One thousand three hundred and eighty-two people were narrowed down to six hundred and ninety-one.
One person remained from the drawing of lots and automatically advanced to the next round. Six hundred and ninety people competed, resulting in three hundred and forty-five. Adding the one who advanced, three hundred and forty-six people competed, and one hundred and seventy-three were chosen.
One person was again left over.
One hundred and seventy-two people competed, and eighty-six were chosen.
From these eighty-six people, one was drawn for the next round, and the one who advanced from the previous round would also participate.
Eighty-six competed, and forty-three were chosen.
With the addition of the one who advanced, forty-four people competed, and twenty-two were chosen.
The remaining twenty-two were reordered. Each person fought three matches to determine the top fifteen.
From the preliminaries to the quarterfinals, several days passed.
The fifteen chosen were: Kou Zhenhai of the Diancang Sect, He Cangling of the Jiangyu Alliance, Xuan Xiao of the Wanku Tower, Lin Junyi of the Lin Family, Feng Ying, Wei Ruyun of the Lingyun Sect, Jian Wuming, Gui Yidao of the Douhai Gate, Qiu Sushui of the Baihua Sect, Ling Dongji, Cheng Shifei, Ye Huanzhen of the Wanku Tower, the Old Man of the Heavenly Pool from the Eastern Frontier, Gu Sanmen, and Situ Wu'er.
Among them, Feng Ying, Jian Wuming, Ling Dongji, Cheng Shifei, Gu Sanmen, and Situ Wu'er had not previously made a name for themselves in the martial arts world. Compared to the already renowned Kou Zhenhai and others, their martial arts styles, sect affiliations, and true strength remained unknown.
However, with the current stability of the imperial court and its far greater control over the martial arts world than a century ago, the requirements for the leader of the martial arts alliance were not as stringent as before. With the Lin family's oversight, even if Feng Ying and the others had mysterious origins, as long as they could win the championship, they could become the leader of the martial arts alliance.
Ultimately, the current leader of the martial arts alliance was far less influential than their predecessor a century ago, lacking such significant authority.
However, for those in the martial arts world, how could they resist the title of the foremost expert in the martial arts world?
To become the leader of the martial arts alliance
Was to be the undisputed number one expert.
Kou Zhenhai had lost to He Cangling by a narrow margin in the past. For years, he had handed over all sect affairs to his eldest disciple, Yuan Canghai, and devoted himself to martial arts, all to defeat He Cangling at this martial arts convention.
After He Cangling declared himself the leader of the martial arts alliance, he did not involve himself excessively in martial arts affairs. He had not neglected his martial arts practice despite attaining the position of leader of the martial arts world.
The preliminaries were merely an appetizer; the quarterfinals were the main course.
With three arenas, Kou Zhenhai and He Cangling each took one. The remaining arena was initially expected to be empty. Before the draw, Gui Yidao, Ye Huanzhen, the Old Man of the Heavenly Pool, and Jian Wuming stepped forward simultaneously.
The four took a step, then stopped at the same time, looking at each other. Their gazes met in the air, as if sparks were flying.
"Get out of the way!"
Gui Yidao, carrying his long saber, glared at the other three.
"You want me to move? Then you'll have to ask my spear," Ye Huanzhen sneered.
The Old Man of the Heavenly Pool and Jian Wuming showed no intention of backing down.
"How about a free-for-all?"
As the four stood opposed, a voice filled with laughter reached their ears, and with it appeared a smiling face.
"What, you want to join in?"
Gui Yidao questioned.
Nan Shiying did not answer Gui Yidao's question but instead asked again, "A free-for-all, how about it?"
"Good!"
"Agreed!"
"All right!"
Except for Gui Yidao, the other three nodded in succession.
Gui Yidao swung his saber, the tip pointing at Nan Shiying's upturned nose, his expression stern yet tinged with disdain. "Fine, then it shall be as you wish."
The five ascended the arena.
Since these five had decided to fight for the spot in a free-for-all, the Lin family would not interfere. Lü Yiyi nervously clutched Dai Zhiqian's hand.
Why did Sister insist on fighting for the spot?
Gui Yidao's saber was known as "One Saber Suppressing the Sea," its power having reached the realm of returning to simplicity. Ye Huanzhen of the Wanku Tower was skilled with a spear, two meters long, which held a significant advantage in such a chaotic battle. The Old Man of the Heavenly Pool from the Eastern Frontier was unmatched in his dual sabers. As for Jian Wuming, with his long sword in hand, he was not at a disadvantage.
Only Sister.
Even now, she still didn't know what weapon Sister was skilled with. Was she going to fight these people bare-handed?
Gui Yidao and the other three had weapons that gave them an advantage. The only woman was also at a disadvantage, making her the target everyone wanted to take down first.
Gui Yidao struck first. He stomped on the ground, his body flying up, his saber cutting through the air and slashing towards Nan Shiying. At the same time, the Old Man of the Heavenly Pool, Jian Wuming, and Ye Huanzhen all attacked Nan Shiying.
"Shameless, you are all shameless!"
Lü Yiyi clenched her fists, her face pale with fright, large beads of cold sweat trickling down her forehead. She looked anxious but could not go onto the stage. She could only rush to the edge of the arena and curse the four for their shamelessness.
"They're seniors in the martial arts world, and they're ganging up on a girl! And they still want to be the leader of the martial arts world? Bah!"
Dai Zhiqian flipped out a wound-healing powder and Qi-restoring pill from her person, clutching the needle pouch, and ran to Lü Yiyi's side. With her free hand, she pulled the girl away.
These five people on the stage were all top-tier experts, some having even surpassed that level. Lü Yiyi standing so close could easily be caught in the crossfire. Dai Zhiqian did not want to be distracted by having to look after her.
Lü Yiyi refused to leave, and Dai Zhiqian gradually began to feel overwhelmed. Huang Yuyao darted over to the two of them, grabbed Lü Yiyi by the waist, and gritted her teeth in her ear, "Stop causing trouble!"
While the three were struggling, the battle had already begun on the stage.
Ye Huanzhen's spear deflected Gui Yidao's saber. The spearhead and saber edge collided, and cold air exploded in front of Nan Shiying. The spearhead flicked the saber away, and Ye Huanzhen, moving like the wind, spun his spear in the air and thrust its tip towards Gui Yidao's saber-wielding hand.
The Old Man of the Heavenly Pool's dual sabers and Jian Wuming's sword went directly for Nan Shiying's face. Nan Shiying retreated from the engagement between Gui Yidao and Ye Huanzhen, lifted her leg, and drew a soft sword from her boot.
The soft sword let out a鳴 sound, its blade like a swimming dragon. With a single swing, it curved in the air and entwined itself around the saber in the Old Man of the Heavenly Pool's right hand. Jian Wuming suddenly turned, his sword edge cutting through the air like a blur, changing direction and thrusting towards the Old Man of the Heavenly Pool's brow.
The situation on the stage changed rapidly. What had started as a simultaneous attack on Nan Shiying now saw Gui Yidao and Ye Huanzhen engaged in combat, while Jian Wuming, who had been attacking Nan Shiying, now joined forces with her to attack the Old Man of the Heavenly Pool.
Seeing this, Dai Zhiqian truly breathed a sigh of relief, and Lü Yiyi stopped struggling, allowing Huang Yuyao to drag her back.
Kou Zhenhai and He Cangling watched the five fiercely battling individuals with slight solemnity in their expressions, a hint of apprehension and vigilance in their eyes. Below the stage, Xuan Xiao and others watched the combatants intently, trying to find their shortcomings and weaknesses.
Nan Shiying and Ye Wuming attacked together, quickly forcing the Old Man of the Heavenly Pool off the stage. The Old Man of the Heavenly Pool had not used his full strength, as this was a series of battles. Being forced off the stage at this point only meant losing the right to defend the spot, not elimination. He put away his dual sabers and walked to the side of Gu Sanmen and the others, gazing at the four still engaged in fierce combat.
After jointly repelling the Old Man of the Heavenly Pool, Jian Wuming and Nan Shiying lunged at Gui Yidao. Ye Huanzhen also did not change his target. The three joined forces and forced Gui Yidao down as well.