After being jilted by the saintess at the beginning, why is she crying?

"The final rankings will be determined seven days from now based on the number of wins!"

"Did you all understand?"

"Understood!" everyone responded in unison.

Lin Fengmian stood in the crowd, easily understanding the rules, a slight smile playing on his lips.

This kind of competition, which relies purely on strength and endurance, is perfect for a contestant like him with an abnormally high level of spiritual energy reserves.

He possesses five spiritual roots, and his total spiritual power is several times that of others of the same level.

In addition to the physique of a second-tier body cultivator, and the enhancement of the magnificent sword energy Gu...

He can handle it even if it's for a month, let alone seven days!

But he soon realized that countless unfriendly gazes were fixed on him.

Jian Tianyi stood not far away, coldly watching him, his eyes full of hostility:

"Lin Fengmian, don't think you've got the win in the first round just because you got the top spot. Pray you don't run into me later!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached the ears of everyone present clearly.

The surrounding Heavenly Sword Sect disciples echoed this sentiment, letting out bursts of sneers.

Xiong Zhenyue rubbed his hands together, eager to try, his large, bell-like eyes fixed on Lin Fengmian as if he were looking at prey.

The monk Guangzhi of Jingang Temple clasped his hands together, a smile on his face, yet his words carried a sharp edge:

"Amitabha! Benefactor Lin is truly blessed with good fortune. This humble monk is extremely envious."

Yan Yichen, Li Yuhun, and the others all had unfriendly gazes and were eyeing them menacingly.

What Lin Fengmian cared about most was a figure in the stands.

It was a young man with a sinister face, dressed in white, with a feminine air, who was smiling at him.

Empty!

Unexpectedly, even the Kong family came to join in the fun.

A cold glint flashed in Lin Fengmian's eyes.

Kongkong'er! It's all your fault that my wife, Li'er, was forced to return to the spirit world!

I must settle this score with you all.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the murderous intent in his heart.

Now is not the time.

But it happened very soon.

For a time, Lin Fengmian seemed to become the target of public criticism.

All the contestants' eyes, filled with hostility and provocation, were focused on him.

however--

Lin Fengmian was not afraid at all; instead, he revealed a playful smile.

This is getting interesting.

Looks like I can't hide anymore today!

Since we can't avoid it, then—

beat!

Beat them until they submit!

……

Amidst much anticipation, the lottery ceremony officially began.

The Seventh Prince, Yan Jiuxiao, personally supervised the process to ensure fairness and impartiality.

"The top ten players will become the first-round champions! The rest will challenge the champions in the order drawn!"

A huge divination tube was carried onto a high platform, containing jade tablets inscribed with numbers.

The participants took turns drawing lots.

Seeing Lin Fengmian preparing to draw lots, Honglian couldn't help but take a few steps closer and softly remind him:

"Lin Fengmian, we've already achieved good results in the first round, so there's no need to push ourselves too hard in the second. If you encounter any danger, be sure to concede defeat promptly."

The concern in her tone was obvious.

Lin Fengmian felt a warmth in his heart and cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Martial Uncle."

Honglian then realized that she had been too obvious, and quickly turned to the other disciples, clearing her throat lightly:

"You too, do not be reckless. The sect ranking is important, but your lives are more important."

"Yes, Uncle-Master!"

The disciples responded in unison.

Honglian nodded, took a few steps back, but her gaze involuntarily fell on Lin Fengmian again.

That little devil...

Please, please don't let anything happen.

……

When it was Lin Fengmian's turn to draw lots, he reached into the lot tube and casually picked out a jade tablet.

Turn it over and look—

"Nine".

Number nine!

Lin Fengmian was slightly taken aback.

The champion of number nine?

This means he has to defend from the start to the end!

Because the top ten picks are for the first-round champions, while the ninth pick means that his ring number is later, there are many challengers, and he has almost no rest time.

Lin Fengmian gave a helpless wry smile: "This luck... it seems we'll have to fight from beginning to end."

If you draw a later lot, you might be able to catch your breath.

However, upon further reflection—

His spiritual power is comparable to that of a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, so what does it matter if he fights a series of battles?

Let's fight!

Who is afraid of who?

……

Among the other nine champions, there are several familiar faces.

Arena Number One: Monk Guangzhi of Vajra Temple.

This person was born with a body cultivated through physical training, possessing skin of copper and bones of iron, and is least afraid of prolonged battles.

Arena Number Three: Xiong Zhenyue of Beast Taming Mountain.

This person was accompanied by a fierce-looking spirit beast. The two worked together seamlessly and were extremely difficult to deal with.

Arena Number Five: Jian Tianyi of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

This person has an extremely high talent for swordsmanship, and his Heavenly Sword Technique is superb. He is a strong favorite to win the championship.

Arena Number Seven: Yan Yichen of the Netherworld Palace.

This person is elusive and skilled in assassination, making him impossible to guard against.

Arena No. 8: Li Yuhun of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

This person becomes increasingly fierce in battle and is extremely difficult to deal with.

Arena No. 9: Lin Fengmian.

The dark horse of the Hehuan Sect, topping the individual points leaderboard in the first round.

Arena Number Ten: A mysterious cultivator from the Loose Cultivator Alliance, wearing a bamboo hat, obscuring his face.

……

After the draw, the order of challengers was also determined.

Lin Fengmian's first opponent was the thirty-second disciple of Beast Taming Mountain.

A burly man with a rugged face and a robust build, at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment.

When he learned that his opponent was Lin Fengmian, he was first stunned, then burst into laughter:

"Hahaha! Lin Fengmian, that pretty boy, will show his true colors in the very first round!"

The surrounding disciples of Beast Taming Mountain echoed their sentiments, bursting into laughter.

"Exactly! What real skills could a good-for-nothing who climbed the ladder by relying on women possibly have?"

"Senior brother, please don't go too far and kill her. The female cultivators of the Joyful Union Sect will be heartbroken!"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

The laughter was grating.

Lin Fengmian remained calm, as if he hadn't heard anything.

He simply stood quietly on the number nine arena, hands behind his back, his blue robe swaying gently in the wind.

"Disciple of Beast Taming Mountain, please enlighten me." The burly man jumped onto the arena, clasped his hands in greeting, but his eyes were full of contempt.

Lin Fengmian nodded slightly: "Please."

"Summon spirit beast!"

The burly man shouted, his hands forming a hand seal, and the spirit beast pouch at his waist suddenly lit up!

A dark figure darted out from within and landed beside him—

It was a giant wolf, entirely black, the size of a calf, with protruding fangs, bloodshot eyes, and an aura of ferocity.

Second-tier spirit beast!

A gasp of surprise immediately erupted from the audience.

"A second-tier spirit beast! The disciples of Beast Taming Mountain truly live up to their reputation!"

"One man and one beast, two against one, Lin Fengmian is finished!"

"Tsk tsk, are they going to be eliminated in the first round?"

The burly man looked at Lin Fengmian and laughed smugly:

"Lin Fengmian, my spirit beast is a second-tier cultivator, equivalent to a Foundation Establishment cultivator! If you know what's good for you, admit defeat to avoid physical harm!"

Lin Fengmian looked at the giant wolf, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Second-tier spirit beast?

interesting.

He flexed his wrist and said calmly:

"bring it on."

The burly man's face darkened: "You won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences!"

With a wave of his hand, the giant wolf pounced out, its blood-red maw opening wide as it lunged at Lin Fengmian!