Douluo Continent: Starting with a Heavenly Fire Judgment

Chapter 367: A Mixed Bag

The audience could also see that Zizaimen and Dilongmen were clearly in cahoots, and had staged a fixed match in order for both sides to advance.

Although the match was a bit boring, it ended quickly. The intense matches between the other sects immediately made them forget about the Zizai Sect and the Dilong Sect.

The fierceness of the third round of the All-Continent Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament was beyond many people's expectations. In order to secure a place in the round-robin tournament, many sects fought tooth and nail in the competition.

After just one round, five players were killed and over twenty were seriously injured, meaning there were casualties in every match on average. As a result, many teams raised objections with the tournament organizing committee, strongly questioning the referees' ability to control the games.

The Sun Moon Empire's official stance on this matter was also somewhat perplexing, and they had no choice but to issue a statement promising that in the upcoming matches, referees would be allowed to control the pace of the game as much as possible to reduce casualties.

Based on their record, Zizaimen should have been ranked in the top three in the round-robin tournament. However, in order to allow Dilongmen to advance as well, Zizaimen only scored eight points in the third round, which caused their ranking to drop to outside the top ten.

After the third round of matches, a day of rest is required before the draw ceremony for the round-robin tournament.

Because Ji Lin had previously drawn the Earth Dragon Gate, Nan Qiuqiu strongly opposed Ji Lin continuing to draw lots, so Ye Guyi and Nan Qiuqiu went together to draw lots for the round-robin tournament.

When Ye Guyi and Nan Qiuqiu returned from drawing lots, Nan Qiuqiu had a dark expression on her face, while Ye Guyi covered her mouth and chuckled.

Ji Lin could tell at a glance that Nan Qiuqiu had drawn bad luck. He smiled gloatingly, picked up the black tea Nana had brewed, took a sip, and chuckled, "Judging from your expressions, you didn't draw a good lot. Tell me, who did you draw?"

Nan Qiuqiu pouted and remained silent, but Ye Guyi smiled unkindly: "It's the Earth Dragon Gate and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy."

"puff!"

Ji Lin couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of black tea, staring in disbelief. "You're even darker than me, Qiu Qiu!"

Nan Qiuqiu's cheeks flushed red. She turned her head away and huffed, "Nonsense!"

Ji Lin wanted to make a few more sarcastic remarks to Nan Qiuqiu, but suddenly felt a murderous aura. He turned around and saw Wang Dong'er, whose body and face were covered in water stains, staring at him fiercely with murderous intent in her eyes.

He remembered that the person sitting opposite him just now was Wang Dong'er!

Xiao Xiao covered her mouth shamelessly, her shoulders shaking as she clearly felt very uncomfortable.

Ji Lin opened his mouth, about to apologize, when Wang Dong'er pounced on him like a hungry tiger, shouting in shame and anger, "Ji Lin! I'll fight you to the death!"

The atmosphere at the scene was extremely cheerful, and Nan Qiuqiu put the lottery draw behind her and joined the team to attack Ji Lin.

In the end, Ji Lin defeated two opponents single-handedly, winning a great victory with his ultimate weapon, the tickling technique. Wang Dong'er and Nan Qiuqiu collapsed on the sofa, panting heavily, too exhausted to continue fighting.

Ji Lin straightened his disheveled black trench coat, glanced disdainfully at the two weaklings, and thought, "With this level of skill, you think you can defeat me, the Great Demon King Ji Lin? Dream on."

Ye Guyi and Wang Qiu'er exchanged a glance and shook their heads helplessly. It was one thing for Wang Dong'er and Nan Qiuqiu to be silly, but why did Ji Lin also join in their nonsense?

The top 32 teams are divided into four groups of eight teams each. Only two teams will advance to the quarterfinals. Together with the six teams that advance from the other three groups, a total of eight teams will advance to the quarterfinals.

Nan Qiuqiu drew the Earth Dragon Gate and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. With the addition of their own Free Gate, the Earth Dragon Gate has no hope of advancing. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Free Gate and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy will advance to the top eight.

After their playful antics, Nan Qiuqiu emerged from her gloomy mood and, burying her face in her hands on the sofa, wailed, "If my mom finds out I was the one who drew the lots, will she spank me?!"

Ji Lin shook his head speechlessly and said, "The round-robin tournament is different from the previous knockout tournament. The remaining teams are all very strong. All of them that can enter the top 32 are strong teams. It's good that we were grouped with Earth Dragon Gate. With Dream in the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, they won't go all out against Earth Dragon Gate. If they encounter Holy Spirit Sect, that would be dangerous. Your little followers might die. So you actually got a good draw for Earth Dragon Gate."

Nan Qiuqiu looked at Ji Lin with a resentful expression, implying that Dilongmen was bad! Making it into the top 32 was already a stroke of luck, and there were no casualties in several matches. In the most brutal third round, they even encountered Zizaimen. Making it into the top 32 while lying down really can't be called bad luck, but rather a manifestation of good fortune.

This time will be no different. Neither the strongest sect in their group, Zizaimen, nor the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy will go all out against Dilongmen. As long as Dilongmen is careful, they can leave this competition unscathed, which is a million times better than those sects that suffer heavy losses and then withdraw in disgrace.

In the early morning, the cool air blew through Mingdu, which was bathed in the morning sun, bringing a chill.

This is indeed the most comfortable season in Mingdu. The weather is exceptionally good today, with a clear sky and gentle breeze. Walking on the streets of Mingdu, which are filled with the atmosphere of soul-guided technology, and breathing in the slightly chilly air, is very pleasant.

In the past few days, Mingdu has seemed to be experiencing endless prosperity, with most streets bustling with people day and night.

The All-Continent Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament has finally entered the round-robin stage, and the previous chaotic situation caused by the large number of participating teams has completely ended. The round-robin stage will now see clashes between top teams.

Early in the morning, a large number of people had already gathered in the suburbs where the competition venue was located, waiting for the start of today's exciting competition.

The rules of the round-robin tournament are clearly not as straightforward as the previous knockout stage. All 32 teams that entered the round-robin tournament will be divided into four groups of eight teams each, playing a single round-robin format. In other words, each team will play one match against each of the other seven teams in its group.

In the round-robin stage, two groups of teams will each play four matches each day, while the next day, the other two groups will play four matches each in the morning and afternoon. The entire round-robin stage will last approximately fourteen days. The top two teams from each group will advance to the final stage.

The final stage will consist of three rounds: quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final to determine the ultimate champion.

Zizaimen, Dilongmen, and Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy were all placed in Group 1. The other five teams that managed to emerge from the knockout stage were naturally no pushovers either; this was truly a group of death! The only two teams to have revealed their Soul Saint level combat power, Zizaimen and Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, were both in this group, making it the undisputed group of death.

Moreover, the first match of the first round of the round-robin tournament will be held today, which is the ultimate showdown between Zizaimen and Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. In the eyes of many people in the Sun Moon Empire, this is a championship battle held in advance, since only two countries currently possess Soul Saints! It is understandable that the people of the Sun Moon Empire, who lack knowledge, would think this way.

The other participating sects are also paying close attention to this battle, as they may witness a showdown between Soul Saints today.

"What a lucky draw, brother!" Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen walked side by side, heading straight for the competition area in the suburbs.

"It's true that it's a good draw. We've been grouped with Zizaimen in advance. As long as we both advance, according to the competition rules, we definitely won't meet again before the finals. This couldn't be better," Xiao Hongchen said in a relaxed tone.

He was clearly satisfied with the draw results. There were two spots in the group stage, enough for them and Zizaimen. Neither side would go all out in a big battle, so as not to benefit teams from other groups.

"Dream, even though we have two qualifying spots and don't need to go all out, don't hold back! After all, we represent the face of the Sun Moon Empire," Xiao Hongchen instructed.

Meng Hongchen rolled her eyes and said, "Brother, do you think I'm the kind of person who doesn't know what's good for me? Would I go easy on the Regent in front of him?"

Xiao Hongchen retorted irritably, "Why wouldn't I? How could you bring yourself to hit Ji Lin?!"

Meng Hongchen remained silent. She truly couldn't bear to hit Ji Lin. Although she knew that even if she went all out, she wouldn't be able to hurt Ji Lin, she would feel heartbroken if she did.

Xiao Hongchen glanced at Meng Hongchen speechlessly. Didn't he know this infatuated girl well? After giving up, her whole heart was on Ji Lin. She was capable of surrendering and admitting defeat, let alone going easy on him.

The rest area next to the competition stage of the All-Continent Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament has been renovated in just two days. Only the original VIP rest area has been retained, and it has been redecorated, with the original wooden benches replaced by comfortable sofas. After all, only eight teams need to be accommodated here at the same time each day, so it will no longer feel crowded.

When Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen arrived at the competition venue with the Sun and Moon team, they immediately saw the Zizaimen members already sitting in the rest area.

Upon seeing Meng Hongchen, Nan Qiuqiu happily ran up to her and went straight to her. "Sister Meng, it's been so long!"

Meng Hongchen said helplessly, "Didn't we meet at the Mingyue Hotel before? Have you forgotten?"

Nan Qiuqiu smiled slyly, "Back then, you only had eyes for Ji Lin and didn't even greet me, so it doesn't count."

Meng Hongchen's lips twitched. "Alright! Long time no see, Qiuqiu!"

At this moment, all eight teams from the first group that participated this morning had arrived. Nan Shui Shui also led Di Long Men into the rest area, which was right next to Zi Zai Men.

On the platform, Ju Zi pushed Regent Xu Tianran to the main seat and gently sat down beside him. Jing Hongchen and the Imperial Advisor followed closely behind.

"Today's first round is a match between the Sun and Moon Team and the Free Gate Team. It should be quite interesting," Xu Tianran said with a smile.

Orange smiled and said, "Really? Then our Sun and Moon team will definitely be victorious."

Xu Tianran turned to look at the Mingde Hall Master not far from him and asked, "What does the Hongchen Hall Master think?"

(End of this chapter)