordinary, far surpassing all previous contestants. Ordinary rules have lost their meaning as a test for him."

"Using special rules to test such special talent can truly demonstrate our Great Xia's broad-mindedness and spirit in attracting talent without sticking to conventions!"

"Moreover..."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the ninety-nine Geniuses in the contestant waiting area, whose expressions varied, and a charming smile appeared on her lips.

"True powerhouses never fear any challenge."

"If he can't even handle this challenge, how can he be worthy of the title Marquis Wuan? How can he be worthy of the Great Xia Crown Prince's high regard?"

Her words, seemingly praising Li Qing, were in fact putting him on the spot!

It was flattery meant to harm!

Aren't you strong?

Aren't you amazing?

Well then, let's see what you're made of!

If you're afraid of even this small challenge, then you're just a useless person with an undeserved reputation!

Crown Prince Xia Yuan's face instantly darkened upon hearing these words.

What a sharp-tongued vixen!

Just as he was about to retort again.

From the contestant waiting area, a roar filled with anger and unwillingness suddenly erupted!