‘They’ll divide the 300 participants into two groups of 150 participants, and they’ll arrange the battles in the early rounds?’
Many of the 300 participants could not help but frown upon hearing Xu Kong Hai’s words even though they had been mentally prepared to face what was thrown at them today. Since the Title Temple was going to arrange the battles, did it not mean they had a chance to use it to their advantage? Since the Title Temple would be arranging the battles in the early rounds, the Title Temple could match weak opponents with their representatives. However, if their representatives were not strong, they still would not be able to get past the later rounds. For this reason, no one said anything despite feeling unhappy. Moreover, since the Title Temple organized the Battle of the Geniuses, they deserved a little privilege. Most importantly, it did not affect the fairness of the competition.
However, it had to be said that those participants who were displeased with the rules were mostly those weaker participants ranked at the bottom of the 300 participants. Those participants who were strong and confident naturally were not bothered at all. They did not care if the Title Temple gave preferential treatment to those who represented them. After all, as long as one had absolute strength, one would be able to crush those participants who received preferential treatment. This was the confidence of the strong.
“Since there are so many of you, five battles will take place at the same time.”
Xu Kong Hai waved his sleeve after he finished speaking.
Five barriers shielded five battle rings in just a moment.
“These battle rings will be used during the fourth round. Anyone who’s forced out of the light barrier is considered eliminated. If you want to surrender, crush the jade token in your possession… If you die, your opponent will not be held responsible,” Xu Kong Hai said as he swept his gaze across the participants, “Please rise into the air. I’ll issue the jade tokens now.”
It did not take long before the 300 participants who made it to the fourth round received their jade tokens.
Apart from the light barriers surrounding the battle rings, there was also a Transportation Formations in each battle ring that would transport a participant out after he or she had crushed their jade token.
After returning to his seat, a thought suddenly appeared in Duan Ling Tian’s mind.
‘If I want to kill my opponent, I wonder if my ability to control space will be able to prevent the Transportation Formation from sending my opponent out even after my opponent crushes his or her jade token…’
Duan Ling Tian’s eyes were rather bright when he thought about this. Although he had yet to get a chance to test out his theory, he had thought it was possible for him to do such a thing.
After the participants had returned to their seats, Xu Kong Hai waved his hand. As soon as ten names appeared in the air, he said, “Those ten whose names have been chosen, please step forward and enter the battle ring to face the opponents that have been chosen for you…”
Following that, five out of the ten participants who had been named went to battle rings accordingly.
Although Duan Ling Tian was not familiar with the ten participants, it did not mean the other participants were unfamiliar with them as well. Soon enough, people began to discuss among themselves.
“That’s Meng Fan Gui, right? I heard he’s the strongest among the younger generation in the Pavilion Shaft Heaven’s heaven-grade Profound Dream Sect.”
Initially, most people were unsure if the participant was Meng Fan Gui from the Profound Dream Sect or someone who shared the same name. Soon after, they remembered there was only one Meng Fan Gui among the participants. With that, Meng Fan Gui began to receive a lot of attention.
“Meng Fan Gui? Is he famous?” Tang San Pao murmured to himself.
“Of course!” Zhang Tian You, who was seated next to Tang San Pao, solemnly said, “Meng Fan Gui is a disciple of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven’s Profound Dream Sect. He specializes in illusory techniques, and he comprehends the law of darkness. He has never lost to anyone above the age of 2,000 Pavilion Shaft Heaven. He had killed a Three Star God of War before so many people speculated he’s as strong as a Four Star God of War.”
“As strong as a Four Star God of War?” Tang San Pao was taken aback. “I didn’t expect someone speculated to be as strong as a Four Star God of War would be selected to battle first. I wonder who’s his opponent…”
“I have never heard of his opponent’s name. He’s either not known or a disciple of a powerhouse who lives in seclusion…” Zhang Tian You glanced at Meng Fan Gui’s opponent’s name and shook his head. “Regardless, I don’t think he’s a match for Meng Fan Gui.”
“Although Meng Fan Gui is likely to be as strong as a Four Star God of War, the Title Temple has chosen him to fight first… I feel sorry for his opponent…”
“If Meng Fan Gui’s opponent has heard of him, he might not even have the courage to fight Meng Fan Gui…”
“Well, even if his opponent isn’t familiar with him, he should be familiar with him now after listening to the discussions in the surroundings.”
The name of Meng Fan Gui’s opponent was Zhong Gui Yu.
At this moment, the other five participants went into their respective battle rings to face their opponents.
“He’s Zhong Gui Yu? He actually dares to face Meng Fan Gui?”
Many people’s attention was focused on a young man dressed in simple robes. He was pale, but his eyes were bright.
“Who is Zhong Gui Yu? I’ve never heard of him.”
“His strength should be that of a Two Star God of War at least.”
“He must be confident since he dares to enter the battle ring.”
“Not necessarily. Some people are fearless even when faced with a fearsome opponent. Moreover, it’s not a death duel. He just has to crush his jade token if he feels his life is on the line…”
“In my opinion, he only showed up because it’d be too embarrassing to not show up…”
…
In one of the battle rings.
Zhong Gui Yu who had just entered the battle ring fearlessly met Meng Fan Gui’s gaze.
Meng Fan Gui sneered. “How many moves do you think you’d be able to withstand before I defeat you?”
Meng Fan Gui’s face was expressionless as he replied indifferently, “I’ll surrender if I can’t defeat you in three moves.”
…
Although Zhong Gui Yu and Meng Fan Gui did not speak loudly, many people overheard their conversation.
“Three moves?”
Duan Ling Tian began to pay attention to Zhong Gui Yu after listening to these words as well. He had only briefly glanced at the grey-clad young man with a pale face but bright eyes and bushy brows who had a confident air about him.
“Those who would say words like these are either blindly arrogant or truly powerful,” Tang San Pao, who was seated behind Duan Ling Tian, muttered to himself.
Most of the people present thought Zhong Gui Yu was being blindly confident.
“Perhaps, Zhong Gui Yu hasn’t heard of Meng Fan Gui’s terrifying strength?”
“Isn’t that obvious? If he knew Meng Fan Gui is comparable to a Four Star God of War, he wouldn’t have said those words…”
“Is he deaf? Didn’t he hear the discussions in his surroundings?”
“Nonsense! If he’s deaf, how could he have replied to Meng Fan Gui’s question?”
On the other hand, there was a small number of people who were not quick to make judgments.
Even most of the Heavenly Emperors who were disinterested instinctively turned to look at Zhong Gui Yu after they heard his words.
“What an interesting lad…”
…
Meanwhile, Meng Fan Gui frowned upon hearing Zhong Gui Yu’s reply. His expression turned solemn, and his confidence seemed to have dropped slightly. After all, his opponent seemed confident about defeating him with three moves. Even a top Four Star God of War was not capable of something like that. He began to wonder if Zhong Gui Yu had strength comparable to a Five Star God of War.
With all these thoughts in mind, Meng Fan Gui grew uneasy. However, he did not let it show on his face. Instead, he said, “I can’t wait to see how you’re going to defeat me with three moves, seeing as you’re so confident.”
After Meng Fan Gui finished speaking, his Celestial Origin Energy surged and shrouded him like a black fog. Then, it suddenly shot out like a meteor toward Zhong Gui Yu.
At the same time, Meng Fan Gui had vanished from sight.
“Meng Fan Gui has used his illusory technique!”
Even if the participants used their Divine Consciousness, they still could not locate Meng Fan Gui. As for Heavenly Emperors, they had a hard time locating with their naked eyes. Only those who had attained godhood could clearly see what was happening.
At this time, Meng Fan Gui crept up toward Zhong Gui Yu slowly.
On the other hand, Zhong Gui Yu remained calm and unmoving, obviously unafraid of the impending attack from Meng Fan Gui. After a while, he said, “Darkness will always be defeated by light.”
With that, his body burst forth with a blindingly white light.
Many of the participants with weaker cultivation bases felt a sharp pain in their eyes, causing their expressions to change drastically.