443: The battle of life and death begins

Soon.

Ten minutes passed.

Continuous spatial fluctuations appeared in the Sky Arena's main venue, and all contestants who had not completed the challenge in the Secret Realm Dungeon were teleported out.

At the same time, the host, who had been standing on the high platform, held a microphone and said loudly:

"The preliminary round is over. Now, please ask the top fifty contestants to come onto the high platform and draw lots to determine their opponents for the first round of the main competition."

"Additionally, please ask other contestants to leave the venue and return to the spectator area to watch."

After the host's words fell, the number of contestants in the arena immediately decreased sharply. Geniuses from various countries left the venue disheartened, their faces filled with unwillingness and regret.

Wang Chen and the others, however, followed the instructions and walked onto the high platform.

At this moment, the host saw Wang Chen, smiled slightly, and greeted him:

"Wang Chen, because you signed a contract with Takizawa Toshiaki in advance, you do not need to participate in the first round of the draw, and the deathmatch will be held as the first match."

As he spoke, the host's expression became serious. He glanced at Takizawa Toshiaki, who was walking over from the other side, and then continued to speak:

"Now, I will confirm again, do you still wish to have a deathmatch with Takizawa Toshiaki?"

"The match hasn't started yet. If you choose to give up, you can draw lots to randomly match with an opponent."

"I confirm!"

Wang Chen nodded, giving a positive reply to the host's inquiry.

"Good."

The host nodded slightly, then looked at Takizawa Toshiaki: "Then, contestant Takizawa Toshiaki, what about you?"

"I also confirm. I want to kill this guy under the gaze of countless viewers worldwide."

Takizawa Toshiaki nodded grimly, his eyes fixed on Wang Chen with extreme coldness, his killing intent continuously boiling.

However, Wang Chen completely ignored his provocation, not even bothering to glance at him.

After all, who would care what a dead man says!

"Good."

Seeing Takizawa Toshiaki's appearance, the host raised an eyebrow in displeasure, a subtle hint of disgust flashing in his eyes. Then he turned to look at the other contestants:

"Draw lots, starting with Chu Youxiong."

As his voice fell, the host waved his hand, and a sealed draw box appeared on the high platform.

Seeing this, Chu Youxiong did not hesitate and directly stepped forward, reaching his hand inside.

At this time, the host introduced:

"There are a total of forty-eight balls in the draw box, with two of each number from one to twenty-four. Contestants who draw the same number will fight each other."

As the host spoke, Chu Xiong had already casually grabbed a ball from the draw box.

Number Six!

Next was Carlos, Number Five!

Chai Yue, Number Eleven!

Du Jijun, Number Twenty-three!

...

Soon, all forty-eight contestants had drawn their lots and were randomly matched with their opponents.

It was unclear whether it was luck or something else, but in the first round of the main competition, Chu Youxiong and Carlos, who had the highest popularity, did not face each other. However, the two contestants from the West France Empire were quite unlucky, drawing balls with the same number.

After all the contestants had drawn, the host motioned for them to go to the waiting area to rest, leaving only Wang Chen and Takizawa Toshiaki on the high platform.

"The first match of the singles main competition, Wang Chen versus Takizawa Toshiaki, is about to begin!"

"This is the first match that will determine both victory and death since the Global Prodigy Competition's singles competition began. Now, let all the viewers and I anticipate the final victor!"

"Duel arena, unfold!"

The host now retreated below the high platform. Intense magic rose from the high platform, and at the same time, the image of the arena appeared on the dimmed giant light screen.

...

...

Buzz buzz buzz!

Wang Chen, standing on the high platform, felt a moment of disorientation. Immediately after, he found that the surrounding environment had changed. The space had expanded several times; the ten-meter square platform before was now the size of two standard football fields combined.

After scanning the surroundings, Wang Chen focused his gaze on his opponent.

Takizawa Toshiaki was standing fifty meters away from him, his face filled with venom and excitement, looking even more hideous.

"Hahahaha!"

"Wang Chen, you are dead this time!"

"I will torture you to death, little by little, in front of countless viewers worldwide!"

"I want to let your Dragon Country viewers see how you, a Genius, are trampled under my feet."

Takizawa Hideaki looked at Wang Chen with venomous eyes, his voice utterly cold, his killing intent completely undisguised.

However.

"How ugly!"

"Indeed, very characteristic of Sakura Country!"

Wang Chen's expression did not change in the slightest in response to Takizawa Toshiaki's provocation; his eyes remained utterly indifferent.

His nonchalant attitude, especially that indifferent gaze with a condescending posture, immediately made Takizawa Toshiaki's eyes turn bloodshot.

"Wang Chen, why are you acting so arrogant?"

Takizawa Toshiaki said with a distorted face:

"Don't think that just because you came out earlier than me in the combat Secret Realm, your strength can surpass mine."

"I'm telling you, I didn't even show my true strength in the combat Secret Realm."

"Is that so?"

"Then I'm really looking forward to it!"

Wang Chen said without sincerity, stretching out the word "looking forward," his strong mockery self-evident.

"You..."

Hearing this, Takizawa Toshiaki's eyes became even more venomous, and he was about to say something more.

However, just then.

"Contestants, please prepare. The match will officially begin in five seconds!"

The host's voice rang in their ears, and at the same time, a five-second countdown appeared in mid-air.

Five.

Four.

Three...

When the countdown reached zero, the restrictive barrier covering Wang Chen and Takizawa Hideaki instantly dissipated into nothingness.

Boom!

The next second, a sinister magical power suddenly erupted from Takizawa Toshiaki. A figure holding a scythe and emitting an evil aura was summoned by him, then instantly empowered him.

Boom boom boom!!

As this figure merged with Takizawa Toshiaki, his aura instantly soared wildly, and his shriveled body swelled up.

Seeing this, Wang Chen stood still, only a hint of interest rising in his eyes.

Takizawa Toshiaki's profession, like Takizawa Hideaki's, was Onmyoji.

However, the path Takizawa Toshiaki was taking now seemed to be different from his brother's.

"Wang Chen!"

"Have I scared you so much you can't move?"

After expanding in size, Takizawa Toshiaki, like a dwarfed giant, looked at Wang Chen with bloodshot eyes, a cruel arc forming at the corner of his mouth.

"Don't be afraid, this is just an appetizer. Next, you will know what true fear is!"

No sooner had he spoken than he stomped his foot on the ground, making the ground shake twice. Then, he shot towards Wang Chen like an arrow released from a bowstring.