Fortunately, neither incident had truly placed his life in genuine danger. Both times, retreating had simply been the wiser choice.
Still, it wasn't an experience Michael particularly enjoyed. The thought of this becoming some strange pattern made even him feel slightly uncomfortable.
If fate decided to repeat itself again after he reached the peak of Rank Four, the ones chasing him would probably be Demigods.
That was a genuinely terrifying thought.
Fortunately, after venting everything on the unfortunate ape, the lingering frustration had finally disappeared completely.
Just then, a faint radiance condensed beside the ape's corpse. Michael's gaze shifted.
"…A Treasure Orb?"
He was surprised that his first monster in the Origin Battlefield would actually produce one. At least the orbs were one thing the Origin Battlefield shared with the Land of Origin.
The sphere floated quietly beside the corpse, releasing gentle waves of energy. Without hesitation, Michael reached out and crushed it. The orb dissolved into countless motes of light before gathering together once more.
A folded fan appeared in his hand. Its frame was forged from dark jade-like metal, while its surface shimmered with countless silver patterns resembling flowing wind.
Michael activated Detect.
[Skywind Spirit Fan]
Grade: Extraordinary ★★
Effect: Upon activation, releases compressed wind blades. Can also generate powerful wind currents for flight, defense, or suppression.
Michael nodded slightly.
"Not bad."
It was a relatively ordinary treasure, but a treasure regardless. Michael casually stored both the Skywind Spirit Fan and the ape's corpse.
Just as he was about to leave, a translucent panel suddenly materialized before his eyes, bringing him to a stop.
[Congratulations to all Awakeners on successfully entering the Origin Battlefield] [As this is the first opening of the Origin Battlefield, special protection has been granted by the Origin Will] [The duration of this first expedition has been reduced] [Returning to your respective worlds will become available after the countdown reaches zero] [Remaining Time: 69 Hours 43 Minutes 17 Seconds]
Michael quickly calculated. Three days. Originally seventy-two hours. A little over two hours had already passed since entering the battlefield.
"So the first expedition only lasts three days…"
That wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Many people had undoubtedly entered the Origin Battlefield completely unprepared.
Three days was enough to allow everyone to experience this place without being trapped here for too long.
As Michael continued reading, the panel changed once again. The previous notification disappeared before a new one slowly emerged.
[The Origin Rankings are now officially open]
[All participants will be ranked according to their overall performance within the Origin Battlefield] [Rankings will be updated continuously]
[The higher your ranking, the richer your rewards]
Additional panels appeared.
[Origin Ranking Challenge Rules]
[Each participant may issue up to three ranking challenges per month.] [Each participant may be challenged up to three times per month] [Challenges may only be issued against participants within an approved ranking range of ten ranks above] [If challenged, the target may refuse]
[Each participant may refuse up to three challenges three times for each challenge per month] [After three refusals for a challenge, any further refusal will be treated as a forfeit. After three refusals for three challenges, any further refusal will be treated as a forfeit] [Upon forfeiture, the challenger and challenged participant will exchange ranking positions] [Once a ranking challenge begins, both participants will be transferred to a designated battlefield] [Within the battlefield, defeat can only occur through death or voluntary surrender] [All summons, contracted creatures, equipment, talents, skills, and treasures are considered part of the participant's strength] [Monthly rewards will be distributed according to final ranking positions] Michael's expression became thoughtful.
His first thought was whether the rewards would be similar to the Heavenly Enlightenment Incense. If they were, then the Origin Rankings would become something truly terrifying.
The Origin Battlefield was already bound to be a bloody place.
A place where one could die at any moment because of a single treasure, a single opportunity, or even because someone stronger simply disliked them. But even so, awakeners would not desperately risk their lives for just any treasure.
If the monthly rewards were ordinary, Michael dared to say many people would simply ignore the rankings and focus on exploring safely. After all, survival came first.
However, if the rewards were even remotely close in value to the incense he had obtained, then things would be completely different. A Three-Star Epic treasure capable of increasing comprehension by up to ten times.
Even peak Rank Four monsters had chased him like madmen for it. If ranking rewards offered treasures of similar grade, or worse, something even more precious, then the Origin Battlefield would no longer be merely dangerous.
It would become a slaughterhouse.
Michael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Monthly rewards…"
That meant this wasn't a one-time temptation.
"Looks like this place is going to become even more troublesome than I thought."
Then, without hesitation, he selected the option to open the rankings.
The panel shifted.
[Origin Rankings]
[Rank 1: Solmara Veyr]
[Level: 100]
[Realm: Celestial Flame Realm]
[Rank 2: Thal'Rokan]
[Level: 100]
[Realm: Ancient Dragon Realm]
[Rank 3: Jian Wuhen]
[Level: 100]
[Realm: Azure Sword Realm]
[Rank 4: Aureon]
[Level: 100]
[Realm: Celestial Dominion]
[Rank 5: Kaelthar]
[Level: 100]
[Realm: Titanforge Realm]
[Rank 6: Narael]
[Level: 100]
[Realm: Starfall Realm]
[Rank 7: Arven Vale]
[Level: 100]
[Realm: Aurora]
Michael's eyes abruptly stopped.
"…Arven?"
For a moment, he thought he had read it wrongly. He stared at the seventh name again.
[Rank 7: Arven Vale]
[Level: 100]
[Realm: Aurora]
Aurora. The same realm as him. And that name.
Michael's expression became strange.
"Surely…"
His lips twitched slightly.
"This isn't Director Arven from the academy, right?"
The thought appeared almost immediately. After all, how many Rank Four level 100 awakeners named Arven could Aurora possibly have?
Michael slowly rubbed his chin. Back then, Director Arven had already given him an unfathomable feeling. Even after Michael grew stronger, he still never truly understood how deep the director's strength went.
But Rank 7 in the entire Origin Battlefield?
That was a little too ridiculous.
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