Chapter 567: Unyielding Arena
by xennovel“Buzz.”
A flash of white light vanished in an instant, transporting the three participants into a makeshift combat arena.
Meanwhile, many in the arena, unaware of the full story, stared up in astonishment at the three beams of light overhead.
“Not a duel? Is it a fight against mutated beings?! What is going on?!”
“Why are Kudo and Lord Yamato facing Third-Stage Mid-level mutations, while Ye Ze Ming battles an advanced one?!”
“It must be to minimize losses, right? All three are geniuses—losing any of them in the match would be such a tragedy.”
“This isn’t fair! Shouldn’t all three face the same level of challenge for fairness?!”
Amid the chaotic debates, many Awakener supporters betting on Yenir felt deep injustice.
Before anyone could press further, an official host laughed lightly, his eyes full of mockery.
“It’s perfectly fair!”
“The final round is set at the same difficulty. Given the differences in their innate talents, we arranged the contest this way to select the strongest as fairly as possible!”
“Though the monsters vary in strength, Kudo and Lord Yamato must kill the mutations, while Ye Ze Ming only needs to survive! Strictly speaking, his challenge is the easiest!”
The explanation sounded impartial.
Yet as his words faded, everyone in the arena looked strangely unconvinced—the reality was not as simple as he claimed.
Anyone here for the Divine Warrior selection is an Awakener; who isn’t well aware of the terror these mutations bring?
Every grade jump in a mutation means a vast difference in power! It might seem easier to run than to kill, but everyone knows that trying to escape a higher-level mutation is as tough as a head-on fight!
These words were nothing more than a dismissive excuse for the survivors—a semblance of fairness at best!
Even though most saw through it, once it was clear that outcomes had been predetermined by the officials, even Yenir’s backers dared not say another word.
As images appeared on the three beams of light, all they could do was look up.
This was a match with no suspense whatsoever.
If there was any reason to keep watching, it was to see whether Ye Ze Ming would soon falter—conceding immediately or taking a risky gamble.
“He’ll probably give up once he’s in, right?”
“Otherwise, if he doesn’t concede in time, it could be fatal!”
A brief loss of weightlessness, a moment of dizziness.
Within 0.1 seconds of nearly being transported into the void, Yenir, just landing from midair, snapped his eyes open. With a clear ring of a sword, the two Blue-Grade Weapons slung on his back materialized instantly in his hands.
To avoid suspicion, he deliberately concealed his Spatial Equipment and Elemental Blade.
But against a Third-Stage Advanced mutation, these two swords were more than enough!
“Bang!”
He struck the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Before him lay a vast abandoned parking lot, with several cars burning wildly in the distance.
Under the open sky of the lot, the darkness of the heavens hinted at an approaching storm.
“A simulation-type setting? A one-time scenario?”
Not minding what lay ahead, Yenir gripped his swords in both hands, patiently waiting for the mutation to spawn.
His composed demeanor, broadcast on the external screen, immediately startled many onlookers.
“Not running?”
“Doesn’t he know what his victory condition is?!”
“What are you waiting for? Get moving!”
Some spoke anxiously, others were speechless.
At that moment, countless Awakener spectators fixed their gaze on Yenir.
The reason was simple: the other two had tasks to kill the mutations, meaning their fights would be far more intense.
Yet everyone knew that the match was merely a formality; in kill speed, Yamato Teng was undoubtedly far superior to Kudo.
This was evident from the types of mutations the officials had assigned them.
Yamato Teng’s target was the most common mutation—a rotten giant corpse, essentially a walking target with the lowest kill difficulty.
Meanwhile, Kudo faced a special mutation known for its exceptional defense and devastating power!
Thus, the only suspense in the contest remained with Ye Ze Ming!
But now…
“Aren’t you going to put some distance before the mutation spawns? What, you want to get a closer look?”
“Making such mistakes makes any comeback impossible.”
Both private and official high-ups present seemed to have decided the outcome before the battle had even begun.
The human-insect mutation is notorious for its speed and strange, eerie nature!
Starting to run right away might at least buy some time.
But if you don’t run now, you could be killed on the spot in an instant!
“Who knows, maybe he’s just too cocky…”
“Here it comes! It’s out!”
Amid a sea of stares, the broadcast from behind Yenir suddenly began to jolt.
As the distant parking lot’s pavement was blasted into the air and stones flew like bullets, everyone realized that the monster had emerged from underground!
With a sharp, metallic shriek, in an instant a grotesque head-insect—a bloated, gaping creature—burst forth from below.
Its slender, segmented limbs shone with a chilling gleam, sending shivers down anyone’s spine!
In the blink of an eye, as if affixed to the creature, its compound eyes locked onto Yenir.
“Bang!!!”
Within 0.1 seconds, it rocketed toward him like a cannonball!
So fast!!
At that moment, the audience gasped, especially the members of the Yamamoto Society, whose faces went pale at the sight of the head-insect.
Damn! Such speed?!
Earlier, the Military had hinted they would advise Ye Ze Ming to forgo the match, ensuring his first-place finish automatically.
This time, to guarantee the General’s Son the top spot, the monster he faced was extraordinarily terrifying! No one expected it to be a truly formidable super mutation, even by advanced standards!
Meanwhile, the other live battle feeds went unnoticed.
Just as everyone began to wonder if Ye Ze Ming would immediately withdraw,
Contrary to expectations, in the very next moment Ye Ze Ming suddenly brandished his sword and charged out as if to slash the monster in half, his form a blurred phantom racing forward.