Even without his injury, Da Xiong might not guarantee peak condition!
Da Xiong agreed, finding sense in the words.
"However, you can't afford to be careless this time."
"Among the top five this year, there are two individuals you must be wary of. If you happen to be matched against either of them, your chances of winning the championship will likely dwindle," Zhou Yu stated calmly.
While Da Xiong had been recovering from his injuries these past few days, Ouyang Feng had been actively gathering information.
To avoid adding pressure on Da Xiong, Ouyang Feng shared the intelligence discreetly with Zhou Yu rather than directly with Da Xiong.
Zhou Yu had practically memorized the profiles of the top five contenders!
Da Xiong immediately dropped his playful demeanor, sitting up straight and saying, "I would be grateful to hear more."
"Your first potential opponent is Jin Shenghuo from the Jin family in Yunhai City. When he first entered the freshman training, he was already at the Houtian Ming Jin stage. I don't need to elaborate on that, do I?" Zhou Yu said with a calm tone.
It was worth noting that Jin Shenghuo had previously hoped Zhou Yu would offer him some guidance during the freshman training.
Unfortunately, there had been no opportunity for them to interact.
Zhou Yu was not one to go out of his way to offer unsolicited advice.
At most, if Jin Shenghuo had sought his help, and considering that Yun Yanlan was the behind-the-scenes controller of the Jin family, he might have lent a hand.
However, without a doubt, Jin Shenghuo was currently Da Xiong's most formidable rival!
After all, the freshman training had spanned several months.
It was possible Jin Shenghuo had encountered some fortuitous encounters and had now reached the peak of Houtian Ming Jin!
"Indeed, even at my peak, I might not be able to defeat him," Da Xiong said with solemnity.
Zhou Yu continued, "The second is Sun Yi from the Sun family in Linggu City."
Of course, this Sun Yi was not related to the previously mentioned Sun Yu.
The family behind Sun Yu was merely a second-rate family, not particularly renowned.
However, the Sun family of Linggu City was a first-class family!
"Although Sun Yi is not from the direct lineage of the Sun family, his martial arts prowess a year ago had already reached the Houtian Danti peak."
"Rumor has it that Sun Yi has also made breakthroughs in the past few months and is currently at the Ming Jin initial stage," Zhou Yu further elaborated.
Even though Sun Yi was not a direct descendant of the Linggu City Sun family, with such a young prodigy emerging, anyone with common sense would understand the need to invest all their resources into him.
Therefore, Sun Yi was not to be underestimated!
"If I were at my full strength, I might be able to contend with Sun Yi," Da Xiong mused, rubbing his chin.
In the past, Sun Yi might not have been Da Xiong's match.
However, now, Da Xiong had only recovered seventy to eighty percent of his strength after his injury.
If he faced Sun Yi in the ring, it would likely be a difficult match!
"Alright, aside from Ouyang Feng, the remaining two are not significant threats. You still have a forty percent chance," Zhou Yu said, patting Da Xiong's shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.
Da Xiong, however, rolled his eyes.
If you can't offer genuine comfort, it's better to remain silent!
What did he mean by a forty percent chance?
If he hadn't been injured, Da Xiong would have had absolute confidence in securing the championship!
However, dwelling on such thoughts now was indeed futile.
The opponents in the finals were determined by a draw on the spot, with no prior arrangements.
Therefore, Da Xiong had no idea who his opponent would be.
What if he got lucky?
As the two were conversing, Ouyang Feng finally brought over their breakfast.
The three of them began to eat in silence.
When the time was nearly up, they slowly made their way towards the arena.
Today was the day of the finals, and the atmosphere was naturally unusual.
Regardless of whether they had advanced or not, everyone had gathered in the spectator stands.
Even the members of the observation team were present in the stands.
While the observation room was comfortable, it was still separated by a screen.
Being there in person offered a much more immersive experience of the excitement!
Ouyang Feng found a spot and beckoned Zhou Yu and Da Xiong to sit down.
No sooner had they sat down, and before the chairs had even warmed up, they saw Elder Zhang, clad in a green robe, approaching them.
"Well now, isn't this Divine Doctor Zhou?" Elder Zhang's face was wreathed in a smile that was unsettling to behold.
Especially as Elder Zhang's gaze casually swept over Da Xiong from head to toe.
There was an unspoken meaning in his eyes!
"Elder Zhang, are you also here to witness the spectacle?" Zhou Yu asked calmly.
Elder Zhang made no pretense of politeness, directly seating himself in front of Zhou Yu and fixing his gaze on Da Xiong. "Your student is truly diligent. Even with his injuries, he refuses to return to recuperate properly and insists on participating in the competition!"
"Divine Doctor Zhou, if you're going to boast, boast on your own, but don't disregard your student's health!"
Elder Zhang was referring to Zhou Yu's earlier statement in the observation room, where he had confidently declared that Da Xiong would win the championship.
Although Da Xiong and Ouyang Feng didn't fully grasp the implications, they understood that Elder Zhang was attempting to sow discord between them and Zhou Yu.
Da Xiong immediately retorted, "Elder Zhang, the tone of your speech, if heard a few hundred years ago, would surely mark you as the chief eunuch of the imperial court."
He was subtly implying that Elder Zhang's speech was snide and sarcastic!
Elder Zhang's face instantly contorted.
A mere freshman dared to insinuate that he was a eunuch?
However, in front of so many people, and without Da Xiong directly pointing a finger at him, if Elder Zhang were to react explosively, he would appear petty.
Thus, Elder Zhang let out a cold snort, gritting his teeth. "As expected, one learns from their teacher. A sharp tongue is indeed a virtue."
"It's already the finals. Do you truly believe you can still win with ease despite your injuries?"
Da Xiong smiled but his eyes conveyed disdain.
What if he was injured?
The competition hadn't even started, and they weren't yet on the stage.
The outcome was still uncertain!
"Participation is the key. Whether one can achieve the championship depends on timing and favorable circumstances," Zhou Yu said calmly.
Just as Elder Zhang was about to retort, someone else squeezed in beside them.
Liu Changsheng, dressed in a suit, smilingly took a seat next to Elder Zhang.
He then said to Da Xiong, "If you're not up to it, don't push yourself. A top-five ranking is also quite good."
This Liu Changsheng was an elder from the Jin family of Yunhai City.
Due to his haste in breaking through to Houtian An Jin previously, his Qihai had become unstable.
He appeared somewhat unsteady and frail.
Upon hearing Liu Changsheng's words, Da Xiong frowned in displeasure and coldly stated, "I appreciate Elder Liu's concern, but if you have so much energy, perhaps you should focus on Jin Shenghuo."
Jin Shenghuo had also reached the finals.
Currently, Da Xiong was injured.
Sun Yi had only recently entered the Houtian Ming Jin stage.
As for Ouyang Feng and the others, they were unlikely to be a match for Jin Shenghuo.
Therefore, Jin Shenghuo had a high probability of winning the championship!
As a result, Liu Changsheng had been the recipient of much overt and covert admiration from the family elders during this period.
Hearing Da Xiong's words so abruptly, Liu Changsheng instinctively perceived it as a challenge.
With a hateful glare, he spat, "You ungrateful wretch! I offered you good advice, and you wish ill upon my young master's defeat?"