156: Chapter 156 Losers' Melee! The Top Sixteen are Born!

The intense first day of the individual ranking tournament concluded, and the winners' and losers' brackets were decided.

That night, Zhou Heng returned to his dormitory. He didn't slack off, but seized the time to consolidate his cultivation.

He sat cross-legged, sinking his mind into his body.

First, he carefully sensed the majestic power of the peak Nine-Star Spirit Nurturing Realm. His blood surged like a dragon, and his mental power was as vast as the sea, controlled with minute precision.

He took the various insights gained in the Nine Heavens Thunder Domain, especially the ultimate control of the Micro-Dust Bridge,

the extreme reactions of the Myriad Blade Thunder Corridor, and the energy purification of the Boiling Cauldron Nine Domains,

and verified and merged them one by one with his own Spear Intent, thunder techniques, and movement techniques, making his foundation more solid and his combat power more harmonious.

Subsequently, he focused on the preliminary cultivation of the Nine Heavens Responding to Origin Thunder Pattern Record.

He once again sensed the Evil-Slaying Divine Thunder Pattern preliminarily inscribed on his right arm bone.

The silver-white dao pattern flickered in and out of sight, emitting a majestic aura that purified evil.

He carefully nurtured and communicated with it using his mental power, deepening his connection with this thunder pattern and making it more stable.

Although he was still some distance away from truly triggering the power of the Evil-Slaying Divine Thunder, this mysterious feeling of "using the body as a map and inscribing ten thousand thunders" filled him with anticipation for the future.

At the same time, he repeatedly tempered the Wind and Thunder Twin Wings and the Thunder Dragon Emperor Armor.

The Wind and Thunder Power flowed more smoothly between the wings, and his speed and flexibility reached a new level.

The phantom of the Thunder Dragon Emperor Armor also became more solid, its defensive power increasing,

and it produced a subtle resonance with the Evil-Slaying Divine Thunder Pattern, adding a trace of evil-slaying properties to the protective thunder light.

The night passed in silence. When the morning sun shone into the training camp the next day, Zhou Heng opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as he adjusted his state to its peak.

At the central square, the atmosphere was even more solemn than yesterday. Today would determine the final list of the top sixteen!

deputy director Lu Mingyu announced the format: "Today's schedule is divided into two parts.

First, the fifteen people in the losers' bracket will engage in a melee!

Melee rules: All students in the losers' bracket will be on the same specially-made large arena.

You can attack freely or join forces. The last person remaining on the stage

will qualify to join the fifteen people from the winners' bracket to form the top sixteen!"

"After the losers' bracket melee ends, the round of sixteen will take place. It's single-elimination to determine the top eight!"

Once the rules were announced, the crowd erupted in an uproar.

A melee in the losers' bracket was undoubtedly the cruel law of the jungle!

This meant that the top geniuses in the losers' bracket, such as Wang Zhan, Nuo Wuji, and Ghost Seven, had to fight their way out of the melee to secure the only spot!

"Losers' bracket, enter the stage!" Lu Mingyu waved his hand.

The barrier of the large arena rose, and fifteen figures stepped inside. The atmosphere instantly became tense!

Zhou Heng was in the winners' bracket rest area, watching the battle at his leisure.

His gaze swept across the arena and quickly locked onto several key figures.

Wang Zhan (Kyoto First Team, Eight-Star Spirit Nurturing) was naturally the most dazzling presence, his Tyrant Extreme Fist Intent surging like a master of the battlefield.

Standing beside him was his teammate Man Xian (Six-Star Spirit Nurturing). Standing back-to-back, the two formed a solid alliance.

Although the Kyoto First Team only had two people in the losers' bracket, they were the strongest and undoubtedly the target of everyone.

On the other side, Modu University's Nuo Wuji (whose realm had dropped to early-stage Five-Star Spirit Nurturing) and Su Ningning (S-rank Heavenly Sound Demonic Rhythm, Five-Star Spirit Nurturing) stood together.

Nuo Wuji's eyes were calm, no longer showing yesterday's frenzy. His aura was restrained, and the Shadowless Sword in his hand seemed to blend into the surroundings. His presence was extremely low, yet he gave off an even more dangerous feeling.

Su Ningning held a jade flute, her melodies surrounding her as she assisted Nuo Wuji.

Ghost Seven from Southwest University (peak Five-Star Spirit Nurturing) was like a ghost, hiding alone in the shadows of the corner, waiting for an opportunity.

Three people from the Tang family of Shu Province: Tang Rou (Thousand Machine Arts), Tang Ying (Shadow Dagger Heart), and Tang Lie (Explosive Crossbow Soul) formed a small group. Their various mechanical hidden weapons were daunting.

There were also several other students with decent strength, fighting for themselves or looking for temporary allies.

"Let the melee begin!"

With the referee's command, the large arena instantly turned into a Shura field!

"Take out the strongest ones first!" someone shouted. Suddenly, more than half of the people simultaneously launched attacks at Wang Zhan and Man Xian!

Various martial techniques, divine abilities, and hidden weapons poured down like a rainstorm!

"Come on! Tyrant Extreme Fist Domain!" Wang Zhan roared. His dark red domain expanded, his fists swung, and fist shadows like mountains blasted away most of the attacks!

Man Xian roared as he swung his Spirit-Shaking Giant Hammer, like a humanoid beast, fending off attacks from the flanks!

The Kyoto duo showed amazing combat power. Especially Wang Zhan, whose Eight-Star Spirit Nurturing cultivation erupted fully. His Tyrant Extreme Fist was domineering and peerless; almost no one could resist it head-on!

After a few rounds, two students were sent flying off the stage by his fist energy!

But two fists are no match for four hands. Under everyone's siege, Wang Zhan and Man Xian also bore immense pressure, their blood and energy churning.

Just then, a sudden change occurred!

Ghost Seven, who had been hiding all along, lunged out of the shadows like a venomous snake, his Deceptive Spear silently stabbing toward the center of Wang Zhan's back!

The angle was tricky, and the timing was ruthless!

"Watch out!" Man Xian roared, wanting to help but it was too late!

Wang Zhan felt the chill behind him and suddenly turned around, throwing a punch!

But in his haste, his power wasn't fully gathered!

Seeing Ghost Seven's Deceptive Spear about to succeed—

Buzz!

A blurred sword light arrived first despite being launched later, accurately striking the tip of Ghost Seven's spear!

It was Nuo Wuji!

He appeared nearby at some unknown time, his Shadowless Sword Heart operating, and his sword speed was incredibly fast!

Clang!

Ghost Seven's attack was blocked. His figure swayed as he merged back into the shadows.

He glared at Nuo Wuji in annoyance.

Nuo Wuji stood expressionless with his sword, forming a brief triangular formation with Wang Zhan and Man Xian.

"Clear the field first," he said faintly.

Wang Zhan gave Nuo Wuji a deep look and nodded.

Although the two families were hereditary enemies, at this moment in the melee, temporary cooperation served their interests.

With the addition of Nuo Wuji and Su Ningning (melodic support), the pressure on Wang Zhan's side was greatly reduced.

The four joined forces, their strength skyrocketing, and began to counterattack!

Wang Zhan led the attack with wide-open fist moves, while Man Xian covered the flanks with heavy force.

Nuo Wuji took unconventional paths, focusing on weaknesses. His Shadowless Sword was impossible to guard against.

Su Ningning's melodies interfered and weakened the enemies.

This temporary combination was unstoppable!

The Tang trio's hidden weapons and mechanisms were shattered by Wang Zhan's punch, Ghost Seven's sneak attacks were accurately intercepted by Nuo Wuji, and other loners weren't even worth a single blow!

In less than ten minutes, only five people remained on the stage: Wang Zhan, Man Xian, Nuo Wuji, Su Ningning, and Ghost Seven!

The brief balance was broken, and the internal fight began!

Wang Zhan faced Ghost Seven. The Tyrant Extreme Fist countered the Deceptive Spear. After a dozen moves, Ghost Seven was sent flying by a punch and eliminated!

Man Xian faced Su Ningning. With overwhelming power, although Su Ningning's melodies were exquisite, she couldn't resist head-on and was soon defeated.

Finally, only Wang Zhan, Man Xian, and Nuo Wuji remained on the stage.

"Nuo Wuji, just admit defeat. You are not my match," Wang Zhan said in a deep voice. Man Xian also watched like a tiger eyeing its prey.

Nuo Wuji shook his head, his Shadowless Sword pointing diagonally at the ground.

Although his aura wasn't as majestic as Wang Zhan's, it had an ethereal quality. "I want to try and see how many of your punches I can take now."

The battle erupted again!

Wang Zhan used his Tyrant Extreme Fist with all his might, while Nuo Wuji pushed his Shadowless Sword Heart to the limit. His figure was like smoke and his sword light was traceless, unexpectedly holding out for over twenty moves under Wang Zhan's fierce attack!

Although he was eventually knocked back by Wang Zhan's punch, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, his sword intent was more condensed and his eyes were bright!

"I lose." Nuo Wuji sheathed his sword and admitted defeat calmly.

Although he lost, his Dao Heart was even more stable, and the true meaning of the Shadowless Sword Heart became clearer through actual combat.

Wang Zhan looked at Man Xian.

Man Xian grinned and jumped off the stage proactively: "Captain, the spot is yours!"

He knew that only if Wang Zhan advanced could they go further in the round of sixteen.

Ultimately, Wang Zhan emerged as the winner of the losers' bracket melee and successfully advanced to the top sixteen!

The losers' bracket melee ended, and Wang Zhan took his place!

Next was the highlight—the drawing of lots for the round of sixteen!

The sixteen contestants were born: fifteen from the winners' bracket (Zhou Heng, Ji Cang, Lu Chenxin, Chen Ye, Bai Qianer, Li Chenyuan, Shi Potian, Yue Qing, Tuoba Shan, Man Shan, etc.) + the losers' bracket advancer, Wang Zhan.

The results of the draw were soon announced!

Zhou Heng looked at his opponent, an interesting curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

His opponent for the round of sixteen was—Xijiang University, Tuoba Shan!

The greatsword warrior who had been taken on two-on-one by him in the team competition, who possessed the S-rank Divine Seal [Red Soil Burning Heaven] and was at the Six-Star Spirit Nurturing Realm!

Seeing the draw result, a raging battle intent instantly erupted in Tuoba Shan's eyes as he stared fixedly at Zhou Heng!

He had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time!

"Zhou Heng! This time, I will definitely defeat you!" Tuoba Shan's low roar echoed through the square.

Zhou Heng picked his ear and walked lazily onto the stage:

"Little Shan, your voice is still so loud. It seems the last lesson wasn't deep enough."

Round of sixteen, first match, Zhou Heng vs. Tuoba Shan, about to begin!