Lu Changsheng glanced around the entire Battle Hall.
On the wall of the hall, there was a faint beam of light.
Within the light was the number "100."
It likely represented the 100 disciples participating in the Battle Hall.
"Fifteen minutes, eliminate eighty. If fewer than eighty people are eliminated after fifteen minutes, then everyone will be disqualified!"
A voice echoed throughout the Battle Hall.
"The rules of combat!"
Lu Changsheng’s eyes narrowed slightly.
He immediately understood the intent of this rule.
It was designed to force the disciples in the hall to fight each other.
Forget about trying to preserve yourself.
If someone chose self-preservation, then everyone would end up disqualified together.
Moreover, for the strong, this rule would only push them to act more aggressively.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Lu Changsheng moved.
The surrounding sky seemed to darken.
Vaguely, a pitch-black starry sky could be seen.
Lu Changsheng’s deployment of the Starry Sky Domain was limited in its range.
He controlled its scope carefully, ensuring it wouldn’t affect the True Disciple Xiao Jian.
To avoid provoking Xiao Jian into action.
As expected, Xiao Jian seemed quite "self-aware."
Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he remained motionless.
No one dared to approach him either.
Lu Changsheng understood that disciples like Xiao Jian—a True Disciple—could pass the combat stage simply by "lying low."
Just how far Xiao Jian could "lie low," Lu Changsheng had no idea.
After all, this was Lu Changsheng’s first time participating in the combat stage.
Lu Changsheng immediately layered four levels of Divine Power.
After all, in a chaotic battle, anything could happen; safety must come first.
Lu Changsheng drew his blade.
Crimson blade arcs filled the air, dancing wildly.
Whenever one descended, someone’s Divine Power would be shattered, or their arm or leg would be severed.
Every crimson blade arc came with the disqualification of a martial artist.
Some of them had even gathered three layers of Divine Power, but it was useless—they couldn’t withstand even one strike from Lu Changsheng.
"Terrifying. Is this the power of Lu Changsheng? Layering four levels of Divine Power, it’s said to unleash the power of 10,000 cauldrons. Who among the Divine Astral Realm martial artists can endure it?"
"Avoid Xiao Jian at all costs, and definitely stay away from Lu Changsheng. These two should never be provoked lightly."
"Is this the power of an Inner Sect seed disciple?"
At that moment, many people proactively distanced themselves from Lu Changsheng.
Meanwhile, the number on the wall changed rapidly.
From 100, it quickly plummeted to 80, 70, 60, 50...
Once it fell to 50, the pace of decline slowed significantly.
After all, with half of the participants eliminated, most of the weaker ones had already been removed.
The remaining contestants were either cunning or experts.
Among them, there was one lucky individual—or rather someone adept at concealment.
For example, Lu Changsheng noticed an Outer Sect disciple, merely a Divine Power Realm martial artist, who had managed to remain unharmed thus far.
However, with thirty more eliminations required, no matter how skilled at hiding, it was unlikely the individual could escape disqualification.
Sure enough, once the number of participants dropped to thirty, that Divine Power Realm disciple was eliminated.
Throughout the entire round, Xiao Jian hadn’t made a move.
He appeared to be simply watching the show.
Being able to "lie low" through the first round wasn’t something that left others envious.
Xiao Jian staying inactive was for the best.
If Xiao Jian acted, then everyone would face danger.
The number continued its steady decrease.
Lu Changsheng also defeated two resilient opponents.
Each of them had even evolved their own Domains.
Of course, evolving a Domain and condensing two or three layers of Divine Power still wasn’t enough to counter Lu Changsheng’s power of 10,000 cauldrons.
Before long, the number dropped to just twenty participants.
The first round of eliminations was over.
"The first round of eliminations is complete. The second round begins now."
Beams of light descended, enveloping everyone.
"Within each beam of light, there is a number."
"Participants with the same number must fight each other. The victor progresses to the next round."
Lu Changsheng’s heart tightened.
The second round was particularly critical.
Defeat an opponent here, and you would enter the top ten.
At the very least, you’d earn 5,000 Contribution Points—not a loss.
Lu Changsheng glanced at his own number: "8."
He raised his head and scanned the area.
He quickly identified his opponent.
It was a Divine Astral Realm martial artist. Google seaʀᴄh ɴoᴠel Fɪre.nᴇt
Still, the crowd was most interested in knowing who would face Xiao Jian.
Soon, they saw a martial artist whose face had turned grim.
His number matched Xiao Jian’s.
He would have to face Xiao Jian.
That disciple didn’t even muster the courage to fight and immediately admitted defeat.
Lu Changsheng’s opponent didn’t look any more confident.
Clearly familiar with Lu Changsheng, he took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Senior Brother Lu’s strength is undeniable, but I wish to test myself against you."
Without any wasted words, Lu Changsheng unleashed a strike.
Lu Changsheng’s power of 10,000 cauldrons struck the opponent’s two layers of Divine Power.
The Divine Power shattered.
Lu Changsheng sliced off the opponent’s arm with a single strike.
The disciple’s face darkened.
He was an Inner Sect disciple, even one of the elite.
Yet, he wasn’t a seed disciple.
Now it was evident just how vast the gap between him and a seed disciple truly was.
Soon, only ten participants were left in the Battle Hall.
"The second round of eliminations is complete. Here are the rules for the third round."
"Xiao Jian alone will face the other nine remaining participants."
"The nine will act jointly, without distinctions of rank, with placements determined by their performances during the battle."
"The last one standing will claim first place!"
Lu Changsheng’s eyes narrowed sharply upon hearing the third round’s rules.
This was a direct confrontation with Xiao Jian.
And it involved nine Divine Astral Realm martial artists teaming up against a True Disciple.