The Heavenly Axis City central plaza, after three days of cruel elimination in the "Small Cave Heaven," originally a thousand participants, now only a hundred remained standing. The numbers had drastically reduced, but those remaining were absolutely the elite among elites, their auras condensed, gazes sharp, all bearing varying degrees of unvanquished murderous intent and battle intent around them.
The plaza's surroundings were already packed with people, even more bustling than the initial selection. Countless cultivators, mortals, even some figures with deep auras who were clearly representatives from various powers, all focused their attention on these hundred young talents. Chatter, praise, and analysis merged into a sea of noise. The most exciting and cruel final tournament of the Heavenly Axis Ask-the-Heavens Conference was about to begin.
An elder in purple-gold Taoist robes, his aura profound like the sea, floated in mid-air. He was a senior executive elder of Heavenly Axis City. His gaze swept across the hundred cultivators below. His voice was calm yet clearly spread across the entire plaza:
"Congratulations to all, having successfully entered the hundred through the initial selection's Ascending Heaven Ladder and the second round realm survival. You are all pinnacle talents of my cultivation world's younger generation."
"The final round is tournament decisive victory. The rules are simple: winners advance, losers eliminate. Continue until the final ranking is determined."
"Now, the draw will proceed. Inside the lot container are one hundred jade lots, inscribed with numbers one through fifty, each number having two lots. Those who draw the same number become first round opponents."
As his voice fell, an executive carrying a jade lot container covered in hazy white light,cut off (isolating) divine sense probing, walked to the front of the hundred cultivators.
The hundred cultivators had varied expressions. Some rubbed their hands in anticipation, their battle intent soaring. Others had solemn faces, secretly praying not to encounter those recognized monsters too early. Some had flickering gazes, searching for potential opponents in the crowd.
Yan Feng stood at the front of the line, his gaze ice-cold as it briefly glanced at Tang Xiaoqi nearby, not hiding the killing intent within at all. He was eager to wash away his humiliation personally on the tournament stage. Shui Wu Hen, Liu Xu and others also stood among them, their expressions shifting between gloom and anxiety. Mu Xue was still that cold demeanor, as if everything around her was unrelated to her. Zhao Tiezhu squeezed into the crowd, looking especially eye-catching. He was rather carefree, grinning as if it didn't matter who he drew.
Xiaoqi stood in the middle of the line, his expression calm. He felt Yan Feng's and several other hostile gazes, but his mindset didn't fluctuate much. Tournament battle relies on hard strength. Any schemes pale before absolute power. What he needed to do was defeat every opponent standing before him.
The draw began, proceeding from the front of the line.
Cultivators approached one by one, extending their hands into the lot container, taking out their jade lot. Some were relieved upon seeing their number, others changed expression slightly.
Soon it was Yan Feng's turn. He coldly snorted, casually drew one out, glanced, and a cold smile curved his lips. His gaze swept toward Xiaoqi again, as if certain he would encounter him. He raised his lot—[Seventeen].
Next was Mu Xue. Her jade-like hand gently reached out, took a jade lot, her expression unchanged. She raised her lot—[Nine].
Shui Wu Hen drew [Twenty-four], Liu Xu drew [Thirty-one].
Zhao Tiezhu swaggered up to the front, nearly shoving his entire arm into the lot container, fumbling for half a day before extracting one. He glanced and mumbled: "Old Zhao's luck isn't bad!" He raised his lot—[Forty-two].
One after another, numbers were continuously drawn.
Xiaoqi took a deep breath, stepped forward. He extended his hand into the lot container, touching cold smoothness. The jade lots were smooth. He didn't hesitate, randomly grasped one, and drew it out.
Looking down, on the jade lot was inscribed a number—[Five].
He raised his lot, while his gaze swept around, wanting to know who his opponent was.
Just then, from the other side of the line, a voice like rumbling thunder sounded:
"Hahaha! [Five]! Good! Who's my opponent? Come out and let me see!"
The voice was like a great bell, carrying a savage momentum. Everyone looked over to see an extremely burly figure emerge, nearly as massive as Zhao Tiezhu. His skin was dark gold, muscles like iron cables, as if cast from metal. Simply standing there gave a sense of immovable sturdiness. He wore simple leather armor, his exposed arms bearing faint golden patterns.
"It's Batu from the Western Regions' Vajra Gate!"
"So it's him! That body cultivator monster known as 'Indestructible Vajra'!"
"Foundation Establishment late stage cultivation. It's said he once took a full strike from an early Nascent Soul cultivator and only suffered injuries, not death!"
"Done for, whoever drew the number five lot is unlucky. Batu's defense is too (abnormal), absolutely unbreakable!"
Soft exclamations rose from around. Many looked at Xiaoqi with sympathy or (schadenfreude). Facing this bone-hard defender in the first round was absolutely an arduous battle. Even if he won, he would likely consume enormous energy, affecting subsequent battles.
Zhao Tiezhu also saw, his eyes widening, shouting toward Batu: "Hey! Big fellow! My brother isn't easy to mess with! You better watch out!"
Batu glanced at Zhao Tiezhu, his voice like a jar: "You're not bad either. If we get the chance, let's spar." Immediately, his copper-gong-like eyes looked at Xiaoqi, carrying a hint of examination and battle intent. "So you're my opponent? You look tender-skinned and delicate, not enough for my fist to hit. Hope you're durable, don't bore me too much!" He shook a fist the size of a normal person's head, making creaking sounds.
Yan Feng, seeing Xiaoqi's opponent was Batu, first stunned, then an icy smile appeared on his face. He had heard of Batu's stubbornness. Letting this Tang Xiaoqi first go against this hard nail, wearing down his strength, was precisely what he (was pleased to) see.
Xiaoqi looked at this humanoid beast-like Batu, his face showing no fear, but rather a spark of interest. Body cultivator? Amazing defense? Just right. He could verify how his recently breakthrough movement technique and that wok that could (bang) anything, would perform against this kind of pure defense.
He calmly met Batu's battle-filled gaze, speaking calmly:
"Clearness Void Sect, Tang Xiaoqi. Please advise."