Chapter 77: D-1 and The Mass Elimination
I looked toward the vassal sects' head seats, particularly at one person—the "Iron Bone Hall" Elder. The hosting elder had announced that this sect was the champion of body refinement, known for their indestructible physiques and overwhelming might in close combat. And now, looking at the sheer amount of muscles on her body... Yes, it was a she, not a he. I, too, was confused at first, but after taking three more glances, I was finally sure that the elder was a female.
It was just that, because of all the muscles, her features had hardened and become a little too defined, her skin sticking close to her bones, which gave her a sharp look and appearance. Her hair was cut short, only about shoulder-length, tied at the back. But her tanned skin proved that she must have worked extra hard under the sun, enough to get sunburns.
I looked away after I was done checking out the mysteries of Body Refinement. If a female could become like that, what about men? I shivered at the thought—the picture really did not look right.
"Hey, brother, are you okay?" A disciple from the Hidden Dragon Sect sitting beside me asked as I shivered. His concern was actually justified because it was winter, and I really did not have any good memories of this season. The peak of the mountain was covered in snow, while the bottom had dried up due to the peak hours of the sun. If someone looked at the Hidden Dragon Sect from a distance, they would be greeted with a mind-boggling contrast.
I nodded toward the male disciple and continued watching the excitement. The hosting elder once again stepped onto the stone platform. Before, he had gone back inside—but how would I know?
Dong—Dong—
The drumbeats slowly faded, leaving behind a tense silence as the elder surveyed the sea of outer sect disciples before him. Thousands of hopeful cultivators stood in neat rows, their gazes filled with determination and ambition. Some were brimming with confidence, while others clenched their fists in nervous anticipation. All of them had gathered here for a single purpose—to fight, prove their worth, and claim a place among the elites of the Hidden Dragon Sect.
The elder took a step forward, his voice carrying with ease over the vast coliseum.
"Disciples of the Outer Sect, today marks the beginning of your path toward greater heights! This tournament is not merely a contest—it is a trial by fire, a test to see who among you has the qualifications to rise above the rest!"
His words stirred emotions among the gathered disciples. Some straightened their backs, while others exhaled deeply, preparing themselves for the grueling challenge ahead.
"The rules are simple yet ruthless. Thousands of you stand here today, yet only one will claim the title of champion! The path to victory will not be easy, for each round will eliminate those who are unworthy until only the strongest remain! But no killing is allowed. If the elders presiding over each fight sense that someone has murderous intent toward their opponent, they will be immediately disqualified, while the victim will have the option to either advance or quit."
He extended his hand toward the towering arena.
"This tournament shall be divided into multiple rounds, each designed to test your strength, resilience, and mastery of martial arts! Now, listen carefully, for I shall explain how this grand competition will unfold!"
First Round: The Mass Elimination (Day 1 - Morning & Afternoon Sessions)
"The first round shall be a battlefield of survival! All participants shall be divided into twenty battle arenas, where groups of disciples will fight at once. Victory is determined by either knocking out your opponents or forcing them off the platform. Each battle shall last a maximum of ten minutes. Those who remain standing at the end shall advance to the next round. If a battle is undecided after the time limit, the judges will determine the winners based on performance."
"The first round alone will eliminate more than eighty percent of the participants! This is where we separate the weak from the strong!"
Second Round: One-on-One Duels (Day 2 - Morning to Night)
"With the weaker ones removed, the second round shall proceed with direct one-on-one combat. The remaining disciples shall be paired randomly, and each battle shall continue until one side admits defeat or is incapacitated. Killing is prohibited, but severe injuries are inevitable!"
"This round shall cut the numbers down further, leaving only one hundred among you!"
Third Round: The Hundred Battle (Day 3 - Full Day)
"With only the hundred best disciples remaining, we shall move to a point-based ranking system! Each disciple will participate in five battles, and victory shall earn them points. The thirty-two with the highest scores will move on to the next round!"
Fourth Round: The Grand Tournament (Day 4 - Full Day)
"The top thirty-two shall then be arranged into a single-elimination bracket. From this point onward, there will be no second chances. Lose once, and you are out! These battles shall be more intense than ever before, with only the best of the best remaining!"
Final Rounds: The Ultimate Showdown (Day 5 - Final Day)
"By the fifth day, only four disciples shall remain! These warriors shall battle in a semi-final round to determine the final two, who will then clash for the title of Outer Sect Champion!"
His voice rang with authority as he concluded, "Five days, five trials, and countless battles! Only those who endure hardship, sharpen their blades against adversity, and seize every opportunity shall reach the final stage! There is no mercy for the weak—only the strong shall prevail!"
He paused for a moment, letting the disciples process the weight of his words. Then, with a sharp gaze, he swept his arm through the air.
"The time for words is over! Let the Outer Sect Tournament—BEGIN!"
...
Stampede.
That was what it was called—when the crowd rushed in different directions in a chaotic manner. I had no choice but to follow the flow of the crowd; whenever I was pushed left, I shifted, and when another push came, I was thrown right, and so on. Everyone was in a hurry because the locations for the First Round: The Mass Elimination had been revealed, with a list of names showing which group was assigned to which battle arena.
Many might ask why not just fly to the arenas, but this was the Hidden Dragon Sect's territory, where flying was prohibited. We were only allowed to travel on foot—this rule applied to both outer disciples and non-sect members.
Swoosh—Swoosh—
I looked up and saw Hidden Dragon Sect disciples flying away on their swords.
Well... Rules were meant to be broken. The strong did not need to follow any fixed set of rules.
Among those flying, there were also outsiders whose presence alone was no less intimidating than the Head Elder's. It was understandable why they wouldn't follow the rules. But an inexplicable anger arose within me—not toward the strangers but toward the inner sect disciples. If they had not first broken the rules of their own sect, diminishing its authority, how dare the outsiders attempt to insult our rules on our own ground?
I clenched and unclenched my fists. Hoo... With a deep exhale, I let out the anger and inhaled, calming my heart and suppressing the emotions rising within me.
This must also be a type of trial—testing my resolve to stay true to the Dao of Silence. But I won't let myself be controlled by this Dao, nor by that scheming system.
I had thought of a solution...
I scoffed, recalling the past. I was still curious about where she was... my cellmate.