Chapter 487

Yuan Yao froze for a moment, then pretended to casually lift her head and scan the surroundings, then shifted her gaze to the First Province's team, where she saw that familiar white figure.

The youth stood still among the disciples, his signature phoenix eyes narrow and deep, at this moment seemingly piercing through the crowded heads and swirling spiritual energy, firmly locking onto her.

His gaze was clear and cold like an icy pool, yet carried a hint of focus not easily noticed.

Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze in that instant.

Yuan Yao secretly sent a message: "I saw you, what's up?"

Xie Yan's voice was light, sounding nothing unusual: "In the next round, I will go on stage. For now, don't go up; I don't want to face you this early."

Yuan Yao's heart stirred slightly, and she replied: "Good. Your injury... is it much better?"

Xie Yan: "It's already healed."

"That's good." Yuan Yao relaxed, and unconsciously the corners of her mouth turned up, blooming into a bright, radiant smile; the small dimples on her cheeks faintly appeared, as if filled with spring sunlight.

The white-clad youth in the distance seemed to faintly startle, a trace of extreme faint warmth flashing in his phoenix eyes, his originally tightly pressed lips barely lifting slightly, like ice just beginning to melt, fleeting.

And just as someone was about to notice them, they both tacitly averted their gazes.

Soon, the twelve contestants for the next round went on stage.

When everyone saw Xie Yan's figure appear on the stage, the audience below instantly burst into low exclamations and discussion, the previously somewhat dull atmosphere instantly ignited, and all eyes were drawn to him.

"Xie Zixu is on stage!"

Xie Zixu wore a white robe that accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

The youth had his hair tied high in a ponytail, his skin extremely white, his features gorgeous and alluring, his thin lips lightly pressed, exuding an aloof, cold detachment that kept strangers at bay; as soon as he stepped onto the stage, he became the focus of the entire arena.

He seemed unaware of this, his phoenix eyes slightly lifting, his gaze indifferent as it swept over the lots-drawing tube, then he extended his long, knuckle-prominent fingers and lightly drew a bamboo slip from it.

His opponent happened to be a disciple from the Ninth Province.

The youth's brow twitched almost imperceptibly, then as he turned, he unintentionally glanced toward the Ninth Province's team.

Yuan Yao's heart jumped.

What a coincidence!

The match between Xie Zixu and the Ninth Province disciple quickly began.

Before Xie Zixu could make a move, the Ninth Province disciple conceded.

The Ninth Province disciple who fought had only a Golden Core Realm cultivation.

While Xie Zixu's cultivation was at the Spirit Transformation Realm.

How is this even a match?

Isn't this just pure egg against stone?

The crowd expected this result, so they didn't comment much.

As time passed.

The Ninth Province disciples all went onto the stage, engaging in one-on-one matches.

In the end, only Song Yan, Xiao Lingwei, Cang Li, Xue Jin, Ying Wuji, Yuan Yao, Zhai Qingye, Xiao Zhufeng, Ling Huya, Dongfangxiu, Ao Su, Man Yue, Fu Qianli, Yao Linglong, Shiziwen, Nan Feiyan and thirty-seven other young disciples won.

One hundred sixty-four young disciples were eliminated, becoming the most eliminated among the Three Islands and Nine Provinces.

And the Ninth Province, which had started in first place, instantly dropped to seventh.

The current rankings are as follows:

First Province temporarily ranks first, total points: 5820. Remaining members: 165.

Flying Cloud Island temporarily ranks second, total points: 4906. Remaining members: 140.

Second Province temporarily ranks third, total points: 4840. Remaining members: 137.

Fourth Province temporarily ranks fourth, total points: 4830. Remaining members: 141.

Third Province temporarily ranks fifth, total points: 4270. Remaining members: 127.

Boundless Island temporarily ranks sixth, total points: 4137. Remaining members: 125.

Ninth Province temporarily ranks seventh, total points: 4111. Remaining members: 37.

Fifth Province temporarily ranks eighth, total points: 3190. Remaining members: 95.

Seventh Province temporarily ranks ninth, total points: 2763. Remaining members: 86.

Sixth Province temporarily ranks tenth, total points: 1991. Remaining members: 60.

Eighth Province temporarily ranks eleventh, total points: 1466. Remaining members: 45.

Fusang Island temporarily ranks twelfth, total points: 1335. Remaining members: 41.

After seeing the points ranking, everyone discussed:

"I think Fusang Island will be the bottom this year!"

"Always, the bottom has been the Ninth Province, Fusang Island is second-to-last hahaha..."

"Only Flying Cloud Island can compete with the First Province for first place."

"In the upcoming matches, having more people will definitely be better than having fewer. After all, the more times a contestant fights, the more their spiritual and physical strength declines; even if they want to last to the end, that's impossible!"

"This year I spent a large amount of spirit stones betting on the First Province to win first! Although the odds aren't high, it's still a sure win!"

After a quarter hour.

A new round of matches began.

On the Ninth Province side, Yuan Yao said: "Let me go first this time."

Xiao Lingwei urged: "The upcoming opponents are all very strong, Yao Yao, be careful."

Yuan Yao nodded with a serious expression.

The judge loudly announced the start of the next round, and the twelve contestants almost simultaneously stepped onto the stage.

Yuan Yao saw among the contestants stepping onto the stage none other than the young master of Boundless Island, Gong Sunji.

Gong Sunji obviously saw her too, smiling and waving at her.

Before, they were still fighting together in the Flowing Light Secret Realm, but now they must fight for their own provinces or islands.

Yuan Yao returned a smile.

Soon, Yuan Yao drew a lot.

Yuan Yao's opponent, drawn by lot, came from the First Province, and coincidentally was the Eldest Senior Brother of the Half Moon Sect—Zhen Tianlu.

Seeing this, the Half Moon Sect Sect Master in the audience seats suddenly narrowed his eyes, a flash of cold light passing through his gaze, and at that moment Zhen Tianlu looked over at him.

The two exchanged a glance in silence.

The Half Moon Sect Sect Master gave a cold snort in his heart.

Half a month ago, Yuan Yao and Xie Zixu dared to kill the Half Moon Sect's Supreme Elder—Hong Guang Immortal Lord!

Yet the two of them were completely unharmed!

On the contrary, their Half Moon Sect lost a great support!

An Immortal Lord is far too important for a sect!

The Half Moon Sect Sect Master hated Yuan Yao and Xie Zixu to the extreme; he did not believe that the two of them could have killed the Red Hong Guang Immortal Lord by their own strength, and was certain that it was Yuan Yao's backer—the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord!

He could naturally find out that Yuan Yao had a life-saving talisman bestowed upon her by the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord!

If this grudge is not repaid, he feels unwilling in his heart!

Fortunately, Zhen Tianlu drew Yuan Yao; with his strength, giving her a little lesson is also acceptable!

However, he suddenly thought of something, and slightly furrowed his brows.

Yuan Yao had also contracted a True Dragon hatchling……

Upon further thought, Zhen Tianlu is the Half Moon Sect's strongest heaven-chosen prodigy! His cultivation realm is even at the mid Spirit Transformation Realm; dealing with a late Nascent Soul Realm cultivator and a True Dragon hatchling should pose no problem!

Seeing that Yuan Yao had actually drawn Zhen Tianlu, the people of the Ninth Province felt their hearts turn cold halfway.

Isn't the outcome obvious when a late Nascent Soul Realm faces a mid Spirit Transformation Realm?

When these two stood on the same dueling platform, it immediately sparked heated discussion among the crowd.

"Yuan Yao's luck is really too bad, running into Zhen Tianlu like this! Zhen Tianlu is one of the strongest heaven-chosen prodigies of the First Province, only twenty years old and already broken through to the mid Spirit Transformation Realm! I say, this match is utterly without suspense!"