198: Battle against Qimen Tianshi

Chapter 198: Battle Against a Qimen Celestial Master

The audience had high expectations for the third round of the competition.

Although surrounded by people, almost everyone’s eyes were fixed on the exit where the contestants would enter from backstage.

They all wanted to see which arena Lu Ran would be in, then quickly rush over to get a closer and clearer view!

People from various families shared the same idea.

This included the Cong Family, the Zhao Family, and even some unrelated major families, those without competing disciples, who also joined in.

Their purpose was surprisingly consistent: to see Lu Ran's upcoming performance and determine if he was worth siding with and befriending!

So far.

Although Lu Ran was already a reserve member of the Four Great Guilds, this status was already quite exaggerated.

But perhaps the Four Great Guilds valued Lu Ran's peculiar Blood Spear?

If Lu Ran lost in the third round, the Four Great Guilds might even abandon him!

Then befriending him in advance would be meaningless and would only make them a laughingstock.

Therefore.

This third round was crucial.

Backstage, a random draw was taking place, which differed from what many spectators had guessed; this couldn't be faked.

The purpose of a random draw, rather than pre-determining opponents, was to prevent anyone from bribing their opponent in advance.

After all.

After the Global digitalization, transactions and communication became too convenient.

Direct communication via communicators, bribery, then payment, and it's done.

Random drawing prevented such situations from occurring.

“Which arena?” Su Ting asked.

“Number three, it should be on the side,” Lu Ran said, looking at his number tag.

“It doesn't matter where it is, the most important thing is the opponent. Next is matching opponents, but in this round, one person will get a bye. If you're lucky and get a bye, you can directly advance to the fourth round,” Su Ting mused.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as hoped.

Lu Ran did not get a bye; instead, Cong Shuang did.

In Cong Shuang's small room, she was somewhat stunned looking at her bye result.

Not encountering Lu Ran made her breathe a sigh of relief, but she hadn't expected to get a bye.

For other contestants, this was a lucky good thing.

But Cong Shuang disdained it; she preferred to advance by defeating an opponent, not by getting lucky.

“My opponent is someone named Zhao Xuan, and his profession is Qimen Celestial Master. What kind of profession is that?” Lu Ran asked curiously.

Su Ting's expression changed slightly upon hearing this.

She said, “Troublesome! I can't believe it's him!”

“Is he very strong?” Lu Ran asked curiously.

“Very strong! Zhao Xuan is from the Imperial Capital's Zhao Family. Although he himself is a notorious scoundrel, his profession is very powerful, comparable to your Sister Hong's Inferno Celestial Master. Hidden professions in the Celestial Master lineage are inherently very strong,” Su Ting nodded affirmingly and said.

According to Su Ting's explanation.

A Qimen Celestial Master doesn't control elements but rather Qimen formations.

This is different from Ye Hongyi's Inferno Celestial Master.

Ye Hongyi's Inferno Celestial Master controls an advanced version of fire elements, while a Qimen Celestial Master controls Qimen formations, which, in addition to the five elements, also have some special effects.

“It's important to note that this Zhao Xuan has a skill that puts him in a soul ethereal state, making him untargetable for attacks and immune to damage.”

“During this process, he also cannot move.”

“However, he can still attack, and a Qimen Celestial Master has very high burst damage output.”

“He also knows your abilities, so he'll likely etherealize himself immediately and unleash a ten-second burst attack.”

“Ten seconds is enough to instantly kill any Undead Mage! After all, even though you're high-leveled, you're still within the scope of a novice professional.”

…

Su Ting didn't say Zhao Xuan could instantly kill Lu Ran directly, but rather that he could instantly kill an Undead Mage, because Lu Ran himself was quite peculiar, and Zhao Xuan might not be able to instantly kill him.

This was still under the premise that Su Ting didn't know Lu Ran's full abilities.

“Oh, that's fine, I'll just wait for him,” Lu Ran said casually, uncaring.

Just ten seconds.

Then I'll wait for you.

“Uh…” Su Ting stared at Lu Ran in astonishment, reminding him, “During these ten seconds, Zhao Xuan will definitely use his ultimate skills to maximize his burst output. If you have any way to counter or defend, you must act in time to reduce damage. Remember not to be overconfident.”

Although in Su Ting's impression, Undead Mages didn't seem to have any self-preservation methods or skills.

“I understand, Sister Tingting, don't worry, I won't lose,” Lu Ran said confidently.

“That's good, just be more careful,” Su Ting said no more, nodding.

On the other side.

In Zhao Xuan's small room.

Zhao Xuan appeared extremely excited.

“Haha… it's my turn to shine today!”

“Lu Ran's two matches yesterday were spread like wildfire.”

“Why does a piece of trash from the Poverty Area get so much attention?”

“Today, this young master will put an end to him!”

“Then, people will know who the true strong one is!”

…

It was clear that Zhao Xuan was very excited about being matched with Lu Ran.

He even felt that heaven favored him, giving him such a good opportunity to show off.

Rather than Lu Ran being killed by someone else and stealing the limelight.

Beside him.

The middle-aged man said, “The master instructed that if you're matched with Lu Ran, don't prolong the fight, don't talk too much, and finish it quickly. Your abilities are enough to win.”

Apparently, both the middle-aged man and Zhao Xuan's father.

Knew Zhao Xuan's nature; he loved to show off!

If he talked too much and showed off, and Lu Ran threw a Blood Spear before Zhao Xuan could activate his etherealization, he would die instantly!

“Are you telling me how to do things?” Zhao Xuan raised an eyebrow, glancing at the middle-aged man.

“I wouldn't dare, I'm just conveying the master's words. Young Master, caution is paramount. Winning is the key. As long as you win…” the middle-aged man quickly said.

Unfortunately, he was interrupted by Zhao Xuan before he could finish.

Zhao Xuan impatiently waved his hand, “Alright, alright, prepare to go on stage. Just watch how I utterly crush that Lu Ran. I know what I'm doing.”

Helpless, the middle-aged man could only shut up.

And in the Zhao Family's seating area outside.

Zhao Xuan's father, Zhao De Yang, checked the messages on his communicator.

He frowned and said, “It really is that Lu Ran guy who got matched…”

The person beside him said, “There won't be any problems, will there?”

Zhao De Yang shook his head.

He said, “As long as that kid doesn't show off, and immediately bursts into ethereal state after the start, he'll kill Lu Ran. He definitely can't lose. I'm just afraid that kid's bad habit will act up, and he'll talk too much after getting on stage, which would be a bit bad, but it shouldn't be a big problem. The Blood Spear's release has a wind-up animation, which is enough time for Zhao Xuan to activate etherealization. This battle, he can't lose!”

On the other side.

Cong Shuang had a bye, so she wasn't in this round.

She simply left her small room and came to the Cong Family's seats, sitting with Cong Yu to watch the match.

Not long after.

The list was publicized, and the contestants entered.

Cong Shuang glanced at the list, her brows slightly furrowed, “Lu Ran's opponent is actually Zhao Xuan, this is bad…”