Li Wei takes his turn in the ring, grasping a sword as his weapon of choice. Positioned there, he awaits his adversary, Song Fengliu, who also opts for a sword. Song Fengliu is no ordinary student; he is the grandson of the City Mayor. On opposite sides of the arena, they stand poised for combat.

In the VIP section, excitement abounds. The presence of Li Wei, another disciple of the enigmatic master, fuels anticipation. The crowd ponders his potential. Could he match or perhaps outdo Yan Sen? Curiosity stirs, suggesting that their mysterious mentor's abilities remain profound. Amid this, one person on the platform stands out – the City Mayor. His hopes are silent but fervent: "Please, let this not be an embarrassing defeat." At the resonating sound of the gong, the match commences.

Inside the ring, Li Wei and Song Fengliu charge forth. Fengliu strikes, yet Li Wei sidesteps effortlessly, almost as if he'd predicted the move. A swift counterattack follows, landing on Fengliu's chest. Armor dulls the impact, preventing any harm. Undeterred, Fengliu prepares to retaliate, but Li Wei's ankle kick sweeps him off balance. Before he even touches the ground, the tip of a wooden sword is at his throat. They both freeze in place. Everyone recognizes that this battle has concluded with just one exchange. Admitting defeat, Song Fengliu speaks, "I concede." Li Wei extends his hand, aiding Fengliu's rise. They bow in mutual respect and depart the arena. The referee declares the winner. Observers rise to their feet, applauding the swift resolution. They're astounded by Li Wei's mastery, realizing that in a true battle, Fengliu would have perished at the initial strike.

On the VIP platform, a hush falls as they try to recount Li Wei's actions. All possess Foundation Establishment cultivation, yet doubts arise. Could they execute the same precision and proficiency against an equal opponent? The consensus leans towards negativity. Achieving such mastery necessitates deep understanding of strike origins, angles, body movements, and other variables. In a combat between equals, instinct trumps calculation. Experience guides reaction. However, Li Wei and Yan Sen operate differently. It's as if they predict their opponents' next moves. Those on the VIP platform also possess Foundation Establishment cultivation, capable of achieving such finesse against opponents at lower cultivation stages. However, replicating this against equals in cultivation? Improbable. The City Mayor feels no shame in his grandson's loss; none of their generation could withstand even a single clash against this exceptional opponent. All eyes turn to Yan Meng and Li Cheng. These two might be celebrating exuberantly in private. Guan Xuantong’s thoughts tighten: "This is a grave matter. I must foster strong ties between the Guan family and the Yan and Li families. Yan Zhi has become an unconquerable obstacle."

Subsequent rounds proceed on the stage. Yan Sen and Li Wei triumph twice, repeating the same outcome – Yan Sen overwhelms opponents without offering a chance to retaliate, while Li Wei secures instant surrender.

Two rounds later, the number of grade one students halves to 45. Fate has Yan Sen draw number 45 once again. The Time Sovereign mutters to himself, "This child's luck is uncanny, even in minor events."

A total of 22 battles await, with contestants 1 to 44 engaging while number 45 bides time.

After half an hour, the battles conclude, leaving 28 contestants standing. Only a few, like Yan Sen and Li Wei, remain undefeated. Yan Sen now faces Hu Xinlan. Upon learning this, a smug grin spreads across Hu Xinlan’s face. The long-awaited vengeance is nigh. In their grade, Hu Xinlan possesses considerable ability. Despite watching Yan Sen's prior battles, he's unsure of his chances. However, he's confident enough to discreetly coat his hands with Blind Thorn fungus, hoping to blind Yan Sen unnoticed. As the gong nears its chime, the Time Sovereign's words echo in Yan Sen's thoughts: "Beware, his hands and weapon are tainted with blinding spores." Yan Sen's eyes widen at the treachery unveiled. With urgency, he interjects, "WAIT! Referee, Hu Xinlan’s hand and weapon are contaminated with fungus that can blind me. It violates the rules!" The referee turns to Xinlan, questioning, "Is this true?" Xinlan trembles inwardly, bewildered by Yan Sen's exposure. If proven, punishment for secretly blinding a fellow student in a martial assessment could never be sufficient, especially in the presence of the princess. Yet, Xinlan clings to a slim hope – Yan Sen doesn't know the exact fungus name and cannot prove it due to its colorless and odorless nature. Denial becomes his refuge. "What nonsense, Yan Sen! Are you attempting to slander me? You can inspect my hands all you want, but you won't find anything. You just don't want to admit defeat, do you?"

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Yan Sen retorts, "This is easily proven. Alchemists from nearly every family are here. Even a low-tier Alchemist can verify whether I speak the truth or merely slander you."

As tensions heighten, City Mayor Song Houran stands. "As City Mayor, our stance remains neutral. Allow Baichun, our family alchemist, to examine Hu Xinlan’s hands."

Baichun begins to rise, yet Royal Princess Ling Ran intervenes. "No need. During my visit, I brought a trusted Royal Alchemist, Uncle Ping. Can you inspect his hand?"

A figure on the VIP platform stands and bows to the princess. "Of course, Your Highness." With a leap, he lands near Hu Xinlan, who appears visibly nervous.

The Royal Alchemist states, "No visible substance or scent is present on the boy's hands. If the allegation is true, it's likely a colorless and odorless substance. Very few substances possess these traits, and I can determine which one it is. Kid, if you're guilty, just admit it. I'll find out either way."

Terrified, Hu Xinlan stands firm, refusing to confess. "Royal Alchemist, I assure you, my hands are clean."

Alchemist Ping produces a small bottle of colorful liquid, pouring it onto Xinlan’s palm. In less than a minute, the liquid turns black. Alchemist Ping's expression twists in anger as he declares, "Confirmed – the lad's hands are smeared with Blind Thorn Fungus!"

Hu Xinlan's face reddens, his mind racing. "I swear, I don't know! Maybe someone else tainted my hands without my knowledge. They want to frame me!"

On the VIP platform, Guan Xuantong recalls the blind thorn fungus he once gave to his son Guan Wei. He's aware of the relationship between his son and Hu Xinlan. If Xinlan is found guilty, both he and his son will be implicated. Afraid of Yan Sen’s master, Guan Xuantong cannot afford to provoke Yan Sen's family. Stepping forward, he speaks calmly, "Yan Sen, could you share how you knew about the blinding fungus on Hu Xinlan's weapon and hand?" All eyes turn to Yan Sen. Even the alchemist required a special solution to detect the fungus. How did the boy perceive it? If Yan Sen fails to offer a plausible explanation, the situation could turn in Xinlan's favor.

Yan Sen gazes toward the VIP platform, aware that his performance alerted them to his master. Silence isn't an option; they'll likely seek answers from his grandfather. "I have a master. When I entered the arena, he conveyed a message, warning me about the Blind Thorn Fungus on Hu Xinlan’s hand."

Confusion ripens among the audience, yet those on the platform are astonished. Yan Sen's and Li Wei's feats erase any doubts. The revelation of Yan Sen's master's hidden ability to communicate with him without them noticing further astounds them. The conviction deepens – their master remains inviolable, a force none dare oppose. Guan Xuantong weighs the stakes, and in the next moment, he leaps from the VIP platform to where Hu Xinlan stands. Hu Xinlan's head tumbles to the arena floor, a crimson spray painting the scene. Guan Xuantong pronounces, "For conspiring against your fellow Spirit Academy student, your fate is death."

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