Chapter 716 - 709: It Begins

Chapter 716: Chapter 709: It Begins

Debaka’s gaze was incredibly intense. He never imagined he wouldn’t be able to withstand even a single blow from Zhou Yuanjue’s full-power eruption. Before he’d vanished completely, he hadn’t even had the chance to fully grasp the intricacies of that technique.

"Let’s not. The toll is too great."

Zhou Yuanjue shook his head, declining Debaka’s invitation. He had come here specifically to test his technique, and now that test was complete. Besides, using that kind of move in the Dream Simulation System’s battlefield took a massive toll on his Spirit.

"Fine. But next time we get the chance, you have to let me try again. I’m positive I can figure out how to counter it."

Debaka nodded, not pressing the issue. He didn’t seem too crushed by the loss; on the contrary, he seemed even more motivated to improve.

Having survived the terrifying competition within his race and a harsh natural environment, Debaka looked as menacing as an Evil God, but he was actually an optimist who never backed down from a challenge.

"So, where does your strength really stand now? I’d say that burst of power just now was comparable to a full-force strike from someone with a Transformation Level of sixty or seventy, wasn’t it?"

"Maybe you could actually go toe-to-toe with that guy who has an eighty percent Transformation Level and compete for the Primordial Star Organization’s recruitment slot. You have no idea, but right now, in the candidate circles on the Gena Continent, everyone pretty much thinks that slot is already taken."

Didiloba said in amazement.

"I’ve seen that guy fight, but I couldn’t make out any distinct fighting style. It was just pure, overwhelming power. But that alone is terrifying enough. An eighty percent Transformation Level, and from a high-potential race on top of that. To beat a monster like that, a single all-or-nothing move is far from enough."

Lingling said, shaking her head.

"We’re all on the same side here. Don’t be such a downer."

Didiloba said helplessly. ’She really has no filter.’

"Lingling’s right. This one move won’t be enough."

Zhou Yuanjue nodded, agreeing with Lingling’s assessment. He estimated that, at its absolute peak, the power of this technique wouldn’t surpass the full-force strike of someone with a seventy percent Transformation Level. The guy they were talking about, the one from the Holy Descendant Civilization, had a Transformation Level of over eighty percent. On top of that, his combat strength was said to be formidable even among others at the same level. Dealing with him would not be easy.

That guy was indeed an obstacle Zhou Yuanjue had to overcome. Only one recruitment slot for the Primordial Star Organization had been allocated to the Gena Continent, and only the first-place winner of the competition would claim it.

Otherwise, he would have to settle for a lesser slot in the organization, and that was not Zhou Yuanjue’s goal.

However, he still had time to improve. His current strength was not yet his limit.

"Has the specific competition format that Modin mentioned been confirmed yet?"

Zhou Yuanjue asked the group.

"It’s confirmed, and not much has changed from what he told us. The format will be divided into two stages: a preliminary round and a knockout tournament. The eight major powers on the Gena Continent—which includes the five great committee civilizations of the East Thirteen Districts and the three local ruling civilizations—each have the right to select two seed players. These sixteen seed players will directly enter the knockout stage, with their first battle being the round of sixteen."

"All other contestants will have to compete in a point-based preliminary round with a pool of nearly one hundred candidates. The sixteen with the highest Points will then advance to the knockout tournament to fight for the final slot."

"You and Debaka are the seeds from our Bernard City, so you’ll go straight to the knockout stage. The rest of us, though, are screwed. We have to fight our way up from the preliminaries, step by step. What a headache..."

Didiloba said with a sigh.

’Just as I thought. That means the preliminaries will last for about a month. Not long, but not short either. I have to hurry. I need to get even stronger...’

"Everyone, I need to continue my Cultivation, so I’ll be leaving now."

Zhou Yuanjue said to the others, not wanting to waste another moment.

"What? You’re leaving already? How about a few more matches?"

Debaka’s six pairs of eyes widened as he instantly moved to stop him. But this was the Dream Simulation System; how could he possibly be stopped? The moment Zhou Yuanjue selected the "Exit Room" option, a beam of white light descended from the sky, enveloped him, and took him away.

Debaka’s massive hand swiped through empty air, and he looked thoroughly vexed.

"Now I probably won’t get another chance to fight that guy before the knockout tournament."

Debaka muttered to himself.

"Cultivation, Cultivation, that’s all he ever does. No wonder he’s so strong. I could never do that. There are plenty of other interesting things in the world besides Cultivation, you know."

Didiloba shook his head, then turned to Loli Lingling. A slight smile touched his handsome face as he said, "The authentic pure brew from the Sacred Lotus Civilization in southern Bernard City is quite good. Interested in joining me for a drink tonight?"

"Are you asking me out on a date? You’re interested in someone as small as me?"

Lingling said, placing her hands on her hips and giving Didiloba a scrutinizing look.

"No, you misunderstand. I just instinctively extend an invitation whenever I see a female. If you were to actually accept, I’d have to find a different tavern."

The smile on Didiloba’s face never wavered.

"You jerk!!"

Lingling shrieked, feeling utterly humiliated that Didiloba saw her as just a "female," and promptly sent him a duel invitation.

Black Pill, meanwhile, remained as silent and taciturn as ever, his gaze fixed on the spot where Zhou Yuanjue had vanished.

’Why does my extrasensory perception tell me that guy is an omnipotent being?’

’Am I mistaken?’

...

...

「Time flew, and a month passed in a flash.」

The preliminary round of the recruitment competition had concluded, and the final list of sixteen contestants who would advance to the knockout tournament was confirmed.

While beings at the Qualified Level were not considered a big deal on the Gena Continent, especially those hailing from low-level civilizations.

However, this competition was for a recruitment slot in an organization like Primordial Star. It was also the first-ever tournament held specifically for candidates from low-level civilizations. Moreover, it was being held online in the Dream Simulation System with no admission fee. Consequently, some of the Gena Continent’s inhabitants, having nothing better to do, came to watch out of curiosity. This actually brought the competition a small measure of fame on the continent, and it even became a major focus for betting pools.

It didn’t matter whether the competitors were strong or weak. Even if it was just novices pecking at each other, as long as there was suspense, there was a market.

And so, with all eyes upon it, the knockout stage of the recruitment competition officially began.