44: Chapter 44 The Competition Begins

Zhao Shanhe looked coldly at the commotion below and continued, "There is one more thing—"

He paused, then said word by word.

"For this The Great Competition, life and death are of no account!"

"Boom!"

These four words exploded in everyone's ears like thunder, and the Martial Arts Arena instantly fell into a deathly silence, leaving only the sound of everyone gasping for air.

Life and death are of no account!

This meant that this The Great Competition was no longer a simple contest, but a true battle of life and death; one careless move could result in death on the spot!

Most of the Disciples, who had originally had anticipation in their eyes, now turned pale, their eyes filled with fear and withdrawal.

They had Cultivated for many years just to seek an Opportunity, but if it required their lives as the price, this Opportunity seemed too heavy a burden.

Only a few people had no trace of fear in their eyes; instead, an even more intense Battle Intent ignited.

Zhao Tianlong's face revealed an expression of ecstasy, his fists clenched tightly, and his eyes flashed with a bloodthirsty light.

He was already powerful, and with the backing of the City Lord's Mansion's resources, his 9th Stage of Martial Master Realm strength was considered top-tier among the younger generation.

For him, the melee was the perfect Opportunity to slaughter and demonstrate his strength!

Wang Yuyan's pretty face also revealed an excited smile; her eyes were lively, and she showed no fear at all.

She had been gifted since childhood and had rich combat experience; her 9th Stage of Martial Master Realm strength gave her enough confidence to handle the melee.

She even felt a faint anticipation of being able to cross swords with strong opponents.

Meanwhile, the expressions of Wu Yun, Fang Yang, and the others became incomparably grave.

Although their strength was considered outstanding among the younger generation, facing top experts like Zhao Tianlong and Wang Yuyan, coupled with the chaotic battle situation, standing out would be as difficult as ascending to heaven, and there might even be a risk to their lives.

A trace of ruthlessness flashed in Wu Yun's sinister eyes.

A look of determination also appeared on Fang Yang's honest face; he was clearly prepared to fight to the death.

The young Loose Cultivator, who came from a background of loose cultivation, still had eyes as firm as iron, though his brows furrowed slightly and his clenched fists tightened further.

He was not afraid of hardship, nor was he afraid of strong enemies; he only worried about being ambushed during the melee.

After all, he had no one to rely on; once injured, he would have no chance of a comeback.

On the viewing platform, Su Wanqing looked at Ye Yun below; her face instantly turned pale, her hands tightly gripping Su Zhennan's sleeve, her voice trembling slightly.

"Father, this rule is too cruel. Ye Yun, he..."

Su Zhennan's expression was grave; he patted his daughter's hand gently and said in a deep voice.

"Rest assured, Ye Yun is not an impulsive person; he has his own sense of propriety."

Although he said this, the worry in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

A melee where life and death are of no account had too many variables; even if Ye Yun's strength was not bad, it was hard to guarantee that no accidents would occur.

Meanwhile, Ye Yun, in a corner of the Martial Arts Arena, after hearing the rules announced by Zhao Shanhe, not only felt no fear, but the corners of his mouth curled into a cold arc.

Life and death are of no account? A full-scale melee?

This suited him perfectly!

He had intended to use this The Great Competition to settle old scores.

This kind of chaotic battle situation was perfect for him to hide his tracks and unexpectedly eliminate those who had bullied him in the past.

Moreover, this kind of unrestricted combat could better stimulate his potential, allowing him to grow rapidly through actual combat.

Ye Yun felt exhilarated, his eyes flashing with excitement. The restrained aura around his body fluctuated slightly before returning to calm.

He did not notice that at the moment the corner of his mouth curled, the woman from the Luoxue Sect on the high platform, whose eyes had originally been as cold and indifferent as ice, suddenly narrowed, and she took a deep look at him.

That look carried a trace of imperceptible inquiry and curiosity, as if she were attracted by the composure and Battle Intent he exuded, which were completely different from the fear surrounding him.

Her gaze lingered for a moment on the mask on his face, then swept over the seemingly ordinary iron sword at his waist, before returning to indifference.

It was just that there was a hint of an indescribable light deep in her eyes.

"Since the rules are clear, those who do not wish to participate may withdraw now!"

Zhao Shanhe's voice rang out again, carrying a trace of pressure.

"After half an incense stick of time, for everyone remaining on the Martial Arts Arena, the competition will officially begin!"

As the words fell, many Disciples looked hesitant. In the end, dozens of people gritted their teeth, turned, and left the Martial Arts Arena.

Although they craved the Opportunity, they cherished their lives more and were unwilling to take risks in this cruel melee.

The remaining two hundred or so Disciples were all people with determined eyes.

Whether for the spots in the Four Great Sects, for the glory of their Family, or to prove themselves, they all chose to stay and face this life-and-death struggle.

Ye Yun slowly walked toward the center of the Martial Arts Arena.

His pace was not fast, but it was exceptionally steady; with every step, it was as if he were stepping on everyone's heartstrings.

The surrounding Disciples subconsciously avoided him, their eyes filled with wariness and curiosity; no one dared to easily provoke this mysterious masked man.

Zhao Tianlong also noticed Ye Yun, a trace of contempt and disdain flashing in his eyes as he snorted coldly.

"Pretending to be mysterious, I'll let you know in a moment what true strength is!"

Wang Yuyan curiously examined Ye Yun, a trace of inquiry flashing in her lively eyes, and a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

She seemed very interested in this masked man's strength.

Half an incense stick of time passed in the blink of an eye.

More than two hundred young Disciples had all ascended the central Martial Arts Arena, standing densely packed across the entire surface, keeping their distance from one another, their eyes vigilantly watching those around them.

The air was thick with the scent of gunpowder; a great battle was on the verge of breaking out.

Zhao Shanhe looked at the Disciples on the stage with satisfaction, turned and leaped back to the VIP seats, and cupped his hands toward the four Envoys on the high platform.

"Four Envoys, the participating Disciples are all in position; we can begin at any time!"

Envoy Li of Tianyang Academy nodded, lightly shaking his folding fan, and his gentle voice spread throughout the arena.

"The Shiyun City city-wide The Great Competition, melee mode—officially begins!"

The moment his voice fell, the atmosphere on the Martial Arts Arena instantly exploded!

More than two hundred young Disciples, like wild horses released from their reins, instantly began to slaughter each other.

The crisp sounds of blades colliding, the roars of Mystic Power erupting, and screams and shouts were intertwined.

The scent of blood quickly began to permeate the air.

However, amidst the chaos, there were a few areas that remained eerily calm.

Zhao Tianlong stood with his hands behind his back, his 9th Stage of Martial Master Realm aura acting like an invisible barrier, isolating the surrounding slaughter.

A few Disciples from the City Lord's Mansion beside him fanned out, their eyes arrogantly scanning the surroundings; any Disciple who approached was forced back by their sharp gazes.

No one dared to easily provoke this son of the City Lord; after all, his 9th Stage of Martial Master Realm strength was an overwhelming existence among the younger generation.

One careless move and they would die on the spot.

Not far away, Wang Yuyan was equally composed; she held a short sword, her figure nimbly avoiding the surging crowd, her pink martial attire appearing like a fluttering butterfly amidst the chaos.

Occasionally, some reckless Disciples would try to ambush her, only to be neutralized by her casual sword strikes; wherever the sword light flashed...