"The Barbarian God Battle Platform tournament has begun!"

The elder’s cry completely ignited the atmosphere, and the area below the Battle Platform erupted into an unprecedented fervor.

Ye Wushuang, Dii Qingxue, Mo Wentian, Jian Bufan, and Yunn Xiao stood together, while Pann Wu and the others from the Giant Spirit Clan stood off to one side.

Feng Jue of Lingxiao Pavilion had also successfully passed through the Barbarian God Battle Path to reach the battle stage. He stood quietly at Ye Wushuang’s side.

Both the Ninth Pass and the Barbarian God Battle Path had been incredibly brutal. From a force of over ten thousand, fewer than a hundred people remained. All the rest had been eliminated or killed!

Of course, one thing puzzled Ye Wushuang. He had heard Nangong Liuyun mention that only ten people would ultimately ascend the Barbarian God Battle Platform, yet the number of people here far exceeded that. ’What’s going on?’

Dii Qingxue turned to look at Ye Wushuang. Seeing his puzzled expression, she asked, "What’s wrong?"

"It’s nothing!" Ye Wushuang replied with a smile. He was confident the elder on the battle stage would answer his question.

"Be careful later. Don’t let your guard down!"

Dii Qingxue reminded him again, her tone lacking its usual coldness and instead holding a trace of warmth.

Her words of concern stunned the few people standing nearby. They stared in disbelief, a hint of envy in their eyes.

After all, Dii Qingxue was the Ice Mountain Fairy in everyone’s eyes—cold, aloof, and ethereally beautiful. When had she ever looked at someone with such gentleness?

And now, only Ye Wushuang was on the receiving end of that gentleness. It was nothing short of a miracle!

’Has this guy actually captured the Ice Mountain Fairy’s heart?’

The onlookers were utterly astonished and began to mutter amongst themselves.

As she felt their stares, Dii Qingxue turned away, a faint blush creeping onto her delicate features.

Seeing this, Mo Wentian, who stood nearby, shot them a cold look. His heart was consumed by a raging jealousy. ’Why should Ye Wushuang be the one to receive such gentleness? What right does he have?’

RUMBLE!

The giant elder from the sky descended, landing on the Battle Platform.

All eyes converged on him. With a wave of the giant elder’s hand, the entire Battle Platform trembled violently.

A stage the size of a soccer field gradually rose from the Battle Platform. A golden barrier of light materialized along with it, enveloping the entire stage.

"This is..."

Everyone’s eyes narrowed in curiosity, and they turned to look at the giant elder.

"I shall serve as the referee for this Barbarian God Battle Platform tournament. Now, allow me to explain the rules!"

"I’m sure you all see the stage before you. Perhaps some of you have already guessed its purpose, so I won’t keep you in suspense. This stage is where the final battle between the top ten will take place—the battlefield to determine the ’Strongest Warrior’."

"And those ten individuals will be chosen from among you!"

"Therefore, before that can happen, we will hold a challenge tournament to determine the strongest ten, who will then advance to that final, glorious battlefield."

The giant elder explained slowly.

Ye Wushuang immediately understood. ’So, there’s another round of selection to determine the top ten. This will decide our individual rankings, as well as our Sects’ rankings.’

"Sir, may I ask what the rules of the challenge tournament are?" Beize Yunzhuo asked, clasping his fists in respect. He didn’t dare show the slightest hint of arrogance before the elder, whose power was so immense it was terrifying.

The elder replied, "The challenge tournament consists solely of challenges, based on your rankings from the preliminary trials. For example, the first-place contestant can challenge anyone. The second-place contestant can challenge anyone ranked third or lower. The final standings will be determined by the number of victories."

"Aside from assigned matches, those with higher rankings from the Barbarian God Battle Path trial may also choose to challenge those with lower rankings. However, those with lower rankings may not challenge those ranked higher."

Ye Wushuang quickly grasped the rules. The number of victories in the challenges would determine who made it into the top ten.

The giant elder continued, "As for the rules of combat, a match ends when one side surrenders. If there is no surrender, the fight continues to the end!"

No surrender, fight to the end.

Hearing this, Ye Wushuang frowned. ’This means that unless someone surrenders, the fight only ends when one person is dead.’

’These rules are brutal!’

’If two opponents have a grudge, they’ll do everything in their power to kill each other, giving no quarter.’

’If people like Yuh Huatian want to kill me, they’ll seize the chance. As long as I don’t surrender, they’ll use every method available to cut me down!’

At this thought, Ye Wushuang’s expression turned grim. Fortunately, since he had placed first in the trials, he held the initiative in this competition. For him, it was a good start.

’Damn it! He got first place in the trials, which means he has a huge advantage in getting into the top ten!’

Hearing the giant elder’s explanation, Yang Dingtian, who stood off to the side, had an extremely grim expression.

He had been waiting for the chance to kill Ye Wushuang with his own hands and take his possessions.

But according to the elder’s rules, unless by some stroke of luck he was assigned to fight Ye Wushuang, he would have no opportunity to face him.

’You got lucky this time, Ye Wushuang. But whether you make it into the top ten or not, I’ll definitely kill you and take back what’s mine.’

Yang Dingtian snorted coldly to himself.

He wasn’t the only one. Liuu Tianlan and several others also looked displeased. They had never imagined that placing first in the trials would give Ye Wushuang control over the competition.

Ye Wushuang felt their hostile stares and met their dark gazes.

"First round, first match: Yang Dingtian versus First Young Master Di!"

Just then, the giant elder’s figure landed on one of the smaller battle stages at the edge.

He held a faintly glowing Scroll, on which the match pairings seemed to have already been written.

This took everyone by surprise.

But it wasn’t too strange. The giant elder’s power was extraordinary and his methods were heaven-defying. Recording such things would be a simple task for him.

As soon as the elder spoke, all eyes converged on that battle stage.

BOOM!

Yang Dingtian retracted his gaze and, with a single stride, leaped onto the battle stage. Flames wreathed his body, making him look like a supreme Fire God as scorching waves of heat rolled off him.

BOOM!

At the same time, First Young Master Di leaped onto the stage with a powerful stride, unleashing a savage aura of his own.

"VICTORY TO OUR SENIOR BROTHER!"

"VICTORY TO OUR SENIOR BROTHER!"

Immediately, the Fiery Sun Sect disciples below began to roar with excitement, their faces filled with pride!

Seeing both combatants on the stage, the giant elder moved to the side and shouted, "Begin!"

Yang Dingtian shot Ye Wushuang one last cold glance before turning to face First Young Master Di. He sized him up, assessing his Cultivation.

’Spiritual Spring Fifth Layer!’

First Young Master Di’s Cultivation was on par with his own; they were both at the Spiritual Spring Fifth Layer!

"Surrender and get off the stage. Don’t make me do it for you!"

First Young Master Di sized up Yang Dingtian in turn, then spoke with cold, overbearing arrogance. The moment he stepped onto the stage, he was telling Yang Dingtian to scram.