After hearing Otis Hum’s words, everyone in the venue simultaneously turned their attention to the VIP area. The vast majority of people there wore expressions of excitement and admiration.
Urban Woolery, the Prime Minister, held a revered position in the hearts of millions of Glavale citizens. In the past few decades, as Glavale rose against the declining trend of the country, this elderly man played an integral role in the nation’s recovery.
“Hahaha…”
Urban stood up and walked out of the VIP area, his hearty laughter spreading across every corner of the arena.
“Dear talents, Glavale’s future rests on your shoulders. I believe that with your presence, Glavale will soon regain its glorious state as the leading nation among all nations!”
After saying this, he bowed deeply to the tens of thousands of spectators. Thunderous applause echoed through the venue, lasting for a considerable time.
“Now, let me briefly explain the rules of this competition,” Otis continued as the applause subsided. “Considering the large number of participants, the early rounds of this competition will follow the elimination format…”
Otis spent several minutes describing the rules of the competition.
“In addition, let me highlight three!” Otis paused for a moment before continuing.
“First, the purpose of this competition is to foster friendships through martial arts. Therefore, unless both parties willingly sign a life-and-death contract, no one is allowed to kill on the stage. Violators will be executed!”
“Second, participants can use cold weapons, including concealed weapons, but poison is prohibited. Violators will be executed!”
“Third, except in matches where a life-and-death contract is signed, forbidden techniques and secret arts are not allowed. Violators will be executed!”
“All right, that’s all I have to say. Now, please have the participants who have signed up for the competition take their seats in the rest area. There will be staff guiding you through the drawing process.”
After finishing his speech, the platform slowly descended.
“Forbidding the use of poison, isn’t that bullying?” Stout complained in the rest area.
“Not using poison, are you afraid to step onto the stage?” Ivy glared at him.
“There are over two hundred thousand spectators here. If the use of poison is allowed, who can guarantee the safety of so many people?”
“Fine!” Stout shrugged. After a short pause, he looked at Billy. “Boss, it’s understandable that they don’t allow the use of poison, but why don’t they allow the use of forbidden techniques and secret arts?”
“Stout, this is also easy to understand!” Casey chuckled.
“In the vast martial world, there are all kinds of strange and peculiar techniques. Some people possess forbidden techniques with tremendous destructive power. If unleashed without restrictions, it would be challenging to ensure the safety of the audience.”
“Moreover, most people’s forbidden techniques come at the cost of burning their own essence and blood. After using such techniques, many become useless. If such people break into the top one hundred after using forbidden techniques, would their ranking be acknowledged or not?”
“Well, that makes sense.” Stout pursed his lips and looked at Billy again.
“Boss, no forbidden techniques are allowed in the competition. If that deputy young master from the Saint Sky Sword Pavilion breaks through to the War Emperor realm, won’t that be troublesome for you?”
“Take care of yourself!” Ivy glared at him again. A few days ago, she had witnessed Billy unleashing the Domineering Blade Art. The power of that strike was extremely shocking even now. She could feel that although it might not fully compare to the Five Elements Secret Art, it wasn’t far behind.
If Billy used his full strength, even if he faced a Sovereign-Realm expert, there was still a possibility of a fight.
Half an hour later, under the guidance of the staff, the participants completed the drawing for the first round of the elimination match. Billy and his group drew lots that were scattered, spread across several arenas. Billy, along with Frostblade and Stout, drew the lot for Arena 2.
The rules stated that each platform would accommodate one thousand participants, and those with the same number would face off against each other. The winner would advance, while the loser would be eliminated. This would eliminate half of the participants in the first round.
The competition officially began at 10 a. m.
On Platform 2, after the referee’s command, two participants assumed their stances and attacked each other. Both were at the War Grandmaster realm, and the battle continued for about ten minutes as they evenly matched each other. Eventually, the taller of the two seized an opportunity, flashed to the right side of his opponent, and delivered a sweeping kick, knocking his opponent off the platform.
In the following matches, many were decided in just one move as the strength disparity between the contestants was significant. Some participants, after learning about their opponent’s strength, didn’t even step onto the platform and chose to forfeit directly.
Time passed quickly, and it was around 11 a. m.
“Now, please welcome the participants with the numbers 2-092 to the stage!” the referee’s voice came from the platform.
According to the competition rules, participants were only identified by numbers, not by their identities. This was to prevent potential retaliation after the competition.
“Frostblade, it’s your turn!” Stout looked at Frostblade beside him and grinned. “According to the rules, you can’t kill on the stage. You have to spare your opponents’ lives!”
“Stout, am I that brutal?” Frostblade rolled her eyes and stood up, walking towards the platform.
“Boss, Frostblade still doesn’t understand herself well!” Stout turned his head and looked at Billy, shaking his head.
“You’re not much better than her!” Billy responded casually.
“Uh…” Stout twitched his lips.
While they were talking, Frostblade had already ascended to the platform.
“Haha, I, Black Roffe, am quite lucky to draw such a beautiful lady as my opponent!” On the platform, a burly, dark-skinned man looked at Frostblade and spoke with a trace of amazement in his eyes.
“Wow, is that Black Roffe? I didn’t expect him to participate in the Dragon and Phoenix Ranking competition.” A man in the audience exclaimed in surprise.
“Who’s Black Roffe? Is he powerful?” His companion asked.
“You haven’t heard of him? In the past two or three years, his reputation in the martial arts world has been quite high. It is said that since he emerged, he rarely encountered a suitable opponent. He acts according to his own interests, both righteous and wicked.”
“I heard that he broke through to the War Emperor realm about a year ago. He should be at least at the mid-stage of the War Emperor realm now!”
“So strong?” His companion showed a trace of fear.
“…”
“Are you Black Roffe?” On the stage, Frostblade glanced coldly at the man.
“Did you hear my name, pretty?” his gaze swept over Frostblade’s figure as he said, “Well, this is even better. You should just surrender. You are not my opponent. Let’s be friends. I’ll treat you to lunch at noon. How about that?”