Chapter 346: Grand Melee, Gu Yuexi Takes the Initiative to Fight

Battle of the Trapped Beast?

The moment that name was spoken, many people’s hearts skipped a beat.

Pierce pointed to the huge field below and continued:

"As you can see, this place is just like an Ancient Rome Beast Fighting Arena."

"And tomorrow, the first round of the second stage will be held right here."

"Now, I will announce the specific rules for tomorrow’s competition:"

"Tomorrow’s competition will be a massive free-for-all with no rules!"

"Nine countries, each must send two contestants, for a total of eighteen people, who will all enter the center of the arena at the same time to fight to the death!"

"There is only one rule: there are no rules!"

"You can use any means, any weapon, and even... kill!"

"The competition will continue until three teams have been eliminated! In other words, this round will directly eliminate at least six contestants."

BOOM—!

The moment he said this, the entire crowd erupted in an uproar.

The contestants’ expressions changed in an instant.

A no-rules free-for-all?

Killing is allowed?

This kind of competition format was so cruel it was outrageous!

"Is that old bastard trying to watch us tear each other apart like wild beasts in there?"

Qin Feng clenched his fists, a flash of anger in his eyes.

"This is the White Eagle Empire’s style."

Shen Yixuan took a deep breath, his gaze grave.

"They worship absolute power and the law of the jungle. This kind of rule is most advantageous for a team like theirs, which loves to be aggressive and is well-equipped."

"Alright, that’s all for today’s opening ceremony!"

Pierce seemed to relish the shocked and fearful expressions on everyone’s faces.

"All teams, go back and prepare. At nine o’clock tomorrow morning, the free-for-all officially begins!"

"I’m very much looking forward to seeing your performance."

...

As the music signaling the end of the event began to play, the teams from each country left the square with heavy hearts.

Meanwhile, the internet had already exploded.

On Great Xia’s domestic social media, discussions about the "Battle of the Trapped Beast" instantly shot to the top of the trending lists.

"Holy shit! Isn’t this too brutal? No rules? Doesn’t that mean people are going to die again?"

"The White Eagle Empire is playing this big? The key is that all the other countries agreed to this rule... This Martial Dao Tournament is looking more and more complicated."

"The key is who to send! Each team can only send two people, so the selection is crucial!"

Countless keyboard warriors transformed into master tacticians and began to dictate strategy from behind their screens.

"I think they should send the strongest! Secure victory in the first round!"

"Are you stupid, commenter above? This is a free-for-all! The strongest will be easily targeted! What if the other countries team up to take out the strongest first? I think they should send someone with high Defense. Just surviving is a victory!"

"Right, the biggest fear is being singled out! Have you guys forgotten previous competitions? Those Western countries are always in cahoots. They’ll probably gang up on our Great Xia right from the start!"

"Then can’t we find allies too? Like teaming up with the Rose Empire?"

"Hard to say. When interests are at stake, you can’t trust anyone."

All sorts of conspiracy theories and tactical discussions emerged one after another, filling the entire network with an atmosphere of anxiety and unease.

...

「Newark City, Hilton Hotel.」

This was where the various national delegations were staying. To showcase its magnanimity as a great power, the White Eagle Empire had booked an entire floor for each country.

The Great Xia Team was staying on the 20th floor.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the 20th-floor conference room was heavy.

Ten team members sat around a circular table, with the King Realm team leader Chen Shanhe and Lin Wan seated at the head.

With a casual wave of his hand, Chen Shanhe created a faint golden, soundproof Barrier that enveloped the entire conference room, cutting off all possible eavesdropping from the outside world.

"You all understand the situation."

Chen Shanhe tapped the table, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"Tomorrow’s ’free-for-all,’ a nine-country melee, will test not only strength but also tactics and human nature."

"We must choose the two most suitable candidates."

"They need to be able to fight, to endure, and to have sufficient adaptability."

"If anyone has any thoughts, speak up now."

Silence.

After a brief silence, Shen Yixuan was the first to stand up.

He straightened his collar. Although his face was still a bit weary, his eyes were exceptionally determined.

"Teacher Chen, I’m the captain. I’ll go."

"I have the strength of the Peak of Seventh-Grade, and my abilities are balanced between offense and defense, suitable for this kind of chaotic battle. If anything unexpected happens, I can also make a judgment call immediately."

Chen Shanhe nodded. Shen Yixuan was indeed a very reliable choice.

"However..." Shen Yixuan paused, glancing at his teammates.

"If anyone feels they have a better chance, or has special methods, I am willing to give up my spot. After all, the team’s victory is the top priority."

His words were tactful and showed he was considering the bigger picture.

The others looked at each other, all hesitating.

No one was absolutely certain!

And if they lost in such a crucial match, they would be ruthlessly flamed by the public.

Furthermore, judging by tomorrow’s rules, it wouldn’t be as simple as just getting flamed—there was a real danger to their lives.

Among them, Qin Feng was tempted, but his Black Eagle had been injured in the Spiritless Sea Region and hadn’t fully recovered. Besides, it would be difficult for it to be effective in the Beast Fighting Arena.

Just then, a cold voice abruptly broke the delicate atmosphere.

"I want a spot."

Everyone turned their heads in unison.

The one who had spoken was none other than Gu Yuexi, who was sitting in the corner.

She lifted her head, her eyes, like pools of icy water, calmly gazing at Chen Shanhe.

"Gu Yuexi?"

Teacher Lin Wan frowned. Although she had a decent impression of this Jing University student, this was no time for bravado.

"This is no joke. People can be killed in there. You..."

She didn’t finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear: Although you survived the desperate-situation test, your cultivation is only at the Sixth-Grade Early Stage. It’s too unstable.

"I know."

Gu Yuexi interrupted her coolly, her tone leaving no room for doubt:

"There are two spots. I don’t care who takes the other one, but I’m taking one."

Gu Yuexi’s reason for volunteering was simple.

The Points from this Martial Dao competition were directly related to the resource rewards back at school—in other words, Jing University’s academic credits.

And her purpose for participating was to earn those credits to enter Secret Realm Zero.

The better she performed, the more reward Points she would receive.

Therefore, this time, she wouldn’t stand by as a cold observer. She would take the initiative!

"Ha? What a big talker!"

Seeing Gu Yuexi’s demeanor, Zhao Cheng couldn’t hold back and said sarcastically:

"You get a spot just because you say so? This is a matter of national honor! What if you get in there and are instantly killed? Our Great Xia will be down a person immediately. Wouldn’t that just be screwing everyone over?"

Faced with the challenge, Gu Yuexi didn’t even bat an eyelid.

She slowly stood up, and an invisible, terrifying aura, as if from a superior being, instantly emanated from her.

In that instant, the temperature in the entire conference room seemed to drop by several degrees.

She didn’t release any world-shaking pressure, it was merely a look, a posture.

Yet it made everyone present, including the two King Realm Tutors, feel an inexplicable tremor in their hearts.

It was as if the one standing before them was not a teenage girl, but an Empress who looked down upon all living things.

"I said, I want a spot."

Gu Yuexi scanned the room. Wherever her gaze landed, people unconsciously avoided her eyes.

"And I will definitely not be eliminated."

"I’ve said my piece. Who agrees, and who objects?"

Silence.

Deathly silence.

If that line had come from Zhao Cheng’s mouth, everyone would have just thought he was posturing.

But coming from Gu Yuexi, it carried a convincing, even irrefutable, absolute dominance.

Xiao Tian, sitting to her right, had moved his mouth, subconsciously about to say, "I object!"

As a rival of Jing University from Huaqing, as a prodigy who fancied himself a "future emperor," how could he tolerate someone being more arrogant than him?

But...

When his gaze fell upon Gu Yuexi’s cold profile, the sense of fear he felt when falling into the Spiritless Sea Region inexplicably welled up again.

His intuition told him that if he objected now, the consequences could be severe.

Even though his strength had now recovered, even though he had a Celestial Tier Treasure Armor...

He still chickened out.

"Ahem..."

Xiao Tian pretended to clear his throat, swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue, and turned his head to look at the scenery outside the window.

Chen Shanhe watched this scene, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.

’This girl...’

’This aura... it even made a King Realm like me feel a slight palpitation?’

’Could it be that she really obtained some incredible fortuitous encounter in the Spiritless Sea Region?’

"Since no one objects..."

Gu Yuexi withdrew her gaze, and that terrifying aura instantly vanished as if it had never been there.

She returned to being that cold and aloof girl.

"Then it’s settled."

"You all can discuss the remaining spot."

After saying that, she didn’t care about anyone else’s reaction and turned directly to walk toward the door.

"I’m tired. I’m going back to rest first. Wake me up tomorrow morning."

Only after the door clicked shut did the people in the conference room seem to break free from a binding spell, all letting out long sighs of relief.

"That... that just settled one spot?"

Zhao Cheng was a bit dumbfounded and looked at Chen Shanhe.

Chen Shanhe gave a wry smile and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Since she’s so confident... let’s trust her this once. That child isn’t someone who doesn’t know the gravity of a situation."

"Alright, for the remaining spot, Shen Yixuan, it’ll still be you. You must keep an eye on her and don’t let her do anything reckless."

"Yes, sir!"

Shen Yixuan nodded solemnly, but his heart was filled with mixed feelings.

’Keep an eye on her?’

’With that kind of aura just now, who’s supposed to be keeping an eye on whom?’

...

「Meanwhile.」

Gu Yuexi swiped her key card and returned to her room.

It was a luxury suite, with a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the bustling night view of Newark.

She walked to the window, her gaze directed toward a distant point, lost in thought.

Suddenly, she felt something was strange... it was a bit too quiet.

’Where’s that damn buzzing mosquito? Is he asleep again?’

Gu Yuexi frowned and reached for her inner pocket.

That was the "VIP sleeping quarters" she had specially reserved for Chu Sheng... but she felt nothing.

Her heart tightened, and she quickly turned the pocket inside out.

It was empty. Not even a mosquito leg to be found.

’That damn mosquito!’

’Where did he sneak off to fool around now?!’