Chapter 19: The Survival Round BeginsThe Azure Kingdom Royal Academy’s Grand Arena trembled with excitement.

    Thousands of disciples filled the seats, their eager whispers and shouts of anticipation creating a deafening roar.

    The golden platform where the elders sat shimmered under the morning sun. At its center, the Academy Headmaster observed the battlefield with a calm, unreadable gaze.

    Then—

    "Let the first round of the tournament begin!"

    BOOOOOOM!

    The arena floor rumbled, and in an instant—portals appeared, swallowing all the participants into the first battleground:

    ???? The Misty Cloud Battlefield.

    A blinding light enveloped Xiao Li.

    When his vision cleared, he found himself in a vast, mystical forest, surrounded by thick white mist.

    Towering ancient trees loomed overhead, their leaves glowing faintly with spiritual energy.

    The ground was damp, and eerie whispers of wind echoed through the trees.

    "This is the battlefield?"

    Xiao Li examined his surroundings, sensing the presence of other competitors scattered across the area.

    The rules of the Survival Round were simple:

    ???? 300 participants enter.

    ???? Only the top 100 will advance.

    ???? You must either defeat others to earn points or survive for three days.

    Xiao Li smirked.

    "Three days? I won’t need that long."

    The moment Xiao Li took a step forward—

    WHOOSH!

    A shadow flickered behind him, moving at terrifying speed.

    "You shouldn’t have come here, Xiao Li."

    A blade sliced toward his neck—a killing move.

    But—

    "Too slow."

    Xiao Li vanished.

    "What—?!"

    Before his attacker could react, a palm strike crashed into his chest.

    BOOOOOOM!

    The force sent him flying through the trees, crashing into the ground twenty meters away.

    Xiao Li appeared beside him, stepping on his wrist before he could grab his weapon again.

    The fallen disciple’s eyes filled with terror.

    "M-Monster…!"

    Xiao Li smiled.

    "Thanks for the warm-up."

    With a flick of his fingers—

    CRACK!

    The disciple’s consciousness faded as he collapsed.

    A golden talisman appeared in the air, signifying Xiao Li’s first point.

    He caught it between two fingers, inspecting it lazily.

    "One down. Ninety-nine to go."

    Then, without hesitation, he vanished into the mist, hunting for his next prey.

    Across the Misty Cloud Battlefield, other battles raged.

    ???? Liu Tian, the Number One Inner Court Disciple

    With a single sword strike, he cut down three opponents at once.

    "Pathetic."

    ???? Xue Yue, the Mysterious Silver-Haired Girl

    Her icy aura froze an entire section of the battlefield.

    "You are not worthy of advancing."

    ???? Zhao Wu, the Humiliated Rival

    His burning rage fueled his attacks, seeking only one target.

    "Xiao Li… I will kill you with my own hands!" sea??h thё novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ???? A Hidden Figure in the Shadows

    Watching from the darkness, an unknown competitor whispered.

    "The real battle begins soon."

    And at the center of it all—

    Xiao Li, hunting down every so-called genius who stood in his way.