Chapter 226: Decisive Battle! (Third Update)

An uproar erupted!

No one expected Rong Jin to be eliminated in such a manner!

With this, Situ Ziyue and Rong Jin—who had originally been the highest-voted favorites of this session of the Qingjiao Assembly—had both fallen in succession!

Hearing the surrounding voices, Rong Jin finally snapped back to his senses, only to realize that he had already been pushed out of the arena!

He had lost!

Rong Jin's mind instantly went blank!

He had never imagined he would lose to Heng Jingchuo! Much less that he would drop below fifth place!

This failure directly determined that he had absolutely no hope of surpassing last year's ranking!

He propped himself up with his arms, wanting to stand, only to find that the Primal Force within his body was completely empty!

He looked up in shock, only to see Heng Jingchuo having regained that previously humble and harmless smile.

"You let me win, Crown Prince Rong Jin."

Though he was smiling, he stood there with an air of superiority.

The corners of his eyes and brows carried a faint trace of mockery.

As if saying—*it's nothing more than this!*

A flame seemed to burn in Rong Jin's heart, causing him to nearly lose his sanity!

"You—"

Just as he opened his mouth, he violently spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground once more.

His internal organs felt as if they were shrouded in a chilling frost, which gradually spread throughout his entire body!

His body grew increasingly stiff, and his mind became more and more chaotic, until finally, his vision went black and he fainted directly.

"Go and bring him back."

Sun Zhongyan immediately said with a frown.

Soon, someone stepped forward to support Rong Jin.

Realizing that he had actually fainted, Sun Zhongyan hurried forward a few steps to carefully examine his complexion, his brow furrowing even deeper.

Although he had anticipated that Heng Jingchuo might win, it didn't seem as though it should have been enough to knock Rong Jin unconscious.

But looking at his state, there didn't seem to be anything unusual.

He cast a discreet glance at Heng Jingchuo, only to see that the man had already returned, looking perfectly normal.

"Xuan Cang, come and take a look."

Xuan Cang stepped forward to check Rong Jin's pulse. After a careful examination, he shook his head.

"He had been feeling suppressed and troubled in his heart for some time, and today he suffered another blow, which is why he fainted. It is nothing serious."

The crowd looked at one another, momentarily speechless.

They had actually heard rumors regarding Rong Jin being placed under house arrest by His Majesty previously.

It was only because of the Qingjiao Assembly that he was able to come out this time.

He had intended to use this to make a comeback, but unexpectedly...

This series of events was indeed enough to make anyone break down.

Sun Zhongyan nodded, feeling slightly relieved.

"That's good then. Take him back first and let Zuo Rong look after him."

Xuan Cang hesitated slightly.

"If we do this, wouldn't it be equivalent to giving up on the subsequent matches...?"

"In his current condition, how can he fight again? Besides, is there any point in continuing the competition?"

Sun Zhongyan sighed.

As the Crown Prince, Rong Jin had always been accustomed to pride.

He had come for first place this time; now, let alone first, he was even barred from the top five.

To force him to continue competing would be nothing more than a waste of time.

Bai Chen coughed and whispered

"True. Didn't Situ Ziyue also become unable to continue competing?"

Although the Taiyan Academy side hadn't said anything yet, Situ Ziyue's condition made it clear that it was impossible for him to continue in the tournament.

In this way, since both sides were in similar situations, it wasn't considered too unsightly.

Xuan Cang and the others found it difficult to say anything more.

And so, Rong Jin was quickly taken away.

As he passed by Chu Liuyue, she gave him a fixed stare.

Something was wrong.

Although Rong Jin was narrow-minded, he did possess strength.

Heng Jingchuo was at the same level as him; how could he have knocked Rong Jin unconscious so directly?

"Liuyue, what are you looking at?"

The little Golden-Maned Bear ran out from Mu Hongyu's arms. Mu Hongyu hurriedly chased after it, only to see Chu Liuyue staring in the direction where Rong Jin had left.

Her eyes widened, and she asked in disbelief

"You aren't worried that Rong Jin is—!?"

Chu Liuyue gave her a speechless look.

"What are you thinking?"

She was merely worried about herself!

Rong Jin's state was truly strange... That Heng Jingchuo must be suspicious!

Mu Hongyu patted her chest.

"I thought so too! You're not blind! But then again, I think that Heng Jingchuo is quite formidable. If you two happen to face each other later... you can win, right?"

Chu Liuyue withdrew her gaze.

"I'll only know once I try."

After the first round of matches, the new rankings had been released.

Chu Liuyue was temporarily ranked first, followed by Heng Jingchuo, Xiao Wenling, Xi Wanwan, and Su Tingfeng.

Sun Zhongyan asked in a heavy voice

"The first round has ended, and the rankings are out! If anyone is dissatisfied with their current rank, you may issue a challenge! If no one challenges, the current rankings shall become the final results of the Qingjiao Assembly martial competition!"

He scanned the area, his gaze sweeping over Chu Liuyue and the others.

"Now, whoever wishes to challenge, step forward!"

The entire plaza fell silent.

Everyone looked curiously at those few individuals, secretly speculating who would continue to compete.

At this stage, no matter who fought whom, it would be a bloody battle!

But that glory of being number one was something everyone yearned for!

Chu Liuyue was the center of the center of attention!

Without a doubt, her position was the most tempting!

Finally, one person stepped forward!

Chu Liuyue felt a sensation and looked up, meeting a smiling face.

Though that face was smiling, there was not a hint of mirth in the corners of the eyes or brows.

There was only a restless, burgeoning ambition!

"Heng Jingchuo of Taiyan Academy challenges Chu Liuyue of Tianlu Academy!"

(End of Chapter)