The betting counter next to the arena had a long line.
Gamblers waved their chips, rushing to place bets on the contestants they favored.
"Upset! White Tiger Academy's Bai Sha defeats his opponent within ten moves, odds 8.50!"
The level of clamor even drowned out the traditional gambling area nearby.
Su Zhan stopped to watch for a mont and asked, "Are a lot of people betting on this now?"
Du Wei imdiately stepped forward. "Reporting to Mr. Chen, more than a lot! It's wildly popular beyond imagination! Since the Grand Competition started, especially after entering the elimination stage, the betting pools for the Grand Competition have accounted for up to one-third of our casino's daily total cash flow! And this proportion is still steadily rising! These guys usually hesitate and weigh their options when gambling money, but when it cos to betting on which academy kid thousands of miles away wins or loses, they are surprisingly generous. It seems the reputation of the Five Great Academies' Grand Competition is truly resounding, attracting even us lawless folks."
A faint glint flickered in Su Zhan's eyes.
One-third of the total cash flow.
This number was even more astonishing than he had anticipated.
It fully proved the unparalleled popularity of the Five Great Academies' Grand Competition at this mont, which had already ford a frenzy sweeping across the entire Daxia nation.
The will of the people, the focus of public opinion.
This was precisely the stage he needed.
Su Zhan didn't ask any more questions, giving a faint nod. "Hmm, well done. The popularity can be utilized, but the rules must not be disrupted."
"Understood! Rest assured, Mr. Chen, we absolutely dare not disrupt the rules!"
Du Wei hurriedly assured him.
Su Zhan didn't linger any longer, turning and leaving this noisy place.
It seed...
The popularity of the Five Great Academies' Grand Competition was like a surging tide, penetrating everywhere. Even the soil of Black City, considered a place beyond the pale, was thoroughly saturated by it.
The people here might hold positions contrary to mainstream Daxia, might harbor hostility towards the authorities, but their admiration for power and their attention to geniuses were universal.
This tournant gathering the strongest of the younger generation also tugged at their nerves.
A slight smile touched the corner of Su Zhan's mouth.
The popularity... was even higher than imagined.
This was good.
What he wanted to borrow was precisely this overwhelming montum that had swept across the entire Daxia nation, one that even Black City could not avoid.
...
Celestial Arena.
On the massive light screen, nas rapidly scrolled before finally settling.
[Vermilion Bird Academy: Feng Jue VS Kirin Academy: Chu Zhou]
The audience instantly erupted.
"Oh my god, Feng Jue against Chu Zhou?"
"This... this is such terrible luck, directly running into one of the top favorites to win this year's championship?"
'Myriad Forms' against 'Startling Swan Sword'? SSS against SS? How do you even fight this?"
"It's over, it's over. Vermilion Bird Academy is really going to be completely wiped out this ti. Feng Jue is their last remaining face in the individual competition this year."
"They say Chu Zhou's 'Myriad Forms' can simulate and evolve all things, with endless variations. No matter how fast Feng Jue's sword is, can it break through ten thousand techniques?"
"There's a two-stage gap in strength and a one-level gap in Life Soul. This is simply a crushing match."
The barrage in the live stream instantly exploded, with almost ninety-nine percent singing Feng Jue's demise:
"RIP..."
"Done for."
"What a pity. Feng Jue's Startling Swan Sword is actually quite cool, but alas, his opponent is a cheater."
"Brother Chu Zhou, go for it! Take him down easily!"
"This is fate. Vermilion Bird Academy's luck has run out."
...
The comntator's voice was noticeably regretful. "Oh dear... this matchup... is truly the worst possible draw for Vermilion Bird Academy's contestant Feng Jue. We've all seen his previous matches. The Startling Swan Sword is swift and fierce, his fighting style is very distinct and powerful. Unfortunately... he has encountered one of the most troubleso opponents universally acknowledged in this year's tournant, Kirin Academy's Chu Zhou. Contestant Chu Zhou's 'Myriad Forms' Life Soul, with its variations and adaptability, happens to sowhat counter this kind of extre sharpness. Moreover, there is also a clear gap in their Spiritual Energy cultivation realms. In this match, contestant Feng Jue will probably face the most severe trial since the competition began!"
Inside the Vermilion Bird Academy rest area.
Xu Hao slapped his thigh fiercely, his expression grim. "Damn it, why does it have to be him!"
Liu Ziming stared fixedly at the na on the screen, gritting his teeth. "Myriad Forms... damn it, this is trouble now."
Feng Jue's fingers subconsciously tightened.
Chu Zhou. Of course he knew this na. Zhang Daoxuan's personal disciple, one of the strongest contenders for this year's Grand Competition championship.
SSS-grade Life Soul, Abyss Realm third stage cultivation... From any perspective, this was an almost impossible battle to win.
Wang Mingyuan had arrived at the rest area at so point. He patted Feng Jue's shoulder and said solemnly, "Do your best. Don't feel pressured. Losing to Chu Zhou is not shaful. Let him witness the character of our Vermilion Bird Academy."
Feng Jue took a deep breath, stood up, and straightened his clothes. "Hmm."
He replied with only one word before stepping towards the contestant passageway.
His back was straight and tall.
Just like the Startling Swan Sword in his hand. Even knowing the path ahead might be a bottomless abyss, he must press forward courageously and reveal his edge.
Even if defeat was certain, he would lose with dignity, letting everyone rember that Vermilion Bird Academy, and he, Feng Jue, had once been here, challenging the strongest.
On the arena, the atmosphere was grim and tense.
Feng Jue and Chu Zhou stood facing each other.
Chu Zhou gave a slight nod. "My master once said that after Su Zhan, Vermilion Bird Academy still has unyielding integrity. Seeing it today indeed proves it true. Being able to cross swords with a pure swordsman like you is Chu Zhou's fortune."
Feng Jue's eyes flickered slightly.
The na Su Zhan was like a tiny thorn, pricking him gently.
But imdiately, his gaze turned even colder.
"There's no need for pleasantries. Let the sword speak the truth."
His fighting spirit had already been raised to its peak.
No matter who the opponent was, no matter what the odds of victory were, he would exert his full strength and unleash the swordsmanship that belonged to him alone!
Hearing this, the trace of gentle smile on Chu Zhou's face vanished. "Please."
The referee swung his arm down. "Match begin!"
Feng Jue made no probing moves, deeply aware that against an opponent like Chu Zhou, any reservation was futile.
His body and sword light almost rged into one, transforming into a breathtaking rainbow streak difficult for the naked eye to catch, thrusting straight at Chu Zhou.
This was his fastest opening move.
Chu Zhou raised his right hand.
The ground in front of him instantly swelled, and an imnsely thick rock barrier materialized out of thin air, with runes flowing on its surface.
"Clang——!"
Feng Jue's seemingly indestructible Startling Swan Sword light stabbed fiercely into the rock-iron wall.
The rock wall shook violently, fine cracks appearing on its surface, but it ultimately was not completely pierced through.
Chu Zhou's Spiritual Energy quality and total amount far surpassed his own.
Feng Jue's pupils contracted. Not retracting his sword montum, he rapidly circled around Chu Zhou. The Startling Swan Sword transford into a sky full of sword shadows, enveloping Chu Zhou from all directions.
The sword shadows were dense and nurous.
Chu Zhou remained composed, pressing down lightly with both hands.
Centered on him, a domain containing countless shifting scenes abruptly expanded.
Within the domain, sotis vines grew wildly, entangling towards the sword light.
Sotis the water flow was rapid, slowing the sword's montum.
Sotis tal weapons clashed, parrying the sword's edge.
His 'Myriad Forms' could freely manifest various attribute powers. Though not ultimate, they were endlessly versatile and ingenious, dissolving Feng Jue's storm-like attacks one by one.
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