This year’s third round was very different from previous years. In the past, it was an elimination tournament. The goal was to eliminate others until only the final twenty remained, and those twenty would be the ones to earn a qualification spot.
But for some, this rule was extremely unfair. What if you were quite strong, but you ran into a top contender right at the start and were eliminated? Wouldn’t that be a real shame?
Losing to bad luck instead of a lack of skill would leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth, wouldn’t it?
So, this year, the rules were changed at the last minute to a round-robin format.
And this change in rules was something everyone had only just learned about today.
This was also why Fan Wei and the others had said they hoped to run into Tang Yi before he was eliminated.
They had no idea the rules had changed and still thought it was the same elimination-style tournament as in previous years.
However, after learning it was a round-robin, Fan Wei and the others were even happier. They repeatedly shot Tang Yi looks that said, ’You’re dead meat if you run into me,’ their expressions incredibly arrogant and smug.
The other examinees also glared at Tang Yi menacingly.
It was as if they were saying, ’Don’t get matched with me, or I’ll beat you to death.’
Tang Yi just smiled and paid them no mind. ’In any case, the humiliation will sting that much more later.’
Amidst waves of scorn and laughter, the third round of the competition was about to begin.
At this moment, on the grand platform in the center of Unrivaled Square, ten smaller fighting stages had been erected.
For today’s competition, matches would be held simultaneously on all ten stages. Proctors from the West Mansion were in charge of arrangement and coordination, and dedicated staff would tally the results as wins and losses were decided.
Tang Yi was in the first group of examinees to take the stage. This would be the first time he revealed his skills.
His opponent was a big, burly man.
Normally, the age limit to apply for the West Mansion was twenty. Yet the man before Tang Yi, with his thick eyebrows, big eyes, brawny build, and a face covered in stubble, looked nothing like a young man under twenty. He looked more like some slobbish, middle-aged man.
However, his identity had been confirmed during the previous two rounds. He was, in fact, a young man under the age of twenty; he just looked old for his age.
This burly man obviously recognized Tang Yi. Upon seeing his opponent, he broke into a smile, and his previously tense expression became one of complete ease.
It was as if, in his eyes, Tang Yi was utterly insignificant. Facing Tang Yi was a guaranteed win, and he had no concerns whatsoever.
"Is that the Tang Family’s waste? I heard he can’t cultivate. I have no idea why he’d dare to participate in the qualification exam."
"Who knows? Maybe he’s lost his mind."
"And he even wangled an exemption. Heh, what a joke."
"A guy like him? Even with an exemption into the third round, there’s no way he’ll earn a spot."
"Hey, don’t be so sure. I heard that this time, even ranking in the top twenty doesn’t guarantee you can go to the West Mansion Headquarter for the House Entrance Examination. Apparently, getting a spot also depends on the Chief Examiner’s mood."
"Fuck, isn’t that just blatant corruption? If Tang Yi can lose all fifty-two of his matches and still get a spot, then there’s truly no justice in this world!"
"Shh, keep your voice down! You dare to question the West Mansion? If Tang Yi can lose all fifty-two matches and still get a spot, I’d have to accept it. I mean, who can argue with a powerful backer like his?"
"Sigh, comparisons are odious. Even the Big Waste can get ahead in life."
Tang Yi’s appearance on stage caused an uproar, and the crowd began to buzz with discussion.
However, it was all just voices of doubt and disdain. After a few insults, they turned their gazes elsewhere, completely uninterested in Tang Yi.
The crowd had no desire to watch Tang Yi’s match; they were merely curious about how he had obtained an exemption from the West Mansion.
After all, he was the Big Waste. Was the result even in question?
Could he really pull off some heaven-defying upset?
Among the ten stages, the most eye-catching match was another one: Mu Xianling of the Mu Family against Yuan Qiong of the Yuan Family.
Both were top contenders—one beautiful, the other powerful—so naturally, they drew the most attention.
The matches on all ten stages began simultaneously. Once the start was announced, nearly everyone’s attention was fixed on Mu Xianling and Yuan Qiong’s stage.
Over on Tang Yi’s side, when the match was announced, his burly opponent gave a perfunctory fist-clasp salute and said, "Tang Yi, right? I know you. In Fengyue City, you’re far more famous than I am, heh heh!"
Before Tang Yi could reply, Wul Xiao added in a snide tone, "The Big Waste of the Tang Family. Your reputation is truly deafening. I, Old Wul, have admired you for a long time."
’Is this guy activating his Taunt Skill before the match has even begun?’
Tang Yi frowned slightly, annoyed. "Cut the crap. If you’re going to make a move, then get on with it."
Although annoyed, Tang Yi didn’t take Wul Xiao seriously. He didn’t even deign to look at him properly, much less stoop to making the first move against him.
"Good, I like your attitude. It makes conquering you feel so much more rewarding," Wul Xiao said with a careless smile.
His words made it sound as if Tang Yi were some innocent maiden, waiting to be pinned down and ravaged at will.
What’s more, Wul Xiao landed a two-hit taunt combo. He pretended to ponder for a moment, then said to Tang Yi with false sincerity, "Tang Yi, I’m a Nine-Star Battle Master. I’m not afraid of people saying I’m bullying you, so... I’ll just use fifty percent of my strength against you. That should be more than enough."
This time, Tang Yi was furious.
He couldn’t help but curse, "Are you fucking done yet? Just come at me with your full strength!"
This Wul Xiao was so full of himself, and more importantly, he wouldn’t shut up. Tang Yi was getting really impatient, his stomach churning with rage.
He wasn’t actually a composed person. He just wanted to act cool and maintain a stable facade now that he was stronger.
But Wul Xiao’s taunts instantly brought Tang Yi’s true nature to the surface.
If Wang Zongyao hadn’t reminded him to conserve his strength, he would have gone Full Speed Ahead right then and there, rushed over, and punched this disgusting creep to death.
’Damn it, the guy looks like a slobbish, middle-aged man, yet he’s wearing an expression like he pities me. It’s absolutely nauseating.’
"Fine. Since you won’t accept my kindness, don’t blame me. I’ll use my full strength against you."
Seeing Tang Yi’s impatient expression, Wul Xiao was delighted. ’The match itself might be boring,’ he thought, ’but this part is pretty fun.’
There was some fun to be had in teasing the Big Waste.
After he finished speaking, Wul Xiao raised a fist, grinning, and started walking toward Tang Yi.
That’s right—walking, not charging.
Wul Xiao strolled leisurely toward Tang Yi, as if he were taking a walk in his own private garden.
To him, Tang Yi posed no threat whatsoever. So, he couldn’t care less that this was a fighting stage or that he was in a match. He was just going through the motions.
Wul Xiao thought to himself, ’I’ll just walk up to him slowly, throw a light punch, and end this match. It couldn’t be easier.’
The only downside, however, was that because he was facing Tang Yi, almost no one was paying attention to this match. His glorious victory over Tang Yi would go largely unseen.
This was the only thing that annoyed Wul Xiao.

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