The Rankings

Just as Li Yi racked up three points in one go.

The Evergreen Fairy AI simultaneously updated the points leaderboard.

Li Yi's number and name appeared prominently at the top with three points.

"Already got the first kill?"

Lou Cheng watched the scene from the monitoring room and immediately felt a toothache coming on.

Luo Laogu said sarcastically:

"Well, aren't you good at putting on a show? The first kill happened under your branch, so why do you look unhappy?"

Lou Cheng snapped back:

"The more outstanding this kid is, the more likely he'll attract an investigation from the Surveillance Department. Luo Laogu, stop stating the obvious. You're only making yourself look dumber, understand?"

"Since Boss Lin said he'd handle it, quit worrying about it. Be happy when you should be happy. Don't keep such a long face like your wife just died. Bad luck! Got it?"

Lin Guotao happened to be away at the moment, and the two of them grew increasingly heated as they argued.

The others watching quietly checked the data:

Well now, he hadn't moved during the first three minutes. Then, in less than a minute during the fourth, he scored three points at once—and it was the first kill, too. That was worth a lot.

Could a mere youth from The Humble Clan really challenge the top ten?

That would break a record.

At the same time.

Inside a spacious room furnished in understated luxury.

"Born into The Humble Clan, and one of his first-kill opponents was actually a mid-tier Power Clan descendant? Interesting. Who recruited this Li Yi?"

Liang Dunzhi lay inside a recovery pod, an interface at the back of his head receiving information about this year's newcomer martial tournament. He suddenly spoke.

"Lin Guotao."

"Him? Looks like he still hasn't given up on his Deus Mech Project."

"This subordinate does not understand. What does recruiting people from The Humble Clan have to do with the Deus Mech Project?"

"Heh, you truly don't understand, and there's no need for you to. In any case, if this youth from The Humble Clan remains in the top ten when the final tally is made, remember to notify me. Now, I need to rest."

Liang Dunzhi touched his face. It felt increasingly dry and wrinkled, and he could not help lamenting how fleeting time was before telling the other person to leave.

"Yes."

"Base 23's influence aboard Jade Pool (Yaochi) No. 7 probably isn't that great. As long as I make the top ten and stand beneath the spotlight, I should be safe."

Li Yi had naturally had his concerns as well.

But since his goal was the top ten, he was destined to trample certain people beneath his feet.

So there was no need to overthink it. He just had to do it!

Li Yi immediately continued onward, following the tracks deeper into Base 11.

According to the random allocation logic of the virtual reality.

If the goal was to give those from Base 11 the greatest advantage, then the allocation logic would definitely use Base 11 as its center point.

As long as he headed in this direction, he would not lack opponents.

Five minutes later.

A twelve-meter-high barrier came into view in the distance.

Before the barrier stood an enormous electronic display.

"A points leaderboard and countdown?"

Li Yi narrowed his eyes and found his name and number displayed prominently in third place.

The first and second places belonged to Liang Shaocong and Lin Qin respectively, with seven and five points.

Fourth through eighth place each had two points.

Everyone from ninth through twenty-first had one point.

Beneath the electronic display, two five-man teams were facing off.

"The situation still isn't clear. Our two five-man teams only managed to form up with difficulty. If we suddenly start killing each other now, we'll only benefit the spectators around us."

"I think we should cooperate for now and wipe out the people watching nearby. We can earn some points first and secure a baseline. What do you say?"

"That seems workable."

"Not merely workable. It has to work."

Li Yi had only just arrived nearby when he heard the two opposing teams suddenly form an alliance. He did not know whether he was lucky or unlucky.

Just as he was silently sighing over it.

Suddenly.

One person from the two teams pointed at Li Yi, more than twenty meters away, and shouted:

"It's Li Yi, third on the leaderboard! Kill him and we'll get three points! Go, go! First come, first served! The quick get it, the slow lose out!"

Seriously? How did they recognize me?

Li Yi found it strange and immediately became wary.

Although his combat skills had reached perfection and his reaction speed was high, he could not withstand an encirclement by ten people of unknown ability.

He was confident he could win, but the risk was not small.

Who knew whether one of them might unleash some Power Clan skill?

Without another word, Li Yi turned and ran.

The two five-man teams instantly set aside their differences and chased after him.

As Li Yi fled at full speed, he recalled where their gazes had landed. He lowered his head to look and immediately understood!

His chest!

A string of numbers there was glittering brightly...

His number?

Li Yi was speechless. So his number would be displayed once he made the leaderboard?

Or only once he entered the top ten?

Li Yi looked back again and discovered that among the two five-man teams, only one person had a number on his chest. That should be Shi Zijun, currently ranked seventh.

It seemed that once someone entered the top ten, the number on their chest would shine extra brightly.

After running for roughly half a minute, the pursuers began to spread apart due to their differing speeds.

The opportunity Li Yi had been waiting for quietly arrived.

His cheetah-like sprint came to an abrupt halt.

Then he spun one hundred and eighty degrees, explosively pushed off with his feet, and charged toward the burly man at the front!

Seeing Li Yi rush at him, the burly man showed no fear. He charged forward with a savage grin.

"Your three points are mine!"

Crack!!!

Li Yi was even faster. As he sidestepped the man, he drove a kick straight into the other man's kneecap.

In an instant, the kneecap shattered like a melon.

"Aah!!!"

The burly man roared. The burly man wept!

Li Yi had no time to finish him off. His target had already shifted to the second-fastest burly man.

Behind him, Shi Zijun, temporarily ranked seventh, shouted loudly:

"Don't be reckless! You're no match for him! Just hold him off until I get there to take him down!"

The second-fastest burly man had his adrenaline surging from the high-speed run. The virtual reality perfectly simulated the changes in his body, so how could he feel any fear at that moment?

With a roar, he launched into a sliding tackle, shooting toward Li Yi like a projectile.

Li Yi smiled calmly, bent down, and drove a knee directly into the man's chin, leaving his brain buzzing!

Then he struck with both hands together, stabbing the man's temples like sharp awls.

Whoosh!

The second-fastest burly man instantly dissolved into particles of light and vanished from the virtual reality.

The few people behind who had not caught up yet were all stunned by the sight!

How brutal!

Every move targeted the most vulnerable parts of the human body. It looked agonizing!

Shi Zijun had caught up by then.

He was somewhat terrified as well.

With Li Yi's fighting style, he knew he could not handle him.

But with things having reached this point, could he still give up?

He could only force himself to press on!

Shi Zijun kept adjusting his breathing, preparing to unleash his family's Inherited Skill.

Who would have expected Li Yi to deliberately pass him by and charge toward the people farther behind?

By the time Shi Zijun braked, turned around, and prepared to chase back.

The slaughter unfolding before his eyes made Shi Zijun's eyes split wide with fury!

In that brief moment, Li Yi had efficiently killed two more people. Surrounded by the particles of light from the virtual reality, he looked like both demon and god.

"So ruthless! Could this guy be some cult assassin who sneaked in? Otherwise, even if this is virtual reality, how could he show not the slightest hesitation?"

The thought flashed through Shi Zijun's mind.

He did not dare attack. He was preparing to run!