Volume Two: Travels in the State of Qi, Chapter 134: Grouping

Zhang Heng stood in the arena, feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze. He sighed helplessly and said, "Everyone, I apologize. I couldn't control it; I used it by mistake."

Undoubtedly, to those watching, his remark was the height of arrogance—truly insufferable posturing.

Zhang Heng turned to Master Wu Hong and asked with a puzzled look, "Master Wu, does this count as advancing?"

Zhang Heng’s display of vanity was so grating that even Master Wu Hong could not stand it. Too annoyed to even acknowledge him, he merely nodded coldly.

In truth, Zhang Heng was not trying to show off. Master Wu Hong had never specified the level of mastery required for the martial technique, so Zhang Heng had genuinely been unsure.

Seeing the nod, Zhang Heng felt relieved. He casually stowed away the martial technique and sat cross-legged beside Mu Wanqing, watching her practice.

She was truly remarkable—her features, poise, figure, and demeanor were all of the highest order. Every movement she made was captivating; watching her cultivate was a pleasure. It was a pity, however, that she was so cold.

"She definitely needs some proper discipline," he thought.

Whether it was because she felt provoked or simply uncomfortable under Zhang Heng’s gaze, Mu Wanqing soon rose to her feet. Her jade-like hands channeled spiritual energy as she recited a mantra. She pointed toward the sky, and two streams of spiritual energy shot upward.

Seeing this, Zhang Heng was stunned. *Right, of course! It can be directed into the sky!* He hadn't thought of that earlier.

He turned to Liu Hai, who was standing below the arena, and said apologetically, "Brother Liu Hai, my apologies! I really didn't think of that just now."

This remark only served to further provoke Liu Hai, who clenched his fists and glared at Zhang Heng with a dark expression.

After Mu Wanqing withdrew her spiritual energy, she did not speak to Zhang Heng. Instead, she turned and walked aside, silently adjusting her state.

As time passed, more and more geniuses gradually mastered the technique. Soon, various manifestations of spiritual energy were flying everywhere, with each genius striking a pose. It was a spectacle that held the rapt attention of all the spectators.

The first to rise were the likes of Qi Xuan and Wu Ba. Being top-tier geniuses, they were stung by Zhang Heng’s performance, and their speed today was faster than usual.

Watching these prodigies master a martial technique in such a short time, the cultivators in the audience were secretly astonished and felt humbled. They truly lived up to the name of young geniuses; their talent was terrifying.

Finally, the hour was up.

Master Wu Hong flew back onto the stage. Immediately, all the cultivators ceased their movements. Those who had failed to comprehend the technique retreated in dejection and sorrow. No one dared to break the rules.

Disqualification was the least of their worries; breaking the rules could easily cost them their lives.

By the count, out of the one thousand young genius cultivators who entered the second round, three hundred and twenty-eight successfully advanced.

Three hundred and twenty-eight might seem like a small number, but under such rigorous rules, it was actually quite an impressive feat.

Yu Xiaochuan did not manage to defy fate this time; he had failed to master the technique.

Zhang Heng smiled, not dwelling on it. It was simply his lot in life. Besides, Yu Xiaochuan already had the guarantee of the Imperial City; his future was already secured.

Master Wu Hong spoke again.

"Congratulations to you three hundred and twenty-eight for advancing. We shall now proceed to the third round of selection."

There was no time for rest.

"The rules for the third round are as follows: you will be randomly divided into groups. Ten people per group, totaling thirty-three groups. Everyone in the same group will enter the same fighting platform."

As he spoke, thirty-three fighting platforms rose from the center of the arena.

Master Wu Hong continued.

"The rules for the third round are simple: anyone knocked off the fighting platform is immediately disqualified. One winner will emerge from each group to participate in the true Imperial City Grand Tournament. You may use any means necessary to remove others from the platform."

Ten people per group, only one winner.

Undoubtedly, this kind of free-for-all was the ultimate test of a cultivator’s adaptability and combat prowess.

Under normal circumstances, this wouldn't have been a big deal.

However, Zhang Heng had just been showing off in front of all these geniuses. Given these rules, whoever was grouped with him would surely unite to eliminate him first.

Sure enough, as soon as Master Wu Hong finished speaking, the other cultivators cast fierce, malicious glares at Zhang Heng, smiling with wicked intent.

It was as if they were saying, "Kid, you’re done for."

Before they could dwell on it, Master Wu Hong began the random grouping. This process was critical, so they watched with sharp, intense gazes.

They weren't hoping to be grouped with Zhang Heng to teach him a lesson; rather, they were terrified that if their luck was bad, they would be grouped with top-tier prodigies like Qi Xuan or Mu Wanqing, which would mean certain defeat.

Soon, Master Wu Hong announced the groupings to everyone present.

Predictably, those placed in groups with Qi Xuan, Mu Wanqing, or descendants of great sects felt a sense of despair. Even if the other nine united against such top-tier monsters, it likely wouldn't matter.

Among those in despair were many seventh or eighth-stage Yuan Dan cultivators, but they felt powerless, and some even gave up on the spot. They lacked the courage to stand on the same stage as those geniuses; such top-tier talents could no longer be judged by cultivation level alone, as almost every one of them possessed the ability to fight beyond their rank.

Compared to the "shoo-ins" like Mu Wanqing and Qi Xuan, Zhang Heng was in a truly dire situation.

The cultivators who saw they were grouped with Zhang Heng laughed wildly, looking at him with mockery. They were like a pack of hungry wolves, and Zhang Heng was the lamb waiting for the slaughter.

Those not grouped with him felt a sense of regret, pinning their hopes on those who were, praying they would give Zhang Heng a thorough beating.

Before long, all the cultivators entered their respective fighting platforms.

As expected, once they were on the stage, the other nine joined forces. They consciously stood opposite Zhang Heng, glaring at him with murderous intent.

Zhang Heng was now filled with regret; if only he hadn't shown off earlier.

He carefully observed those opposite him and realized most were fifth or sixth-stage Yuan Dan cultivators—no true geniuses among them.

Seeing this, Zhang Heng finally relaxed.

As long as there were no experts, he was fine. If a group of eighth or ninth-stage Yuan Dan cultivators had united against him, he might have been eliminated without resorting to his Heart-Protecting Sword.

"Kid, what’s with that expression? Are you looking down on us?" a sixth-stage Yuan Dan cultivator asked, annoyed by Zhang Heng’s smile. Shouldn't they be the ones laughing?

"I'll laugh if I want to. Is that any of your business?" Zhang Heng replied, too lazy to care.

"Laugh? Let's see if you can still laugh in a moment," the man sneered, raising his weapon.

In stark contrast to the tension on Zhang Heng’s stage, the platforms occupied by super-geniuses like Qi Xuan and Mu Wanqing were empty save for them. Their reputations alone were enough to deter others.

Whether intentional or not, Master Wu Hong had separated the true prodigies, ensuring no two top-tier geniuses were in the same group.

Zhang Heng smiled. Though the grouping was random, the rules were ultimately in the hands of the strong.

Seeing that everyone was ready, Master Wu Hong gave the command: "The third round of the preliminary qualifiers officially begins!"

As soon as the words fell, the nine cultivators opposite Zhang Heng channeled their spiritual energy and brandished their weapons, charging at him in unison.