Starfall Arena

The ten-day deadline passed in the blink of an eye.

When Lin Feng, following the Jiangnan City competition team, boarded the special magnetic levitation train bound for the Provincial Capital, an atmosphere vastly different from Jiangnan City, one more grand and solemn, assaulted him.

The train shuttled through the clouds, with skyscrapers resembling a steel forest rapidly receding below, alongside more martial arts arenas, research institutes, and unknown areas shrouded in energy shields. The concentration of Spiritual Energy in the air was noticeably higher than in Jiangnan City, but it was also more restless, as if containing countless conflicts and rivalries.

"So this is the Provincial Capital..." Lin Feng gazed out the window, his expression calm, yet his heart churned. He could feel the countless powerful presences lurking within the city, like dormant ferocious beasts.

The train finally stopped at a massive, suspended station shaped like a soaring eagle. The group then transferred to a dedicated shuttle vehicle, heading towards the venue for the main provincial competition—the Starfall Arena!

When the legendary arena truly appeared before his eyes, even Lin Feng, with his composure, couldn't help but be awestruck.

It wasn't built on the ground but was a colossal, ring-shaped structure suspended in mid-air, spanning over ten kilometers in diameter! It was constructed entirely from some kind of dark silver unknown metal, its surface shimmering with a luster like that of stars. The outer walls of the arena were engraved with countless intricate and ancient runes, subtly resonating with the energy of heaven and earth. From a distance, it didn't look like a man-made structure but rather a miniature star forcibly restrained here!

"It is said that the 'Starfall Arena' is a product of the fusion of ancient ruins and modern technology. At its core lies a genuine piece of extraterrestrial meteorite, containing mysterious power," the Jiangnan City Education Department official leading the team said, his voice filled with pride and reverence. "Only major competitions at the provincial level or higher are qualified to be held here!"

The shuttle vehicle passed through an energy detection gate and slowly drove into the arena's interior.

The scene before them changed again. The ring-shaped stands were layered, capable of accommodating hundreds of thousands of people. It was now a sea of people, with deafening roars. The center of the arena was not a traditional stage but a vast area divided by powerful energy barriers, simulating various extreme environments—deserts, jungles, glaciers, volcanoes, and even a miniature ocean!

This was the stage for the main provincial competition! Far grander, more complex, and more brutal than the city-level qualifiers!

The Jiangnan City team was guided to their designated resting area. As soon as they sat down, Lin Feng felt countless gazes projected from all directions. Curiosity, scrutiny, disdain, hostility... a mixture of emotions.

"Look, the people from Jiangnan City are here."

"Is that Lin Feng? The dual Top Scholar from the mock exam and qualifying round? He doesn't look like much."

"Hmph, how much value can a Top Scholar from a small place like Jiangnan City have? I bet he's never seen a true genius!"

"The cold, sword-carrying guy next to him must be Zhao Feng, right? I heard his sword intent is very strong."

Whispers drifted over, filled with the inherent sense of superiority of martial artists from the provincial capital.

Lin Feng closed his eyes to rest, unmoved. His Spiritual Power, however, quietly spread out like liquid mercury, sensing the powerful and noteworthy presences around him.

In the eastern resting area, a group of students in fiery red uniforms exuded a scorching aura. The one leading them had hair like fire and an arrogant gaze, and the surrounding temperature seemed to rise slightly. He was likely a genius from "Lieyang Martial High" who specialized in fire-element cultivation.

To the west were students with cold auras and elusive movements, from the "Shadowy Specter Academy," known for assassination and cunning tactics.

To the north, several exceptionally tall students with bulging muscles and skin with a faint metallic sheen were particularly striking. They were disciples of the "Vajra Gate," specializing in body refinement.

To the south...

Lin Feng's Spiritual Power paused slightly as it swept across the southern resting area. There weren't many people, only about a dozen, but each of them exuded extremely pure and powerful energy fluctuations—sharp, heavy, or ethereal. Their attire was not uniform, but they all wore a special emblem on their chests: a star encircling a northern cross.

"Beichen Martial University... Affiliated Middle School," Lin Feng recognized the emblem. These individuals could be considered half students of Beichen Martial University, having received the most elite resources and guidance since childhood. They were the universally acknowledged top seed candidates for this year's provincial competition!

As if sensing Lin Feng's spiritual probe, a young man in white, who had been resting with his eyes closed in the Beichen Affiliated Middle School group, suddenly opened his eyes. His gaze was as clear as an infant's, yet as profound as the starry sky, directly piercing the distance and colliding with Lin Feng's spiritual perception.

There were no sparks, no hostility, only a pure curiosity and inquiry.

Lin Feng's heart tightened, and he instantly withdrew his Spiritual Power. The young man in white felt like an unfathomable abyss; his strength was likely even above Zhao Feng's!

"That's the 'Star魁' of Beichen Affiliated Middle School's current cohort, Qin Wushuang," Zhao Feng's cold voice came from beside him. He had also opened his eyes at some point, his gaze sharply fixed on the south. "It's said he possesses the 'Star Constellation Battle Body' and has already reached the peak of the Martial Artist realm. He's the hottest favorite for this year's provincial competition championship."

Star Constellation Battle Body? Peak Martial Artist? Lin Feng's expression grew serious. As expected, the stage of the provincial competition was filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers!

Just as the students from various cities began to arrive and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, several figures appeared out of thin air on the high platform in the center of the arena! A powerful pressure swept across the entire venue like a tide, instantly silencing all the clamor!

The one leading them was an elder dressed in a purple-gold robe, with an ancient face. As his eyes opened and closed, it seemed as if the sun, moon, and stars revolved within them. His aura was as deep as the sea; he was clearly a powerful being who had surpassed the Martial Master realm!

"It's the Vice President of the Provincial Martial Arts Association, Star River Martial King!"

Good heavens! A Martial King-level expert in person!

A collective gasp of cold air echoed through the crowd. All the students instinctively straightened their backs, their eyes filled with reverence and fervor.

Star River Martial King calmly scanned the tens of thousands of students below. His voice, though not loud, clearly reached the depths of everyone's souls: "Little ones, welcome to the Starfall Arena."

"The pursuit of martial arts is like rowing against the current. The provincial competition is selection, it is tempering, and even more so, it is opportunity! The rules are simple—you will enter the central 'Myriad Phenomena Battlefield.' There will be Yao Beasts, heavenly treasures, and each other. Seizing others' points, hunting Yao Beasts, and finding treasures will all earn you points! Ten days later, the top one hundred by points will advance to the final round!"

"Within the battlefield, killing is not forbidden, but the use of one-time large-scale destructive weapons and external forces exceeding one's own realm is strictly prohibited. Life and death... are up to fate!"

"Now, the main provincial competition begins!"

As Star River Martial King's words fell, the massive energy barrier in the center emitted a hum and slowly opened an entrance wide enough for dozens of people to pass abreast! Beyond the entrance lay the bizarre and perilous Myriad Phenomena Battlefield!

"Charge!"

"Seize the initiative!"

After a brief silence, tens of thousands of students, like a breached dam, erupted with earth-shattering roars, rushing towards the entrance in a mad scramble!

Lin Feng and Zhao Feng exchanged glances, seeing the solemnity and fighting spirit in each other's eyes.

Without hesitation, the two moved. Like two arrows loosed from a bow, they merged into the surging crowd and shot into the unknown battlefield.

The moment Lin Feng's figure disappeared into the entrance, in an inconspicuous corner of the spectator stands, a cold gaze, like that of a venomous snake, locked onto the direction he vanished. The corner of the gazer's mouth curled into a cruel arc.

The hunt had begun.