With a complex emotion, he glanced at Lu Lin. Yue Dao sat below the stage and closed his eyes.

The subsequent duels became somewhat lackluster without the participation of the Heavenly Talents.

Only those who placed bets paid any attention.

In the ninth duel, Blind Gunman Mo Yiqiang unleashed three hundred and sixty-five spear thrusts in an instant, shattering space and vanquishing his opponent.

In the eleventh duel, Beastmaster Zuo Lun disappeared as soon as he entered the stage. With the help of space-type demon beasts, he trapped his opponent in an unknown space.

In the fourteenth duel, Liu Yuxin’s light yellow paper umbrella opened, and the entire arena was engulfed in ceaseless autumn rain. The opponent lost without even touching Liu Yuxin.

Sixteen matches concluded, and under the cooperation of Elder Li Song and the Star Lodging War Generals present, no Heavenly Talents lost their lives.

The most dangerous incident involved Yue Dao’s opponent, who had both legs severed.

As well as Zuo Lun’s opponent, who was exiled to an unknown space and couldn’t be found by anyone on site.

Elder Li Song had to invite another elder, who spent considerable time to locate the person in space.

When Zuo Lun’s opponent emerged, he was in a daze, with a look of fear on his face, as if everything could threaten his life.

No one knew what he encountered in that space, but it’s unlikely any faction would interact with this participant anytime soon.

His spirit was crushed, and his future achievements would be limited as well.

The second round, from sixteen down to eight, went without surprises.

Lu Lin easily defeated his opponent, and the participants with one match experience adapted better to the unrestricted competition style.

Some even hid immediately after the match started, silently setting up a formation to annihilate their opponent.

If not for the quick response of the Star Lodging War Generals, the first death would have occurred.

Two consecutive matches lasted for more than three days.

Fortunately, all present were cultivation masters, and no one felt fatigued.

Many masters watching even learned a lot from the participants, which could be used in their future battles.

At that time, they would surely surprise their enemies.

After both rounds, Elder Li Song came on stage to announce a week’s break to allow the Heavenly Talents to adjust themselves.

The subsequent eight to four won’t be a single elimination but will turn into a points battle.

Each of the eight will combat the other seven opponents, earning one point per victory, with the top two in total points moving on to the final duel.

There will be no rest between the points battle and the final duel.

At that time, the Saint Lord of General Mountain, Lv Potian, will be on site to cheer for the Heavenly Talents. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

This competition style, though different from the previous eight to four, four to two, then the final championship match, ensures that with the points battle, each participant fights every opponent, giving more credibility to the top two selected.

After all, if you can’t beat someone, you just can’t. Losing to someone in a match means there’s no room to sulk over others’ records.

This maximizes fairness.

The participating Heavenly Talents have no objections, but the big shots involved with bets are surprised.

Because of the sudden format change, their betting systems must also change.

Fortunately, Elder Li Song provided seven days, which should be sufficient.

"Lu Lin, hold on a minute."

As everyone was leaving, Elder Li Song called out to Lu Lin.

Alongside him, besides the familiar Elder Ting Yu, was an unfamiliar elder.

Previously, this elder had helped rescue Zuo Lun’s opponent from exile space, yet Elder Li Song didn’t disclose his name.

"Elder Li Song, Elder Ting Yu, Elder."

Lu Lin bowed to the three and waited on the side.

"Lu Lin, you’ve done well. Would you be interested in becoming his disciple?"

Elder Li Song pointed to the unfamiliar elder, asking with a smile.

Lu Lin was surprised. This was quite direct.

He turned to look at the elder.

The elder was dressed in a light gray robe, with graying hair, somewhat frail in build, and had something resembling glasses on his face.

Overall, he had an inexplicable scholarly aura.

"Li Song, you’re too straightforward."

The elder chuckled lightly, then turned to Lu Lin and said, "Lu Lin, I see you have a strong physique and your Soul Power Cultivation isn’t weak. Among the Seven Great Elders, there are two suitable teachers for you."

"One is Elder Ting Yu, who specializes in Soul Power Cultivation and Illusionary Realm. Of course, she herself is also a master at the Star Emperor Realm Limit."

"As for me, I have some research in space, physical bodies, and weapon warfare."

"By the way, you probably don’t know who I am yet."

The elder chuckled softly before slowly speaking.

"My surname is Long, you can call me Elder Long."