Chapter 13: Breakout Competition

Chuyun Platform.

The previous day, the arenas were packed with participants, but the audience seats were sparse. Today, it was the exact opposite.

The eighteen arenas still stood, and behind each one, the spectator stands were mostly full. These individuals were all those eliminated from the group stage. Out of over 1,700 participants, only 180 managed to qualify for the breakout round. A 90% elimination rate was indeed incredibly high!

Above the main arena, Xiao Qixiu still stood, sword on his back. The chief referee gently pressed his hands down, and the restless crowd immediately quieted. Calmly, he pulled a piece of paper from his robe and slowly began to read:

"Congratulations, 180 warriors, you have successfully distinguished yourselves in the group stage and advanced to the breakout round."

"This year's breakout round will still be held across eighteen arenas. Each group stage champion will serve as an arena master, and opponents will be randomly matched through a draw."

He produced a blue formation token, and as spiritual energy was infused into it, the token vibrated. Instantly, a large light screen appeared above each of the eighteen arenas. The drawing of lots would be conducted via these screens.

The audience began to grow somewhat boisterous. Xiao Qixiu gestured for silence, indicating he still had more to say.

"There are only sixty-four spots available in this breakout round. Before all spots are filled, any contestant who wins three consecutive matches will successfully advance."

"Each person, including arena masters, has two opportunities to challenge."

"Of course, if you happen to face seeded players both times, you might as well start preparing for next year's competition, or simply pack up and go home."

Xiao Qixiu chuckled, folded the paper neatly, and put it back into his robe. "Now, let the matches begin!"

At his command, the spectators erupted. Compared to the immense pressure they felt previously, the now-benched audience members were all visibly excited, cheering passionately for their favorite contestants.

"Go, Senior Sister!"

"Senior Brother Chao, you must defeat Senior Sister and claim first place this year!"

"Xu Xiaoshou, hang in there!"

"Ahhh, Zhou Zuo, vindicate us 'losers'! I love you!"

Zhou Zuo, standing in the arena, trembled. His legs felt shaky even just standing there. He finally realized that qualifying for the breakout round through sheer luck wasn't as great as it seemed.

Looking around, almost everyone present had cultivation realms of eight, nine, or even ten. "How can I, Zhou Zuo, with a mere third-realm cultivation, stand among these formidable experts?"

"Senior Brother Liu, I'm a bit nervous," he stammered, tugging at Liu Zhen's sleeve. He chuckled self-deprecatingly, trying to reassure himself, "I'm probably the first person in Tianxang Spirit Palace to dare to stand here with such a low cultivation level."

Liu Zhen took a deep breath. "Don't worry, you might be the first, but you're definitely not the only one."

Zhou Zuo looked up. Liu Zhen revealed his sixth-realm cultivation and slowly added, "Me too."

Xu Xiaoshou was arguably the most carefree among the trio with the lowest cultivation levels, mainly because he didn't rely on cultivation for fighting; he was simply audacious!

The sound waves from the audience were simply overwhelming. He clutched his ears, unable to bear such frenzied cheering. "Hang in there," "vindicate us"—were they sure they weren't just here to jeer?

Taking long strides, Xu Xiaoshou wanted to quickly enter Arena No. 18 to assume his role as arena master and use the barrier to block out the noise. Suddenly, he glanced at his info panel.

"Received Encouragement, Passive Points +43.""Received Praise, Passive Points +14.""Received Mockery, Passive Points +8.""..."

The messages updated one after another. Although the passive points gained each time weren't many, they were consistent.

Xu Xiaoshou, with his wooden sword on his back, involuntarily stopped. He turned around, waving both hands.

"Thank you, everyone!""Thank you for all your encouragement!""I, Xu, will certainly do my best and live up to your expectations! Please, give me more encouragement and support!""Love you all! Sending a heart!"

The audience froze. To be honest, they had only cheered symbolically to avoid an awkward silence. Receiving such an overtly cheesy response instantly made them feel uncomfortable.

"Is this Xu Xiaoshou crazy?""Everyone else is already in the arena, but he's still running around outside?""Look at his idiotic expression; is this guy really an arena master?""Don't even mention it, I was wondering the same thing. He's only at the sixth realm, two realms lower than me, so how did he become an arena master?"

Xu Xiaoshou continued running around the arena, checking his info panel. The audience was too enthusiastic; with just one wave, his passive points instantly increased significantly.

"Received Mockery, Passive Points +223.""Received Mockery, Passive Points +146.""Received Mockery, Passive Points +343."

"See? Although it turned into mockery, the sheer volume of points gained was irresistible. Xu Xiaoshou felt even more pleased."

"Excellent! Mock me more! Those with the ability, mock me a few more times; let the storm rage even fiercer!"

In just a short while, the passive points in his mind had already surpassed four digits. Earning points with just a wave of his hand, without even getting hit, was incredibly satisfying!

Inside Arena No. 18, the referee paced back and forth.

"Why isn't this person here yet?" He recalled Xu Xiaoshou's cramped legs from the previous match and wondered if he had another urgent matter. He decided to go out and check.

After the last match, he had gone back to reflect on his experience, realizing he was too easily provoked by Xu Xiaoshou and lost his composure. As a referee, this was utterly irrational and unprofessional. He had adjusted his mindset, restoring his calm like an undisturbed ancient well, ready to face this breakout round.

However, the moment he stepped out of the arena to look, his composure instantly shattered again. What was this kid doing? Other arenas were already preparing for the draw, but this guy still hadn't come in to compete. A dignified arena master, running laps around the Chuyun Platform while waving?

The referee was completely flabbergasted. Last time, he was infuriated during the match; this time, the match hadn't even begun, and he already felt his lungs might burst from anger.

"Xu... Xiao... Shou!"

Xu Xiaoshou turned back in surprise, seeing the referee gritting his teeth, yet trying his best to wave at him with a friendly expression.

"Uh, has the match started already?" Xu Xiaoshou walked over to the referee. "Isn't there a half-incense stick's time for warm-up?"

*Heh*, you certainly know the rules well! The referee's face darkened. "Are you warming up?"

"Yes!" Xu Xiaoshou nodded seriously. "I'm jogging to warm up. I need to get my body moving first so I'll have the energy for the match later."

The referee's body trembled. He let out a deep breath and said, "Get in here!"

He didn't want to say another word to this kid and turned to walk away.

Xu Xiaoshou thought it strange, but he had no choice but to follow him into the arena. Sure enough, once inside, his info panel quieted down.

"What a waste of passive points!" Xu Xiaoshou mused. It seemed, based on this situation, that passive points could only be acquired by directly sensing others' emotions and actions. Things like barrier isolation, or people secretly badmouthing him from a distance, wouldn't yield any points.

"Received Curse, Passive Points +1."

Xu Xiaoshou: "???"*Don't be so obvious, alright? There are only two of us here, Referee!*

As Xu Xiaoshou thought this to himself, the light screen above the platform began to flicker. His name was fixed on the left, while the right side flashed before settling.

"Di Xin'er!"

A graceful young woman answered the call and stepped onto the arena. She carried a blue spiritual sword on her back and possessed an eighth-realm cultivation. As she walked, her beautiful eyes showed a hint of bitterness.

She didn't want to fight Xu Xiaoshou. He was primarily a body cultivator, incredibly savage. If possible, she would have preferred to spar with a sword cultivator. Even if she couldn't win, she could at least gain some experience!

However, with no other choice, she stepped onto the platform and gave a slight bow. "Greetings, Senior Brother Xu." Having entered the Spirit Palace two years prior and being younger than Xu Xiaoshou, it was natural for her to address him as Senior Brother.

"No, no, no!" Xu Xiaoshou saw her posture as she approached and secretly thought, *This can't be good. Is this girl planning to surrender? Even if you're carrying a sword and might cut me, I wouldn't mind! As long as I can earn passive points.*

*But what's with that expression? You're an eighth-realm expert, with higher cultivation than me. Have a little confidence, alright?*

Fearing that the girl would immediately surrender the moment the referee declared the match open, Xu Xiaoshou quickly interjected:

"Cowardice before battle is a great taboo against the enemy; fleeing without a fight is a disgrace to cultivation; surrendering with folded hands is a stain on one's life!"

Di Xin'er paused, taken aback. She did indeed have such thoughts, but she was hesitant, knowing she only had two chances to fight. Hearing Xu Xiaoshou's words, she immediately accepted reality and resolved to fight properly.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Xu, Xin'er has learned a valuable lesson!"

"Received Gratitude, Passive Points +1."

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled, showing an expression that implied she was a teachable student.

A good start before the battle even began; this was a promising sign.

The referee, however, had a change of heart towards him. He never expected the vexatious Xu Xiaoshou to utter such profound words; it was truly out of character!

With a wave of his hand, he declared, "Let the matches begin!"