Austin and Michael were participating in the tournament on behalf of the Prince Reuben. As a result, they were supposed to be teammates.
Michael was going through a series of mixed emotions. Before this Outstanding Talents Exchange Games, he had fought against Austin multiple times.
It was after their last fight that he realized that the skill he was proud of didn't work at all against Austin.
Besides, he had observed Austin's performance and had becaware of his power. This caused Michael to be slightly afraid of him.
When Michael found out that he was going to face Austin in the next round, a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
He didn't think he could defeat Austin.
The moment Austin caught sight of Michael, his eyes grew tense and outlook colder.
The two were supposed to work with each other since they were fighting for Reuben. But, Michael always acted like he was superior to Austin, teased him and even put him down several times. Austin was upset with this treatment and sincerely wanted Michael dead.
Austin focused his cold, merciless eyes on Michael.
Michael stared at him, feeling slightly queasy.
They looked straight at each other.
Michael detected a strong sense of mercilessness and indifference inside Austin.
His heart skipped a beat due to this inescapable fear.
'Austin is annoying, but he is a tough opponent nevertheless. He possesses a horribly strong physical strength and swift movement speed. He has mastered an overwhelming martial arts skill. What's more, he has also grasped the level 7 sword intent. | have to admit that | can't beat him.
| have an idea though. I'll pretend to be friendly and make peace with him.
Humph! And then, when | find a chance, I'll bring him down!" Michael thought to himself.
He bit his lower lip and walked up to Austin.
He stopped in front of Austin, swallowed his pride and bowing to him slight, said, "Buddy, there have been smisunderstandings between us.
I'm sorry for my rude actions and | hope you are willing to bury the hatchet.
After all, haven't we signed up in this gon behalf of the sprince? I'm sure he hopes to see us to cooperate with each other so that he gets to win this game. After all, he wants to sit on the throne and we're here to help him.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIn a word, we should act as friends not enemies.
How about we finish this pretense of a fight later? | bet 24 contestants will be eliminated soon.
That way, we could enter into the Mysterious Nether World. | believe that will please the prince, and he will reward us handsomely.
And we could work together after we enter the Mysterious Nether World. It's a win-win solution. What do you say?" Michael had tried to be as sincere and cordial as he could, trying to persuade Austin to believe that he had offered the suggestion for the sake of both of them and didn't have any ulterior motive.
However, Austin was perceptive enough and had already seen through his little trick. He had noticed the fleeting traitorous intention in Michael's eyes before he had spoken. He knew that Michael would make a move to take him down once he got an opportunity. Of course, he had no intention of taking his advice.
Austin glanced at Michael coldly and snorted. In a detached voice he said, "You're not good enough that | work with you.
| know what you're up to.
You intend to butterup and weaken my defenses, so that you can break into the top fifty, don't you? Make your move! You can get what you want after you defeat me. But we are going to fight!" "Austin Lin, you..." Michael was extremely ashamed and upset that Austin had read right through him. He couldn't even finish his sentence.
Michael didn't expect such a response from Austin. After all, he had talked to him so politely and humbly.
"You speak too much!" Austin said in a challenging tone.
He didn't want to waste targuing with his opponent.
Michael activated his best skill. The next second, he was surrounded by snow and ice. The violent tornado went straight towards Austin and all the snow and hailstones struck him.
The whole battle ring was covered with thick ice; the cold wind blew around making even the spectators feel cold.
Austin smiled faintly. The glowing ball inside his elixir field gently left his body and hung over the battle ring. Like a blazing sun, it gave off a golden light which radiated all over the whole battle ring.
Immediately, all the ice and snow melted. The cold air was replaced with a warm, comfortable one.
The Golden Sun Scripture was showing its amazing powers.
"You're doomed!" Austin shouted, and displayed his Wind-commanding Skill in an attempt to approach Michael and take him out.
Aware that he would be unable to withstand his attack, Michael exhibited his bodily movement skill to dodge in the hope that he could buy more time. His plan was to keep avoiding getting hit by Austin until other contestants in their respective battle rings finished their fights. Then, he could enter the Mysterious Nether World.
As a matter of fact, all the contestants who were losing in their own battle rings had this very plan.
As a result, interesting scenes were taking place in many battle rings. On one of the rings, a contestant was displaying bodily movement skill to run along the edge of a battle ring, while the opponent spared no efforts to keep up with the former.
It seemed like a competition of who had the best bodily movement skill.
'What's going on?’ the audience wondered, stunned at the cowardly behavior.
"You idiot! Do you think you're faster than me? You're being ridiculous." Austin burst into laughter, his voice full of contempt. After all these years of training, a single stride of his helped him cover up to 200 meters. He took several strides, appeared right behind Michael and gave him a hard punch.
"That's not good!" Michael said, alert as ever.
A thick layer of ice formed right then on his clothes to protect him.
Austin had foreseen this move. While clenching his fist to hit Michael, he gathered up the golden vital energy on his hand. When his fist finally touched the protective surface, the ice thawed away immediately.
Bam! The blow fell hard on Michael's spine.
That very second, Michael spat out blood and kept doing so.
Most people wouldn't be able to stand up, if they were hit by 15000 pounds of force once.
Bam! Austin punched Michael again, and the latter dropped dead on the spot.
Another contestant had been eliminated.
Jumping out of the battle ring, Austin returned to the resting area, only to find that he was the only one who had won a victory in this round for the tbeing. All the others were stalling their time.
He swept his gaze around all the battle rings.
Soon he spotted Dewey.
"Oh, no!" Austin exclaimed.
Dewey's opponent Caden was from the Bloody Hero Gang. It was said that Caden was among the top six young cultivators.
Austin felt it was impossible for Dewey to defeat his opponent.
Dewey wasn't fighting Caden in the field. He had turned himself into a ball and kept bouncing around. Each bounce went up to dozens of meters away from the previous one, and they were completely random in their direction.
Caden was pissed. With a saber in his hand, he kept running after the ball that Dewey was. At the stime, he kept waving his saber in the hopes to hit him.
But the ball moved so fast and swift that it easily dodged Caden's attacks. Exhausted, Caden paused in his desperate attempts and gasped for breath.
"You brat, you know what? You're just a coward. Why don't you stop escaping the inevitable and fight like a man?" Caden thundered.
"Con, dude, Why would | listen to you? | have my own tactics. | am obviously not going to follow you or your silly orders. What can you even do to me?" Dewey snapped back smugly.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Dude, you're smart..." Austin could help but laugh out loud. .
Austin's eyes landed on Maria who was in another battle ring.
Maria was up against an evenly-matched adversary. The two exhibited their best skills and even fought with each other with the vital energy force. They were dueling bitterly.
After watching the two fight, Austin surmised that it would take them a while to finish up with their battle.
Contestants kept getting eliminated due to death or injury.
"Congratulations, guys. After 24 contestants failed, you are the 50 players left. You have been worthy enough to enter the Mysterious Nether World." A high-pitched voice resounded around the site out of the blue.
Upon hearing these, all the contestants who were eligible for the next round felt thrilled inside. They could finally enter the Mysterious Nether World! Those who were trying to buy them more twere overjoyed at the sudden announcement.
Dewey laughed out and exclaimed cheerfully, "I made it! | made it! | broke into the top 50. | can have a trip to the Mysterious Nether World." Dewey's joy was beyond words. He was about to dance in his extrjoy but stopped when his eyes met Caden's angry glare. Slightly scared, he tuned down his celebrations and sneaked out of the battle ring.
"As for those qualified contestants, please cover to me. | will have to make an announcement," an old eunuch declared loudly.
The fifty contestants strode up to the eunuch in anticipation of what was to come.
"Congratulations everyone. After fierce fights, you have finally earned the chance to enter into the Mysterious Nether World.
As for this Outstanding Talents Exchange Games, there is still one round left to finish the finals.
Now if you want to take part in the finals, please stand on my left.
If not, please stand on the right.
The finals will be a battle between the best cultivators. I'm sure you know the risks if you choose to participate in the finals.
So please think twice before you make a decision.
If you overestimate your power or underestimate that of others, you might die and miss the chance to enter the Mysterious Nether World," the eunuch said firmly.
‘These fifty contestants in front ofare the elites among the young generation of the Violet Orchid Empire.
There is a strong chance of there being deaths and casualties in the finals. It would be a loss to lose any of them, ' he brooded.
Half an hour later, a majority of the participants stood on the right, recusing themselves from participating in the finals.
Only seven contestants stood on the left.
Most contestants felt that only elite cultivators like Leo were qualified for the finals. Although they were convinced they were good enough to break into the top fifty, they didn't think they were powerful enough to fight for the first place. They perceived that it was a wise decision to not participate.
Seven cultivators had chosen to participate in the finals.