Li Chengyi stared at the virtual screen in front of him, pondering which contender to challenge next when Jiang Yuan had already begun his second match.
The second match, agreed upon in advance.
Theoretically, it's impossible to book a second battle with a higher ranked opponent before the first match has concluded.
After all, even if you can judge whether you would win, the rules wouldn't allow such situations.
The reason why Jiang Yuan could start his second match so quickly was that his second opponent was already there in the arena.
More precisely, was sitting among the audience.
In such a scenario, Jiang Yuan saved time waiting and could immediately challenge the opponent once the ongoing battle ended.
The current match on the stage involved two players ranked around 2000th.
And they were closely ranked, with less than ten places between them.
Both competitors were evenly matched; no clear advantages appeared in the short run.
Of course, Jiang Yuan didn't quite grasp the situation, as his own combat talent was... well, mediocre.
As Lao Jun would say, somewhat passably mediocre at best.
But to be fair, Jiang Yuan had a good grasp of strategic tempo.
Before transmigrating, he was not only well-versed in numerous games but also served as a team captain.
He even won a championship in a Pokemon battle once.
Well, a championship organized by a group of enthusiasts for 3-player matches.
Since 3-player matches were quite niche, no official competitions existed.
However, the prestige of this championship was not trivial.
Differently gifted, he had an unusual fondness for 3-player matches, which were more complex than doubles, but he enjoyed them more.
This probably explained why he subconsciously chose to become a Beast Taming Card Master after realizing he had muscular atrophy, despite other options.
But being relatively poor, and since Beast Taming Card Masters are notoriously expensive, that brought about Card Spirits.
If history remembers him later, saying it this way might seem funnier, but would it make me seem stingy?
As Jiang Yuan was lost in thought, the match on the stage concluded.
Eventually, the challenger lost the match by a narrow margin.
Watching the battle conclude, Jiang Yuan stood up and walked towards the arena.
"Bad luck for him, getting picked like that."
"Good luck actually, which is why he was chosen."
A young man among the audience stood up and chuckled, "Watch, I'll make him regret his decision."
As he spoke, he flashed a Purple Quality card while passing by his companions.
"Wow!"
His companion was surprised but soon smiled.
"You clever boy, with that card, his Card Spirits won't stand a chance."
"Seize the opportunity, that guy's combat power isn't that strong."
"Of course."
The standing youth smiled proudly and then eyed Jiang Yuan in the center as he quickly approached the arena.
"Sixth-year student Zhang Rongjie, pleased to meet you."
"Sixth-year student Jiang Yuan, please."
Jiang Yuan was somewhat surprised but nodded, signaling to proceed into the Martial Arts Arena.
"Being polite won't help, Nezha will be the one you face."
Observing his opponent advance into the arena first, Jiang Yuan murmured in slight confusion.
As they both entered the Martial Arts Arena, the battle was about to commence.
The countdown overhead rapidly changed and soon vanished.
"Here comes the young master!"
A dazzling purple glow shone, and Nezha, with lotus petals swirling, burst forth from the purple light, wielding the Fire-tipped Spear charging towards Zhang Rongjie.
Jiang Yuan did not summon Zhao Gongming or Shi Ji.
Mainly because the current ranking of the opponent was not strong enough that Nezha alone would suffice.
However, to be on the safe side, as Nezha entered the fray, both the Linglong Tower and Linglong Pagoda emerged above Jiang Yuan's head.
Along with the hidden Purple Ribbon Robe beneath his clothes.
"Ah!"
At the moment the battle started, Zhang Rongjie also released a card, and a Tang-style short blade appeared in his hand.
Facing Nezha's assault, he didn't even look.
The next moment, the Fire-tipped Spear pierced through Zhang Rongjie's body, slamming heavily into the ground.
Nezha let out a slight exclamation, while Jiang Yuan's expression darkened.
He recognized the Skill.
[Shadow Duel]!
A card designed by Liu Xiaofei specifically to target him.
But fair's fair, the card was indeed good.
Jiang Yuan pursed his lips reluctantly; yet now, I am not the same as before.
"Do you think that card will be useful?"
"Probably, since almost everything about Jiang Yuan is transparent."
"Oh, except for the traits he gained after his breakthrough."
Two spectators in the audience discussed the battle between Jiang Yuan and Zhang Rongjie.
"Why do you care so much, we are ranked within the top 100, when Jiang Yuan challenges us, at least it won't be until his late-Fifth Realm phase."
The youth with a streak of blue-dyed hair disdainfully asked the companion with silver-framed glasses.
"Did you forget, he just broke through to the early Fifth Realm of Great Liang, and went straight for the top-ranked?"