"Teacher Ouyang, rest assured, I won't let you down." In the room, Ye Chen said confidently.

In fact, Ye Chen could understand Ouyang Xue's father's actions.

If his potential wasn't strong enough, why would the War King Hall protect him?

In this world, only those with strength can gain the attention and respect of others.

If you have no value, no one will care about your life or death.

"Ye Chen, I heard a rumor that Duanmu Jie is very likely to send someone to kill you during the elimination rounds, you must be careful. If you really sense danger, concede immediately, otherwise, they will show no mercy." Ouyang Xue slightly furrowed her brows and said gravely.

"Let's see if they have the capability to do so." Ye Chen coldly smiled, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

Half an hour later.

On top of the New Talent Peak, around the Zodiac Battle Platform, a large number of new students had gathered, the place was buzzing with people.

Although most of these new students had already been eliminated in yesterday's points competition, they were immensely interested in today's elimination round, each one eager to watch the matches.

Apart from these new students, a large number of cultivators were also gathered on the Observation Platform not far away, many being senior students of the Celestial Flame Academy.

Even Ye Lin'Er and Duanmu Jie were among them.

They weren't concerned about who would win the newcomer's grand competition; they came here solely to see how Ye Chen would die.

"Sister Duanmu, your Duanmu Family is truly impressive this year, producing two geniuses with awakened Profound Bloodlines." In a magnificent hall, the Celestial Flame Peak Master sat upright on a rosewood chair, smiling slightly at Duanmu Ying.

"The Palace Master overpraises us." A hint of a smile flashed across Duanmu Ying's lips.

The young generation of the Duanmu Family truly stood out in the Royal Capital this year, not only producing Duanmu Jie, a prodigy who awakened a Profound Fifth Grade Bloodline, but even Duanmu Xiong who awakened a Profound Sixth Grade Bloodline.

He has a great hope of becoming a seed student of the Celestial Flame Academy in the future.

Though the other five major families in Celestial Flame City also produced some geniuses with awakened Profound Bloodlines this year, none reached above Profound Sixth Grade.

Only those with bloodlines above Profound Sixth Grade could be directly nominated as seed students of the Celestial Flame Academy.

Even Duanmu Xiong was slightly lacking, let alone others.

"Haha! Sister Duanmu, the odds are high that this time, the first place in the newcomer's grand competition will be won by your family's genius Duanmu Xiong. Although Liu Feng and Lin Zixuan also awakened Profound Bloodlines, their bloodlines aren't as powerful as Duanmu Xiong's. Defeating Duanmu Xiong will be very tough." The Soul Palace Master, Chen Fei, said with a smile.

"Indeed, I am also optimistic about Duanmu Xiong." Duanmu Ying nodded, evidently full of confidence in her family's genius.

"The second segment of the elimination round is about to begin, would the 128 new students participating please enter the arena." At this moment, a loud voice suddenly echoed in everyone's ears.

In the air above the Zodiac Battle Platform floated a grey-robed elder, his expression extremely stern.

This grey-robed elder, named Duanmu Hui, was an elder of the Profound Sword Peak, responsible for overseeing this elimination round.

Moreover, he had another identity, that of Duanmu Jie's uncle, a figure with significant standing even within the Duanmu Family.

At this moment, Duanmu Hui's deep gaze swept across Ye Chen, a cold smile flickering at the corner of his mouth.

"This ant dares to offend Duanmu Jie, truly courting death. Today, he won't leave here alive." Duanmu Hui thought coldly, looking at Ye Chen as if gazing at a doomed man.

Whizzing sounds.

Moments later, Ye Chen and the other 128 new participants emerged from the crowd, gathering on a high platform in front of the Zodiac Battle Platform.

All eyes were on these 128 new students, making them the center of attention instantly.

"Let me explain the rules of the elimination round. Today's elimination round consists of seven rounds in total. Half of the participants are eliminated in each round; only those who defeat seven opponents consecutively can win first place in this grand competition.

Moreover, using Spiritual Artifacts in the elimination round is prohibited; violators will face severe punishment. If you feel you cannot defeat your opponent, it's best to concede promptly; otherwise, you have no one to blame if you're killed." The grey-robed elder, Duanmu Hui, stated coldly.

Whiz.

He then retrieved a scroll from his sleeve, covered with the densely written names of the 128 new participants.

Moreover, their opponents were clearly listed on the scroll.

"Alright, the elimination round officially begins, the first match is Lv Bai versus Ye Chen." After a glance at the scroll, Duanmu Hui announced to everyone.

"So soon for me to enter the arena?" On the high platform, Ye Chen was slightly stunned, feeling a bit surprised.

He did not know that the elder presiding over this elimination match was Duanmu Jie's clan uncle. He thought his opponent was randomly arranged by Celestial Flame Academy.

In reality, Ye Chen's opponent, Lv Bai, was deliberately chosen by Duanmu Hui.

His strength was extremely formidable, and he would undoubtedly eliminate Ye Chen in the elimination match.

"Ha! It's actually Lv Bai. It seems I won't have the chance to crush Ye Chen, that waste, myself." On the high platform, a burly young man had a cruel smile on his lips.

This young man was none other than Black Mountain Mansion's top genius, Cheng Long.

He had planned to kill Ye Chen in the elimination match, but did not expect Ye Chen's opponent to be Lv Bai, the top genius from Qingzhou Prefecture.

Like him, Lv Bai was one of those sent by Duanmu Jie to kill Ye Chen.

Although his strength wasn't as great as Cheng Long's, he was much more terrifying than Zhao Ling. Crushing Ye Chen, who couldn't even awaken his bloodline, was an easy task.

"Lin'er, junior sister, the show is about to begin. You can sit here and watch Lv Bai kill this waste." On the observation platform, Duanmu Jie watched Ye Chen with a mocking gaze, as if watching a lamb ready for slaughter.

It was known that Lv Bai was specially selected by him as one of the freshmen to kill Ye Chen, so his strength was naturally recognized by Duanmu Jie.

He not only awakened a Yellow Level Second Grade bloodline, but his cultivation also reached the Tenth Layer of the True Qi Realm, developing twenty Qi Seas, much stronger than Xiao Lan.

With his strength, killing Ye Chen, this waste, was more than enough.

"Ye Chen, your luck ends here. This time, no one can save you. After you die, I'll have Duanmu Jie send your adoptive father and mother to join you, so you won't be lonely," Ye Lin'er thought coldly, her face indifferent.

Whoosh.

Moments later, a short, green-robed youth stepped out from the new contestants and stood before Ye Chen.

"So, you're the waste with a fivefold Qi Sea Foundation who can't even awaken his bloodline? I advise you to admit defeat and avoid disgrace," the green-robed youth sneered at Ye Chen, with a look of utter disdain.

Though sent by Duanmu Jie to kill Ye Chen, he did not make it too obvious and instead tried to provoke him with words.

Otherwise, Ye Chen might have voluntarily surrendered.

If that happened, no matter how strong he was, he couldn't do anything to Ye Chen.

"The person who should admit defeat is you," Ye Chen replied coldly with a smile.

He didn't know that this Lv Bai was one of the freshmen sent by Duanmu Jie to kill him, thinking he was randomly assigned by Celestial Flame Academy.

If he knew, he wouldn't have been so polite.

"You arrogant fool! Since you wish to disgrace yourself, I'll grant you your wish. Get up here and fight me," Lv Bai said coldly, flashing towards the Zodiac Battle Platform.

Since today was the elimination match, the Zodiac Battle Platform was not divided into twelve parts.

As a result, the platform was incredibly spacious, both in length and width, each spanning 120 feet. Knocking an opponent off the platform was undoubtedly a tremendous challenge.

Therefore, generally, only by completely incapacitating an opponent or forcing them to surrender could one win a match.

Of course, there was another simpler method, which was to kill the opponent.

However, few resorted to such an extreme measure.

"It's starting. I didn't expect Ye Chen to be the first to go on stage."

"His opponent, Lv Bai, is Qingzhou Prefecture's top genius, much stronger than Zhao Ling. Ye Chen will likely be eliminated in the first match," some new students began to discuss.

Lv Bai, unlike Zhao Ling, wasn't a Divine Soul Master, but his awakened bloodline was much stronger than Zhao Ling's. It was a rare Yellow Level Second Grade bloodline.

Moreover, his cultivation had reached the Tenth Layer of the True Qi Realm, with a double Qi Sea Foundation, so his True Qi wasn't weaker than Ye Chen's.

Additionally, his Martial Arts talent was quite high. He had mastered two Yellow Level Lower Grade Martial Arts to Perfection Realm.

Thus, his overall strength surpassed Zhao Ling, making it extremely difficult for Ye Chen to defeat him.

"This is bad! Lv Bai's family is also under the Duanmu family's influence. He's likely one of the freshmen sent by the Duanmu family to kill Ye Chen. Ye Chen, you must be careful," Ouyang Xue's face changed on another observation platform, filled with concern.

"Ha! Ouyang Xue, I didn't expect that waste Ye Chen to make it to the elimination round. But today is his end. He cannot possibly defeat Lv Bai," a piercing voice suddenly sounded in Ouyang Xue's ear.

The speaker was a slender woman with a mocking smile on her lips.

This woman was a teacher at Celestial Flame Academy, Liu Xin.

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