The competition proceeded as scheduled. While there were a few minor incidents, they were inconsequential and did not affect Zhang Ergou and his companions.
That day, when Zhang Ergou and a few others arrived at the plaza again, it was already quite crowded. However, those disciples injured in the previous sword selection were absent.
Consequently, the number of people in the plaza had decreased by nearly a third compared to previous days.
Zhang Ergou stood quietly amidst the crowd, occasionally chatting with Li Zhan and the others, awaiting the start of the selection matches.
Before long, the familiar figures from the preceding days appeared one by one and took their reserved seats.
However, today’s selection did not commence immediately. Only after an elder sat down in the previously empty central seat was the selection announced to begin.
Zhang Ergou peered intently. The elder seated in the central position was the same one Hua Xu had taken him to meet that day.
Without realizing it, Zhang Ergou’s curiosity about the elder’s identity grew even stronger.
After a cursory, expressionless scan of the surroundings, the elder nodded slightly and signaled for the competition to proceed normally.
“Jianying, during the selections in the past few days, did you discover any particularly promising sword talents?”
As the competition began, the elder turned to a stern-faced, middle-aged man in white beside him.
“Reporting to the Alliance Leader, indeed, half of the participating disciples are sword practitioners. However, truly outstanding ones are rather few.”
“The path of the sword, though simple to begin, is extremely difficult to master. I believe you understand this deeply.”
“The Alliance Leader speaks truly.”
“Jianying, you brat, don’t act like you’ve gained something and are complaining. So many good talents, and you’ve dismissed them all as worthless.”
Yan Hai, the peak master of Beast Taming Peak, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, glared at Jianying beside him, showing no restraint despite the elder’s presence. It was rumored that among the disciples brought back from various regions this time, there were very few beast tamers. Therefore, he naturally found Jianying’s smug demeanor irritating.
As soon as Yan Hai finished speaking, a chorus of agreement arose. These were the peak masters of the less popular peaks expressing their dissatisfaction.
Seeing that several peak masters had begun to “punish” Jianying.
The elder smiled faintly and remained silent, his contributions hidden.
Jianying shot the elder a helpless glance and then had no choice but to argue with the old fellows.
When the elder was not present, they could generally coexist peacefully. But as soon as the elder appeared, a few words could turn the atmosphere into a chaotic mess. And he seemed to relish it, enjoying this feeling.
The arguments among the peak masters did not affect the matches on the plaza's arena.
According to the registration order, Zhang Ergou was assigned to the second group of the current competition.
As he stepped onto the arena, he found his opponent already standing there.
His opponent was a youth wielding twin maces, a smile on his face. Seeing Zhang Ergou ascend, he gave him a simple, honest grin.
Zhang Ergou became somewhat wary. Such seemingly harmless individuals were often the most dangerous. You never knew when they might strike from behind.
However, Zhang Ergou certainly didn't show his caution to his opponent, merely giving himself a mental reminder.
“I am Zhang Ergou, from the Misty Sect in the northwest of the continent.”
As soon as Zhang Ergou finished introducing himself, he noticed a flash of disdain in the opponent’s eyes. Although fleeting, he still caught it.
“Lin Ran, from a small family in Zhongzhou, not worth mentioning.”
The youth, still wearing that deceptive, honest smile, introduced himself simply.
“Please guide me, brother Lin.”
Zhang Ergou dared not be careless. Even a lion needs full force to catch a rabbit. Without knowing the opponent’s true strength, he dared not relax even in the slightest.
Saying this, he raised his spear.
Lin Ran wasted no time, swinging his twin maces towards Zhang Ergou.
Instantly, a fierce wind swept through, raising sand and gravel on the arena. Zhang Ergou’s expression became serious as he raised his spear to block.
*Clang!*
A metallic impact resounded.
Zhang Ergou remained rooted to the spot, but Lin Ran was different. Although he had initiated the attack, this exchange forced him to retreat a good dozen steps.
He quickly dropped the disarming, honest smile.
“What, giving up the act?”
“Die for me.”
Lin Ran unleashed an even fiercer assault. But Zhang Ergou was no longer going to indulge him. After the first exchange, he had already formed a rough estimation of Lin Ran’s strength.
In the previous clash between Zhang Ergou and Lin Ran, there had not appeared to be a significant gap. But that was Zhang Ergou’s intentional design, primarily to probe the opponent’s capabilities.
Zhang Ergou didn’t understand where the opponent’s sense of superiority came from. First, he showed him a hint of mockery, and then, without any concealment, he launched his attack, intending to defeat him in a single blow.
Failing to land a decisive blow, Lin Ran, holding a golden mace in each hand, swung them in alternating patterns, thrusting towards Zhang Ergou.
“Those two youngsters on Arena Number Three are rather interesting.”
Soon, the battle between Zhang Ergou and Lin Ran caught the attention of the peak masters, and it also allowed Jianying a brief respite from the "peak masters'" onslaught.
“One uses a spear, the other twin maces. Indeed, they are quite interesting.”
Someone quickly agreed.
“Old Liu, it seems your peak will also gain a good disciple.”
“Haha, it’s too early to say such things.”
“The young man wielding the twin maces uses them with great proficiency. Observe his movements; the trajectories of the two golden maces converge and diverge, clearly aimed at the opponent’s chest and back.”
“This lad is quite insidious. We’ll see how the spear-wielding youngster responds.”
It seemed that everyone was not optimistic about Zhang Ergou. Although a longer weapon has an advantage, Lin Ran’s attacks were too tricky. After the previous exchange, the peak masters did not believe Zhang Ergou could handle it as easily as before.
“Actually, I’m more optimistic about the spear-wielding youngster.”
Unlike the other peak masters, the peak master surnamed Liu expressed a different opinion.
“Why do you say that, Old Liu?”
“Intuition.”
“Haha, since opinions differ, why not make things interesting? Sitting here like this is too boring.”
“Jin Qiao, are you itching for a fight again?”
The elder suddenly spoke.
“Alliance Leader, everyone is just sitting around. Am I not trying to liven things up? Since Old Liu and the others don’t see eye to eye, why don’t we make a wager?”
“Very well.” The elder didn’t actually intend to reprimand the man.
Seeing that he had the elder’s approval, Jin Qiao was delighted.
Soon, the peak masters finalized their wagers. As some of the most powerful figures in the entire alliance, their stakes were naturally substantial. Various cultivation techniques, weapons, and pills were on offer.
“I bet on the spear-wielding youngster, one sixth-grade Primordial Pill.”
Just as Jin Qiao was recording everyone's bets, the elder suddenly spoke.
Instantly, a terrifying silence fell upon the scene, and the expressions of the peak masters varied…