Chapter 21: Judgment Saves Life

There was no break time between the breakout rounds and the top 64 qualifying rounds.

However, the incident involving Xu Xiaoshou's killing had fermented overnight and still spread throughout almost the entire Outer Yard. For most people, their original focus was solely on the top ten figures on the Wind and Cloud List. Now, Xu Xiaoshou, as a dark horse, had forcefully entered their radar.

At noon the next day, the qualifying rounds began. Unlike the breakout rounds, from this point forward, the Cloud Ascension Platform no longer featured eighteen separate arenas, but rather a single main arena for continuous battles. This was something everyone had been anticipating. Heaven knows how many regretted missing the Outer Yard's first kill – such a historical moment – because they were watching other matches yesterday.

The spectator stands were packed with people, and the atmosphere was buzzing with chatter.

"Here they come, here they come! We've waited so long, and finally, this moment is here."

"Ugh, tell me about it! I missed the Outer Yard's first kill yesterday because I was watching Senior Sister Mo and Senior Brother Chao, those two innate masters!"

"Haha, then you really missed out. Before the qualifying rounds, what was so special about watching those two? Didn't they always defeat their opponents in a single move?"

"You have no idea how thrilling it was! Yesterday, Xu Xiaoshou held back his sword, then Wen Laoda attacked from behind, only to be stabbed in the chest himself... the scenes repeatedly reversed, it was incredibly exciting!"

"I'm telling you, the entire audience was stunned speechless; you could even hear someone fart."

"Wuwu, please stop talking, can't you see my tears of regret?"

Besides these curious onlookers, Xu Peng and Xu Hei were still present. However, after a night of reflection, everyone had toned down significantly. At most, when Xu Xiaoshou was mentioned, they would glare at each other, merely expressing mutual displeasure.

Xiao Qixiu landed on the main arena. The Elder Xiao, who had been floating in the void for several days, finally decided to descend to earth and host the competition with his feet on the ground. He dared not float anymore; he was afraid that if he saw a few more souls ascend to heaven, his little heart wouldn't be able to bear it.

With practiced ease, he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. The audience immediately fell silent, listening attentively.

"I believe everyone has heard about yesterday's death incident..." Xiao Qixiu's words immediately caught everyone's attention. If the matter wasn't mentioned, it would have passed. But now that it was brought up, didn't it imply something significant was at play? So, the verdict from the Spirit Law Pavilion was out: Xu Xiaoshou would be disqualified?

Xiao Qixiu looked around, for the first time not reading from the paper. His expression was extremely serious:

"Here, I only wish to remind all of you..."

"While the Heavenly Sang Spiritual Palace may provide a comfortable training environment, I absolutely do not wish for your willpower to be eroded."

"You will eventually graduate and leave. Once you step outside the Spiritual Palace, on the Holy God Continent, life and death are inevitable!"

"Every competition is a hurdle from the outside world, requiring you to give it your all!"

"However, I also hope you can grasp a certain limit – a limit concerning life and death, morality, and the bottom line in your hearts."

"Cross that bottom line, and you will transgress, ultimately facing the consequences of your actions."

"Regardless of whether your name is Xu Xiaoshou or Wen Chong!"

Everyone fell silent. They were all waiting for a verdict: Would Xu Xiaoshou be disqualified, or would he continue to compete without penalty? No one could guess. For such people, speculation about the competition's outcome far outweighed their reverence for life. And yet, Xiao Qixiu offered no comment on yesterday's incident. Instead, he used it to teach everyone a lesson. Wasn't Wen Chong's death a direct consequence of him crossing the line, bringing it upon himself? Whether Xu Xiaoshou also crossed the line and intentionally acted ruthlessly was equally a question. But for any matter, there could only be one definitive outcome. Given Xiao Qixiu's statement, whether Xu Xiaoshou would meet a good end or face dire consequences was clearly something only time could decide.

In the arena, Elder Xiao felt deeply gratified seeing the audience's reactions. For him, a man who had killed countless individuals, one death was no big deal. There was no need for such an elaborate process or wasted words. But these young people were different. If even a few could be awakened by his words, even just a handful, that would be enough. Displaying temporary courage or hiding momentary ruthlessness held no real meaning; it would only sow seeds of disaster for their future. Xiao Qixiu felt a pang of emotion. In the past, he wouldn't have spoken so much, but things were different now. Ultimately, he was no longer Xiao Qixiu, the Butcher of Ten Thousand, but an esteemed Elder of the Heavenly Sang Spiritual Palace, a role model.

"Very well!"

Xiao Qixiu shook the paper and read: "In that case, let us proceed to the main order of business."

"The top 64 battles officially begin, determined by the drawing curtain. Each pair will have a battle time not exceeding two quarters of an hour!"

"Let's fight as much as we can today, advance as many as possible; we have time!"

The audience, who had been immersed in a silent atmosphere, burst into laughter at Xiao Qixiu's words, and the mood gradually lightened. Elder Xiao was very pleased with the effect. He immediately waved his hand, intending to ignite the atmosphere even further.

"Now, let the competition be..."

"Wait!" An urgent voice interrupted him.

Everyone was stunned, looking towards the speaker. Interrupting the chief referee? Wasn't this person asking for death?

"Xu Xiaoshou?"

"This guy must be crazy!"

"My goodness, it's already good enough that Elder Xiao didn't pursue charges. Is he still trying to cause trouble?"

"Here he is, Xu Xiaoshou is here! Having watched him since the group stages, I can tell you, it's not Xu Xiaoshou unless he's causing a stir!"

At the referee's table, eighteen black-robed figures sat solemnly. As soon as Xu Xiaoshou appeared, the twelfth-ranked referee immediately slumped.

"There he is, that's the one, the Xu Xiaoshou I just told you about."

"Watch closely, this kid is definitely going to stir things up!"

"This guy has already driven me crazy. Come on, I bet one spirit crystal that even Boss Xiao won't be able to handle him!"

The black-robed figures nearby chuckled, looking surprised.

"Is he really as troublesome as you say?"

"Isn't he just an innate physical body with acquired sword intent? I've seen plenty of geniuses!"

"Indeed, no matter how talented he is, can he be more talented than Su Qianqian from the Inner Yard?"

The twelfth referee scooted his chair forward, leaning in, watching Xu Xiaoshou jog all the way to Xiao Qixiu, shaking his head slightly.

"No, no, no, those are secondary. What's most terrifying about this guy is his unpredictability!"

He paused, then added: "You never know what outrageous thing he'll do next."

In the arena, all eyes were on him. Xiao Qixiu's face was terrifyingly grim. He watched the anxious boy, his chest exposed, run up to him, yet he felt helpless. If a contestant had extremely special circumstances, they could apply to the chief referee for a temporary suspension of the match. This was allowed within the rules of the "Wind and Cloud Battle," though it had never been utilized before.

"What is it? If you don't have a truly special circumstance, do you believe I'll deal with you myself!"

Xiao Qixiu had just built up momentum, and Xu Xiaoshou's sudden interruption was truly stifling.

"Help me, esteemed referee!"

The boy in front of him had a panicked expression, his face flushed red. Only when he got closer did Xiao Qixiu feel the intense heat radiating from his body.

Xu Xiaoshou was genuinely panicked! That old man, he didn't know what he had given him to eat. The moment the fiery red seed entered his stomach, he felt his body grow increasingly hot, and a terrifying burning sensation emanated, constantly eroding his body. Originally, he had been meditating at Goose Lake for a while, trying to dissolve and expel the substance. But the more he tried to refine it, the worse it got; the thing had actually melted! The scorching sensation permeated every cell in his body, burning relentlessly.

Xu Xiaoshou felt like he was about to explode. Although he possessed an innate physical body, he couldn't withstand this intense burning. Several meridians inside him were already broken, and if this continued, he would die. He wanted to go to the Spirit Herb Pavilion, but with the "Wind and Cloud Battle" underway, most of the best medical staff and pharmacists had already come to the arena to provide logistical support. So, he could only come to the venue to borrow personnel. However, these logistical supplies couldn't be easily obtained, and he didn't know if that old man was involved, so he couldn't easily expose his existence.

So, Xu Xiaoshou had no choice but to pull out his big move!

Xiao Qixiu watched the boy coldly, wondering what nonsense he would spout.

Xu Xiaoshou tore off his upper garment, revealing his scorched red flesh, and cried out hoarsely:

"Referee, help me!"

"I took a drug, I request to be disqualified!"

"I need medical personnel to examine my body, immediately, right now!"