172: Competition Rules

Soon, Chen Xuan brought She Jingxi back to the outside world.

"Husband, you don't seem very suitable for the competition in your current state. Why don't we just forget about it?" She Jingxi frowned and advised, looking at Chen Xuan's condition.

"No, I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me! Compared to staying here, I think competing with them will help my recovery more."

"This... alright!"

"Also, you'd best stay within my sight these days. If you dare to sneak away again..."

"Oh, I absolutely won't run away! If husband is worried, just throw me into the Secret Realm. Water Yao and I can play mahjong for a while!"

"..."

"On the first day of the competition, you should go give Dai Dabai some Face. It will also help increase his trust in me."

"Alright, I'll listen to you, husband!"

"Hmm, then we'll just wait for the Sect Tournament to begin. When it does, you can just declare that you're in secluded cultivation, and I'll bring you in."

One day passed in a blink of an eye. The next morning, Chen Xuan followed She Jingxi to the Taihe Hall Square.

At this time, the square was already packed with people. Countless Sect Disciples gathered there, waiting for the Sect Tournament to begin.

Chen Xuan and She Jingxi found a spot to sit down, looking at the high platform in front, waiting for the competition to start.

A moment later, an old man walked onto the high platform and announced the rules and procedures of the competition.

In the original rules, everyone would have a fair 1v1 battle opportunity, but this time, Dai Dabai did not choose this mode. Instead, he opted for a group battle.

He required all participants to ascend the massive arena he had built these past few days and fight. The battle would only cease when there were only 32 people left on the field. Then, these 32 people would proceed to 32-to-16, and so on, until the champion was determined.

"Damn it, what kind of rule is this? If someone powerful gets ganged up on and eliminated, isn't that too unfair?"

"Exactly, everyone else is forming alliances. This is very unfair to those who are truly strong."

"This rule is simply preposterous!"

The Disciple onlookers discussed animatedly, full of dissatisfaction with the rule set by Dai Dabai.

She Jingxi also frowned, clearly somewhat displeased with this rule.

"Husband, look at this rule... Is he targeting you?"

She knew that Chen Xuan's Sect only had him as a participant. Originally there were others, but they were just there to make up the numbers, so Chen Xuan kicked them out.

"He's playing quite a game, but it doesn't matter. You know my strength best!"

She Jingxi's Face flushed slightly upon hearing this.

The crowd below was still discussing.

"I think this new rule is quite interesting. A group of people fighting in a chaotic battle up there must be exciting to watch!"

"Exactly, the usual Sect Tournament is so boring, one after another. I really like this innovation!"

"That's right, this rule has already been set, and it's even the new Emperor's regulation. No matter how much we protest, it's useless. We can only comply."

At this moment, Dai Dabai stepped onto the arena and said to the crowd below:

"I know many of you are dissatisfied with this rule, but I want to tell you that this competition is not just about winning the championship, but also about testing your teamwork ability. If there's anyone with good leadership skills, I will also give rewards!"

This was a sudden idea he had.

After all, in the Upper Realm, he had a monstrous team, and he was the leader, but everyone in the team refused to listen to his decisions, choosing instead to listen to the third-in-command's decisions!

It made him feel like a mere foot soldier under the third-in-command, going wherever he was told, which made him lose Face.

If someone with leadership abilities appeared in this Lower Realm, it could greatly compensate for his own shortcomings.

"Therefore, if you want to win, you must find reliable allies and demonstrate perfect teamwork. Otherwise, even if your strength is great, you might still be eliminated."

Hearing Dai Dabai's words, the crowd below fell silent. They all understood what Dai Dabai meant.

At this moment, a sycophant stood up and loudly declared: "Your Majesty, please rest assured, we will abide by the rules, work together, and we will surely achieve victory."

"Ah?! What is this?"

"That's right, we will also work together and we will surely achieve victory!" The crowd below, realizing what was happening, also responded one after another.

Hearing the crowd's reply, Dai Dabai smiled slightly, then said to everyone: "Alright, since you have understood the rules, please ascend the arena and let the competition begin!"

As Dai Dabai's voice fell, the registered participants began to move. They formed alliances with each other, gathering towards the center of the arena.

"Alright, I'll be right back!"

"Mmm, go ahead, husband!"

With that, Chen Xuan lightly leaped, directly jumping onto the arena.

And as Chen Xuan stood on the arena, he felt a sharp gaze directed at him.

He turned his head and saw Zhao Tianming standing in another corner of the arena, his expression grim, glaring fiercely at him.

"Chen Xuan, you actually dared to get so close to the Empress Dowager. You have already found a Dao to your death!" Zhao Tianming thought through gritted teeth, but he did not engage in any communication or battle with Chen Xuan. Instead, he conserved his Qi, waiting to survive the upcoming chaotic battle.

At this moment, Chen Xuan didn't pay much attention to Zhao Tianming, because below the arena, an even sharper gaze and Divine Sense had locked onto him, and the killing intent was almost materializing.

He turned his head and saw that the person was none other than Lin Qingxue.

PS: I have something tomorrow, so I'm taking a day off.