"Alright, every participant is to take a lot from the ballot box. Each round will have two people taking the same number. And am sure we all know the normal way around it, those with the same number will have a go at each other." Instructor Relis voice tore through the atmosphere, before he further added with a light smile.
"Also for each and every round, there will be a special lot, one which gives one the unique advantage of being able to immediately advance to the next round without participating in the previous round. It's none other than the bye lot; also known as the blank card due to the fact that it has no number on it."
"Interesting, but won't this be an advantage to some weaklings." Lin Feng muttered with a light smile.
"Nah it wouldn't. After all no matter how great the weakling's luck is. At the end of the day he or she would still have to face another participant. It would now depend on the strength of the weakling to either come out victorious or come out as the loser just as expected." Fenix replied with a cold look on his face.
Almost as though he couldn't care less about the black card. Meanwhile while some people were hoping to gain the blank card, others, notably: Western Haven, Fenix, Lin Feng and some others were hoping otherwise.
After all, should their luck be so great to the extent whereby they were easily able to gain blank cards, then how could they hope to compete with others, how could they battle with other Geniuses. How could they make their worthiness be known to the Profound Martial House.
"Alright, all participants are required to pick their cards now." Instructor Relis gave the order, with a light smile on his face.
And immediately every one slowly moved and each picked their cards, one after the other. The hundreds upon hundreds of cards were slowly being taken...
"Number three." Fenix muttered while glancing at the card held within his grasp.
"Wonder who I am facing." He further added with a wide grin that parted his lips."
"Ooh... Blank card...Interesting." The voice came from none other than Lin Feng who could be seen checking the card thoroughly, almost as though he couldn't believe it.
"What did you say." Fenix asked while glancing at Lin Feng who was still glancing at the card held within his grasp.
"Nothing really much. Just that it seems even the gods are aware of my overpowered strength, and so they don't want me to participate in the first round." Lin Feng replied with a wide smile.
"Hmph... Just say you got the blank card. Which one is the gods are aware of your petty strength." Fenix snapped back, before glancing at the Combat Arena, where the first match of the first round was about to take place.
"The first battle of the first round of the combat trial shall now begin. And our darling combatants are none other than: Western Haven VS Shen Zi." Instructor Relis announced as Western Haven immediately got onto the battle arena.
Immediately followed by a kid with dark pupil, long brown hair and a stout expression.
He was none other than Shen Zi; the progidy with a high 4th grade talent.
Shen Zi couldn't help but be filled with hatred and anger towards Western Haven. After all if not for Western Haven; he would have been basking in the glory and praise of everyone.
One had to know, a high 4th grade talent might not be seen amongst tens of thousands of people. That just showed how terrific his talent is when looked at from a kingdom's perspective.
But the appearance of Western Haven spoilt everything for him. As they say wherever two or more Geniuses emerge from, only one shall bask in the full glory. Only one shall receive the adoration, praise and... Only one shall receive the reverence from others.
And who is that of course... It's none other than the most talented.
Shen Zi clenched his fist as instructor Relis voice immediately tore through the tensed atmosphere.
"This battle, am sure is one which everyone is looking forward to. A battle between two of the three most talented participants. A battle between a genius with a high fourth grade talent and that of a genius with a high 5th grade talent. I look forward to see who the winner will be, and am sure we all look forward to see the true genius among various Geniuses. Don't we!!! "
" Yes, we do!!! " The voice boomed out of the mouth of hundreds of participants.
As a wide smile spread across Instructor Relis face, before he further added.
" Alright then, without any further ado. Let the battle begin!! "
And immediately after he said that...
Shen Zi almost as though had been waiting for this moment since his entire life, immediately dashed forward. Appearing before Western Haven.
He threw out a ferocious punch, his entire arms bulged out intensely as the air shook crazily in a frenzied manner.
Western Haven had a narrowed pupil.
'Although we are both at the high level of the 3rd stage. That doesn't really mean that we both have the same combat prowess. Which means I have no choice but to give it my all.'
Western Haven immediately moved, he took two sidesteps. Successfully avoiding the puncn thrown out by Shen Zi. But what followed next was a barrage of attack.
Punches... Kicks... Jab.. Just name them.
Shen Zi was truly going all out, true essence erupted forth from his body continously. His whole body radiated immense pressure as he punched and smashed...
Western Haven in such a situation had no other choice other than to continously retreat... And block.
So far... It seems Shen Zi was dominating Western Haven.
"Wooooow." The voice erupted from the other participants.
Shock and surprise evident on their face. They hadn't expected such a thing. And all had the believe and notion that Western Haven would immediately secure the win.
After all how could a high fourth grade talent hope to compare with a high 5th grade talent.
That was practically unheard of, it seemed no more than a fantasy, a myth!!
But such was happening in front of them right now, it was like seeing a fairy tale come true before one's very own eyes.
The thrill, the excitement was nothing short of indescribable...
"Interesting, who do you think will win." Lin Feng said with a light smile.
Fenix had a narrowed pupil.
"Of course it's Western Haven." Fenix replied with utmost confidence.
"OH, and why do you say that." Lin Feng asked while glancing at Fenix.
"Simple. Western Haven is more talented. In fact, the gap between them isn't something that can be breached. Not to even talk of the fact that Western Haven surpassed him in the combat trial. Western Haven's only mistake is not taking the fight to Shen Zi, allowing Shen Zi to gain the upper hand and continously press against him." Fenix said with a cold look on his face before he further added with a wild grin on his face.
"But that would soon change."
"Oh, so what you're saying is Western Haven is bound to win because he's more talented. But do you think Western Haven can beat both of us." Lin Feng questioned while fondling with the blank card held within his grasps...
"Of course not." Fenix immediately replied with a wry smile.
"And why is that, I thought you said he's more talented so he would win..."
"Cough, Cough...Because we are different." Fenix finally found his way out of his backed situation.
"If you say so." Lin Feng said with a light smile before he further added.
"After all I have always had this knack that I am very special. Sigh... Seems that someone finally understands me..."
'Hmph... What a narcissist.'
They were both suddenly interrupted by a loud defeating explosion.
Glancing at the Battle Arena.
One could see Shen Zi on the ground with Western Haven's knee against his head as he dragged Shen Zi's hands backward with a slight use of force... One not too strong and not too weak either.
"Do you concede." Western Haven's voice echoed out.
Shen Zi gritted his teeth in anger. He couldn't understand how Western Haven suddenly parried his attack and the next thing, before he could even realize what was going on. He found himself on the ground, in a pinned position.
"Aargh... Never.. Never, I will never concede." Shen Zi roared out in anger and in defiance.
"Fine by me." Western Haven replied with a light smile, his knee smashing against Shen Zi's back.
A strike just enough to weaken Shen Zi.
And immediately after that, he raised Shen Zi up onto his feet, before he delivered a fast and devastating kick against Shen Zi's stomach.
Booooom!!!!!
Shen Zi was sent smashing into the distance, flying out of the battle Arena as disgusting spit poured out of his mouth before he landed onto the ground with a loud thud.
Unwillingness in his eyes, anger obvious from his clenched fist, blood dripped down rapidly from his hands.
'Why!!!! Why!!! Why do I have to lose. Whyyyy!!'
He roared out in defiance in his heart and mind perhaps even from within his soul...
And that was the last thought he had within his mind, as he immediately lost consciousness.
"Shen Zi has been thrown out of the Battle Arena. Therefore the winner of this match is none other than a progidy, a progidy amongst progidy. One that seems bent on proving to everyone just who the true genius is. The winner of this match is none other than a dragon amongst men. The winner of the match is:"
"Western Haven!!!!" The roar boomed out, coming from none other than the crowd.
A light smile escaped Western Haven's lips. Glancing at Fenix, he had a cold look on his face. His hands clenched tightly.
'He was going to prove it to them all. He was going to prove it to people such as Fenix. People who believed talent and strength decided it all. He was going to show them just how it feels to be the weak participant... Just how it feels to be the less talented one!!!'