Chapter 363: A Fearsome Sword - Part 1
"This battle determines the top twenty-five. Congratulations to the victors—but don't celebrate just yet."
The Celestial Guard Commander’s gaze was sharp as a blade as it swept across the twenty-five winners, including Li Hao. He spoke in a booming voice:
"Every disciple in the losers’ bracket now has the right to challenge one of the winners. If they succeed, they will take the victor’s place. However, each winner may only be challenged twice. This is a final chance for the losers."
Upon hearing this, those in the losers’ bracket froze momentarily—then their eyes lit up.
Some among the winners looked surprised. A few faces darkened with unease, but most remained calm, dismissing it as a minor nuisance at best.
"The losers still get a shot? Fair enough, I suppose!"
"Thank heavens! I just happened to face an imperial clan disciple—no way I could’ve beaten that monster. He’s practically guaranteed to place top three. I could’ve made top ten otherwise, but with that guy… no chance."
"Same rules as always for the Hundred-Man Finals. Nothing’s changed."
The disciples in the losers’ bracket were elated, while representatives from the major sects let out sighs of relief. This was consistent with past formats.
"Seems I still have a chance."
Gui Lingyue’s eyes gleamed as she scanned the remaining contenders.
Above the Imperial Platform, golden phantoms shimmered—twenty-five figures, each representing a current finalist.
Gui Lingyue, of course, wouldn’t consider challenging Li Hao. Their last bout had left no room for excuses or flukes; she had been utterly crushed. For now, she was no match for him.
Aside from Li Hao, there were few others she needed to be wary of.
"This is great, my lady! You’ve still got a shot at the top five!"
The Ghost Clan elder beside her was visibly thrilled—such fairness was rare in the Southern Domain.
Elsewhere, other fallen disciples began sizing up potential targets.
Gu Yan was among them, pleasantly surprised by this unexpected second chance. He scanned the twenty-five contenders carefully.
The girl in the green dress also examined the field, steering well clear of Yuexi—the one who had defeated her previously.
Within the span of three incense sticks, the Celestial Guard Commander took to the skies and declared, "Who will issue the first challenge?"
Silence fell over the mountaintop. The losers’ bracket hesitated.
"I will."
Someone stepped forward. Since each winner could only be challenged twice, it was strategic to move early. Even a so-called weakling who won two challenges could secure a place.
"It’s the Taikun Clan. If they act, they’ll easily break into the top ten. Wonder who the unlucky target is."
"Oh no… he's pointing at Chi Xuanyu of the Red Border Immortal Dynasty!"
"Chi Xuanyu isn’t exactly a pushover though. He’s imperial royalty from the Xuanyang Lineage—one of the top fifty among the Hundred Clans."
"Still, the Taikun Clan is a top-ten powerhouse. If they went after real weaklings, they’d lose face."
Whispers rippled through the crowd. The Red Border Immortal Dynasty was abuzz with curses and frustration—but there was nothing they could do.
Chi Xuanyu, tall and strikingly handsome, wore an expression as dark as soot.
He had seen the challenger’s earlier match and knew he likely wasn’t a match.
"Damn it. So I’m not weak enough to ignore, but not strong enough to fear?"
Burning with anger, Chi Xuanyu stepped onto the Imperial Platform.
The battle ignited immediately.
It was a brutal fight. Though Chi Xuanyu knew he was outclassed, being singled out like that stung his pride. He tapped into his bloodline’s very foundation, unleashing secret arts at great personal cost.
But the Taikun youth's killing moves were relentless. His immortal body overwhelmed everything through sheer brute strength. In the end, he crushed Chi Xuanyu and claimed his spot.
Inspired by this first reversal, Gui Lingyue struck next. Rather than picking the weakest, she challenged a prodigy from a clan ranked thirtieth.
Her match ended even faster. Using her Ghost Moon Reflection movement technique, she closed the distance in an instant. With one palm, she slapped the opponent’s primordial spirit out of their body. Before she could shred it to pieces, the challenger begged for mercy, prompting the Celestial Guard Commander to intervene just in time.
Watching the losers fight like rabid beasts, many winners began to grow uneasy. Only a handful remained calm—among them, the Ancient God Clan's Shen Wuji, who looked positively eager to be challenged.
One by one, more from the losers’ bracket stepped forward. Not all were as formidable as Gui Lingyue; some contenders held their ground and kept their hard-won places.
Time passed.
As defeat claimed more of the challengers, those left in the losers’ bracket grew cautious.
Li Hao noticed several glances pass over his golden phantom before moving on. No one dared to pick him. That suited him just fine. He relaxed beside the Great Dream Master and pulled out the pastries he'd bought earlier. Sharing a few pieces, he passed some to the Great Dream Master as well.
Old Man Li caught a whiff and eagerly came over to ask for a bite. Li Hao, however, demanded wine in exchange.
Old Man Li scowled in protest. “Why do I have to pay while she eats for free?”
"She’s the Sect Master. Are you?" Li Hao replied without missing a beat, leaving him speechless.
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