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When the countdown reached its final ten minutes, the light curtain above the square suddenly split apart.
On the left, green numbers flickered violently before finally stabilizing:
1,073,294
On the right, blood-red numbers remained unchanged:
0
For a brief moment, the entire square fell into stunned silence.
More than one million creatures had entered the Training Ground.
Ning Fengzhi's pupils contracted sharply. Even Emperor Tian's expression changed, a rare trace of shock flashing across his face. This number had far exceeded every prior estimate.
Before the Sacrificial Shop appeared, the total number of Spirit Masters on the Douluo Continent barely reached two hundred thousand. Even accounting for fully sentient Spirit Beasts and Sea Spirit Masters, the total should not have exceeded three hundred thousand.
And yet—within such a short span of time, the number of cultivators had multiplied severalfold.
Only the crowd beneath the light screen, ignorant of the deeper implications behind those numbers, erupted into thunderous cheers.
Many Spirit Masters stared at the seven-digit figure, confidence swelling uncontrollably. With numbers like this, they believed sheer volume alone would crush any incoming monsters. One strike per person—what enemy could withstand that?
From the live broadcast perspective, however, Bi Ji's brows slowly knitted together.
"Most of these civilian Spirit Masters cultivate using techniques," she said quietly. "Their Spirits are weak, their quality poor. Many have no secret techniques at all—some don't even possess spirit rings. They lack proper offensive methods entirely."
"But they all have thirtieth-rank spirit power," Li Rong replied evenly.
Bi Ji shook her head slightly. "Without spirit rings or techniques, spirit power alone doesn't translate into combat strength."
"That may not be true," Li Rong said. "Just wait. After today, the Talent Rankings will undergo a complete reshuffle."
Dugu Yan's eyes lit up with understanding, but Bi Ji—unfamiliar with the nuances of large-scale competition—still looked puzzled.
"On the Douluo Continent, countless people remain unknown," Li Rong continued calmly. "Not because they lack talent, but because their innate Spirit limits them, and they've never had a stage to prove themselves."
"Even the Genius Training Ground favors spectacle. Only a few shine."
"Today, I'm giving them equal footing—thirtieth-rank spirit power, real monsters, real pressure, and an unrestricted battlefield."
He smiled faintly.
"How many do you think will shatter their limits and carve their own martial path in a sea of blood?"
—
Unlike the faction leaders, the younger geniuses were far more interested in surpassing one another than pondering the event's final outcome.
"I can't beat you in the ring right now," Meng Yiran said sharply to Ning Rongrong, eyes blazing. "But when it comes to kill count, you won't stand a chance against me."
"Talk after you win," Ning Rongrong snorted. "You haven't beaten me once. Where does that confidence come from?"
"You're only relying on your Spirit's enhancement!" Bai Chenxiang added angrily. "You have one more offensive technique than us. Without that advantage, do you think you'd still be standing?"
"Who let the stray dogs bark?" Ning Rongrong replied coolly, unfazed even when facing two opponents. "If you can't accept losing, go play phantom battles. At least there you can pretend to be invincible."
"It's only temporary," Hu Liena said, stepping in coldly. "Arrogance never lasts."
Ning Rongrong turned her head, eyes sharp. "And who are you?"
"Spirit Hall—Hu Liena."
"Never heard of you," Ning Rongrong replied without hesitation. "You're not on the Talent Rankings, so you don't get a voice here. Step aside."
Hu Liena trembled with fury, but lacked the strength—or ranking—to refute her.
Xie Yue stepped forward, unable to tolerate it any longer. "I've long admired School Master Ning for his elegance and humility. I didn't expect his daughter to be so sharp-tongued."
"I've also heard much about Spirit Hall," Ning Rongrong shot back instantly. "But seeing the so-called Golden Generation in person… all bark, no bite. Hearing truly isn't comparable to seeing."
Her smile turned merciless.
"No wonder Spirit Hall needs to recruit outsiders. The strongest among you is barely clinging to the bottom of the Talent Rankings—and about to fall out of the top twenty. You've embarrassed your own banner."
Xie Yue's face flushed crimson. He grabbed Hu Liena and Yan and retreated without another word.
Ning Rongrong placed her hands on her hips, chin lifted, looking down on the surroundings like a victorious peacock.
"Big mouth, little skill."
A faint voice sounded behind her.
"So what?" Ning Rongrong fired back instinctively—then froze mid-sentence. Her bravado evaporated as she spun around, swallowing the rest of her words and retreating in embarrassment.
Gao Feng had arrived.
He scanned the crowd once before stepping forward alone, standing at the very front.
Tang San watched him with envy burning in his chest. "One day," he whispered, "I'll replace him."
"You will," Xiao Wu said firmly, clenching her fists.
—
The final seconds ticked away.
Suddenly, swirling black clouds erupted around the square's perimeter, faint lightning flickering within. A pair of scythe-like claws tore through the darkness.
As the fog dispersed, a monstrous mantis emerged.
Over two zhang long, its black carapace gleamed coldly, barbed scales covering its entire body. Four spiked legs anchored it in place while its scythe forelimbs gleamed like executioner's blades. Its eerie green eyes left streaks of light as its head twisted, locking onto prey.
Before anyone could fully react, it shrieked toward the sky.
The black clouds roiled violently.
One monster after another poured out.
The enemy counter jumped instantly to 1000.
Wing-like appendages snapped open. The mantises surged forward like bolts of black lightning, descending upon the crowd.
"Perfect timing!"
The Demon Emperor and top powerhouses surged forward. Xiong Jun roared, slashing out with a Sky-Rending Claw. Dark-gold claw light tore through the air.
Clang—!
Metal rang against metal. Shockwaves exploded outward.
The mantis skidded backward more than ten meters, purple blood seeping from its body. Only a few fine cracks appeared on its scythe blade.
A collective gasp rippled through the square.
The formation wavered instantly. Panic spread.
Qian Renxue shot into the air. "Those with complete cultivation systems—advance! Everyone else retreat! Only a thousand enemies—survival is the priority!"
The plan was sound.
But the monsters were smarter.
Some mantises engaged the front line. Others bypassed it entirely, diving straight into the rear.
Screams erupted. The rear dissolved into chaos. Casualties mounted at a terrifying pace.
"Those who meet the conditions, reinforce the rear!" Ning Fengzhi commanded, ascending with the Four Symbols Step. "Spirit Beasts—hold the front!"
The geniuses encountered a mantis of their own.
Yu Tianxin moved first, lightning crackling as he charged. Timing the scythe swing, he slammed a fist into the creature's abdomen, staggering it back.
The mantis screeched and retaliated.
Yu Heng leapt in, lightning armor forming as he blocked the strike.
Boom!
The armor shattered. Yu Heng crashed down, limbs spasming—combat ability lost.
The mantis shrieked again, its abdomen contracting as freezing air spewed outward.
Yu Tianxin flashed forward instinctively, spreading his arms to shield Yu Heng.
Too late.
The frost surged outward, freezing everything within several meters solid.
At that instant—
Ning Rongrong unleashed a barrage of attacks, dozens of strikes hammering into the mantis's eyes. Though unable to break its defense, she blinded it.
The mantis shrieked and spewed cold air again. Ning Rongrong dodged—but those behind her weren't so lucky. Hundreds were instantly eliminated.
Gao Feng's eyes blazed.
Flames ignited around him, pouring into the Divine Fire Sword. The blade shone brilliantly, its flames shifting from gold to deep crimson.
"Seven Treasure—Gao Feng!" Ning Rongrong shouted.
Support flooded in instantly.
The Zhu sisters darted forward, harassing the mantis's limbs with blinding speed.
Gao Feng stepped in and slashed.
A crimson sword qi tore through the air, cleaving straight through the mantis's abdomen. Scales shattered. Flames detonated inside its body.
"Abdomen!" Yu Tianxin roared.
Yang Xian leapt, landing on Tai Long's hands. With a thunderous throw, he became a black-dragon-shaped shadow, spear and body merging into one.
Pierce!
The mantis convulsed violently, resistance collapsing entirely.
"Finish it!" Ning Rongrong shouted.
They swarmed forward.
Moments later, nothing remained but shattered flesh and blood.
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