The Nine Chosen

After beating Shi Dengtie in the first duel of the third elimination round, Shi Li was given enough time to rest since he knew that he would have to fight one more time in order to head to the next elimination round.

Shi Xingtai was kind enough to let Shi Li's duel be the last duel of the third elimination round, even though the duel between Shi Li and the participant he was up against was finished within a few seconds. This was due to the fact that Shi Li showed immense strength while the participant he fought against did not even counterattack, conceding at the moment Shi Li swung his sword.

To be honest, how could any sane person steel their resolve to fight against a person that had a strength multiple times beyond their own? It was basically tantamount to suicide.

And so, after the 38 remaining participants fought against each other, the third elimination round was finished within the span of 30 minutes or so, thus opening the path for the fourth elimination round.

...

"Alright!" Shi Xingtai said at a volume not too loud and not too soft, being able to heard throughout the clan arena. He looked at the remaining participants below him that numbered to 19 participants. The number of spectators increased a bit more as those who lost to their opponents in the previous elimination round sat on the seats around the clan arena.

"We are now going to hold the fourth elimination round...and there's 19 of you. To make the number of opponents even after the next elimination round after this, I'll have to choose a random participant from all of you, who would have to fight against another random participant I would be choosing."

"After that, the remaining participants shall fight until one side concedes or is unable to fight any further, letting all of the Martial Novice members know the names of The Nine Chosen!"

The Nine Chosen. At other times it would be The Eight Chosen or The Ten Chosen since the number of participants in the Novice Tournament varied every time it was held. Nonetheless, all of the Martial Novice clan members knew that once a person was bestowed the title of being called a part of the Chosen, they would undoubtedly have a great future ahead of them.

All of them hoped that one day, they would have the title of Chosen as well!

"Okay." Shi Xingtai looked at the 19 participants in front of him and unconsciously nodded as he conjured a strand of qi which then circled around the 19 participants before entering one of the participants' body.

"Eh? Me?" All of a sudden, a voice could be heard from one of the 19 participants, prompting others to look at the one chosen by the strand of qi.

"Why does it have to be me?" the person could not help but complain. Who was this person, you may ask? The one chosen by the qi strand was Shi Bazhong, one of the youngest chosen clan members of the first test.

"Okay, so the first one to be chosen by the qi strand is Shi Bazhong." Shi Xingtai did not mind Bazhong's reaction as he released another strand of qi that circled around the 18 remaining participants before entering a participant's body.

Whoosh!

In an instant, the other 18 participants looked at the other person that was chosen by the strand of qi before becoming speechless. They were at a loss for words since the duel was basically bullying Shi Bazhong.

"..." The one chosen decided to be silent as he exuded a feeling of being one with the blade he wielded. Indeed, the other person chosen by the strand of qi was Shi Daoliang.

Looking at Shi Daoliang with slight fear in his eyes, Shi Bazhong rushed up to where Shi Xingtai was hovering before saying, "E-Elder, I would like to concede from this duel. I know my limits. Also, I'm sure that Big Brother Daoliang would like that idea as well, right Big Brother?"

Since Shi Daoliang was three years older than Shi Bazhong, with Shi Bazhong being 13, it was normal for Shi Daoliang to be called as a big brother. Nodding his head, he then replied, "I don't mind at all."

Seeing that Shi Daoliang was basically agreeing to Shi Bazhong's proposition, Shi Xingtai could not help but let out a sigh as he smiled. "Then so be it! Shi Bazhong is now stripped of his qualifications to continue on with the elimination rounds!"

"Shi Daoliang shall now take Shi Bazhong's place!"

And so, the duel between Shi Bazhong and Shi Daoliang was peacefully settled just like that as the two of them were both understanding of each other's circumstances. Shi Bazhong could not help but look at the 18 remaining participants with a smile before saying, "Good luck to all of you!" After which he went towards one of the seats closer to the center stage and sat down as he cheered on for the other participants with Shi Dengtie a few dozen seats away from him, doing the same thing.

With the participants now being an even 18, Shi Xingtai looked at the remaining participants with a smile as he released 18 strands of qi that were grouped into 9 groups of two afterwards. "Alright! Let's start off this fourth elimination round with the first duel!"

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Not long after tapping his forefinger on a pair of qi strands, the two strands went towards two of the participants who looked at each other with surprise, due to the fact that were basically evenly matched with one another in terms of strength.

"The first duel shall be between Shi Honglian and Shi Fuqin!"

...

After 20 minutes or so, 10 participants fought against each other already, with 2 of the chosen clan members of the first test being disqualified from fighting further, these were Shi Qilian and Shi Chunxi.

It was already the sixth duel of the fourth elimination round. Shi Xingtai tapped on a random pair of qi strands which darted towards the chosen participants in an instant. At the exact instant after these strands entered the two participants' bodies, the spectators could not help but not scream and cheer as their voices resounded throughout the clan arena. They were expecting a good fight this time with this lineup!

Nodding his head, Shi Xingtai then shouted, "The sixth duel shall be between Shi Li and Shi Quanzhou!"

Shi Li was someone who showed incredible strength in these first test, only being below Shi Shisi. As for Shi Quanzhou, his muscles showed that he had some sort of innate divine strength, allowing him to wield great strength that would not lose out to Shi Li or even Shi Shisi if used properly.

The two of them entered the dueling platform and positioned themselves at both ends. Looking at Shi Li and churning his brain to think up of a plan, Shi Quanzhou smiled and said, "There's no enmity after this fight if one of us loses, right?"

"Haha!" Shi Li slightly chuckled as he exuded a carefree aura. "Don't worry, I don't bear grudges that much."

"Hehe!" Shi Quanzhou could not help but chuckle as well. He clenched his fists as his muscles screamed that they wanted to burst out of his robes. "Then let's fight till our heart's content!"

Shi Xingtai, who was hovering above the dueling platform, noticed that the two were already finished in their banter. Without delaying it any further, he then shouted, "Let the sixth duel begin!"