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The elder that spoke was Elder Majin, who was the examiner at the second test to enter the sect.
Some of the outer court elders seated with him glanced at him but said nothing.
They knew there was nothing they could say that was wrong even if they wanted to support the members of the Blood Sword Faction.
And besides, in this situation, the inner court disciple was the wrong one.
Elder Majin was already being lenient for not punishing him for breaking the rules of assisting someone engaged in battle.
"Invincible wins!"
Arthur's victory was announced and Arthur received the cheers of many disciples among the crowd for the first time.
'Hmm, seems like it working,' Arthur smiled and jumped off the stage.
"The 9th and 10th ranked disciples were defeated in the same manner, one at a time."
"Yeah, they were two unlucky fellows. But this fight reveals that Invincible can defeat a top ten ranked in one move."
"But even more than that, his speed is on par with what Mark showed us. And if we consider that they had both not gone all out yet, then Invincible has a chance for the top five."
Many people began to have confidence in Arthur's strength and they also began to consider the prospect of joining his faction.
The next set of matches continued and soon all ten matches were concluded.
Next, it was time for those that lost to face each other in a ranking match to decide the precise ranking of the top twenty.
Every one of them was matched randomly and soon it got to the final battle to decide who would be ranked eleventh and twelfth respectively.
"Next battle! Quan Vs Liam!"
Quan and Liam who had been healed by the sect's medical attendants were looking vigorous as they skillfully ascended the stage with determination in their eyes.
It was a bit ironic that they met each other in battle, but both of them swore in their hearts not to lose.
"Let the battle begin!"
The instant that was spoken both disciples entered their most powerful state as their auras pressed against each other.
"Hah!"
They attacked with their greatest attacks and used the best tactics that they could.
Eventually, Liam used his illusion-type movement technique and got the upper hand, and managed to land a heavy attack on Quan.
"Shattering palm strike!"
"Argh!"
"Liam wins!"
The eleventh disciple was decided just like that.
Liam was given some time to rest before the elder spoke again to him this time.
"Now, you have a chance to participate in the ranking battle for the top ten by defeating one of them. Also, you have only one chance, so choose carefully."
Liam narrowed his eyes and looked at all ten disciples.
He ruled out Mark for obvious reasons, so he was left with nine choices.
He saw that there were two new faces among the original top ten.
It was Arthur and one other disciple who got lucky to be matched up with a weaker disciple in the top twenty rather than one in the top ten.
Liam canceled out facing the other top ten rankers and focused on Arthur and the other disciple.
'Invincible... I can't the sure what trump cards he has as he has managed to get this far without going all out and he did all that by using only one move for every opponent he had faced, so not him.'
'This now leaves the other one...he hasn't shown any outstanding abilities but although I will not underestimate him, he should be the safest choice,' Liam was a very cautious person.
After his inner monologue, he chose to fight the other disciple whose name was Gakner.
The elder noted his choice and announced the next match.
"Liam Vs Gakner!"
Liam ascended the stage at the same time as Gakner.
Gakner was a pale-looking young man with dull-looking eyes. He was skinny and looked very sickly.
Seeing his state, Liam wondered how he managed to get this far.
'What am I doing? I can't be careless,' Liam reminded himself not to be careless.
"Let the battle begin!"
*swoosh!*
"Fleeting Mirage!"
Liam used his best movement technique from the start and ran toward Gakner who had decided to retreat and summoned his martial spirit.
"Blue Grass Snake!"
An ethereal snake appeared to him and hissed at his opponent.
Garner deployed his movement technique and a game of cat and mouse began in the arena.
Liam was surprised that Gakner's speed was able to keep up with him, but then he went all out.
Soon, Gakner got surrounded and Liam and his mirage got closer and attacked.
"Slash!"
Liam slashed yus sword at his opponent and everyone thought it was over, but just as the sword was about to land, Liam stopped moving.
"What?"
People were confused.
*poof!*
Liam's illusion was deactivated and the real Liam was revealed for all to see.
"...?"
The spectating disciples became even more confused by this, but Liam suddenly dropped his sword on the stage and fell backward.
*Thud!*
"Snore~...grrrrh~"
Sounds of snoring echoed in the vast arena and Gakner unsummoned his martial spirit.
"What just happened?"
"I have no idea."
"Did Liam really just fall asleep?"
"It appears so. This must be that Gakner's martial spirit ability."
"If that's true then that means we need to reevaluate his martial spirit, as it is not the common Blue Grass Snake that we know."
Exclamations arose and so did discussions about what really happened.
"Gakner wins!"
Gakner jumped off the stage after he heard that and officials came to carry Liam away from the stage who was still sleeping soundly and comfortably.
'If only I could use my spirit power without being detected, I could have sensed more clearly what happened,' Arthur lamented.
If he used his spirit power, it could be sensed by the elders.
But he had already added Gakner to his invitation list as a potential faction member.
'A subtle ability that can be very deadly if user appropriately,' Arthur thought and caught sight of the inner-court disciples.
"It seems this trip was worth it after all. Immediately the ranking battles come e to a close, send an invitation to that kid and ask him to join our Blood Sword Faction."
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------------End of Chapter------------
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Author's Note: This chapter was rushed and written in between lectures...working on my updates rate.