The residents of the entire Imperial City were paying close attention to the first phase of the Heavenly Pride Battle. Martial Artists who came to watch would promptly relay updates back, spreading the news through the inns and restaurants within the city.
"Look at that young man, he's not even on the Hidden Dragon List, yet he has already reached the thirtieth position!"
"Alas, another young talent has just fallen."
Whenever someone collapsed due to being unable to continue, it triggered a wave of sympathy. Meanwhile, an exceptional performance would elicit exclamations of surprise.
This showed just how much the Heavenly Pride Battle captivated people's attention. Moreover, this session of the battle was extraordinary, with less than ten percent expected to make it to the final stage, truly capturing everyone's focus.