Lin Fan
Lin Fan and Jiang Ting looked at each other.
"Guess it's time to show you what I've got." Lin Fan grinned.
Jiang Ting was surprised momentarily, but shook it off quickly and grinned.
'This guy sure is interesting. Even after seeing my battle, he doesn't have the slightest bit of hesitation in his eyes, eager to move forward. This is exactly the kind of determination my grandpa spoke of, the one that all swordsmen must possess. I must make sure to let Lin Fan cultivate in one of the sword martial arts. Who knows, he might become a competent swordsman in the future.'
Lin Fan walked up to the middle of the arena. His opponent had not arrived yet. Jiang Ting took the time to find a good spot near the front of the crowd around the arena. He was just waiting quietly, wondering who Lin Fan's opponent would be.
'My fight is done, hopefully I won't get another opponent like Jue Lin. I don't want to exert my body anymore. It's best if it's someone at the advanced stage, so I can directly forfeit without raising questions. As for, initial stage, I doubt there are many apart from me remaining after the fight.
At that moment, a figure walked onto the stage. It was a young man, dressed in a flame red robe. Jiang Ting's eyes flashed as he saw the man. He then grinned.
'So, it's this fool. Back then, he was badly in love with Lu Fei, getting rejected a few times before coming after me since she told him she's in love with me. After my thrashing, he became so much more obedient. Poor Lin Fan. If I'm not mistaken, this guy is going to reach top 8 in the competition this time, making the village take note of his talent.'
At this moment, Lin Fan's face showed deep concern.
'Xia Long, son of administrative elder Xia Mo. He spent all his time cultivating at home under his father's guidance. He used to be a budding scholar, till he confessed his love to senior sister Lu Fei right after she had joined the academy. She probably rejected him, because he stayed at home ever since, and has not been seen in public ever since. As the son of the administrative head, he probably has access to the highest-level techniques. This is not going to be easy.'
As Xia Long stood there, he looked out into the crowd. He eventually saw Lu Fei, standing in front of another arena with Yan Ping.
'So, she hasn't come to see my match, huh.' Xia Long felt a pang of pain in his heart. 'She'll have to notice me after the competition. I will win this competition, there is no other choice.'
The referee shouted, "Begin!"
Suddenly, Xia Long rushed at Lin Fan with blinding speed.
'If senior sister isn't watching, there is no point dragging things out.'
He struck out with his fist as Lin Fan flashed away, narrowly avoiding the blow.
Outside the arena, Jiang Ting narrowed his eyes.
'Unless I'm mistaken, that was the grade 4 agility martial art, Wind Walk. The question is, since I don't have any impression of Lin Fan, he obviously wasn't anyone worth noting unless he died early. Anyways, his cultivation has reached the middle stage of the first level of body forging realm, whereas his comprehension of Wind Walk is also at the initial stage. Within just three months of cultivation, that is good progress.'
'Although, judging by Xia Long's speed he is at least at the advanced stage of the first level of body forging. That's just the speed he showed in that instant, he could be stronger. As far as his technique goes, his first technique was already a grade five technique. Lin Fan will definitely lose.'
As he suspected, Lin Fan's Wind Walk, despite being a grade 4 agility type martial art, could hardly evade be utilised to evade Xia Long's attacks.
After missing his Target the fifth time, Xia Long's brows furrowed.
'This is getting annoying.'
He struck out with his halberd again, this time, he came upon Lin Fan in the blink of an eye.
Lin Fan's pupils constricted.
'So fast. His speed nearly doubled. What the hell? Has he been holding back all this time?'
Xia Long struck out casually, after all ,as the administrative elder's son, he couldn't behave inappropriately, especially against his juniors.
Lin Fan got pounded to the floor with that one strike, struggling to get up.
'The match is over. Winner - Xia Long.'
Both men exited as the referee called the next set of participants to stage.
"Tough luck. You did well to dodge as much as you did." Jiang Ting commented as Lin Fan walked over.
Lin Fan gave a bitter smile. "With my strength, I was hoping to last a few rounds, it is what it is I guess."
Jiang Ting looked towards the stage, where the core elders where. "The first round of eliminations should be done soon. Along with half the participants getting eliminated, a good number of winners would either be injured or exhausted. The matches from here on should end even quicker."
Lin Fan looked at him. "That's right. Speaking of which, you yourself were pushed to your limit in that fight with senior sister Jue Lin. It shouldn't be possible for you to keep fighting after another fight or two, right?"
Jiang Ting laughed, "We'll have to see if I can win another fight first."
As they kept walking, some of the arenas started calling the disciples back for their second battles. Soon enough, it was Jiang Ting's turn again.
Jiang Ting walked to the arena and waited for his opponent to show up. Soon enough, Cao Xuan walked onto stage. Jiang Ting sighed helplessly. Cao Xuan's display against Zhuge Jin had been strong. He was at the middle stage of the first level of body forging realm, and had comprehended a grade one offensive martial art to the advanced stage. This fight simply couldn't be won without displaying any more of his trump cards, so he decided to leave things be.
"I concede." Jiang Ting said as he walked off.
Cao Xuan had seen Jiang Ting's fight and knew that Xuan Li, who barely lost to Jiang Ting, was much weaker than himself. As such, he understood Jiang Ting's reasons and walked off without a complaint.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone