C261 Lee Zi's Debut

Chu Yi wasn't particularly enthused about the competition. However, the prospect of clashing with the seeded players did pique his interest. While others might speculate, Chu Yi was certain that these competitors harbored immense power within them—these were their aces, the hidden reserves of the seeded players. Such power far surpassed the players' own abilities; once unleashed, it would significantly amplify their strength. Facing such adversaries, Chu Yi found a spark of interest.

The morning's events wrapped up swiftly, aligning with Chu Yi's predictions—the competition had progressed through two and a half rounds. With the conclusion of the upper half of the sixth group, the morning session was officially over. The afternoon battles were up next!

Having quickly grabbed lunch, Chu Yi and Lee Zi made their way to the clubhouse center. The afternoon session was particularly important as Lee Zi was slated to be the first to compete. Lee Zi possessed formidable strength; without manifesting her battle body, she was nearly on par with the seeded players.

Yet, that was just it—she was nearly on par, considering her realm was still significantly lower than theirs. The seeded players, all at the pinnacle of Gold Perfection, could ascend to the High Order in record time if they chose to, a rank that was a substantial step above Lee Zi's current level. Against such opponents, Lee Zi would need to be completely focused.

Lee Zi had her strengths, though. Even without her battle form, her innate power was fearsome. The transformative influence of her battle form had already greatly enhanced her physical capabilities. Moreover, her combat experience was a critical factor.

Previously, Lee Zi's combat experience, though extensive, couldn't measure up to that of the seeded players, particularly the nine prodigies from the government. They had honed their skills through relentless trials, mastering their power and gaining battle experience that approached the pinnacle of their generation.

It was daunting and profoundly formidable. Lee Zi's experience was rich compared to ordinary talents, but next to these seeded players, she was outmatched, and the gap was significant.

Times have changed!

In the Genius Elite Competition, Lee Zi faced opponents who were the epitome of terrifying, peerless geniuses. None of the seeded players could hold a candle to them.

These formidable beings hailed from a multitude of advanced civilizations, some even surpassing the Milky Way Civilization in development.

Battling these extraordinary geniuses often left Lee Zi feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Yet, the invaluable combat experience and benefits she gained were beyond imagination.

As a result, Lee Zi's mastery of her powers and her accumulated combat experience now far exceeded that of any of her young peers on Earth, Chu Yi being the sole exception.

This was Lee Zi's edge, and the very reason Chu Yi believed she stood a chance to overcome the seeded players without relying on her battle body.

Naturally, only the heat of battle would reveal the truth of her capabilities.

At last, the competition began in earnest.

Lee Zi stepped onto the arena.

Her opponent this time was not the sixth group's seed.

This was fortunate. After reviewing the bracket, Lee Zi surmised that she would likely face the group's seeded player in the third round.

That match would determine the group's champion.

This was advantageous for Lee Zi, sparing her from undue complications before the decisive fight.

The clash on the stage erupted at the command of the Diamond Level Great General.

In a flash, sixteen contenders sprang into action.

Out of the eight bouts, aside from the seeded player's match, Lee Zi's attracted the most attention.

It was inevitable. Female cultivators were a rarity, and coupled with Lee Zi's relationship with Chu Yi and her striking looks, she drew the eyes of nearly everyone except the seeded players.

Online, the consensus was in favor of Lee Zi.

Many had seen footage of her previous battles and understood the formidable power that resided within this stunning young woman.

"What a shame. If Lee Zi were on par with the seeded players, at the Gold Middle Order, or even just at the Gold Elementary Order like the average contestant, she'd undoubtedly qualify as a seeded player herself!"

"Absolutely. Lee Zi's prowess is on par with, if not superior to, the Four Young Masters of Fairmoor and the Three Young Masters of Grassvale."

"It's a shame that this isn't a world where battles are fought on equal footing. If your realm isn't high enough, then it simply isn't..."

Many expressed their regret.

They believed that among her peers, Lee Zi's strength was unmatched. Even the so-called Four Young Masters of Fairmoor and the Three Beauties of Grassvale might not be her equals.

However, the martial examination this year wasn't about comparing strengths within the same level, but rather assessing one's overall strength. This inevitably meant that Lee Zi couldn't become a seeded player.

"Of course, I still rate Student Lee Zi very highly. Aside from those seeded players, I'd say Lee Zi is among the very best."

"It's really too bad. If it weren't for this seeded player system, then with just a bit more luck, Lee Zi could have made it into the top sixteen and possibly represented our Adirang Region in the battle!"

In a standard fight, with a little luck, making it into the top sixteen would still be within reach.

Unfortunately, this battle had strict rules, and such flukes were not permitted.

To ensure victory in the national battle, only the true top-tier prodigies were selected. There was no room for mediocre talents who might have stumbled in on luck alone.

The seeding system was designed to prevent exactly that.

As the battle commenced, Lee Zi's opponent's aura surged.

His formidable power instantly enveloped the entire arena.

He was a formidable contender, and among the prodigies, he was likely one of the most exceptional.

This elite prodigy from the government was fearsomely strong, certainly not comparable to any of the previous contenders.

With a bit more luck, he could have easily advanced to the third round of the competition.

Clearly, the government's elite prodigy had done his homework on Lee Zi's capabilities.

Indeed, most of these government elites were well aware of both Chu Yi and Lee Zi's strengths.

While the public may have been skeptical, dismissing their abilities as fabrications or propaganda from the Redmarsh government, the government insiders knew better. This understanding is why, despite the lack of recognition for Chu Yi's abilities during the preliminaries, the government elite unleashed his full might from the get-go, aiming for a swift and decisive display of power.

If they didn't believe, they wouldn't have engaged in such behavior.

The demon in question was facing a similar predicament.

The adversary was well aware of Chu Yi's formidable power and also knew that Lee Zi was not as feeble as the rumors suggested.

Lee Zi's strength did indeed fall short of Chu Yi's, primarily because Lee Zi's realm was much lower.

Nevertheless, Lee Zi remained a fearsome demon, scarcely weaker than the seeded players.

Thus, the moment the government elite demon engaged, he put himself at a disadvantage, instantly tapping into his formidable strength as a team leader.

Feeling the terrifying constraints filling the space, Lee Zi's eyes narrowed slightly.

As the opponent made their move, Lee Zi reacted!

With a punch, she momentarily disrupted the government elite demon's aura.

In that instant, Lee Zi's speed surged to its peak, bringing her right beside the government elite demon.

Without a moment's hesitation, she unleashed a mighty punch.

The government elite demon's expression shifted; he sensed that if this punch landed, he would be at a severe disadvantage in the ensuing fight, potentially sealing his fate.

He had to dodge it!

He absolutely had to dodge it!

This government elite demon was an incredibly powerful being, one of the elite demons secretly groomed by the government. Although he might not measure up to the seeded players, he represented the pinnacle among the government's ranks.

To others, the movement technique was shrouded in mystery, a top-tier legacy even among noble families, often out of reach for their direct heirs. Yet, the government elite demon possessed it!

A fearsome movement technique, bequeathed by a being of War God Level, was not something every government elite could learn.

But he had learned it, and more than that, he had mastered it!

As Lee Zi's punch neared, he activated his movement technique, deftly sidestepping her attack.

This was the essence of a movement technique!

Chu Yi also possessed movement techniques, evolved from the immortal arts, but he seldom used them.

The reason was straightforward: Chu Yi's sheer speed was enough to overwhelm all opposition, rendering the use of movement techniques superfluous.

Even so, Chu Yi acknowledged the significant combat advantages that movement techniques provided.

Lee Zi's punch missed its mark, and she spun around in an instant.

As expected, the government elite's devastating strike followed suit, aiming a vicious blow at Lee Zi's back.

It was a strike so powerful and shocking that, had it connected, the consequences would have been dire.

For anyone else, having their charged attack evaded and then being counterattacked might have sent them into a panic. This likely would have included even the seeded players.

But Lee Zi was different.

She had faced countless situations like this during the battles among human geniuses.

Some of those unexpected scenarios had been even more challenging than the current one.

So, while others might have thought Lee Zi was facing certain defeat, to her, it was hardly a concern.

In that moment, Lee Zi's body subtly shifted, appearing almost ethereal.

The elite's formidable counterstrike merely grazed past her, failing to connect.

Her clothing rippled as if touched by a gentle breeze, yet she remained unscathed.

Lee Zi's display left everyone in awe.

"Incredible! Absolutely incredible!"

"The battle has barely begun, and they're already engaged in a fierce battle of wits and bravery!"

"Their maneuvers are nearly at the pinnacle of skill!"

Indeed, the clash between Lee Zi and the government elite didn't have the same shock and awe as Chu Yi's battle.

Nor did it have the dominance or overwhelming force seen in the battles between the seeded players and their opponents.

This fight might not have seemed as flashy as the other challenge matches to the average onlooker. Aside from Lee Zi's striking appearance, they might not have found it particularly interesting.

But to the true warriors, the confrontation between Lee Zi and the government elite was the epitome of combat!

It may have lacked the flashiness of other battles, but they had honed their combat experience to perfection.

Dispensing with any superfluous techniques, their fight was a return to the pure essence of combat.

Technique, battle experience, finesse—these were the profound impressions left on the martial artists witnessing the struggle between Lee Zi and the government elite.