New Comers
There was only about a day or two until the event started. Since he had all the information he needed, Ryu didn't feel the need to hang around and gather anything more. As for gathering intel on the contestants, he didn't think it was necessary. Whether they were powerful or not, nothing he could do in a day would meaningfully change his chances. Rather, it was best that he rest and accumulate his Focus Qi to its highest possible peak.
Everyone seemed to be at a pinnacle Cosmic Seed Grade standard. In reality, it was more complex than this. Rather, everything was timed such that the geniuses at the pinnacle of the World Sea Realm once the Complete Heavenly Path opened. Given the time left between then and now, most participants just so happened to be at this level.
From Ryu's understanding, only about half of the geniuses were participating now, though. Zovaes, Iroh and Juno, along with one other, were the favorites, and he had already met them.