Star Swallow, Mo Kui, Pangu

Everyone sat in the audience seats, chatting casually.

The concept of time was always vague to the strong. Some spent several Void Ember Seasons playing around, while others went into seclusion for dozens of Void Ember Years.

By comparison, the hundred-odd hours spent waiting for the competition could only be called brief.

With three hours left before the competition, Qin Heng saw Qiang Lan.

The burly man had come alone. No Heaven Heart Clan experts followed him, nor did he have friends or family by his side.

After arriving, he seemed to notice Qin Heng and glanced over, his gaze carrying a hint of interest.

He knows me? Qin Heng wondered.

Qiang Lan took the last seat in the preparation area.

Seeing this, Qin Heng said something to his friends and family before entering the preparation area as well.

Qin Heng's group number was 19, while Qiang Lan's was 20. They were seated right next to each other.

Everyone else had already arrived. When Qiang Lan sat down, the people beside him merely nodded in greeting.

But when Qin Heng arrived, many contestants rose directly to greet him.

"Qin Heng of Purple Snow Star, a pleasure, a pleasure!"

"Big Brother, please go easy on me later. Don't make me lose too badly."

"Senior Qin Heng, I'm human too. Please go a little easy on me!"

Everyone held deep respect for the highest-scoring person in their group.

They knew they could not defeat Qin Heng and would soon be eliminated.

Yet no one chose to withdraw. After all, this might be one of the few chances in their lives to come into contact with a true prodigy.

Qin Heng smiled politely. "No need to be so courteous, everyone. We're all from the same era. Just call me by name."

Kano, the