Chapter 33: Bye in the Grand Competition!

"Buzz—!"

The pitch-black wheel suddenly accelerated its rotation, the points of light on it flowing, changing, and separating like a galaxy! A moment later, the wheel slowly stopped turning. The Soul light points of the competing Disciples slowly emerged high in the air, and the list for the first round was strikingly revealed, forming a massive light screen.

"Platform A-1: Zhang Xiaotian of Yin Yang Peak versus Wang Li of Blood Shadow Peak!"

"Platform A-2: You Wuying of the Hall of Discipline versus Liu Quan of Rebirth Peak!"

...

"Platform B-5: Lin Fan of Qingtian Peak versus Zhao Feng of Wujiu Peak!"

"Platform B-6: Xie Yi of War Demon Peak versus Ran Lin of Yin Yang Peak!"

...

As soon as the list came out, a buzz of discussion immediately rose from below the stage.

"Zhang Xiaotian versus Wang Li! Not bad, not bad at all—the opening is already a highlight!"

"Wang Li is a well-known ruthless figure from Blood Shadow Peak with a Late Golden Core Stage cultivation. His 'Blood Shadow Evasion' makes him elusive. Although Senior Brother Zhang is strong, I'm afraid it will take some effort!"

"Look at Platform B-2! It's Senior Sister Qiong Yu of Heartless Peak against Xue Ying of Demon Blade Peak! Both are female Cultivators at the Early Stage of Golden Core; this match will be worth watching!"

"Oh, this brother, I wonder what 'worth watching' part you are talking about? Why don't I understand?"

"Eh? Where is that guy named Xiao Ming? The one who has been in the spotlight lately and was taken as a Disciple by both the Vice Sect Master and Peak Master Luo?"

"He's probably scheduled for later. After all, with so many participating Disciples, they have to go in batches."

...

In the Yin Yang Peak area, Zhang Xiaotian was currently holding another woman in a pink dress. Meanwhile, Liu Feier, who was originally in his arms, was now kneeling on the ground, carefully massaging his calves with a humble expression. Zhang

Xiaotian, meanwhile, glanced at the information on the light screen, his lips gradually curling into a cruel arc as he said indifferently, "Zhao Feng of Wujiu Peak? Just an ant. That kid surnamed Lin is lucky to live a bit longer." He then lowered his head and blew into the ear of the woman in his arms, eliciting a fit of giggles from her.

"Jing'er, wait here obediently and watch how I crush those blind fools." With that, he released the beauty in his arms. Then, with a stomp of his feet, the ground vibrated slightly, and his figure transformed into a gust of Yin Qi, surging directly toward Platform A-1. He looked quite dashing, but his sudden movement caught Liu Feier—who was kneeling and serving him wholeheartedly—off guard. She let out a startled cry and lurched forward, nearly falling flat on her face.

She was wearing a rather thin gauze dress today. Due to this sudden loss of balance, her skirt flipped up, and a large expanse of snow-white skin was instantly exposed to the air, drawing the burning gazes of many nearby Disciples, mixed with low snickers and discussions. Liu Feier's face instantly turned bright red, filled with shame and fury. She scrambled to pull at her dress to cover herself, her eyes instantly filling with tears of grievance and embarrassment, yet she dared not voice any dissatisfaction, only biting her lower lip hard and burying her head even lower.

On the high platform, Vice Sect Master Luo Hongyi's gaze swept across the field, taking in everything below. Her eyes paused slightly on the areas of Yin Yang Peak, War Demon Peak, and the Hall of Discipline, a trace of imperceptible coldness flashing in her phoenix eyes, though she said nothing. Seeing that the drawing results were within expectations and Xiao Ming would not appear in the first round, she felt slightly relieved.

In the blink of an eye, the Disciples scheduled for the first round had all leaped onto the stages, and the battles erupted instantly!

On Platform A-1, facing Wang Li's unpredictable "Blood Shadow Evasion" and his cunning, ruthless attacks, Zhang Xiaotian did not even try to dodge. He let out a wild laugh as Yin Qi soared from his body, transforming into a giant red palm. No matter how Wang Li dodged or flickered, that palm followed him closely, which was quite eerie. Finally, after several teleports with nowhere left to hide, a loud boom echoed. Wang Li spat blood and flew backward, defeated in a single move!

On Platform B-2, the battle between Qiong Yu of Heartless Peak and Xue Ying of Demon Blade Peak was even more thrilling and magnificent. Qiong Yu's swordplay was sharp and her movement was ethereal, while Xue Ying's saber technique was ruthless and treacherous. Their figures crossed, and sword light and Saber Qi crisscrossed, drawing constant cheers from below. Ultimately, Qiong Yu relied on her superior cultivation and precise timing to flick away Xue Ying's demon blade with her sword, winning by a narrow margin.

The other platforms were also in the heat of battle, with Devilish Qi surging and cries of pain rising one after another.

Just as the first round of matches was in full swing and everyone's attention was drawn to the exciting combat,

a black-clothed youth quietly appeared at the end of the Heartless Peak Disciple line. He was like a drop of water entering the ocean, causing not a single ripple.

The newcomer was indeed the late-arriving Xiao Ming. These past few days, he had been cultivating diligently. He had fully integrated all the Cultivation Techniques he mastered, as well as the Heaven Rank [Puppet Refinement Technique] previously rewarded by the System. Now, the Puppets he refined could rival Late Golden Core Stage Cultivators, and he could even control two Puppets to fight simultaneously while still acting as he pleased.

Although Xiao Ming entered the square silently, several subtle gazes fell upon him immediately.

Luo Li, on the high platform, felt the irritability in her heart mostly dissipate the moment her originally calm gaze noticed that black-clothed youth. Her slender fingers resting on the armrest unconsciously stroked the ring on her finger.

Sensing that the aura around Xiao Ming had become increasingly restrained and profound, Luo Li was still slightly surprised. She couldn't help but sigh in her heart, 'In just a few days, this Wicked Disciple has actually improved again. It's truly unheard of...' A flash of joy and pride crossed her mind, but she immediately suppressed it, replacing it with a strange surge of indignation.

'At such a critical moment, he actually shows up right at the last second. It's truly... improper!' She forced herself to turn her gaze back to the competition platforms, but her peripheral vision couldn't help but drift toward Xiao Ming's direction. On that cold face, even the ice seemed to have quietly melted.

Beside her, Luo Hongyi also noticed Xiao Ming when he appeared. Feeling his currently surging aura, Luo Hongyi's lips couldn't help but curl up slightly, forming a knowing and somewhat gratified smile.

Then she glanced at her Junior Sister Luo Li's face, which seemed to have thawed. A hint of playfulness flowed in Luo Hongyi's phoenix eyes. "This Junior Sister of mine usually treats everyone with a cold, frost-like demeanor, keeping them at a distance. But now, she's quite concerned about this Disciple." She remembered that Luo Li had specifically come to see her a few days ago regarding Xiao Ming's draw, even acting coquettishly in the end. Seeing her Junior Sister's subconscious reaction now, Luo Hongyi became even more certain of her judgment: Li'er truly considers Xiao Ming her true successor and treasures him dearly! She's terrified of him suffering even the slightest grievance.

Luo Hongyi turned her gaze back to the black-clothed figure below, the look of appreciation in her eyes deepening. "This boy is indeed extraordinary; in such a short time, his aura has become even more unfathomable. With such a fine Disciple, the Sect will have a successor in the future, and my Heavenly Demon Sect will surely flourish." She even felt that because of this Disciple, her Junior Sister seemed to have a bit more Life Qi than before, no longer as cold and distant. Thinking of this, Luo Hongyi felt even more refreshed, feeling that her Junior Sister had finally regained some 'human touch'."

While the two Revered Masters, Luo Li and Luo Hongyi, were carefully observing Xiao Ming, several hostile gazes with varying expressions also turned toward him.

Xiao Ming seemed completely oblivious to these gazes. He remained standing calmly in place, as if everything around him had nothing to do with him.

A short while later, accompanied by several shrill screams, the last few matches of the first round were decided one after another.

Luo Hongyi's pleasant voice rang out again, drowning out the noise of the scene:

"The first round of matches is over! The winners advance, and the losers withdraw! After a rest of half an incense stick's time, we will conduct the second round of drawing!"

The square was suddenly filled with various sounds: the cheers of those who advanced and the congratulations of others, as well as the angry curses and counter-curses from the peaks of those who had fallen. A thick scent of blood mixed with restless Devilish Qi permeated the square.

Half an incense stick's time passed quickly.

Accompanied by that familiar sound, the massive pitch-black wheel began to turn slowly once more. The points of light on it flowed and collided, pulling at the hearts of all the advanced Disciples.

The wheel finally stopped. A new list of matchups appeared on the light screen!

"Platform A-7: Zhang Xiaotian of Yin Yang Peak versus Jiao Tu of Rotting Bone Peak!"

...

The list appeared, but the name "Xiao Ming" still did not show up.

A tide of discussion rose again from below the stage.

Then, someone mentioned, "Strange, why haven't we seen that kid who has been rising to fame lately go up yet? Could it be that he's too scared to fight!"

"No way! He's a Golden Core Cultivator after all, and he's highly regarded by two Revered Masters at the Soul Transformation Stage. How could he be so cowardly!"

"Could it be that he got a Bye?"

"Impossible! A Bye for two rounds in a row? How is that possible?"