C13 Kill Mann Jier!

On the third day of the Grand Tournament, the elimination rounds began.

The format was straightforward: competitors faced off in pairs, with the victor advancing and the defeated being eliminated. Those who made it into the top eight were guaranteed a spot in the Roc Essence Sect. Even for those who didn't reach the top eight, a standout performance could catch the eye of the Sect's executive, Mu Xiuzhi, who had the authority to offer special admission.

Thus, the elimination rounds were arguably the most brutal phase of the entire Liucheng Grand Tournament.

Each round halved the competitors, and regardless of victory or defeat, all participants fought with everything they had, hoping to draw Mu Xiuzhi's attention. Tragically, the Grand Tournament often saw numerous fighters perish in the ring.

The tournament proceeded without a hitch, and Chiang Jin unexpectedly made it to the semifinals. He had anticipated interference, with formidable opponents placed in his path.

Qin Baizhi and Mann Jier also reached the semifinals, joined by a young woman named Mo Qingyi.

Dressed in green, Mo Qingyi had a delicate beauty that was refreshing like a spring breeze when she smiled. Yet in combat, this seemingly fragile girl was decisive and fierce. Wielding her long spear with the grace of a dragon, her relentless assaults forced her opponents into retreat, securing her place in the top four.

That night, at the Lin Estate.

"Ridiculous! I, Man Sanxiong, would never stoop to such lows! If you think I'll help you avenge your sons, you're sorely mistaken," Man Sanxiong bellowed, slamming his hand on the table as he stood.

The man plotting with Man Sanxiong was none other than Lin Yan, the patriarch of the Lin Family.

"Brother Man, please, no need for haste," Lin Yan replied calmly. "It's true I seek vengeance for my sons, but to say I'm using you is quite the stretch. Besides, Chiang Jin killed your disciple Qu Xiangfei, and who's to say he won't turn on your nephew Mann Jier tomorrow?"

"If you're so eager to poison Chiang Jin, do it yourself. Why involve me?" Man Sanxiong retorted. He, too, wanted Chiang Jin gone, but he refused to be tainted by Lin Yan's scheming ways.

"Alas, I've yet to find someone suitable for the task," Lin Yan soothed, pouring tea for Man Sanxiong before continuing, "I've heard a maid from the Wave Submitting Sword House has been utterly charmed by one of your disciples. Why not use her to eliminate Chiang Jin? Then silence her permanently. What say you?"

As he spoke, Lin Yan slid a small packet of poison across to Man Sanxiong.

Without a word, Man Sanxiong accepted the poison and left.

The following morning, a maid delivered a meal to Chiang Jin. Such luxuries were beyond his wildest dreams before he acquired the system.

Midway through eating, Chiang Jin was struck by excruciating stomach pain, his inner strength chaotically surging within him.

Realizing he'd been poisoned, Chiang Jin knew there was no time for an antidote. His thoughts blurred, he recalled the first time he'd used the system to enhance his physique.

Without hesitation, he commanded the system to invest all his remaining Heavenly Talent Points into bolstering his physique.

Pain seared through his bones, dwarfing the agony of the poison. But Chiang Jin endured, and after what felt like an eternity, the pain subsided.

The expelled toxins were darker and more foul-smelling than before, a testament to the poison's potency.

With the Grand Tournament looming, Chiang Jin cleansed himself and donned fresh garments, then settled into meditation to regain his composure.

The culprit behind the poisoning was obvious—the Lin Family.

Chiang Jin vowed to make them pay once he had the strength.

The semifinals arrived swiftly. Chiang Jin faced Mann Jier, while Qin Baizhi contended with Mo Qingyi.

Chiang Jin felt no pressure against Mann Jier, his former underling. Mann Jier, shocked to see Chiang Jin unharmed, gasped, "You're alive!"

It seemed the Barbarian Blade Dojo had a hand in the poisoning. With that revelation, Chiang Jin claimed Mann Jier's talent for himself.

Knowing he was outmatched, Mann Jier attempted to flee the stage.

Chiang Jin's swift movement brought him behind Mann Jier in an instant, his Broken Sword slicing through the air. Mann Jier spun, his giant blade cutting towards Chiang Jin, only to pass through a mere illusion.

A cold sensation at his neck was the last thing Mann Jier felt before darkness took him.

"Initiate talent collection."

The system's electronic voice chimed in once more, revealing that Mann Jier had amassed an impressive ten points of innate talent—surpassing even Lin Juehai. Regrettably, his youth was still a hindrance.

Chiang Jin triumphed over Mann Jier!

"Ji Er!" Man Sanxiong bellowed from below the stage, his blade energy lashing out at Chiang Jin. As an innate master, he could externalize his internal energy to combat foes.

Chiang Jin, anticipating this, swiftly sidestepped toward the Wave Submitting Sword House.

Having slain Mann Jier, Chiang Jin knew Man Sanxiong would retaliate. But under Qin Qinggang's protection, he remained unscathed.

Man Sanxiong's initial strike missed, and he refrained from further pursuit.

It wasn't for lack of desire to kill Chiang Jin—after losing his son, Man Sanxiong yearned to shred him to pieces. However, Qin Qinggang's presence meant today was not the day, and with the Roc Essence Sect's disciple selection underway, he wouldn't disrespect Mu Xiuzhi in front of the sect's deacon.

Despite his surname, Man Sanxiong was no brute. He was already scheming Chiang Jin's demise, which had to occur before tomorrow. Once the grand tournament concluded, Chiang Jin would be a Roc Essence Sect disciple, and the opportunity to kill him would slip away.

The duels proceeded, with Qin Baizhi facing off against Mo Qingyi.

Their battle was a visual delight, captivating the male disciples with their ethereal grace.

Despite her sweet appearance, Mo Qingyi was a formidable opponent. Her spear work was sublime, effortlessly neutralizing Qin Baizhi's offensive.

"Stars! Moon!"

Chiang Jin noted that Mo Qingyi wielded only foundational martial arts, yet her execution was flawless.

Mo Qingyi's spear flicked at Qin Baizhi's illusory forms, dissipating them into nothingness, followed by a sweeping strike that pushed Qin Baizhi on the defensive. Her spear danced with the agility of a serpent and the force of a staff.

Qin Baizhi held her ground, using her Body Seizing Steps and Wave Falling Spell to match Mo Qingyi blow for blow.

In the fleeting moment they crossed paths, Qin Baizhi was poised to counterattack, but Mo Qingyi's spear tip was already at her throat—a mere inch from sealing her fate.

Mo Qingyi emerged victorious!

Disheartened, Qin Baizhi descended the stage and shot Chiang Jin a furious glance as she passed.

Chiang Jin was baffled—her loss wasn't his doing, was it?

On his return to the Wave Submitting Sword House, Chiang Jin remained vigilant against the Lin Family and the Barbarian Essence Blade House, but, thankfully, they held back.

He had also briefed Qin Qinggang on the breakfast poisoning. The investigation revealed that both the serving maid and the complicit Barbarian Essence Blade House disciple had vanished.