Chapter Two – The First Challenge
The blinding glare of the screens gave Ye Qin no time to think.
The moment the words "The First Challenge begins now" appeared, the ground beneath his feet split open, and he was pulled into a vortex of light.
When his vision cleared, he stood in a circular arena surrounded by high stands, with crowds from every race and world filling the seats.
The arena floor was strange—made of glowing red stone, while the sky above was covered in rings of floating runes.
As Ye Qin tried to assess the situation, a transparent panel appeared in midair, displaying a brief description:
> First Challenge – Survive the World Hunter
Objective: Endure for ten minutes.
Reward: Entry Ticket to the Great Battles Ranking.
Failure: Death, broadcast live to all realms.
The roar of the crowd surged like a storm, and every screen across the realms streamed the scene.
From a black gate on the far wall, his opponent emerged—a tall, towering figure with skin like metallic armor, eyes glowing crimson. He held a black spear dripping with cold smoke, each step making the arena floor tremble.
The announcer's voice thundered:
> "It's the World Hunter, the slayer of champions, with seven thousand victories and no defeats. Today… he will test the strength of the First Emperor of the Heavens."
Ye Qin smirked, summoning his heavenly sword from the void at his side, its radiant light blinding to the eyes.
He whispered to himself:
> "Ten minutes? … I'll make you wish the first second never began."
The bell rang, and the battle erupted.
Spears flashed, swords sliced through the air, and the sky above the arena quaked from the force of their blows.
Each clash unleashed a shockwave that pushed the spectators back, while screens across the realms overflowed with commentator and viewer messages:
> "He's not retreating!"
"Impossible, that's not just defense—it's a full-on assault!"
"Ye Qin is proving he's a living legend!"
In the moment the Hunter thought he had his target, Ye Qin vanished from sight—only to reappear behind him, sword at his neck.
> "The game is over."
But before he could strike the final blow, the timer on the screen froze, and a mysterious voice echoed:
> "Enough. You've passed the challenge… but what awaits you next will be a thousand times worse."