"Both are eliminated."
Ji'an slowly applauded, the slow, sarcastic clapping echoing loudly in the quiet arena.
"Beautiful footwork, boys," Ji'an drawled mockingly to the unconscious bodies. "Truly the pinnacle of orthodox grace."
By the time the sun began to set, casting long, eerie shadows across the toxic valley, the exam had reached its bloody, chaotic conclusion.
The arena floor was a disaster zone of craters, scorched earth, and patches of slowly melting black ice.
The medical pavilion of the Azure Dragon Sect was operating at maximum capacity, overflowing with groaning, heavily bandaged disciples from both sects.
Only two combatants remained in the bracket.
Gu Zhiwei, the Golden Retriever, who had somehow managed to survive his matches through sheer, unadulterated physical durability and dumb luck.
And Fairy Xue, the lead maiden of the Azure Crane Pavilion.
Fairy Xue stepped into the arena, her pale blue water-silks stained with soot and sweat.
