Chapter 1356: Joy Turns to Sorrow

This battle royale-like free-for-all preliminary round not only tested the contestants' individual strength but also the networking capabilities of their respective races. Prior agreements and alliances with other races were crucial for uniting against opponents.

Furthermore, once the competition began, it severely tested the contestants' mental fortitude and their ability to assess situations. Therefore, while these preliminary contestants might not have had cultivation levels as high as those in the knockout rounds, in terms of brutality and intricate scheming, there was truly nothing comparable.

Consequently, each preliminary group often took a long time to determine the final victors.

However, Zu'an's group finished surprisingly quickly, and in such a dramatic fashion.

In the distance, Shi Rong, who had been occasionally observing the situation, couldn't help but curse, "That guy has the worst luck! He actually advanced by relying on that move from the Giant Maggot race!"

Shi Min also looked uncomfortable, but finally said, "Don't take it lightly. That Giant Maggot contestant is not simple. The move he just used is their clan's ultimate technique, 'Mountains and Seas of Filth.' Both the gas and liquid forms are highly toxic. While not fatal, they cause weakness and fainting. Moreover, as long as you breathe, it's virtually impossible to escape. It's truly impossible to defend against."

"Damn, there's actually such a disgusting move!" Shi Rong couldn't help but swear; it was truly repulsive.

Shi Gong said thankfully, "Good thing we manipulated the draw beforehand. We won't have to face the Giant Maggot clan, otherwise, even if we won, we'd be utterly disgusted."

Shi Min's face twitched as he looked at the yellow liquid in the distance. "Indeed, but the fact that Yan Zu could evade that ultimate technique shows he's clearly not simple either. Don't be careless later."

The other two nodded indifferently, their attention still more focused on the Giant Maggot warrior.

Contestants from other races clearly had similar thoughts:

"How lucky would we be if we were in that group? As long as you dodge in time, you could advance without even fighting."

"You're just secretly gloating. If you were really in that group, you'd be lying in that yellow liquid, full of filth."

"Ugh, can you stop being so disgusting? Maybe I would have been lucky enough to dodge it."

...

On Zu'an's side, Yun Jianyue and Yan Xuehen both turned their backs, unwilling to even glance at the situation in the arena.

At the same time, they maintained a qi barrier around them, preventing the foul stench from reaching them.

Yan Xuehen couldn't help but glare at Zu'an reproachfully. "Why did you hit his stomach?"

Zu'an looked wronged. "I didn't know he had such a disgusting skill!"

Yun Jianyue also couldn't help but complain, "Nothing good ever happens when I'm with you."

Normally, she would have physically destroyed anyone who made her this uncomfortable, but remembering the opponent's repulsive skill, she couldn't even muster the will to kill, utterly unwilling to take action against him.

At that moment, the Giant Maggot contestant scratched his head and said with an honest expression, "My apologies, everyone, for the trouble. I'll clean all this up now."

As he spoke, his stomach deflated, and then with a mighty gulp, he sucked all the yellow liquid pooled on the ground back into his mouth. The arena floor returned to its original state, leaving only a faint stench and the sprawled, unconscious contestants from his group.

After swallowing everything back, he let out a long, very loud burp.

Everyone: "..."

At this point, even the most thick-skinned individuals couldn't help but bend over and vomit.

Even those watching from the most honored seats at the top lost their composure.

Chiwen started cursing loudly, "How can there be such a disgusting fellow? He actually eats excrement!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than he remembered how Zu'an had tricked him into drinking water steeped in excrement every day not long ago. He couldn't hold it in anymore and vomited violently nearby.

Shang Liuyu, who always prized cleanliness, instantly drifted away, looking as if she didn't know him.

Women like Suo Lunshi couldn't stand such a scene at all and left in a huff, unwilling to even watch the subsequent matches.

Even the mature and steady Peacock King of Brightness tried to explain, "This is an innate ability of the Giant Maggot clan. They made significant contributions in the great war against the human race, ugh..."

Contestants from other races also seemed unable to bear the nauseating smell, so they quickly sped up their matches, swiftly determining the top ten from their respective groups. The speed was much faster than in previous tournaments.

As for those contestants who had had their fill in the yellow liquid, they were all carried out for treatment. Whether they would commit suicide out of shame and anger after waking up, or carry a lifelong trauma, was up to their own fates.

The Demon Imperial Court also had many capable individuals. Soon, officials emerged with grim faces. One immediately used water elemental power to thoroughly wash the arena, another then used fire to "disinfect" every inch of the ground, and finally, a wind-element official summoned powerful gusts to blow away all lingering odors from the air.

If this hadn't been a royal altar, given their fiery tempers, they would have long ago conjured several powerful fireballs to blow up the entire area and be done with it, instead of going to all this trouble.

Nevertheless, no one was willing to compete in that venue afterwards. The officials, considering the public's sentiments, temporarily abandoned it, and the remaining matches were held in several smaller venues located further away.

Next was the draw for the knockout rounds. As expected, the Serpent race's opponents were precisely the three princes of the Lion race.

Yun Jianyue's opponent was Shi Min, Yan Xuehen's was Shi Gong, and Zu'an's was Shi Rong.

Seeing Shi Rong's triumphant smirk as he clenched his fists, Zu'an was speechless. This guy must have actively chosen him, eager to properly torment him. Too bad a big surprise awaited him later.

Since the group preliminary matches ended earlier than in previous years, and the Golden Crow Crown Prince on the high platform was somewhat impatient to witness the Serpent race's misery, he announced that the knockout rounds would begin ahead of schedule.

This immediately triggered a wave of complaints. Apart from the ten contestants from Zu'an's group who advanced with minimal losses, many in other groups had endured fierce bloody battles and were more or less injured.

Unfortunately, the Golden Crow Crown Prince's mind was made up. "Everyone has injuries," he declared, "so relatively speaking, it's still fair..."

Many people were displeased, but since the Golden Crow Crown Prince would soon be the new Demon Emperor, no one dared to offend him. So, they all seized the time to take pills and heal their injuries.

Soon, the knockout rounds began. To speed things up, matches weren't held one by one; instead, groups typically started their bouts simultaneously.

Before leaving, Zu'an was still somewhat worried about Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue. "Shi Min and Shi Gong are both Grandmasters. You two are still injured and have only recovered to around ninth-rank strength. You'll be at a great disadvantage against them. If you see the situation isn't favorable, just concede. Anyway, you're wearing masks, so no one will know who you are."

Yu Yanluo also advised, "The Serpent race has long been accustomed to having only one representative spot, so please don't put yourselves in danger for this."

"Concede? When Zhao Hao dealt me a crippling blow, I didn't concede. Are these two little lions even worthy?" Yun Jianyue sneered.

Zu'an: "..."

It felt like déjà vu with Zhou Dian.

Yan Xuehen explained, "Don't worry, it's not simply about greater strength or higher cultivation. The demoness and I are Grandmasters, after all, and our application of strength and skill is something two junior Grandmasters of lower cultivation can't possibly compare to. You should be careful, though, not to accidentally expose your identity."

Hearing her words, Zu'an breathed a sigh of relief. He realized his concern had indeed clouded his judgment; they were, after all, Grandmasters renowned throughout the world.

Soon the matches began. Shi Rong approached Zu'an with a sinister grin. "Stinky brat, you didn't expect to run into me, did you?"

Zu'an sighed. "You couldn't even guess that? Do you think everyone is as idiotic as you?"

Shi Rong: "???"

*Is this guy crazy? At a time like this, he still dares to provoke me.*

Rage value from Shi Rong +666 +666 +666...

"Very well, you've successfully ignited my fury. Later, I'll crush every single bone in your body piece by piece, and then you'll know the consequences of your insolence," Shi Rong said icily.

After speaking, he could no longer hold back and unleashed a Furious Lion Hegemon Fist, smashing it forward.

However, the next second, his vision went black. He found a foot planted on his face, and with a *thud*, he was directly sent flying.