r18novel Chapter 1263 The Void Swordsman Appears
Chapter 1263 The Void Swordsman Appears
Although there were many participants in the first round, the pace of the competition was frighteningly fast.
On the semi-transparent screen above the arena, the leaderboard kept updating with each match.
The name jumps up and falls down, the number changes from single digits to tens digits, and from tens digits to even higher numbers.
Those once powerful figures who dominated their respective worlds fell one by one in the arena, like wheat being harvested.
Some won, some lost, some walked off the arena alive, some were carried off, and some never got up again.
In about an hour, the first round of matches in this arena was over.
Of course, the death toll was by no means low.
Of the 86 people, 34 died and 11 were so seriously injured that they could not continue to compete even after receiving treatment.
This alone shows just how fierce this battle for supremacy has been.
This is not a performance, not a show, not a friendly match where you punch and I kick each other.
This is a true battle of life and death; in every duel, someone is fighting desperately, and in every duel, someone falls.
However, the leaders and elders of the various factions did not react much after witnessing this scene.
They sat in the stands, some leaning back in their chairs with their eyes closed, some talking in hushed tones, and some flipping through documents in their hands, their expressions as calm as if they were watching an ordinary sporting event.
Occasionally, someone would raise their head and glance at the wounded and corpses being carried away in the arena, but only for a brief look before looking away and continuing with their own business.
In their eyes, a genius will always remain a genius until he has grown to the level they deem worthy.
An unfulfilled talent, a card yet to be revealed, a sapling yet to grow.
Is this thing valuable? Yes, it is.
But is it valuable? Not really.
The race has nurtured them for so many years, investing resources, time, and energy; it's time to monetize some of it.
It would be best if they could survive, but if they die, the resources invested wouldn't be that significant.
Surviving in the void is never an easy thing. If a genius can't even withstand a test like the Battle of the Strongest, he won't be able to go very far in the storms of the future.
Of course, these ideas do not include Mondstadt, Sadmoon, and others.
The level of training and background they receive is unmatched by ordinary geniuses. They are cultivated as the core fighting force of their race. It would be heartbreaking to see them killed by others.
After the first round ended, the arena entered a short break.
During this break, the spectators in the stands stood up to stretch their bodies. Some went to the restroom, some went to buy food and drinks, and others discussed the exciting matches with the people next to them.
The gamblers were even busier; some were calculating odds, some were exchanging chips, and some were haggling with the bookmaker. The entire stands were as lively as a giant market.
The contestants then returned to their seats.
Lin Yi sat in the chair, leaning back, with his eyes closed.
Just as Lin Yi was about to close his eyes and rest, a commotion came from the east side of the stands.
The commotion started as a few people whispering, but it quickly spread like ripples, and more and more people began to turn their heads to look in the same direction.
All eyes turned to the Arcane Eternal Star's seating area at the same time.
Lin Yi opened his eyes and followed the gazes of those people.
Lord Rat was swaggering down the aisle of the Arcane Eternal Star seating area.
He was wrapped in bandages, from his neck to his ankles, making him look like a mummy.
In some places, the bandages were soaked with blood, turning a dark red color, while in others they were loose, hanging down at his sides and swaying gently as he walked.
This immediately attracted a lot of attention.
In the stands of Arcane Eternal Star, the spellcasters were stunned for a moment, then stood up from their chairs in unison.
The Rat King is quite well-known in the Void, and many factions are aware of his temperament.
That old guy has a bad temper, an eccentric personality, and never does things the way people do.
When they're in a good mood, they can be like brothers with you; when they're in a bad mood, they can turn on you without hesitation.
In this void, few are willing to deal with him, and even fewer dare to, because he is too unpredictable.
So when everyone saw that the Rat had run to Arcane Eternal's territory, their first reaction was that the forces on Arcane Eternal must have provoked the Rat, otherwise the Rat would never have gone to Arcane Eternal's territory to provoke them under such circumstances.
This is not a guess, it is a judgment.
Although Rat is crazy, he's not stupid.
He was able to survive in the void for so many years not because of luck, but because of his skills and intelligence.
He knows who he can mess with and who he can't, and in what situations he can and can't cause trouble.
There's only one possibility for him to do something like this at this time and place—he did it on purpose.
Just as the Rat was about to enter the Arcane Eternal Star seating area, a figure suddenly blocked his way.
King of the Raging Winds.
He was tall and stood in the middle of the aisle like a wall.
For King Frostwind, the Rat's actions were tantamount to provoking Arcane Eternal.
This is not just his personal matter; it is a matter for the entire Arcane Eternal Star.
If he lets the rats go today, more people will follow suit tomorrow.
The majesty that Arcane Eternal Star has cultivated and built up over countless years in this void will, in that instant, reveal a crack.
So no matter what the Rat wants to do, King Rin will naturally not let him get away with it.
He stood in the middle of the corridor, his right hand slightly open at his side, with extremely fine elemental light flowing around his fingertips.
For those who know King Linfeng, that means he has entered battle mode.
The rat stopped in its tracks.
He looked at the middle-aged man blocking his way, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled up, the arc gradually forming into a full-blown cold smile.
“I’m not here to cause trouble this time.” Rat’s voice was hoarse and grating, but there was an inexplicable lightness in his tone. “I’m here to deliver a gift.”
After saying that, he took out a gift box.
The box was small, about the size of an adult's palm, and was deep red all over, with intricate patterns embroidered on its surface with gold thread.
The gap in the lid was sealed with a layer of dark red wax clay, on which was pressed a blurry mark. The mark looked like a crow with outstretched wings, or a burning flame.
The box looked exquisite, so exquisite that it didn't seem like something someone like the Rat would take out.
King Linfeng frowned slightly as he looked at the box.
He recognized the box; it had been circulating among the high-ranking members of Arcane Eternity for a long time and had a special name: the "Blood Seal Box," usually used to hold very important items.
Not just anyone can use this box. Its manufacturing process is complex, the materials are expensive, and each box has a unique mark that allows it to be traced back to its origin.
The fact that the Rat could produce such a box suggests that it was likely sent out by higher-ups in Arcane Eternal.
However, judging from the rat's reaction, this thing is definitely not a good thing.
The Rat looked at the King of the Winds, but wasn't in a hurry.
He stood there, a cold smile on his lips, waiting for King Linfeng to make a decision.
"Make way." A voice came from deep within the Arcane Eternal Star seating area.
Serphia.
King Linfeng turned his head to look in the direction of Sephiria.
Upon hearing Serphia's voice, King Linfeng was speechless. If he had known that Rat was here to see this woman, he would have found a way to send Rat inside.
"He can come and go as he pleases, and give gifts as he pleases. I'd like to see what good things he can give away."
King Linfeng was silent for two seconds, then stepped aside to make way for him.
King Rin noticed that the Rat's gaze was fixed intently on Serphia.
That gaze was direct, so direct it could almost be described as audacious.
It wasn't a sneaky glance, nor an occasional peek; it was a continuous, unwavering stare, like a predator watching its prey.
There was no anger or hatred in that gaze, only a chilling coldness that sent shivers down your spine.
It was obvious that the other party was there to cause trouble for Serphia.
King Linfeng sneered inwardly. If it weren't for the fact that this was a competition for the strongest, he wouldn't have bothered to step in and stop the Violent Rat.
The feud between Serphia and the Rat is their own business; what does it have to do with King Rinfeng?
He stood up to stop the Rat today not because he cared about Serphia, but because he was a member of Arcane Eternity, and he couldn't stand by and watch an outsider swagger past in these stands.
That was his responsibility, not his choice.
Now that the responsibility has been fulfilled, the choice is returned to Serphia herself.
If she wants to let the rats pass, that's her business.
It's her business if she's willing to accept the gift from the Rat.
King Linfeng didn't want to interfere anymore, nor should he.
The Rat walked up to Serphilia and stopped.
He looked down at the woman sitting in the chair, revealing a few yellowed teeth.
Serphia looked up at the Rat.
The Rat placed the gift box he was carrying on the table next to Serphia.
Meanwhile, the list of participants for the second round of duels began to scroll on the light screen above the arena.
The names flashed across the light screen, so fast that they were almost imperceptible to the naked eye. Everyone looked up at the enormous light screen, waiting for the roulette wheel to stop.
The roulette wheel spun slower and slower until it finally stopped.
Two names appeared before everyone.
Day 16, White Night.
Number 28, Dillian.
The arena fell silent for a moment.
Then, a deafening roar erupted.
"White Night versus Dillin! Spell Destroyer versus Spellcaster!"
"What a coincidence that the lottery drew these two people!"
"Is there some shady dealing involved? Could the Void Tree also be bribed?"
The sounds surged in from all directions, merging into a buzzing roar that bounced back and forth between the barrier and the stands, making the air tremble.
Some were excited, some were surprised, some were skeptical, and some were gloating. All sorts of emotions intertwined, creating an indescribable cacophony.
Coincidence? It's not a coincidence at all.
The Rat stood before Serphilia, its narrowed eyes gleaming with an almost cruel pleasure, like someone watching their carefully laid trap finally fall into by their prey.
He protected Su Xiao once in the Void Arena.
That time, the Rat interfered with the outcome of the match in his own way.
After that, he became enemies with Serphia. Apart from not directly fighting each other, the two clashed many times through their respective channels or forces.
Some of these clashes occurred openly, while others were hidden in the shadows; some involved struggles for interests, while others concerned the gains and losses of human lives.
The Rat has been operating in this void for many years. Although his power and connections cannot compare to a behemoth like Arcane Eternal Star, he is by no means a pushover.
The most ruthless instance was when Serphia sent people to slaughter the ratmen.
It was a very small race, so small that it had almost no presence in the void.
Their tribes are few in number, their territory is small, and their strength is weak, struggling to survive in the cracks between various major powers.
They never provoke others, nor do they participate in the conflicts in the void; they just want to live their lives quietly.
Those were members of the Rat Clan.
When the Rat received the message, he was searching for something in some faraway world.
He dropped everything and rushed back as fast as he could, but by the time he arrived, it was all over.
His cousin died.
The little guy who followed him around calling him "brother" since childhood, the young man who always said with a smile that he would explore the void with him when he grew up, is dead.
The body was already cold when it was found, with several fatal wounds, each enough to kill him within seconds.
He can accept this.
After all, the two sides have been enemies for so many years, and the Rat has long been used to life and death.
He himself didn't know how many battles he had almost died in. People came and went around him; some left, some died, and some he never saw again.
But his cousin's head was put into a box and delivered to him.
When he opened the box, he saw his cousin's face.
The expression on his face was calm, his eyes were closed, and the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, as if he were having a sweet dream.
The rat didn't cry, shout, or throw anything.
He simply closed the box, placed it on the table, and sat there all night.
Given his temperament, he naturally wouldn't let this matter go.
He is not the kind of person who would swallow his anger, nor is he the kind of person who would pretend that nothing happened.
He has a bad temper, an eccentric personality, and never does things the way people do, but he has one characteristic—he holds grudges.
If you treat him well, he will remember it for a lifetime.
If you treat him badly, he will remember it for a lifetime.
So today he came, bringing the same box, and came before Serphia.
He placed the box next to her, where everyone could see it.
Serphia looked at the box and recognized it.
She looked down at the raging rat, a slight smile appearing on her well-maintained face.
"What's wrong? Was the gift I gave you last time too small? Are you not satisfied?"
The next second, a blood-red sword light instantly struck Serphia's seat.
The sword light came without warning, so fast it was as if it had cut directly into reality from another dimension.
It didn't fly in from any direction; it appeared out of thin air directly above Serphia's seat and then slashed down vertically.
boom.
A loud bang.
Serphia's seat was cleaved in two by the blood-red sword light.
The chair back tilted to the sides, the seat cushion was torn, and the filling flew out from the tear and scattered all over the floor.
The wooden armrests were chopped into pieces, the metal supports were twisted and deformed, and the entire seat turned into a pile of ruins in an instant.
As the sword struck the seat, the aftershocks spread outwards.
A visible shockwave spread outwards from the point of impact, overturning tables and chairs, shattering wine glasses, and throwing plates wherever it passed.
The spellcasters sitting near Serphilia were pushed back several steps by the shockwave. Some bumped into the chairs behind them, some fell to the ground, and some bumped into the people next to them while retreating, and the two of them rolled on the ground together.
This instantly startled everyone present.
Everyone on Arcane Eternal Star stood up.
Although many people are secretly hostile to Serphia, when Serphia is attacked in public, it is no longer just her personal matter, but a matter for the entire Arcane Eternal Star.
Regardless of their thoughts or grudges with Serfia, at this moment, they had to stand up.
But soon, a seemingly carefree person appeared in everyone's sight.
He wasn't very tall, and he wore a dark robe that was full of wrinkles, making him look like he had just gotten out of bed.
His hair was messy, with a few strands hanging down his forehead, obscuring half of his eye.
He had fine stubble on his chin, which looked like he hadn't shaved for several days.
He was carrying a long sword in his hand, the blade slender and dark red in color.
His posture was very relaxed, so relaxed that he didn't seem like someone who had just attacked someone.
Upon seeing who the attacker was, the person who had been standing up immediately sat down.
It wasn't a slow, gradual sitting down; it was an instantaneous sitting down.
It's like someone pressed a switch on their chairs, and as soon as they did, they bounced back into their seats.
The newcomer was none other than the leader of the Rat Clan, the madman in the Void who was on par with the Blade Demon, the Void Swordsman Will.
This person's reputation in the void can be summed up in one word—madman.
It's not the kind of hysterical madness, not the kind of madness that loses its reason, but a kind of madness that knows what it's doing but doesn't care about the consequences at all.
He would draw his sword at the slightest glance, kill someone over a single word, and wipe out an entire clan for something he perceived as unfair.
He doesn't consider the other person's identity, background, or strength; he only considers his own mood.
In this void, the most terrifying people are not the strongest, but those who are not afraid of death.
Will is a typical example of this kind of person.
He was not afraid of death, he was not afraid of offending people, he was not afraid of making enemies, and he was not even afraid of whether he would be alive tomorrow.
He only cares about one thing—he does whatever he wants.
Nobody wanted to mess with him.
It's not that we can't beat him, it's that we can't afford to mess with him.
You beat him, but what did you gain? Nothing.
What did you gain by killing him? His madmen will come after you relentlessly, fighting to the death.
You lost to him, you lost face terribly, and your entire power suffered the same fate.
No matter how you calculate it, it's a losing proposition.
So the spellcasters of the Arcane Eternal Star sat down.
It's not because they're cowards, it's because they don't want to provoke a madman over something that doesn't belong to them.
The feud between Serfia and the Rat is their own business.
Will stood up for the Rat, but that's between them.
There's no need for the other Arcane Eternals to offend Ville over this, nor is there any need for them to take unnecessary risks.
Will stood in the aisle, his dark red longsword hanging at his side, his gaze fixed on Serphia's seat.
"You bitch, weren't you the one who talked the most just now?" (End of Chapter)