Chapter 204: Repeatedly Emerging Powerhouses (1/2)

There were nearly ten thousand students spread out among the ten branches of the Astral Combat Academy, and among them were innumerable hidden powerhouses. Each one of them had been patiently waiting for this moment, where they would defeat the academy leaders before the universe’s eyes. They wanted to enter the sights of the Ten Arbiters and become a young powerhouse famed throughout the universe.

Under everyone’s watchful gazes, there was a constantly changing number in front of each competitor. After a bit, each flashing image eventually stopped onto a single number.

“Place your hands on your number,” a loud voice rumbled from the sky.

All of the competitors raised their hands and touched the number in front of them. The scene before them changed, and all 434 of them suddenly appeared within the arenas. Each arena held two people, evenly dividing all of the competitors up into pairs. With the exception of the academy leaders who remained seated atop the highest peak, every competitor was facing off against an opponent.

The loud voice came out again. “The one who kills their opponent first is the victor.”

All of the spectators stared excitedly at the array of arenas strewn across the plains. There were unparalleled Area Masters, soul hunter team members, hidden experts, and ancient geniuses here, but everything would be completely exposed in these arenas. At this point, no one could hide their strength anymore. This was the most dazzling stage in the entire universe.

With a loud bang, 217 arenas shook as the battles commenced. On the screens, everyone could see any arena they wished.

The battles started quickly, and some ended just as quickly, as the disparity between some of the competitors was too great.

In the trial zones, every student had the number of their academy marked on the back of their hands.

The person facing Ma Ruo was actually Darkvoid, who was very calm. His hair that was so black that it seemed to swallow the light around him was indeed scary. His demeanor and unique appearance had initially drawn a great deal of attention to him, but the crowds’ attention had quickly shifted elsewhere. The eyes of many observers had been attracted by a scene that was unfolding not far from their arena.

In that arena, the Daynight youth who had been Astral-4’s participant for Tribute to the Ancestors was facing off against a very normal-looking youth. However, contrary to expectations, this seemingly average person had actually avoided multiple attacks from the Daynight youth.

The male from the Daynight clan was called Tiankong Daynight, and he was one of the top five strongest students in Astral-4 as well as one of the Dao of Slaughter’s Area Masters. Unless an Area Master met another powerhouse of the same power level, they would be able to instantly defeat any other opponent that they faced. But Tiankong was currently stuck in a deadlock against this unknown opponent. He was not a seasoned student of the Astral Combat Academy, but rather someone who had only just recently joined Astral-3.

News that the Astral Combat Tournament would be broadcast to the entire universe had attracted countless freakish talents, and this youth was one of these hidden geniuses whose interest had been piqued, as no one recognized him.

Bang!

There was a fearsome shock wave as Tiankong Daynight’s attack enveloped the entire arena. It even ruptured the sky above him, distorting the space to the point where the invisible air barrier had to actively block it. This attack would definitely hit the youth.

But when the smoke cleared, the youth was still standing properly with a stiff expression, as if the attack had not affected him in the slightest.

Tiankong Daynight’s pupils shrank to pinpoints. Impossible!

At the same time, in another arena some distance away, Frankfurt gripped his spear and looked at the vortex facing him. All of his attacks had been rendered useless, and his battle force had been easily shattered by the beautiful Yue Xianzi who was standing in the middle of the approaching vortex.

“This is the battle technique that you inherited from Blackwater Lake?” Frankfurt’s voice was hoarse, and there was a hint of disbelief within it.

Yue Xianzi’s expression remained cold as she looked at Frankfurt with her beautiful eyes. “Disappear.” The vague image of a cold moon appeared above her head, causing an icy chill to rush through Frankfurt’s body before the vortex swallowed him.

The first Area Master had been defeated, shocking all of the other students.

An Area Master was only second in strength to a Realm Master, and there were several in each academy. No matter how weak they were, they always ranked within the top ten of each academy. Despite their impressive strength and standing, one had nonetheless just been easily eliminated from the tournament.

Everyone had known from the outset that this Astral Combat Tournament would not be normal, but no one had imagined that an Area Master would be defeated right from the start. This Yue Xianzi from the Frostmoon Sect was yet another student who had recently joined the Astral Combat Academy.

Ma Ruo was also defeated without much commotion, and in an inexplicable manner that shocked her as well; she had been blown to shreds by a void explosion. That Astral-10 male could actually tear the void apart with ease, which was inconceivable. Astral-10 had concealed its strength too much.

Darkvoid had won his first battle, but Schutz had lost. Despite the grueling hard work that he had put into comprehending battle force, Schutz had failed this time. He had sufficient battle experience, but he could only accept his bad luck of being easily squashed when he was matched up against an Area Master.

It was not only Schutz who suffered this fate; Zora and Zhao Yilong were also defeated without much suspense. Although they had been personally guided by their respective mentors for a few months, all of the students who had reached this stage were powerful in their own right. They, on the other hand, had only been truly cultivating for a few months, and it was not enough to make up for the disparity that existed between them and genius Limiteers. Sometimes, 99% of hard work just could not make up for what 1% talent gave.

In another arena, Coco was running away nonstop while a blade-wielding man chased after her. Their game of cat and mouse had gone on for a while, and this scene also attracted many people’s attention. They were enraptured by Coco’s cuteness. Did this child come even here to compete?

“You, you, stop running! This is a fight, not a race,” the man shouted while panting heavily as he gave Coco a helpless look.

She adamantly pursed her lips. “I won’t fight.”

“Then admit defeat.”

“That’s not an option. There is only victory or death.”

“Then die. You can’t beat me anyway.”

“I can’t. I’m scared of pain.”