Chapter 565 - First Round (1/2)

After introducing the contestants, a servant approached the stage while carrying a small box.

”This is what will decide your matchups. Whoever holds the same numbers will be fighting that round. That is all.”

A moment later, the contestants picked their number.

Yuan looked at the paper in his hands.

'Number 1'

”The matches will be in the order of the number, so whoever has number one will be the first to fight,” said the announcer on the stage.

”I am first,” Yuan said.

The announcer nodded and looked at the other seven. ”Who has the other number 1?”

”Haaa…”

Someone there sighed as he raised his hand into the air.

”It's me…” Wang Ming said in a defeated voice.

He turned to look at Yuan and smiled bitterly, ”I didn't expect to lose on the first round. What bad luck.”

”Everyone but the fighters for the first round please leave the stage!” The announcer said.

Very quickly, everyone but Wang Ming and Yuan left the stage.

”What about our weapons?” Yuan asked.

”They are coming.” The announcer said.

A few moments later, two people could be seen walking onto the stage with a sword in their grasp.

”Here you go, Young Master Yuan.” One of them approached Yuan and offered him a sword made out of steel, which was out of Yuan's expectation, as he'd expected to be using a wooden sword from the training hall.

However, upon closer inspection, Yuan noticed that the blade of this sword was very dull— so dull that if used to slash somebody, it wouldn't even cut their skin, much less their flesh.

With that being said, that didn't mean the sword wouldn't do any damage, as it could break one's bones if struck hard enough.

”The match will end when either someone surrenders or faints. Stepping outside the stage will also be considered an automatic loss. Lastly, you are not to inflict serious bodily harm on your opponent purposefully.” The announcer quickly went over the rules.

”The match will begin when you're both ready.”

Wang Ming bowed to Yuan and said, ”Please go easy on me.”

”Likewise.” Yuan returned the bow.

After bowing, they held their swords in front of them.

Seeing this, the announcer said, ”Match begins!”

The moment the announcer started the match, Yuan took a step forward and used his movement technique, instantly closing their distance and appearing in front of Wang Ming.

Wang Ming saw this coming after dueling with Yuan many times, so he was prepared for it.

Clang!

The sound of metal colliding echoed in the area as Wang Ming defended Yuan's sword strike.