Meng Chao fell into deep thought.
"I can understand the meaning of 'arena.' Indeed, gathering dozens of carbon-based humanoid intelligent life forms that clearly originated from different planets and ecological environments onto the same planet—other than making us fight one another in pairs and determine who stands above the rest, there seemed to be no second explanation. It was like the gladiatorial arena of Turan Civilization. Every civilization that crossed into this place was a gladiator forced to slaughter one another for survival."
Meng Chao frowned. "But how should 'Culture Dish' and 'Incubation Pool' be explained?"
"Did your Homeworld also have fish that migrated upstream to spawn?"
The voice spoke calmly. "Such fish generally spent their entire lives migrating constantly. At different stages of life, they lived in environments best suited to that stage.
"To breed more offspring, and to ensure those offspring received sufficient nourishment and a stable environment, they traveled vast distances from rivers to lakes, where they laid countless eggs.
"When the eggs grew into fry, the fry would march from tranquil lakes toward surging rivers. No matter how many hardships and obstacles lay along the way, no matter how many companions had to sacrifice their lives, the little fish still pressed onward one after another, charging toward the rolling rivers and even the boundless ocean.
"Only thus could frail little fish, too weak to stir even half a ripple in a lake, grow into giant kun capable of overturning rivers and seas, even turning heaven and earth upside down."
Meng Chao understood what the voice meant.
"You mean our respective Homeworlds are like tranquil lakes, while this place is the river?"
Meng Chao pondered. "No, this place probably isn't the true river yet. It is merely a somewhat larger lake. Beyond this planet, there should be