"...Chechi Team, Combat Zone D, number ninety-seven!"
A brawny cultivator trudged down from the drawing platform with his head hanging low—clearly, he had drawn a poor lot and landed himself a troublesome opponent.
By now, nearly a third of the lots had been drawn, and several noteworthy powerhouses already had their results. Some were celebrating, while others were lamenting their luck.
"It's our turn, Supervisor Liu!" Xiang Shaoyu called out nervously.
Liu Jinghe stepped forward without hesitation. Under the eyes of the teams and adjudicators, he took a deep breath and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Imperial Lord. I am Liu Jinghe, supervisor of the Huoyun Team."
Puxian gave a simple nod. "Draw your lot."
"Yes!"
Liu Jinghe steadied himself, hoping to draw a favorable lot and live up to everyone's trust... Just then, a few more gazes turned toward him.
As a newly established bloodline city, Huoyun had developed rapidly in a short time. Under Iron Rakshasa's rule, it was already showing signs of completely dominating the surrounding region. On top of that, word had recently spread that Huoyun City had secured the backing of the Luoshen Holy Land.
Before long, Huoyun City might annex the neighboring cities and officially join the ranks of the Lower Continents... Once it became Huoyun Continent, Iron Rakshasa would very likely cross the imperial threshold in short order and become an Empress of a Lower Continent.
"I wonder how strong Huoyun is..."
"I hear they're pretty good. Apparently, they've even fought Xiliang, one of the regulars in the top five..."
"Huoyun City has plenty of momentum, but its foundations are shallow. Competing with the major Lower Continent teams is still a stretch... They should put on an impressive showing in the contest for places fifty through ninety-nine."
"Outside the top twelve, they're all just background!"