Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Central Arena

The next day.

The selection trials entered the third round.

Nine Mid Foundation Establishment disciples who won in the first two rounds, plus one more, Li Shuang at the Qi Refining Stage, moved into the third round.

At this point, the real fights began.

Opponents now were Late Foundation Establishment disciples. Golden Core and Nascent Soul disciples would appear in the later rounds.

When Golden Core or Nascent Soul disciples competed, they had to wear a special talisman. This talisman pressed their soul and cultivation down to the Late Foundation Establishment level, almost the same as the ban inside the Langya Secret Realm.

Usually, higher level disciples who planned to enter the Langya Secret Realm started wearing these talismans ahead of time so they could get used to the power level of the Foundation Establishment Stage.

A hundred people were left for this third round.

These hundred would fight three round robin matches.

Win all three and you entered the list at once.

Lose all three and you were out.

Win once or twice and the sect leaders would discuss your place.

From the third round on, the sect leaders came to watch. After the three round robin matches ended, they gave a strength ranking.

The top fifty disciples would earn a spot in the Langya Secret Realm.

Ten years ago, the one the sect ranked first was Li Shuang.

Everyone once thought that since Li Shuang was so young, she could rule at least three rounds of selection before she turned fifty.

No one expected it.

A bright talent fell, just like that.

This time too, Li Shuang entered the third round.

But she was still only a Qi Refining Stage cultivator.

Could a Qi Refining Stage disciple defeat a group of Late Foundation Establishment disciples? [The chance was almost zero.]

The Martial Arena buzzed from early morning.

A crowd pointed at the notice boards and said: “Let us see which match will be held in the Central Arena this time.”

Another disciple lowered his voice and said: “Out of all the matches, only the ones in the Central Arena get watched by the Sect Master and the Peak Masters, and they judge them in person. Usually, the fights placed there are the ones they care about most.”

A third disciple guessed: “This visit to the Langya Secret Realm will be Senior Sister Jiang’s last chance to enter. I think her match will be in the Central Arena.”

Someone else chimed in: “What about Senior Brother Wen? He has a thunder Variant Spiritual Root and has risen fast in the last ten years. As a newly famous disciple, the Sect Master should pay even more attention to him.”

Another voice added: “Speaking of Variant Spiritual Roots, did you forget our Senior Sister Mu Jin with the Wind Spiritual Root?”

People argued with excitement.

When disciples from the Disciples Hall posted the notice, everyone crowded around to read.

Then their faces changed.

The Central Arena listed: Li Shuang versus Duan Zi Yu.

People stared at the board and whispered: “The match the Sect Master put in the Central Arena is actually Li Shuang’s match.”

Yesterday there had been a faint rumor that Li Shuang claimed she could control the Sword Domain.

Most ordinary disciples did not know what the Sword Domain even was.

Someone muttered: “Can this so called Sword Domain really let a Qi Refining Stage disciple beat a Late Foundation Establishment disciple?”

At least, in the Sect Master’s eyes, there was doubt about the result, which was why he put it in the Central Arena.

Li Shuang’s opponent, Duan Zi Yu, was not any kind of prodigy.

His talent was plain. He had been stuck at the Foundation Establishment Stage for decades. He barely squeezed under the fifty year age limit to enter these trials.

By raw talent, he could not compare to those geniuses who easily reached Core Formation or Nascent Soul Formation.

But that did not make him weak.

On the contrary, because he had stayed at the Foundation Establishment Stage so long, his strength had been ground until it was pure and heavy.

At this stage, even many higher ranked disciples could not beat him.

Duan Zi Yu stood for a solid base and Foundation Establishment power refined to the limit.

If Li Shuang really defeated Duan Zi Yu, then among Foundation Establishment cultivators she could rank in the top ten.

Yet her realm was still only the Qi Refining Stage.

This fight would be very interesting.

Ye Zhao Zhao looked at the list, and her face darkened a little. She also had a match today, but her platform was only on the edge.

Chang Le An clenched his teeth and said: “The Sect Master is clearly favoring Li Shuang.”

He added with a sharp tone: “The round robin has three rounds. I might draw Li Shuang in one of the next two. When I do, I will teach her a lesson for you.”

Ye Zhao Zhao spoke softly and said: “Senior Brother, do not mind the rest. We only need to do our best.”

No matter what she thought inside, Ye Zhao Zhao still wore that gentle and caring look, which made Chang Le An feel even more protective of her.

He swore under his breath and said: “It is a pity we also have matches today, or we could watch her lose.”

Ye Zhao Zhao’s eyes flashed as she said: “If we finish quickly, we can still make it to watch.”

She lifted her hand and summoned Long Yan.

Long Yan looked at Ye Zhao Zhao with deep feeling and said, “Zhaozhao.”

Chang Le An frowned and said: “You are only a Sword Spirit. At this time, you should call her Master.”

Long Yan ignored him. The bond between him and Zhaozhao was not something others could know.

In front of everyone else, Zhaozhao was always gentle and kind, but only in front of him had she shown the darkest side of herself.

[That side of her made her feel more alive.] He told himself: as long as she wanted something, he would take it for her. If she wanted someone gone, he would swing the sword.

Ye Zhao Zhao blinked at him and said: “Long Yan, I am not good at sword arts. This time, I will be counting on you.”

Long Yan lifted his chin, a little proud, and said: “Leave it to me.”

He had already formed a spirit body. After being led by Li Shuang in the past, he had picked up a fine grasp of the Way of the Sword.

Even without a Master working with him, his own Way of the Sword was enough to handle most opponents.

But then his brows drew together.

[There is one problem.] Away from Li Shuang, he had lost his sense of direction. His Way of the Sword had not improved for a long time.

Irritation crept in.

He had always thought the Dragon Roar Sword was born a peerless treasure. As its Sword Spirit, he was a peerless Sword Spirit too.

Even without Li Shuang, the Dragon Roar Sword should stay sharp, and he should stay unmatched.

Yet lately something felt wrong.

After following Ye Zhao Zhao, his spirit body had not grown clearer. It almost felt polluted, and the Dragon Roar Sword had dimmed for no reason.

Sword Spirits were rare because they were born from their swords and were a perfect match.

[Why did it feel like he and the Dragon Roar Sword were less in tune now?]

No, impossible.

He was the Sword Spirit born from the Dragon Roar Sword. They were made to be one.

It had to be stress and bad thoughts making him imagine things.

A shout cut through the noise as someone said: “Shh, people from Emotionless Peak are here.”

Long Yan looked over at once.