Chapter 49: The Final Showdown in the Arena (Requesting Recommendations!)

The second round of the sect’s grand competition’s second arena match featured seventy-five disciples. Wu Tian was lucky enough to draw a bye, so he did not attend the arena that day. The other seventy-four disciples competed, and after the matches, Wu Tian received the news immediately: his junior, Niu Wujie, had won and made it into the top thirty-eight.

From an initial five hundred disciples, only thirty-eight remained, each an elite among elites. Within a single day, they would determine the top ten; these ten would gain direct entry to the headquarters in the Imperial City for advanced cultivation.

At last, the final round of the sect’s grand competition arrived. The decisive battle for the thirty-eight disciples would take place on a massive arena within the Qitian Sect. Surrounding the arena were seats for spectators, reminiscent of a miniature Roman coliseum on Earth.

That morning, the thirty-eight disciples gathered at the arena’s center. Sect Leader Ye stood atop a high platform beside the arena, giving his final address before the decisive battle.

“You thirty-eight are the pride of our Qitian Sect’s Pingyang City branch, the outstanding young generation. Regardless of the outcome, you are all remarkable! However, only ten can enter the headquarters, meaning twenty-eight will be eliminated. This final round differs from previous duels: all thirty-eight will stand together on the arena. Your task is to attack each other; there are no other rules. Whoever admits defeat will be eliminated, until only ten remain—these ten will proceed to the headquarters! Finally, the ten will spar to determine their rankings.”

As Sect Leader Ye finished speaking, a buzz of discussion swept through the venue. Clearly, this method was rare; normally, matches were one-on-one, but now all thirty-eight would compete simultaneously. It promised to be intriguing.

“What a brilliant idea! Wu Tian, you won’t escape my grasp now!” Long Zhan, hearing the competition’s format, was delighted. He’d feared Wu Tian might be eliminated early, but now he could confront him directly.

“Very well, I won’t waste more words. Return to the center of the arena. Once the referee announces the start, you may begin!”

With that, Sect Leader Ye withdrew. Several referees moved to the edge of the arena and signaled the thirty-eight disciples to gather at the center.

“Go, Senior Brother Long! Go!” Hundreds of disciples in the spectator seats erupted in cheers, the loudest for Long Zhan. With his cultivation at the eighth rank of Martial Master, he was already a leader among the younger generation.

Long Zhan raised his arms arrogantly, his gaze filled with disdain for all.

“That guy is so full of himself, acting like he’s invincible. He’s just a frog in a well!” Niu Wujie, standing beside Wu Tian, grumbled.

“Don’t worry about others; focus on yourself. With your fourth-rank Martial Master cultivation, you’re at a disadvantage among the thirty-eight.”

“Boss, as long as I stick with you, I’ll be fine. You wouldn’t want me eliminated, right?”

“Ha! I’d be happy to see you eliminated.”

“All contestants, prepare! I now declare the final round of the Pingyang City Qitian Sect branch’s grand competition officially begins!” At that moment, the referee raised his hand and shouted, dropping his arm in an instant.

A roar erupted throughout the venue.

Yet, none of the thirty-eight standing at the center moved. This was not a one-on-one fight; no one was foolish enough to make the first move and risk being targeted.

“Senior Brother Long, what should we do now?” Long Zhan’s entourage huddled together to strategize.

“Stick together. I’ll take care of that useless Wu Tian first, then help you deal with the rest. We’ll ensure you all advance!” Long Zhan declared confidently.

“Yes, Senior Brother Long, thank you so much. Following you is the path to success!”

“Of course. Senior Brother Long is the strongest among the young generation. Even when we enter headquarters, he’ll stand out. Staying with him is the right choice!”

…

Amid the flattery, Long Zhan strode up to Wu Tian.

“Useless one, you’ve lived up to my expectations, making it to the final battle. You got lucky with a bye in the second round; I was worried you’d get eliminated. Now, my worries are unfounded, and I can thoroughly humiliate you!” Long Zhan grinned at Wu Tian, but his eyes glinted coldly.

“It seems you’re mistaken. I’ll soon disappoint you, as you’ll fall before me! You had a chance to enter headquarters, but you picked a fight with me—that’s overestimating yourself.” Wu Tian dug at his ear, utterly disdainful.

“Ha! Wu Tian, you’re still so arrogant! Even if your cultivation has recovered, I’m now at the eighth rank of Martial Master. No matter how skilled you are, you’re not my match!” Long Zhan laughed, dismissing Wu Tian entirely.

“Stop blabbering. If you’re going to fight, hurry up; I want to finish and have lunch with Xiao Hui!” Wu Tian was growing impatient with the endless talk.

“Hmph! If you’re so eager to be trampled beneath my feet, very well—I’ll oblige! Die!”

The moment the words left his mouth, Long Zhan’s figure vanished from his spot, appearing before Wu Tian in the blink of an eye.

“Look! Long Zhan and Wu Tian are the first to clash!” The audience around the arena grew excited.

“One was once a genius, the other is now the strongest among the young generation. Who will win in the end?”

“I think Long Zhan is stronger. Wu Tian can’t possibly defeat him!”

“You’re right. Wu Tian was crippled; even if he’s recovered, he can’t be that powerful. He’ll definitely lose.”

…

With a sharp whistle, Long Zhan’s sword slashed at Wu Tian, but Wu Tian dodged lightly.

Regaining his stance, Long Zhan eyed Wu Tian with surprise. “Heh, interesting—you managed to avoid my attack. But that was just playing around. Now, I’ll show you my real strength!”

With that, Long Zhan lunged at Wu Tian again.

Meanwhile, the other disciples began brawling, but none interfered with Wu Tian and Long Zhan’s fight; everyone knew Long Zhan was the strongest in the arena, and crossing him meant elimination.

Seeing Long Zhan charging, Wu Tian sneered, pointing to his chest and taunting, “Arrogant fool, come on. If you’ve got the guts, stab me right here!”

“And what if I do? Die, you useless wretch!” Long Zhan, without hesitation, thrust his sword at Wu Tian’s chest.

Everyone watching thought Wu Tian was courting death. Even Sect Leader Ye and Liu Qingxu felt their hearts tighten—was Wu Tian mad to not dodge an attack from an eighth-rank Martial Master?

At the moment Long Zhan’s sword was about to pierce Wu Tian’s chest, a faint blue ripple of energy flashed and enveloped Wu Tian. The sword struck the ripple and bounced back instantly.

With a thunderous crash, Long Zhan flew backward like a cannonball.

PS: Brothers, please vote for recommendations, thank you!