Somewhere in the forbidden forest.
There was a plain stretch of land in the middle of the forest. All kinds of beasts started gathering gradually, and with the diversity came the problem of conflict.
Suddenly, one of the wolves jumped at the coyote with the intention of murder.
A violent struggle commenced between the two. They started biting each other. In the end, the wolf easily overpowered the coyote and was about to deliver the final blow.
Howl! Howl!
Suddenly, two coyotes came to the rescue, and not long after two wolves also joined the fray. But, before the situation could escalate further the griffin stepped in.
"You dare."
The griffin soared above and released tremendous pressure upon the hordes leaving them paralyzed.
'Frost arrows'
Soon, an arrow made its way toward the wolves and coyotes. It reached the target in a split second and froze the beasts in an instant.
The aura released by the arrow began spreading-as a result the nearby beasts started howling in pain as the aura started corroding their body.
'Release'
Soon, Griffin released the pressure.
The beasts situated near the frost arrow bolted right after the pressure was released.
"Know your place ants. There will be no next time."
The griffin went back to one of the henchmen and asked
"Have you gathered them precisely?"
A beast could only vocalize after breaking through the dominion realm. So, the henchmen could only nod nervously in response.
"Very well."
The griffin roared.
"Listen up ants. The supreme one has trusted us-griffins with the responsibility of destroying the 'Frost' sect. You should feel honored to be chosen for the mission."
"Now, depart."
Soon, the hordes of beasts advanced toward the 'Frost' sect.
***
The following day in the arena.
"There've been some changes in the rules of the fourth round. The top ten disciples from the last round aren't required to participate in group battle."
"What the hell? Who made this rule?"
"We won't agree."
The disciples voiced their discontent.
"Silence"
Yao Zhou stood up.
"I've already observed the performance of all the disciples in the third round. The ranks are the results of their respective effort."
Everyone went quiet.
"You can make or break the rules if you are strong." Grim thought.
Then, he looked at his senior brother
"Good luck brother Ren Dan."
Ren Dan nodded in response.
Afterward, Grim and nine others went to the seat.
***
Back in the arena
"We've arranged a cauldron with tokens. Everyone come and draw one."
Soon, everyone went for the draw including Yuan Chang and Ren Dang. Both of them had drawn the number four.
"Now that everyone has drawn the token. Let me explain the details."
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"You will be assigned to a group of four with the matching number. Only a single disciple from the group can proceed further."
Yuan Chang and Ren Dan looked at each other awkwardly.
"Let the fourth round begin."
Gong!
***
Four disciples stepped into the arena for the first round. They were evenly matched. But, Cheng Long achieved victory using wit.
At first, he refrained from the fight. Then, he used his full strength to eliminate the final opponent.
"Cheng Long has won the first battle."
Gong!
"Let the second battle begin."
Soon, four disciples stepped into the arena. Everyone charged at once, and they were equally matched as well. The battle turned from a display of strength to endurance.
Zhong came out victorious thanks to his 'heal' skill at a minor level.
Lin Xun won the third battle using the 'lightning' based attack.
The fourth battle was the next.
Yuan Chang, Ren Dan, and two others stepped into the arena.
Yuan Chang looked at Ren Dan.
"I'm sorry, brother Ren."
Ren Dan was taken aback.
"Why are you apologizing, brother Chang?"
Yuan Chang replied. "Only one of us can proceed."
Ren Dan didn't mind it.
"You don't need to apologize brother Chang. Only the worthy can proceed, and it's not like your victory is set in stone."
Gong!
Yuan Chang backed slightly.
"Alright, all of you can come at once."
One of the disciples rushed toward Yuan Chang enraged.
"I'll shut that big mouth of yours."
'Frost Spear'
A giant spear made of ice lunged toward Yuan Chang. But, he was calm as water. Then, he wielded the sword he had received from the last tournament.
'Light Surge'
The sword dazzled in an instant. Immediately, he slashed toward the disciple.
The slash disintegrated the frost spear and reached the disciple in a tick. He was sent flying.
"What happened?"
The event left everyone dazed. Everyone had one question in their mind.
"He was right there a second ago. How did he get knocked out?"
***
Top seat.
Yao Zhou stood awestruck.
"Why is there a disciple with a 'light' element here?"
"Go find everything about him." He gave an order.
"Yes, sect leader." The aides hurried out.
"This is getting interesting. You've found a worthy opponent, son."
He looked in the direction of Meng Zao.
***
Back in the arena.
"Told you so. Now, you have one less teammate."
Yuan Chang readied his sword again.
"We should combine our attack."
Ren Dan informed the remaining disciple. The disciple nodded in response.
'Thunder Slash', 'Thunder ball"
Both released the attack in unison. The skills merged and formed extra two crescent blades. Now, three crescent blades were heading toward Yuan Chang.
"Very well."
'Solar Flash'
The sword gleamed so immensely, it left everyone in the arena blinded for a while.
Yuan Chang pointed the sword at Ren Dan and the other disciple. The sword released a massive beam.
"Oh, Shi..."
The attack landed on Ren Dan before he could even finish the phrase, then it landed on the other disciple simultaneously. They were sent flying, and their body suffered burns. The attack also damaged half of the arena.
Yuan Chang was announced victor after an entire minute because the evaluator was also blinded temporarily.
Woah!
Everyone was left speechless by the aftermath.
Grim muttered. "Not bad."
***
The matches resumed after quick stage maintenance.
Teng Xun won the fifth round.
Wan Cai won the sixth round.
Wu Huang won the seventh round.
Qia Ling won the eighth round.
Li Bo won the ninth round, and Jin Fang won the last round.
"Group battle has come to an end."
Yuan Chang's performance was the highlight of the match. The rest of the match ended without much fanfare.
***
It was already evening. Everyone was about leave.
Right then, an announcement was made.
"The tournament will continue the following day. We've released the battle roster for tomorrow following the order of the sect leader."
Meng Zhou vs Li Bo
Shao Cai vs Wu Huang
Tang Ling vs Jin Fang
Liu Fang vs Lin Xun
Peng Xun vs Qia Ling
Don Tai vs Chang Long
Grim vs Teng Xun
Chen Shi vs Yuan Chang
Zhang Qing vs Wan Cai
Zhen Fang vs Zhong Fang
"Teng Xun"
He would be Grim's opponent the following day.
***
Grim got off the arena after the announcement. He walked toward Yuan Chang-who was surrounded by a bunch of people.
"Congratulations, senior brother Chang. Your performance was quite exhilarating. No wonder you are the center of attention."
Suddenly, everyone faced Grim. They started analyzing him.
Then, one of the disciples spoke.
"Are you Grim?"
"Uhhh" Grim stutterd.
Another disciple also commented.
"You are indeed him. You were ranked seventh in the previous round."
More people started gossiping about him.
"Good luck for the coming match, senior brother Chang. I'll get going now."
Grim ran from the location. He was not used to so much attention.
Haha!
"Thanks, junior brother Grim."
He could hear Yuan Chang laughing in the distance.
***
He returned to the manor and went to Ren Dan's room.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Who is it?"
Grim replied. "It's me Grim, senior brother Ren."
Ren Dan opened the door.
"Come in junior brother."
Grim entered the room.
"Have a seat." Ren Dan offered a chair.
"Thanks, brother."
Grim sat on the chair.
"So what brings you here, junior brother?"
Uhhh!
"I was just checking on you, senior brother. Also, you did good in the match."
Sigh!
"So that's why you are here. You don't have to console me, brother. I lost due to the lack of strength. I'll practice even harder when I return."
Ren Dan raised his fist.
"I'm relieved. I'll get going, senior brother."
Grim went out and visited Gu Lan next.
***
"Congratulation, junior brother."
She received him gleefully.
Hehe!
"Thank you, sister."
He replied bashfully.
"No need to thank me. Do you know how much you have accomplished? The teacher keeps bragging about you with everyone."
"What?" Grim was taken aback.
"It doesn't matter, go now. She informed me to send you to meet her in case you visited."
"Okay, senior sister. Take care."
Grim left in a hurry.
***
Lou Xiang welcomed him with joy.
"You've made this master proud, my disciple."
"Did you know that the principal has decided to make a new position above instructor? and he is appointing me to take the position."
....
....
....
Lou Xiang kept talking, and Grim kept listening.
He left an hour later when Lou Xian finally stopped talking
Ughh!
"My ears are bleeding."
He returned exhausted and jumped on the bed.
[Evo points left: 164,750]