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With that, Gojo had secured his place among the top ten.
It didn't matter if he chose to continue fighting; the mission was complete. But knowing him, he probably would. The current round of the competition was designed to eliminate fifteen disciples and leave only ten standing. The catch, however, was that luck played a part, some disciples had to fight multiple rounds depending on the lots they drew.
Gojo considered himself fortunate to have fought only once. After his intense battle, he had spent the rest of the time chatting leisurely with MeiYing and Du Yun, occasionally offering commentary while spectating the other thrilling matches.
At long last, after a relentless hour of combat, the final ten were revealed:
Li Tianheng
Su Qingshi
Ma Kui
Xiao Wusheng
Chen Zhen
Feng Xiaoyao
Long Tian
Xing Feng
Shen Mo
Wei Long
While the top five names were already renowned, the last five were rising underdogs, dark horses who had carved their path forward by toppling expectations and smashing obstacles. Despite being relatively unknown, they had now etched their names into the legacy of the Outer Court.
The presiding elder floated onto the main platform and addressed the crowd.
"You have done well! The ten of you shall be honored as the future pillars of the Heavenly Luo Sect! But before we conclude, one final set of trials remains…"
The crowd quieted in anticipation.
"You will be given thirty minutes to rest. Thereafter, the battlefield will be split into two arenas. Five shall battle in Arena One, five in Arena Two. The victors shall qualify to compete for the top five rankings, while the others will contend for positions six through ten."
A murmur swept through the crowd.
Yet even as the opportunity to rise higher was presented, it became clear that some had already achieved what they came for.
Xing Feng, Shen Mo, and Wei Long, perhaps recognizing their limits, or simply content with their advancement, respectfully withdrew. No shame laced their exits; to reach the top ten was a feat in itself.
They bowed before the elders and walked off the battlefield. With that, their positions were set: eighth, ninth, and tenth.
Seven contenders remained.
The brackets were announced swiftly:
Su Qingshi vs. Ma Kui
Li Tianheng vs. Long Tian
Chen Zhen vs. Xiao Wusheng
A thunderous cheer erupted.
This was the highlight. The grand finale. The moment that would be remembered long after the dust had settled.
"I'd be satisfied even if the tournament ended right here!" a disciple exclaimed, nearly bursting with excitement.
"This is the most intense outer court competition I've seen in all my years!"
"Chen Zhen versus Xiao Wusheng?! That's legendary!"
"Don't sleep on Su Qingshi versus Ma Kui. Remember, he beat her last year. History might just repeat itself."
"Ha! Don't bet against Qingshi. That woman's in a league of her own this time."
Up in the spectators' pavilion, the elders held their own spectacle.
"Oi, Second Elder," one of them called out. "You really think your brat can beat that space-controlling freak?"
The Second Elder chuckled, stroking his beard. "Chen Zhen is powerful, no doubt, but Wusheng has never failed me."
"Let's make it interesting. If he loses, I want three stalks of your Heavenly Ginseng Root."
"And if he wins?" the Second Elder raised an eyebrow.
"I'll give you my Cloud Azure Sky Blade."
The Second Elder's eyes gleamed. "Deal."
Another elder chimed in. "Bets? Count me in! I'm backing the space brat! Old Second, if your boy loses, I want three stalks of your Heaven Ginseng, and three of your finest cannabis while you're at it."
The Second Elder narrowed his eyes. "And if my boy wins?
You'll finally show you the Eight Trigram Divine Scrolls I've been keeping under wraps. Deal?"
That made the elder's face twist as if he'd eaten something vile. But he couldn't back out now. Not without losing face. With a bitter sigh, he nodded. "Fine. Deal."
Below them, Chen Zhen was still chatting casually with Du Yun, completely oblivious to the gambling war being waged over his impending duel.
Just then, the grand bells rang.
The stage was set.
The first two battles would proceed simultaneously.
Arena One: Su Qingshi vs. Ma Kui
Arena Two: Li Tianheng vs. Long Tian
While the second matchup intrigued a few, most of the audience zeroed in on the first.
Su Qingshi walked forward with a serene grace that drew every eye. She was robed in crimson, the cloth flowing behind her like a river of blood. Barefoot, yet untouched by the dust of the earth, she floated across the platform. Her long black hair cascaded like a waterfall down her supple back, and though her face remained veiled, the brilliance of her eyes pierced through like moonlight in a storm.
She took her place with her eyes closed, waiting in tranquil silence.
Then...
Boom!
Ma Kui landed like a meteor, his arrival shattering the arena stones beneath him. Towering and broad, with his wild hair and bestial grin, he hoisted his massive broadsword over his shoulder with a swagger born of arrogance.
His eyes hungrily scanned Su Qingshi's form.
"Fate sure is funny, Qingshi," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "You rejected me last year. Then I beat you in the tournament. Today, I offer again, marry me, and I'll forfeit the match. Otherwise… prepare to be broken. I won't be so gentle this time."
He laughed, the sound coarse and vulgar.
Su Qingshi's eyes opened, calm, unwavering. Cold. In the stands, Gojo winced. "Oi, that's no way to treat a woman."
MeiYing immediately turned, pinching his side. "And what would you know about that?"
"Ow! At least I know not to propose during a tournament…" he muttered, rubbing his side with a grin.
Back on the battlefield, Ma Kui's smile vanished.
Once again, she hadn't even dignified him with a response. His grip on the broadsword tightened.
"Fine then! I'll carve the answer out of you!"
He roared.
"Barbarian God Body!"
A monstrous phantom materialized behind him, a barbaric colossus clad in bones and sinew. The aura it exuded was monstrous, stirring fierce winds and shaking the very earth. His muscles bulged with unnatural power, veins pulsing like writhing serpents.
But Su Qingshi remained still.
No fear. No reaction.
Then, from her Qiankun bag, a sword appeared.
Slender and long, its silver handle shimmered beneath the sunlight. As her fingers wrapped around it, the atmosphere shifted.
Petals, ethereal and red, began to bloom in the air around her, swirling gently in a mystic dance.
"Floral Deity Sword Art..." she whispered, stepping forward.
"Whispering Bloom Pierce."
She thrust her sword.
The petals sharpened into blades, exploding forth in a flurry of red light. Each petal was imbued with terrifying Yuan Power, howling through the air as they raced toward Ma Kui.
CLANG!
The petals struck him like a storm of razors, tearing through his upper garments, flinging him back toward the edge of the arena. Dust billowed. His boots carved trenches as he struggled to steady himself.
Then..
He laughed.
A barbaric, thunderous laugh.
"Hahahaha! You think I'm like those other weaklings? That won't stop me!"
His chest bore deep scratches, but he remained upright. Undaunted.
Su Qingshi's one-strike victory streak had ended.
"She failed to pierce his Barbarian God Body!" someone exclaimed.
"Is she... doomed?"
"She should just give up, he's immune to her petals!"
Amid the noise, Su Qingshi remained as still as before.
One hand elegantly behind her back. The other holding her sword like a divine artifact. Her expression never changed.
Gojo leaned forward, intrigued. MeiYing nudged him. "What do you think?"
"There's something… unusual about her Yuan Power," he said with a faint smile. "I think she's just getting started."
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A/N: Sorry for the delay. Finally done with exams. From now, three chapters a week. A bonus chapter if I see many reviews and donations. Enjoy