Chapter 953: Go Easy

The remaining participants, please come up to draw lots!

As Dao Xuan Zhenren's ethereal words echoed through the venue, Xi Yan, Hu Wa, and the others once again ascended the stage. However, this time there were only sixteen people.

Originally, thirty-six participants would duel in pairs, resulting in eighteen winners. Yet, due to the unique situations of Zhao Zi Yun and Nangong Zi Yue, coupled with the draw between Hao Tian Qing Yu and Mu Yun Shao Ping, only sixteen competitors remained.

Just like the first round, once the matchup list was announced, many participants' faces turned gloomy, especially those paired against Xi Yan's group.

"Xiao Jian, Hu Wa, please step onto the stage."

"I concede."

No sooner had Dao Xuan spoken than a disciple in white robes helplessly raised his hand. Thus, Hu Wa didn't even need to step up and became the first to advance to the semifinals.

"I... I also concede."

Before Dao Xuan could call the next participant, a timid voice rang out – it was a disciple from Qing Yun Zong.

By sheer bad luck, he was paired against Heng Yue's top true disciple, Xi Yan. Even though they weren't from the same sect, he knew all too well how terrifying Xi Yan was. At peak strength, he probably couldn't last three moves against Hu Wa.

Therefore, Xi Yan won without a fight and became the second to advance to the semifinals after Hu Wa.

Bang!

Before Dao Xuan could announce the next match, Niu Ben stepped onto the fighting platform and pointed at Wang Biao below. "You, come up."

"I... I'm not fighting. I concede."

"Concede my foot! Fight her!"

Before Wang Biao could finish his sentence, he was pushed onto the platform by Gong Xiao Tian Er and Shao Yu, who were standing beside him.

"Sis, go easy on him."

After shoving Wang Biao forward, the two exchanged a knowing glance with Niu Ben.

"No problem at all."

Niu Ben cracked her knuckles and rolled her neck, grinning as she approached Wang Biao.

"I'm not fighting! I'm not!"

Wang Biao backed away, laughing nervously, then turned and tried to run.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Niu Ben was faster. She kicked him, sending him sprawling.

What followed was too painful for the spectators to watch. Once Wang Biao was down, he never got back up. Niu Ben didn't even bother drawing her battle axe; she just pinned him down and unleashed a barrage of punches.

"I have to say, Old Niu, your granddaughter is... she's just too fierce."

Watching Wang Biao get beaten and wailing on the platform, the old folks like Gu San Tong all turned to Niu Shi San.

"Keep it low-key, keep it low-key."

Niu Shi San stroked his beard thoughtfully, which made the others feel an urge to punch him.

Down below, the fight had ended. Wang Biao, beaten so badly he wouldn't recognize his own mother, was tossed off the platform.

Worth mentioning, as Niu Ben walked down, her cheek bore a big word: "Shuang".

In the fourth and fifth matches, the prodigious disciples from Dong Fang World and Bei Chen World made names for themselves by defeating their opponents and sending them off the platform.

For the sixth advancement match, a disciple from Heng Yue Zong didn't even step up – he forfeited directly because his opponent was that rascal Xiao Ling Wa.

The seventh match was between disciples from Ouyang Family and Xi Men World.

These two fought on equal footing, battling from dawn until dusk, then from dusk until dawn again. Their fight was nothing short of spectacular, and it wasn't until the second night, with stars filling the sky, that a winner emerged. The disciple from Xi Men World was slightly weaker and was defeated off the platform.

"Gong Xiao Tian Er, Shao Yu, please step onto the stage."

For the eighth advancement match, Dao Xuan Zhenren called them up, not forgetting to glance at the smug Gong Xiao Tian Er and Shao Yu, those two shameless rascals.

As soon as he spoke, the entire audience's expressions turned strange, as if they all had a bad feeling about this.

"Fight! Beat him to death!"

Two wolf-like howls rang out almost simultaneously. Before Gong Xiao Tian Er and Shao Yu could even move, Xie Yun and Xiong Er rolled up their sleeves and leaped high, yelling wildly. The masters were more eager to fight than their disciples.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the chubby Gong Xiao Tian Er and Shao Yu finally stepped onto the platform, drawing all gazes.

This time, they were different – more serious, with focused expressions.

The two didn't start fighting right away. They stood facing each other like statues, motionless, staring into each other's eyes without any sign of attacking. If you didn't know better, you'd think they were dueling with their minds.

"Look, a beauty!"

"Look, a beauty!"

Then, under the crowd's gaze, they moved in perfect sync – their actions, words, and even expressions were identical.

Oh my gosh!

The entire audience rubbed their foreheads. They thought these two were finally being serious, but clearly, they were wrong. After standing there so long, they must have been plotting some dirty tricks!

Ahhhh!

As everyone rubbed their brows, shouts erupted from the platform – they had started fighting.

It turned out the two had great chemistry. They both knew exactly how to play dirty, using the exact same tactics: throwing lime powder, kicking below the belt, whacking with clubs, and using knockout incense.

"I really like these two kids."

Watching the platform, the old man Zhuge stroked his beard meaningfully.

"They've got my style from back in the day."

"As I calculate with my fingers, they..."

Pfft!

Before Wu Ya Dao Ren could finish, he was interrupted by a sudden spurt of blood from beside him.

Everyone froze and turned to look at Ye Chen, their expressions oddly strange.

What's going on?

How could watching a match make someone spit blood?

"I won't deny it – I'm just that pissed off."

Ye Chen casually wiped the fresh blood from his mouth.

"You all carry on. I'm going to take a leak."

With that, Ye Chen coughed and got up to leave.

"What's happening?"

The old folks exchanged puzzled glances.

"Hey, hey, hey? Why are they stripping?"

Shouts came from below, drawing everyone's attention. At the sight, the old folks all twitched their mouths collectively.

On the platform, Gong Xiao Tian Er, beaten black and blue, ripped off his shirt, revealing his flabby body. Hilariously, his back was tattooed with three crooked characters: "Yi Tuo Long".

Ahhhh!

He howled as he swung his spiked club, his rolls of fat jiggling with every move.

Opposite him, Shao Yu did the same, tearing off his outer clothes to reveal a dragon tattoo on his back.

Seeing this, the male disciples gaped, the female disciples covered their eyes, the male elders twitched their mouths, and the female elders were stunned.

Bang! Boom! Bang!

Sounds of impacts echoed nonstop on the platform.

To be fair, once they bared their arms and went all out, the commotion was no small thing – the entire platform was enveloped in dazzling divine light.

By now, Ye Chen had already entered the Tian Ting Grand Hall alone.

Pfft!

The moment he stepped in, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and dropped to one knee on the ground.

Ugh...!

He clutched his throbbing head, roaring in pain, his face twisting in agony. Violent black thunderbolts surged around him, tearing at his sacred body.

It was Tian Qian again!

Though his mind was blurring, Ye Chen knew exactly what force was attacking him.

This time, the Tian Qian came out of nowhere, catching him off guard. Good thing he made up a flimsy excuse, avoiding any suspicion from the others.

At some point, his roars faded.

He had endured the Tian Qian once more. His pale face regained color, his dim divine light turned radiant, and bursts of extraordinary aura enveloped him. His sacred body's powerful vital energy surged wildly again.

From outside, a person entered – it was Tai Xu Gu Long.

While Gu San Tong and the others were clueless, how could he not know? Ye Chen was suffering from Tian Qian!

Sigh!

Tai Xu Gu Long sighed softly, conjured a cloud chair, and sat quietly, waiting for Ye Chen to awaken.

Outside, the shouts shook the heavens, but inside the grand hall, all was silent.

As dusk fell, Ye Chen, who had been meditating like an old monk, finally stirred slightly and slowly opened his eyes.

"Awake?"

Tai Xu Gu Long looked at him with interest. "Tian Qian doesn't feel good, does it?"

"This one hit hard."

Ye Chen rubbed his forehead. "How long was I out?"

"Not long – just two days."

"Two days?"

Ye Chen was startled. "Has the grand competition ended?"

"It's waiting for you."

Tai Xu Gu Long chuckled lightly and turned to leave the hall. "Your disciple's final match – you should be there."