What? You opened a resort on the battlefield of all races?

On the podium, Li Shanshan read out the new rules of the competition.

She took a half step back and reached out to press the start button on a transparent alloy device beside her.

The miniature airflow inside the lottery machine was activated instantly.

Dozens of metal spheres, each engraved with the name of one of the twelve martial arts universities, tumbled wildly up and down like chestnuts being fried in a hot pan, emitting a dense metallic clanging sound as the air currents churned around them.

"Click".

The gate at the bottom popped open, and two metal balls rolled into the groove one after the other.

The holographic projection screen in the center of the hall flickered suddenly, and two huge lines of gold-plated characters were projected into the air.

Match 1: Wuyue Wuhan University vs. Wangchuan Wuhan University!

As soon as the match information was released, the 100,000 spectators in the circular stands erupted in a thunderous roar of cheers.

"The first battle is going to be tough!"

In the front row, a middle-aged man wearing a baseball cap excitedly slapped his thigh and shouted to his companion next to him.

"Wuyue University has consistently ranked among the top three in terms of performance over the years. They, along with Wangchuan, Haichuan, and Songtao, are all firmly in the top tier."

He stretched out his thick finger and pointed it far away at the team dressed in moon-white outfits below the arena.

"My neighbor's son studies at Wuyue Martial Arts University. See that young man with the sword at the very front?"

"That's their captain, Fan Rui!"

"I heard that in preparation for this grand competition, he led a team to a D-level area of ​​the Battlefield of the Heavens for secluded training. Over the past few months, his cultivation has skyrocketed, breaking through to the eighth level of the Thousand Jun realm!"

Several spectators around gasped when they heard the words "a thousand pounds of pressure".

"A thousand pounds and eight layers?"

"With this terrifying strength in previous years, they would definitely be a match for Qinglan Martial Arts University, the reigning champion!"

"Mist Moon Prefecture is aiming for first place this time!"

On the other side, a muscular man in a short-sleeved shirt shook his head and took over the conversation.

"Wangchuan Martial Arts University is not weak either."

"The martial arts tradition of Wangchuan Prefecture emphasizes 'immovability like a mountain.' Their martial artists focus on defense and endurance, possessing exceptional resilience."

"Even if the enemy's cultivation level is two minor levels higher than theirs, it will be by no means easy to break through their defenses and win in a short time."

The man crossed his arms and stared expectantly at the alloy arena in the center.

"Mist Moon Prefecture is renowned for its swordsmanship, specializing in offensive and lethal attacks. But they've run into the tough, defensively-minded people of River Gazing Prefecture—this is going to be quite a sight!"

On the podium, Li Shanshan looked at the lottery results and a satisfied smile appeared on her lips.

She stepped forward and, speaking into the microphone, emphasized the bottom line of the ring match one last time.

"Dear participating students, this competition is for exchanging skills. Please stop when you've made a move and refrain from maliciously injuring anyone."

"Any instance of intentional maiming or causing death will result in the immediate disqualification of all members of that institution from participating in the competition!"

"Now, the first match officially begins!"

With a loud gong strike, the first warrior from each team quickly leaped onto the arena.

The pace of the game was extremely fast.

The sound of swords clashing against heavy shields echoed continuously in the stadium.

The two traditionally strong schools are indeed equally matched in terms of their historical and cultural foundation.

One after another, they took turns on the stage, and the battle was extremely intense. Although Wuyue Martial Arts University's sword energy was sharp, Wangchuan Martial Arts University's defense was also impenetrable.

After more than an hour of intense fighting.

Only one player remained on Wangchuan Martial Arts University's roster.

A girl named Han Ran with short, ear-length hair.

Unlike the other students from Wangchuan Prefecture, she walked onto the arena expressionlessly, holding a half-meter-long fine steel axe upside down in each hand.

For the next twenty minutes, the audience witnessed what true rage was all about.

Han Ran completely abandoned the traditional defensive counter-attacking tactics of Wangchuan Martial Arts University. She wielded her double axes, creating an impenetrable net of blades, with wide, sweeping attacks, each move a preemptive strike.

"Bang!"

The axe handle slammed heavily onto the spine of Fan Yue's parrying sword.

The immense recoil force caused Fan Yue's hands to split open, and she lost her balance, falling off the edge of the ring.

Han Ran defeated five of the main fighters from Wuyue Martial Arts University, including Fan Yue!

At this point, only Captain Fan Rui remained in the preparation area of ​​Wuyue Martial Arts University.

Fan Rui looked at Han Ran, who was panting heavily but full of fighting spirit on the stage. His usually calm face twitched uncontrollably.

His gaze darted away, instinctively avoiding Han Ran's gaze.

Han Ran stood in the center of the arena, slamming his double axes together in front of him, producing a piercing metallic clang.

The axe tip was pointed directly at Fan Rui below the stage.

"Come on up!"

Han Ran's voice was a little hoarse from the strenuous exercise, but the tension in his tone was so strong it was about to explode.

"I'd like to see just how much skill you've acquired since you secretly went to Misty Moon Martial Arts University, you coward!"

coward?!

In the preparation area of ​​Cangyun Martial Arts University.

Liu Bo's ears perked up instantly, like a military dog ​​hearing a feeding whistle.

His previously listless eyes suddenly flashed with an extremely gossipy light.

He grabbed Rong Jing's wrist and dragged her to the fence closest to the ring.

"There's juicy gossip! A really big one!"

Liu Bo plopped down on the ground, gripping the railing with both hands, rubbing his hands together excitedly.

Below the ring.

Fan Rui listened to Han Ran's angry rebuke, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

He didn't speak, but simply picked up his sword and silently stepped onto the arena.

The two stood facing each other.

The referee's arm had just been lowered.

Without uttering a single wasted word, Han Ran slammed his feet into the alloy floor, propelling himself forward like an arrow released from a bow.

With a sharp whistling sound, the short axe in his right hand hurtled straight for Fan Rui's carotid artery.

With his left hand, he used a short axe to strike Fan Rui's abdomen from below at an extremely tricky angle.

Without any probing, every move was aimed at fatal vital points.

Liu Bo, watching from below the stage, gasped and slammed his hands on the marble floor.

"This is a deadly attack!"

Liu Bo shouted at the top of his lungs without even blinking.

"Look at the way she's swinging that axe! This guy definitely did something to wrong that young girl!"

Liu Bo watched with great interest, his face full of confidence.

"I bet he probably got her pregnant and then ran off. Otherwise, where would such a deep-seated hatred come from?"

"What do you think, Rong Jing?"

Liu Bo waited for two seconds but heard no response.

He turned his head and saw that Rong Jing, who had been squatting next to him eating melon seeds, was nowhere to be seen.

Liu Bo glanced around the room.

Rong Jing had somehow slipped into the rest area of ​​Wuyue Martial Arts University.

She was squatting down next to Fan Yue, who had just been knocked off the stage, handing her an unopened bottle of mineral water, her head very close, eagerly asking her something.

Fan Yue took the water, looked at her brother who was retreating step by step on the stage, and sighed with a mixture of laughter and tears.

"Actually, our Fan family originally came from Wangchuan Prefecture."

Fan Yue lowered her voice and explained this old grudge to Rong Jing.

"My brother and Sister Han Ran have known each other since they were little. Their elders had arranged their marriage long ago, agreeing that they would get married as soon as they graduated from Wuhan University."

"Sister Han Ran has been waiting for him."

Fan Yue pursed her lips, her eyes dimming slightly.

"But my brother..."

"He left a letter the day before the Wuhan University was recruiting students and secretly came to Wuyue Wuhan University, which is famous for its kendo."

Just as the two were talking.

The situation in the ring has changed.

After retreating continuously and narrowly parrying dozens of Han Ran's fierce attacks, Fan Rui retreated to the edge of the arena.

There was no way to retreat.

Fan Rui suddenly raised his head, his apologetic gaze instantly turning icy cold.

"Zheng—"

The longsword was drawn from its sheath, its blade reflecting a dazzling silver light in the sunlight.

"Miss Han Ran."

Fan Rui flicked his wrist, and the blade precisely deflected the axe aimed at his face.

"As long as the alien race remains, I have no desire to start a family."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fan Rui's aura completely changed.

He no longer focused solely on defense.

The immense Yuan power, weighing a thousand pounds, was poured into the longsword without reservation.

The sword's momentum was like a cascading silver river from the heavens, continuous and unending. In an instant, the sword's shadow completely enveloped Han Ran's double axes.

Han Ran felt an irresistible force coming from the axe handles she was holding. Her proud offensive was torn apart like dry leaves, and her original attack instantly turned into an extremely difficult defense.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Three consecutive, extremely dense sounds of metal clashing.

Han Ran's hands were completely shattered at the base of his thumbs, and the steel short axe flew out of his hands and crashed to the ground in the distance from the arena.

A very cold touch pressed against her fair neck.

Fan Rui held the sword in one hand, the tip of the sword resting steadily less than half a millimeter away from Han Ran's throat.

The outcome is decided.

Fan Rui looked at Han Ran, who was panting heavily in front of him, and pulled his sword-wielding right hand back a little.

He lowered his head slightly and spoke very softly.

"Ms. Han Ran, I'm sorry."

Fan Rui looked directly into her eyes, his gaze revealing an unwavering determination.

"If one day humanity is safe and sound, I will return to Wangchuan Prefecture to fulfill the marriage agreement we made years ago."

Han Ran stood still, his chest heaving violently.

She looked down at the long sword pressed against her neck, reflecting Fan Rui's resolute face.

She recalled the news she had overheard a year ago.

Fan Rui received the devastating news that his parents had both died fighting against the alien beast tide.

Han Ran forced back the tears that were welling up in her eyes.

She has let it go.

"it is good."

Han Ran took a deep breath and met Fan Rui's gaze without fear.

"I'll fight alongside you to wipe out all the alien races. I'll be waiting for that day."

On the platform, Li Shanshan raised her right arm.

"Mist Moon Martial Arts University wins the first match!"

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the audience.

Meanwhile, in the preparation area of ​​Cangyun Martial Arts University below the arena.

Liu Bo and Rong Jing, who had just run back, were squatting side by side on the ground.

The two of them clutched a crumpled tissue in their hands, blowing their noses and crying their eyes out.

"What a wonderful girl!"

Liu Bo vigorously wiped his red eyes with a tissue, his voice choked with emotion.

"She's cultivating herself to the point of exhaustion for a man who never comes home. If it were me, I'd die happy!"

Rong Jing stood to the side, wiping away tears while cursing through gritted teeth.

"Isn't that right?"

"But Fan Rui is a total scumbag!"

"Isn't this just a waste of time for that girl? There are so many alien races in the battlefield of the heavens. If they can't be killed off in this lifetime, does he really want her to never get married?"

Rong Jing was so angry that she threw the tissue in her hand on the ground and glared fiercely at Fan Rui, who was walking off the stage.

"If we had known he was this kind of person, we shouldn't have rescued their team back on the outskirts of the Battlefield of the Heavens!"

Just as the two were squatting on the ground cursing the scumbag,

Li Shanshan's calm voice came over the radio again.

"Next game."

"Shangjing Martial Arts University versus Songtao Martial Arts University!"

The once bustling stadium fell into utter silence once more.