With the conclusion of the first round, the top 80 wass declared.
The Yang Clan has 7 going through.
The Shen Tu Clan and Guan Clan with 6 qualified each.
But there were only 2 survivors from the Li Clan, they are Li Fuchen and Li Yunhai.
The fight for the top 40 spots are evidently much more intense. With the conclusion of the second round, contestants from each clan were cut down
The Yang Clan had 5 left, the Shen Tu Clan with 4, the Guan Clan with 3, and the Li Clan still with 2.
In the third round, with the top 20 spots on the line, the matches cannot be described as intense but were desperate instead.
As the rewards for the top 20 are too significant. Obtaining those prizes, one could smoothly cultivate for at least the next few years.
Inevitably, Li Fuchen once again is going against Guan Peng.
"The Li Clan really has the worst of luck, to have Li Fuchen fighting against Guan Peng this early on."
"Ain't that right. If not for having Guan Peng as the opponent, Li Fuchen would have no problems entering the top 20."
The crowd had heated discussions.
For the first 2 rounds, Li Fuchen put on an excellent performance and effortlessly defeated his opponents. But his next opponent, Guan Peng is distinctly different from the rest, being one of the six to enter the Tempering Pool. Guan Peng was easily a top 10 candidate and only Yang Kai could be guaranteed a win against him.
"Li Fuchen, seems like this is an arrangement from the heavens." Guan Peng's face was full of joy at Li Fuchen's misfortune.
Losing to Li Fuchen last time was the worst humiliation. He swore that Li Fuchen would have to pay the price and the time was now. Being the top 20 placement match, this battle was of utmost importance. Not only will it determine if you were getting any sort of reward, it also decided if you had the chance to enter the Cang Lan Sect.
Not passing this round would mean you get nothing, with all effort was put to waste.
Li Fuchen gave a light-hearted laugh, "Heaven's arrangement indeed."
"Still reluctant to accept your defeat huh? Wait till I bust your teeth out." Li Fuchen's self confident smirk fueled the fire within Guan Peng's gut.
***
"Patriarch, do you think Guan Peng will meet any mishaps?"
Speaking at the side of Guan Yue was Guan Tian.
Guan Peng's father, Guan Tian initially believed in his son, but Guan Peng did still lose to Li Fuchen before. Until now, it wasn't clear how did he lost and there weren't any details of the fight either. But a loss is a loss, and it proved the ability Li Fuchen possessed. On the stage, anything could happen and that made Guan Tian's heart sink.
Guan Yue shook his head, "Relax, complacency was one of the main factors why he lost to Li Fuchen. But Li Fuchen isn't even a speck of dust against the current Guan Peng."
The sudden rise of Li Fuchen did surprise Guan Yue, but in his eyes, a normal bone frame is still nothing to get hyped over, as they normally amounted to nothing in the future.
"A typical normal bone frame made all of you so nervous."
Seated on the left of Guan Yue, a greyed hair old veteran gave a snort.
Guan Yue and Guan Tian gave an awkward look at each other. The veteran was the Guan Clan's only Earth Stage practitioner who didn't attend to any affairs and only appeared bi-yearly during the genius contest.
***
"A pity, you would never be able to do that. I defeated you once, and I will do it again." Li Fuchen declared.
"Shameless boasting."
Guan Peng's form change abruptly, his wooden sword poured towards Li Fuchen like rain.
Clink, Clink, Clang, Clang…
If Guan Peng's sword form was fine like rain, then Li Fuchen's sword form would be the enveloping breeze. With the breeze blowing apart the fine rain, none were able to approach Li Fuchen.
"His ability seems to be considerably enhanced."
With a series of exchanges, Li Fuchen evaluated Guan Peng's skills. Not only does he have outstanding physical strength, every sword trajectory is crafty too. This reflected the results of his combat training.
"How could this be?"
Guan Peng's brows tighten, after this period of combat training, his sword skills had a better quality than before, with every blade aimed at Li Fuchen's weakness. He presumed Li Fuchen's combat skills to be strong but not surpassing his own. If it had been weaker than his, the Soft Flowing Sword Style would have permeated Li Fuchen. If it was on the same skill as him, he could have easily send Li Fuchen's sword flying due to his physical strength.
But out of his expectation, his Soft Flowing Sword Style was completely neutralised by the Clear Breeze Sword Style. Not only so, his opponent's every strike was aimed at his wooden sword's weakest point, which limited his usable strength to only 50%.
"Impressive, this contestant's combat skills is outstanding, easily spotting his opponent's weak points."
Cheng Zong Ming's eyes lit up and nodded in approval.
Shen Tu Jianhe nodded in agreement, "This young man is Li Fuchen, the son of the Li Clan's Patriarch. He has good talent for combat, but regretfully, he only has a normal bone frame."
"Normal bone frame?"
A look of sympathy appear on Chen Zong Ming's face. Even though Li Fuchen's combat skills wasn't outstanding,it was still considered good. If he had at least a 2 star bone frame, he would be a talent that was worth nurturing at the Cang Lan Sect.
"This bastard has such great combat skills?"
Guan Hong and Guan Yan were appalled.
Under their coaching, Guan Peng's combat skills significantly improved. But obviously, Li Fuchen was much better by seeing how he effortlessly nullified Guan Peng's Soft Flowing Sword Style.
"Don't be pleased yet!"
Guan Peng gave out a roar and with a change of his stance, he switched from the Soft Flowing Sword Style to the Rainfall Sword Style.
Compared to the Soft Flowing Sword Style, the Rainfall Sword Style gave up the subtlety but increased the velocity and rate of attack. As though the fine rain changed to light showers, the attacks came non-stop.
"Let me repeat, I have beaten you once, I will do it again."
Still wielding the Clear Breeze Sword Style, but the sword form this time around seemed to be more frantic. With a single swing, Guan Peng's sword stance got disseminated and intense sword clashes erupted.
"Young friend, I am Guan Tong. I wonder if you are willing to forsake this fight for my sake and I will reward you with anything you wish for later on."
Right at this moment, an illusionary voice penetrate right into Li Fuchen's ear, causing him to hesitate for a slight moment and expose an opening.
Not knowing why Li Fuchen expose a weak point, Guan Peng couldn't care less. His Rainfall Sword Style turned the tide and attack Li Fuchen.
Li Fuchen gave off an unpleasant look and desperately retreated as the situation is at an disadvantage.
"What's going on? How did Li Fuchen made such a big blunder? It can't be!"
"Why can't it be? Maybe Li Fuchen overexerted himself earlier and is weary now."
"Sounds reasonable."
The exchanges on the stage roused a debate among the spectators.
Li Fuchen still had considerable strength left and just Guan Peng wouldn't be enough for him to unveil his trump. After a few breaths, Li Fuchen took back the reins and oppressed Guan Peng.
"Young friend, this old man is true to his words. If you can give it up, I will gift you 5000 gold."
The voice once again resonated in Li Fuchen's ear.
Li Fuchenuchen didn't heed the voice and intensified his sword form.
Getting his reply, the face of the elder beside Guan Yue darken and slightly moved his lips.
"Young friend do not fail to appreciate my kindness. Even the City Lord has to give in to I, Guan Tong. You better reconsider carefully."
Bam!
Li Fuchen slashed at Guan Peng, forcing him down the stage.