After the rules were announced, Lin Yan and the others went forward to draw lots.
"C!"
Seeing his lot number, Lin Yan subconsciously glanced at the others. When he saw Sister Mingxi wink at him, he was taken aback. ’What a coincidence. Is my first opponent really Sister Mingxi?’
’A fight between fellow disciples?’
’Senior sister versus junior brother?’
However, compared to Lin Yan’s mild resignation, Lin Mingchi felt utterly hopeless as he looked at the black marking on his lot and then at the lot in Lin Mingya’s hand.
’To run into Lin Mingya in the very first match... My luck is just terrible.’
"Fifth Uncle, I forfeit."
Lin Mingchi was decisive and chose to forfeit immediately.
"Mm."
Lin Shouzheng’s expression remained unchanged. ’Forfeiting is the right choice. He can preserve his strength for the losers’ bracket and still have a chance to fight his way back up.’
"Fifth Uncle, I forfeit as well."
A clear voice rang out. Hearing her words, everyone, both on the platform and in the crowd, turned their gazes to Lin Mingxi.
"Why did Sister Mingxi forfeit?"
"Sister Mingxi was up against Lin Yan. With her strength, she’s definitely stronger than him."
"Uncle Jiu may have taken Lin Yan as a disciple, but Sister Mingxi is his daughter. She’s practiced Swordsmanship with him since childhood. Her skill in the Sword Dao is surely no less than Lin Yan’s, not to mention she’s at the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation."
"I actually think it’s perfectly normal for Sister Mingxi to forfeit. In the last competition, she made it to the top ten and then stopped. She doesn’t care about her ranking at all. Her thinking is probably the same this year—she’s giving Lin Yan a chance to preserve his strength."
Naturally, those on the platform could hear the discussions from the crowd below.
"Sister Mingxi..."
"Lin Yan, I’m not doing this to help you save your strength," Lin Mingxi said, smiling as she cut him off. "I know I’m no match for you, so I’m saving some of my own." Yesterday, she had asked her father if she could defeat Lin Yan. His reply was: ’The gap between three and four strands of Sword Intent is more than just a single strand. Moreover, four strands of Sword Intent that have formed a Sword Pill are entirely different from four strands that haven’t.’
Her father’s words made it clear she was no match for Lin Yan.
’Since I’m no match for him, I might as well save my strength and let him save his, too.’
"Thank you, Sister Mingxi."
In the end, Lin Yan cupped his fist in gratitude.
Two people had forfeited, and the matches for the remaining six were set.
First match: Lin Mingchen versus Lin Mingshen.
As he watched the two exchange blows on the Combat Platform, Lin Yan glanced at Lin Mingye in the crowd. ’If I remember correctly, Lin Mingshen is Lin Mingye’s older brother. A pity... Lin Mingshen is no match for Lin Mingchen.’
Standing at the edge of the Combat Platform, his Perception allowed him to clearly sense the disparity in their Blood Gang circulation. Lin Mingchen was obviously the stronger of the two.
The outcome was just as he had predicted: Lin Mingchen won.
Second match: Lin Mingsong versus Lin Mingtao.
The battle of Song versus Tao!
Lin Mingsong claimed an easy victory with just three strikes.
Third match: Lin Mingzhao versus Lin Mingke. Lin Mingke scraped by with a difficult win.
"The five victors, on the platform."
Lin Shouzheng’s expression didn’t change. The winners of these matches were all within his expectations.
"Second round of lots. Mingya gets a bye. The remaining four will draw."
No one in the entire assembly had any objection to Lin Shouzheng giving Lin Mingya a bye.
Lin Yan glanced at Lin Mingya, who stood calmly in his spot, and couldn’t help but mutter to himself, ’Now that’s what I call good treatment. He doesn’t have to reveal his strength and gets a free pass to the finals.’
’He’ll probably get a bye in the next round, too.’
’Seriously? What are the odds?’
After drawing his lot, Lin Yan looked at Brother Song, whose lot was the same color as his, and was left speechless.
’Is this rigged?’
’Why do I keep drawing people I know?’
’Then again,’ he thought, ’with my level of Perception, we’re so close that even if Fifth Uncle is a True Gang Realm powerhouse, I would’ve noticed if he tried to pull something.’
"It’s a lock! Brother Song and Lin Yan drew each other. Lin Yan will forfeit, allowing Brother Song to preserve his strength for his next opponent. If he wins that, he’ll be in the top three!"
In the crowd, Lin Minghai was ecstatic, and the other members of the Third Branch voiced their agreement. For the Third Branch, this was indeed a lucky draw.
As for Lin Yan... in their view, just making it into the top ten was already quite an accomplishment.
Lin Yan’s moment of glory would come at the next grand competition.
"First match: Mingchen versus Mingke."
Lin Shouzheng paid no mind to Lin Yan’s thoughts and directly announced the start of the match.
Neither had rested, but the gap in strength between Lin Mingke and Lin Mingchen was obvious. After a hundred breaths, Lin Mingchen’s sword tore through Lin Mingke’s sleeve.
Lin Mingke forfeited!
He knew his own limits. He had only made it to the top five thanks to a lucky draw; a spot in the top three was beyond his grasp.
"Second match: Mingsong and Lin Yan."
After speaking, a look of someone about to enjoy a good show appeared on Lin Shouzheng’s face. He was curious to see what these two would choose to do.
"Brother Song, I..."
Lin Yan began to speak, intending to forfeit to let Brother Song advance. ’After all,’ he thought, ’I can just fight my way back from the losers’ bracket.’
"Not so fast."
Lin Mingsong seemed to guess what Lin Yan was about to say, cutting him off with a smile.
"You and Mingchen are both swordsmen. Are you confident you can defeat him?"
’Defeat Lin Mingchen?’
Lin Yan glanced at Lin Mingchen, who was standing nearby. After a moment’s thought, he answered, "I should be able to."
He had wanted to say "No problem," but he gave a more tactful answer to help Lin Mingchen save face.
"Alright."
Lin Mingsong nodded, then turned his gaze to Lin Shouzheng. "Fifth Uncle, I forfeit."

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