222: Chapter 222 is too strong.

Senior Brother Wang Yidao and Cao Yun's appearance was like two giant boulders crashing into a lake, stirring up a thousand waves.

Disciples from various Peaks turned to look, their gazes landing on the two. Feeling that overbearing Aura belonging to the Peak of the Fifth Realm, many gasped on the spot.

Too strong.

Just by standing there, the Aura radiating from them was enough to make those around them feel breathless.

The cultivation gained from two years of bloody battles against the Demon Sect, forged in a sea of corpses and blood, was completely different from what was gained by safely Cultivating within the Sect.

That sharp, murderous Aura could not be hidden.

The faces of the Disciples from other Peaks showed solemn expressions, their hearts heavy.

To receive the largest share of the Martial King Treasure Trove, one had to win first place in the Seven Peaks Tournament.

But now, standing before them were these two massive mountains.

Peak of the Fifth Realm.

Looking across the entire younger generation of the Qixia Sect, these two were currently the only ones who could enter this Realm.

With these two present, first and second place were basically locked in.

Although the Disciples of the other Peaks were unwilling to accept this, they had to admit the fact.

Many gritted their teeth, calculating new goals.

If they couldn't fight for first, they would fight for third.

Senior Brother Wang Yidao and Cao Yun would fight for first, and everyone else would fight for third.

As long as they took third place, the Treasure Trove allocated to their Peak would not be too little, at least better than being at the bottom.

This thought appeared in the minds of the Genius Disciples of several Peaks almost simultaneously.

On Zixia Peak's side, several Elders had the same thought.

A white-haired Elder called Shen Haoran and Qiao Yiyi to his side and solemnly urged them: "You two must remember, if you encounter Cao Yun or Senior Brother Wang Yidao on the ring, do not try to resist them head-on."

He paused, emphasizing his tone: "Avoid their sharp edge and preserve your strength. Our goal is third place, not first or second.

You two are both in the Late Stage of the Fifth Realm. As long as you don't run into those two at the Peak of the Fifth Realm, there is a good chance for the top three.

But if you face those two and get injured, you won't even be able to fight the subsequent matches, which would be a loss that outweighs the gain."

Shen Haoran's expression was calm as he nodded: "This Disciple understands."

Qiao Yiyi also pursed her lips and replied: "This Disciple knows the importance of this."

The two agreed readily, but felt uncomfortable in their hearts.

They were also Prodigies of Zixia Peak, having fought in and out of the Demon Sect battlefield; when had they ever been told to "avoid their sharp edge" like this?

But they weren't stupid; Late Stage of the Fifth Realm versus Peak of the Fifth Realm, the gap was there, and fighting head-on was indeed unwise.

Aiming for third was the most realistic choice.

Peak Master Su Hanyan stood to the side, listening to the Elders' words, her brows slightly furrowed.

She didn't say anything, just turned her head, her gaze landing on Lin Tian beside her.

"Do you have any certainty if you face those two?"

This voice was not loud, but the several Elders present heard it clearly, and each of them was stunned.

Lin Tian thought for a moment and answered truthfully: "It is hard to say. This Disciple has not fought anyone at the Peak of the Fifth Realm recently, so I dare not make a rash conclusion about the specific outcome."

He paused, then added: "However, based on this Disciple's past experience in cross-Realm battles, there should be about a fifty percent chance."

Once these words were spoken, the surrounding Elders were all bewildered.

One Elder widened his eyes, as if he had heard some huge joke.

Another Elder's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but reach out to pick his ear, suspecting he had misheard.

Fifty percent chance?

Fifty percent chance against the Peak of the Fifth Realm?

What a joke!

Shen Haoran and Qiao Yiyi rolled their eyes at the same time.

The two looked at each other, and both saw undisguised disdain in each other's eyes.

This Lin Tian could really brag.

They were not familiar with Lin Tian; they only knew that he had been arranged by Peak Master Su Hanyan to go to the Yunhai Fishery and had been staying there all these years.

He was said to be Junior Martial Uncle Su Hanyan's Personal Disciple, but what else could there be besides that?

Never been to the battlefield, never fought the Demon Sect, never experienced any life-and-death tempering—a Disciple raising fish in the rear, what kind of combat power could he have?

With just this, he still wanted to contend with Cao Yun and Senior Brother Wang Yidao?

I'm afraid he couldn't even take one move.

Although the several Elders did not say it out loud, the expressions on their faces said it all.

They shook their heads, ignored Lin Tian, and turned to continue discussing tactics with Shen Haoran and Qiao Yiyi.

Peak Master Su Hanyan did not speak, just glanced at Lin Tian and nodded slightly.

A fifty percent chance was not small.

On the other end, Cao Yun and Senior Brother Wang Yidao's gazes also swept through the crowd.

Their gazes swept over one Disciple of various Peaks after another without stopping.

Those Geniuses at the Middle Stage of the Fifth Realm and Late Stage of the Fifth Realm seemed to not exist in their eyes.

Soon, their gazes collided in mid-air.

At that moment, the air seemed to freeze.

The Void Realm between the two seemed to be torn by two invisible blades, and sparks were faintly splashing.

A cold arc curled up on the corner of Cao Yun's mouth.

Senior Brother Wang Yidao remained expressionless, but the long sword in the black scabbard on his back emitted a very faint hum.

Both felt a strong threat from the other.

Defeating the opponent would allow them to take first place.

Taking first place would allow them to get the most of the Martial King Treasure Trove.

This battle was destined to be a struggle between a Dragon and a tiger.

The other Disciples around felt the terrifying Battle Intent erupting from the two, and their hearts trembled.

Immediately, an uncontrollable excitement surged from the bottom of their hearts.

Regardless of whether they could fight for first place, just being able to witness these two fight was worth coming to this Seven Peaks Tournament.

Just as everyone was discussing, a figure stood up from the main seat of the viewing platform.

The Sect Master.

The noise of the entire martial arts arena instantly lowered, and everyone's eyes focused on that figure.

The Sect Master stood with his hands behind his back, his voice resounding clearly throughout the venue: "Our Qixia Sect has not opened the Seven Peaks Tournament for a long time."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly entered everyone's ears: "The purpose of opening the Seven Peaks Tournament this time is only one—to determine superiority through martial arts.

Whichever Peak's Disciple ranks first in the end, that Peak will be able to receive the largest share of the Martial King Treasure Trove."

His gaze swept over the Disciples of the seven Peaks below, his voice suddenly raised: "I hope all you Disciples of the seven Peaks can give it your all!"

As the words fell, the entire martial arts arena erupted with a roar like a landslide and a tsunami.

Countless Disciples clenched their fists, their faces flushed, and their Qi surging.

The Martial King Treasure Trove, the glory of the seven Peaks, and personal future—everything was in this battle.

The Sect Master sat back down.

A Referee Elder dressed in a grey robe walked out from the side, his figure landing on the central ring, and said loudly: "Now announcing the tournament rules."

The whole venue quieted down again.

"This Seven Peaks Tournament is divided into two stages. The first stage is the elimination round, and the second stage is the final."

The Referee Elder pointed to the seven rings in the arena: "The elimination round has seven rings, with each ring being a group. Disciples from various Peaks will draw lots to be assigned to each group, and the top five from each group will enter the finals."

Once these words were spoken, the crowd below immediately exploded.

"What? Only the top five from each group?"

"Seven rings, five times seven is thirty-five; only thirty-five people in total can enter the finals?"

"What a joke! There are at least a thousand Disciples signed up this time!"

The Disciples were bewildered. Although most of the people who signed up were just there to join in the fun, the truly capable Disciples of the Fifth Realm added up to at least a hundred.

Taking only thirty-five out of over a hundred meant that most Fifth Realm Disciples would be eliminated in the elimination round.

The intensity of the competition far exceeded everyone's expectations.

"Quiet!" The Referee Elder waved his hand, and an invisible pressure enveloped the venue, suppressing all the noise.

He continued: "The Seven Peaks Tournament is an internal competition of the School, emphasizing stopping at the point of contact; killing is not allowed. Those who fall off the ring during the match will be judged as losing, and those who voluntarily concede will be judged as losing.

I hope everyone will act according to their ability and not try to force things."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the venue: "These are all the rules."

"Now, I announce—"

The Referee Elder took a deep breath, his voice thundering, exploding over the martial arts arena.

"The Seven Peaks Tournament, officially begins!"