Whether or not Phoenix believed Hong Yu, the strength of the humans wouldn't change as a result, and the competition wouldn't stop.

The members of Team Zenith had all won two matches in a row; after a third match, they would all make it to the top hundred. As for Yun Bing and Chu Feng, one of them had won two matches, and the other had lost one. Although their path forward would be filled with obstacles, they both had a good chance of making it as well.

By this point, the two of them had realized just how important the limit fragments they possessed were. They each had sixty basic limit fragments, which was the main reason they had managed to proceed this far into the competition.

Everyone's luck was quite good for the third match; in particular, Yun Bing and Chu Feng weren't up against strong opponents. 

As a result, Yun Bing, who had suffered quite a few injuries from a protracted first and second match, gritted her teeth and continued fighting earnestly during her third match. Though she was severely wounded by the end, she managed to win, securing herself in a spot in the top hundred.

Chu Feng also won his match, suffering light injuries.

Zhang Lie and the other members of Team Zenith easily defeated their opponents. Thus, by the third match, all of Earth's competitors save Chu Feng had all managed to enter the top hundred.

Yun Bing had to be escorted away by Yan Long and Su Feng to receive treatment for her debilitating injuries, and Zhou Ying followed her out to take care of her. Everyone else remained to watch Chu Feng's fourth fight.

As Chu Feng's fourth opponent was revealed, everyone cursed near-simultaneously.

Chu Feng VS Yao Yue

Because she had lost to Zhang Lie, the young leader of the blood demons wasn't able to advance in the third match. She had ended up participating in the fourth match, and by a stroke of luck, had another Earthling as an opponent.

Thinking back to the fight she had had with Zhang Lie, Chu Feng wilted. He didn't think he would be able to compete against her at all.

"There's nothing to it. Surrender at the start of the match; you won't be able to defeat her," Zhang Lie consoled him, and Chu Feng smiled bitterly.

The fighting in the fifth match would be far more vicious than in the fourth match; everyone still fighting by then would need that win to advance. Before he could think too much about it, however, Chu Feng found himself teleported to the arena.

As the two of them glanced at each other through the diaphanous membrane, Yao Yue smiled at him in a friendly manner.

"On arena #5213, Yao Yue VS Chu Feng. The fight begins in ten seconds!"

"Ten!"

"Nine!"

"Eight!"

...

"One!"

"Let the fifth match begin!"

"I—"

"Hold on!"

Chu Feng was about to surrender when Yao Yue interrupted him. As he stared on in shock, Yao Yue called out, "I surrender!"

"What's going on? Why did she surrender?"

"I have to say, Yao Yue's a really intelligent woman!"

The crowd was of two minds in the light of her sudden surrender.

On stage, Chu Feng understood her intention near-immediately. He, and indeed all of Team Zenith, had underestimated the impact of these limit fragments. Yao Yue's objective, of course, was to get into Zhang Lie's good books, leave a deep impression on him, and have him owe her a favor.

Although he had won, Chu Feng didn't feel any joy from his unexpected victory. Indeed, if he had the choice, he would rather have surrendered and tried his best in the fifth and final match, because he had had no part in this victory. It had even caused Zhang Lie to owe Yao Yue a favor on his behalf.

The fourth match ended with everyone from Earth making their way into the top hundred competitors of the Void Cup. The aftermath of Yao Yue's surrender, however, left significant repercussions.

In the blood demons' waiting room, one of her teammates pressed her regarding her decision. "Why, Team Leader? Why did you do that? Why would you tarnish the sanctity of the Void Cup so flagrantly?"

Yao Yue only laughed. "Why? For the good of the clan, of course!"

Before the match began, Yao Yue had hardly expected that she would face another Earthling, because she knew that only one of them had yet to advance. The heavens had deemed fit to give her that opportunity, so who was she to squander it?

"For the entire clan? Team Leader, you're... trying to suck up to Zhang Lie?" another of the blood demons asked.

"Indeed! Do you doubt my judgment?" Yao Yue frowned, realizing the distaste her teammates had for her actions.

"Of course! How can we bow down to these inferior humans?" another blood demon spoke up, revulsion apparent on his face.

"I'll explain myself, but before that, let me ask you all a few questions first. Why do you think the humans of this iteration of the Void Cup have received so much attention and favorable treatment?" she questioned her teammates.

"Because of these so-called limit fragments, of course!"

"Indeed. It's precisely because of these limit fragments, because he's strong enough that the various clans have no choice but to treat him well. Even the prideful Phoenix gave him face despite being snubbed by Zhang Lie. Doesn't that tell you something about how strong Zhang Lie is?

"The humans aren't a particularly strong race, at least in terms of their racial characteristics. In that case, given that everyone here has filled up their gene fragments to capacity, how can the humans dominate in terms of combat ability? Because of limit fragments!

"My next question: do any of you know how to develop or obtain these limit fragments?"

How could they know? All they knew were the details that had been disseminated to the public.

"This theory was pioneered by Zhang Lie, wasn't it? Of course we wouldn't know—"

Yao Yue broke her teammate off. "Exactly. No one but Zhang Lie knows, so if we want to break through, we need to acquire Zhang Lie's assistance. 

"My third question, then: Zhang Lie has designated four races for cooperation for the first attempt at developing limit fragments for those races. The four prime races will compete for the three remaining spots; what about the next batch of openings?

"The development of these limit fragments will surely be a revolution for all the races of the Milky Way, one led by Zhang Lie, the human that you're all disdaining! If the humans managed to grow so strong with these limit fragments, what do you think our clan, which started out stronger, will be able to do? And so, how are we to secure Zhang Lie's cooperation? There are surely stronger and wealthier clans out there, so the only thing we can do now is to remain clear-headed, to be obeisant, to be willing to give up our pride for this opportunity.

"Perhaps you might think that my actions today spoke badly of the blood demons, but it certainly will catch Zhang Lie's attention. I intend to develop my relationship with him and secure a spot for cooperation in the second batch of openings. Is there anyone who still doubts my actions?"

The blood demons were silent. After long moments, Yao Chen mumbled, understanding her points clearly, "Team Leader, you're absolutely right. We've been too old-fashioned and prideful in our thinking."

Another blood demon, however, questioned, "But what if Zhang Lie doesn't remember this favor?"

Yao Yue almost burst out in laughter. "And why wouldn't he? The blood demons have no feud with the humans. Didn't you all see how the night spirits managed to secure cooperation with Zhang Lie from the very beginning? They did nothing more than host a banquet for him!"

Suddenly, Yao Yue's transceiver beeped. When Yao Yue glanced at the caller, her cheeks flushed in excitement.

"Team Leader, who is it?"

"Shh! Quiet, it's Zhang Lie!"

Zhang Lie! In that case, what Yao Yue had done...

"Yao Yue, thank you for your help in the fourth fight," Zhang Lie began.

"It's no issue at all. I don't expect my opponent in the fifth match to be any issue, and friends should help each other." Yao Yue clarified that she viewed the two races to be on friendly terms.

"Friends? Very well. In that case, let me promise this now: I'll guarantee the blood demons a spot in the second batch of openings."

Yao Yue's eyes widened, as did those of the blood demons in the room. Stammering, she clarified, "R-Really?"