At noon on the third day, Zhang Wen, along with the Flame Demon Agat, Xiao Xi, and Asura, boarded the Stellar Moon and set off for the final destination of the Southern Realm Overlord competition. Zhang Wen gazed out through the transparent porthole at the scenery outside, remaining silent for a long time. His injuries had completely healed, and it seemed that his Spring Water Technique had even improved. However, Irene’s sudden departure without a word still left him somewhat puzzled.
After a night of revelry, only the lingering fragrance remained by his pillow the next morning. Zhang Wen couldn’t say he had any deep feelings for Irene, but after what had happened between them, her sudden departure left a sour taste in his heart. Shaking his head, he readjusted his mood. The Southern Realm Overlord competition was about to enter its final stage, and he had no idea what to expect. Thinking about the hidden Black Baron, the terrifying killing machine Garon, and the enigmatic Imperial Viper Remu, none of these opponents would be easy to deal with…
On the other hand, his ally, the Thunder God Omega, had unexpectedly suffered severe injuries, leaving him as little more than a shell. Zhang Wen felt that this mission was fraught with too many uncertainties, and caution was absolutely necessary.
“Zhang Wen, come and look at this,” Lelia poked her head out from the doorway and waved at him.
Zhang Wen nodded and turned back from the corridor into the room. Inside, Iniel, Lelia, and Rofrey were already seated, along with Asura, Agat, and Xiao Xi—essentially Zhang Wen’s closest companions.
Carrie had been confined to the governor’s mansion and couldn’t join them. The little beauty Amelie had wanted to come, but Zhang Wen had persuaded her to stay. The Southern Realm Overlord finals were bound to be anything but peaceful, and there was no need for them to get involved in such a dangerous environment.
During the few days Zhang Wen had rested on the planet Casares, Lelia had remained on the Stellar Moon, but she hadn’t been idle. She had been diligently gathering intelligence for the plan, and now it was time to see the results. Although the relationship between Lelia and Zhang Wen hadn’t been explicitly stated, everyone had a vague idea, and since Zhang Wen hadn’t brought it up, no one pressed the matter.
“Everyone, look at this map,” Lelia said, satisfied as everyone gathered around the table. She pulled out a long pointer and tapped a specific spot on the map—the location of the finals.
Lelia was still dressed in her maid outfit, which she used to disguise herself on the Stellar Moon. Seeing her in the black lace-trimmed skirt and elegant black stockings, but with an unusually serious and stern expression, created quite a contrast.
The map was hand-drawn. After collecting intelligence through her own channels, Lelia had analyzed and summarized the information, and now she was explaining it to Zhang Wen and his friends. Since they were all in the same boat, having more information might help with the competition’s outcome.
“This location is the core of the Infinite Arena, the largest of the 842 islands that make up the Infinite Arena,” Lelia paused, calmly scanning everyone before continuing, “According to the information I’ve gathered, there are sixteen teams participating in this competition, each led by a super-tier or near-super-tier expert, with team sizes ranging from five to ten people.”
“Additionally, there are ten super-tier experts participating in this competition: Thunder God Omega and Sun God Apollo, sponsored by Hassan; the super-tier expert Bato Ping, supported by the Southern Realm Casares Governor Temiso; the super-tier expert Berserker Batu Li, supported by Governor Karayan; four super-tier experts supported by Imperial nobles; and two super-tier experts from the Federation and the Alliance… that’s roughly the situation.” Although Lelia was dressed in a cute maid outfit, she exuded a sharp and capable aura that commanded respect.
No wonder she had been able to protect herself in the Imperial military environment—she was clearly no ordinary woman. Gathering this much information in such a short time was no small feat. However, Zhang Wen still eagerly asked, “Is there anything else?” Without Lelia’s explanation, he wouldn’t have known that Governor Temiso had also sent Kato Ping to the Southern Realm Overlord competition. He had underestimated him. But his old rival, Governor Karayan, also had a supported expert, so there was bound to be some drama.
Lelia’s pointer circled a mark on the map as she pondered, “There’s also a rumor that the layout of this largest island is different from the others, and to this day, no one knows exactly what’s on the island.”
“That means everyone starts on equal footing, unfamiliar with the environment. That’s good,” Agat the Flame Demon said, fiddling with his earring, a glint of hatred in his eyes.
“Is there any news about the executioner Garon among the participants?” Xiao Xi asked hopefully.
“That information hasn’t been found yet,” Lelia apologized to her.
Asura had been deep in thought, but now he looked up and asked, “We’re supposed to be on the same team as Thunder God Omega, right? Do you know anything about the characteristics and weaknesses of the other teams’ experts…”
Zhang Wen noticed Rofrey giving him a meaningful look. As soon as they boarded the Stellar Moon, Rofrey had approached him. Zhang Wen guessed that Thunder God Omega might have something to convey, but with so many people around, it wasn’t convenient. Seeing Rofrey’s signal, he nodded, excused himself from Lelia and the others, and walked out into the corridor with Rofrey.
The long corridor was spotless and empty—everyone was preparing for the final showdown. Most were in their rooms, conserving their energy.
Rofrey glanced around, then pulled Zhang Wen to the porthole and said, “My teacher asked me to tell you that during the finals, you and your friends will be on our team, and you should follow his commands.”
Follow Omega’s commands?
Zhang Wen shook his head, looking directly into Rofrey’s eyes, and asked bluntly, “Does the current Thunder God Omega still have that capability? His condition doesn’t seem too good, does it?”
“You… you…” Rofrey was completely taken aback by Zhang Wen’s sudden question, momentarily speechless. Her face turned pale. Her teacher had strictly forbidden her from revealing this information to anyone—how did Zhang Wen know?!
“Don’t be nervous,” Zhang Wen saw her fear and gently placed his hands on her slender shoulders, gazing into her blue eyes. He tenderly brushed aside a strand of red hair by her ear, a gesture that slightly relaxed Rofrey’s tense body.
“I figured it out myself. Thunder God Omega’s injuries must have left him without the strength to compete for the Southern Realm Overlord position. What exactly is he planning?”
Rofrey’s eyes flickered, unable to meet Zhang Wen’s intense gaze. She bit her lower lip, staring at her toes, took a deep breath, and finally looked up bravely, “I can only tell you this—you mustn’t tell anyone else.”
After Zhang Wen solemnly nodded, Rofrey sighed in relief, “On the way to the Stellar Moon after receiving Hassan’s invitation, my teacher was ambushed by unidentified assailants. They were well-prepared, with two super-tier and several saint-tier experts attacking together. My teacher killed six of them on the spot, but he was severely injured and barely managed to escape…” Rofrey’s eyes were clouded with worry, “My teacher’s condition is very bad now, but he can’t let anyone know, otherwise…”
Zhang Wen nodded, understanding. Given Thunder God Omega’s temperament, he had a history of killing at the slightest provocation, and many enemies were waiting for him to show weakness. If people found out he was this badly injured, Omega’s end would truly come.
Moreover, those who had tried to assassinate him might not give up. The more this was the case, the more Omega had to act as if nothing was wrong, keeping his enemies guessing and deterring them from making another move.
“So what’s his plan now?”
Rofrey’s body had unconsciously been drawn into Zhang Wen’s embrace. She didn’t find it strange; instead, she instinctively relaxed against his chest, as if his warmth could calm her. Her body had already fully accepted Zhang Wen, even before her mind had.
With a melancholic sigh, Rofrey, the Poisonous Rose, felt helpless about her teacher’s situation, “I don’t know what my teacher is thinking, but I suspect he’s just holding on, hoping to use the chaos of the Southern Realm Overlord finals to slip away from everyone’s attention.”
Zhang Wen thought about it and agreed with her assessment. Given Thunder God Omega’s personality, he wouldn’t miss the Southern Realm Overlord competition unless something unexpected had happened. So, to deceive all his enemies, he had to participate. Whether he could actually win the title wasn’t the point. As long as Omega was in the competition, all his enemies’ attention would be drawn to the chaos of the numerous super-tier experts. This would give Omega a chance to slip away.
The question now was how to survive among the sixteen teams. The Empire was said to have the most super-tier experts among the three major powers, with around twenty. Ten of them had come this time, showing just how much attention the Southern Realm Overlord finals had attracted and how many forces were invested in it.
In such a perilous competition, filled with powerful figures, escaping unscathed would be no easy task.
On paper, Zhang Wen’s team with Omega seemed incredibly strong, with Omega, Agat, and Zhang Wen himself (who had been rumored to have reached super-tier during the second phase of testing by harnessing the power of the Primordial Stone) making up three super-tier experts. But in reality, Zhang Wen knew he was a pseudo-super-tier, Omega was now just a shell, and Agat was considered the weakest of the super-tier experts. Their team didn’t have any standout experts who could handle the pressure.
Moreover, because of their “three super-tier” reputation, they might even attract joint attacks from other teams. Zhang Wen had seen this kind of thing happen often during academy competitions.
In any case, fortune or misfortune, there was no avoiding it. They would have to take it one step at a time.
Zhang Wen held Rofrey’s fragrant, soft body, burying his nose in her fiery red hair, inhaling her scent as he pondered his own thoughts.
First, participating in the Southern Realm Overlord competition was to thwart the Black Baron’s plans and eliminate his team. At the same time, he needed to help Agat and Xiao Xi find Garon. Second, he had to ensure his own survival and return safely. As long as he could accomplish these two tasks, it would be a success.
Rofrey squirmed slightly in his arms, as if trying to break free. Zhang Wen tightened his embrace, and when he looked down, he saw her earlobes gradually turning red.
“Don’t do this…” Rofrey’s cheeks flushed even more, like the rosy hue of intoxication, vivid and alluring. Her legs involuntarily tightened, showing her discomfort.
Seeing the Poisonous Rose Rofrey displaying such a girlish demeanor in his arms, Zhang Wen smiled slightly, lifting her chin and gently kissing her vibrant red lips. Her style had changed a lot recently—she no longer wore purple lipstick or heavy eye makeup. Perhaps because of Zhang Wen, she had shed some of her allure and gained a more feminine charm.
Caught off guard by Zhang Wen’s sudden kiss, Rofrey felt a mix of shyness and sweetness, her feelings having subtly changed. Ever since the last time her teacher had tried to exile her to another galaxy, and Zhang Wen had suddenly appeared, standing up to her teacher for her, Rofrey’s heart had undergone a profound transformation.
However, standing in such a public place, even if no one was around, still made her feel somewhat uncomfortable. The usually strong and aloof Poisonous Rose had never acted like a delicate woman before—only in front of Zhang Wen did she show a hint of tenderness. But going too far was still not acceptable.
Zhang Wen found Rofrey’s barely concealed shyness quite amusing and was about to tease her further when he heard footsteps in the distance. Looking up, he saw a young woman in tight combat attire walking down the corridor. She had silver hair and looked valiant and heroic.
Seeing Zhang Wen and Rofrey embracing, the young woman paused for a moment, smiled at Zhang Wen, and then turned away, leaving the corridor.
Zhang Wen was surprised. If he wasn’t mistaken, he had seen this young woman in front of Governor Temiso’s mansion. How had she ended up on the Stellar Moon? Moreover, her attire and hair color were very similar to the female swordsman he had encountered in the arena. Could they be the same person?
Shaking his head, Zhang Wen temporarily set aside this question. It was a pity Asura wasn’t here; he would have recognized her.
Several hours later, the Stellar Moon finally arrived at its destination—the core island of the Infinite Arena’s vast chain of islands. From above, the island looked like a massive chessboard, with hundreds of smaller islands scattered around it like pieces on the board.
Not only the Stellar Moon, but several other ships had arrived on the island at the same time or earlier, all presumably here for the Southern Realm Overlord competition.
“Alright, everyone, the journey is over. Gather around, and I’ll go over the competition rules,” Anthony, the man in blue, accompanied by Hassan, stepped out of the Stellar Moon first and called out to the participants who were gradually disembarking.
Zhang Wen gazed silently through the transparent porthole at the scenery outside. His injuries had completely healed—not only healed, but his Spring Water Technique seemed to have advanced further. However, Elena’s sudden departure without a word still left him puzzled.
After a night of celebration, the next morning only lingering fragrance remained by his pillow. Naturally, Zhang Wen didn’t have any deep feelings for Elena yet. But since they had shared such an intimate moment, her silent disappearance left a lingering sense of discomfort.
He shook his head, adjusting his mood. The final stage of the Southern Lord Championship was about to begin, and no one knew what awaited them. Thinking of the elusive Black Viscount, the deadly killing machine Gao Long, and the mysterious Imperial Fang Lei Miu, none of these opponents were easy to deal with…
In contrast, his ally, Omega the Thunder God, had unexpectedly suffered grave injuries, leaving him a mere shell of himself. Zhang Wen felt that this mission was filled with too many uncertainties. He had to be cautious.
“Zhang Wen, come see this,” Laila peeked half her head out from the doorway, beckoning him.
Zhang Wen nodded and walked back into the room from the corridor. Inside, Iniel, Laila, and Rofele were already seated, along with Shura, Agate, and Xiao Xi—some of Zhang Wen’s closest companions.
Carlet had been confined at the Governor’s mansion and couldn’t come. The lovely young girl Amylis had wanted to come too, but Zhang Wen had persuaded her not to. The Southern Lord Championship finals were bound to be chaotic, and such a dangerous environment was no place for them.
During the days Zhang Wen had rested on Casares Star, Laila had remained aboard the Xingyue vessel, busily gathering intelligence for their plan. Now was the time to see the results. Though the nature of her relationship with Zhang Wen had never been openly stated, everyone had a vague sense of it. Since Zhang Wen hadn’t spoken of it, no one asked.
“Everyone, look at this map,” Laila said, satisfied that everyone had gathered around the table. She pulled out a long pointer and tapped a spot on the map—the site of the final competition.
Laila was still dressed in her maid outfit, a disguise to conceal her identity aboard the Xingyue. The contrast between her black lace-trimmed skirt, elegant black stockings, and her unusually serious expression was quite striking.
The map was hand-drawn. Laila had collected the intelligence through her own channels, analyzed and organized it, and now explained it to Zhang Wen and his friends. Everyone was on the same boat, and more information could only help improve their chances.
“This location is the core of the Infinite Arena, and also the largest of its 842 islands,” Laila paused, scanning the room with a calm gaze before continuing, “According to the information I’ve gathered, there are sixteen teams participating in this competition. Each is led by a super-tier or near-super-tier expert, with team sizes ranging from five to ten members.”
“Additionally, there are ten super-tier participants: Hassan’s sponsored Omega the Thunder God, Apollo the Sun God, the super-tier expert Bateng Ping supported by Governor Termiso of Casares Star, and the super-tier expert Batuli supported by Governor Karayan. There are also four super-tier experts backed by Imperial nobles, and two from the Federation and the Alliance. That’s the general breakdown.”
Though Laila wore a cute maid outfit, her presence exuded sharpness and competence, making it impossible to underestimate her. It was no wonder she had managed to protect herself in the harsh environment of the Imperial military. To gather this much intelligence in such a short time was no small feat. Still, Zhang Wen asked with anticipation, “Is there anything else?”
Until now, he hadn’t known that Governor Termiso had entered Bateng Ping into the Southern Lord Championship—truly underestimating him. But his old rival, Governor Karayan, had also backed a powerful expert. It would be an interesting showdown.
Laila circled a round mark on the map with her pointer, hesitating slightly before saying, “Also, I’ve heard that this largest island is set up differently from the others, and no one knows exactly what lies on it.”
“So everyone starts from the same unfamiliar ground. Good,” Agate twisted his earring, his eyes flashing with a vengeful gleam.
“Have you heard anything about Executioner Gao Long among the participants?” Xiao Xi asked hopefully.
“I haven’t found any information on that yet,” Laila apologized.
Shura, who had been deep in thought, finally looked up and asked, “We should be on the same team as Omega the Thunder God, right? Do we know anything about the other teams’ experts—any weaknesses or characteristics?”
Zhang Wen noticed Rofele signaling him from across the table. Ever since boarding the Xingyue, Rofele had sought him out. Zhang Wen suspected Omega had something to say, but it had been inconvenient with so many people around. Seeing Rofele’s signal now, he nodded and excused himself from the group, stepping outside the room with Rofele into the corridor.
The long corridor was spotless and empty—everyone was preparing for the final battle, most likely resting in their cabins.
Rofele glanced around before pulling Zhang Wen to the porthole and whispering, “Master wants me to tell you that during the finals, you and your friends will be on our team. You just need to follow his orders.”
Follow Omega’s orders?
Zhang Wen shook his head and met Rofele’s gaze directly, asking bluntly, “Does the current Omega the Thunder God still have the capability? I imagine his condition isn’t good.”
“You… you…” Rofele hadn’t expected such a sudden question, her face paling in shock. Master had strictly forbidden her from revealing this to anyone—how did Zhang Wen know?
“You don’t need to be nervous,” Zhang Wen noticed her fear, placing his hands gently on her thin shoulders, gazing into her blue eyes, and tenderly brushing a strand of red hair from her ear. This affectionate gesture eased Rofele’s tension slightly.
“I figured it out myself. Omega the Thunder God’s injuries must have left him unable to compete for the Southern Lord title. What exactly is he planning?”
Rofele’s eyes flickered, avoiding his gaze. She bit her lip, looking at her feet before finally lifting her head bravely, “I can only tell you this—promise me you won’t tell anyone else.”
Zhang Wen nodded solemnly.
Rofele exhaled in relief, “On the way to the Xingyue vessel after accepting Hassan’s invitation, Master was ambushed by unknown assailants. They were well-prepared—two super-tier and several saint-tier experts attacked together. Master killed six of them on the spot, but he was severely injured and barely managed to break free…”
A thin veil of worry clouded Rofele’s eyes, “Master’s condition is very poor, but he can’t let anyone know. Otherwise…”
Zhang Wen nodded in understanding. Given Omega’s temperament—his tendency to kill at the slightest provocation—there were countless enemies waiting for him to show weakness. If his injuries were exposed, Omega’s end would truly arrive.
Moreover, those who had tried to assassinate him might not give up. The more so, the more Omega needed to appear unaffected, sowing doubt and hesitation among his enemies.
“What are his plans now?”
Unconsciously, Rofele leaned into Zhang Wen’s embrace. She didn’t feel it was wrong—instinctively relaxing against his chest, as if his warmth could calm her. Her body had accepted him long before her mind did.
Sighing deeply, the Poisonous Rose Rofele felt helpless about her Master’s situation, “I don’t know what he’s thinking, but I suspect he’s just trying to hold on, hoping to slip away unnoticed during the chaos of the Southern Lord finals.”
Zhang Wen considered this and agreed. Omega wouldn’t have missed this opportunity unless something unexpected had happened. To deceive his enemies, he had to participate. Whether he could actually win the title wasn’t the priority. As long as Omega entered the competition, all his enemies’ attention would be drawn to the chaotic fog of the tournament, giving him a chance to disappear.
The real challenge was how to survive among sixteen teams. The Empire had the most super-tier experts among the three major factions—about twenty in total. Ten had come for this competition, showing how much attention and investment the Southern Lord Championship had attracted.
In such a perilous environment, filled with powerful adversaries, survival would be no easy feat.
Zhang Wen’s team, supposedly led by Omega, included three super-tier experts: Omega, Agate, and himself (his promotion to super-tier during the second phase via the Primordial Stone had spread). But in truth, he was a fake super-tier, Omega was now a shell, and Agate was known as the weakest among super-tier experts. Their team lacked a truly dominant force.
Moreover, their reputation as the “Three Super-Tiers” might even attract combined attacks from other teams—an occurrence Zhang Wen had seen often during the Academy Tournament.
Well, if it’s fate, there’s no avoiding it. He would just have to take it one step at a time.
Holding Rofele’s fragrant, soft body close, his nose buried in her fiery red hair, inhaling her scent, Zhang Wen pondered his own thoughts.
First, he needed to stop the Black Viscount’s plans by eliminating his team. Second, help Agate and Xiao Xi find Gao Long. Third, most importantly, survive and return safely. Accomplishing these two tasks would already be a success.
Rofele shifted slightly in his arms, as if trying to pull away. Zhang Wen tightened his embrace, lowering his gaze to see her earlobes turning red.
“Don’t…” Rofele’s cheeks flushed deeper, like the rosy hue of wine, her legs unconsciously crossing, clearly flustered.
Seeing the Poisonous Rose showing such a vulnerable side in his arms, Zhang Wen smiled slightly, lifting her chin and gently kissing her red lips. She had changed her style recently—at least she no longer wore purple lipstick or eye shadow. Perhaps because of him, she had become less seductive, more delicately feminine.
Caught off guard by Zhang Wen’s sudden kiss, Rofele felt both shy and sweet, her heart unknowingly shifting. Ever since Master had tried to exile her to another star system, and Zhang Wen had suddenly arrived to fiercely oppose him on her behalf, something subtle had changed in her heart.
Still, standing in a public corridor—even without witnesses—felt unfamiliar to her. When had the Poisonous Rose ever acted like a shy girl? Only in front of Zhang Wen did she show a hint of tenderness. But going too far was still unacceptable.
Zhang Wen found Rofele’s shy reaction amusing and was about to tease her more when he heard footsteps echoing down the corridor. Looking up, he saw a girl in tight battle armor walking by, her silver hair flowing behind her, exuding a sharp, commanding presence.
Seeing Zhang Wen and Rofele embracing, the girl paused slightly, smiled at Zhang Wen, and turned away.
Zhang Wen was slightly surprised. If he wasn’t mistaken, that girl had been at Governor Termiso’s mansion before. Why was she here on the Xingyue? And her outfit and silver hair reminded him of the female swordsman he had encountered in the arena—could they be the same person?
He shook his head, temporarily pushing the question aside. It was a pity Shura wasn’t here—he would have recognized her.
Several hours later, the Xingyue vessel finally reached its destination—the colossal central island of the Infinite Arena, surrounded by hundreds of smaller islands like pieces on a giant chessboard.
Not only the Xingyue vessel, but several other ships had arrived or arrived earlier, all carrying participants of the Southern Lord Championship.
“Alright everyone, the journey is over. Gather around and listen carefully to the instructions for the competition,” Anthony in blue clothes, accompanied by Hassan, stepped forward from the Xingyue vessel and shouted to the participants emerging from it.
Zhang Wen walked out together with Agate. No matter how Haan intended to divide the teams, everyone was determined not to separate, for they could only trust each other. In such a dangerous competition environment, entrusting one’s back to a complete stranger was simply unimaginable.
Of course, this time Riley would not be joining the final match. She remained aboard the Star Moon, still playing her role as a little maid, gathering useful information for Zhang Wen and the others.
Zhang Wen took a moment to observe the island. Previously, aboard the Star Moon, he had estimated its size to be at least several thousand square kilometers, and now that he was on it, his estimation still seemed accurate. The landing site of the Star Moon was a plain near the beach, where nine ships were already parked. Yet the space still seemed ample, easily capable of accommodating another ten or twenty massive warships.
Looking far into the distance, the edges of the island were blurred and indistinct, clearly indicating its vastness. It seemed this battlefield would be more than sufficient for all the powerful competitors to display their strength.
At this moment, Anthony’s voice continued: “According to Mr. Haan’s instructions, our competition teams this time are divided into three groups. The first team is led by Thunder God Omega, with members including Zhang Wen, Flame Demon Agate, Xiao Xi, Asura, Marien, Rovel, Gro… The second team is led by Apollo, the Sun God, with members including…”
It seemed Haan had been quite considerate, or perhaps it was the result of Thunder God Omega’s efforts. All of Zhang Wen’s companions were placed in the same team, which would certainly provide great convenience for their future actions. In fact, this had been a condition Zhang Wen had previously set for Omega, part of their cooperation agreement.
The second team’s leader, Apollo, known as the Sun God, was said to possess combat power as scorching as flames, capable of incinerating all enemies. However, his personality was quite low-key, and he had never appeared during the testing period.
“The third team is led by Anthony himself, with members including Zack, Barkley, Mosang, Larse…”
This final announcement surprised everyone, including Zhang Wen. Anthony, wasn’t he simply the blue-robed man himself? How come he was also going to lead a team into the competition?
A faint smile appeared on Haan’s fat face as he looked around at everyone, blowing out a large puff of cigar smoke. Then, with great enthusiasm, he patted Anthony’s shoulder and said to everyone: “Anthony is my trusted subordinate, and his strength is definitely at the super-class level—this is beyond any doubt. No matter the outcome of this competition, everyone who joins my team led by Haan will receive a generous commission. So please, show off your best performances!”
The participants summoned by Haan exchanged surprised glances. Everyone was well aware of Thunder God Omega’s reputation, and although Apollo, the Sun God, was low-key, most had at least heard of him. But who exactly was this blue-robed man, Anthony? However, since they had already come this far, whether it was for the huge commission or to prove their own strength, no one could afford to back out now.
Those who had joined Omega’s or Apollo’s teams felt more confident, while the several saint-level warriors assigned to Anthony’s team looked somewhat uneasy. However, soon Haan’s monetary encouragement lifted their spirits again. After all, under great rewards, there would always be brave men willing to take risks—a principle that still applied.
“What the hell is Haan up to?” Asura whispered to Zhang Wen beside him.
“Who knows? He formed three teams, probably hoping to diversify his bets and increase his chances. Although both Thunder God and Apollo are teams supported by him, if either of these two teams wins the title of South Realm Champion, it wouldn’t benefit Haan as much as having his ‘own people’ win.”
Asura nodded thoughtfully after hearing this. At that moment, the delegation led by the over-tier warrior Kato Heihachiro, who had come along on the Star Moon as part of Governor Termiso’s contingent, finally disembarked from the ship. From afar, seeing Zhang Wen watching him, Kato gave a slight nod in greeting.
“Alright, now that everyone has arrived, let’s all head to the final arena.”
With a wave of his big hand, Haan led the way, boarding a Dragonswift carriage that had been parked nearby, accompanied by the blue-robed Anthony. Similarly, a dozen other carriages were prepared for all the competitors. Haan was wealthy and generous, and he spared no expense on minor details.
There were many competing teams, and naturally, as everyone headed in the same direction, a slight tension filled the air. After all, they were about to become rivals. However, everyone still managed to exercise restraint, knowing that fighting here would be meaningless and might even result in disqualification.
One after another, the Dragonswift carriages dashed forward, while some flew overhead in floating vehicles activated by mental energy. For a moment, the previously tranquil island seemed to come back to life, bustling with activity.
Approximately half an hour later, everyone arrived at the final destination. Actually, calling it the final arena wasn’t quite accurate. It was indeed the island’s central area, but not yet the true battlefield.
All the participants in the South Realm Champion competition saw before them a massive circular formation located right at the island’s center. Countless naturally formed stones and various magical runes were arranged along the outer ring of this circular formation. Those with sharp eyes quickly recognized it as a gigantic psychic transmission array capable of transporting everyone to another battleground.
Uncontrollable whispers spread among the crowd, and naturally, speculation arose. They had assumed the competition would take place on this island, but no one had expected such a twist.
“Silence!” A solemn and dignified voice suddenly rang out. A heavy weight struck the granite surface with a deep “hum” sound. In the next instant, the circular psychic formation emitted waves of flowing light runes, resembling ancient magical lights from legends. These dazzling lights converged, forming the silhouette of a towering figure.
Standing hundreds of meters away on a protruding rocky platform was an elderly man. He wore a long white robe of a cultivator, held a golden scepter in his left hand, and wore a mysterious eagle-faced mask over his face.
“Firstly, I thank all sectors of the Empire for their trust in me, appointing me as the Chief Arbiter of this South Realm Champion competition. Allow me to briefly introduce myself—I am the creator of this Infinite Arena, and you may call me… the Overking.”
The elder’s voice caused an uproar. Many had heard of the Infinite Arena’s legend, knowing that the Overking, the Empire’s most mysterious arena master, was reputed to be the only one capable of slaying a King. Yet no one had expected him to be an old man. Although his physique appeared strong for his age, it was still difficult to associate him with a King, let alone someone who could kill one.
What a joke?
However, clearly, the Overking had not appeared merely to fuel rumors and legends.
“Silence!” His scepter struck the stone platform again, and from behind him erupted a brilliant and magnificent curtain of radiant light, making the Overking appear as if emerging from a bath of divine radiance—an awe-inspiring, almost sacred presence.
This was another level of psychic energy manipulation—an unparalleled, breathtaking realm of mastery.
“This South Realm Champion competition has drawn widespread attention. Authorized by the Empire, I have full authority over all matters concerning this competition. Now, I will introduce to you the members of our Arbiter Committee.”
“The first member is a legendary figure within the Empire, one of the Four Realm Champions of the Empire—the North Realm Champion, the Inheritor Sword Saint, Misseia!”
As the Overking spoke, a holographic image formed on the psychic light curtain created by his scepter. It depicted a dignified woman wearing a silver, skin-tight battle suit, her silver hair tied up and adorned with a silver mask.
The previously murmuring crowd fell into an eerie silence.
The North Realm Champion? The Inheritor Sword Saint?!
The weight of those titles was immense. No one had expected that, for the sake of this South Realm Champion competition, the Empire had even dispatched the North Realm Champion. Wouldn’t this provoke unrest among the northern forces?
Yet the most shocked among them were Zhang Wen and Asura. This woman… was clearly the swordswoman they had encountered in the underground arena on Kasares Star!
She was actually the North Realm Champion? What kind of joke was this?!
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