Thirty percent of the participants had been eliminated in the very first stage.Now, all the participants who had passed the first stage were gathered inside the Dragon and Phoenix Hall.When the sun reached its highest point in the sky, the first stage was officially declared over. Everyone who had arrived at the Dragon and Phoenix Hall had automatically passed, while those who had failed to arrive were eliminated."Congratulations to all of you for passing the first stage. You are young talents who know how to think critically and pay attention to even the smallest details. Consider this a lesson that you should never blindly follow orders." Jiang Bayu began his speech."Following orders and carrying them out properly is certainly important. But what if the person giving you those orders intends to lead you into a deadly trap? What if the person issuing those orders is a traitor who not only wants to kill you but could also bring disaster upon everyone who stands behind you?"Jiang

"Still, no one is willing to step forward? I thought the young warriors of Sujiang Province would be braver than this. It seems you have less courage than I expected." Tian Feng stood up alongside his Phoenix partner, Xian Yin. "Since cowards like you don't dare to take the challenge, we'll go first."Hearing this, many participants from Sujiang Province were provoked. They glared angrily at Tian Feng, yet none of them could find the words to respond.Meanwhile, the participants from Wutian Province wore proud smiles."Haha, well said, Young Master Tian Feng! Show them the abilities of Wutian Province's most talented young generation!""You can do it, Young Master! I love you!"All the Dragon and Phoenix pairs from Wutian Province offered Tian Feng their full support."What do you think of this challenge, Shu Xiang?" Jiang Yuhua asked."We should be able to handle it, but that depends on whether you're confident enough.""Of course! I'm absolutely confident." Jiang Yuhua nodded, looki

The Dragon and Phoenix Tournament consisted of four stages this year. The first stage tested the participants' intelligence, while the second tested how well each Dragon and Phoenix pair could work together. The third stage, which was about to begin, would pit the pairs against one another in a forest.The fourth and final stage would be a series of arena battles, with Dragons fighting other Dragons and Phoenixes fighting other Phoenixes.The third stage would eliminate most of the participants, leaving only sixteen competitors, eight Dragons and eight Phoenixes.All the participants had now gathered in a forest south of Jiang Du City. A middle-aged man named Jiu Bang would serve as the chief supervisor for this stage.The forest had been heavily guarded by the Jiang Spear Manor's soldiers to ensure the participants' safety.Jiu Bang held a yellow flag bearing the emblem of a Dragon and a Phoenix."For this stage, you must find the Dragon and Phoenix flags hidden throughout this fores

Jiu Bang stood calmly in his position, waiting for the participants to arrive. He couldn't wait to see which pair would be the first to bring him the authentic Dragon and Phoenix flags.Countless participants came and went, bringing him the flags they had found, yet not a single one was genuine. Watching their frustrated expressions as they realized their mistakes, unable to voice any complaints, had become a source of amusement for Jiu Bang.Suddenly, Jiu Bang heard an unusual thud, causing him to furrow his brows. He immediately gripped his spear.As he turned around, a sickle attached to a chain shot toward him. Jiu Bang raised his spear and deflected the incoming weapon.A figure leaped out of hiding, retrieved the sickle, and swung the other end of the chain, sending a spiked iron ball hurtling toward Jiu Bang."An intruder!" Jiu Bang evaded the attack and leaped backward to put some distance between them. 'That sound just now... Did he kill my subordinates?'Jiu Bang fixed his g

Jiang Yuhua was fighting the Soul-Eating Demon. Although she was still young, there was no doubt about her skill. Her mastery of spear techniques was well above average, and she was even comparable to Jiu Bang.When the Soul-Eating Demon managed to wrap his chain around Jiang Yuhua's spear, he grinned broadly."Got you!" The Soul-Eating Demon immediately swung his sickle.In this situation, Jiang Yuhua should have let go of her spear to avoid the attack.However, she had deliberately allowed this to happen, luring her opponent into making that very move.Jiang Yuhua struck the section of chain attached to the sickle, stopping the weapon in its tracks because the chain was still wrapped around her spear.She planted her feet firmly, then pulled on the chain, dragging the Soul-Eating Demon toward her.BAM!A punch slammed into the Soul-Eating Demon's face, knocking out all his front teeth."Argh!"The Soul-Eating Demon's grip on the chain loosened.Jiang Yuhua let go of her spear as wel