Slaughter Arena

In the mysterious and powerful world of Swallowed Star, most Cultivators huddled together for warmth. Truly accomplished Lone Travelers were exceedingly rare.

If Qi Yuan wanted to rise quickly, joining a major faction was absolutely necessary.

For one, he would have a powerful backing to rely on, so he would not be jointly excluded and targeted whenever something happened.

For another, through a major faction's internal channels, he could more conveniently obtain Precious Resources that were difficult to access from the outside world.

Whether he used them himself or gave them away as System Return "gifts," they would be extremely suitable.

Virtual Universe, at the Slaughter Arena on the island corresponding to the Eternal Empire.

"Tap~"

Qi Yuan stepped into the Slaughter Arena's lobby.

Previously, limited by his tight finances, he could only stand outside the Slaughter Arena and watch.

Now that he had gained a modest amount of wealth, he could finally come in and experience it for himself!

It was called a lobby, but its interior was vast enough to rival an enormous city!

A golden "sun" hung high in the sky, as though it were constantly shining down upon the "city" below.

However, the figures in the lobby were sparse, making it far less lively than he had imagined.

The nearest Star Traveller Genius War is still at least three thousand years away. This is the only fastest way I can think of to join a dominant faction.

As Qi Yuan walked deeper into the lobby, he casually surveyed the scattered figures around him.

Yet even after quietly inspecting every corner of the lobby, he did not find anyone particularly unusual who immediately caught his attention.

Did I get it wrong? Then again, this isn't the Black Dragon Mountain Empire. A conscientious "talent scout" as dedicated as Man Luo isn't exactly everywhere.

Qi Yuan was not disappointed. Instead, he quickly walked over to something resembling a service counter in the lobby.

"Hello, please help me link my bank account."

Qi Yuan smiled at the cute girl behind the counter, who had short hair cut to her ears and gemstone-green pupils.

"Certainly. Please provide your Virtual Universe ID and bank account information."

"My Virtual Universe account is—"

A few minutes later, after completing all the procedures, Qi Yuan headed quickly down an empty corridor.

Behind him, the cute girl he had just spoken with revealed an inscrutable smile in her gemstone-green pupils.

The light and shadows shifted.

One moment, he had still been in the corridor; the next, his surroundings had become a vast starry sky.

Qi Yuan stood atop a meteorite in space, a golden book appearing in his hand.

After reading through it once, Qi Yuan understood the requirements for using this space.

Using this Slaughter Arena Space is simple enough. I just need to call out into the air.

I'll first test my true level in this Slaughter Arena Space, then try the Duel Space afterward!

Qi Yuan closed the book, then raised his voice toward the starry sky overhead.

"Simulated battle. The combat environment will be wilderness under Thunderstorm Weather. My opponent will be a Star Traveller Tier 7 human warrior with a Level 5 domain and extremely rich combat experience. Both sides will use identical Tier 2 Force Battle Blades and Tier 2 Force Battle Suits."

Application received. Beginning battle simulation!

As the majestic voice fell, the entire Slaughter Arena Space began changing rapidly.

Rumble~~

The starry sky vanished, replaced by a boundless green wilderness.

Crack~~

As bolts of lightning fell one after another, dense raindrops began pouring from the sky over the wilderness.

Qi Yuan stood in the endless wilderness, clad in a black Force Battle Suit and holding a Tier 2 Force Battle Blade.

Before him stood a warrior dressed in the same black Tier 2 Force Battle Suit, wielding a Black Battle Saber.

"Kill!"

The instant the simulated figure condensed into existence, his eyes turned bloodshot as he charged madly at Qi Yuan!

"With the same strength, why would I be afraid of you? Come!"

Qi Yuan smiled confidently and charged forward with his blade as well. At the same time, blinding Thunder Light erupted wildly, forming a Thunder Domain around him in the blink of an eye.

"Kill!"

Qi Yuan swung his blade fiercely, bringing down the full power of the Thunder Domain in a single slash!

However, facing this all-out strike of overwhelming momentum, the Black Armor warrior did not retreat in the slightest.

"Slash!"

A low shout, like thunder itself, exploded through the air!

A hazy purple glow suddenly enveloped the Black Armor warrior's originally pitch-black Force Battle Blade.

Sizzle~~~

Like a hot knife through butter, Qi Yuan's imposing Thunder Domain was effortlessly "split" down the middle by the Force Battle Blade covered in hazy purple light!

Yes, split apart!

Wherever the Force Battle Blade passed, it seemed to scatter the surrounding lightning. A long, narrow "vacuum" zone actually formed within the domain!

Bang!

After easily shattering Qi Yuan's domain, the battle blade carrying a dim purple glow continued without losing momentum, turning into an afterimage as it shot directly toward Qi Yuan's neck!

Not good!

Qi Yuan was inwardly startled. The power of his domain instantly contracted, and a brilliant bolt of lightning shot forth!

Pfft!

Pfft!

Two streams of blood sprayed out at the same time—

Qi Yuan's last-second lightning strike successfully beheaded the enemy, but his own head was also cleaved in half by the opponent's battle blade wreathed in dim purple light.

Whew~

The next second, Qi Yuan's body instantly returned to normal.

"Damn. This Slaughter Arena simulation is way too realistic. I thought I was really about to die!"

Qi Yuan gasped for breath, only recovering from his shock after a long while.

Is my actual combat ability really this bad? If I don't unleash the Thunder Light secret technique, I can't even beat an AI opponent.

Wait, was that thing the opponent used just now also a domain? It can actually be used like that?

Qi Yuan recalled the purple glow surrounding his opponent's battle blade, and a faint realization appeared in his eyes!

This was one of the Slaughter Arena's hidden functions.

In the Slaughter Arena, one could freely set an opponent. The opponent Qi Yuan had just configured had exactly the same physical attributes, realm, domain, weapons, and so on as himself. The only difference was that the opponent possessed incomparably rich combat experience and was exceptionally skilled in battle.

By fighting such an opponent and observing their combat methods and techniques, he could easily absorb some experience.

After all, the configured opponent had the same body, domain, and everything else as himself. It was equivalent to fighting another version of himself, so it was naturally easy to gain insights.

He could even configure an opponent who was identical to himself in every other aspect, except with a domain realm slightly higher than his own.

Through mutual verification in battle, it would be easy to draw inferences and break through to a higher realm.

For Cultivators like Qi Yuan, who severely lacked combat experience, the simulated opponents in the Slaughter Arena could absolutely serve as excellent sparring partners and teachers!

"This Slaughter Arena really is a great place. It's just that the daily cost of 38 million Eternal Coins is a bit hard to bear. No, I can't waste any time, or I'll lose my shirt!"

After resting briefly and digesting the insights from the previous battle, Qi Yuan immediately began his second simulated battle!

In the second battle, the opponent was still at the same level. Even though Qi Yuan was prepared, he was swiftly killed again without unleashing the Thunder Light secret technique!

Third battle, fourth battle, fifth battle.

Battle after battle, death after death...

It was not until he had fought forty-five consecutive battles that Qi Yuan finally seemed to grasp something.

The Thunder Domain around him, which had previously erupted with immense momentum every time he used it, suddenly contracted and instantly transformed into a hazy purple glow that coiled around the blade of his Force Battle Blade.

And this time, Qi Yuan finally defeated his opponent with difficulty without using Thunder Light!

The previous chapter's plot was a bit unpleasant. After seeing everyone's feedback, I revised it and removed that rather off-putting part. I also made slight adjustments to the returned items. If you have time, please take another look~~~

I sincerely apologize to everyone for the inconvenience caused to your reading experience~~

Looks like I really am just a straight guy. I simply can't embroider any delicate flowers~~~

Everyone is welcome to keep supervising me and point out any unpleasant parts~~

Hehe, and I'll shamelessly ask for follows as well. Please, everyone~~~