Preliminary Round

"Make way, make way! Those who aren't registering, don't block the way here!"

"Maintain order and line up to register!"

"You're here for the Preliminary Round too? Wow, aren't you a casual player?"

"Hmph, he was just pretending to be weak to take advantage of others. This time, I have no choice but to reveal my true identity."

"Just give it a try, maybe we can get matched with a pro. If we get matched with the legendary Qiu Yu, hehehe, it'll be worth it even if we get burned to death!"

That's enough.

"I just want to be matched with that Lang Chu, to get revenge."

The registration area in Istaria was packed with people, a bustling scene with thousands of players lining up in a long queue.

Registration for the Preliminary Round is in full swing. The registration fee is not expensive, only fifty Silver Ginar and 100 experience points, which is affordable even for new players.

The current "Erezege" has 400,000 players, of whom 100,000 actively participated in this event, bringing the Empire a huge profit of 50,000 Ginar and 1 million experience points.

"These Starfallers are truly insane."

"You do not say."

"Anyway, these Starfallers won't die, so let them fight it out. We can just watch and have some fun."

"I heard that Dragon Blood Noble are participating in this competition."

"Oh? Then I'll have to take a good look! Let's see what these lunatics are capable of!"

"Haha, I wonder if they'll be able to give us a good time!"

In the "Blood and Fire" tavern next to the Istaria Arena, a group of burly men gazed at the distant team, raised their glasses, and drank heartily.

They were all gladiators of the empire.

The Empire released a large number of tickets for the Preliminary Round and knockout rounds, allowing Imperial People who are not players to participate in this grand event.

The Istaria Grand Arena has been hosting gladiatorial matches for years and has developed a loyal following.

Gladiators were mainly composed of specially trained prisoners of war and death row inmates. They fought in the arena with shields and short swords, and even battled wild beasts such as lions and brown bears to entertain the audience.

For the Imperial People, watching gladiatorial games was a "noble" form of entertainment, as many gladiators were former Northern Nobles and officers due to the end of the the North Unification War.

Watching the once arrogant and high-ranking nobles fight for survival is undoubtedly a pleasure for many of the imperial subjects of low status in the old the North.

Some people even buy their way into the competition, sign a waiver of their right to life or death, and become so-called "free gladiators."

Now, tickets for this grand gladiatorial tournament have become a hot commodity among gladiators in the Empire, with prices soaring to exorbitant levels.

People were well aware of the strength of these Starfallers and eagerly anticipated their various methods.

The Preliminary Round were not held in the Istaria Grand Arena, but in 154 ordinary arenas scattered throughout the Embers of the Burned Empire, lasting for seven days.

One thousand players who pass the Preliminary Round will enter the final elimination rounds to showcase their skills at the Istaria Grand Arena, an opportunity many players dream of.

In the crowded queue, players about to reach the registration desk had trembling hands and excited expressions.

"From six in the morning until now, is it finally my turn?"

The player's nickname above his head was clearly "Luan Shi Fusheng". He was a Fighter player who followed the Champion Warrior branch and had also used Dragon Vein Potion, but the concentration was not very high.

"Luan Shi Fusheng" is neither a Internal Beta nor a member of any elite club.

But with his dedication, he ate all his meals in the game pod and took on dozens of tasks every day, managing to reach the level cap of this version—level 8.

His dream is to make a name for himself in the competition, be noticed by those big clubs, and become a real professional gamer.

Have you ever seen the Hill Giant Canyon at 2 AM? Have you ever seen the Hazy Hills at 4 AM? I've seen it all! And I've Luan Shi Fusheng quests there!

He lowered his head, covered his eyes, and trembled all over. "Hahaha, countless trials, countless battles, the time has finally come for me to show my skills! All you masters, bring it on!"

Are you fucking delusional?

An impatient voice came from behind, abruptly ending the emotional monologue of "Luan Shi Fusheng".

"Hurry up, don't block the road."

"Exactly, there are thousands of people waiting behind us. Are you wasting everyone's time by doing this?"

"Dude, have you been reading too many novels?"

"Oh."

In this Luan Shi Fusheng lowered his hands from his face, composed himself, and walked forward dejectedly.

"I want to register for the Preliminary Round."

He handed over fifty Silver Ginar and clicked on the "Agree to submit 100xp" message on the panel.

The Yuan-ti from the Empire greeted him with his usual gentle smile, accepted the Silver Coin, quickly counted them, and then took out a bronze plaque from the counter.

"Okay, here is your competition certificate. Please keep it safe."

"Contestant No. 22054, please proceed to the First District located in the southwestern suburbs of Istaria for the competition."

In the midst of Luan Shi Fusheng accepted the bronze medal as if it were a priceless treasure. The slight displeasure he had just felt from being interrupted vanished, and he became excited once again.

"It's actually the First District!"

"22054, 22054, the more I say this number, the smoother it sounds! I really am the chosen one!"

"Let's go quickly."

"You've already registered, why are you still occupying the toilet without using it?"

Impatient urging from the players behind them could be heard again.

In this Luan Shi Fusheng did not argue, but turned around and left, a resolute look flashing in his eyes.

Hmph, you are witnessing the birth of a legend!

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, never underestimate a young person's potential! I have experienced hardships that are unimaginable to ordinary people, and have paid countless amounts of sweat and energy.

And my legendary career in this Luan Shi Fusheng begins now, starting with this Preliminary Round! On the way to the Preliminary Round venue, I met several familiar players.

"Wow, isn't this the Yi Li Di?"

"Sure enough, he's here too!"

"Luan Shi Fusheng! That's the legendary person who worked himself to the bone for three days and three nights straight, ending up in the hospital!"

Upon hearing the other party's "praise," Luan Shi Fusheng remained silent, striving to maintain the image of a stern and unsmiling master.

But he couldn't help but say, "Oh? You guys are also going to participate in the competition? Maybe we can even have a match against each other later."

If their opponents were them, they might not need to expend too much effort to advance to the knockout stage.

This is what he thought about Luan Shi Fusheng.

The players shook their heads repeatedly. The player with the ID [AAA Jiancai Wang Ge] at the front said, "We are all new players who started playing during the Empire era. We don't grind as much as you, so we won't embarrass ourselves by going up there."

"Then why are you also going to the Preliminary Round venue?" asked Luan Shi Fusheng curiously.

Jian Cai Wang Ge laughed heartily and said, "Let's go watch the game! There are quite a few star players in the First District today!"

"Etc."

He paused, his tone becoming somewhat subtle.

"Fusheng, you're not going to a competition today too, are you?"

"Um."

Luan Shi Fusheng nodded, then said firmly, "No matter how skilled the opponent is, I will meet force with force and water with water."

"Ah, okay, then I wish you success in advancing."

Jian Cai Wang Ge scratched his head, watching the Luan Shi Fusheng leave behind a domineering figure, a look of pity on his face.

Seeing the other player walk away, the player next to him whispered, "Brother Wang, do you think Yi Li Di will be able to advance?"

"His dedication is unmatched by many in the entire server. Although he started playing a bit late, he shouldn't be unable to make it to the knockout stage."

"Yeah, that's why he's called the Yi Li Di. The last time I saw him was in the Ancient Ruins. He could stay in that godforsaken place for a whole month."

"Although Fusheng is a bit of a chuunibyou (a person with delusions of grandeur), his actual strength is still very strong."

"Yes, Champion Warrior is a pretty good class among Fighter."

The players were buzzing with discussion.

Unexpectedly, Jian Cai Wang Ge shook his head with a regretful expression and said with great certainty, "He can't advance."

"Ah?"

Why?

"Even the Yi Li Di can't advance? That's outrageous."

Looking towards the distant Great Arena, Jian Cai Wang Ge said solemnly, "Fusheng is indeed not weak, but Hell awaits him ahead!"

A promotional flyer for the Preliminary Round floated down from mid-air, its images and text still remarkably clear.

"Imperial glory, heroes vie for supremacy! The First District is officially open!"

Today's star players: Steel Frenzy, Dawei Tianlong, I'm Going to Eat Mantou

The First District is a circular amphitheater composed of three layers of circular arcades. Its outer walls are as high as 30 meters and can accommodate tens of thousands of people, making it look magnificent.

This building is modeled after the Istaria Grand Arena, but on a smaller scale.

Meanwhile, the venue was already bustling with noise, with every seat occupied. Players were cheering loudly, and many native inhabitants of the empire were watching and shouting.

Bells rang continuously, and dazzling fireworks even bloomed in the sky above the venue.

"Flesh and blood are weak and feeble, while machinery soars!"

"Kuang Chao Ge! For Omnissiah!"

"Dawei Tianlong! The hope of Monk players, crush them all!"

"Will you win, Steamed Bun? You will win, you definitely will win, don't let us be eliminated in the first round!"

The Preliminary Round alone were already so exciting because many star players came to today's Preliminary Round, and tickets were being resold for three times their original price.

"Is this a real competition? There are so many people!"

"And this is the beginning of my undefeated legend! It is also the Qidian of my professional career!"

Looking at the cheering crowd, Luan Shi Fusheng felt his heart surge with emotion. He secretly vowed in his heart. "One day, I will make them all shout my name and cheer for me!"

He calmed himself down a bit and applied "Sharpness Oil" and "Precision Oil" to his longsword to enhance its sharpness.

This relatively rare [Chill Sword] can inflict a certain amount of Cold Damage, making it a godsend for ordinary players.

This equipment was discovered by Luan Shi Fusheng within Noble Mausoleum. It was obtained by killing many undead from the coffin.

He looked down at his wrist, where he saw the [Mist Bracelet], which could cast the second-circle spell [Misty Step], and was also an exceptionally powerful piece of Fighter equipment.

He worked as a slave in a northern Half-Orc Tribe for a full month before he found an opportunity to steal it away when the overseer was not paying attention.

And the [Feathered Bow] on his back is a bow and arrow he obtained by killing several Anzeta giant eagles.

"I achieved all of this step by step, overcoming countless hardships!"

"It's time to let people see the strength of Fighter!"

As Fighter of the [Champion Warrior] branch, he focuses on developing pure physical abilities, honing them to perfection, and is able to unleash a series of Enhanced Heavy Strike with the ability of "Tide-Like Movements".

With the added Cold Damage from the [Chill Sword] and the mobility granted by the [Mist Bracelet], he believed no one could defeat him.

The tactics for Luan Shi Fusheng are simple: first use the Misty Step to get close, then unleash a series of Enhanced Heavy Strike to finish off the enemy.

The simpler the tactic, the more effective it is.

He once used this method to kill a the North mage on the battlefield as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.

Thinking of this, the expression of the Luan Shi Fusheng became more and more confident. He slowly closed his eyes and recalled the bits and pieces of his experience in "Erezege".

"Number 22054, Luan Shi Fusheng."

Who is this?

"I think I remember this name. Isn't he that idiot who got himself hospitalized with liver problems?"

"Haha, now that you mention it, I remember too."

The commentator's voice echoed in the venue, and discussions arose from the audience.

"Is it finally my turn?"

As the Luan Shi Fusheng slowly opened his eyes, a glint of light seemingly flashing in his pupils.

It's finally his turn to take the stage. Soon, all the mockery and insults will vanish in the face of absolute strength.

Suddenly, a burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted in the arena.

"He's here!"

"Wow, he's so handsome!"

The Luan Shi Fusheng taken aback at first, then frowned slightly.

Are they cheering for me? No, I haven't even participated in the competition yet, so my reputation shouldn't be that widespread.

So they're cheering for my opponent? Is my opponent some famous professional gamer?

Excellent! Let him be my first defeated opponent, the best Qidian for my career! Let these fame-seeking bastards see true strength!

The Luan Shi Fusheng a cold laugh, unable to resist glancing towards the venue and at the enemy he was about to defeat.

The next moment, he opened his mouth wide.

"What the hell?"

"Contestant No. 00003, Steel Frenzy!"

Instantly, the entire venue erupted in chaos, especially the members of the Church of the Machine God who had come specifically to watch the battle; they were so excited that their faces turned red.

"Kuang Chao Ge!"

"Flesh and blood are weak and feeble, while machinery soars!"

"Ring the great bell three times! Sing in unison, praising the God of All Machines!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

The arena floor trembled slightly, sending clouds of dust flying.

A tall and imposing humanoid armor stood on the ground, reflecting the luster of metal and casting a huge shadow in the sunlight.

Blinding lightning flashed from the arcane Lightning Elemental cannon on its left arm, while the force field shield on its right arm was like a city wall.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"In the name of the Holy Binary —this time, the Church of the Machine God is determined to win the championship!"

Meanwhile, the half-dragon, half-human Steel Frenzy waved to the audience from inside the transparent cockpit, revealing a rampant smile.

As he pushed the joystick, puffs of smoke billowed from the armor, accompanied by a roaring sound.

The pitiful Luan Shi Fusheng remained standing in the same spot, his Big Mouth.

After a long while, he finally came to his senses, and felt like crying but had no tears.

"Splash!"

All previous tactical arrangements, energy allocation, and opponent analysis were completely destroyed by the opponent at this moment.

That Gundam-like Arcane Armor exuded an aura of money and technology, completely unlike his own style.

Luan Shi Fusheng, a desperate cry of despair escaped his lips, "What the hell am I supposed to do fighting now?!"