189: Start of the game

The next day arrived quickly. The arena battles were held in a small Secret Realm. Setting up so many arenas was no small feat, and the capital city wasn't quite large enough to accommodate them. Early that morning, someone came to lead them into the small Secret Realm.

This Secret Realm didn't even have the power of the Human Dao; it was likely newly created by the Human Race specifically for this arena battle. This might have been a request from the Yao Race, as the presence of Human Dao Luck would suppress them. Only in a place without Human Dao Luck could they exert their full power.

High above this world were two thrones where two Soul Transformation Stage powerhouses sat, looking down upon the entire Secret Realm from a height. They ensured every battle within the Secret Realm could be seen clearly. Behind them were several slightly lower-tier seats for the Nascent Soul Stage powerhouses. As for the remaining Golden Core Stage powerhouses, they sat in seats on the ground.

Including both races, there were over three hundred contestants this time. Thus, the first stage was a selection round to choose two hundred and fifty-six contestants truly eligible for the competition. This utilized the classic gauntlet-style battle format.

Each person had to fight three opponents. Those with all wins were selected first, then those with two wins, and then one win, until the count reached two hundred and fifty-six.

The drawing of lots began quickly. Gu Yuchuan searched through the crowd for a long time before finally finding that elegant and refined Saint of Dragon Tiger Mountain. To be honest, when his cultivation wasn't released, he didn't seem much different from the Junior Brothers beside him, standing there coldly.

Perhaps Gu Yuchuan's gaze was somewhat inquisitive, as the other party immediately noticed him. He quickly withdrew his gaze. The other party was, after all, a Golden Core Stage Cultivator; even if they concealed their Aura and cultivation, they would certainly sense someone looking at them like that.

Finally, the selection round of the gauntlet battles ended, and Gu Yuchuan faced his first opponent: a woman at the Eighth Layer of Foundation Establishment. She wore palace attire and looked like a member of the imperial family. However, Gu Yuchuan didn't care; such a cultivation level was destined not to cause any ripples before him.

The opponent curtsied slightly and performed a Wanfu salute: "County Mistress Changping of the Great Yong Dynasty greets this Fellow Daoist."

Her etiquette was impeccable, and Gu Yuchuan couldn't be rude. He cupped his fists in return: "Azure Scale Demon General, Lord of the Flood Dragon Palace of the Cloud Sea Marsh, greets the County Mistress. Please make your move, County Mistress."

She formed seals with her hands and struck out a bead. This bead radiated a dazzling seven-colored divine light in the air. However, Gu Yuchuan had come to this arena battle to make a name for himself and for his own Luck. Therefore, everything he did was to show off; he had no time to tangle with the opponent here. He wanted to win this battle with the momentum of a thunderbolt.

Thus, with his full magic power, he struck out three drops of Heavenly Profound Heavy Water. He still had his sense of proportion, knowing that if he didn't hold back, he might kill the opponent instantly. This was a competition, and generally, there shouldn't be any killing. By the end, when the cultivation gap was small and a true winner had to be decided, it might get dangerous, but at that time, the several Seniors would be watching and could step in at any moment to protect them. He certainly couldn't do that now.

These three drops of Heavenly Profound Heavy Water were enough for him to win. Sure enough, these three drops not only enveloped all the divine light but even knocked the light bead to the ground. The County Mistress's eyes widened. She actually knew she would definitely lose against a Cultivator at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, but this loss was simply too easy. In her eyes, the opponent had merely flicked three droplets of water, and all her Spells and treasures had failed.

Although she still had some tricks, they were even less powerful than this precious bead and would certainly have no effect. So, she didn't use them, saving them for later battles where they might be more useful. Although there was a hint of unwillingness in her eyes, she still held back.

"Fellow Daoist, you are indeed very powerful. I admit defeat. I cannot beat you. I wish you a good result in the upcoming matches."

Her gracefulness gave Gu Yuchuan a good impression of her: "Thank you, County Mistress. Your methods are not bad either. I also wish you a good result."

With the County Mistress's admission of defeat, he won his first battle. Next, he prepared for the second round. After taking the stage, he discovered that the opponent drawn this time was from the Yao Race, and one he knew—the Black Tiger Demon General at the Ninth Layer of Foundation Establishment. The other party also recognized him as the number one Prodigy of the Yao Race in the Foundation Establishment Stage. His face turned a bit sour, clearly unhappy to encounter Gu Yuchuan, but there was nothing to be done; he could only blame his bad Luck.

He looked at Gu Yuchuan and had no intention of fighting. Fortunately, he had also won his first round, so his situation wasn't too bad. He simply cupped his fists.

"Master Gu, long time no see. Your style is as grand as ever. I am indeed no match for Master Gu and won't make a fool of myself here. I'll save my strength for the final round. Farewell."

Gu Yuchuan also nodded: "Alright, thank you."

Soon, it was the third round, the final round of the selection. This time, the opponent was a young general in silver armor with a cultivation of the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment. He could truly be considered an opponent. Coincidentally, the opponent's weapon was also a Long Spear. It was a huge coincidence. Both raised their weapons.

"Captain of the Human Race's Red Flame Army, please advise."

Gu Yuchuan nodded: "Yao Race, Lord of the Flood Dragon Palace, greets the Captain."

Having said that, both of their Auras began to climb. Gu Yuchuan could feel a dense blood-qi and Evil Qi on the other party. The opponent was definitely not weak; his cultivation was surely forged through slaughter. Such Cultivators were very powerful in battle, but Gu Yuchuan had confidence in himself.

Having finally met a master of the spear, Gu Yuchuan was determined to compete with him in spear techniques.

He raised his Long Spear and thrust it forward. The opponent engaged him in close combat. The opponent's offensive was very fierce, even carrying a hint of trading injury for injury. This made Gu Yuchuan a bit uncomfortable. His usual fighting style was more stable and didn't involve such tactics.

However, it had to be said that every style had its strengths. The opponent's fierce style also had its advantages. At least for a moment, Gu Yuchuan didn't gain any advantage. They quickly exchanged over a hundred moves. This battle also caught the attention of the two Soul Transformation Stage experts above.