Mo Shangheng had not initially believed Tang Ya could replace him.
However, seeing Yang Feilong, who could overpower opponents even in a one-on-two fight, he now felt immense pressure.
Tang Ya inwardly sighed, "With Yang Feilong's current performance, my opponents will start taking me seriously. This next fight will be very difficult!"
In truth, upon witnessing the techniques Yang Feilong had displayed, Tang Ya had been surprised at first. But she quickly came to terms with it, realizing that Yang Feilong had not used his full strength when they sparred. Otherwise, without her being allowed to use hidden weapons, she likely wouldn't have lasted a single move.
The duel between Mo Shangheng and Tang Ya was supposed to be evenly matched, yet Tang Ya ultimately proved to be the more skilled fighter.
"Tang Ya is strong, but Yang Feilong is even stronger!" someone exclaimed.
"Isn't that the truth! Everyone underestimated Yang Feilong before!"
Indeed, many people understood that this was all due to prejudice against Yang Feilong. If not for that prejudice, they would not have belittled him.
Although Mo Shangheng had been defeated by Tang Ya, he still had one more chance to challenge. However, he forfeited because he had sustained injuries from his fight with Tang Ya, and he knew he wouldn't be able to win against anyone else in his current state.
Thus, the six participants who would advance to the finals were decided.
"Ouyang Tian, Lei Ba, Dong Jiangyun, and Mo Yunhai, four prodigies. Tang Feng, Yang Feilong, Tang Ya, Han Zishang, Xu Teng, and Tian Guang – these six. The top ten contestants have been determined."
"However, the ultimate champion will emerge from these four prodigies, starting with Lei Ba!"
"What about Yang Feilong? He defeated two late-stage Spirit Martial Realm experts simultaneously with a single move. His cultivation is likely at the Yuan Martial Realm. Doesn't he stand a chance at winning the championship?"
"Indeed, excluding Yang Feilong is unreasonable! Even if he's not as strong as those four, simply dismissing him is not right!"
At this moment, the host from the Tang family spoke, "Are there any withdrawals among the top ten for the next round?"
"I choose to withdraw," Tang Ya said.
She had also been injured in her previous match, and she sensed she was the weakest among the ten. Having already reached the top ten, there was no need to continue fighting.
This announcement caused an uproar, surprising many. However, they soon understood. Tang Ya was not at her peak combat strength, so withdrawing was understandable. Furthermore, it seemed unlikely she could defeat anyone else at this point.
"I'm withdrawing too!" To everyone's even greater surprise, Tang Feng also announced his withdrawal.
This sparked even more discussion.
"Why did Tang Feng withdraw? Even if his strength is not comparable to Yang Feilong's, he's at least not at the bottom! After all, people like Han Zishang, Xu Teng, and Tian Guang are not his match!"
"Why continue? By withdrawing now, Tang Feng maintains a perfect win record. If he fought on, he might lose, which wouldn't be good for the young master of the Tang family!"
"Even if he lost, it wouldn't prove he wasn't strong. Without using his hidden weapons, I doubt many of the finalists could defeat him!"
"He has already entered the top ten based on his combat power alone. There's no need for him to participate in the final battles! Most importantly, he was restricted from using his most proficient abilities!"
However, the withdrawal of the Tang siblings was seen as reasonable and normal by most.
They had garnered attention.
Tang Feng had also achieved an undefeated record. Although Tang Ya had a loss, it was attributed to Yang Feilong's 'higher' cultivation and her being forbidden from using hidden weapons. She was considered to have lost honorably, and coupled with her defeating an opponent of a higher realm and her breathtaking beauty and heroic demeanor, she earned widespread admiration. Many young talents even developed secret affections for her.
"Are there any other withdrawals?" the Tang family host asked the remaining eight with a smile.
No one else withdrew.
The other eight did not choose to withdraw. Unlike the Tang siblings, those in the Yuan Martial Realm aimed to compete for first place, while those in the late-stage Spirit Martial Realm wished to spar with Yuan Martial Realm cultivators. Even if they were defeated, they wanted to at least feel the gap in strength.
"Next, we will draw lots! Eight into four! Winners advance, losers are eliminated!"
In this Hero's Arena competition, there was only the distinction of first place and reaching the top ten.
If you were going to fight, you fought for first place!
Everything else was achieved upon entering the top ten!
The draw results were quickly announced.
"Yang Feilong versus Mo Yunhai?"
"Although Mo Yunhai is at the bottom of the prodigy rankings, he has been on the list for quite some time. Yang Feilong is suspected to be in the Yuan Martial Realm. Can he defeat Mo Yunhai?"
"Aside from this match, I am even more excited about Ouyang Tian versus Dong Jiangyun! These two are currently ranked closely on the human rankings of the prodigy list. Dong Jiangyun is ranked two spots higher, but that's because Dong Jiangyun broke through to the Yuan Martial Realm earlier. Now, who will be stronger between them?"
"Ouyang Tian recently fought Lei Ba and lost. Dong Jiangyun also seems to have lost to Lei Ba. This round, Lei Ba faces another ordinary opponent. With the advantage of a well-rested state, his already formidable strength will likely be even more overwhelming!"
Yang Feilong was not overly surprised to draw a Yuan Martial Realm opponent.
After all, excluding himself, the remaining seven individuals could potentially be his opponents. Among these seven were four Yuan Martial Realm cultivators and three late-stage Spirit Martial Realm cultivators. Therefore, the probability of him drawing a Yuan Martial Realm cultivator was higher.
Soon, the battles were about to commence, with four duels starting simultaneously!
On one of the arenas.
"Yang Feilong!" Mo Yunhai was a young man of twenty-nine. He was nearing thirty, and had not broken through for long. However, achieving this breakthrough before the age of thirty fulfilled his wish, as otherwise, he would not qualify for the prodigy list if he hadn't reached the Yuan Martial Realm by then.
He was very close to his thirtieth birthday, with only a few months left. Once he turned thirty, he would be removed from the prodigy list.
This prodigy list was said to be compiled by the official Martial Artist Association and held considerable authority!
It included personal information such as birth dates, and once one reached thirty, they would be removed from the list!
Before the age of thirty, he naturally wished to advance further, rather than be suppressed by someone unknown. Yang Feilong, in his eyes, was an obscure figure. It was only in this Hero's Arena competition that he heard the other's name for the first time!
"I will defeat you! I absolutely will!" Looking at Yang Feilong, Mo Yunhai's eyes gleamed with boundless fighting spirit.