Chapter 352 - 183: The Tournament Officially Begins, Battle

In the past, Gu Ruilong was always the one who bullied others with impunity. No one ever dared to step out of line in his presence.

But now, Li Chang’an’s attitude clearly infuriated him, fanning the flames of his already burning rage.

However, just as Gu Ruilong was secretly clenching his fists, wondering how to teach Li Chang’an a lesson he would never forget, he inadvertently looked up and saw Hu Xiuyuan watching them from a distance.

He saw Hu Xiuyuan’s calm expression and realized the man was likely waiting there intentionally, hoping he would make a move so he could be caught red-handed.

Gu Ruilong’s expression soured.

He wasn’t afraid of Hu Xiuyuan, per se, but the man was a Governor with real authority and powerful backers of his own. On top of that, Hu Xiuyuan himself had already reached the Martial Arts Eighth Tier.

If he were to make a move right in front of the Governor, setting aside whether the man would intervene, the potential consequences simply weren’t worth it.

And so, after his chest heaved for a moment, Gu Ruilong finally unclenched his fists. He turned and left with the few Reincarnators from Shanghai.

As he was leaving, he shot one last line at Li Chang’an: "I hope you can win the regionals and make it to the nationals. Otherwise, I’ll have to deal with you in person, and that’s just too much trouble!"

By the time he finished speaking, he and his group were already some distance away.

A cold smile touched Li Chang’an’s lips as he watched Gu Ruilong’s retreating figure—so aggressive, yet forced to flee in disarray.

He’d always known Gu Ruilong was a good-for-nothing, but he hadn’t realized he was a good-for-nothing who was all show and no substance.

’It makes sense. He’s one of those rich kids, coddled from birth and used to looking down on everyone.’

’How could you expect someone like that to empathize with the common folk?’

’Everything he has comes from his family.’

’Without them, he’d probably have trouble just surviving.’

At that thought, Li Chang’an shook his head, clearing his mind. He glanced over at Hu Xiuyuan in the distance and gave him a grateful look.

Hu Xiuyuan nodded in return, offering no further acknowledgment.

They had a connection, but it was precisely because of that connection that Hu Xiuyuan couldn’t openly oppose Gu Ruilong.

After all, Hu Xiuyuan providing aid from the shadows was far more advantageous than making a public enemy.

After their brief, knowing exchange of glances, Li Chang’an followed Su Ruobing into the main plaza.

The arena designed by the Reincarnator Association was massive.

Only by actually stepping inside and seeing the massive, dark sea of people, like a teeming ant colony, could one truly appreciate the sheer influence of the regional tournament.

And these weren’t just ordinary people who had come to watch the fights.

They were all Permanent Reincarnators!

The fact that the Reincarnator Association could gather tens of thousands, perhaps even close to one hundred thousand, Reincarnators and transport them all to this plaza—even as mere consciousness projections—was enough to prove the immense authority its mark wielded.

It also showed just how much importance the Reincarnator community placed on the regional tournament.

Normally, a gathering of over a hundred Reincarnators from various regions would be considered an exceptionally large and rare meeting.

A spectacle with tens of thousands of onlookers like this was something you couldn’t even imagine unless you saw it with your own eyes!

「...」

The first three rounds of the regional tournament were a free-for-all within each respective region.

As long as a participant won a few matches within their region, they would generally avoid being penalized by the Reincarnator Association for poor performance.

Placing in the top three of the internal tournament meant advancing to the nationals.

For a second or third-tier city like Linjiang, winning even a single round in the nationals would be considered an excellent achievement—enough to have the region’s Reincarnators cheering in celebration.

While waiting for the regional tournament to officially begin, Su Ruobing, who had been quiet with her eyes lowered this whole time, suddenly spoke in a hushed voice. "I don’t know about anyone else, but if anything happens to you, I’ll fight Gu Ruilong to the death!"

It took Li Chang’an a moment to process her baffling declaration, but then he couldn’t help but smile and nod. "Of course. I believe you!"

Apparently, Su Ruobing’s reaction time was a bit slow.

It was only now, long after Gu Ruilong had made his threats and left, that she finally came up with something to say to comfort Li Chang’an.

As time ticked by, the crowd in the arena grew larger and larger.

The spectator stands, which had only been filled in the front few rows, gradually packed with Reincarnators who had come to watch the spectacle. All eyes were fixed on the contestants from their respective regions.

The Reincarnators from Linjiang had already taken their seats.

Thanks to Li Chang’an, Li Jianfei and Li Siying had also managed to get spectator tickets, and the two siblings were now sitting in the section reserved for Linjiang.

Zhao Suran, Deng Ankang, Ji Fulin, Qian Zhong...

One by one, familiar and unfamiliar faces appeared in the spectator stands.

Apparently, basically every Reincarnator from Linjiang with a free moment had come to watch. Even those who were busy were following the livestream in their group chats.

With the sound of the referee’s whistle, the first round of the regional tournament officially began.