The next day, Wang Xiaoqiang went to participate in the competition, full of energy.

This match was the quarterfinals, where ten top contestants faced off in pairs, and five were eliminated. Then, the remaining five drew lots to decide the final four.

In the first match, Wang Xiaoqiang faced off against Luoo Youshan. Luoo Youshan's beauty attracted a large crowd of students, and Wang Xiaoqiang, this dark horse who attracted much attention and expectation, was also a focal point. As a result, layers upon layers of students surrounded the "horse" platform.

On one hand, nobody wanted Luoo Youshan to be eliminated in this match, as it would mean no more seeing her captivating presence on stage. On the other, neither did anybody want Wang Xiaoqiang to lose, for he was the dark horse of the tournament, and everyone wished for him to rise higher and enter the semifinals.

On stage, the two opposed each other.

Below the stage, hundreds of eyes were fixed on them, including Dai Yu, Ye Junqing, and even Tian Yunyi, who had just received Wang Xiaoqiang's favor last night, all cheering for Wang Xiaoqiang. Tian Yunyi, at her first taste of a man's affection, had rosy cheeks and radiated beauty.

The three women watched Wang Xiaoqiang with hopeful expressions. As the saying goes, "like repels like." As women, they had no interest in Luoo Youshan. As Wang Xiaoqiang's women, they naturally wished for their man to win.

Meanwhile, Princess Hua Shao and Ann Miaoyi also stood below the stage. Previously close sisters, their relationship now seemed strained, with underlying taboos and barriers.

Princess Hua Shao watched the stage with a calm expression. Whenever her gaze fell on Wang Xiaoqiang, there was a trace of peculiarity in her eyes.

"Wang Xiaoqiang. Come on, Wang Xiaoqiang. Come on!" Ann Miaoyi's unexpected behavior surprised everyone — previously, the high and mighty Commandery Princess, King Ann's cherished daughter, a woman as pure as water without a speck of dust, now actually cheering for a male student?!

This caused envy and jealousy among all the boys, even surprising Princess Hua Shao, because she was aware of the grudge between Wang Xiaoqiang and Ann Miaoyi. They were originally arch-rivals, so why was Ann Miaoyi now cheering for Wang Xiaoqiang? This was too unusual!

When things are abnormal, there must be something amiss!!

Indeed, Ann Miaoyi had ill intentions. It was a disguised gesture of goodwill to make Wang Xiaoqiang lower his guard because once the tournament ended, the ten winners would set out on an expedition, and in due time, her father, King Ann, would send people to assassinate Wang Xiaoqiang. Hence, she must pretend to reconcile with Wang Xiaoqiang, creating a false sense of security, to ensure he becomes careless and unprepared, so they can eliminate him unexpectedly.

Wang Xiaoqiang glanced at Ann Miaoyi discreetly, knowing she was up to no good, and glared at her.

Ann Miaoyi froze and dared not continue shouting.

Ann Miaoyi's cheering for Wang Xiaoqiang left Luoo Youshan on stage amazed. Wang Xiaoqiang's response to Ann Miaoyi's attitude not only surprised Luoo Youshan but made her see Wang Xiaoqiang in a new light.

Just imagine. King Ann's daughter, the charming and beautiful Lady Ann cheering for a man. Any other man would probably be overjoyed. Yet Wang Xiaoqiang remained unfazed and even gave her a fierce glare.

This made Wang Xiaoqiang look cooler than ever!

In fact, not just Luoo Youshan, but even the students below the stage viewed Wang Xiaoqiang differently.

Taking his eyes off Ann Miaoyi, Wang Xiaoqiang turned to look at Luoo Youshan, dressed in a light pink dress that reached the ground, her slender waist further accentuated by a cloud belt, making it look as if it couldn't be held. Her hair adorned with a Seven-Treasure Coral Hairpin made her face appear like a lotus. Her beauty was unparalleled, her phoenix eyes effortlessly filled with allure and majesty. Her lush black hair arranged in an elegant bun, resplendent and opulent, adorned with finger-sized Bright Pearls that were as luminous as snow. Her dark green eyebrows exquisitely long, abandoning the beaded tassel for three thousand strands of finely carved Plum Hairpin, lightly dusted with fine makeup.

Delicate eyebrows fanned open like a horizontal distant peak, her dark locks immersed in lush spring mist, possessing a spiritual energy akin to Wushan clouds or an orchid's ethereal quality. Gazing at the breathtaking beauty before him, Wang Xiaoqiang reached out, gesturing politely, and said, "Luoo Youshan, we can begin."

Luoo Youshan had little to say, flicking her jade hands, Spiritual Power surged like tides as her left and right hands each condensed a ring-like Divine Weapon, reminiscent of children's chokers. The ring Divine Weapons shimmered ominously, appearing formidable and poised to strike.

Luoo Youshan was at the Fifth Soldier Realm of the Immortal Sage, famed also for her "Way of Gentleness." Yet now she only condensed two Divine Weapons, leading Wang Xiaoqiang to believe she either intended to probe or simply underestimated him, appearing confident and unwilling to reveal her true strength.

Seeing this, Wang Xiaoqiang clasped his hands behind his back, standing steadfast, releasing the two layers of Golden Shell within him for defense.

"Go!!" Seeing Wang Xiaoqiang with his hands behind his back, treating her dismissively, Luoo Youshan's face chilled, she shouted, and her dual-ring Divine Weapons crashed towards Wang Xiaoqiang.

Clang! Clang!

The ring Divine Weapons struck the Golden Shell, emitting a ringing clash, indenting the shell but failing to shatter it, ultimately rebounding due to the inner layer of the Golden Shell.

Luoo Youshan's complexion paled, she again condensed Divine Weapons in her hands, this time each hand formed two ring Divine Weapons, roaring towards Wang Xiaoqiang.

Clang! Clang!

Accompanied by louder crashes than before, yet still unable to break the Golden Shell, the four ring Divine Weapons rebounded.

Seeing this, Luoo Youshan's expression grew colder, her fingers interlocked in an orchid gesture, forming five ring Divine Weapons on her right hand, stacked and jingling like bells, and with a push of her hands, the five ring Divine Weapons thundered simultaneously, akin to overlapping waves, amplifying their power.

Wang Xiaoqiang's willpower shifted, releasing the third layer of Golden Shell, three layers tightly shielded his body.

Clang!!

The five rings of divine weapons collided simultaneously with the golden shell, causing the three-layered golden shell to cave in. However, when they hit Wang Xiaoqiang's body, they were blocked by the fourth layer of the golden shell beneath his skin, and the rings were violently shaken back.

Luoo Youshan's face turned pale. The repeated attacks had discouraged her; her opponent's Vajra Body was too formidable. At this moment, she realized that Wang Xiaoqiang's victories in the battle arena were not mere luck; he truly had strength. Previously, he was just a cat playing with mice, but now, he seemed to be toying with her.

Luoo Youshan felt a sense of powerlessness. Furious, she raised her delicate brows and waved her hand. Immediately, she unleashed the Way of Virtue, a large "Virtue" character flew out from within her body. This character was larger than the mouth of a basin, shining with golden light, and rushed towards Wang Xiaoqiang.

Wang Xiaoqiang saw that the Way of Virtue was extremely powerful, surpassing his Path of Courage. He dared not delay and immediately waved his hand, as the "Courage" character emerged from his body, glittering with gold, colliding head-on with the "Virtue" character.

In the next moment...

The Virtue character and the Courage character collided fiercely.

The Virtue character knocked the Courage character back three feet, then the two characters bounced apart. The intense impact force exploded at the point of collision, emanating thousands of golden rays like sharp swords. Most of these rays shot back towards Wang Xiaoqiang, while a smaller portion rushed at Luoo Youshan.

Luoo Youshan leaped to dodge but was too slow; her dress was pierced by the golden light, exposing her pale legs.

Wang Xiaoqiang was protected by the golden shell, and even the sharp golden rays couldn't harm him. So far, he hadn't moved a muscle, whereas Luoo Youshan, jumping up and down, had her skirt torn apart and was left in a disheveled state.

"Admit defeat!" Wang Xiaoqiang said. "For a woman, lack of ambition is a virtue. Being too competitive isn't good, and since you're cultivating the Way of Virtue, you should be gentle and yielding. Besides, you've already made it to the top ten, which is enough..."

Listening to Wang Xiaoqiang's advice, Luoo Youshan's heart was moved. Entering the top ten allowed her to receive the cleansing of the Power of the Sacred Dao from the Old Master, which was a tangible benefit. Beyond that, only fame awaited.

What use is that fame?

Moreover, being excessively competitive indeed contradicted her Way of Virtue.

The main issue was that Wang Xiaoqiang's strength was overwhelming; winning seemed impossible.

Thinking of this, Luoo Youshan clasped her fists at Wang Xiaoqiang and said, "Classmate Wang's cultivation is profound; I humbly admit defeat."

Having said that, she gracefully floated off the arena.

Seeing Luoo Youshan's awareness, Wang Xiaoqiang couldn't help but gaze at her, this serene orchid-like lady.

...

After the five rounds, half of the top ten were eliminated, leaving five to compete for the top four.

These five would draw lots to decide the matches. The administrators prepared five lots and gathered them together for the draw. The numbers on the lots were 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4.

The one who drew lot 0 would receive a bye, advancing directly to the top four to prepare for the championship matches tomorrow. Those who drew lots 1 and 2 would duel against each other, as would those drawing lots 3 and 4. The losers would be eliminated, and the winners advanced to the top four.

Among the five were Fang Qiu, Wang Xiaoqiang, Su Li, a student named Yuee Buhui, and a boy named Fengh Yuxiu. Although drawing the bye didn't reflect true strength, everyone hoped to draw it, as it meant bypassing a match and advancing without the worry of being eliminated.

The lucky bye lot ultimately fell into Wang Xiaoqiang's hands.

With lot 0, Wang Xiaoqiang was lucky to advance to the top four and could participate in the championship matches tomorrow.

Fang Qiu with lot 1 dueled Fengh Yuxiu with lot 2. As expected, Fang Qiu defeated Fengh Yuxiu in three moves, and Yuee Buhui with lot 3 faced Su Li with lot 4, resulting in Su Li's defeat.

The defeated Su Li faced Fengh Yuxiu in another duel, and Fengh Yuxiu was defeated again, losing twice and being eliminated from the arena. The top four emerged.

After the match, Wang Xiaoqiang went back to cultivate, using pills to repair the damaged golden shell. Tian Yunyi said she had good body refining pills in her shop for Wang Xiaoqiang to take.

When he arrived at the shop, Tian Yunyi took out a box of pills, opened it, and handed it to Wang Xiaoqiang, saying, "Little Qiang, these pills contain Metal Attribute Spiritual Energy, extracted from a Gold Mine, which greatly aids Vajra Body cultivators. Please take them..."

"How much are they? I'll pay you in gold coins."

"Let's not talk about money between us," Tian Yunyi blocked Wang Xiaoqiang's mouth with her fair hands.

"Then how should I thank you..."

"Just like last night." Tian Yunyi leaned in Wang Xiaoqiang's embrace and gently murmured. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you're welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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