"Thank you for what you did, Belle.
If it weren't for you, | wouldn't be eligible for Martial Arts Tournament and you know that very well."
Austin thanked the girl with his all his heart, as he turned to Belle.
‘According to that eunuch, only young cultivators of the Solamnia Kingdom or those recommended by this kingdom's sects or
families can be parts of this prestigious tournament, ' he thought to himself.
"Don't be so formal with me. If it weren't for you, | would not be standing alive here today! | owe you a big favor,"
Belle replied, showing her gratitude with the most beautiful smile.
"The participants in the top thirty can join the six top sects in our kingdom.
Those in the top fifteen have the chance to becthe disciples of the first-class sects in the East Mainland.
The top three winners will have the privilege to join the three holy lands if they manage to impress the people on behalf of the
three holy lands.
And the participant who wins the first place will be rewarded with a great number of cultivation resources including crystal, pills,
magic treasures and martial arts skills," announced the eunuch who was floating in the sky above.
His loud voice boomed in every inch of the square.
Upon hearing the prospects of the winner, every young contestant becpumped up and were thrilled for the tournament to
start.
After all, the top three winners got the chance to join the three holy lands which was a big achievement.
Most young cultivators in the East Mainland dreamt right from childhood of becoming a disciple of the holy land.
"Well, let's do this.
The tournament commenced finally.
Each participant will get a jade slip, and all you need to do is to follow the instructions given on it."
When the eunuch was finally done giving directions, he rolled his sleeves.
Out of the blue, beams of white light flew out from his sleeves.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"
The white light ran in all directions immediately.
Each ray of light was a jade slip.
All the jade slips reached each participant methodically.
The eunuch's performance took people's breath away.
There was a jade slip floating in front of Austin waiting for him to collect it.
Austin stretched his hand and accepted it.
"Attention, everyone. Since there are many participants, sof you need to wait patiently.
Your jade slips will tell you when it's your turn and which battle ring you should enter. So do not panic as all of you will get equal
opportunities.
So now the gis on!"
The moment the eunuch finished his sentence, he disappeared into thin air.
Many contestants’ jade slips lit up and showed a number.
"It's my turn!" Excited exclaims cfrom different directions.
They were nervous and expectant.
"I'm going to fight in the Ring No. 80," Belle whispered, as she covered her mouth in surprise.
A number showed up on her jade slip which was 80.
It suggested that No. 80 battle ring was where she was going to fight her opponent.
"All the best," Austin said.
Austin's jade slip didn't light up, which indicated that he needed to wait.
Besides Belle, jade slips of another four to five members of the Xiao Family glowed and indicated the concerned numbers.
"Thank you, Austin. Wait for my good news," Belle replied, flashing Austin a radiant and confident smile.
She charged towards one of the battle rings.
Over two hundred battle rings had been set up in the center of the open field.
Therefore, more than four hundred participants could compete with their opponents at one time. It was a magnificent scene.
"Belle is alluring, isn't she?"
Caroline asked Austin who could not help but stare at Belle's back.
"Are you being jealous that | was talking to her?"
Austin grinned mischievously.
"No, I'm not, absolutely not.
| mean Belle is an amazing and attractive girl. If you like her, you better act early and let her know what you feel,"
Caroline said with a pout, with a teasing and naughty look in her eyes.
"Seriously?
When did you beca gossip girl giving all these relationship advices? You have changed.
Where is that reserved, elegant queen | met for the first time?"
Austin responded, turning to look at her beautiful face.
"You're so annoying Austin!" Caroline remarked with a blush.
She cast Austin a mockingly angry stare before turning her head away from him.
But soon the two of them were busied to the fights in the battle rings.
All the participants were cultivators at the Primal Holy Realm or above.
They could turn the battle rings into a total mess once they started the fight.
Therefore each battle ring was protected by a defense array.
This way, contestants couldn't destroy the battle rings even if they displayed powerful martial skills and maybe lost control while
fighting.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
Meanwhile, participants were in fierce battles on the over two hundred battle rings.
Contestants employed all kinds of martial skills to attack their opponents and win over them.
Many speculators cheered for their companions, friends or family members so that they gave their best.
Austin's eyes fell on the No. 80 battle ring inevitably where Belle was competing with her opponent.
He was surprised to find that Belle's weapon—a whip! It was a middle-grade primeval magic treasure, which was a level higher that
his Ancient Dragon Sword.
The Ancient Dragon Sword was a low-grade primeval magic treasure.
Belle's opponent was a man who had reached the premium stage of Primal Holy Realm.
Belle was at the preliminary stage of Holy Realm. Her cultivation base was higher than her opponent's. Each tshe waved her
whip at her opponent, the whip shadows which contained the enormous vital energy would fill the whole battle ring.
Hence, it was clear as day that Belle was going to win.
Belle forced the young man at the premium stage of Primal Holy Realm to retreat to the edge of the battle ring using just three to
four moves. It looked like she gave absolutely no effort.
Knowing that he stood no chance of defeating Belle, he surrendered with much reluctance and gave up.
Belle returned to her seat in the resting area after winning the first round. It did not seem like she went through so much.
"You're so cool!"
Austin praised.
"Don't flatterunnecessarily. That was just the first round. It had to be easy,"
Belle responded with the sweetest smile.
SParticipants were still engaged in tense fights in other rings.
"What's going on?"
Belle's eyes opened wide, as they fell on one of the battle rings.
The beaming smile disappeared from her face in an instant. Shock and anger reflected on her face.