The demons all sprang into action upon hearing this. Some new students who were unclear about the rules were also guided to the waiting area by older students.
Ten breaths later, the ground began to shake violently, and circular arenas rose from beneath the earth.
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) counted five arenas, each with a large red number marked on the central ground. She quietly asked the cat demon beside her, "Sister Peilan, how many students are participating in this assessment?"
Mao Peilan looked at her strangely before replying, "You don't know? Each assessment only accepts one hundred students, and registration closes once the limit is reached. You have to wait until next year if you're late."
"Oh, I didn't pay attention to that," Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) said sheepishly.
The golden wolf, who had just squeezed in, overheard and chimed in, "I thought you knew since you registered so early!"
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) smiled and said no more, as the deep voice began to speak again. "All students, please proceed to your assigned arenas within half an incense stick's time according to your assigned numbers: Numbers 1 to 20, Arena 1; 21 to 40, Arena 2; 41 to 60, Arena 3; 61 to 80, Arena 4; 81 to 100, Arena 5."
Mao Peilan, pulling Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) along, said, "I'm at Arena 1, and you're at Arena 2. Hurry, or you'll be disqualified!" The plaza was vast, with five arenas rising side-by-side. Since they were at the very end, it would take considerable time to reach their destinations.
When the half incense stick's time was up and the bell rang, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) was already comfortably standing in a good spot on Arena 2.
On her current arena, there were ten demon students including herself. However, nine of them had been at the academy for at least a year, while Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) was a new demon who had only been there for a little over half a year.
As for how everyone knew each other's information, it was because after the bell rang, protective arrays were activated around all the arenas. A large jade stone rose in front of each arena, displaying the names and enrollment dates of the demons on that particular platform.
"This little rabbit demon who's only been in the academy for half a year is competing with us? How overestimating herself!" a male lion demon sneered.
"Let's get rid of this little thing first, and then we can have a big fight!" a bat demon cackled.
"Always picking on the weak is embarrassing! If you've got guts, come fight me, Grandpa Bear!" a black bear demon thumped his chest with a dull thud.
While these three demons were still debating whether to blast Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) off the stage, two other wolf demons had already begun attacking each other. They blew the horns of duel, and other demons found nearby opponents to fight.
The bat demon "whooshed" to the front of Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) and struck with eighty percent of his strength. However, the triumphant expression on his face didn't last long before he was suddenly repelled by the powerful defense of the white rabbit demon.
A scream rang out. Everyone turned their attention to find that the bat demon had been thrown out of the arena. The deep male voice announced, "Fu Chunlai, eliminated!"
Fu Chunlai lay on the ground, his right palm still tingling. It was only then that he realized he had been eliminated, and he was the first one to be eliminated! It was utterly humiliating.
It was then that he realized the little rabbit wasn't as harmless as she appeared. He had no idea what force had repelled him. Did she have some special treasure? Fu Chunlai got up, his small eyes fixed on Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang)'s figure on the arena. A sinister glint in his eyes, he was plotting something, and then he quickly left the scene.
The other demons on Arena 2 also looked at the white rabbit demon. After a moment of silence, they continued to fight their opponents, but they all knew that she was not to be underestimated.
One by one, demons were knocked off the arena and eliminated, but no one had actively attacked Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) yet. It wasn't until the black bear demon, Xiong Yong, threw his last opponent aside that he turned his attention to her. "Little rabbit, it's your turn. You have a choice: will you get off the stage obediently, or will Grandpa Bear throw you down?"
"Fellow student Xiong, we haven't even fought yet. How do you know I will lose?" Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) formed the starting hand seals.
Xiong Yong roared and lunged forward, his large palm aimed at her face. Although he looked clumsy, his movements were surprisingly agile and very fast.
Seeing this, Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) quickly formed her hand seals, gathered her demonic energy into her fists, and attacked Xiong Yong's bear paw.
Mao Peilan and the golden wolf, who had already won their respective fights, watched with bated breath, terrified that the little rabbit's delicate hands would be broken.
The clash produced a violent sound, and a surge of air kicked up a lot of dust, momentarily obscuring the view of the arena. When the dust settled, everyone was astonished to see Xiong Yong, the demon who had been blasted out of the arena. No one had expected it to be him.
The deep voice spoke again, "Xiong Yong, eliminated! The final winner of Arena 2 is Bai Qiushui!"
Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) jumped up and down with joy, her two little buns bouncing like her rabbit ears. She hopped off the arena, excited to go towards Mao Peilan and the others.
Xiong Yong quickly stood up. Looking at the white rabbit demon whose appearance didn't match her strength, he restrained himself for a moment before speaking, "Fellow cultivator Bai, please wait! I'd like to ask what cultivation technique you're practicing, and why your fists are so powerful?"
"My cultivation technique is called 'Gui Yuan,' and I found it in the Hall of Techniques." Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) was not reluctant to share this information. After answering, she rushed towards Mao Peilan and the others.
Mao Peilan stepped forward and hugged Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang), saying excitedly, "Sister Qiushui, I never expected you to be so strong! It truly doesn't match your delicate and adorable appearance!"
The golden wolf also came forward to congratulate her, "Little rabbit, you're quite formidable. Are you cultivating your body?"
"Yes, my cultivation technique's first step is body strengthening." Bai Qiushui (Xiao Wenqiang) knew what they meant, likely thinking she was a body cultivator.
"Congratulations to Yu Lianxin, Jin Lang, Mao Peilan, Bai Qiushui, and Song Qing for winning the first round of preliminaries. Please rest here for a moment, and we will hold the finals in fifteen minutes!" the deep voice announced again. It seemed the champion of the last preliminary match had also been decided.