Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior

Tao Xinglie, Song Jingyuan, and Guo Zhen released their momentum like waves, causing those around them to change their expressions slightly and instinctively step aside to make way.

The three of them were the first to step onto the stage, followed by Baili Hongtang, while Su Mu joined the Li Family as they stepped onto the stage together.

"Brother Wang, we meet again."

"Miss Baili."

During the draw lots, Baili Hongtang approached with a greeting, and Su Mu nodded in response, considering it a greeting.

While they were talking, Su Mu clearly felt a hateful gaze fall upon him. He didn't need to look to know it was Song Jingyuan; when Li Heng judged him as "petty," he was spot on, perhaps even understating it.

"Beauties are the source of trouble... The ancients spoke the truth."

Su Mu murmured to himself but didn't take it to heart.

"You knew Baili Hongtang before?"

Li Changshan approached and quietly asked.

"We've met once."

"This person is petty and is infatuated with Baili Hongtang. If you meet Song Jingyuan on the stage later, be careful..."

Li Changshan seriously warned, and Su Mu calmly nodded in response.

The same number of participants competed in both the big and small arenas, each with a hundred people. The three drew a bamboo slip first, followed by representatives of major forces, and finally, contestants from various counties in the peripheral areas.

"East Arena, number thirteen..."

Su Mu drew a bamboo slip randomly, and when he saw the number, his eyes slightly narrowed. Li Changshan came over at that moment.

"Wang Chan, I'm in the North Arena, number seventy-one."

Li Changshan approached and spoke, and the rest of the Li Family informed each other of their draw numbers. Su Mu nodded lightly and headed towards the East Arena.

In his peripheral vision, he noticed Tao Xinglie and the other two heading for different sub-arenas. It wasn't that he deliberately paid attention, but rather the fact that there were many spectators around them.

Perhaps it was due to luck or maybe the organizers did it intentionally; the three most promising contestants did not meet before the ranking battles.

For a moment, participants in the sub-arenas with the three sighed inwardly, while those in the remaining arenas from other counties secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Changshan thought it was good luck not encountering the three before the matches; his draw number did not match Tao Xinglie or the others, and even missed Baili Hongtang.

Before heading to their respective arenas, Li Changshan quietly transmitted a message to two Li Family members also in the East Arena.

"If you two encounter Wang Chan, concede immediately."

The Li Family representatives who drew the North Arena, a man and a woman, exchanged glances with reluctance but nodded quickly in agreement. They understood Wang Chan's exceptional talent to trigger the Bai Jiao Mountain phenomenon.

"It's just that Wang Chan and our luck are bad, having encountered that guy..."

The two looked towards the East Arena, where many were already gathered to watch. Song Jingyuan had drawn in the East Arena, naturally attracting many onlookers due to his formidable strength.

"East Arena, first round, number thirteen versus number fifteen."

Upon hearing this, Su Mu had yet to step onto the arena when he sensed an unusual gaze boldly scanning him from behind. Glancing sideways, he saw Song Jingyuan being surrounded like a prince among stars.

At that moment, Song Jingyuan's handsome face held a slight smirk, and his eyes, as if grown on his skull, seemed to say: Hmph, lucky you, you didn't encounter me.

"Who's truly lucky remains to be seen..."

Su Mu understood Song Jingyuan's gaze and also dismissed it, stepping onto the arena just as someone from the crowd spoke.

"I concede."

Su Mu paused briefly, looking down to recognize the speaker as a member of the Li Family, then understood that Li Linfeng or the leader, Li Changshan, likely instructed it.

Without saying much, Su Mu nodded lightly and stepped off the stage.

"That person's from the Li Family; Li Luo's strength isn't weak. Yet, this time he conceded voluntarily. It seems the Li Family values Wang Chan highly."

The discussions arose below; the first round ended quickly, and Li Xiaoyu from the Li Family who was also in the East Arena smoothly advanced to the second round.

"East Arena, second round, number thirteen versus number five."

This time, Su Mu faced someone outside the Li Family, who naturally wouldn't concede. Hearing the number thirteen again, Song Jingyuan's lazy eyes showed a trace of interest.

"Young Master, I'm number five."

A burly man with a fierce aura spoke deeply, receiving a glance and a light pat on the shoulder from Song Jingyuan.

"Fists don't have eyes... All consequences are on me."

A cold voice entered his ear; having admired Baili Hongtang chatting actively with Wang Chan, Song Jingyuan firmly set his sights on them, considering Wang Chan as on the path to ruin.

The burly man, guided by his signal, immediately had murderous intent in his eyes, turning and striding onto the arena.

"Li Family, Wang Chan."

"Donglai County Mansion, Qiu Tie."

With these words, Qiu Tie twisted his neck violently, veins bulging and producing crisp sounds, with surges of powerful Qi Blood soaring.

A Qi Blood River spanning over three zhang and two chi unfurled, instantly contracting to form a Qi Blood Armor over himself, silencing even the whistling mountain winds from getting within three inches of his silhouette.

In the next moment.

Qiu Tie's large hand, like a bear's paw, landed on the long saber at his waist, drawing sparks as he swiftly unsheathed the blade.

Blood Tiger Saber · Skull Splitting Slash!

With the infusion of Qi Blood and Power, the domineering Wolf Head Saber in his hands suddenly illuminated with inscriptions, and the arena was instantly filled with the high-pitched howl of a wolf.