428: The team competition begins, an endless bloody battle

Sky Arena, the main venue for the Global Prodigy Competition.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bursts of fireworks exploded in the sky above the open-air stadium, their brilliant light illuminating the excited and expectant faces of tens of thousands of spectators in the stands.

“The moment everyone has been waiting for is about to arrive. The triennial Global Prodigy Competition officially begins today. We wonder which nation’s Prodigy will successfully claim the championship this year and be crowned the title of the world’s number one Prodigy?”

“We believe that viewers in front of their screens are just as eager as us to witness the spectacular performances from the Geniuses of various countries across Blue Star!”

“…”

Countless cameras were aimed at the stadium, and the reporters’ highly evocative voices continuously stirred the emotions of the viewers watching the live broadcast online.

Meanwhile, in the stands, all the spectators, with excitement and anticipation in their eyes, stared intently at the elevated platform in the center of the stadium.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Under the gaze of tens of thousands of spectators and amidst the explanations of numerous reporters, the space on the elevated platform rippled like water.

The next second, the host made a dazzling entrance.

“First, on behalf of the Global Competition Organizing Committee, I welcome everyone to the main venue of the Sky Arena to witness this year’s Global Prodigy Competition live!”

“This competition features a total of 236 representative teams, comprising 1,180 Geniuses who represent the highest level of Blue Star’s younger generation. Over the next seven days, they will present a series of spectacular battles for everyone.”

On the elevated platform, the host’s voice was impassioned, his spittle flying, directly raising the atmosphere of the entire venue to a climax.

“For the next three days, the most intense team competition of the championship will take place.”

“Two hundred and thirty-six representative teams will enter the Endless Blood Battle Secret Realm Dungeon, enduring the onslaught of an endless Evil Blood Clan.”

“Only the team that perseveres to the very end will claim the ultimate championship!”

“Without further ado, please welcome our 236 representative teams to the arena. The competition is about to begin.”

As the host waved his hand, a gigantic teleportation gate rose from beneath the elevated platform, and intense spatial fluctuations enveloped the entire venue.

At the same time, the entrance for the contestants roared open, and 236 teams filed into the stadium, orderly taking their positions in front of the gigantic teleportation gate according to their rankings from the previous competition.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

At this moment, after everyone had entered, the gigantic teleportation gate radiated a brilliant light, and a mysterious fluctuation covered all the contestants. Immediately after, information about the “Endless Blood Battle” Secret Realm Dungeon appeared in everyone’s minds.

“Secret Realm Dungeon Name: Endless Blood Battle.”

“Admission Rank: None.”

“Difficulty: Hell.”

“Minimum Entry Count: One.”

“Maximum Entry Count: Ten Thousand.”

“Secret Realm Mission: None.”

“Equipment Restriction: None.”

“Item Restriction: None.”

“Secret Realm Dungeon Introduction: The Evil Blood Clan is not yet annihilated, and the battle never ceases. This is a special Secret Realm Dungeon modeled after Blue Star’s darkest era. Brave challenger, can you maintain hope in the face of an endless Evil Blood Clan army and inherit the indomitable fighting spirit of your ancestors?”

After this Secret Realm information appeared in their minds, the light from the gigantic teleportation gate grew even brighter, and dazzling light shot into the sky.

The next second, all the contestants who had arrived at the stadium were teleported into the Secret Realm Dungeon.

…

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

After the temporal shift and the dizzying sensation of spinning around disappeared, Wang Chen found himself in a dilapidated camp. The smell of blood and gunpowder assailed him, and beside him were Chu Youxiong and a few others.

At this moment, an invisible barrier enveloped their bodies, restricting their movements. They could only turn their heads to observe the situation in the camp.

This camp was not large, covering an area of about several hundred meters. In the center of the camp stood a 20-meter-tall Totem Stone Tablet, intricately carved with lifelike Dragon patterns, exuding an inviolable Divine Might. It emitted a bright light that illuminated the entire camp.

Starting from the Totem Stone Tablet, four bluestone-paved paths led in the four cardinal directions—east, west, south, and north—extending into the darkness.

Aside from that, all other areas, as far as the eye could see, were ruins.

Especially outside the camp, it was covered by a dense darkness, which even with Wang Chen’s current strength, he could not penetrate.

Moreover, when his gaze fell upon this darkness, an inexplicable sense of unease rose in Wang Chen’s heart, as if an incredibly terrifying existence in that darkness was watching him, ready to bring about his demise at any moment.

Just as he was observing his surroundings, the mechanical prompt of the Secret Realm rules sounded in his ear:

“Challenger Wang Chen, you have entered the ‘Endless Blood Battle’ Secret Realm Dungeon!”

“Please note, the Secret Realm rules will now be announced…”

“Secret Realm Rule One: All challengers are forbidden from leaving the area covered by the Totem Stone Tablet’s light. Once you step into the darkness, you will be immediately eliminated and teleported out of the Secret Realm Dungeon.”

“Secret Realm Rule Two: The Totem Stone Tablet has a total health of 100,000. If its health is depleted, all challengers will fail the Secret Realm Dungeon challenge!”

“Secret Realm Rule Three: Every hour, the Evil Blood Clan will launch an attack on the Totem Stone Tablet. As the number of attacks increases, the Evil Blood Clan’s strength will continuously rise.”

“Secret Realm Rule broadcast complete. Please note, the first wave of Evil Blood Clan will arrive in ten minutes!”

“…”

After the mechanical prompt ended, Wang Chen and the others regained their ability to move.

“It seems our objective is to protect the Totem Stone Tablet and eliminate all attacking Evil Blood Clan.”

“These four paths should be the Evil Blood Clan’s attack routes. Let’s discuss first who will be responsible for defense.”

After they could move, the few gathered together, and Chu Youxiong was the first to speak.

The situation of the Endless Blood Battle Secret Realm Dungeon was similar to a tower defense game. The Totem Stone Tablet was equivalent to their base, and the four stone paths leading into the darkness were similar to the battle lines in a game.

Wang Chen and the others had no objections to Chu Youxiong’s suggestion.

“I’ll guard the eastern path.”

After thinking for a moment, Wang Chen raised his hand first.

However, as soon as he spoke, Chu Youxiong and the other four simultaneously shook their heads.

“Junior Apprentice-Brother Wang Chen, you should not enter the fray for now. You have four beast companions, making you most suitable as a mobile force among us.”

“The strength of the attacking Evil Blood Clan is currently unknown. If any of the four directions cannot hold, you are our last assurance.”

Chai Yue patted Wang Chen’s shoulder and said with a wink:

“So you should just stay under the Totem Stone Tablet and watch the show for now. When I, your Senior Disciple, can’t hold on and cry for help, you’ll have to put in some effort.”

“This…”

Hearing this, Wang Chen hesitated for a moment, but seeing that Chu Youxiong and the others all agreed, he nodded.

Soon, the five’s tactics were finalized. Wang Chen would serve as a mobile force, ready to provide support at any time, while Chu Youxiong and the other four would each guard the east, west, south, and north paths.