As time passed, more than an hour after Li Xuan returned to Luoyang Square, over a dozen more Scarlet Fire Tokens reappeared.
There were now less than thirteen tokens left to reach one hundred.
All the contestants who obtained a Scarlet Fire Token possessed extraordinary strength.
Li Xuan observed that even the weakest among them had reached the early stage of the Mortal Breaking Realm. Finding a Scarlet Fire Token required not only luck but also the strength to protect it.
"It looks like the fourth stage of the test will conclude soon," Li Mingkai said as Scarlet Fire Tokens intermittently appeared.
Li Xuan nodded slightly. "There are still three Scarlet Fire Tokens in the Danyang Mountain Range. Based on the previous search times, they should be found within half an hour. I wonder who will claim the final three spots."
*Boom!*
As Li Xuan finished speaking, three beams of fire lit up in the Danyang Mountain Range. Li Xuan and Li Mingkai turned their gaze towards the lights. Under their observation, three figures stood in mid-air, heading straight for Luoyang Square.
As the newcomers approached, Li Xuan's lips curved into a slight smile. Among the final three holders of the Scarlet Fire Tokens was Ye Xiuzhu. The wrinkles on his clothing clearly indicated he had endured a difficult search.
As if sensing the gazes of Li Xuan and Li Mingkai, Ye Xiuzhu's attention shifted towards them.
Ye Xiuzhu's eyes showed a trace of surprise at the location where Li Xuan and Li Mingkai were standing. He clearly realized that Li Xuan had a close relationship with the heir of the Li family, one of the six great clans.
Recalling Li Xuan's earlier act of mercy, Ye Xiuzhu cast a grateful look towards him. Had he known of Li Xuan's close ties with Li Mingkai earlier, Ye Xiuzhu likely would not have sought trouble with Li Xuan.
Li Xuan offered a polite nod in response to Ye Xiuzhu's gaze, then shifted his attention back to Li Tieyi, who was standing on the high platform in Luoyang Square.
With all one hundred Scarlet Fire Tokens accounted for, it was time for the four stages to conclude.
"Congratulations to all who have successfully found a Scarlet Fire Token and entered the top one hundred. Next, based on your points accumulated across the four stages, we will conduct the final selection. Those who qualify for the finals will then compete for the remaining fifty-six spots!"
As all the Scarlet Fire Tokens were found, the contestants withdrew from the Danyang Mountain Range. Li Tieyi glanced at the participants in Luoyang Square and then spoke.
Everyone's gaze turned to the contestants below the platform. The four stages had concluded, and these contestants near the platform were all among the top one hundred in each of the four stages.
However, it was still difficult to predict who would successfully advance through the finals to enter the Heaven's Extreme Divine Ranking of fifty-six.
"Now, the contestants who have qualified for the finals, please take a brief rest. In fifteen minutes, we will conduct a draw to determine your opponents. The victors will advance to the next round of duels!"
Li Tieyi waved his hand, and a beam of spiritual light shot into the screen projection in the sky.
As the spiritual light merged, the names of contestants began to appear. The onlookers understood that these names belonged to those who had qualified for the finals.
Instantly, envy flickered in everyone's eyes.
After all, the contestants who reached the finals, even if they didn't make it into the top fifty-six, would receive valuable treasures in exchange for their points. Moreover, their fame would be established.
"Haha, Brother Li, I told you you would make it to the finals. See, your name is there." As names appeared one by one, Li Xuan's name also showed up on the screen.
Although Li Xuan had not earned any points in the spiritual energy detection stage, he had accumulated thirty points in total. This was undoubtedly a considerable score compared to many other contestants.
Therefore, when Li Mingkai saw Li Xuan's name appear, he chuckled and said.
"Your name appeared much earlier. It looks like your ranking is significantly higher than mine. If that's the case, entering the top fifty-six of the Heaven's Extreme Divine Ranking should be a breeze," Li Xuan replied with a smile.
Li Mingkai, however, shook his head with a wry smile. "Brother Li, please don't flatter me. I know my own strength. At least I know I'm no match for you."
"It seems the rankings are not in order. I didn't expect there to be two hundred and thirty-six contestants in the finals."
Li Xuan nodded slightly. "With a hundred contestants qualifying from each of the four stages, and accounting for overlaps, two hundred and thirty-six isn't a large number."
Li Xuan paused and continued, "However, breaking into the top fifty-six among these two hundred and thirty-six will likely be a tough battle."
Li Mingkai's expression also turned serious. The contestants who qualified for the finals were all among the strongest.
The battles would undoubtedly be fierce to secure a spot among the top fifty-six out of two hundred and thirty-six participants.
As time passed, the fifteen-minute rest period quickly ended.
A chilling aura instantly gathered.
"Time is up!"
"For fairness and justice, we have divided you into three groups based on your strength. The winners within each group will advance to the next round of the finals. Now, begin the draw to determine your opponents!"
Li Tieyi looked at the two hundred and thirty-six contestants in the finals and spoke.
As his voice fell, a beam of spiritual light shot out from his sleeve, splitting into three glowing orbs, each containing thumb-sized wisps of light.
Evidently, these thumb-sized wisps of light represented the numbers for the opponents each contestant would draw.
Upon Li Tieyi's words, the two hundred and thirty-six contestants immediately rose into the air according to their respective strength levels, quickly grabbing a wisp of light.
As the light dissipated, wooden numbered tokens appeared in the hands of each contestant.
"The numbers you hold, when the same in the same group, will be your opponents. Now, we begin with the Heaven's End Realm level." Li Tieyi spoke again, observing that all contestants had selected their tokens.
As Li Tieyi finished speaking, a stage materialized in the central area below the platform. The two hundred and thirty-six finalists in Luoyang Square accordingly stepped back.
Simultaneously, two figures moved, instantly landing on the stage. The numbered tokens they held were displayed, showing they were the first pair in the Heaven's End Realm group.
"It seems it will be a while before it's our turn," Li Mingkai said to Li Xuan with a relaxed expression as the two engaged in battle.
Immediately after receiving his token, Li Mingkai had inquired about Li Xuan's number. Fortunately, they were not the same, which greatly eased Li Mingkai's mind. After all, if they were to fight each other, one of them would be eliminated.
"The outcome of this kind of duel should be determined quickly. I just checked, there are fourteen contestants in the Heaven's End Realm, meaning seven pairs. To advance to the next round of the finals, they will likely unleash their strongest attacks immediately," Li Xuan analyzed.
Li Mingkai nodded, understanding that the Heaven's Extreme Divine Ranking competition was not a casual sparring match. To make it onto the list, one would not hold back. To defeat an opponent, one would undoubtedly unleash their strongest offensive.
*Boom!*
At that moment, a roaring sound echoed. In the first pair of matches on stage, one contestant was directly blown off the stage. Li Xuan and Li Mingkai simultaneously shifted their attention.
"Their strengths were almost equal, and yet the battle ended so quickly," Li Mingkai said with a hint of admiration as the defeated contestant was helped off the stage by members of the Li family.
"Their strengths were similar, so victory depended on the strength of their trump cards. I didn't expect it to end so swiftly."
Li Xuan nodded. The two fighters on stage had similar auras. However, to conclude the battle so quickly indicated different fortunes. Besides cultivation techniques and physical prowess, experience also played a significant role.
"But the faster, the better, otherwise we'll have to wait quite some time," Li Mingkai said with a smile.
Li Xuan nodded and turned his gaze back to the next two contestants entering the stage.
As time passed, and group after group of contestants concluded their duels, the finals for the Heaven's End Realm group quickly concluded.
As Li Xuan and Li Mingkai had predicted, it took less than half an hour.
When the contestants of the Mortal Breaking Realm group began their duels, the scene became more lively. After all, the clashes between cultivators of the Mortal Breaking Realm were incomparable to those of the Heaven's End Realm.
Watching the duels of the Mortal Breaking Realm group, Li Xuan and Li Mingkai occasionally showed expressions of awe.
Some contestants exhibited mastery over spiritual energy and physical force that was nothing short of perfect. Even Li Xuan, who had experienced countless battles, could not help but be impressed.
"Fang Lun wins!" With a shout, Li Xuan snapped back to his senses.
"Brother Li, it's our turn next." As Fang Lun and the defeated man were helped off the stage by members of the Li family, Li Mingkai said to Li Xuan with a hint of agitation.
Clearly, Li Mingkai had grown impatient from watching other contestants' battles.
"Good luck!" Li Xuan said with a smile and a nod.
Li Mingkai smiled in response, then also moved, instantly landing on the second stage.
At the same time, Li Xuan's figure slowly descended onto the ninth stage.
Glancing at the black-robed man standing on the stage, Li Xuan cupped his fists and said, "Li Xuan, please guide me."