The first cycle of matches in the top 16 stages went just as Lin Mu had guessed.
Feng Baxing, Yao Changying, Childe Wildfire and Su Zian all won their fights. Ming Aolian lost as expected, albeit a lot more honorably.
Su Zian was actually a bit impressed by the Sky Soar Wolf's performance and had not seen a beast react to his moves like that before. He even gave Ming Aolian a little praise as he attributed it to the work of the beast tamer.
She didn't suffer any injuries either as Ting had tanked all of them. Though the wolf would be able to recover them after a week of rest.
Lin Mu didn't have much work to do in this cycle other than focusing on how to enter the arrays faster. He also took the opportunity to observe Yao Changying closely, but couldn't analyze much as she ended her fight very quickly.
Though her opponent still managed to survive longer than Ming Dandan, showing the sheer difference they had in terms of cultivation base. The matches for the next cycle were also announced, which included Lin Mu and Lu Xu along with the remaining contestants.
Lin Mu's opponent was a fifth Tribulation Stage cultivator named Yin Yuan. She was the only other female contestant left in the tournament now other than Yao Changying, since Ming Aolian had been defeated.
"You're up against Yin Yuan?" Luo Liqin was surprised to see Lin Mu's match up though.
"Yeah, is there a problem?" Lin Mu asked.
"Have you read about her before?" Luo Liqin questioned first, hesitation on his face.
"A bit… she's an alchemist with the Wood Element, if I recall correctly." Lin Mu replied.
"That's just the surface of it." Luo Liqin spoke. "There are rumors that her specialty isn't alchemy but rather Poison!"
"Poison?" Lin Mu raised his brows. "Though she won't be able to use that in the Tournament will she?"
"She can as long as it doesn't cause long term harm." Lu Xu chimed in. "The poison cultivation techniques are still considered valid by the Temple after all. You just cannot use fatal ones as the temple might not be able to save the contestants in time." He explained.
"I see… though she hasn't used them so far, has she?" Lin Mu recalled some of her fights. "Almost all of them ended quickly."
"Yes,she didn't, but that's also because she hasn't had the need to use poison so far." Luo Liqin stated.
"Hmm… I'll try to finish it quick, then." Lin Mu replied. "I'll have to assist you in your fight too, after all." He said, looking at Lu Xu.
"You just focus on your fight, Brother Mu Lin." Lu Xu replied. "I'll try to not be a burden."
"Mmhmm, I have faith in you." Lin Mu nodded his head.
Lu Xu had improved the most among Lin Mu's companions so far and his cultivation base was also close to the next stage. If he wished, Lu Xu could actually trigger it himself.
Though now wasn't exactly a good time to do it.
If it had come at an earlier time, Lin Mu might have been able to assist him somewhat. But it was too risky to do it now.
~humm~
And as they continued to talk, everyone's tokens hummed, notifying them it was time to head out.
"Let's go," Lin Mu said, standing up.
"Mmhmm," Lu Xu nodded his head.
"I'll handle the bets as decided, Brother Mu Lin." Luo Liqin assured.
With that done, Lin Mu quickly headed out with Lu Xu and went to the Tournament grounds. There were tens of thousands of people waiting there already and contestants had started to arrive.
There, Lin Mu saw his opponent as well as Lu Xu's. Feeling curious, he scanned them with his Immortal sense, trying to get a gauge on them.
'Not much from Yin Yuan… though the other one…' Lin Mu noticed some peculiarities from Lu Xu's opponent.
He observed him a bit closely while making sure that he wouldn't be detected and discovered something.
'The Qi flow in his left arm is weaker… Seems like he still has an internal injury that hasn't healed fully.' Lin Mu realized this was a possible advantage.
As such, he lightly whispered into Lu Xu's ear, making sure only he could hear it.
"Your opponent's left arm is injured. Use it to your advantage." He said before quickly moving away, not wanting to let anyone get suspicious.
Lu Xu kept his expression neutral upon hearing that, as he knew any change could be scrutinized by the audience.
"All the contestants are now here. The teleportation gate shall be opened!" The elder overseeing the match announced.
~SHUA~
The formations activated and Lin Mu felt the Spatial fluctuations in the area.
~huu~
"Time to fight…" Lin Mu muttered, taking a deep breath.
Then in the next second, he walked into the formation, turning into a flash of light.
And as soon as he appeared in the Teleportation Channel, he extended his Immortal sense to the maximum and also activated his Spatial Perception. Next, he withdrew Wonder Seeker and directly prepared an attack.
Since he needed to be there for Lu Xu's fight, he wished to end his quickly.
'I used 10% of my immortal Qi last time and I thought about reducing the quantity… but the opponent this time is stronger so I'll just increase it for the sake of safety.' Lin Mu decided as he held Wonder Seeker.
Immortal Qi continued to pour into the bow while and arrow condensed on it.
But this time he did a little change. Not only did he inject attribute less Immortal Qi, but he also used his Metal elemental Immortal Qi in the arrow.
He infused it in a ratio of 1:2 as that was the maximum he could channel in such a short time.
He specifically chose Metal Qi too, since he already knew Yin Yuan was proficient in the Wood Element.
By the time Lin Mu arrived in the Spatial Plane, the bow and arrow were already prepared.
