Urban God-level Youth

Ning Huang's talent was truly exceptional, ranking among the top on the entire Hidden Dragon Continent.

Qin Hao had encountered many young prodigies, and this Ning Huang was undoubtedly the strongest, even stronger than Wei Xianyun, Lan Manshuang, and others.

But unfortunately for him, he was of the same era as Qin Hao, who was like a glitch in the system, able to suppress anyone regardless of their exceptional talent and unrivaled combat prowess.

"Oh? Who is stronger or weaker can only be determined by battle," Ning Huang put away his initial disdain.

Because he realized Qin Hao's strength was not inferior to his, this was an equal opponent.

The two fought each other again, just as in other places, where top-tier contenders from all over were clashing. Bai Lingjia from Xingyue Palace was fighting Leng Tian, the top contender from Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.

Gu Zhan from the Ancient God Academy fought against Gui Yi from Guiyuan Pavilion.

Almost every top contender had their own opponent.

In the showdown between the Southern Continent Heavenly Earth Academy and the North Continent Academy, the Southern Continent Heavenly Earth Academy was clearly in the lead, with Wei Xianyun's elegance and incredible combat power.

Heaven and Earth Academy also had Lan Manshuang, Nangong Yuya, and Kang Feng.

Of course, the North Continent Academy wasn't weak, just slightly disadvantaged, and the outcome was still uncertain.

Qin Hao and Ning Huang were locked in battle once again, with neither side gaining the upper hand easily. This Ning Huang was very strong, making it not easy for Qin Hao to win.

As time passed, people were constantly being eliminated, with quite a few from both the North Continent Academy and the Southern Continent Academy being knocked out.

Qin Hao and Ning Huang had been fighting for a long time, yet neither showed signs of defeat.

It was the first time both Qin Hao and Ning Huang encountered such opponents; their battle was like two masters meeting, fought with great intensity and vigor.

They had no idea how much time had passed when suddenly a voice echoed in the space: "The battle is over, those remaining advance to the third round."

Qin Hao and Ning Huang stopped, a hint of confusion in their eyes. Was it over just like that?

They looked around and saw that very few people were left in this space. Out of a hundred thousand, only ten thousand remained, no more, no less.

Quite a few from the Southern Continent Academy advanced, about twenty or so. Originally, over a hundred participants started this round, but due to the ensuing melee, only these twenty or so managed to hang on. Had the round not ended, more might have been eliminated.

Looking at Qin Hao, Ning Huang said, "I hope you're not eliminated by someone else. I still look forward to our next battle, where we shall finally determine the winner."

"You'd better hope you don't run into me, or you'll surely lose."

"Oh? Let's see about that."

...

Everyone was transported out of the space, with another five days of rest before the one-on-one duels.

Leaving the fighting arena, Qin Hao and the others returned to the Heaven and Earth Academy's mansion.

Lan Manshuang, Nangong Yuya followed Qin Hao and Su Xianyun into their palace, and today Lan Manshuang and the others came to realize Qin Hao's true combat strength, capable of fighting top-tier contenders without losing. His strength made it entirely possible for him to enter the top ten, after which he could take them into the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm.

"Qin Hao, do you have confidence to beat this Ning Huang?" Lan Manshuang asked.

Qin Hao calmly replied, "Ning Huang is strong, but he can't beat me."

He wasn't boasting, but speaking the truth. Ning Huang's talent was indeed rare, but Qin Hao was even more extraordinary.

Looking at Wei Xianyun, Qin Hao said, "Xianyun, you should focus on cultivating these days, or it'll be hard to get into the top ten."

Wei Xianyun nodded slightly. From this experience, she had roughly gauged the combat strength of those top-tier contenders, which was terrifying, giving her about a forty percent chance if she were to face them.

Nangong Yuya smiled and said, "Then Man Shuang and I won't disturb you. You focus on cultivating, and when the time comes, take us into the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm."

The two women had more or less recognized their own strength by now, realizing that entering the top ten through their own efforts was almost impossible.

After they left, Qin Hao and Wei Xianyun entered the training room. He took out the High Grade Spirit Body Elixir and the Top-Grade Spirit Body Elixir: "This can enhance your physical strength. I'll dual cultivate with you to help absorb and refine, raising your bodily strength in the shortest time possible."

Wei Xianyun nodded slightly, and the two began dual cultivation in the training room.

With Qin Hao's help, within a day's time, Wei Xianyun absorbed and refined the effects of the High Grade Spirit Body Elixir and the Top-Grade Spirit Body Elixir, raising her physique to the Top-grade Spirit Body Realm, just one step away from the legendary Immortal Body.

But it wasn't over; Qin Hao also exchanged for two Great Breaking Wall Pills, which would allow them to directly break through from the Middle Mahayana Realm to the Late Stage Mahayana.

Four days were enough for them to absorb and refine.

Seeing Qin Hao take out one rare item after another, Wei Xianyun was both shocked and delighted.

She felt like she had stumbled upon a treasure trove.

...

On the morning of the fifth day, Qin Hao and Wei Xianyun emerged, with Nangong Yuya and Lan Manshuang already waiting for them in the palace.

Seeing them come out, Nangong Yuya and Lan Manshuang were a bit shocked and asked, "Did you break through?"

Because they had just broken through, their auras were still unstable, which Lan Manshuang sensed.

Qin Hao nodded: "This way, aiming for the top ten is a bit more secure."

Lan Manshuang and Nangong Yuya were somewhat speechless. How could they just break through like that? How did you two manage it?

"How did you do it?" Lan Manshuang asked, surprised.

Qin Hao smiled slightly: "Of course we dual cultivated. Man Shuang, would you like to try it?"

Lan Manshuang blushed slightly and rolled her eyes at him, but her heart was secretly pleased.

Wei Xianyun pinched Qin Hao, signaling her discontent.

At this moment, Zhou Danqing walked in and said to everyone, "It's time to go. The competition is starting today, but some of you might not have matches on the first day."

Qin Hao and Wei Xianyun concealed their auras and left the palace. There weren't many people from Heaven and Earth Academy going to the fighting arena, just over twenty, including the headmaster. Those who were eliminated either went back or stayed in the palace to cultivate in seclusion.

Arriving at the fighting arena, there were even more people, for the competition was only now getting exciting. The one-on-one duels were the audience's favorites.

Firstly, the remaining ten thousand contestants were numbered, each with their own corresponding number. Players were drawn randomly for duels; the winners advanced, while the losers were eliminated. The first hundred eliminated could have one chance for a challenge.

This was an opportunity for some of the top-tier contenders, because if two top contenders met, one was bound to be eliminated, so there was a final chance at a challenge.

The Southern Continent Academy numbers ranged from 200 to 223, with Qin Hao being number 223, preceded by Wei Xianyun, Lan Manshuang, and Nangong Yuya.