Warren Wang faces off against Bill Bi.
Zack Guang takes on Hank Yue.
Colin Su is matched up with Drake Yu.
The Southriver Sword Sect's little genius, Zack Zhao, draws the blank lot.
As soon as the results are announced, many eyes turn eagerly toward Drake Yu and Colin Su.
"Colin Su has never made a single mistake in battle. Unlike Drake Yu, who always ends fights with three sword strikes, Colin is more about defensive counterattacks—he almost never takes the initiative and always waits for his opponent to slip up, then goes for a one-hit kill. Seeing these two matched up, who knows what will happen!" Someone nearby gazes at the center with admiration.
"They're the only pair of Southriver Sword Sect disciples facing each other directly. This fight is going to be epic! Sword versus sword—let's see who comes out on top."
This lineup has everyone fired up with anticipation.
Colin Su gives a wry smile, looks at Drake Yu, and says, "Senior brother, please go easy on me later, or I'll be sent flying off the stage and lose all my face."
"Swordsmanship follows the heart. It's too early to talk about mercy before the fight even starts." Drake Yu replies coolly, hands behind his back, making Colin Su's smile even more helpless.
"Bill Bi, right? I still haven't had a real brawl with you Southriver Sword Sect guys!" Warren Wang laughs heartily, looking at Bill Bi.
Bill Bi nods slightly, his refined face calm. He looks at Warren Wang and says, "Please advise."
"So my opponent is you, Zack Guang. If I remember right, you've visited our Southriver Sword Sect before?" Hank Yue sizes up Zack Guang from head to toe.
"The Grant family and your sect have always been closely connected. Please advise!" Zack Guang replies with a serious face and a nod.
"Closely connected? At best, the Grant family is just a subordinate branch under the Southriver Sword Sect. You're overselling it." Hank Yue shakes his head.
Hank Yue's words make Zack Guang uncomfortable, but he can't argue—they're true.
Down below, Brian Guang quietly clenches his fists, itching to cheer for Zack Guang and see him smash Hank Yue's head in.
"Once my brother finishes off that guy, he'll take care of that kid next!" Brian Guang snorts, glancing at Evan Lin.
Evan Lin stands quietly in the crowd, his gaze sweeping over the fighters. Only Drake Yu earns a second look—the rest he ignores completely.
"Now that the lots are drawn, please head to your arenas. In ten minutes, we'll officially begin."
Martin Mu nods slightly and calls out to the contestants.
"For the ninth day, all matches will start simultaneously on four arenas: Warren Wang and Bill Bi at the East Arena, Zack Guang and Hank Yue at the West Arena, Colin Su and Drake Yu at the North Arena, and Zack Zhao will be waiting at the South Arena for challengers."
"If anyone wants to challenge the defender, please head to the South Arena."
Martin Mu gives a brief explanation, then assigns staff to guide the contestants to their respective arenas.
The four arenas—East, West, South, and North—are set at the four corners of the Moore Family Manor, each far apart to prevent interference between matches.
"West Arena! Let's go, we'll grab a good spot." Brian Guang immediately pulls May Xia and the others toward the West Arena, eager to get the best view.
He isn't worried about Evan Lin slipping away. As long as Evan stays in Graceford, Brian Guang will find a way to track him down.
In the crowd, Bella Xiao and Zane Wang also head toward the East Arena, not yet noticing Evan Lin.
After a moment's thought, Martin Mu personally heads to the North Arena—his presence at Drake Yu's match shows special respect for Drake.
"Uncle Li, you're in charge of Zack Zhao's defense match. Make sure nothing goes wrong!" Martin Mu orders the man beside him sternly.
The man nods, a hint of regret in his eyes.
"This time, it's almost certain the Southriver Sword Sect will take the championship. Too bad for Miss Melissa."
Uncle Victor Li sighs inwardly.
He was the same Uncle Victor Li who once accompanied Melissa Mu to Zhaoyu Town to seek the Old Immortal Sage.
Once everyone is guided to their arenas, Uncle Victor Li steps forward, bows respectfully to Zack Zhao, and says, "Young Master Zhao, please come with me to the South Arena."
Zack Zhao stands arrogantly, hands behind his back, ignoring Uncle Victor Li and focusing entirely on Yvonne Zhu.
"Let's go, Yidong."
Yvonne Zhu nods, glances through the crowd, but doesn't see the person she's looking for. Sighing softly, she follows Zack Zhao to the South Arena.
Once the four arenas are set, the North Arena—where Drake Yu and Colin Su will duel—draws the biggest crowd.
In contrast, far fewer people head to the South Arena.
After all, Zack Zhao has already proved his strength—and in most people's eyes, no one can challenge him.
South Arena.
Zack Zhao steps onto the stage. Uncle Victor Li tries to explain the rules, but Zack Zhao interrupts him immediately.
Standing in the center, Zack Zhao lifts his chin and says coldly, "The rules are simple. Step onto the stage. If you beat me, you qualify for tomorrow's match."
"If you lose, I'll take one of your arms as punishment for overreaching!"
As he speaks, Zack Zhao scans the crowd below.
Yvonne Zhu stands silent, her pretty face unreadable, lost in thought.
Beside her, Uncle Victor Li can only shake his head and smile wryly—Zack Zhao truly lives up to his 'young and reckless' reputation.
Zack Zhao's words instantly tense the atmosphere around the arena.
Most people under the South Arena are here for a shot at glory, hoping they might just win—quite a few are actually quite strong.
But as soon as Zack Zhao says this, many faces in the crowd change, some people hesitating.
"So nobody dares? Cowards, all of you!"
Zack Zhao laughs coldly.
"Felix Wang, the Jinnan Prince—here to challenge you!"
A man in his thirties bursts from the crowd, face flushed with anger. With a shout, he leaps onto the stage.
At that moment, Felix Wang's inner force surges out—he clenches his fists, and a powerful wave of qi forms an invisible barrier around him.
"Externalized inner strength! At least a pseudo-Vajra!"
"A pseudo-Vajra may not beat Zack Zhao, but let's see how many moves he can last."