When the Planetary Level contestants fought, the Star Level forces, who served as the main force, were also competing.
Their battles were simpler and more brutal than those at the Planetary Level, consisting of four stages.
The first stage—Arena Melee.
The nine hundred contestants were first divided into eighteen groups of fifty and sent onto the arena for an Arena Melee, temporarily selecting the top one hundred and eighty.
Those one hundred and eighty were not the final qualifiers. They still had to undergo the challenge stage. The top one hundred and eighty each had three chances to be challenged. They needed to remain undefeated through all three challenges to keep their places.
The seven hundred and twenty eliminated contestants each had one chance to challenge someone among the victorious top one hundred and eighty. If they won, they would replace the person they defeated. Those who lost also had one challenge opportunity; if they could defeat someone else, they could reclaim a qualifying spot.
These two stages took the longest, lasting a full seven days. Some won, got knocked down, then had another chance to challenge. After struggling to get back up and winning twice, they would be knocked down again in the third round—this cycle repeated who knew how many times before the final qualifiers were decided.
Li Yilin watched this stage with great delight. He noticed one unlucky fellow who was knocked off the arena a full ten times, yet every time managed to find someone he could defeat and reclaim his spot, only to be challenged and defeated again—
In the end, the kid stood below the arena with his face livid, because he had failed his final challenge and lost his chance to enter the top one hundred and eighty.
"Ha ha ha, that unlucky guy got knocked down fifteen times." Ba Ku laughed heartily, unconsciously releasing the aura of a Domain Lord Level expert. If not for the transparent barrier separating the audience from the arena, those little brats below would probably have been crushed to the ground the instant his aura spread.
"Do those two have a grudge? If you beat me, I challenge you. How many times have they gone through this cycle already?"
"How do they manage to win one match and lose the next every time?"
"That girl is fierce. She swings that axe with such force that no one can get close to her."
Seven days later, the one hundred and eighty victors entered the second stage for one-on-one duels.
They were divided into two groups again and fought in pairs. These groupings were based on their performances in the first stage, with the elders responsible for judging carefully weighing their strengths before deciding the matchups.
After the duels ended, the winners claimed the top ninety spots. The ninety losers entered the Reincarnation Battle to determine the final ten spots, similar to the Reincarnation Battle in the Genius Tournament.
It lasted a full fifteen days before the top one hundred were selected.
For the strong, ten days could pass in the blink of an eye.
At this point, one hundred contestants remained, officially entering the third stage—team battles.
The purpose of this stage was to secure rankings for Fighters who were not skilled at combat, such as Illusionists, who were not adept at direct confrontation. It also served to temper the coordination between teammates.
Fighters, Spirit Readers, and Illusionists formed teams of three. However, there were relatively few Spirit Readers and Illusionists, so there were not even enough to assign one to every team. Fortunately, team battles did not place much emphasis on this; instead, they valued the rapport and cooperation between teammates more.
Those who reached this stage were basically the most outstanding geniuses of the major powers. Regardless of their final rankings, they would be valued once they returned.
As the team battles proceeded, the Planetary Level group finally reached its final match.
Qian Min leaped onto the arena like an agile cat. "Qian Min, ninth-rank Planetary Level Fighter, first level of the Fire Domain."
Si Yao stood in midair, her enormous wings spread wide as cyan streams of light flickered. Her petite body stretched slightly, and she smiled. "Celestia Si Yao, ninth-rank Planetary Level Fighter, first level of the Wind Domain."
"Oh, they've finally met! This is so exciting!" the audience cried out.
"Qian Min, Cloud Sea Planet's favored daughter, against the sole disciple of a Domain Lord Level Giant Axe Warrior—another genius who comprehended a domain at the Planetary Level. I can't imagine how exciting this battle will be."
"They're only at the Planetary Level. How exciting can it be? Compared to Star Level battles, this is just children playing house," someone scoffed.
"That's a domain, something only Domain Lord Level experts can comprehend. You little piece of trash, shut your mouth if you don't understand."
On the arena.
At the host's command.
Whoosh—
Qian Min transformed into a crimson streak and silently merged into the domain she had unleashed.
Boom!
Towering flames erupted from thin air, burning fiercely as waves of heat rolled outward.
Swish!
Si Yao flapped her wings and flew into the air. She had intended to use her domain as she had before, but discovered that Qian Min's Fire Domain happened to restrain hers.
Unless her domain could directly extinguish Qian Min's flames, the fire would only borrow the wind's force and burn ever more fiercely.
Whoosh!
A piercing whistle split the air. A sharp gleam flashed through Si Yao's eyes, and her speed surged as she instantly left her original position. At the same time, she lightly flicked her silver sword, sending several strands of silver light and fierce blade arcs sweeping out to firmly trap the suddenly appearing Qian Min.
"Hmph." Qian Min snorted softly, shifting her feet along an uncanny path and escaping the range of the sword arcs in a few steps. She moved so fast that she even left behind an afterimage.
"Afterimage?" Si Yao's pupils contracted, and she immediately spread her domain.
Boom!
The energy ripples from the expanding domain instantly suppressed Qian Min's speed as she tried to approach, exposing her hidden figure.
The audience watched without blinking. Only when Qian Min was suppressed and revealed did someone cheer.
"That was incredible."
"A domain can be used like that?"
"Are they even human? They use domains more smoothly than my teacher."
On the arena.
Qian Min was forced to reveal herself by Si Yao's suddenly expanded domain, but instead of panicking, she grinned, her eyes shining brightly.
"I've finally waited for you to release your domain," she said softly.
Si Yao's expression changed drastically, and she retreated without hesitation. But Qian Min pursued just as decisively, spreading her domain as boundless flames instantly engulfed the entire arena.
"Second level of the domain?" Li Yilin abruptly rose to his feet, surprise and concern in his eyes.
He was surprised by the talent Qian Min had displayed, and concerned for Si Yao, who was facing her.
"Oh my god!"
"Second level of the domain? Is she even human?"
"As expected of a genius. With such comprehension, we can only look up to her."
"Qian Min suddenly erupted. Si Yao is going to lose."
In the audience, the Cloud Sea Family Head watched Qian Min shine brilliantly on the arena and could not help laughing heartily.
"Ha ha ha, good, good!"
He was the family head, as well as an elder of Qian Min's branch of the family. The more outstanding Qian Min performed, the more importance his branch would receive within the family.
It could not be helped. Though the Cloud Sea Family was enormous, a large family also meant more struggles for power and profit. Everyone had selfish desires. No one wanted to receive the least benefit; everyone had to fight for it.
"Gu Nuozuo, the child you raised is impressive!" The Cloud Sea Family Head turned to Gu Nuozuo, his face full of praise.
Gu Nuozuo was Qian Min's biological father.
Seated beside Gu Nuozuo was his wife and Qian Min's biological mother, Ai Naling. As she watched Qian Min shine on the arena, her eyes were full of pride.
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