The spectators outside the arena had a clear view of the situation; naturally, the participants inside could discern its gravity even more clearly.
A student wearing the emblem of the Celestial Military Academy couldnât help but say indignantly, "Youâll never break through like this."
"Are you the No.1 Seed, Mo Zishu, from the Celestial Military Academy? Do you have any good suggestions?" a participant, who had been repeatedly frustrated in his attempts to break through, asked with a hint of hope.
Mo Zishuâs gaze fixed on Fang Zhou, who was positioned in the center of the arena, his voice carrying a trace of helplessness.
"Actually, this isnât some clever suggestion, but rather something everyone understands yet is unwilling to do.
"That is unity.
"Only when everyoneâs strength is combined can we hope to breach that seemingly impregnable defense."
Before anyone could react, Mo Zishu shifted his attention back to Fang Zhou and continued, "Fang Zhou, if youâre willing to hand over the portable Concentration Meditation Array youâre holding, then all this can be resolved amicably.
"Of course, if you insist on not handing it over, weâll have no choice but to take it by force.
"After all, our time is limited, and we shouldnât waste too much effort in this stalemate."
Fang Zhouâs expression remained impassive as he replied flatly, "If action can solve the problem, then words are unnecessary."
Upon hearing this, the spectators outside the arena held their breath.
"It seems youâve already made your decision. Very well, then."
A slight smile touched Mo Zishuâs lips. He turned to face the other participants, his tone firm. "My proposal is simple. We need to devise a practical plan and cooperate to break in as one.
"As for who ultimately obtains the portable Concentration Meditation Array, that will depend on each personâs ability and opportunity."
Hearing this, the students hesitated, though most were quite tempted.
Just as they were arguing amongst themselves, Fang Zhouâs voice struck the noisy crowd like a heavy hammer.
"I must say, you people are all talk. Havenât you decided yet? Iâve been waiting so long the flowers have wilted."
"Oh? In such a hurry to die, are we?" the student tasked with watching Fang Zhou retorted disdainfully, seemingly unfazed by the threat.
"Iâve been waiting for five minutes while you all dither and dawdle.
"It seems Iâll have to launch a few of you into the sky for you to understand the gravity of wasting my time."
Fang Zhouâs voice was ice-cold, carrying an undeniable finality.
As his words fell, he shifted his body slightly, and the scene previously hidden behind him was instantly revealed to all.
The mocking expression on the face of the student monitoring Fang Zhou changed drastically upon seeing the loaded Bed Crossbow behind him. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Youâve seen it. Tell me, what is this?"
Fang Zhou had already commanded two Skeletons to finish loading it. Now, he was rapidly adjusting the Bed Crossbowâs firing angle, preparing to shoot.
"HOLY SHIT! EVERYONE, GET OUT OF THE WAY!" the student monitoring Fang Zhou bellowed, trying to alert his still-debating companions.
However, the students, who were fervently discussing how to deal with Fang Zhou, seemed bewildered.
They stopped their debate and looked quizzically in the direction of the warning, completely unaware of what was happening.
"Too late. Iâve lost my patience. Time for a little motivation."
Before his words had faded, Fang Zhou activated the Bed Crossbow.
A thick steel bolt shot from the weapon, accompanied by a piercing whistle as it sliced through the air, heading straight for the crowd.
"GET AWAY FROM THE FRONT OF THE GAP! HE HAS A BED CROSSBOW!" the student monitoring Fang Zhou screamed desperately, but his voice seemed to become distant and powerless in that instant.
Yet, even the most agile students couldnât react in time.
THUNK, THUNK, THUNK, THUNK, THUNK, THUNK...
A series of sickening, wet impacts followedâthe sound of the steel bolt punching through flesh.
The bolt, now slick with blood, slammed into a distant stone pillar with a thunderous roar, embedding itself deeply within the stone.
The entire pillar shattered instantly under the immense force, sending countless fragments scattering like shrapnel.
All the participants present were shaken to their core by the sudden violence. They looked around, trying to comprehend what power had caused such devastation.
Then, they witnessed an even more shocking sight.
A dazzling white light suddenly flared, and immediately, a large number of students began gushing blood as they collapsed to the ground.
In that instant, it was as if a storm of death had swept through the field. Students scattered in panic, and the scene descended into chaos.
When they looked back at the incidentâs epicenter, the sight was terrifying. Of the more than twenty students who had been gathered there, most now lay motionless, while the few survivors fled in terror.
Several bodies lay strewn across the street, their positions forming an almost perfect line, as if they had been precisely harvested by an unseen force.
A thick, metallic stench of blood quickly filled the air. Even though this was only a Simulation Battlefield, the realistic sensation was still enough to inspire fear.
Everyone knew this was just a simulation and that death was only a virtual experience. However, the high degree of realism in modern technology made every "death" feel exceptionally realâan unforgettable experience.