Expansion Competition (I)

"This one is a water-element Mid-level God. She should have comprehended the two Mysteries of 'Mist Illusion' and 'Water Element.'" Korur picked up a dossier. "Her file says she is highly skilled in Illusion Techniques."

"Muta, a Wind-element Mid-level God, is proficient in at least four Mysteries: 'Wind Walking Technique,' 'Speed,' 'Wind Element,' and 'Cloning Technique.' Ordinary Mid-level Gods cannot keep up with his speed at all. He is a formidable opponent."

Much of the information Kaer had gathered was already many years old.

They could only use it as a reference.

Amid everyone's tense anticipation, the day of the Expansion Competition finally arrived.

For this competition, everything within dozens of miles around Blade City had been razed flat, replaced by five hundred arenas arranged with Blade City at their center.

Even within Blade City, enormous commotions could be heard from all directions at every moment.

Anyone unaware of the truth would probably think Blade City was being besieged on all sides.

These arenas were divided into twenty regions, each overseen by a High-God. Everyone had likewise been separated into their respective regions.

Of those High-Gods, fifteen had originally been Hundred Guards of the Blade Army, while the remaining five were all powerful High-Gods who had newly joined the Blade Army.

As for the Army Lord and the three Deputy Generals, they would watch the progress of the competition at all times from the center of Blade City.

Jie Ning looked at the familiar face floating above the twenty-five arenas in his region, and felt it was impossible for this competition not to be rigged.

Remembering how Beile had asked Kala to tell them beforehand not to worry, he truly felt much more at ease now.

The person in charge of the arenas in Jie Ning's area was none other than the Brother Beile they all knew.

Moreover, looking at the people beside him—Mosang, Korur... not one was missing. They were all here with him.

Many Blade Army "veterans" were also familiar faces to Jie Ning. At the very least, they had met a few times.

Beile seemed to notice Jie Ning looking at him and glanced over in this direction a few times.

Wonderful, Jie Ning inwardly sighed. With Beile overseeing this side of the competition, Mosang and the others at least have a basic guarantee of safety.

I suppose every Hundred Guard arranged the people they knew better into the areas under their own control.

Setting aside his faint worries for Korur, Mosang, and the others, Jie Ning felt the blazing battle intent of the crowd around him.

A long-lost fervor could not help rising in Jie Ning's heart as well.

"Jie Ning, good luck." Jie Ning turned around. It was Korur.

"Korur, you too." Jie Ning could tell that Korur was excited as well.

"Calm your mind. Once we get on the stage, we absolutely must keep our composure steady." Mosang rambled on, clearly saying this more for himself than anyone else.

"Mosang, relax. I'm afraid few people here can break through your Water Circle Defense in a short time." Jie Ning comforted him. As comrades-in-arms for many years, he knew Mosang's strength very well.

Jie Ning looked around, wanting to see whether there was anyone in his area whose information he had previously read.

"Jie Ning, Arena 201." Beile's voice suddenly rang out in the air.

"Ah." Jie Ning froze for a moment. He was first?

However, Jie Ning quickly came to his senses and flew toward the corresponding arena.

"Relax." Jie Ning received a Telepathic Message from Beile. "Other than Dinar, the opponents of the rest of you can all be dealt with without worry."

"Of course, don't worry. I won't let anything happen to that kid Dinar either."

Hearing this, Jie Ning nearly failed to control his expression.

Although Jie Ning had long guessed there would be some rigging, he had not expected it to be rigged this thoroughly!

Standing on the arena, Jie Ning looked at the crowd packed all around him, and his heart surged with emotion. This was the first time he had seen such a crowded scene in Hell.

One had to know that those surrounding the arena were no ordinary people. The vast sea of people consisted of Mid-level Gods, one after another.

Looking down at the many impassioned faces below the stage, Jie Ning felt a faint sense of regret.

What a pity... this round had already been arranged.

"Mosang, Arena 213."

"Korur, Arena 225."

Almost everyone Jie Ning knew had been assigned to the first round.

At this moment, Jie Ning saw someone rise into the air from the center of Blade City in the distance.

"'Army Lord'..." At this moment, Jie Ning could hear the cries of many people.

So this is the Army Lord? This counted as Jie Ning's first time seeing him in person, though he was still viewing him from an extremely great distance and could only make out a silhouette...

"I welcome everyone to join the Blade Army," a calm yet imposing voice rang out from high in the sky, covering the range of every arena. "The Blade Army will also give you everything you desire, but you must fight for it yourselves."

"Now, today's arenas are the first opportunity I'm giving you. As long as you can win, you'll receive more than others."

Having said that, the Army Lord vanished from the air.

That's it? Nothing else? Jie Ning was somewhat speechless. Such a huge display, and he only said two sentences?

However, Jie Ning looked at the crowd around the arenas, who were gradually growing excited. Looks like quite a few people are buying into this.

"Alright, all of you should already understand today's competition rules." Beile spoke, drawing everyone's attention in the area. "As long as you win three matches in an arena, you will become a Captain in the Blade Army from then on. More than thirty Middle-Gods under your command will obey your orders."

Though he had known this news already, Jie Ning still secretly marveled at it. Every Blade Army veteran had a chance to become a Captain this time, and the Blade Army had originally numbered over ten thousand Soldiers.

A Captain could command thirty Middle-Gods. In other words, this Expansion had attracted at least three hundred thousand Middle-Gods.

"Then, everyone who wishes to challenge, choose an arena and step onto it." Beile gave the order.

In an instant, dozens of figures appeared on Jie Ning's arena, and the same happened on the other arenas.

Of course, even more people remained where they were, watching cautiously. For Middle-Gods who had survived in Hell, caution was equally important.

Unless you possessed strength that could crush everything.

Jie Ning almost instantly guessed why people like him had been arranged in the first round.

The next moment, Beile's voice rang out by Jie Ning's ear once more. "The sixth and ninth from the left in the first row; the ninth and eleventh from the right in the second row; the twelfth from the left in the fifth row... Choose from among these people."

"Next, the arena defenders may select three people from among all challengers." Beile's voice echoed across the twenty-five arenas, his tone righteous and imposing. "This competition is absolutely fair. Those who aren't selected had better not try any little tricks."

"...I choose these three." Jie Ning very seriously selected three people from the list Beile had provided.

When the others saw Jie Ning's choices, although some unwillingness showed on their faces, they quickly returned beneath the arena. After all, this was only the first round...

"Matches will begin one-on-one in the order of selection."

"All participants in position... The match begins."

Jie Ning looked at the one person remaining before him.

"I am Tamu. Please instruct me." The man stood at least three meters tall, with yellowish-black skin that faintly gleamed with a metallic luster.

It had to be said that those who comprehended the laws of earth always seemed rather honest and straightforward.

"Jie Ning..." Before Jie Ning had even finished stating his name, Tamu threw a punch straight at his face.

Unfortunately, most of that is just an illusion.

"Die."

A Doppelganger instantly formed and met Tamu's fist head-on.

They were evenly matched.

At the very least, he has the Power Profound Mystery! Jie Ning assessed inwardly.

"How is that possible?! It's fake." Tamu seemed to be doubting something.

A trace of confusion rose in Jie Ning's heart. This man didn't seem like a plant.

Yet the question in his heart did not hinder his movements. The next moment, five more Doppelgangers surged toward Tamu and surrounded him.

They were stronger than him, more numerous than him, and recovered faster than him...

Jie Ning could now skillfully incorporate the Power of Life into them as well.

"Ah~" The victor was decided.

Looking at the fallen Tamu, Jie Ning felt some regret. The other man's identity was unclear, making it unsuitable to use the Earth Seed. Otherwise, since this man had also comprehended the Power Profound Mystery, perhaps he could have given Jie Ning some different insights.

"Does Arena 201 need rest?" Beile still wore a stern expression. "The victor has the right to rest for half an hour."

"You can hit these guys as hard as you like. It doesn't matter if they die." Beile seemed to have noticed Jie Ning's doubts and sent him another Telepathic Message.

"They recently bought information on you. We touched it up a little."

Understanding dawned on Jie Ning, though he was also rather speechless. What were these people thinking, buying information on the Blade Army in Blade City?

The information Kala obtained probably has some serious problems too. Drawing an inference from this, Jie Ning immediately recalled the intelligence Kala had received. It had been far too detailed.

There's probably truth mixed with lies in it. If someone fought based on that information, they'd be walking straight into the tiger's den like sheep.

"No need to rest. Send up the next one." Though many thoughts had crossed his mind, Jie Ning remained calm on the surface as he continued the competition.

Thanks to "Book Friend 20230127273Ac" for the monthly vote.

The first chapter today didn't feel right, so here's an extra chapter.

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