Chapter 558: The Start of the Grand Competition (1/2)

Chapter 558: The Start of the Grand Competition

The moment Xiao Yan reported his number, Bai Cheng’s expression immediately stiffened. On top of it stiffening, there was even an additional paleness.

Bai Cheng had bore a grudge for Xiao Yan ever since he had been defeated by his hands, and he had been blaming his defeat on the matter of Xiao Yan swallowing the ‘Dragon Strength Pill’; perhaps this was because he did not want to admit to the true reason for losing. However, at this instant, an extremely faint fear rose in his heart. It appeared that although he was unwilling to admit it with his mouth, but in a deep region of his heart he did indeed feel a fear toward Xiao Yan.

Bai Cheng tightened his grip on the bamboo stick in his hand and eyed the playful smile that hung on the corner of Xiao Yan’s mouth. His face twitched a little as he lowered his eyes. That gaze was like he had grabbed a ravenous wolf with his hand. Dammit, even if I have to go all out this time around, I won’t give you the opportunity to place in a top ten position on the ‘Strong Ranking’.

Xiao Yan calmly eyed Bai Cheng who had lowered his head. He played with the bamboo stick in his hand, but was not too worried in his heart. Back then, when he was only a one star Dou Ling, he had been able to defeat Bai Cheng. Now that his strength had advanced quite a little, he no longer needed to do something like tire himself out from expending too much effort which he did the last time.

After Xiao Yan, there were some people who continued to pick the bamboo sticks. Among them, Wu Hao’s opponent was a one star Dou Ling that was ranked 43rd on the ‘Strong Ranking’. This kind of strength could only be considered to be at the back of the ‘Strong Ranking’. Although Wu Hao’s strength was merely at the peak of the Da Dou Shi class, his chances of victory were quite great if he went all out. From the looks of his smiling appearance, it was clear that he was rejoicing at his luck.

After the final competitor picked his lot under everyone’s gaze, the order of the matches in the arena had mostly been settled. The number of dispirited people with helpless looks on their faces was not lacking. This was because their opponents were those experts who were ranked at the top of the ‘Strong Ranking’. Among them, a fellow who had reached the strength of a four star Dou Ling had coincidentally picked a number that was the same as Liu Qing. The instant the number had been read out, this fellow’s expression immediately turned ashen. Although his strength could be considered to be at the middle level on the ‘Strong Ranking’, his chances of victory undoubtedly fell to an insignificant value in the face of a top expert like Liu Qing.

What was interesting was the opponent of Zi Yan. This fellow was a dark horse that had recently stolen the limelight and entered the ‘Strong Ranking’. Moreover, from the looks of his manner, he seemed to be a person who only knew how to undertake a retreat and train. This resulted in him not having much knowledge about Zi Yan. Therefore, when he saw that his opponent was actually a little girl, he began to part his mouth and laugh disdainfully under some gazes from around him were reserved for looking at an idiot. Seeing this scene, Xiao Yan and the others controlled their laughter. Perhaps this fellow would immediately cry until dusk once the competition began.

Su Qian’s gaze slowly swept across the entire place. When he saw that all the competitors had figured out their opponents, he nodded slightly. A faint old voice reverberated throughout the stadium, “Since the drawing of lots is over, all of you should return to your seats first. The order of the matches will be drawn in succession.”

Once his words sounded, Su Qian’s hand drew a bamboo stick from a cylinder in front of him. He glanced at it and said faintly, “Number seven.”

The bodies of two people among the competitors in the arena suddenly sprang straight up upon hearing the number that Su Qian called.

“Those people who have the blue and red bamboo stick bottom with the number seven should stay. The others should leave.” Su Qian ordered as he waved his hand.

Everyone immediately rushed out upon hearing Su Qian’s order. Only two people were left.

The two people in the arena also knew the rules. In the next moment, they swiftly focused their attention. Their faces were tight as faint Dou Qi overflowed from their bodies. Each of them took out their weapons as their gazes sharply gauged their opponent.

The viewing gallery which had become much quieter eyed the gradually permeating fiery fighting intent in the arena, and private conversations once again broke out. Some of the gazes had also become boiling hot at this moment. The ‘Strong Ranking’ Grand Competition which they had anticipated for a long time finally had its curtain drawn.

Xiao Yan and Wu Hao returned to the tall platform. The former gaze met with Lin Xuya not far away, exchanging a smile and a nod of their heads.

“These two fellows are ranked 35th and 38th. Their strength is not too far apart from one another. There will be some anxiety when they fight.” Wu Hao eyed the two people in the arena and laughed.

Xiao Yan randomly nodded. His body leaned on the guardrail as his gaze lazily stayed in the arena.

“It is unexpected that Xiao Yan ge-ge’s opponent is actually Bai Cheng again.” Xun Er covered her mouth and laughed softly.

“He is just someone who was defeated by me.” Xiao Yan smiled and replied. His gaze had some unknown feeling to it. Although there were a couple people who would say that his victory over Bai Cheng was because he relied on the help of a medicinal pill, even after he had put up a stage and accepted challenges back then, it did not remove the root of the issue. Now that they were going to meet again, he could coincidentally clearly display his strength for everyone to see in public. If he could defeat Bai Cheng once, then he would be able to defeat him a second time and even a third time!

“But that fellow appears to hold a grudge against you. Your meeting this time around might really end up in an all out match. Although you are not afraid of him, you should also be careful. In the event that he injures you after going all out, you would be disadvantaged in the matches that follow.” Wu Hao frowned and reminded.