Mutual Pecking of Rookie Roosters

"Welcome to the Qiongfang Grand Competition Arena!"

"This is the venue for the 22nd Three Races Youth Sparring Exchange Competition. I am your host Que Shushuang!"

A sexy and alluring Half-Shrike girl from the Demon Race stood on the high platform.

She was dressed in a neat, standard host's outfit, with gray, white, and black wings neatly folded behind her.

Her passionate voice ignited the enthusiasm of the spectators in the stands.

"This competition is divided into two groups: beginner and elite. Each group will hold team competitions and individual tournaments..."

The host's voice spread out, vaguely penetrating the large conference hall through the thin, anti- Psychic Energy glass.

"Hmm, it's started again. We have quite a few promising talents among our Demon Race this year, but I wonder how the Human Race and Beastfolk are doing."

The demon Demon Race, as the host, spoke first, but the other two races were not intimidated.

"Hehe, our Human Race children have always been quick learners; this year alone, we've spent quite a bit of time screening people!"

"The Beastfolk just randomly picked some decent children. But you Human Race, aren't you slow in your selection this year because you can't find anyone?"

"We Beastfolk are very worried about the future of our allies!"

The atmosphere froze instantly.

A single sentence from the Beastfolk representative directly touched a nerve with the Human Race.

Damn it, are you even eating fried dough sticks across the street?!

At this moment, the eyes of the group of highly respected Human Race representatives were all bloodshot and bulging with rage.

If it weren't for their reason, the luxurious solid wood chairs in the conference hall would already be in close contact with the head of the Beastfolk representative.

The Human Race all took a few deep breaths, suppressing the urge to quit.

One of the Human Race spoke up.

"Human Race possesses profound cultural heritage; there's no need for the Beastfolk to concern themselves with it."

The Demon Race watched with amusement as the other two races exchanged sarcastic remarks.

Historically, some members of the Demon Race are actually a hybrid group that split off from Human Race and Beastfolk.

But since they were forced to split off, it's easy to imagine how much the ancestors of the Demon Race hated Human Race and Beastfolk.

The Demon Race were enjoying themselves when the next sentence froze their smiles.

"However, instead of worrying about the future of Human Race, we should worry about the present state of the Demon Race."

"This past month in Qiongfang City has been quite 'lively'."

Damn it, they're coming for us!

The Demon Race representatives naturally understood the intentions of their superiors, but they couldn't very well say that the turmoil was intentional.

"With the New Year approaching, it's only right to have a lively atmosphere."

Oh my god, I read it but replied randomly.

The representatives of the other two races were speechless, and for a moment, the hall fell into an eerie silence.

"The competition is about to begin. Please welcome the contestants to the arena!"

The loud sound broke the deathly silence and warmed the room considerably.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, even though this wasn't a formal meeting or exchange; it was just some lighthearted banter before the main event.

Sure enough, using a friendly match as background noise made the meeting much more relaxed.

"Everyone, the match has started, let's watch it first."

"Hmm, that makes sense."

"Agree."

That's why they gathered here in the first place.

The team competitions over the past two days will likely influence the outcome of negotiations at the third day's exchange meeting.

Is it that serious?

After listening to Jiang Hongyan's explanation, Song Haomiao's face became serious.

"Hey, don't be so nervous."

Jiang Hongyan patted his back, somewhat amused.

"We're just a decoy. The three races are roughly equal in strength, so we need an excuse to gain the upper hand over our opponents. That's all."

"But we do represent the face of Human Race, don't we?"

"If you put it that way, then yes."

"Then we absolutely cannot lose! We need to get off to a flying start in this first game!"

"Don't worry, you're guaranteed to win!"

Jiang Hongyan raised her chin, glanced at the Beastfolk introductory tournament group entering from the opposite entrance, and chuckled.

"Just wait and see if I don't beat those bastards to death!"

"Entry-level team competition, match one! Let's welcome the Human Race and Beastfolk players!"

Jiang Hongyan, along with the other four Fourth-Realm Peak, stepped onto the wide circular arena.

They are Zhan Yuyun from the Chou City sect, Qu Yi from the Si City sect, and Fang Muyu from the Wei City Aristocratic Faction.

And Song Haomiao, from the Reformist Faction in Yin City.

Jiang Hongyan sighed, relieved that the Academic Cliques didn't care about the introductory competition, and then pulled herself out of her thoughts.

Ahead of her were the Beastfolk beginner tournament participants.

"They are Mantis and Rainwing Moth."

They are all common Beastfolk in the Ten-Thousand-Blade Tropical Rainforest, and it is difficult to judge whether they have any special mutated individuals just by looking at their appearance.

The contestants' appearances excited the spectators in the stands.

"Wow! This is the first time I've ever seen this kind of Beastfolk!"

"Dude, you're not from the Central Moonfall Continent, are you?"

How did you know?

"Hey! Mantis and Rainwing Moths are very common among the Beastfolk of the Myriad-Blade Rainforest!"

"'Seed'? What's that?"

People on the other side heard the conversation and came over as well.

The middle-aged woman, clearly a local, couldn't wait to share her knowledge when she saw people showing interest.

"What kind of classification system is 'race' for different ethnic groups?"

Then, she suddenly lowered her voice, "Just like the factions within our Human Race."

The surrounding Human Race immediately understood.

"They not only categorize people by appearance, but also form distinct lineages depending on the region."

Just as the Beastfolk are divided into the Myriad-Blade Rainforest lineage and the Lingyun River Rainforest lineage, even among Beastfolk, there are those who are closer and those who are less so.

"Isn't this even more chaotic than the internal strife within the Human Race?"

"Hard to say, I'd guess they're about the same."

The discussions in the audience did not affect the players on the field.

"Everyone, proceed according to the battle plan we used in practice."

"Receive!"

In an instant, the expressions of these young, inexperienced Human Race changed, and a sharp killing intent emanated from their bodies.

At the same time, an even more ferocious aura suddenly erupted.

It was a provocation from the Beastfolk, a provocation jointly launched by five Fourth-Realm Peak Beastfolk.

Having spent years fighting and hunting in the rainforest, they are vastly different in their killing skills from the Human Race cubs who have little practical combat experience.

But that doesn't mean the Human Race players will lose!

"The match begins!"

Jiang Hongyan struck first, unleashing a burst of blazing Heavenly Flames that aimed straight for the team leader's head!

Song Haomiao, also a strong attacker, followed closely behind, ready to share the burden of attacks coming from the flank with his team leader.

A dreamlike mist began to spread through the air, Fang Muyu, standing behind, seemed to disappear into the mist.

Zhan Yuyun and Qu Yi followed a few steps behind, ensuring an escape route for the two attackers ahead.

The entire process was seamlessly coordinated, with no trace of the factions nearly fighting tooth and nail for power.

However, if winning were that easy, how would the author pad the word count?

"Clang!"

The Beastfolk warriors were no pushovers. A greatsword constructed of flames was blocked by a mantis as tall as a person, and the milky white mist was washed away by the rain.

The first round, which was a tentative exchange, ended in a draw.

The battle has now reached a stalemate.

"Ha--"

Shisui yawned, bored.

I reckon these little Karami from the Fourth Realm will be fighting for another hour or so.

This ridiculous conference is going to last five days, it's unbelievable.

Let's speed things up; I don't want to see these noobs fighting each other.

(Having received many writing suggestions, the author felt it necessary to add the concept of "species" to Human Race races to distinguish between different forms of life within the same race.)

The author will gradually add patches to the earlier chapters later on, which will not affect the plot. Readers who have reached this point do not need to bother flipping back.

Hopefully, this won't cause any unnecessary trouble for our readers.

I apologize if this has affected your reading experience.