Top Ten

The Northern Prefecture Competition continued with the next round becoming more heated since it would determine those eligible to compete in the capital.

"I hope I get the bye." Bai Ningshuang yawned as she lazily sat on her seat.

"In your dreams. They are not going to follow the same method."

"Master, can you massage my right shoulder? It's a bit sore after what we did last night."

Ji Chen felt the urge to tape his disciple's careless mouth. "Make it clear to avoid misunderstanding. Other people can hear you."

She turned her head and saw the strange glances of Su Yunfei and others. "Master gave me pointers about swordsmanship last night." She said while scoffing these people inwardly. 'Your minds are all dirty. Do you think I'm a cheap lady?'

The others smiled awkwardly at her. They thought to themselves, 'No need to explain. We don't really care even if it's real.'

The venue became more crowded with the arrival of more spectators compared to past days.

After waiting for a whole hour, Governor Cui announced the continuation of the competition and a controversial list.

"The Governor Residence and the entourage of the Thirteenth Prince discussed and managed to create a preliminary list of top ten out of the 13 contestants. The following contestants managed to enter the list: Bai Ningshuang, Mo Zhilang, Huo Zun, Ling Jingjing, Su Peng, Juqar, Xu Kai, Murong Youyou, Tang Ximen, and Purple Jaguar."

"The remaining three contestants will have a priority to issue a challenge once to anyone in the top ten."

"Those in the top fifty that fell in the past rounds and are convinced that they deserve to be in the top ten, you can challenge anyone in the top ten once after the turn of three contestants who have priority."

"After being challenged, if the contestant in the top ten retains the position, they will secure a spot in the top ten and cannot be challenged again by others. If the challenger wins, they can only be challenged by others after two matches passed by. The defeated contestant has no chance to reclaim the spot in the top ten."

"The competition starts now."

A comeback round!

Many defeated contestants had their eyes lit up including Zhong De and Xana who lost to Ling Jingjing and Hesha, respectively. The same could be said to Hesha who had already accepted her defeat.

Ji Chen, on the other hand, felt like hitting a jackpot hearing it. 'Four spots, secured!' The allure of rewards of the system never fails to excite him.

The final round of the Northern Prefecture Competition started with a contestant challenging someone in the preliminary top ten. The contestant's sweeping eyes skipped Bai Ningshuang, Xu Kai, and Ling Jingjing like they never existed among the choices.

Everyone could understand this behavior and even lauded the contestant for his smart thinking.

"Purple Jaguar."

A bulky man wearing a purple beast hide stepped forward and grinned with his shiny crooked teeth.

Among the remaining contestants, this man was the only representative of itinerant cultivators. Thus, the moment his name was called out, raucous cheers erupted from the crowd. The story of an underdog would always be a fatal charisma to the mass.

"Go Brother Jaguar!"

"Raise the flag of freedom in the Northern Capital!"

"Brother, beat that nosy brat!"

"Who wants to bet on our Brother Jaguar?"

Purple Jaguar cracked his knuckles as his carefree and domineering aura swept outward the battle stage.

Ji Chen somehow recalled the past of Long Zhu and as he turned his head towards his friend, just in time to see the reminiscing and yearning in those hawk-like eyes.

"Do you want to travel and adventure again?"

Long Zhu got out of his flashback after hearing Ji Chen. He shook his head and replied, "I will be lying if I say I don't miss it but, we chose to settle with our own sect already."

"That's true. Disciples before ourselves."

"Yes. Kai and your disciple are the ones that should travel and experience the vast outside instead of us."

Purple Jaguar started his reckless assault on the battle stage. Although his art techniques were obviously inferior to his challenger, his combat ability and craftiness compensated for it.

After several clashes, his challenger got defeated after not anticipating his risky move to accept a blow in exchange of a chance to deliver a perfect counterattack.

Purple Jaguar officially secured a spot in the top ten.

His style of fighting greatly reflected his life as an itinerant cultivator. Ji Chen and Long Zhu smiled while witnessing it.

"His style is like yours."

"A blow for a blow. Haha! Only death seekers can do that confidently." Long Zhu laughed loudly.

The second challenger and third challenger also lost their challenges.

This proved the credibility of Governor Residence and entourage of the Thirteenth Prince who chose the preliminary top ten. Their discerning ability to judge contestants could be described as superb.

However, everyone knew that this list would be subjected to some changes with the challenges coming from Hesha, Xana, and Zhong De.

These three became the forefront challengers.

"The three contestants finished their challenges. Next, those in the top fifty who want to challenge anyone in the top ten. Come forward." An official referee announced loudly.

Hesha descended slowly, trailed by Zhong De and Xana. The two didn't want to meet Hesha on the battle stage so they planned to let her challenge someone first.

Another two contestants also descended from two viewing platforms.

"There are only five challengers? I will only count ten breaths. After that, only the contestants who are here will be given the chance to challenge."

No one descended anymore. It seemed that the majority of geniuses knew their capabilities didn't reach the level of top ten.

"Who among you wants to challenge first?" The official referee asked Hesha and the other four contestants. However, the four shook their heads and would rather let the lady in gray go first.

Hearing no answer, Hesha decided to volunteer. She announced after a single sweep of her eyes, "I challenge Juqar."

A man wearing a dark vest on a certain platform had his calmness quickly shattered hearing his name being called by an infamous contestant.

"Master..." He called dejectedly to an old white-bearded man.

"Why are you looking like that? It's always better to lose in battle. Your Master will not blame you this time." The old white-bearded man said generously with gentle tone.

"Thank you, Master. I will do my best!" Juqar clenched his fists as he bravely faced the strong opponent on the battle stage.

"Losing is the greatest mentor of life." The old white-bearded man muttered to himself while looking gently at the back of his disciple.

It just took five exchanges for Hesha to tear the earth domain of Juqar and cornered him into surrender.

There was no surprise among the circles of great emperors watching the competition since they had already predicted the outcome of the battle even before it started.

Xana and Zhong De also both won their matches.

Once again, the predictions of several experts hit the bullseye. The other two challengers, one of them failed to clinch a spot.

The final top ten in no specific order was composed of Bai Ningshuang, Hesha, Ling Jingjing, Huo Zun, Xana, Zhong De, Purple Jaguar, Murong Youyou, Xu Kai, and Su Peng.

"Finally, we got our top ten!" One of the spectators exclaimed.

"I hope their matches will further open my eyes to the world of prodigies."

Governor Cui stood up from his seat and announced the end of the day's competition.

Everyone knew that the climax of the competition was just one night away. The city remained passionate against the caress of cold night.