539 End of the First Phase (2/2)

Just like that, another day passed in a flash. Finally, the second group appeared inside the Formation's Core. But when the newcomers looked at Krune and the others, they felt that something wasn't right.

”Why do they look so tired?”

Well, they couldn't be blamed, Krune's group had literally tried everything possible and impossible. Still, everything was useless. In the end, they reached the same conclusion as before. They will need to wait for the first 5000 participants to arrive.

Looking a little embarrassed, Krune's group gathered in a corner to rest. The newcomers also didn't do anything since they already passed the first phase as well. Each side kept their distances. However, Krune, Laka, and Hanan didn't tell them what happened.

'We already suffered a lot trying to find a way to enter, now it is your time to do so.'

Sure enough, the new group began to investigate the pools as well. Even though they asked Krune's group if they found anything, Krune and the others didn't say a single word.

Soon, four days had passed since the start of the first phase.

”Number of participants who passed the first phase - 1268.”

”Number of participants who passed the first phase - 1269.”

”Number of participants who passed the first phase - 1270...”

By now, the cultivators and demon beasts already began to feel the Freezing Energy effects in this place. Also, everywhere they went seemed the same, which gave an unsettling feeling. Last but not least, every time someone completed the first phase, it was as if a knife was cut through the hearts of those who didn't.

Killings also began to happen everywhere as well. There are still three days until the theoretical limit of everyone's resistance. However, if they waited until the very last day to do battle, they might not even have the energy to fight anymore. So groups began to pounce at each other every time they thought their sides were much stronger.

That wasn't all. Betrayals also began to take place. No one wanted to freeze to death, and if it meant to kill the weakest member of your group, then so be it.

Nevertheless, the last thing you will find in the Heavenly Competition are weaklings. That being said, even when entire groups ganged up on someone, they usually would end up escaping after paying some price. Thanks to that, from the 25k participants that entered the Ice maze, less than 1k died so far.

On the sixth day, though. The numbers of cultivators and demon beasts dying and freezing to death began to escalate. And while all of that happened...

”Number of participants who passed the first phase - 3897.”

”Number of participants who passed the first phase - 3920.”

”Number of participants who passed the first phase - 4023.”

The number of positions available to join in the second phase reduced faster and faster. Sure enough, more and more cultivators and demon beasts approached the Formation's Core by the time.

However, only the first ones to enter the place spent their time trying to do something with the pools. Those who arrived later noticed the earlier cultivators and demon beasts were resting beside a white light pool. Other than just casually touching it, they didn't try anything else.

Finally, on the eighth day, the 5000th participant entered the Formation's Core. Everyone could see his happiness for being able to arrive at the very last moment. If not that there were many spectators in and out of the Protection Formation, he would have started jumping right there and then.

At the same time that the last competitor appeared, all the survivors were instantly teleported outside of the Protection Formation. However, it was worth mentioning something here. Almost all the participants who entered the Formation's Core were Heavenly Divine Soul Owners and at the peak of the Divine Path Realm. Not only that, but almost all the 'favorites' were there as well.

One probably thought that this was a competition where the majority had to strongly rely on luck. After all, it was a maze. But the fact is that it couldn't be further from the truth. The powerful teams, who had the power to hold themselves against the majority, forced the weaker groups to share their 'maps.'

That's correct. Everyone was lost in the maze, so the cultivators and demon beasts began to draw their own maps. That was the best way to avoid walking in circles. Those strong teams then used these maps from the other several weaker teams to find their way to the core.

As one can expect, the Heavenly Competition might have luck involved, but strength is still the main factor. Without strength, most of the qualified participants wouldn't be here now.

In the end, of the 25k participants who entered the Ice maze, over 8k died. Yet, Norzulun and the Dalin Universe Management elders were quite impressed with this number. They were expecting that at least half would leave their lives behind.

'I guess that is the effect of the Holy Land. A lot of the participants had been there, so their strength increased by leaps and bounds. Thanks to that, they were able to resist the cold for much longer. With that, they didn't have to start fighting against each other too early.'

Norzulun then shook his head. What matters is that the first 5000 were selected. There is no need to care about the losers anymore.

After that, he connected his Divine Sense with the Formations Core. It was time to start the second part of the Heavenly Competition.