Today was the day for the foundation-establishment cultivators’ arena matches. Upon arriving at the arena square, the group noticed significant changes from the previous day. The auditorium where disciples had previously sat had been integrated into the arena, with vertical stands scattered around. Seven thick stone pillars stood in the middle, serving as seats for the cultivators to watch the competitions.

Li Tianyan spotted the words “Tianfan Immortal Sect” engraved on one of the pillars. He soared up on his sword with Cheng Qi, followed closely by other disciples. After landing, they found the other stone pillars already occupied by representatives from various sects.

Most of the qi-condensation cultivators who had completed their competitions were also present today, relishing the rare opportunity to witness foundation-establishment cultivators from various sects compete on the same stage. Due to the significant number of qi-condensation cultivators in attendance, protective formations adorned each stone pillar, isolating their breath to shield them from the potent true spiritual energy of the foundation-establishment cultivators.

Cheng Qi scanned the area where Haoyue Immortal Sect sat but couldn’t find Cheng Yu. He assumed he must have retreated for meditation.

The disciples from other sects arrived shortly thereafter. Once seated, they observed the competition host take the stage and announce the day’s rules.

Still standing in the arena field below was the former peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. After bowing in several directions, he declared, “The competition among the Foundation Establishment cultivators officially begins today. Participants will be randomly paired to compete, and the first to win three matches in a cumulative format will secure a spot. The competition will conclude once fifty spots are filled.”

“Young master, the disciple won’t face elimination even if they lose,” Cheng Qi noted, noticing the difference in rules and glancing at Li Tianyan for confirmation.

“Yes, after three rounds, if fewer than fifty winners emerge, they’ll continue competing,” Li Tianyan affirmed.

The listeners behind them wore stiff expressions. Winning three consecutive matches was no easy feat. Why did Li Tianyan make it sound as though it would be nearly settled in three rounds?

At that moment, the ground beneath the stone pillars began to shift, transforming the vast arena into more than twenty individual arenas. Each new arena was more than twice the size of those used in the qi-condensation cultivators’ competition.

The people sitting on the top of the stone pillar looked around and had a panoramic view of all twenty arenas. Everyone was subdued by the generosity of Haoyue Immortal Sect, and sighed in their hearts that it was indeed the number one sect in the mainland.

“The identities and names of both combatants will be displayed on each stage later. Once you see your name, you can get on the stage. If the competition has started, those who have not entered the stage will be considered as abstainers. Those who injured someone’s life would be disqualified from the competition,” the cultivator presiding over the competition repeated the last rule tirelessly.

After hearing this, all the foundation-establishment cultivators focused their attention on the twenty arenas, ready to go on stage at any time. However, they all had the same secret idea in their hearts. They must not be in the same arena with Li Tianyan.

It didn’t take long for many names to appear on the arena. On the fourth arena was Li Tianyan of Tianfan Immortal Sect. The person competing with him on the same stage was Chen Feng from Feiyun Villa in the Northern Region.

As soon as Li Tianyan saw his name, he immediately arrived on the stage with his flying sword, but the cultivator opposite him had a bitter look on his face, as if he could already predict the outcome of this fight.

On the stone pillar of Tianfan Immortal Sect in the distance, Huo Xing said to several disciples behind him who were also not on stage, “Would you like to guess how long Senior Brother Li’s opponent could last?”

“Half a moment.”

“I guess ten breaths.”

“Ten breaths is too fast, let’s say thirty.”

Before the group could finish their discussion, they heard the beating of drums, and they all looked at the No. 4 ring with full attention. As soon as Li Tianyan released a huge water dragon, his opponent immediately stepped down, and everyone was stunned for a moment.

It wasn’t until a while later that someone said, “Did that person surrender on his own?”

“Maybe he didn’t want to waste time and energy. After all, admitting defeat early allows him to start the next round.”

“That makes sense,” others nodded. It was a sudden realization that abandoning the game decisively at this time could also be a tactic.

“This person is too cunning,” someone remarked. But many were thinking they would probably do the same thing if they faced Li Tianyan.

When Chen Feng returned to the stone pillar where Feiyun Villa was located, he heard his fellow disciples praising his timely surrender as wise, but he smiled helplessly in his heart. He didn’t want to surrender just now. Before stepping onto the stage, he had contemplated fighting Li Tianyan for a while, but in the end, he couldn’t withstand any of his moves.

When Cheng Qi saw Li Tianyan returning, his eyes sparkled. “Young master is so awesome.”

The previous opponent didn’t step down as others claimed; he was forced to go by the water dragon infused with thunder and lightning. This time, the young master didn’t hold back at all, using all his strength in one move.

Li Tianyan smiled and tousled Cheng Qi’s hair. “Master said to keep a low profile.”

Hearing this, the other disciples behind him couldn’t help but smirk. Li Tianyan ended the fight with just one move. How low-profile was that?

When Cheng Qi saw Li Tianyan sit down, he leaned in close and asked softly, “Young master, why did you knock him down just now?”

Except for during practice sessions, Li Tianyan was usually reserved. His action today seemed inconsistent with his usual demeanor.

“From what I observed, I don’t think he was a match, so I didn’t see the point in dragging it out,” Li Tianyan replied seriously. In truth, he felt that at his level, dealing with a group of juniors wasn’t a big deal, so he simply asked the opponent to step down and face someone else.

Note

Lol, Li Tianyan is an old cow