Lin Xuan naturally had no idea that merely making it into the top ten had scared Lin Hai half to death. At this moment, he was gazing at the virtual attribute panel before him. Because he had entered the top ten and been ranked first, it caused quite a stir on the field once again. At the same time, the energy points brought in also increased. Lin Xuan was beaming with joy.
"What are you so happy about, Brother Lin Xuan?" Lin Shiyun's gentle voice came through.
"I'm happy that we both made it into the top ten and can go to Liuyun Sect together," Lin Xuan replied with a smile.
"Mm." Lin Shiyun nodded, her smile unwavering. Then, the two began chatting and laughing. However, Lin Xuan didn't notice the hint of worry deep in Lin Shiyun's eyes, which hadn't faded but had grown even stronger.
The high-ranking members of the four major powers reacted differently to this result. The Lin family members were all overjoyed, their faces full of smiles. The other three powers, however, wore solemn expressions, their gazes filled with gravity. Among the top ten, four were Lin family disciples—nearly half. Even the City Lord's Mansion's Zhang family couldn't match that. Was this a sign of something? The high-ranking members of the three powers felt heavy-hearted, not daring to speculate further.
On the high platform, Zhao Quxin, the envoy from Liuyun Sect, sat in the central seat, with City Lord Zhang Wenyong and Lin Qiyuan, the strongest in Qingyu City, seated on either side. The ancestors of the other two powers sat at the far ends as attendants.
"This time, a promising seedling has emerged," Zhao Quxin said, his gaze sweeping over Lin Xuan as he nodded with a smile. Lin Qiyuan also smiled and nodded slightly in agreement. Meanwhile, Zhang Wenyong and the ancestors of the other two powers had their smiles freeze, their hearts sinking with a bad premonition. Even the envoy held him in high regard—could it be? The three of them glanced at Lin Xuan on the viewing platform, muttering inwardly. But Zhang Wenyong still forced a smile. He had prepared a trump card and still had considerable hope.
...
After a while longer, the noise on the field subsided. Zhang Ping returned to the stage and continued in a clear voice: "The competition continues. Next is the second round, the elimination round, to determine the top three. Two-on-two matches: the winner advances, the loser is eliminated, until the top three are decided. The matchups will still be jointly determined by the high-ranking members of the four major powers to ensure fairness. Now, let's begin! First match: Chen Yu versus Wu Cheng!"
As his words fell, the field fell silent. Everyone's eyes focused on the stage with excitement. These were matches among the top ten, all at least at the peak of the ninth level of Body Refining, definitely far more thrilling than the previous points matches. Especially the first match, featuring Chen Yu, the top genius of the Chen family. The crowd was naturally full of anticipation.
Soon, the two stepped onto the stage. Chen Yu was the top genius of the Chen family and originally the foremost among the four great geniuses of Qingyu City. He had now broken through to the Aperture Opening realm. Although he had just broken through and his aura hadn't stabilized yet, the Aperture Opening realm was still far beyond the ninth level of Body Refining. Wu Cheng, on the other hand, was the second-ranked genius of the Wu family and a well-known talent in Qingyu City, with his cultivation at the peak of the ninth level of Body Refining. After the referee Zhang Ping announced the start, the two engaged in battle. The crowd watched with great interest. This match was indeed more exciting and intense than the previous points matches. However, it didn't last long. Chen Yu's talent was inherently superior to Wu Cheng's, and now his cultivation was a whole major realm higher. Naturally, Wu Cheng was no match. Within ten moves, Wu Cheng was blasted off the stage. Chen Yu won and advanced to the top five.
"Next match: Zhang He versus Chen Zhong!" Zhang Ping's voice rang out. Before long, Zhang He emerged victorious.
"Next match: Lin Xuan versus Lin Shiyun!" Zhang Ping announced again.
Swish! The crowd's gaze instantly shifted to Lin Xuan on the viewing platform, tinged with a strange meaning. Lin Xuan and Lin Shiyun were widely recognized as a couple in Qingyu City, having been betrothed early on. No one expected that the second round would pit these two against each other. Many were gleefully curious to see how Lin Xuan would handle it. Soon, the two were on the stage.
"Begin the match!" Zhang Ping declared loudly, watching the two with flickering eyes, waiting for what would happen next.
"I concede!" Lin Shiyun's voice came. Then, the two held hands and left the stage, heading back to the viewing platform. The crowd buzzed with murmurs. This outcome was both unexpected and expected; no one knew what to say. Zhang Ping also showed a helpless expression and announced the result.
"This match, Lin Xuan wins, advancing to the top five! Next match..."
In just over ten minutes, the top five were decided: Lin Xuan, Lin Yun, Zhang He, Wu Qili, and Chen Yu. The Lin family still held the advantage with two members.
"Next match: Zhang He versus Lin Yun!" Zhang Ping announced. The crowd perked up. This was a showdown between two of the original four great geniuses of Qingyu City. It should be far more thrilling than all previous matches. Everyone was eagerly anticipating it.
Soon, the two stepped onto the stage. After Zhang Ping declared the start, they engaged in fierce combat. Both were at the early stage of the Aperture Opening realm, with similar cultivation levels and comparable talent. The battle seemed evenly matched and intensely heated. The crowd watched with rapt attention, not blinking, thoroughly enjoying it. However, Zhang He, originally the foremost of the four great geniuses, had slightly superior talent compared to Lin Yun. Additionally, Lin Xuan's sudden rise had put immense pressure on the City Lord's Mansion, leading to increased resource allocation for Zhang He. This allowed Zhang He to open one more acupoint than Lin Yun. As time passed, the balance began to tip in Zhang He's favor. After twenty minutes, Zhang He blasted Lin Yun off the stage, securing victory. Zhang He officially entered the top three. The field erupted in loud cheers. Zhang Ping, beaming, announced the result. Zhang He's defeat of Lin Yun meant that the Zhang family had regained some ground in their rivalry with the Lin family. Next came the final match involving Lin Xuan. If Zhang He could defeat Lin Xuan, the Zhang family might return to its peak. Zhang He understood this, and while panting heavily, he shot a provocative glance at Lin Xuan.
On the viewing platform, Lin Xuan let out a disdainful snort and ignored him. Such matches held no interest for him; they were merely a means to earn energy points. As for Zhang He's provocation, he paid it no mind. After a few breaths, the field calmed down a bit. Zhang He left the stage, and Lin Yun returned to the viewing platform dejectedly. Zhang Ping continued: "Next match: Lin Xuan versus Wu Qili!"
As his words fell, the field erupted in even louder noise, but it quickly subsided.