Liu Zixuan's face turned ashen as he practically squeezed out the words through gritted teeth: "First place in this assessment goes to Liu Yichen! Thirty-six clovers!"
The crowd instantly erupted, with questioning voices and curses rising and falling like surging waves.
Liu Yichen's ears were filled with those sharp voices. Someone shouted, "Impossible! He must have cheated!" The voice was high-pitched and piercing, as if trying to burst his eardrums. Others spoke with sarcastic tones: "Well, well, some people really know how to hide their talents. Playing the useless one before, and suddenly becoming a genius now - truly eye-opening." The tone was full of mockery and disdain, making it particularly grating to Liu Yichen's ears.
Liu Yichen remained calm, as if detached from it all.
He slowly surveyed his surroundings, his eyes scanning everyone's expressions like a scanner - faces twisted with anger, contemptuous sneers, and dubious looks. A barely noticeable smile curved his lips.
He could feel the doubts and curses rushing toward him like a gust of wind, but to him, they were merely nutrients to increase his cultivation power.
The "Mystic Spirit System" cheerfully announced in his mind: Anger Points +55, +124, +42, +214...
Those announcements rang crisp and clear in his mind.
At the back of the crowd, Feng Qingyang stood with his hands behind his back, his sharp gaze fixed firmly on Liu Yichen like two gleaming swords.
He frowned slightly, pondering: What's this kid's background?
At this moment, an elder beside him gently touched his arm and asked in a low voice, "Brother Feng, do you think this Liu Yichen has some special background?" Feng Qingyang turned his head slightly and responded softly, "I can't tell yet, but this youth is definitely not ordinary." Several young disciples nearby who heard their conversation showed curious expressions in their eyes, exchanging glances as if trying to guess Liu Yichen's identity.
"Silence!" Liu Zixuan's angry roar exploded like thunder among the crowd, barely suppressing the clamorous crowd.
Some timid disciples shrank slightly, while those who were still making noise quickly shut their mouths.
"Next, we'll proceed with the third test - combat practice!"
Upon these words, the previously noisy scene fell completely silent, followed by a wave of excitement sweeping through.
The crowd flexed their muscles, and Liu Yichen could hear the slight cracking of knuckles as fists clenched, along with people's eager, rapid breathing.
Several passionate young disciples' faces were flushed red.
A tall, beautiful young woman walked up to Liu Yichen - it was Chen Zijia.
She cast a contemptuous glance at Liu Yichen, her gaze shooting over like a cold arrow, and sneered, "Liu Yichen, you'd better pray you don't meet me in the first round, otherwise, I'll show you what real strength is!" Her voice seemed to emerge from an ice cellar, carrying a hint of frost.
A female companion standing behind Chen Zijia tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Zijia, this Liu Yichen seems not to be underestimated." Chen Zijia snorted and said, "He just got lucky." Among the disciples who heard the conversation, some looked worriedly at Liu Yichen, while others wore expressions of anticipation for the show.
Before her words faded, a burly man also approached - it was Ding Haitao.
He said in a muffled voice, "Kid, if you're smart, you'll forfeit now, save yourself from embarrassment on stage." His voice was deep and carried pressure, like a boulder pressing on Liu Yichen's heart.
Ding Haitao's followers chimed in from behind: "That's right, when Brother Haitao steps up, you'd better surrender quickly." They wore arrogant expressions, causing some timid disciples nearby to step back fearfully, while others who disliked their behavior frowned.
Liu Yichen gave a light laugh and slowly said, "I'll be waiting..." His voice was calm and firm, without a trace of fear.
Some neutral disciples who heard Liu Yichen's response showed a hint of appreciation in their eyes.
When the elimination tournament tags were distributed, Liu Yichen glanced casually and found he had drawn a bye.
The crowd erupted in chaos again, with some eyes flashing with envy, some faces twisted with jealousy, and more suspicious glances that made Liu Yichen uncomfortable, like thorns in his back.
Liu Yichen's lips curved slightly - this luck was really not bad.
He leisurely walked to the side, his footsteps making slight sounds on the ground.
At this time, a young disciple ran over to him and said, "Brother Liu, your luck really makes people jealous." Liu Yichen just smiled without responding.
Seeing Liu Yichen's reaction, some nearby disciples whispered that he was very composed, while others thought he was just putting on airs.
He watched others' matches.
The first to go up was a youth at the fifth level of the Star Observation Realm, and his opponent was a young woman at the fourth level.
The young man's moves were fierce and lethal. Liu Yichen could see his techniques carrying a biting wind sound. The young woman was clearly no match and was quickly defeated.
After she came down, her friends hurried to comfort her, softly saying, "Don't be discouraged, there will be other chances." Her friend's face was full of concern, and other female disciples gathered around, offering words of comfort, some even handing over handkerchiefs.
Among the male disciples watching the match, some showed regretful expressions, while others discussed the young man's techniques.
When it was Liu Yichen's turn, his opponent was a small-framed youth named Li Yuan.
Seeing Liu Yichen, Li Yuan cupped his hands and said, "Brother Liu, I forfeit." Though slightly surprised, Liu Yichen didn't insist and returned the gesture: "I accept your concession." Liu Yichen patted Li Yuan's shoulder and smiled, "Brother Li, why did you make this choice?" Li Yuan sighed and said, "I know I'm no match for Brother Liu's strength, why seek humiliation?" Hearing their conversation, some surrounding disciples nodded in understanding, while others thought Li Yuan was too timid.
Next came Chen Zijia's match.
Her opponent was a youth at the sixth level of the Star Observation Realm. Though his strength was considerable, he ultimately fell to Chen Zijia's fierce attacks.
As Chen Zijia walked down from the arena, the youth said to her, "Miss Chen is truly formidable, I admit defeat." Chen Zijia merely nodded slightly before turning her gaze toward Liu Yichen again.
Among the spectators, some applauded Chen Zijia's victory, while others whispered about the next round's match between Liu Yichen and Chen Zijia.
Chen Zijia proudly surveyed the scene, her gaze finally landing on Liu Yichen with a hint of challenge: "Liu Yichen, it's your turn."
Liu Yichen slowly walked onto the arena, each step making a slight sound, and stood facing Chen Zijia.
Chen Zijia sneered, "I thought you would keep hiding."
Liu Yichen calmly replied, "Dealing with you doesn't require hiding."
Chen Zijia's face darkened, and with a shout, she attacked Liu Yichen.
Her moves were sharp and swift, carrying a biting chill. Liu Yichen could even feel the cold air rushing toward his face.
He nimbly wove through Chen Zijia's fierce attacks, inwardly sneering: 'With just this much ability, you dare act arrogant before me?' His eyes were fixed on Chen Zijia's movements, his ears listening to the wind from her techniques, his body constantly dodging while looking for opportunities to counterattack.
The spectators below watched tensely, some clenching their fists, some holding their breath, while some elders narrowed their eyes, carefully observing both fighters' techniques.
"Is this all you've got?" Liu Yichen's tone carried a hint of mockery.
Hearing this, Chen Zijia grew furious and attacked more fiercely.
However, all her attacks were neutralized by Liu Yichen.
Suddenly, Liu Yichen seized an opening and struck Chen Zijia's wrist with his palm.
"Crack!" A crisp sound rang out, particularly clear in the quiet arena. Chen Zijia's wrist fractured, and the intense pain made her face turn pale instantly. Her eyes widened in disbelief - she couldn't fathom how her fierce attacks could be so easily neutralized and countered by Liu Yichen.
At this moment, one of her friends called anxiously from below: "Zijia, are you alright!" The voice was full of worry and urgency. The female disciples nearby also showed concerned expressions, while some female disciples who had conflicts with Chen Zijia secretly smiled.
Some male disciples were amazed at Liu Yichen's strength, while others felt sorry for Chen Zijia's defeat.
"You..." Chen Zijia looked at Liu Yichen in disbelief.
Liu Yichen ignored her shock and turned to walk down from the arena, his steps firm and steady.
Some disciples watched Liu Yichen's retreating figure.
After several rounds of intense matches, the top four were finally determined: Liu Yichen, Ai Xiarou, Ding Haitao, and another youth named Zhao Lei.
In the following ranking matches, Liu Yichen's first opponent was Ai Xiarou.
Looking at the petite and lovely young woman before him, Liu Yichen found her name quite interesting.
"Ai Xiarou... Little Rou? This name is quite cute," he thought to himself.
"Miss Ai, your name is quite interesting," Liu Yichen said with a smile.
Ai Xiarou was slightly startled, then her pretty face reddened, and she said somewhat shyly, "Young Master Liu flatters me." A female disciple nearby nudged Ai Xiarou and teased, "Xiarou, Young Master Liu seems quite interested in you." Ai Xiarou gave that female disciple a reproachful look, and the surrounding female disciples all laughed, their laughter carrying a hint of suggestiveness.
Seeing this scene, some male disciples showed envious expressions, while others looked disdainful.
"How about this - I find your name interesting, so I'll give you three moves. What do you say?" Liu Yichen said with interest.
Ai Xiarou was first stunned, then...
Ai Xiarou took a deep breath and slowly raised her right hand...
Ai Xiarou's delicate hand rose, and instantly a biting cold spread out. The temperature on the arena plummeted. Liu Yichen could feel the cold like countless ice needles piercing his body, and even the air had condensed a thin layer of frost.
He could see his breath turning into white mist.
She let out a shout, her form light as a swallow, and struck out with her palm. The palm wind carried an icy chill, heading straight for Liu Yichen's face.
Liu Yichen's form shifted slightly, easily dodging this palm strike.
The cold qi brushed past him, bringing a bone-chilling cold that made him shiver. The cold seemed to want to penetrate his clothes and seep into his bones.
The spectators around the arena clearly saw that where the palm wind passed, it left a clear ice mark on the ground, causing them to draw in sharp breaths. The sound of inhaling was particularly noticeable in the cold air.
At this moment, a spectator exclaimed, "This Ai Xiarou may look delicate, but her strength is not to be underestimated!" People around nodded in agreement, and some timid spectators even stepped back, afraid of being affected by the cold qi.
Some young disciples' eyes sparkled with admiration for Ai Xiarou.
Ai Xiarou's second move followed immediately. She brought her five fingers together to form a hand blade, chopping toward Liu Yichen's chest.
The biting cold qi condensed into a sharp blade light, coming with a sharp whistling sound through the air, as if wanting to split Liu Yichen in two.
Liu Yichen leaned back, barely dodging this strike.
The blade light brushed past the tip of his nose, and he could even feel the coldness on the blade edge, making his nose tip sting.
Among the surrounding spectators, some cried out in surprise, some widened their eyes, their faces full of shock.
Some elders nodded slightly, showing approval of Ai Xiarou's techniques.
"Third move!" Ai Xiarou shouted, her form spinning, bringing up a cold wind, both palms striking out like a storm toward Liu Yichen.
Liu Yichen's footwork was nimble, moving through the dense palm shadows as if taking a casual stroll, neutralizing all of Ai Xiarou's attacks one by one.
The surrounding spectators watched dizzily, some with mouths agape, some quietly discussing just how strong Liu Yichen really was.
Some young disciples looked at Liu Yichen with faces full of admiration.
Below the stage, Ding Haitao clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his flesh. He watched Ai Xiarou on stage with her sweet smile, burning with jealousy.
Zhao Lei beside him saw his state and shook his head helplessly, saying, "Brother Haitao, you're only making yourself suffer like this." But Ding Haitao ignored him, grinding his teeth and saying, "Damn Liu Yichen, how dare he toy with Xiarou like this!" His teeth grinding was clearly audible in the quiet arena below.
Some disciples who were friendly with Ding Haitao wanted to comfort him but didn't know what to say.
Some disciples who disliked Ding Haitao secretly sneered.
"Hmph, even if Xiarou can't win, it's not for this kid to be so frivolous!" Ding Haitao snorted angrily, his snort full of anger and dissatisfaction.
Hearing Ding Haitao's words, some female disciples frowned, thinking he was too emotional, while others looked at him sympathetically.
On the arena, Ai Xiarou's pretty face reddened slightly, and she said somewhat shyly, "Young Master Liu, three moves have passed. Now, Xiarou must get serious!"
Liu Yichen smiled slightly and cupped his hands, saying, "Miss Ai, please proceed."
Ai Xiarou took a deep breath, slowly raising both hands. A powerful cold qi gathered around her, and the temperature in the air dropped again. Even the spectators around the arena felt a chill coming over them.
They all hugged themselves tightly, trying to ward off the cold, their bodies involuntarily shivering.
At this time, a child in the crowd called out, "It's so cold, big sister is amazing!" Adults nearby quickly hugged their children tighter, while some elderly people marveled at how Ai Xiarou had such strength at such a young age.
She called out lightly, "Frost Cold Rainbow!"
A dazzling white light burst forth from her hands, transforming into a huge ice rainbow, carrying a heaven-destroying earth-shattering momentum, sweeping toward Liu Yichen...
Liu Yichen's gaze focused, feeling this powerful force. His lips curved slightly upward as he said softly, "This is interesting..."