Chapter 13: Breakout Competition

Chuyun Platform.

Yesterday, the fighting platforms were crowded with competitors, while the spectator stands were sparsely filled. Today, the situation was completely reversed.

The eighteen lei tai still stood tall, and behind each, the spectator areas were now packed with people. These onlookers were all the contestants who had been eliminated in the group matches.

Out of over 1,700 participants, only 180 had advanced to the breakthrough round.

With a ninety percent elimination rate, the intensity was palpable!

High above the main lei tai, Xiao Qixiu stood with his sword on his back, as steady as ever. This chief judge pressed his hands downwards, and the restless crowd immediately fell silent.

He calmly pulled a piece of paper from his robe and read aloud:

"Congratulations to all of you, the 180 brave warriors, for successfully advancing from the group matches and entering the breakthrough round."

"This year's breakthrough round will still be held across the eighteen lei tai, with the champions from each group match serving as the lei masters. Opponents will be randomly matched through a draw."

He took out a blue zhen ling and infused it with ling yuan, causing it to tremble.

In an instant, a large light screen appeared on each of the eighteen lei tai, which would be used for the drawing process.

A low buzz began in the spectator stands, but Xiao Qixiu motioned for quiet—he had more to say.

"This breakthrough round has only sixty-four spots available. As long as the spots aren't filled, anyone who wins three matches in a row will advance successfully."

"Each person, including the lei masters, gets two challenge opportunities."

"Of course, if you happen to face seed players in both of your chances, you might want to start preparing for next year's competition—or just pack up and head home."

Xiao Qixiu chuckled lightly, folded the paper, and tucked it back into his robe.

"Now, let the matches begin!"

With those words, the spectators erupted in enthusiasm.

Compared to the intense pressure they had felt before, the now-eliminated audience members were buzzing with excitement, freely cheering on their favorites.

"Big Sister, go for it!"

"Zhao Shixiong, you have to take down Big Sister this year and claim first place!"

"Xu Xiaoshou, hold on!"

"Ahhh, Zhou Zuo, prove us underdogs right—I love you!"

On the lei tai, Zhou Zuo was trembling all over. Just standing there made his legs shake, and he finally realized that this breakthrough round he'd stumbled into wasn't as pleasant as he'd thought.

Glancing around, he saw that nearly everyone else's cultivation was at the eighth Jing Jie, ninth Jing Jie, or even tenth Jing Jie. What virtue did he, Zhou Zuo, possess to stand among these big shots with his mere third Jing Jie level?

"Liu Shixiong, I'm a bit nervous."

He tugged at Liu Zhen's sleeve, his teeth chattering as he tried to joke, "Being this low in cultivation and still daring to stand here, I'm probably the first in Tian Sang Ling Palace."

Liu Zhen took a deep breath and replied, "Don't worry, you might be the first, but you're definitely not the only one."

Zhou Zuo looked up.

Liu Zhen revealed his own sixth Jing Jie cultivation and said slowly, "Same here."

Xu Xiaoshou was probably the most carefree of the three with the lowest cultivations—after all, he didn't rely on cultivation for fights; he was just that bold!

The wave of noise from the spectator seats was overwhelming. He covered his ears, unable to handle the frenzy. All that "hold on" and "prove yourselves"—were they sure they weren't just here to jeer?

Taking two steps at a time, Xu Xiaoshou hurried towards the eighteenth lei tai to take his place as lei master, hoping the barrier would block out the sound. But then he glanced at his information panel.

"Received encouragement, passive value +43."

"Received praise, passive value +14."

"Received mockery, passive value +8."

"..."

The messages kept updating, and while each passive value gain was small, it was steady.

Xu Xiaoshou slung his wooden sword over his back and paused, turning to wave at the crowd.

"Thank you, everyone."

"Thank you for the encouragement."

"I'll do my best, Xu Xiaoshou won't let you down. Keep the support coming, okay?"

"Love you all, heart hands!"

The spectator seats fell silent in surprise.

Honestly, they had only cheered a bit to avoid an awkward atmosphere, but getting such an overly enthusiastic response made everyone feel oddly uncomfortable.

"This Xu Xiaoshou must be sick!"

"Other people are already on the lei tai, and he's still running around outside?"

"Look at his goofy expression—is this guy really the lei master?"

"And another thing, I'm baffled—his cultivation is only sixth Jing Jie, two realms lower than mine. How did he become the lei master?"

As Xu Xiaoshou jogged circles around the lei tai, he kept an eye on his information panel. The crowd was fired up, and just one wave from him had boosted his passive value significantly.

"Received mockery, passive value +223."

"Received mockery, passive value +146."

"Received mockery, passive value +343."

See? Even though it was all mockery now, the values were pouring in. Xu Xiaoshou felt even better.

Great, keep the mockery coming!

If you've got the chops, mock me more—let the storm hit harder!

In no time at all, his passive value in his mind had broken four digits. Waving his hand to earn a meal without even fighting? Pure bliss!

In the eighteenth lei tai, the referee paced back and forth.

"Why hasn't this guy shown up yet?"

He recalled how Xu Xiaoshou had clamped his legs last time and wondered if he had some urgent business again. Deciding to check, the referee stepped out.

From his previous match, he'd reflected and realized he got too easily provoked by Xu Xiaoshou, losing his composure.

As a referee, that was completely irrational and unprofessional.

He had adjusted his mindset, aiming to stay as calm as a still pond for this breakthrough round.

But as soon as he stepped out and saw what was happening, his calm shattered.

What on earth was this kid doing?

The other lei tai were all set to start the draws, yet this one hadn't even begun—here was the lei master running laps around Chuyun Platform and waving?

The referee was utterly stunned.

Last time, he'd been provoked during the match; this time, before it even started, he felt like his lungs might burst.

"Xu! Xiao! Shou!"

Xu Xiaoshou turned in surprise to see the referee gritting his teeth while trying to force a friendly smile and wave him over.

"Uh, has the match started already?" Xu Xiaoshou walked over to him. "Isn't there half an incense stick's time for meditation?"

Oh, so you know the rules well!

The referee's face darkened. "Were you meditating?"

"Yeah!"

Xu Xiaoshou nodded seriously. "I was jogging to warm up. Gotta get the body moving so I'll have energy for the match."

The referee shuddered and exhaled deeply. "Get in here!"

He didn't want to exchange another word with this kid. Turning on his heel, he walked away.

Xu Xiaoshou thought it was strange but followed him into the lei tai. Once inside, his information panel went quiet.

What a waste of all that passive value!

Xu Xiaoshou reflected that to gain passive value, he had to be close enough to directly feel others' emotions and actions.

Things like barriers blocking it out, or people muttering about him from afar, wouldn't count.

"Received curse, passive value +1."

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

Don't be so obvious, okay? There's only us two here, referee!

As Xu Xiaoshou pondered this, the light screen above began to flicker.

His name stayed fixed on the left, while the right side flashed until it settled.

"Di Xin'er!"

A graceful young woman stepped onto the lei tai. She carried a blue ling sword and had eighth Jing Jie cultivation, but her beautiful eyes showed a hint of reluctance.

She didn't want to fight Xu Xiaoshou—he specialized in physical cultivation, all brute force. If possible, she'd have preferred a sword cultivator to spar with for some experience.

Even if she lost, it would be worthwhile.

But now, with no choice, she bowed slightly after mounting the lei tai. "Greetings, Xu Shixiong."

Having joined the Ling Palace only two years ago and being younger than Xu Xiaoshou, she addressed him as senior brother.

"Not good, not good at all!"

Xu Xiaoshou saw her hesitant demeanor as she approached and thought, Oh no, is this girl thinking of forfeiting?

Even if you're carrying a sword that might hurt me, I wouldn't mind—as long as there's passive value to gain.

But what's with that expression? You're at eighth Jing Jie, higher than me—have some confidence!

Xu Xiaoshou feared the referee would start the match and she'd immediately surrender, so he jumped in:

"Showing fear before battle is a grave taboo in combat; fleeing without fighting is a disgrace to cultivation; surrendering outright is a stain on one's life!"

Di Xin'er was taken aback. She had indeed considered it, especially with only two fight opportunities, leaving her hesitant.

But hearing Xu Xiaoshou's words, she accepted reality and decided to give it her all.

"Thank you, Xu Shixiong. I've learned from this!"

"Received gratitude, passive value +1."

Xu Xiaoshou grinned, looking pleased as if to say, "Ah, a promising student."

The match hadn't even started, and he already had a good omen—this was a positive sign.

The referee, for his part, had a newfound respect for Xu Xiaoshou. Who'd have thought this troublesome guy could say something so insightful? It was quite out of character!

With a wave of his hand, the referee announced:

"The match begins!"