Cosmic Arena, Forced Conscription

Earth, China.

Zu'an City.

Yanbei University, Teaching Building No. 5, Classroom 5402.

On the podium, the instructor, sporting dark circles under his eyes, listlessly droned through a PowerPoint presentation for the students.

Below the podium, almost all the students' gazes were fixed on the seat by the window in the second-to-last row on the left side of the classroom—Zhou Zhe's seat.

Two months ago, a lofty voice had resounded across the globe.

The entity arrogantly announced: Earth had been added to the list of participating stars in the Cosmic Arena.

Periodically, it would randomly select a group of "Gladiators" from Earth as beings to amuse it.

It, not he!

The power displayed by this entity was almost godlike!

No one knew its name or identity.

Although its words did not belong to any known language system on Earth, people from all over the world could understand its meaning.

It soon proved its words with actions…

Without regard for age, gender, race, or status!

Workers, farmers, management from Fortune 500 companies…

American vagrants, Wall Street financial geniuses, ordinary office workers…

Scientists, programmers working 996 hours, teachers, Japanese high school students, Chinese otaku…

As long as one lived on Earth, as long as one was human, no one could escape the selection of Gladiators!

As of today, the Cosmic Arena had forcibly conscripted eight batches of Earthlings!

Each batch varied in number, with the smallest batch having only five or six people, and the largest over a hundred.

According to statistics from enthusiastic individuals in the public, Earth's participants so far numbered four hundred and sixty-five.

And those who were still alive today…

Totaling only seven people!

A survival rate of 1.5%!

Zhou Zhe was a member of the ninth batch of conscripted Cosmic Gladiators!

The Deity, well-versed in the principle that sharing joy is better than enjoying it alone, conducted synchronized live broadcasts at the start of each gladiatorial match, forcing all Earthlings to watch.

After watching eight rounds of cosmic battles, people no longer held much hope for the quality of Earthlings.

Compared to most aliens, Earthlings held no advantage in physical fitness, knowledge, or combat experience.

In everyone's opinion, Zhou Zhe's lifespan likely had only seven days left!

"Zhou Zhe… what a pity."

Someone started it, and as soon as the words were spoken, the classroom instantly became noisy.

"Do you think he can actually survive?"

"I heard that the Gladiators who survive are rewarded with superpowers!"

"Manipulating flames, flying with their bodies, ice powers… it's practically like Devil Fruits without the side effects! I wonder if there are Sharingan, Byakugan, Rinnegan, Tenseigan? I really want one!"

"Bro, aren't the power systems from Chinese mythology amazing? Taotie, Kunpeng, Great Peacock King, Lingming Stone Monkey, they're all pretty good! And even if you go back further, the power systems in Battle Through the Heavens, Ever Night, and A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality are truly invincible later on! If you like Western fantasy power systems, the mysterious sequences in Lord of the Mysteries are also super cool!"

"Hmph, what kind of trash is Kunpeng? Weak as hell, can it even beat a ninja? Besides, who the hell knows what a Taotie is! I've never even heard of it! As for turning qi into a horse? Are you trying to kill me with laughter!"

"This toxic commenter really knows how to ruin the mood. Ignore him!"

"Zhou Zhe, listen to me! If you survive, remember to use your points to redeem the cultivator system! That can be taught to others!"

"Are you stupid? Redeeming a sword cultivator is the correct choice! Fast cultivation, fierce combat power! Many times stronger than traditional cultivators!"

"As if you've ever seen a cultivator, you're just talking nonsense here…"

"Sword Immortals are indeed cool, stylish, and incredibly powerful, but customizing an extraordinary system with points is the real way to go!"

"Hearing you guys talk, I'm almost envious of Zhou Zhe!"

"Tsk tsk… if I offered to switch with him, would you agree?"

"Are you crazy! Of course not! I haven't lived enough yet!"

"Exactly! Fighting alien Gladiators is no different from suicide! This death rate is even more exaggerated than the legendary first Main God Space, who could handle that!"

The instructor stood in the bustling classroom, shrugged helplessly, glanced at his watch, and sighed, "That's all for this class. You guys… have self-study."

With that, he quickly left the classroom.

The appearance of the Cosmic Arena had brought about significant changes to Earth.

Perhaps the number of people who died in the arena was far less than those who died from car accidents or the flu, but humanity's despair index had significantly increased, and it seemed everyone was living more "recklessly" because of it.

A professor who suddenly announced his resignation in the prime of his life.

A professional esports player who rushed out of his cubicle mid-match during a life-or-death game to engage in a real-life PK with his opponent.

A top-tier celebrity who officially came out of the closet.

A programmer mogul who quit his job to go on a spontaneous trip.

As the focus of attention, Zhou Zhe finally snapped out of his daze.

"I... was chosen?"

Zhou Zhe blankly looked at the black sword and shield pattern that appeared on the back of his hand—it was the mark of a Cosmic Gladiator, a brand left by the Deities.

He raised his head and glanced at the wall clock next to the projector, silently calculating the time: "It's been five minutes since the ninth batch of chosen ones was announced!"

"Meaning, I've already wasted five minutes."

Zhou Zhe abruptly stood up, pushed aside the students swarming around him, and stumbled out of the classroom.

In the classroom, a young girl in a gray long dress quietly watched Zhou Zhe's retreating back, her eyes flickering, her red lips tightly pursed, as if she were struggling with something.

Zhou Zhe walked through the tree-lined path, past the artificial lake and the East District cafeteria, exited the school gate, and got on the No. 15 city bus. After passing seven stops, he finally arrived home.

He went upstairs, took out his key, and pushed open the door.

With a blank mind, Zhou Zhe came to his senses and found himself already sitting at home.

"Wasted another half hour!"

He subconsciously ran his hands through his hair, a pained expression appearing on his handsome face: "There's no time to waste!"

"No... I can't do this!"

"Haste makes waste."

"I must calm down if I have any chance of surviving in the Cosmic Arena seven days from now!"

With this thought, Zhou Zhe took a deep breath, holding it in. After a long moment, he exhaled the stale air.

His pounding heart finally managed to resume a normal rhythm.

After pacing around the room for a while, Zhou Zhe found an old, dust-covered notebook from the bookshelf and a pen.

"I'll try the method from Robinson Crusoe."

"I'll analyze my current situation using a debt and credit table."

"First disadvantage: Compared to most alien races, my physical condition as an Earthling is inferior. A 1.5% survival rate isn't a joke!"

"Then, the first advantage: I've been consciously training my physical condition since the first Cosmic Arena broadcast two months ago."

"Running, push-ups, squats, sit-ups, pull-ups, frog jumps, burpees..."

"At least, I've trained myself!"

"My stamina, agility, strength, and explosive power are all much better than they were two months ago! My survival rate must be greater than the average for Earth participants!"

And so, Zhou Zhe wrote down a disadvantage, then an advantage, cycling back and forth, hoping to clarify his thoughts, find a way to break through, and find a way to survive!

As Zhou Zhe filled two pages of the notebook, the door to his room was suddenly pushed open.

A middle-aged man in a brown coat with greasy hair barged into the room.

He threw himself onto the sofa, exuding a strong smell of alcohol.

This was Zhou Zhe's father, Zhou Yulin.

His gaze fell on Zhou Zhe's wrist, and upon seeing the black sword and shield brand, he paused for a moment, then said drunkenly, "Huh? Kid... you've been drafted?"

Every chosen Cosmic Gladiator was specially marked by the Deities. Anyone who looked at them would immediately receive this information.

The Cosmic Gladiator brand could not be faked!

Those blasphemers who attempted to fake it with tattoos had already paid with their lives.

"Yes."

Zhou Zhe nodded, looking at his disheveled father, a hint of anticipation in his voice: "Seven days from now, I might die, so..."

Before he could finish, Zhou Yulin grinned slyly, pulled out his phone, opened his friend group, and started sending voice messages: "Brothers! My son Zhou Zhe has been chosen as a Cosmic Gladiator!"

"Now, the bookies are opening the odds!"

"Those betting on him to live get 98 to 1, those betting on him to die get 1 to..."

The light in Zhou Zhe's eyes instantly vanished. He expressionlessly tossed the notebook aside.

This guy was, as expected, still the same drunkard and gambler.

Perhaps he should never have held out any hope.

"Son, you still have some money left from your part-time job, right? Give it all to me!"

Zhou Yulin said.

Zhou Zhe just stared coldly at him, saying nothing.

Seeing this, Zhou Yulin's expression changed. He seemed to have thought of something and immediately became furious, roaring, "Damn it! Don't tell me you paid all the tuition!"

"You're practically dying, why would you pay tuition? That over ten thousand yuan just went down the drain? No! I'm going to find the school leaders right now to demand an explanation!"

After spitting his words, the middle-aged man pushed the door open and left.

After an unknown amount of time, the door was suddenly knocked.

"Excuse me... is Zhou Zhe home?"

A crisp, oriole-like maiden's voice awakened Zhou Zhe, who was as stiff as a statue.

Yang Fan! Set sail!

The troublemaking journey has begun!

Today is a good day!

May you be beaten by society for half your life, and still be able to celebrate Children's Day upon your return!

Maintain a childlike heart, maintain joy~