52: The pig farming plan has been launched, and you're the first one to be targeted!

The next day, early morning.

The central assembly plaza of "Tian Shu Port" was bustling with people.

Over a hundred teams from various branch bureaus across the country, totaling more than five hundred young elites of the Dragon Shield Bureau, gathered here.

The entire plaza was enveloped in a chilling aura.

Everyone looked tense, silently checking their equipment and adjusting their status.

In the air, energy fluctuations of various attributes permeated, colliding with each other and maintaining a mutual vigilance.

"Goodness... what a grand display."

Shi Lei stood in the team, looking at the powerful opponents around him, his palms sweating from nervousness.

"To the left, the people from 'Monster Capital', that woman who plays with snakes is C-rank Peak."

Mo Chen's gaze calmly swept across the entire scene.

"To the right, the team from 'Bingzhu City', all body cultivators, with an average of C-rank Intermediate or above. The leader's physical strength is probably not inferior to yours."

Liu Yan's gaze, however, was fixed intently on a team not far away.

All the members of that team wore white combat uniforms identical to Su Mingzhe's.

The one leading them was indeed Su Mingzhe.

His face was still slightly swollen, and the look he directed at them was full of venom.

"Sure enough, we've been targeted." Su Wanqing's voice betrayed no emotion.

"It's fine."

Lin Yuan yawned, looking as if he hadn't fully woken up.

"Once we're in, I'll be the first to break his legs and throw him into the 'pigsty' so he can contribute our first pot of gold."

His voice was neither too loud nor too soft.

It was just enough for several surrounding teams to hear.

In an instant.

Several astonished gazes turned their way.

"Who's that kid? D-rank? What did he just say?"

"He said he was going to break the legs of Su Mingzhe from the Su Family of the capital?"

"Is he crazy? Is the Jiangcheng Branch Bureau here to be a joke this year?"

Discussions and snickers rose and fell.

Su Mingzhe naturally heard everything clearly.

He trembled with rage, his fists clenched, making cracking sounds. But under everyone's watchful eyes, he ultimately forced himself to suppress the urge to act.

He just stared intently at Lin Yuan, silently mouthing four words.

You, are, dead, for, sure!

Lin Yuan didn't even look at him.

His attention was completely drawn to the several floating energy spheres above the plaza.

That thing, was it for powering the venue?

It must have been over ten meters in diameter.

If he could just hug it and take a bite... Just then.

"Silence!"

A furious roar echoed throughout the entire plaza!

Instantly silencing all discussions and noise.

Everyone instinctively looked towards the source of the sound.

On the high platform in front of the plaza, a man in a black trench coat stood, unnoticed until now.

His powerful aura made all the C-rank talents present feel a surge of unease.

A B-rank Expert!

Lin Yuan was also startled when he saw that figure.

Isn't that... Captain Qin Zhan?

On the high platform, Captain Qin Zhan's gaze, like an eagle's, slowly swept over the five hundred contestants below.

When his gaze fell on the Jiangcheng Branch Bureau's team and he saw that familiar figure looking around.

The corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

How did this little rascal get here too?

He took a deep breath, suppressing that bit of personal emotion, and his voice became solemn.

"I am the chief in charge of this competition, Captain Qin Zhan of the Sharp Sword Task Force."

"First, congratulations to you all for being able to stand here."

"You are the future hope of the Dragon Shield Bureau!"

"However!"

He changed his tone, his voice suddenly rising!

"I must warn you! The 'hidden dragon ranking' is not a drill in a greenhouse! Nor is it a stage for you to compete for attention!"

"In the simulated secret realm you are about to enter, every mistake could lead to your elimination! Every underestimation could make your teammates pay the price for you!"

"Here, I will only emphasize three rules!"

Captain Qin Zhan extended a finger.

"First! Obey the rules! Within the arena, you can use any means to defeat your opponents! But outside the arena, any form of private fighting is strictly forbidden! Violators will face a military court!"

As he said this, he specifically glanced in the direction of Su Mingzhe and Lin Yuan.

Su Mingzhe's face paled, and he lowered his head.

Lin Yuan, meanwhile, gave him a brilliant smile.

Captain Qin Zhan's eye twitched again.

He extended a second finger.

"Second! Respect life! Although the secret realm has protective mechanisms, the spiritual trauma caused by energy impact is irreversible! I do not want to see anyone's future ruined because of this competition!"

"Third!"

Captain Qin Zhan's voice became incredibly solemn.

"And the most important one!"

"Survive!"

"Only those who survive to the end are qualified to talk about glory!"

"Do you all understand?!"

"Understood!"

Over five hundred people roared in unison, their voices shaking the sky.

"Very good!"

Captain Qin Zhan nodded in satisfaction.

He raised his hand and checked the time on his terminal.

"There is one last minute until the competition begins."

"Now, all teams, enter your respective teleportation zones!"

With his command.

On the ground of the plaza, a hundred huge rune formations lit up.

Each formation corresponded to a team.

"Let's go!"

Su Wanqing let out a low cry, leading everyone into their designated Formation 73.

Lin Yuan stood in the center of the formation, taking one last look at Captain Qin Zhan on the high platform.

Captain Qin Zhan was also looking at him.

Their gazes met in the air.

No words were exchanged.

But Lin Yuan understood the meaning in Captain Qin Zhan's eyes.

"You better... perform well!"

Lin Yuan grinned.

Don't worry.

My pigsty is already ravenous!

"Buzz—"

The runes beneath their feet glowed brightly!

Blinding white light engulfed everyone's figures.

[Teleportation initiated!]

[Countdown!]

[10, 9, 8...]

On the high platform, Captain Qin Zhan watched the light gradually dissipate from the plaza and murmured to himself.

"I hope this little madman doesn't dismantle the secret realm this time..."