The atmosphere around the arena became increasingly tense as the Round of 16 officially began.
Compared to the earlier matches, the remaining participants were clearly stronger.
Their internal energy fluctuations were steadier.
Their techniques more refined.
Even the spectators had become far more focused.
Lin Sheng sat calmly in the inner courtyard seating area while observing the arena below. Beside him, Zhao Feng rubbed his hands together with an expression full of regret.
"What a pity..." he muttered.
Lin Sheng glanced at him. "What is?"
Zhao Feng sighed dramatically. "If betting was allowed here, I could've earned a fortune already."
Lin Sheng almost laughed.
Unfortunately for Zhao Feng, gambling during the ranking competition was strictly forbidden.
Firstly, the mentors believed it would distract trainees from actual cultivation.
Secondly, the stronger participants were often easy to predict, making manipulation possible.
The training center wanted competition.
Not chaos.
Zhao Feng clicked his tongue helplessly before looking back toward the stage.
At that moment, another match had already started.
One participant was from Group C.
The other was from Group B.
Normally, everyone would expect the Group B trainee to win easily.
After all, the difference in talent and resources between the groups was obvious.
But after watching for several exchanges, Lin Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly.
Something was wrong.
Or rather...
Something was impressive.
The Group C trainee moved with surprising fluidity.
His footsteps shifted rapidly across the stage while his palms struck sharply from unpredictable angles.
A movement technique.
A palm technique.
Both had clearly reached the Proficient stage.
Lin Sheng's gaze sharpened slightly.
Two martial techniques at Proficient within only two weeks...
That level of comprehension was genuinely excellent.
Talent was not determined by root bone and bone structure alone.
Comprehension mattered greatly too.
It affected breathing exercises, martial techniques, movement skills, combat adaptability, and future breakthroughs.
Some people cultivated quickly but fought poorly.
Others cultivated slowly but possessed terrifying understanding.
This Group C trainee clearly belonged to the latter category.
More importantly—
Lin Sheng could sense internal energy fluctuations from the trainee's body.
2nd rate.
The audience had begun noticing it too.
The expressions of many Group B trainees changed slightly.
Meanwhile, most of Grade A remained calm.
Not arrogant.
Simply confident.
Especially after these past two weeks of rapid growth.
Beside Lin Sheng, Zhao Feng finally stopped joking and looked toward the stage thoughtfully.
"It seems the elders planned this competition carefully," he said.
Lin Sheng glanced at him. "What do you mean?"
Zhao Feng smiled faintly. "Think about it. This competition gives people with weaker backgrounds a chance to rise."
"Dark horses."
Lin Sheng understood immediately.
Some trainees lacked resources but possessed excellent comprehension or battle instincts.
Without opportunities like this, they would remain overshadowed by wealthier or more talented individuals forever.
But once they displayed enough value publicly...
Their treatment could improve dramatically.
On the stage, the battle intensified.
The Group B trainee used a fist technique aggressively, attempting to suppress the Group C dark horse through raw power.
Unfortunately, the dark horse remained calm throughout.
His movements became lighter and faster with every exchange.
Then suddenly—
He stepped sideways.
His palm struck forward instantly.
Bang!
The strike landed directly against the Group B trainee's chest at an angle that bypassed his defensive posture completely.
The Group B trainee's eyes widened.
He was sent flying backward several meters before crashing onto the stage floor heavily.
The arena became noisy instantly.
The referee stepped forward after confirming the Group B trainee could no longer continue.
"Winner!"
"Group C, Luo Han!"
Applause and discussions erupted throughout the audience.
Even several mentors looked slightly surprised.
Lin Sheng memorized the name silently.
Luo Han.
A talented dark horse with exceptional comprehension.
Interesting.
The competition continued afterward.
The fights became increasingly intense as the number of participants decreased.
Eventually—
The Top 8 battles concluded.
Out of the final four remaining challengers, three were from Group B.
Only Luo Han from Group C had managed to force his way through successfully.
Now came the true highlight.
Challenge rights.
The referee stepped onto the center stage and spoke loudly.
"The remaining four participants may now choose one inner courtyard trainee to challenge."
The atmosphere immediately changed.
All eyes turned toward the Grade A seating area.
One by one, the inner courtyard trainees stood calmly.
Some appeared indifferent.
Others serious.
Everyone understood what this meant.
If they lost...
Their inner courtyard status could be revoked.
Resources reduced.
Reputation damaged.
The first challenger from Group B scanned the Grade A members carefully.
Eventually, his gaze landed on Zhao Feng.
A faint sneer appeared on his face.
"I choose him."
Many trainees immediately showed understanding.
From the outside, Zhao Feng truly appeared like the weak link among Grade A.
Lin Xiaolu trained relentlessly every day.
Lin Shou cultivated like a madman.
Lin Sheng's cultivation speed was monstrous.
Meanwhile Zhao Feng...
Talked too much.
Smiled too much.
And often wandered around casually.
Naturally, people underestimated him.
Unfortunately for the challenger—
Zhao Feng was neither weak nor lazy.
Lin Sheng quietly observed him with mental perception.
Beneath Zhao Feng's relaxed appearance flowed internal energy fluctuations from at least three opened meridians.
Among all Grade A trainees, that alone placed him near the top.
The challenger had chosen poorly.
Zhao Feng suddenly laughed while standing up.
"Are you still angry about losing spirit stone fragments?"
The Group B trainee's expression instantly darkened.
Clearly struck where it hurt.
The audience immediately became curious.
Without waiting further, both stepped onto the stage.
The referee gave the signal.
Ring!
The Group B trainee immediately roared angrily while charging forward using a claw technique.
His fingers curved sharply like beast talons as he attacked Zhao Feng's throat directly.
Fast.
Aggressive.
But reckless.
Zhao Feng casually sidestepped.
The claw barely missed him.
At the same time, the challenger completely exposed his side.
Zhao Feng's smile disappeared instantly.
Then—
Bang!
His fist struck upward into the opponent's jaw with terrifying precision.
The sound echoed loudly throughout the arena.
The challenger was lifted completely off the ground before crashing several meters away unconscious.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Even the remaining challengers looked stunned.
The fight had ended too quickly.
Zhao Feng dusted off his sleeves calmly before bowing theatrically toward the audience.
The referee recovered first.
"Winner!"
"Zhao Feng!"
Only then did the crowd erupt into discussions.
Most people clearly had not expected such overwhelming strength.
Zhao Feng walked back toward the inner courtyard seats with a grin stretched across his face.
Lin Sheng looked at him strangely.
"What was that about?"
He was clearly referring to the earlier comment about spirit stone fragments.
Zhao Feng laughed proudly before sitting down.
"You really spend too much time cultivating."
Lin Sheng raised an eyebrow slightly.
Zhao Feng lowered his voice.
"While you lock yourself inside your room, many trainees go sightseeing around Cloud Mist Market."
"There are gambling dens there."
Lin Sheng immediately understood part of it.
Still, Zhao Feng continued enthusiastically.
"They gamble on jade stone cutting."
"The stones look ordinary from the outside, but if you cut one open and find spiritual jade inside, you can make huge profits."
"Of course..." Zhao Feng grinned wickedly, "most are complete trash."
Lin Sheng almost laughed.
A classic gambling trap.
Zhao Feng leaned back comfortably.
"That idiot lost several spirit stone fragments there recently."
"And the funniest part?"
He pointed at himself proudly.
"The gambling den belongs to one of my family's businesses."
Lin Sheng finally understood why the challenger looked so furious earlier.
He had probably lost money at Zhao Feng's family property...
Then unknowingly challenged Zhao Feng afterward.
What terrible luck.
Meanwhile, on the arena below, the remaining challengers looked far more cautious now.
Especially after witnessing Zhao Feng's true strength.
The so called weak link of Grade A had instantly crushed one of the strongest challengers.
Which meant—
The remaining Grade A members were likely even more dangerous than expected.