A Devastating Blow

At daybreak, a ray of sunlight broke the darkness as it shined down onto the earth. The Tiger Martial Institute was like a pot of boiling water, slowly getting roused.

The bells rang as the disciples woke up.

Ye Mo just left his room when he witnessed fellow participants lining up in front of an extremely beautiful female teacher.

Her deep purple hair were flowing down her waist and her long lavender dress wrapped tightly against her skin accentuating the curves of her body. An opening was on the right side of the lower half of her dress revealing a slender snow white leg. Her exquisite face carried a cold expression as she patiented beside the black castle entrance.

The boys were mesmerized by her sight as they couldn't take their eyes off of her. The girls instead frowned in front of this situation. Being eclipsed by another woman wasn't a good feeling.

When all the youths were gathered, the female teacher spoke out.

"My name's Lan Xue. I am the instructor sent to take you to the arena. Now follow me and don't ask any questions."

Saying so, Lan Xue turned around and walked out of the black castle.

Everyone immediately followed and obediently stood behind her. Many were more than happy to stand at the rear peeking at their instructor. The Tiger Martial Institute covered a very large area, Lan Xue led them through many paths before they reached the west of the academy where ten elevated battle stages stood out.

The battle stages were extremely durable, made of reinforced stone square tiles able to withstand a force of 2000kg.

Around the battle stages were bleachers filled with thousands of spectators chatting with each other. In the middle of theses bleachers was a platform carrying the dean of the institute Hong Li and the vice dean Han Zhen Jun accompanied by important guests. Among them were elders of the four clans.

The patriarchs couldn't leave their clans easily and even if they did it wouldn't be to watch kids compete against each other thus they would send representatives to stay informed of what happened.

The contestants following Lan Xue reached the arena and stood on a flat contour in between the stage and audience where they found Wang Fei waiting for them. Her task done, Lan Xue left under the insistent gaze of the boys and disappeared in the crowd.

"Not only one but the four clans young master are attending this year."

Seeing this, not only the Tiger Martial Institute students but also the other cultivators were excited, this did not happen in previous years.

"Ma Shinfei is here as well, i can't wait for the show to start."

"Who's this ugly girl, don't tell me it's the rumored Yan clan young miss. She should hide her face if she's going out in public."

Discussions were aplenty among people.

Inside the platform, the four clans elders courteously talked to each other. There were much rivalry between their members all year round but in such events and because it was inside the Tiger Martial institute, they would maintain appearances in public.

They silently looked at their clan heir at times before retracting their vision.

In their heart, there was no doubt they would easily join the Institute. What they wondered was how they would fare against the other young masters.

"Wang Fei, the time is right, let the competition begin." Hong Li next to the elders sent a transmission to Wang Fei.

"Indeed"

Wang Fei announced the rules and the rewards, his voice reverberating in the plaza.

The rules were basically as such:

Spiritual weapons higher than mid-tier are prohibited

The fight ends when one party surrender, no further attacks are allowed

Although deaths could occur in battles, you're not allowed to purposefully try to kill your opponent, if you're judged doing so you will be punished accordingly

Falling from the stage count as a loss

No intake of pills before or during the match

Any violation will result in the immediate disqualification of the individual. Finally an instructor is overwatching the battles and can intervene if necessary.

The rules were understandable and everyone nodded. The spiritual weapon prohibition was to maintain fairness. There were many types of spiritual weapons with all kinds of abilities graded from low, mid, high to peak tier at best. The better their grades the stronger they were. Now if any clan member came with their family heirloom or some rich kid fought with a top grade spiritual weapon against people that could barely afford an iron sword wouldn't it be the same as cheating?

This competition was to test the contestants talent and skills not their wealth so high and peak grade spiritual weapons were forbidden.

As for the rewards:

21th to 50th place - 500 gold coins

11th to 20th place - 1000 gold coins, 1 bottle of mid-tier yellow class spirit qi pill

6th to 10th place - 1500 gold coins, 1 bottle of spirit qi pill, 1 meridian purifying pill and the right to enter the third stage of the cultivation tower

2nd to 5th place - 2000 gold coins, 1 bottle of spirit qi pill, 1 meridian purifying pill, the right to enter the third stage of the cultivation tower and the Institute armory

1st place - 3000 gold coins, 1 bottle of spirit qi pill, 1 meridian purifying pill, the right to enter the third stage of all three towers and the Institute armory once

Most important of all, on top of the rewards, the top 20 places will enter the Tiger Martial Institute as disciples.

"Such generous rewards, even if i have to risk my life i must get a part of it." One boy said fired up.

"The towers of the Tiger Martial Institute contain their martial arts. I heard the third stage hold the high-tier yellow skill martial arts!" One girl said with her eyes glimmering.

"How could it be so easy to reach the top 10, all i care about is joining the Institute, then i will have other chances to gain such ressources". Someone else added staying level-headed.

"All the weapons of the Institute are inside the armory. Gaining an entry is the same as having the spiritual treasure of your choice handed to you." Immediately discussions erupted among participants. Some tried to stay calm but everyone was excited. At once the fighting spirit of the contestants was roused up.

Ye Mo was speechless, he wasn't aware there would be rewards as well.

"Looks like i won't be able to hold back. If i have the chance i must go further even if i reached the top 20 already." On the outside Ye Mo looked indifferent but in his pitch-black eyes burned a bright fire.

Once Wang Fei finished announcing the rules and rewards, the contestants began to draw lots.

This year there was a total of more than 400 contestants who were not more than 16 years of age and among them only 3 had zero cultivation counting Ye Mo.

On the stage, Ye Mo randomly picked the number 74. This meant he would fight the other youth who picked number 74.

"With the second phase of the competition officially started, will the contestants with lots number 1 to 10 please come on stage."

The ten stages held fights at the same time.

Multiple youths arrived on stage, some used the stairs but most directly leapt up. After paying respect to each other they fought.

Immediately, shouting noises, battle skills, and the sounds of punches and kicks as well as the discussions of the onlookers around the arena fused in a loud banter.

...

In the bat of an eye dozens of matches have concluded. When a battle ended on stage, new contestants were immediately called and another one started.

From theses fights it was clear to the eyes of the spectators that competitors from the major clans and aristocratic families are more competents. When they fought against common individuals, it majoritarily solded by a victory and when they were matched against each other the battles were much more fierce and pleasing to the eyes.

But it was surprising to none as they were trained since young in their families martial arts and enjoyed betters ressources. For cultivators ressources came first, then talent and in third efforts. After all no matter how hard working you are, there is only 24 hours to train in a day and no one could change that.

"Number 48, come on stage." Wang Fei called out.

Gao Lixin and a plain looking youth left the crowd and came on stage.

"I will be in your care brother Gao."

"Haha, go easy on me little brother Shen."

Both contestants greeted each other before Shen Man kicked off the ground and dashed at Gao Lixin sword in hand.

Shortening the distance Shen Man followed with an horizontal slash but Gao Lixin was unfazed and with a wave of the hand disarmed his opponent.

"You have the basics but your cultivation is still lacking." While declaring Gao Lixin threw a palm strike sending his opponent flying out of the stage.

"Fighting a sword bare-handed, this Gao Lixin sure has balls." The spectators were impressed by this display of power as Shen Man was still a 5th layer Qi Gathering realm.

The Shen clan members frowned seeing their comrade defeated with such ease. Only Shen Xue had no reaction, still like an ice statue.

The competition hence resumed.

"Number 74."

After some time it was Ye Mo's turn.

He and his opponent stood on the stage facing each other.

"I am Tie Tao of the Tie family." Tie Tao said bowing to Ye Mo. Tie Tao as a minor member of an influent family was raised strictly and good manners were ingrained in his mind in a way he wouldn't make his family lose face.

Stomp!

Ye Mo stepped hard on the stone tiles as he rushed to Tie Tao.

"You f**cker, how can you sneak attack like that?!" Tie Tao swore loudly, losing all composure. He didn't expect this unassuming kid to be so shameless attacking before greeting in a formal competition in front of thousands of spectators.

Ye Mo in a flash was in front of his foe, with the sole of his foot, he kicked his chest hard.

Tie Tao unable to react was sent flying out of the stage, crashing on the ground below.

His screams came to a stop as he laid on the ground motionless, his fish-like eyes wide open.

One fatal kick had sent Tie Tao to the afterlife.