Yan Hongming took to the arena injured for the final match of the first round of preliminaries.
The opponent's offensive was fierce. After more than ten minutes, Yan Hongming's old wound began to ooze blood.
The situation was not optimistic.
Just as Yan Hongming was about to be defeated.
"Boom!"
Yan Hongming's combat power suddenly surged and erupted, stabilizing the situation.
"Hoo." Long Jing, the Sword Wielder, spoke, "It seems our Dragon Country team has secured victory in South Korea. It was a close call, but it boosted Hongming's combat power."
Chen Jiuyang nodded slowly. He could also feel his combat power increasing, by at least ten percent! How terrifying was that?
After another twenty minutes, Yan Hongming narrowly won the match.
Chen Jiuyang quickly treated Yan Hongming's injuries.
Yan Hongming coughed up blood and chuckled, "Fortunately, I have Brother Chen's treatment. Otherwise, I really wouldn't have passed this hurdle today."
Chen Jiuyang smiled faintly, "You're too kind. Speak less and don't delay my healing."
"Alright." Yan Hongming nodded.
His injuries today were not as severe as yesterday's, but it was also possible that the team competition had strengthened individual strength.
After tending to Yan Hongming's injuries, Chen Jiuyang returned to the waiting area. Ye Tiannan seemed eager to compete.
Chen Jiuyang asked, "You're in good spirits?"
Ye Tiannan replied, "I feel great right now, even better than at my peak. Thanks to the team competition."
Chen Jiuyang chuckled, "It seems we have an eighty to ninety percent chance of winning this match?"
Ye Tiannan's eyes sparkled, "We should be able to."
"Good." Chen Jiuyang said, "Having such confidence is a good thing!"
Ye Tiannan grinned, "As long as I don't die, I'll fight to the death. Your medical skills are excellent, so I'll recover quickly anyway."
Chen Jiuyang couldn't help but laugh.
After the suppressed emotions were released, the personalities of these individuals had become much more carefree.
Without sitting for long, it was Ye Tiannan's turn to enter the arena.
Ye Tiannan finally realized that his advantage was his sword intent. Such a trump card, revealed from the start, could give him an edge in these competitive battles.
"Hum hum!"
Ye Tiannan went all out, and the sound of sword cries echoed endlessly on the stage.
Every sword Ye Tiannan swung was with his full might, and the next sword was even stronger than the previous one.
In this battle, both sides fought with exhilarating passion, drawing gasps of admiration from many spectators.
In the end, Ye Tiannan won the match without sustaining any new injuries. However, his old wounds reopened, and he almost became a bloodied mess again, his blood mingling with sweat.
"Exhilarating!" Ye Tiannan lay on the stretcher, covered in wounds, but his face showed no sign of pain.
"Jiuyang, I'll trouble you."
"No need to be polite." Chen Jiuyang smiled, "This is how the innate sword body should show its might."
Chen Jiuyang once again administered his medical treatment to Ye Tiannan.
The subsequent matches continued one after another. Half a day later, the first round of preliminaries concluded, with a total of sixteen contestants advancing to the second round.
The last match ended in a draw, with no contestants eliminated and all successfully advancing, though without any points.
They were:
Dragon Country: Chen Jiuyang, Yan Hongming, Ye Tiannan.
Tsarist Russia: Kakablansky, Pusa.
South Korea: Park Sa-shin, Kim Jong.
India: Abulan, Mi Tuo, Luoni Hai.
Japan: Sakurai Sambu, Yayoi Chiyoko, Yamato Hanako.
Thailand: Kasa, Li Qing, Tailan.
Surprisingly, two of Japan's martial artists were women, and they were exceptionally beautiful.
On the high platform, a member of the Martial Ranking Committee announced:
"The first round of preliminaries is now concluded. Let us congratulate these sixteen elite contestants for advancing to the top sixteen."
"The second round of matches will be based on a five-point system for each bout."
"In the second round, contestants will draw lots to determine their opponents. The draw will take place tomorrow morning at eight o'clock, followed by the top sixteen matches. For the remaining time today, contestants are advised to rest well."
The schedule was indeed tight. A single day was not enough for anyone to fully recover from their injuries. Apart from Chen Jiuyang, the other fifteen individuals were basically all injured.
But in the arena of fame and fortune, where was fairness to be found?
After four matches, Chen Jiuyang cemented his reputation as the undisputed strongest.
He had defeated opponents in all four matches without sustaining any injuries, creating an invisible pressure on the other contestants. If they were to face Chen Jiuyang, it would be difficult to handle him.
Everyone's expressions flickered, hoping that some of India's contestants would draw Chen Jiuyang. Based on the current combat performances, only India's martial artists had a chance to suppress Chen Jiuyang and defeat him.
Currently, Dragon Country had the most points, with a total of seventeen points, temporarily ranking first in Asia.
Second place was India, with fifteen points.
Third place was Japan, with fourteen points.
...
After the committee announced the information, people in the stadium began to disperse.
In the Dragon Country Martial Ranking team's resting area.
Long Jing, the Sword Wielder, said, "It's the top sixteen matches now. Those who have reached this stage are the true prodigies and elites of their respective countries, with no room for mediocrity."
"Our goal is to secure a top-three finish and contend for the championship."
With Chen Jiuyang, the 'undisputed strongest,' there was definitely a chance to compete for the championship and gain more points.
The top sixteen matches were worth five points each, and the top eight, top four, and championship matches would yield even more points.
With Chen Jiuyang, Yan Hongming, and Ye Tiannan, Dragon Country was almost guaranteed a top-three position.
Long Jing, the Sword Wielder, stated, "Our bottom line is to secure a top-three finish and advance to the World Championship!"
The three nodded.
At this moment, someone from the Dragon Country Martial Ranking logistics team approached and said, "Reporting to the Legion Commander, Japan's contestants Yayoi Chiyoko and Yamato Hanako wish to see His Highness Prince Qian!"
Long Jing, the Sword Wielder, his eyes flashing, "A honey trap? Prince Qian, what do you think!"
"A honey trap?" Chen Jiuyang chuckled, "That's quite interesting. Then let's meet them."
"Let's see what they're up to."
Long Jing, the Sword Wielder, left with Yan Hongming and Ye Tiannan.
Not long after, Yayoi Chiyoko and Yamato Hanako, dressed in Japanese kimonos, came to meet Chen Jiuyang, bowing respectfully to him.
"Greetings, Your Highness Chen Jiuyang, Prince Qian of Dragon Country!"
Yayoi Chiyoko spoke, "Our Great Lord has asked me to convey his thanks to Your Highness Prince Qian."
"Thank you, Prince Qian, for treating our Japanese prince and for uncovering the mastermind."
Chen Jiuyang said indifferently, "You're welcome. It was just doing my job."
"Now, tell me, what is the matter that brings you both to see me?"
Yayoi Chiyoko said, "If we happen to draw Your Highness Prince Qian in the upcoming matches, we hope Your Highness Prince Qian will show mercy and go easy on us, giving us a way to survive."
"If so, we can offer you everything we have."
Chen Jiuyang's expression remained unchanged, and he said indifferently, "Show mercy? What bathhouse is that from? I haven't heard of it."
"I believe that in the Martial Ranking competition, we need to be vigorous!"
"Vigor is the key to miracles!"