79: twists and turns

The scene unfolded exactly as Su Xiao had predicted.

Leng Bai and the others paused, their expressions shifting slightly.

It seemed that from this moment on, they truly acknowledged Lin Xiu's strength.

Among the surrounding spectators,

Han Pu and Qin Zhi excitedly clenched their fists, cheering with raised arms.

Huo Lan's face also broke into a smile, clearly approving of Lin Xiu's methods.

Everyone fears those who are powerful.

This could be seen by observing Su Xiao.

Since he stepped onto the arena, there had been almost no challengers.

"Don't get happy too soon. How many times can Lin Xiu use a Fighting Skill of that power? Trying to scare off others this way is too naive."

At this moment, Ge Mu's voice rang out again.

Cutting through the chaos quickly was a good choice, but the stronger the Fighting Skill, the greater the consumption of Qi.

And this competition for the top five adopted a defense-based arena system.

He didn't believe that Lin Xiu, at the Great Fighter Realm, could sustain using it many times.

Once he ran out of Qi, he would be knocked off the arena.

Upon being reminded, Huo Lan also reacted, his smile fading, replaced by a look of worry.

Dou Qi (Battle Qi) recovery takes time. Who would give Lin Xiu time to recover now?

Just then, Huo Lan's gaze suddenly fixed.

In the line in front of Lin Xiu's arena, he suddenly spotted Du Chaoping's figure.

"Chaoping, my year of nurturing you was not in vain!"

Huo Lan was familiar with Du Chaoping's character and knew that he would never take advantage. His choice to face Lin Xiu was likely to give Lin Xiu a chance to recover.

At this moment,

ranked ninth in the line, Du Chaoping could hear the panic and hesitation of the people in front.

"Don't go up, don't go up," Du Chaoping prayed in his heart.

Having seen what happened to the previous person, many were now intimidated by Lin Xiu's offensive.

Taking a hit like that would not feel good!

The key was, even if they rushed up now and defeated Lin Xiu, they probably wouldn't be a match for the people behind them, essentially paving the way for others.

Therefore, some had already developed thoughts of retreating and voluntarily left the line.

"Those who voluntarily leave the line cannot continue to challenge the same arena."

On the high platform, Hu Qian's voice sounded at the opportune moment.

It was necessary to mention the rules; some people were trying to switch their order behind others.

As his words fell,

the somewhat chaotic line in front of Lin Xiu's arena suddenly quieted down again.

Du Chaoping thought the rules set by the Dean were too arbitrary, still adding conditions temporarily at this point.

While lost in thought, a shout came from behind him.

Turning to look, Du Chaoping caught sight of Lin Ge, and his brows furrowed in anger.

Lin Ge paid no attention to his gaze, instead reminding the people in front to continue to wear down Lin Xiu, and if he managed to get into the top five, they would share the benefits.

That person happened to be a student under Ge Mu.

Upon hearing this, his previously wavering resolve gradually disappeared.

And with Lin Ge's words, others in the line also seemed to find inspiration, looking towards the people at the front of the line.

These people were more or less acquainted, and a few words quickly finalized an agreement.

The surrounding spectators also heard their discussions, and some even shouted "foul play."

On the high platform,

Hu Qian stood at the front, feeling the gazes around him like needles.

A war of attrition was not good; these people actually wanted to cooperate with each other. If this was the case, he had an immature idea for next year.

Since things had come to this, Hu Qian had no intention of changing them; he could only learn from this experience and wait to improve next year.

As for fairness... rules are made by the strong, and the weak can only follow. If one doesn't get benefits, it means one is too weak.

On the arena, Lin Xiu listened to the shouts of "foul play" and, seeing Hu Qian unmoved, suddenly had an idea.

Opponents came up to the stage one after another.

Lin Xiu put away his thoughts and continuously made his moves, using two Profound Rank Advanced Dou Skills in succession.

Without even mentioning the other attributes of his Yuan Acupoint, just the two types of Dou Qi (Battle Qi), wind and lightning, were extremely abundant.

Moreover, his true strength was that of a Four-star Fighter, and his Dou Qi (Battle Qi) fullness was comparable to a Seven-star Great Fighter.

Facing these people, even if he used his skills continuously, he did not appear weak.

Soon, Du Chaoping ascended the arena.

"Junior, feel free to recover."

As soon as he stepped onto the stage, Du Chaoping spoke in a gentle tone.

Lin Ge, who was behind him, was furious upon hearing this and immediately cursed. They had just managed to exhaust Lin Xiu a bit.

Seeing that it was almost his turn, Du Chaoping actually voluntarily gave Lin Xiu time to recover. Wouldn't the injuries of those previous people have been for naught?

For a moment, many people in the line echoed Lin Ge's sentiments.

However,

Du Chaoping was unmoved.

Seeing this, Lin Xiu also took the opportunity to catch his breath. He indeed needed to accumulate some Dou Qi (Battle Qi) for his next actions.

On the high platform, Hu Qian again felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

This scene also exceeded his expectations.

Compared to the other arenas, only Lin Xiu's side had twists and turns; the others had already yielded results.

The Elder acting as a referee looked at Hu Qian, his eyes full of inquiry.

Did you say Du Chaoping didn't attack Lin Xiu? That's not right either; Du Chaoping was attacking the whole time, but his attack angles were too poor.

Even if Lin Xiu sat still, Du Chaoping always missed by two or three meters.

This was the first time he had encountered such a situation.

"Ahem, a result must be decided within fifteen minutes." There was no choice; Hu Qian had to speak up.

Otherwise, he suspected Du Chaoping could fight until tomorrow.

As his words fell, gazes once again converged on Hu Qian.

At this, the Elders around him, and even Old Huo, moved their chairs to the side, distancing themselves from Hu Qian.

"This year's rules are even more outrageous than last year's, with even bigger loopholes," Old Huo grumbled in his heart. "I really don't know what next year will be like."

As the time reached the last minute, Du Chaoping, panting, conceded defeat.

"Thank you for your hard work, Senior." Lin Xiu slowly opened his eyes and stood up.

Du Chaoping showed a smile, stepped off the arena, and looking at the grim faces and murderous gazes in the line, his smile grew even brighter.

Not far away, Huo Lan saw Du Chaoping's gaze and gave him a thumbs-up.

Beside him, Ge Mu's expression was not good.

He had originally thought Lin Ge had a chance to rush for the top five, but now the outcome had become unpredictable.

"Hurry up, what are you still standing there for?" Lin Ge said to the person in front of him.

"Why are you rushing me? If you can do it, you go. I'm not playing anymore." That person grumbled discontentedly and actually gave up.

At this, Lin Ge became the first person. Facing Lin Xiu, who had recovered for fifteen minutes, his heart suddenly sank.

"Senior Lin Ge, what a coincidence. Last time you were waiting for me on the arena, this time it's my turn. Come on, hurry up and get up here."

Lin Xiu showed a mischievous smile.

He could hear the commotion below from the arena; he heard every word and action of Lin Ge very clearly.

Meeting Lin Xiu's gaze, Lin Ge's legs felt as if they weren't his own, trembling constantly, utterly unable to lift.

"Lin Ge, do you want to challenge? If not, then forfeit, don't delay the people behind you."

The referee Elder walked over.

"I, I... I forfeit."

After a moment of thought, Lin Ge's mind kept replaying Lin Xiu's methods from before, and a shadow grew in his heart, his Battle Intent completely gone.

As his words fell, a stir went through the crowd.

Immediately, jeering laughter soared into the sky.

Many gazes even turned towards Ge Mu, after all, he was Lin Ge's teacher.

"Useless, utterly useless! You've shamed me completely!" Ge Mu's eyes were bloodshot, his face flushed.

Huo Lan grabbed Ge Mu's arm, "Don't leave! I just heard you talk so much, now it's your turn to listen to me."

With Lin Ge's forfeiture, the seven people behind him also chose to forfeit.

Strike while the iron is hot, then the momentum wanes, and finally, it's exhausted.

This described the current situation.

Hu Qian let out a long breath. The top five had finally been chosen; it was finally coming to an end.

He stepped onto the stage, ready to announce the results.

Suddenly,

"Dean, this student has something to say."