29 You can have this back

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It was the second day for the 2nd part of the Yearly Sect Recruitment, and just like yesterday, the arena was packed with people. There might even be more people came than yesterday since the one's who missed out on yesterday's match also came. When they heard about the commotion that happened before the competition was over, their curiosity was peaked and decided not miss out today.

The merchants found this tournament to be a massive chance to earn money so they asked for permission to set up some stall near the arena, and since the city lord was aiming to divert their attention somewhere else and cure their anxiousness, he agreed upon this causing a bright atmosphere to descend in the whole city.

On the audience, some important people came as well, aside from wanting to know their offspring's results, they are also here to scout on some potential guests or maybe even in-law's from the contestants. It had to be known that most of the people who are competing today are already considered as an Outer Disciple of their chosen sect, marrying their daughters to someone like them could be a huge chance for them raise their statuses and earn riches.

The contestants came one by one and that included Sieg, he already threw the matter of yesterday at the back of his mind, he spent time thinking which sect he should choose. Well, his choices are already narrowed by two, it's either the Millenium Star Sect or Freezing Sky Sect since both of these sects hailed from Nameless Peak Holy Land. He already decided to go according to Old Pete's suggestions, he was also very curious on going to the 'Order of Scribes' so he chose the Nameless Peak Holy Land as his target. He was only worrying on which sect he should go.

From his peripheral vision, he saw many eyes looking at him and was followed by whispers. They probably heard what happened yesterday and some people might've already knew his face. They weren't bothering him so he decided to let them gossip about him, he calmly stepped inside the resting area and sat down while waiting for further announcements.

The people who came earlier than him recognized him and threw curious gaze on him but that's all. Although he surprised them yesterday with the way he fought, they weren't very impressed by that cause they were thinking that if they were on his place, they could've done the same thing as well. These might sound arrogant and all but it is one of the ways they can maintain calmness and confidence towards themselves. The competition today would be tough, it is the battle for the top rankings already, they don't want to give up this chance just because they were scared and got intimidated by their enemies.

A loud footstep could be heard inside the resting area. The one who caused that was none other than the announcer from yesterday, and just like before, he was holding an apparatus that would pick two random badge numbers to select who's facing who.

"Attention everyone! I will now be drawing numbers to see who will be matched, please gather your attention towards the screen in front of you." The announcer said and suddenly the apparatus on his hand emitted a bright light, numbers flashed repeatedly, the contestants heart tightened as they stared towards the apparatus, they were wishing to be faced into a weak opponent so that they could move higher towards the top 10. While they were waiting for the numbers to be picked the announcer took the chance to explain how the match is going to work.

"Each of you, except for one, would have a match today. Since there is 25 of you here, one of you would be considered as a 'Wild Card', and would automatically passe this round, however he/she would be matched by the person who would claim 1st place in this round, which would be decided by how fast the match went, surrendering doesn't count. If the 'Wild Card' won the match against this round's 1st place, then they will move on next round and will be placed first on this round, his/her opponent would automatically claim 2nd place, if the 'Wild Card' was defeated, then he/she would automatically be placed on the last place for this round's rankings. You are not allowed to kill or cripple anyone understood?"

All of the contestants nodded in understanding, this style is a fresh idea for them and some were even hoping to be the Wild Card.

"Number 19 and Number 80 would be matched, our Wild Card is Number 65! Please go towards the arena if it is your match, the Wild Card could relax and wait for their turn."

Hearing this, everybody's gaze searched for the lucky person who was considered to be the Wild Card. The owner of badge number 65 was the body cultivator who finished his match in a fierce manner yesterday. And since the contestants are already gathering as much information towards their opponents already, they already knew this person's name.

He is Ye Han, little brother of Ye Qiu who's now a disciple of Godly Altar Sect's main branch. These people thought that him being the Wild Card is just fitting.

Sieg stood up and walked towards the arena since he was the badge owner of number 80, gazes followed them when they were walking away. The crowd also started placing some bets and the atmosphere is getting livelier now. The top 13 ranking battles is already starting.

The referee showed up and announced: "Match Start!"

Sieg didn't make any moves, he gazed at his opponent and sized him up his facial expression blanked out. The other party was holding a spear that was two and half meters long, he was staring at Sieg with ferociousness, then he said:

"Don't think that just because you defeated that scum yesterday, you're already the strongest. Today I would show you-"

"Can you shut up? Why do you guys need to always say some useless shit in battle? Do you know how many times I could've killed you by now?"

The spear wielder was terrified, he wasn't even done with his speech when he suddenly heard Sieg's voice next to him. And before he even knew it, his sheathed blade is already aiming at his neck while Sieg complained about the things he heard.

"H-how! How could you move so fast!" The spear wielder stuttered, he didn't made any movements at all, Sieg didn't gave him any permission to move cause if he did, he would be in a big trouble.

"I'm not fast you're just stupid!" And just like before, he didn't even noticed that Sieg already sent him flying with just a punch. His body hit the barrier and stuck there for quite sometime before slowly sliding down.

"Badge Number 80 wins!" The whole arena clamored, the audience were silent for a second after the referee made an announcement before they exploded in cheering.

"Who is this guy? Any of you know him?"

"No! I don't recall out city having a face like that, he's also not wearing any clan clothing so he must be a foreigner."

"He looks very young but is already this strong!"

"Hmph! His opponent is just an idiot! This is why him and Jiang Chen were defeated by the same guy!"

"Right right! This Li Chen is a complete blockhead that's why he won! If this is a real battle then Li Chen would've already died multiple times."

"I agree!"

....

Heated chatters could be heard from the crowd, there's no doubt that the first match is just the perfect opener for their moods to soar up. Although the match was pretty anti-climactic, it still did a good job on getting the crowds attention, it happened fast too so right now Sieg was on the 1st place in this round, well that is until there's someone who would finish their match faster than him.

Sieg went back to the resting area and he was greeted by shocked gazes, he didn't paid any attention to this and just silently made his way to a corner to meditate. He really didn't use that much Ki in his match so he was just resting for a bit, he planned on watching the other matches as well.

Sieg didn't really made any extravagant moves on the previous match, the only reason why he was strangely appearing in front of people like a ghost is that he was using the 'Walk of Innocence' which blends his presence towards the surroundings. In his opponent's point of view, he was still standing there, but since they already adjusted to his aura and appearance, they would take those for granted, if this happened and Sieg activated the 'Walk of Innocence' it would create an illusion of him still standing there when in fact he already moved.

***

Sieg continued on watching one match after another and the rankings were soon out. He was surprised that no one finished their matches faster than him so he was placed 1st for this round. He didn't let this fact make him think that he's the strongest here since he also saw some matches where people surrendered immediately after they saw who were their opponent is.

"Number 65 and Number 80, please step onto the stage." The announcer called Sieg and Ye han, since he placed 1st, according to the rules, he needed to fight with Ye Han to finish this round.

Upon stepping on stage, the referee started the match and Ye Han moved in a lightning speed manner towards Sieg. Although he was fast, Sieg is faster than him, although he didn't bother to activate the 'Walk of Innocence' this time around, it doesn't mean that he'll lose against Ye Han.

"Vibrating Air Punch!" Ye Han threw a fist and it made a sound like someone fired a cannon nearby. The air vibrated fiercely and screeched towards Sieg. He raised his blade and made one swift motion

"You can have this back." Sieg parried the force Ye Han threw at him back twofolds, this is him using the 2nd stance of Gentle River Stance, the Gentle Wave.

Ye Han's eyes widened, he never expected that someone could have this sort of ability, he crossed his hands around his chest and defended against the attack.

*Pang!* a fierce collision happened, Ye Han's body retreated for a bit before stopping, his arms were trembling because of the vibrations, but he didn't mind since his body could handle these sorts of attacks. He brandished his metal knuckles again and rushed forward to Sieg.

His fists are now covered with reddish glow almost like it was burning, his feet were also glowing the same way, he somersaulted and threw himself to Sieg, his attacks landed making the whole arena shook from every collision.

The crowd's eyes and hearts tightened, this battle is very fierce, they could feel the heaviness of Ye Han strikes since it was creating tremors that reached them, they can't help but to think on what would they do if they were the one who's receiving those strikes.

Ye Han on the other hand is panicking right now. 'How! Even Fierce Beasts who are supposed to be as strong as half-step foundation realm experts, received these strikes of mine would not be able to endure it and stagger backwards! But I can't even make this guy retreat even a step! How could this happen?'

His attacks are getting fiercer yet, Sieg's calmly receiving it, he spent a lot of his Ki already attacking yet Sieg didn't even made any moves at all. If this continued, it would definitely be bad for him.

Ye Han retreated a few steps back and charged up for a powerful last attack. He decided to risk everything in this last strike of his, the air around him rippled and his aura condensed into his fist which was then form a fierce ki energy that was like a ball.

"You know that's a stupid move." Sieg was looking at him indifferently this time, this made Ye Han irritated but he continued charging the energy ball in hands, when he finished, he threw it towards Sieg, but what happened after struck him dumb.

"I told you this is a stupid move, go have this back then." Just like what he did to Ye Han's attack earlier, he sent this wave of energy back to him with twofolds of force.

Seeing the energy ball moving back towards him stronger and faster than before, Ye Han could only smile bitterly before having his body flying towards the arena's barrier.

Right now, the whole stadium is silent.