The Upper Scenic Celestial Martial Pavilion’s Outer Guardian selection tournament commenced under the watchful eyes of thousands.

Among the spectators, besides the Martial Pavilion’s Martial Artists, were also many Outer Sect and Inner Sect disciples of Upper Scenic Celestial, crowding several stone platforms atop Chessboard Peak.

As each match unfolded, the cheers and chants for encouragement rose one after another, heating up the atmosphere on-site.

In this fervent atmosphere, the Martial Artists on the stone battle platforms found their fighting spirits intensified.

The martial strength between both parties suddenly elevated by a notch.

Bam!

With a muffled sound, a Martial Artist was forcefully hurled off the stone platform by his opponent.

He landed on the ground, staggering, his face as pale as paper, suppressing the urge to spit out blood.

"Sun Haofei wins!"

The arbiter on the battle platform announced the result with an impassive expression.

The rules for the Outer Guardian selection tournament were simple: neither side could use weapons nor Talismans, including Elixirs, relying purely on hand-to-hand combat on the battle platform.

It was essentially the same mode as resolving grudges on the Trial Platform.

This was the fairest type of duel, where whoever had stronger power and richer combat experience had the greatest chance of winning.

If one party was knocked out of the battle platform, even if unscathed, it was considered a defeat.

In case of life-threatening situations, strong members of the Upper Scenic Celestial overseeing the arbitration would intervene.

The aim was to minimize injuries and deaths.

Lastly, if any contestant realized their defeat was imminent, they could admit defeat on the spot, and the victor was prohibited from pursuing further attacks.

The defeated, knocked off the battle platform, left in dejection, while the victor, having won the duel, jubilantly pumped a fist in triumph.

Drawing an ovation!

Zhang Yuan observed coldly, guessing when he might encounter the Tier Six expert hired by the Yang Family.

With his current strength, no opponent at the same Tier could match him.

But facing a Tier Six Martial Artist...

That only a fight could reveal!

The Tier Six True Gang Realm not only had cultivation strength far superior to the Tier Five True Essence Realm but most importantly, their Gang Qi externalized into Gang Armor, equivalent to possessing a piece of superior defensive equipment.

Ordinary Tier Five Martial Artists, without a Profound Soldier, could hardly penetrate the Tier Six Gang Armor.

This gave Tier Six experts an absolute advantage on the battle platform.

Under the protection of Gang Armor, a Tier Six expert could stand still and allow a Tier Five opponent to attack, enduring for a long time!

For other Martial Artists of the same Tier, encountering Zhang Yuan in such a situation, conceding on the spot would be the wisest choice.

How could the mere status of a Martial Pavilion External Guardian be worth more than one’s life?

Yet, Zhang Yuan had no intention of surrendering.

Whether he could succeed or not, he’d let a fight decide.

He wanted to see if, in his currently strongest state, he could defeat a Tier Six without relying on Divine Soldiers!

The cutting edge of a sword comes from honing.

How can one forge their Martial Soul without undergoing a true trial?

As Zhang Yuan was contemplating, one by one battles concluded.

Duels between Martial Artists rarely ended in stalemates, often decided within a few moves or several rounds, occasionally even involving life and death.

The tournament matches were the same, intense and short-lived as participants went all out.

The longest duration merely extended to over a hundred rounds.

After the last contestant of the first round stepped down, the earlier Martial Pavilion Elder returned to the stage to draw lots for the second round.

This time, Zhang Yuan heard his own name.

"Platform twelve, first match, Zhang Yuan versus Li Xin’an!"

Li Xin’an?

Zhang Yuan quickly searched his memory, with no recollection of the name.

This was understandable, knowing that hundreds of foreign Martial Artists existed within the Martial Pavilion, and their numbers frequently fluctuated, with constant comings and goings, making it impossible to know everyone.

Besides, Zhang Yuan usually kept to himself, barely knowing any peers.

He soon ascended platform twelve.

Each battle platform on Chessboard Peak was carefully selected.

First, there was ample space to accommodate two Tier Four or Five Martial Artists sparring with full efforts.

Second, the viewing conditions were favorable.

As Zhang Yuan appeared on the stone platform, he immediately drew a multitude of gazes.

The simple reason being, Zhang Yuan was a "celebrity" in the Upper Scenic Celestial Martial Pavilion.

His fame was no less than Xiao Yan’s and perhaps even surpassed it.

Everyone knew that within the Martial Pavilion, there was someone who had become a mortal enemy of the Qianjing Yang Family and offended the Xiao Family.

Recently, the news about Zhang Yuan being stripped of his Dharma Guardian Divine General’s title had spread like wildfire.

Isolated by everyone, he still became a topic of discussion!

Now, entering the Outer Guardian selection tournament had naturally intrigued and drawn the attention of all.

Amidst all eyes, a man in a tight shirt followed and ascended the battle platform.

However, he wore a bitter smile, eyes full of helplessness.

Just as the arbiter was about to announce the start of the duel, the contestant named Li Xin’an immediately declared loudly, "I concede!"

A stir arose around the battle platform.

While the Outer Guardian tournament did not separate by Tier level, should a Tier Four face a Tier Five, immediately conceding upon stepping on stage was utterly normal—truly no match.

But for Li Xin’an, the same Tier Five as Zhang Yuan, to concede without a fight was beyond everyone’s anticipation.

Many spectators shot disdainful glances at Li Xin’an.

Shameful!

Some even jeered, "So cowardly, why bother entering and wasting time?"

Yet Li Xin’an was unfazed by the scorn and mockery.

Better to be shamed than dead!

He hadn’t imagined his luck would be so poor to face Zhang Yuan, this nemesis, in the first match.

Li Xin’an was not lacking in fighting courage; he had once witnessed, firsthand, Zhang Yuan smashing Yang Family prodigy Yang Hongyu into a cripple with one punch.

Li Xin’an didn’t want to become another Yang Hongyu!

Even with the arbiters on the battle platform, why would he stake his life and future on uncertain odds?

Conceding directly was the most sensible choice.

Seeing Li Xin’an’s firm stance with no sign of regret, the arbiter on the platform nodded and said, "Zhang Yuan wins!"

Frankly, Zhang Yuan did not expect that he could now defeat others without even lifting a hand.

He cupped his fists in salute to Li Xin’an, "Thank you for letting me win."

Li Xin’an returned the salute, then quickly descended the stage.

Zhang Yuan had achieved victory without expending any Qi Blood, stepping down to await the next match.

As time passed, one after another, Martial Artists took the stage to duel.

After the first match ended, half of the contestants were eliminated.

Soon, a new round of drawing lots began for the second match.

In the second match, Zhang Yuan undoubtedly defeated his opponent, advancing to the third.

His third match concluded in just two rounds.

Achieving a clean sweep with three consecutive victories!

By then, the sky was gradually darkening, and the Martial Pavilion Elder announced the conclusion of the day’s tournament.

The final results would be decided tomorrow!