I will eventually become a divine being through accumulating constantly

"That is quite a coincidence."

The Yin Muhu beside her nodded and said, "I've watched a few competitions of this Li Chengxuan. His style 'Golden Wind White Rainbow Sword' is quite interesting. It has a bit of a reputation in the Inner Ring circles. I've heard from my grandmaster that the Trio of Jade City had some disputes with the disciples of that style."

Xue Jing chuckled, "I've heard my master mention that as well."

Yin Muhu: "My grandmaster said that most of the trouble they encountered back then was stirred up by Dragon King Li Qi. He heard about the great reputation of the Golden Wind White Rainbow Sword style, and when he saw a disciple from that style, went up to them, and just like 'What are you looking at'..."

"But I think it's probably frame-up and slander by my grandmaster. Most likely, it was him who stirred up the trouble..."

Xue Jing: "..."

He felt that it probably wasn't frame-up and slander. Even if there was some embellishment, overall, it should be the truth.

He didn't know why Yin Muhu had such a deep prejudice against her grandmaster.

"Li Chengxuan's strength is not bad. Among the thirty-two contestants in this knockout match, he can rank within the top twelve. He already belongs to the 'Upper Circle'."

Jiang Siwei said from the side, her hands typing rapidly on a thin laptop.

"The general opinion among insiders is that if his luck is a bit better, he has a chance to be one of the final four to advance."

"Little Jing, you need to be careful..."

Jiang Siwei paused, then continued, "I know you're very strong... but this is your first time competing, and you might not be used to it. The schedule for this knockout round is very tight, with three matches back to back in a short time. If you get hurt in any one of those, it will become a significant disadvantage in the following contests."

"We need to not only win but do so while ensuring we minimize any injuries. It's always right to be more careful."

Xue Jing glanced at her, just smiled gently, and whispered, "Don't worry, Wei, I'll be careful."

In the live broadcast, the spirited old man continued the draw.

Soon Yin Muhu's name also appeared.

"The ninth match... Lucky, you're not in the same half as me."

Yin Muhu nodded in satisfaction, somewhat relieved.

The structure of the knockout matches has the first eight in one half, and the following eight in another half. Xue Jing was in the sixth match, belonging to the first eight. She was in the ninth match, belonging to the second eight.

The two halves would each have three matches, determining two advancing spots each.

That way, until the knockout matches were all over, she wouldn't face Xue Jing in the arena.

Jiang Siwei wondered, "Aren't martial artists supposed to value bravery and advancement? Being afraid of meeting Little Jing... that mindset doesn't seem quite right, does it?"

Yin Muhu gave her a look, extended her right hand, showed a thick index finger, and wagging it, she corrected:

"It's not about being afraid to meet him, but not wanting to meet him. There's a difference."

"Even if martial artists are brave and striving for progress, they aren't brainless... Knowing that they're likely to lose to an opponent, of course, they'll avoid if they can. It's not cowardice; it's a strategic retreat."

Yin Muhu said this as a matter of course, without any embarrassment.

Xue Jing pinched her chin, agreeing, "Quail feast."

...

After watching the drawing ceremony, Xue Jing had dinner with the two at the hotel, then they went their separate ways.

Xue Jing returned to her room to practice the Armor Shaking Skill and the Coiling Dragon Art as usual.

Afterward, she simulated combat in the Consciousness Space, striving to use almost pure Rigid Force throughout the fight.

When she felt her spirit beginning to wither, she exited the Consciousness Space, and it was already two o'clock in the afternoon.

After a bath and changing into new clothes, Xue Jing walked out of the hotel, intending to visit her sister Xue Wan's school.

She first called Xue Wan to ask and after getting a positive response, she flagged a taxi and headed for Xue Wan's school—Maple City University.

...

At the gate of Maple City University.

"Wanwan, we are just about to go to KTV. Want to come sing with us? Some handsome guys are coming too!"

A group of three female university students walked out of the school gate and, seeing Xue Wan holding Miao Miao beside her, one of the long-haired girls lit up and invited her.

"Eh, what a cute Miao Miao. Was this cat in the school before? I feel like I've never seen it."

Among them, the short-haired girl with glasses looked curiously at the Miao Miao in Xue Wan's arms, reached out to pet it but was swiftly avoided by the cat after receiving a glance.

Xue Wan chuckled, "This is my cat; it's very shy and doesn't let strangers touch it... You go ahead; my brother will be coming to the campus later, and I ought to show him around."

"Your brother!?" The three university girls' eyes shined.

"Is it the brother you always talk about? The very handsome one?"

"It must be that one! Wanwan has shown us his photo before. Wow, that god-like little brother is actually coming to our school... slurp (drools)."

"Wanwan~~ introduce us, please~"

The last girl among them, petite and young-looking, immediately hugged Xue Wan's arm and said in a coquettish tone.

Xue Wan's expression turned odd: "Aren't you going to sing with some handsome guys..."

The long-haired girl turned serious: "Ordinary handsome guys, we can make plans with them any time."

The short-haired girl with glasses quickly added, "A top-tier handsome guy is a rare opportunity, not just tasting but even an extra glance is life-extending~"