The second most popular on the Strong Ranking, so what about the first?
Han Feng glanced at Zi Yan beside him. This girl was eating pills like candy again.
It was only thanks to her top-tier magical beast bloodline; otherwise, how could an ordinary person show off like this?
That's right, the first on the Strong Ranking was this girl.
Ever since she had knocked out the previous number one with a single punch, Zi Yan had become elusive.
Due to her reputation of reaching the top with one punch, Duanmu Qing had not deliberately tried to challenge her.
The matter dragged on and on, and the number one spot on the Strong Ranking became synonymous with mystery. Only a very small number of genius students knew, while the rest of the students had never even seen Zi Yan's face.
Back when she was at the Dou Spirit stage, she had dominated the Inner Academy. Now that she had broken through to Dou King, she had even fewer opponents.
Unless Medusa stepped down to play with her, only then would it be interesting to watch.
On the other side, Su Qian began to announce the rules of this Strong Ranking Competition. One-on-one, drawing lots. It was pretty much the same process in previous years.
The students who were able to participate in this competition jumped down into the arena using their various means.
Guo Qin cultivated a special horizontal training technique. When he landed, he let out a low lion's roar, faintly mixed with the power of sound waves.
Yan Li carried his large saber, swung out a circle of saber light in the air, and landed steadily. An afterimage of flaming saber qi still swirled above.
Entrance methods like these, each more stylish than the last. The battle between the students seemed to have already begun at this moment.
Combat sometimes relies on momentum.
Whether it was the momentum hidden in the heart or the momentum displayed.
In short, a warrior cannot be timid.
Zi Yan swallowed a pill, clapped her small hands, and jumped down from the spectator stand.
Her landing posture was very light, without any flashy display. However, almost none of the students present could see her speed clearly.
An inexplicable pressure instantly enveloped the hearts of the students in the top ten.
Is this the number one on the Strong Ranking? Truly formidable.
Compared to their pressure, the students ranked outside the top ten had mostly never seen Zi Yan. Some hadn't seen her clearly and were even thinking that if they could draw this little girl, wouldn't it be a guaranteed win?
Zi Yan walked around casually, found some steps, and sat down.
"That old man Su Qian is really slow. It takes so long just to call out names."
After calling out all the names, Su Qian took out fifty lots, half red and half blue, divided into two halves.
In the preliminary round of this competition, twenty-five matches would be fought.
The students went forward one by one in order to draw lots.
In principle, once a lot was drawn, it could not be changed. They only needed to wait for their number to be called to enter the arena.
Zi Yan drew blue lot number nine, then jumped back to the spectator seats and continued to eat leisurely.
In this competition, this girl was probably the one taking it the least seriously.
As Su Qian began to call out numbers, starting from number one, the students with the red and blue lots whose numbers were called went down one by one.
Medusa watched the two people below listlessly, feeling a bit bored.
However, Ye Qingyun and Lin Xian'er were both watching attentively. This kind of high-quality martial arts competition was rarely seen outside.
Even just reviewing today's battles would be enough for Ye Qingyun and Lin Xian'er to learn for quite a while.
Time passed bit by bit. When it was the turn of contestant number nine, the speed was the fastest. In less than ten seconds, Zi Yan had sent her opponent flying and returned.
Su Qian, standing on the referee's platform, secretly shook his head. This girl really showed no mercy.
The student who was sent flying would probably be left with a shadow in their heart.
"Well, there's nothing much to learn from this battle," Han Feng said to the two women who were watching seriously beside him.
From a technical perspective, Zi Yan's battle was indeed not much to look at.
At least for the current Ye Qingyun and Lin Xian'er, it was useless.
"What's wrong? Resolving the opponent cleanly and efficiently is very useful, alright!" Zi Yan retorted.
Han Feng smiled and nodded, not opposing Zi Yan's statement either.
"Yes, yes."
Zi Yan's fighting method was indeed effective, but it was not suitable for technical fighters like Lin Xian'er and Ye Qingyun.
Magical beasts had their advantages, and humans had theirs.
"Number twenty!"
As Su Qian's voice fell, the spectator stand suddenly fell silent.
Surrounded by his companions, Duanmu Qing slowly took a step forward.
A dragon's roar sounded. A water dragon was born out of thin air from under his feet, carrying him into the martial arts arena at extreme speed.
On the other side, Lin Yin raised her jade flute. Wisps of melodious flute sounds drifted out. Her entire body turned into scattered leaves, swirling with the wind, and arrived at the arena below.
The second on the Strong Ranking versus the third on the Strong Ranking.
This battle brought the excitement of the preliminary round to its peak.
In fact, such a highlight usually appeared on the second day. For a king-versus-king battle to happen on the first day, the students watching couldn't help but get excited.
Duanmu Qing and Lin Yin, as the strongest representatives of the male and female students in the Inner Academy, had also fought privately before, but it seemed neither had used their full strength.
In today's battle, in order to compete for the official ranking, neither side would hold back.
"Begin."
With Su Qian's order, Duanmu Qing and Lin Yin both moved.
Lin Yin blew her jade flute. Several streams of green Dou Qi condensed above her head, transforming into two clones that attacked Duanmu Qing.
Duanmu Qing circulated water flow in his palms and struck at the two clones. Powerful Dou Qi fluctuations instantly vibrated out.
To his surprise, the quality of Lin Yin's clones was very high; they could actually withstand his attack without dispersing.
Lin Yin took the opportunity to summon a green tree root to launch a sneak attack on Duanmu Qing from behind.
The sharp wooden thorn aimed at Duanmu Qing's weak point, carrying a green airwave as it stabbed fiercely.
Although Lin Yin had an outstanding appearance and a quiet temperament, she had no reservations when she struck.
Duanmu Qing had no choice but to use a Dou Skill.
With a stomp of his foot, the water flow transformed into a water dragon, coiling up around his body, blocking the attack of the wooden thorn and also repelling the two clones.
"Water Dragon Devour!"
Duanmu Qing pushed out with both palms following the direction of the water flow. Two water dragons danced intertwined and charged towards Lin Yin.
At this moment, the offense and defense were reversed. Lin Yin rotated her jade flute, forming a green barrier in front of her.
"Her fighting style is very similar to yours," Han Feng said to Ye Qingyun.
Ye Qingyun nodded, watching the arena very seriously.
Lin Yin was called the "Wood Fairy" by the Inner Academy students. Besides her masterful flute sound Dou Skill, wood-attribute Dou Qi was also her strong suit.
"Azure Wood Profound Shield!"
Seeing that Duanmu Qing's attack did not stop, Lin Yin formed a profound seal with her hand. The green barrier instantly transformed into a solid wooden wall, blocking in front of her.
Under the impact of the water dragon, the wooden shield resisted stubbornly. Although it was not damaged, several small streams of water had begun to penetrate.
Duanmu Qing quietly arranged the surrounding environment. The air became increasingly humid.
"Profound Water Domain."
Just as Duanmu Qing raised his arm, preparing to form a killing move, a beam of emerald-green light suddenly shot out from the wooden shield.
"Hmm?"
Duanmu Qing's eyes widened abruptly, and he hurriedly dodged sideways.
Lin Yin, using her jade flute as a weapon, had shot out a beam of light with extremely strong penetrating power.
"Azure Jade Heaven Light!"
Swish!
The emerald-green light beam vibrated several formation patterns in the air, then, at a speed that Duanmu Qing could not dodge, pierced through his Dou Qi armor.
———
"Ah?"
"Big Brother Qing actually..."
The members of the Azure Dragon Gang were a little anxious. If their leader was defeated just like that, it would be too embarrassing.
"Don't worry, didn't he block it?" someone pointed to the arena and said.
In the martial arts arena, Duanmu Qing clutched his right shoulder, a smile on his lips.
"Amazing, Lin Yin. When did you master this move?"
Lin Yin's expression was calm, her gaze fixed on Duanmu Qing.
"If you have any moves, use them quickly. Don't dawdle."
A blue light flashed in Duanmu Qing's eyes. Without saying more, he formed a seal with his hands.
"This move was originally reserved for that person, but you, right now, are barely qualified for me to use it."
"Hmph, showing off with words!"
Lin Yin tossed her jade flute into the air. Vines grew out from under her feet, lifting her into mid-air.
"Azure Sky Ten Thousand Feet!"
Emerald-green Dou Qi shone over half the arena. In the cracks of the ground, plants stretched out vigorously.
Under this rich natural aura, streams of blue water also quietly floated up, forming several water balls in mid-air.
These water balls emitted wisps of mist, instantly blurring the entire martial arts arena.
"Profound Water Domain: Mirage Dragon!"