"Is there even a need to say it? Of course, it's because of Bloodshadows. Previously, the sword tournaments were mostly matters of pride, without major interest conflicts. Now, several realms have placed heavy bets on it, so why would they use such a chaotic competition method? If they did, the other realms would take turns to eliminate Bloodshadows first." Wang Wenze said, picking up a piece of pastry from the table and chewing it. He noticed Pei Yan giving him a wink and gesturing to the plate in front of him; he casually pushed the plate over.
Pei Yan picked up the crystal-clear pastry from the plate, one of the specialties from the Daoist Realm called Ice Silk Cake. Staying here for a while, people in the hall inevitably go out to sell some things, and after trying this pastry, it immediately won unanimous approval from all members. Eating it is slightly sweet, soft, and melts in the mouth, with a suitable coolness that flows gently inside, not cold enough to cause headaches but just enough to dispel the summer heat. This soothing feeling also conquered Pei Yan's appetite; he has been fond of this food since he returned.
Closing his eyes to enjoy the pleasure of the food melting in his mouth, Pei Yan said while chewing, "That's good, it seems we've offended fewer people than Bloodshadows did, saving us from acting cautiously to avoid being attacked."
"It's just unknown who will be that lucky one to get a bye in the first round. If it's us, then we can sit back and watch the tigers fight! How about letting Pei Jin draw our opponent? With her ability, she might win us the jackpot." Zheng Jia Ru said, tiptoeing and chiming in with a smile.
"Do you think the opponent will fulfill your wishes?" Gu Shenghui glanced at Zheng Jia Ru and said grimly, "This time is different from the last tournament. With lessons learned from last time, several realms' Power of Origin will use avatars to spy in secret, and no small movement will escape their eyes."
As he spoke, Gu Shenghui stood up, holding the table seriously, "This is also the main point I want to discuss next. This tournament, for safety and fairness considerations, the arena is vastly different from last time. The venue is now a ring match format. To avoid the intensity of battle impacting the spectators and causing harm, the venue has been fortified by multiple Power of Origin, ensuring foolproof security."
"So, does that mean we can give it all and use any move without reservation?" Pei Yan asked, his hand suspended in mid-air with the second pastry, turning to seek confirmation from Gu Shenghui.
"Exactly, but the opponent will similarly be utterly ruthless!"
"Doesn't that mean whoever competes first is at a disadvantage?" Jiang Feiyang pinpointed the issue and asked in return.
"Precisely to prevent such unfair situations from occurring, the self-healing setting of this arena is much more powerful than before. The previous arenas only restored your physical state; if your spirit was too exhausted, it would still require a long recovery, affecting the continuation of subsequent matches," Gu Shenghui recalled the description of the Immortal Palace inviting disciples and continued, "This time, the arena is enhanced by the Power of Origin, legitimately restoring you even if you leave the arena with just one breath, ensuring you're intact as long as you leave the arena alive!"
Gu Shenghui's gaze swept over Pei Yan and Ye Ruozai, meaningfully saying, "Life-and-death battles are excluded here."
The hall fell silent upon hearing this, everyone's eyes directed at the two of them. Gu Shenghui's meaning was clear; to ensure winning the coming fights, he hoped the two would act cautiously in battle, trying to avoid joining life-and-death battles.
Ye Ruozai, who always firmly obeyed the hall's arrangements, pondered for a long time before expressing his stance, "If I encounter a Magic Realm contestant, I will have a life-and-death battle with them!"
"Such things are unavoidable. Even if you don't fight to the death with our enemies, there's a high chance they will seek you out actively!" Pei Yan said, putting the Ice Silk Cake into his mouth and chewing, "In a life-and-death battle, we just need to survive as victors!"
Having long anticipated this outcome, Gu Shenghui sighed without speaking further and continued, "Let me explain the rules of this tournament; this time, teams will fight against teams, adopting a sequential appearance system. Except for life-and-death battle contestants selected by the opposing side's invitation, the order of team members appearing is at our discretion."
"Oh, it's a bit like arcade fighting!" Jiang Feiyang's eyes lit up upon hearing this, elbowing Pei Yan beside him with a smile, "Then if Pei Yan is strong enough, wouldn't he be able to take on three directly opposite?"
"Hehe, that's indeed nice; I don't mind!"
Pei Yan, excited by what he said, patted the crumbly pastry bits off his hand.
Gu Shenghui tapped the table with his hand and continued, "In previous tournaments, no matter the outcome, both sides had to leave the field, allowing the next contestant to appear for a duel."
"So is it a points system? Two out of three wins?" Pei Yan pinched his chin, discouraged after hearing this.
"No, there's still a chance to turn the tables! As the last match's contestant, if you lose both previous matches, you have the right to apply to challenge the previous winners again, but this request condition is extremely harsh!"
"What condition!"
"A truly successive fights!" Gu Shenghui replied emphatically facing everyone's inquiries, "The person who chooses to challenge will not have the chance to leave the field and recover; they must win consecutively against the opposing team's three contestants on the field to complete the reversal."
"Does that mean, in selecting personnel, to ensure foolproof plans, each team will place their trump card last? So our appearance sequence is Pei Yan at the bottom?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Shenghui, who was presiding over the meeting, dissatisfiedly said, "We can't put all the burdens on Pei Yan's shoulders; winning the first two battles, putting pressure on the opposing contestants, wouldn't that be more strategic?"
Seeing the old superior speak out, Xia Yu stuck out her tongue, refraining from speaking further. Pei Yan picked up the conversation to mediate, "Specific adjustments will be made on the match day according to the opponent's situation. I want to know now, besides me and Ye Ruozai, is the remaining contestant still as earlier planned, Gu Chu taking the stage?"
"Yes, this time, the individual match team consists of us three!"
"Then I have no more questions!" In such an important tournament, Lin Junzhao chose Gu Shenghui to compete, which must have her reasoning. Pei Yan was very curious about Gu Chu's ability; in prior instances, his actions were but glimpses to Pei Yan, and he was filled with anticipation for probing deeper through this tournament.
"Pei Yan, are you sure about what we talked about before?" Gu Shenghui asked, looking at Pei Yan, who was heading outside.
"Ah! Absolutely! Some matters must be done; how could they not pay the price for it!"
