For the top 1,000 disciples of the Inner Sect, the difficulty of the first round is not significant. As long as luck is not too bad, passing it is completely feasible.
At platform No. 15, where Zhu Hongxue stands, the strongest disciple is Gu Feiyang, who ranks forty-third. His twin palms whip through the air, creating a relentless storm. Any disciple caught by the gusts is brutally thrown off the platform.
Zhu Hongxue deliberately avoids Gu Feiyang’s attacks, only standing aside for defense. Despite her significant progress, she still has a substantial gap compared to Gu Feiyang. Confronting him head-on would undoubtedly result in defeat.
After a dozen breaths, only sixteen disciples remain on platform No. 15. Each of them is strong. As the air undulates, Gu Feiyang steps sideways, rushing toward Zhu Hongxue.
A fierce glint flashes in Gu Feiyang’s eyes as he strikes out a palm seal, faintly sounding like thunder, terrifyingly like a beast awakening.
Attacking Zhu Hongxue was not deliberate but simply because she was the closest to him.
Zhu Hongxue inwardly exclaims. Though the worst she feared has happened, defeating her won’t be that easy for Gu Feiyang.
Stomping the ground forcefully, Zhu Hongxue’s body instantly becomes a streak of light, dashing towards nearby disciples. Her long saber slashes continuously, emitting a myriad of sword aura. The flashes of light that burst forth are like a dazzling radiance shooting outwards, chilling to look at.
Two blood sprays shoot out, and before the two disciples on the platform could react, they were already hit off by Zhu Hongxue’s sword aura. At this moment, Gu Feiyang reaches Zhu Hongxue, striking a palm fiercely, causing thunder to boom. Thunder Element in the air shows signs of gathering.
Reluctantly, Zhu Hongxue grits her teeth and swings her blade. Sharp sword light bursts from her saber, creating sizzling sounds as it slices through the air.
With a fierce grip of his right hand, Gu Feiyang shatters Zhu Hongxue’s sword aura into countless fragments scattering around. Then, Gu Feiyang strikes again with his left palm, with fierce wind dancing, his white robe billowing, hair drifting, and eyes flashing with thunder.
Zhu Hongxue is instantly injured but not severely due to her Earth Level Defense Armor. Using the counterforce, her figure quickly retreats, disappearing from Gu Feiyang’s sight.
The number of disciples on the platform constantly decreases, until only three remain: Gu Feiyang, Zhu Hongxue, and Zhang Zhihe, who ranks over three hundred. Zhu Hongxue lets out a relieved sigh.
"The first round is over!"
As each of the hundred platforms retains only three disciples, Grand Elder Kong Qianren steps forward, his vast presence enveloping all. The venue falls utterly silent, as even just a glance at the Grand Elder feels oppressively heavy.
"Now, disciples from the 101st to 200th group, step onto the platform for the tournament!"
Grand Elder’s calm voice echoes, amplified by Spiritual Power, clearly reaching the ears of every disciple present.
Streams of light dart by. Chu Ming returns to his seat, glancing at Zhu Hongxue, noticing her pale face and disordered Spiritual Power within, indicating severe injuries.
Chu Ming asks with concern.
Zhu Hongxue shakes her head, taking out a Healing Elixir from her Storage Ring to begin recovering her injuries. Chu Ming nods slightly, his gaze shifting towards the hundred platforms.
Upon the hundred platforms, he sees Qi Long, Su Xin, Han Zhen, Ye Chen, and others, each with remarkable presence, emitting overwhelming aura, even manifesting massive waves of Spiritual Power in the air.
"The tournament begins!"
Grand Elder steps forward, speaking in a soft tone.
As his words fall, countless dazzling Martial Techniques bloom in the air, like vibrant fireworks, changing the hue of the atmosphere.
"Everyone down! Hahaha!"
Han Zhen, burly in stature, surrounded by countless blood waves, laughs wildly, waving his hand fiercely. Numerous Heaven and Earth Spirits gather, forming a giant palm seal, sweeping outwards, causing the platform’s Spiritual Power to boil instantly.
Splatter splatter splatter...
Han Zhen’s nickname Blood Madman is well-founded. His incredible prowess makes even casual strikes unstoppable for ordinary disciples, attacking them like a wolf among sheep.
Chu Ming shakes his head, looking towards Qi Long. As a swordsman, Qi Long gently swings his sword, plunging the world into darkness, as if devoid of light. This darkness is not physical but envelops the soul.
With one sword stroke, the world loses light; everything perishes!
Chu Ming’s eyes narrow. Qi Long possesses an Innate Sword Body and has comprehended three types of Sword Intent. Understanding Dark Sword Intent wasn’t surprising to him, curious about the other two Sword Intents he possessed.
Su Xin lives up to his name of Swift Wind. His speed is incredible, so ordinary disciples can’t even see his figure, only feeling a breeze before being knocked off the platform. Chu Ming can barely see Su Xin’s form through his eyes.
As for Ye Chen’s Sea-Overturning Palm, it’s even more remarkable. With a cold demeanor, one palm swing feels like a sea overturning, giving an impression of invincibility. The sheer momentum causes surrounding disciples to spit blood from the pressure, looking extremely miserable.
Among the elders, one gray-robed Elder gently strokes his beard, smiling as he tells Li Daoyuan beside him, "Ye Chen’s Sea-Overturning Palm has reached Mastery level; this time his ranking might advance by a few more positions."
Li Daoyuan, Ye Chen’s mentor, has no actual power within Celestial Travel Sect, yet no one dares to underestimate him, a typical Ascetic.
Hearing this, Li Daoyuan naturally feels delighted inside. The stronger Ye Chen gets, the more honor he receives. However, he modestly replies, "Brother Jiang, you’re exaggerating; Ye Chen still has a long way to go."
Jiang Shang, his friend, is also an Inner Sect Elder of Celestial Travel Sect.
Celestial Travel Sect has terrifying depth; with over three thousand Guiyuan Realm disciples openly known, countless powerful cultivators are secretly in secluded cultivation. They only appear when the sect faces life-or-death threats.
Thundering sounds like roaring thunder, within several breaths, the number of disciples on each platform drastically reduces, with remaining ones fiercely resisting.