Time gradually passed, and in the blink of an eye, half a month slipped by quietly.
The teams gathered on the Endless Plaza were also increasing in number. However, everyone stood in distinct groups. Those who had passed the challenges occupied the central area of the Endless Plaza, while the continental representative teams that had not yet cleared the stages remained at the periphery of the plaza.
All eyes were currently fixed on the light screen above the high platform, where two teams were still undertaking the eighth challenge. However, judging by the situation, it seemed they would not be able to clear it easily.
"Looking at this, those two teams are likely doomed," an observant individual remarked.
The crowd glanced at the light screen upon hearing this, then nodded slightly. Within the current light screen, both teams were being ravaged by the gluttonous beast, and in the span of a single encounter, their members were already wounded.
Hum.
As a beam of white light flashed, the light screen above the high platform slowly faded away. Li Xuan sighed slightly as he observed this, clearly indicating that the last two teams had failed.
Indeed, as the white light suddenly flickered downwards, the last two teams appeared on the Endless Plaza, looking dejected and dust-covered. After glancing at the crowd, they shook their heads in resignation and then walked to the edge of the Endless Plaza.
With the appearance of the last two teams, Li Xuan subtly sensed the situation. The continental representative teams that had passed the eight challenges, whether by coincidence or not, totaled exactly twenty teams, including his own.
At this moment, everyone's gaze turned towards the high platform of the Endless Plaza, their interest in the upcoming challenges visibly piqued.
"Congratulations, you have successfully passed the challenges of the Eight Sufferings. The next stage grants you your respective rights. Here are twenty name slips for the continental representative teams. You may choose which continental representative team to challenge."
As the crowd shifted their gaze towards him, Lian Chengxue slowly walked to the front of the high platform. With a wave of his hand, twenty name slips, shimmering with spiritual light, floated in the air. Each slip bore the name of a continent.
Li Xuan glanced at them; he was already familiar with the names of these world continents.
Furthermore, as someone participating alone and having passed the assessment, he received a special treatment.
This treatment allowed Li Xuan to challenge a team as an individual, with the opposing team only allowed to send one member to respond. It had to be said that this was considerably easier than the best-of-three matches between teams.
However, Li Xuan chose to wait and observe the unfolding situation for now. He naturally understood the principle of the bird that sticks its head out gets shot.
As for which world continent's team he encountered, it made no difference to Li Xuan. He would simply give his best effort in all circumstances.
"Since no one is choosing, we shall break the ice. Our Majestic Dragon Continent chooses the Northern Illusory Continent."
As Li Xuan and the others waited in silence, a young figure strode out, leisurely fanning himself. As soon as he finished speaking, a beam of spiritual light shot out from the Northern Illusory Continent's name slip floating in the air, and he promptly caught it.
"This person is quite astute. Among the top twenty teams, the Northern Illusory Continent's apparent strength is indeed weaker than other continental teams. However, I'm not too optimistic about the Majestic Dragon Continent's challenge," someone commented.
"Why?" The crowd turned their attention to the speaker, and even Li Xuan cast a curious and questioning gaze.
The mid-stage Dao Integration realm expert who had spoken earlier smiled faintly and continued, "Although the Northern Illusory Continent appears weak, they consistently manage to enter the top twenty. Furthermore, the Northern Illusory Continent has produced three experts at the Dao Enlightenment realm."
"Three Dao Enlightenment realm experts!"
The crowd was immediately shocked upon hearing this.
In this Grand Thousand World, a single Dao Enlightenment realm expert was considered the pinnacle of power. Let alone the Northern Illusory Continent having produced three such individuals. Their foundation was clearly immense.
"Are you implying, fellow Daoist, that although the Northern Illusory Continent appears frail, it is, in fact, the most formidable team?"
"Perhaps not the most formidable, but they are certainly not to be trifled with. Moreover, the ruler of the Majestic Dragon Continent appears to be merely a peak Dao Integration realm expert. Isn't the superiority between the two quite clear?" the former speaker responded.
"This battle is likely to be quite interesting." The crowd nodded in realization, their gaze once again shifting towards the center of the Endless Plaza.
"We choose the Senluo Continent."
"We choose the Shanlan Continent."
"We choose the Shengyuan Continent."
"..."
Following the Majestic Dragon Continent's choice, some teams also began to select their opponents. As soon as they spoke, the chosen teams vanished from sight under a beam of white light.
Upon witnessing this, the leaders of many teams began to whisper with their team members.
"I choose the Western Chu Continent." Li Xuan glanced at the remaining name slips suspended in the air, then beckoned and retrieved it.
Aside from the Western Chu Continent, all the others were from the Eight Regions or top-tier world continents. Li Xuan did not fear them, but there was no need to pick a fight with the toughest opponents.
"Huh? That guy actually participated alone and passed the assessment!" someone exclaimed upon noticing Li Xuan's presence.
"Indeed. However, with his strength at the intermediate Dao Origin realm, wouldn't Xi Chu Yun of the Western Chu Continent be able to defeat him in a single move?" someone remarked.
"Xi Chu Yun is, after all, at the advanced Dao Integration realm. As the leader of this contingent, he likely wouldn't dispatch other members. It's a shame for this fellow; the other teams are all formidable opponents," someone said with a hint of pity.
"..."
At this moment, Li Xuan had already vanished from his spot under a beam of white light.
"Intermediate Dao Origin realm? And participating alone, how interesting." Xi Chu Yun's team was already waiting on the battlefield. He paused upon seeing Li Xuan appear, then burst into laughter.
With his strength at the intermediate Dao Origin realm, Xi Chu Yun felt he had such confidence.
"Which of you will fight?" Li Xuan's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at Xi Chu Yun and the others, asking.
Xi Chu Yun's expression turned serious. Although he had been somewhat dismissive at first, he quickly regained his composure.
As the captain of the team, Xi Chu Yun understood the significance of being among the top twenty. While the four members of his team appeared much stronger than Li Xuan, Li Xuan's ability to pass the eight challenges alone was not something an ordinary person could achieve.
"I'll do it," Xi Chu Yun decided after careful consideration, ultimately choosing to personally engage in the fight.
As soon as Xi Chu Yun spoke, the members behind him were momentarily stunned. However, Xi Chu Yun had already begun walking towards Li Xuan.
"Captain, go for it! Defeat him in one move!" Seeing this, the others could only offer their encouragement.
Li Xuan smiled upon hearing this and also walked towards Xi Chu Yun.
Defeat me in one move, are you dreaming?