“Next, I will help you fuse your bloodline and physique,” Kymani Vasquez said to Billy.
“This process will take some time and might be slightly uncomfortable, but it will be much milder than before. Please cooperate with me.”
“Thank you, senior!” Billy nodded.
Billy then felt a force lift him into the air, suspending him mid-air. He could also feel streams of Chi power flowing into his body.
Early that morning, Catherine Foreman appeared in the courtyard of the inn where Harleen and the others were staying.
“Catherine!” The group greeted her as she arrived.
“Harleen, why don’t I see Mr. Billy?” Catherine Foreman asked after greeting everyone.
“Billy has been handling some matters outside these past few days and hasn’t returned yet,” Harleen replied. Although she and Ivy had learned from Casey that Billy had been taken by Kymani Vasquez, they didn’t know the specifics, so she couldn’t provide more details.
“Not back yet?” Catherine Foreman was slightly surprised. “But the Prodigy List selection tournament is about to start. Can you contact him?”
“Billy might not be able to make it back in time, so he won’t be participating in this selection tournament,” Harleen smiled.
“Not participating?” Catherine Foreman was even more surprised. “The Prodigy List selection tournament happens only once every three years. If he misses this one, he’ll have to wait another three years…”
“Thank you for your concern, Catherine. Billy told us a few days ago that if he couldn’t make it back in time, we shouldn’t wait for him,” Ivy smiled.
“Alright then,” Catherine Foreman replied with a hint of regret.
The group then followed Catherine Foreman out of the inn.
“Catherine, have you heard of someone named ‘John Doe’?” Casey asked as they walked.
“John Doe?” Catherine Foreman paused. “Are you referring to ‘John Doe’ from the Akabuchi Four Elders?”
“Akabuchi Four Elders?” Everyone was surprised.
“Yes,” Catherine Foreman nodded. “The Akabuchi Four Elders include John Doe, Lonely Shadow, Evil God, and Mad Scholar.”
“Catherine, do you know much about these four? Can you tell us about them?” Azure Dragon asked.
“The Akabuchi Four Elders rarely interact with the outside world, so I don’t know much about them,” Catherine Foreman continued after a brief pause. “I only know that all four are true Perceiving Dao Realm experts.”
“John Doe and Lonely Shadow live reclusive lives and rarely venture outside. They haven’t established any sects.”
“Evil God and Mad Scholar are the leaders of Star Fragment Abbey and Heavenly Net Hall, respectively. These two sects are ranked first and second in Akabuchi City, aside from Star Palace and the Chamber of Commerce.”
“I understand,” everyone nodded in response.
“Catherine, can you tell us about the distribution of major forces in Akabuchi City?” Felicia asked Catherine Foreman.
“Sure!” Catherine Foreman nodded and began explaining. As the eldest daughter of the Foreman family, she naturally had a more comprehensive understanding of Akabuchi City than ordinary people.
Apart from Akabuchi Star Palace and Akabuchi Chamber of Commerce, which she wasn’t very familiar with, she had a general grasp of other forces.
After listening to her description, the group gained a preliminary understanding of Akabuchi City. Of course, this was only based on Catherine Foreman’s knowledge; whether there were any hidden experts remained unknown. At least, Kymani Vasquez wasn’t within her scope of information.
An hour later, the group arrived at a large open field on the northern outskirts of Akabuchi City. The scene was bustling with tens of thousands of people gathered, creating a lively atmosphere.
About one-third were young talents eager to participate in the tournament, while the rest were spectators.
Fifteen circular arenas had been temporarily set up on the field, each with a diameter of around a hundred meters. Since the battles would mostly take place in mid-air during the official matches, the arenas served merely as starting points and didn’t need to be too large.
Based on past experience, the Prodigy List ranking tournament lasted three days: the first two days for determining the top fifteen contenders and the third day for ranking them.
Soon, an elderly man rose into the air and began explaining the tournament rules. His voice, amplified by Chi power, reached everyone’s ears. The explanation took only a few minutes.
The rules were simple: there would be fifteen arenas, each with a champion at the start of the competition. Registered participants could challenge any champion they chose. The loser would step down, and the winner would stay. The last fifteen standing would be the top fifteen on the Prodigy List, who would then compete for their rankings.
Participants could concede defeat; once someone conceded, their opponent could not continue attacking. Weapons were allowed but not poison. Injuring was permitted but not killing.
Apart from these rules, there were no other restrictions. The goal was simple: stay on the arena!
An hour later, after verifying all participants’ identities, the competition officially began, and all spectators left the competition area.
Fifteen figures then rose into the air and stood on the arenas-both men and women. Each had a considerable aura; the weakest was at first-rank Otherworldly Realm, while the strongest was at fifth-rank Otherworldly Realm.
Catherine Foreman, Harleen, Ivy, Casey, and several hundred participants gathered around Arena Six.
“Catherine, can those who were on the previous Prodigy List participate in this tournament?” Ivy asked Catherine Foreman.
“In principle, yes,” Catherine Foreman nodded. “However, it’s generally rare.”
“Why?” Ivy asked.
“Because those who make it onto the Prodigy List are usually close to forty years old. Otherwise, it’s hard to get on the list,” Catherine Foreman explained. “Three years later, they would be over forty and thus ineligible to participate.”
“Of course, there are exceptions. For example, Gerardo Wooler from Akabuchi Chamber of Commerce.”
“Three years ago, he was only thirty-two or thirty-three years old but managed to secure a spot on the Prodigy List with his talent and strength.”
“So strong?” Casey frowned slightly and asked again, “Catherine, do you know his current level?”
Harleen and Ivy also looked at Catherine Foreman. They still had a score to settle with Gerardo Wooler.
“I haven’t seen him for a long time, so I’m not sure about his current level,” Catherine Foreman shook her head. “But I estimate he’s at least half-step Entering Dao Realm or even first-rank Entering Dao Realm.”
“That can’t be right,” Casey was slightly surprised. “Three years ago, he must have been at least at late sixth-rank Otherworldly Realm to enter the Prodigy List.”
“And since he’s a talented genius, how could he have only advanced three or four levels in three years?”