Chapter 24: Grand Melee

After three matches, the quotas for entering the inner court were basically set; Hu Qian saw that the right people were all there, so he stopped worrying, as long as the few most talented didn't encounter any accidents.

Seeing Xiao Li lounging comfortably in his seat, Hu Qian's eyes shifted: 'Little brat, letting you be this comfortable isn't good.'

'This year, we won't have round-by-round matches; instead, we'll have a Grand Melee Elimination Tournament full of passion and fervor. The longer one lasts in this elimination, the higher the rank, and vice versa.'

Looking at the many participants entering the field one after another, Hu Qian smirked: 'Within this square, you may use any means, even teaming up, but as long as you survive the melee, you win.'

Seeing the noisy students below, Hu Qian cleared his throat: 'Moreover, to prevent those so strong that no one dares provoke them from acting recklessly, I wouldn't mind hanging them high.'

'So, whoever can fell the most opponents will receive a unique reward from me; I guarantee its value surpasses that of an ordinary fourth-grade pill.'

Xiao Li, who had been indifferent, suddenly lifted his head, sparks of heat flashing in his eyes.

A fourth-grade pill is meant for Spirit experts; if it's a fourth-grade pill suitable for a Great Fighter Master, it would surely let his strength leap forward.

He was determined to get that pill!

A slightly slender youth displayed unprecedented confidence; if he couldn't even beat those from the outer court, he'd be wasting his status as a transmigrator.

Everyone began entering the designated arena, their eyes flashing with hostility; now everyone was a rival, except Li Hao and Chu Junliang, who each had a few loyal followers, while the rest were basically alone.

'Do you all understand the competition rules?' When no one else entered the square, Hu Qian scanned the field and asked loudly.

'Understood!' Upon hearing Hu Qian's question, the field erupted in a unified shout.

'Good, since you all understand, then I announce…'

Hu Qian slowly raised his palm, then, under countless gazes, brought it down with a boom: 'The final elimination round of the Inner Court Selection Tournament begins now!'

As Hu Qian's palm fell, the previously quiet field erupted with a boom; dozens of Battle Qi streams of various colors burst forth, dazzling the eyes.

As muffled thuds rang out, figures in the field darted about; most fled quickly toward the edges of the square, fearing that in this place where enemies lurked everywhere, a sneak attack would knock them out.

Xiao Li was no different; even as a Great Fighter Master, he couldn't ignore dozens of mid- to high-rank Fighter Masters joining forces to blast him.

From the stands, watching the field where battle had practically erupted from the start, excited shouts rose, echoing to the heavens.

Many shouted themselves hoarse cheering for their favored competitors; this massive melee was far more stirring than a single round-robin match.

The Fire Old Man was somewhat surprised, his stiff face cracking a smile: 'Not bad; this idea tests not only students' one-on-one fights but also their endurance and strategy in group battles.'

'Hehe, the Vice Dean's idea isn't bad; although not absolutely fair, this kind of situation where one must guard against sneak attacks everywhere easily cultivates caution,' an old man on the judge's platform said, smiling at Hu Qian beside him.

Hu Qian smiled smugly, his eyes gaining a hint of thought.

'Xiao Li, Xiao Li, having taken my fine things, of course I must test you; Li Hao and the two of them in a one-on-one are certainly no match for you, I wonder if you can withstand a gang beating.'

At this moment in the competition field, occasional clashes occurred, but considering others were present, most engagements ended in immediate retreat.

When the situation reached a temporary stalemate, Li Hao's eyes turned icy; he suddenly struck at a distant opponent, the combined strength of a Great Fighter Master and his few lackeys being unstoppable by anyone present.

That man cried out and fell; Li Hao held back slightly, merely blasting him out of the arena without delivering a killing blow.

Seeing Li Hao act, Chu Junliang hesitated no longer, boldly sending the two students he had marked flying out.

Li Hao, Chu Junliang, and Xiao Li had the fewest people around them; basically no one dared stand beside these three.

Li Hao's and Chu Junliang's teams took opposite sides of the arena, Xiao Li stood alone in a corner; the three divided the platform into three zones, others unable to block them had to come to Xiao Li's side.

Xiao Li gripped his Thunder Scale Spear, ready; seven or eight people were now running toward him, and even he had to stay alert.

'Big Brother Xiao Li, don't strike; let's join forces, how about we team up?'

The person at the front shouted, Xiao Li startled, but his hand movements didn't slow.

'Flash Lightning Strike!'

Lightning struck the open ground before him, forcing the approaching ones to halt; Xiao Li's gaze was cold, the person before him not necessarily coming to ally—perhaps just trying to make him lower his guard before seizing his advantageous position.

Seeing Xiao Li's cold demeanor, the visitor gritted his teeth and said fiercely: 'We just want to vie for a top-five spot; if you can help us block this pursuit, we will surely aid you wholeheartedly if needed in the future.'

Seeing those seven or eight people clasping their hands in plea, Xiao Li hesitated a moment; saying this before the whole school, if they went back on their word it would be tantamount to disgrace.

'Alright, come over; let's join forces.'

The visitor's face lit with joy, and he hurried to Xiao Li's side.

Seeing this, Li Hao raised his right hand, and his lackeys behind him halted at once.

'Xiao Li, hand over those seven or eight people to me, and I'll guarantee you a spot in the top five,' Li Hao declared loudly.

Xiao Li shook his head: 'You must be Li Hao, I've heard others mention you; since they've allied with me, I certainly cannot betray trust and abandon righteousness.'

'Moreover, I'm also very interested in the reward for felling the most opponents.'

Upon Xiao Li's words, Li Hao's face darkened; with Chu Junliang already in the picture, adding Xiao Li made vying for the top-felling reward much harder.

In that case, strike first.

Li Hao looked toward Chu Junliang on the other side and shouted: 'Chu Junliang, let's team up and first eliminate Xiao Li; we're both upperclassmen—if a newcomer snags first place, how will we survive?'

Chu Junliang raised his eyebrows; although Li Hao was using provocation, the fact was indeed so.

'Alright, Brother Xiao Li, sorry for the offense!'

Seeing the two join forces, Xiao Li's heart sank; two equals in rank, though he might have feared them a bit before learning new combat techniques, but now...

'Come on, both of you; my spear also wouldn't mind a fight with the two of you!'

Please vote, QAQ, just recommend tickets.

(End of chapter)