Chapter 391: Starting with a Winning Hand

Chapter 391: A King's Opening Move

The Endless Sea encompassed all things.

There were tranquil waters kissed by gentle breezes.

And there were also raging storms that resembled the apocalypse itself, terrifying beyond measure.

Above a calm stretch of ocean stood an isolated island.

For centuries untold, no new life had ever graced its shores.

But today, something momentous was about to unfold on this forgotten isle.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Dozens of figures appeared above the waters encircling the island.

Bringing fresh vitality to this millennia-sealed sanctuary.

Whirr! Whirr! Whirr!

Each person employed their own methods to soar toward the island.

Even the weakest participant was a Fourth-Tier Grand Mage—flying was practically expected, or one might as well be ashamed.

Yet indeed, some could not fly.

Summoners couldn’t fly, but they could summon flying mounts.

Space Mages made the most stylish entrance.

They appeared within the dreamlike domain, plummeted briefly, then with a flash of silver light vanished from sight, reappearing instantly upon the distant island.

Everyone flew toward the arena atop the solitary island.

Li Wei did not rush to descend. He hovered in midair, observing the entire island.

It was a twin-peaked isle.

Two colossal peaks flanked either side of the island, connected at their center by a narrow natural stone bridge.

Twenty-five arenas were scattered throughout the twin peaks.

So far, Li Wei had already identified twelve clearly visible ones.

Two arenas sat atop each summit of the twin peaks.

The remaining ten were dispersed around the slopes, descending from halfway down the mountainsides toward the base.

The other thirteen were likely hidden deep within the dense jungle covering the island.

Further exploration would be needed to locate them precisely.

Looking below, nearly everyone rushed toward the clearly visible arenas atop the twin peaks, eager for first advantage.

That area would undoubtedly become the fiercest battleground.

Suddenly, ethereal magical sounds echoed through the air.

More detailed competition rules reached everyone’s ears.

Beyond what Li Wei had previously learned from Eris regarding general contest regulations,

there existed a more intricate point-based system.

Within the secret realm, the closer an arena was to the summits of the twin peaks, the greater the points earned over equal time intervals—and thus better rewards available for exchange.

Some items could only be unlocked by reaching specific arenas.

The Spatial Tower had announced one such item—the Arena Spatial Barrier.

Once used, this item prevented anyone from entering the arena to challenge its holder for six full hours.

Without question, it was a crucial tool meant for decisive final moments—

locking the outcome of the match six hours ahead of time.

According to published rules, only the two peak-top arenas could unlock access to this item.

Upon hearing these rules, Elfa shouted loudly: “Don’t fight over the mountaintop arenas! First explore and occupy those hidden among the trees, conceal yourselves thoroughly.”

“The Spatial Barrier may be powerful, but surely limited—one match probably allows acquisition of just two at most.”

“So don’t worry too much about threats posed by the Spatial Barrier.”

“Based on past patterns, the secret realm must contain countermeasures against spatial barriers.”

After Elfa’s analysis, many found his reasoning sound and convincing.

Thus, all scattered outward, diving into the forest to search for concealed arenas.

Once discovered, efforts could be made to hide the arenas themselves.

Nothing in the rules forbade doing so.

Moreover, besides earning points by claiming arenas to purchase contest items,

hunting ancient ferocious beasts inside the secret realm also yielded corresponding points.

Defeating fellow contestants granted points as well.

However, both latter sources offered significantly fewer points compared to holding an arena.

Finally, the organizers from the Spatial Tower revealed another piece of news:

Of the twenty-five arenas, only twenty-four were openly known.

One remained hidden.

Occupying the hidden arena would grant access to a concealed contest item. Its effect wasn't disclosed.

But everyone understood—the hidden arena held absolute significance.

Li Wei glanced around. Seeing members of the Elemental Tower heading into the woods, he followed Eris in that direction.

Suddenly, numerous flying magical beasts emerged mid-air, launching attacks on the crowd.

Li Wei swiftly dodged while retaliating against the sudden aerial assault.

He sensed magical fluctuations and looked afar.

“It’s summoning magic!”

Li Wei declared.

Eris nodded, casually striking down a flying beast before saying, “Those from the Summoning Tower have begun moving.”

Buzz!

A pillar of light shot skyward.

Li Wei raised his gaze—he saw someone had already claimed the mountaintop arena.

“A Spatial Mage. Their speed is truly impressive.”

While others were still en route, the space mages had already seized control of a summit arena.

Eris smiled and said, “No need to fret. The first to show off rarely laughs last.”

Li Wei raised his head and looked up, nodding with a smile as he said, “Look, the first bird to stick its head out has already been shot down.”

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The sky turned red as a blazing meteor streaked across the heavens, trailing a long plume of fire.

It plummeted from the sky, crashing toward the arena atop the mountain peak.

Only two people were allowed on the arena platform at once for a challenge.

But nowhere had it been stated that when only one person remained on the platform, those outside couldn’t gang up and attack.

Using a meteor spell against an immobile target on the arena was nothing short of a perfect killing move.

Boom! Bang!

A massive mushroom cloud of dust and smoke rose from the mountaintop.

When the dust finally settled, the once-beautiful summit had been stripped bare—every plant obliterated by the meteor strike.

All that remained was the indestructible spatial arena platform.

The light in the sky had also vanished.

This meant no one was left occupying the arena.

From afar, the crowd watched, instinctively slowing their flight.

Each feared becoming the next fool to show off.

Li Wei glanced down at the small island beneath his feet.

If it were him, he reckoned a single meteor spell could sink the entire island.

His most powerful spell—the Meteor Fireball—had an attack range of a staggering twenty kilometers, with splash damage reaching forty kilometers.

The island, at its longest stretch from east to west, measured barely twelve or thirteen thousand meters.

In other words, the entire island lay within Li Wei’s striking distance.

Roar! Roar! Roar!

Behind them came the deafening sound of surging seawater.

Instinctively, everyone turned around.

Their faces filled with shock.

“What the hell? You elemental tower mages are going too far!”

“This is outrageous! We don’t have the power to summon such a tsunami!”

Rumble! Rumble!

The calm sea began to churn and rise, wave after wave building higher.

Eventually, a colossal wall of water, a hundred meters high, surged toward them like the end of the world.

As far as the eye could see, there was no longer sky—only a towering wall of ocean behind them.

Even Li Wei felt a curse rising in his throat.

A wave this size might just drown the whole island.

Thinking of this, sudden realization dawned upon him.

This might well be part of someone else’s strategy.

Although there were twenty-five arenas inside the secret realm, the final results were based on how many platforms one controlled.

By summoning this titanic wave to submerge the entire island, they forced all others to scramble for the few remaining arenas atop the mountain peak.

Those skilled in water would then dominate the rest.

A bold and naked scheme laid bare for all to see.

(End of Chapter)