[Vol. 6] Chapter 193: Fight! Fight Hard!
The result of the exhibition match was, unsurprisingly, a sweeping victory for the [Shocking God Sect].
It wasn’t because the organizers from the Eastern Kingdom deliberately set them up against weaker opponents. In fact, while these "kids" might not seem impressive in Violet' eyes, they were still prodigies nurtured by the nation. Just surviving and returning intact from a place like the [Endless Wasteland Sea] said plenty about their abilities.
These five alone were formidable enough that even regular experts would struggle to take them down without two or three fighters of Murong Yun's caliber teaming up. And since [Peak Ascension] level cultivators weren’t as common as cabbages in the market, there was no way a bunch of them would show up in an exhibition match.
At its core, this exhibition match was more of a performance. A friendly display rather than a cutthroat competition. To put it nicely, it was all about “Friendship First, Competition Second.”
The opening ceremony on the first day concluded smoothly amidst this lively atmosphere. But up next was the real deal: the formal and brutal elimination rounds.
Early on the second day, Violet, one of the contestants in the martial arts competition, entered the sub-arena assigned to her number.
The grand arena was divided into over a hundred sub-arenas and one central zone. Each sub-arena could host up to 100 participants for battles at a time. Meanwhile, the larger central zone was usually reserved for more complex literary examinations or highly anticipated special events.
Violet, not one to enjoy crowded places, found herself in what seemed like a chaotic mix of competitors. To an outsider, her match might have seemed ordinary. A mix of all sorts of people.
After handing her numbered token to the sub-arena judge, a tall, strong man clearly affiliated with the [Eastern Origin Holy Sect], he glanced at her unusual black hair and distinctive attire. However, he said nothing beyond verifying her token with a professional attitude and gestured for her to step onto the stage.
"Oh wow, it really is a free-for-all with a hundred people..."
Arriving just in time, Violet stepped onto the stage, where most of the contestants had already gathered. Groups of two or three stood scattered around the arena, while some had teamed up. Still, there were plenty like Violet. Standing alone, ready to fight solo.
This was to be expected. The drawing of lots was completely random, so it wasn’t surprising that participants like Violet, Xiao Kong, and Murong Yun were assigned to different rounds and arenas. With such a large number of participants, even those with close connections were unlikely to end up in the same match. Unless someone pulled strings behind the scenes.
That said, any smart participant would try to form a reliable temporary team under such circumstances. After all, even though this was a chaotic free-for-all with 100 people, the rules didn’t say only one person could advance.
“The preliminary match for Round 3036 is about to begin! Let me explain the rules and important points.”
The head referee announced loudly, stepping forward from a panel of over ten powerful-looking judges. He blew a whistle to grab everyone's attention before continuing in an official tone.
“This preliminary is a 100-person battle royale. Anyone who loses the ability to fight, faints, or surrenders will be considered eliminated. The last ten participants standing will move on to the next round.”
His sharp gaze swept across the crowd as he emphasized the rules:
“Combatants are allowed to use weapons, treasures, hidden tools, and even poisons, but the following are strictly prohibited: using lethal toxins, killing others, or deliberately causing permanent physical damage. Once a participant signals surrender or loses the ability to fight, no further attacks are allowed. Violating any of these rules will result in immediate disqualification and may lead to legal consequences. Understood?”
The referee's concise explanation of the rules didn’t surprise most of the participants. With so many contestants in the preliminary rounds, it was impossible to finish everything in a single day. Since three days had passed since the grand event began, anyone paying attention would already have learned these rules.
Of course, knowing the rules and exploiting loopholes were two different things. With the rules kept strictly confidential beforehand, there was little chance for anyone to plan underhanded tactics in such a short time.
Ten out of one hundred would advance.
Many participants had picked up on some insider information beforehand, which is why they used the brief moments before the match started to quickly form alliances.
While some of these temporary teams were hastily put together and not well-suited for the current situation, forming small groups of 2-5 people allowed for basic cooperation. This increased their chances of advancing, as teamwork often led to greater efficiency.
The organizers, however, were well aware of such tactics and didn’t give participants much time to form alliances. As soon as the head referee finished explaining the rules, his team of enforcers swiftly spread out to all corners of the massive arena, which spanned over ten thousand square meters. Their presence served dual purposes: maintaining order and ensuring safety. But it was also a clear signal that the battle was about to begin.
From the surrounding spectator stands, composed of people who added to the atmosphere and contributed financially to the event, started to buzz with excitement. The noise grew steadily louder, creating a charged environment.
The head referee slowly stepped back, raising one hand high. Then, with a swift motion, he brought it down.
“Let the match begin!”
*BOOM!*
The instant the match started, a violent explosion erupted in the center of the arena, sending several unsuspecting contestants flying amid screams and gasps.
Shouts, roars, the clash of weapons, the thud of fists, and the whizzing of strange hidden weapons filled the air all at once. In just moments, the arena split into more than ten chaotic skirmish zones, each teeming with battle.
Even though the spectators had likely seen several chaotic matches over the past few days, their enthusiasm remained high. The sheer violence and raw combat stirred up their emotions, and the arena was soon filled with deafening cheers, shouts, and even a few directed encouragements for specific fighters, fueling the fiery atmosphere of the fight.
Violet sidestepped a few stray darts and bolts, launched with little aim and no coordination, seemingly fired with a "hit whoever it hits" attitude.
Some of these projectiles didn’t even come from the same person. As she dodged, she kicked an unlucky contestant in the rear, sending him tumbling off the stage like a gourd rolling downhill.
Only after creating a bit of space did she take a moment to scan the situation around her.
It was clear that the quality of participants in this match was a mixed bag. While there were indeed skilled fighters, there were also those who were completely clueless, getting knocked out in the very first wave as easy targets.
The registration requirements weren’t particularly strict. As long as someone surpassed the basic Lv.5 threshold for ordinary people, and at most reached the Lv.10 entry-level threshold of the first cultivation realm, they were eligible to participate. Unsurprisingly, these lower-level participants were the first to be crushed like soft persimmons.
On the whole, most contestants ranged between Lv.10 and Lv.30, which corresponded to the first two stages of the "Four Lower Realms" commonly used in the Ancient Spirit Realm, [Micro-Perception] and [Heavenly Might].
Those who can reach the [Peak Ascension] realm above Lv.30 are already considered as an exceptional talent, standing out among the crowd. As for the [Seeker of Immortality] realm, equivalent to legendary levels, Violet didn’t sense anyone of that caliber near her. Unless they were concealing their strength.
Hmm... all things considered, it wasn’t too bad.
If the warriors participating in the [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony] all possess this level of average strength, the foundational combat power of the Ancient Spirit Realm is probably slightly higher than that of ordinary nations in the Origin Realm. After all, just the Eastern Kingdom alone has over a million participants, which is already a rather formidable force.
Violet herself wasn’t using any weapons. She strolled through the chaotic battlefield with ease, gracefully dodging random AoE (area-of-effect) attacks while occasionally kicking aside anyone who got too close and annoyed her. These weaker fighters, who hovered in the lower half of the "Four Lower Realms," naturally had no chance of resisting her.
As she moved, Violet kept an eye on the overall battle.
All around her, the fighting was intense, and contestants were dropping out quickly. Judging by the current pace, it wouldn’t take much more effort for her to secure a spot in the next round.
"Heh, this is easy~"