The one-hour break passed in the blink of an eye.

The promoted Disciples meditated by the arena to recover, the atmosphere heavy. The brutality of the first round’s chaotic battle made everyone realize that the Five Sect Martial Competition was no child’s play.

The nine members of the Azure Cloud Sect gathered together, each bearing injuries, but their spirits were high. Being able to defeat the strong as the weak and having the entire team advance greatly boosted their morale.

Lin Wan said excitedly, "We’re too amazing! We actually took down the Heavenly Sword Sect!"

Liang Ling said softly, "Don’t be arrogant; the second round will be even harder."

Fang Hao nodded. "The ranking matches are one-on-one duels; they rely on raw strength."

Bao Zhijian said with a cold face, "Some people shouldn’t get ahead of themselves! The chaotic battle was just a matter of trickery; there are no easy gains in the ranking matches!"

This was clearly directed at Fang Hao.

Zhou Yao tried to mediate, "Captain, we need to devise a strategy."

Bao Zhijian snorted, "What strategy? Everyone relies on their own ability!"

On the other side, the members of the Heavenly Sword Sect looked terrible. Being eliminated by the alliance of the two weakest Sects was an utter humiliation!

Soaring Wind gritted his teeth. "Azure Cloud Sect... Beast Taming Sect... Good! Very good! We’ll see the truth in the ranking matches!"

The other Heavenly Sword Disciples also glared with burning Battle Intent.

The Xuan Ming Cult and Chiyang Sect were even more suppressed with rage. Having been schemed out in the first round, they had lost all face and vowed to wash away the shame in the ranking matches!

Ling Yun of the Beast Taming Sect cupped her hands to Fang Hao. "Fellow Daoist Ning, the ranking matches are every man for himself. I hope to meet you again in the top ten."

Fang Hao returned the gesture. "Senior Sister Ling Yun’s strength is formidable; you will surely make the cut."

Exactly at the Hour of the Dragon, Elder Heart of the Sword announced, "The second round, the Arena Ranking Matches, begins! The rules are as follows:"

"Fifty people will draw lots for duels. The winner advances, and the loser is eliminated. This continues until the top ten rankings are decided!"

"The top ten can receive generous rewards, and the top three can even enter the ’Tianyan Secret Realm’!"

The whole place erupted! The Tianyan Secret Realm! A legendary Holy Land for cultivation!

The Disciples rubbed their palms, their Battle Intent reaching the heavens!

The drawing began. Fang Hao drew ’Mystic Number Three’; his opponent was a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Disciple from the Chiyang Sect.

Bao Zhijian drew ’Heaven Number One’; his opponent was a Beast Taming Sect Disciple, and he let out a smug, cold laugh.

Liang Ling drew ’Earth Number Five’; her opponent was a Xuan Ming Cult Disciple.

Lin Wan drew ’Yellow Number Seven’; her opponent was a Heavenly Sword Sect Disciple, and her face immediately fell into a bitter expression.

The first round of duels began! Five arenas proceeded simultaneously!

Bao Zhijian was the first to take the stage, his opponent being a Disciple from the Beast Taming Sect. That Disciple had a third-rank Spirit Beast, which was quite troublesome.

But Bao Zhijian’s Great Perfection Foundation Establishment strength crushed him. He defeated his opponent within ten moves and advanced easily, stepping down from the stage triumphantly.

Liang Ling took the stage against a Xuan Ming Cult Disciple. The Xuan Ming Cultivation Techniques were sinister, but Liang Ling’s Ice Heart Art countered them. With a piercing chill, she won within thirty moves!

Lin Wan fought a hard battle against the Heavenly Sword Sect Disciple. That Disciple’s sword techniques were sharp; Lin Wan used her Thousand Vine Art to entwine, barely managing to hold on for a hundred moves before finally losing narrowly! She stepped down with teary eyes.

Fang Hao comforted her, "Senior Sister Lin did her best; there is honor even in defeat."

Lin Wan sobbed, "It’s all because I’m too weak..."

It was Fang Hao’s turn to take the stage. His opponent was a Chiyang Sect Disciple, with flames swirling around his body and waves of heat pressing in!

"Trash of the Azure Cloud Sect! Die!" the Disciple said arrogantly.

Fang Hao said calmly, "Please."

The battle began! The Chiyang Disciple’s fire arts were violent, with soaring flames! But Fang Hao’s Five Elements Spirit Shield operated, and the fire shield provided a perfect counter!

After ten moves, Fang Hao struck with a Star Shattering Finger! It broke through the defense directly! A single-strike victory!

"I win," Fang Hao said, withdrawing his hand.

The Disciple was dumbfounded and left the stage in a sorry state.

The first round ended, and five people from the Azure Cloud Sect advanced: Bao Zhijian, Fang Hao, Liang Ling, Zhou Yao, and another core member. It was quite a good result.

In the second round of drawing, Fang Hao drew a Heavenly Sword Sect Disciple! It was precisely one of the people they had eliminated in the first round!

"Fang Hao! Give me your life!" the Heavenly Sword Disciple roared, his Sword Qi violent!

Fang Hao responded calmly. Although the Heavenly Sword sword techniques were sharp, the empty clarity mirror’s spatial distortion countered them! He won within twenty moves!

Bao Zhijian drew a Xuan Ming Cult Disciple and narrowly won after a hard battle of a hundred moves! Liang Ling advanced easily! Zhou Yao lost narrowly!

The second round ended, leaving three people from the Azure Cloud Sect: Bao Zhijian, Fang Hao, and Liang Ling!

In the third round of drawing, Fang Hao drew Ling Yun of the Beast Taming Sect!

The two took the stage and smiled at each other.

Ling Yun said, "Fellow Daoist Ning, let’s have an all-out battle!"

Fang Hao cupped his hands. "Please!"

Ling Yun released three Spirit Beasts! A wolf, an eagle, and a python! They coordinated perfectly with a fierce offensive!

Fang Hao’s Dividing Light Sword Shadows all came out, and the empty clarity mirror provided spatial interference! After a fierce battle of fifty moves, he found a flaw and struck Ling Yun’s wrist with a Star Shattering Finger, forcing her to concede!

"I am impressed!" Ling Yun cupped her hands and conceded. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Fang Hao returned the gesture. "I win."

Bao Zhijian drew Soaring Wind of the Heavenly Sword Sect! A duel between old rivals!

Soaring Wind’s Sword Qi was like a rainbow, and Bao Zhijian resisted with all his might! After a hundred moves, Bao Zhijian gradually showed signs of defeat! Finally, he was sent flying by a sword strike! A crushing defeat!

Bao Zhijian stepped down with a face of iron-blue, glaring fiercely at Fang Hao.

Liang Ling drew the Saint of the Xuan Ming Cult, Nether Child! She fought hard but was no match and lost narrowly!

The third round ended, with only Fang Hao from the Azure Cloud Sect advancing to the top ten!

The top ten list was released: Soaring Wind of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Nether Child, Blazing Fierce, and other geniuses from various Sects, as well as Fang Hao!

Fang Hao became the only Foundation Establishment Middle Stage in the top ten! He was also the only hope of the Azure Cloud Sect!

Heart of the Sword announced, "Rest for the duration of an incense stick! The Top Ten Ranking Matches begin!"

The eyes of the entire audience focused on Fang Hao! How far could this dark horse of the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage go?

Bao Zhijian was driven mad with jealousy but was helpless.

Liang Ling said softly, "Junior Brother Ning, be careful."

Lin Wan cheered, "Junior Brother Ning! Go for number one!"

Fang Hao meditated to calm his mind. The successive hard battles had consumed a huge amount of energy, but his Battle Intent was even stronger!

After the incense stick burned out, the ranking matches began! The opponents were decided by drawing lots!

Fang Hao drew the Saint of the Chiyang Sect, Blazing Fierce! At Great Perfection Foundation Establishment, with an Exotic Fire Body Refining, his combat power was terrifying!

Blazing Fierce stood proudly on the arena, flames swirling around him and heat waves scorching the air. "Fang Hao? Entering the top ten counts as your luck! It ends here!"

Fang Hao said calmly, "Please."

The battle erupted! Blazing Fierce’s fire arts were violent! Exotic flames burned the heavens! Their power far exceeded ordinary fire arts!

Fang Hao’s Five Elements Spirit Shield was fully open! But the power of the exotic fire was too strong, and the spirit shield vibrated violently!

"Let’s see how long you can hold out." Blazing Fierce laughed wildly, the fire growing even fiercer.

Fang Hao responded calmly, the empty clarity mirror distorting space to interfere with the fire! Dividing Light Sword Shadows harassed him! Star Shattering Fingers launched sneak attacks!

But Blazing Fierce’s defense was extremely strong; with exotic fire protecting his body, it was hard to break his defense!

After a hundred moves of fierce battle, Fang Hao gradually showed signs of defeat! His clothes were scorched black, and he had multiple burns!

"Junior Brother Ning!" Liang Ling cried out.

Lin Wan covered her eyes, not daring to look.

Bao Zhijian sneered, "Trash! He’s no match after all!"

Blazing Fierce was smug. "Let’s end this! Heaven Burning Strike!"

The exotic fire transformed into a fire dragon and lunged straight at Fang Hao! Its power was world-shaking!

At the critical moment, Fang Hao had a flash of inspiration! He operated the Ethereal Art with all his might! His figure became blurred as space flickered! He actually passed through the fire dragon!

At the same time, he unleashed the strongest strike of the Star Shattering Finger—Shattering the Void! He pointed it at Blazing Fierce’s heart!

Blazing Fierce was greatly shocked and hurriedly defended! But the finger force penetrated the exotic fire and struck his vitals directly!

"Puff!" Blazing Fierce spat out blood and flew backward! He crashed heavily off the arena!

The entire audience fell silent! Then, a heaven-shaking cheer erupted!

"He won! He won again!"

"Foundation Establishment Middle Stage defeated Great Perfection Foundation Establishment!"

"A miracle! An absolute miracle!"

Fang Hao stood panting, his injuries not light, but his gaze was firm!

Elder Heart of the Sword marveled, "This boy... is extraordinary."

Fang Hao advanced to the top five. In the next battle, he will face Soaring Wind of the Heavenly Sword Sect. A fated duel.

The final battle awaited the start of the next morning.