If blocking a single arrow meant he could confront the real boss, then Cao Yi didn't mind playing the good guy for once. He approached a young martial artist who had just dropped down, took his badge and spoke coldly, "This round is mine, beat it."
As if granted a royal pardon, the young man handed his badge to Cao Yi, bowed his head, bent his body and sprinted out of the combat arena.
Just as the two stewards were about to intervene, they were stopped by Yuan Zun's yell from the stage, "Let them switch."
The purpose of the stage martial artists was to help the defending champion sift out suitable challengers, to block those unfit for combat. To massacre average Mortal Realm martial artists wasn't for amusement, but a warning.