chapter 40. visiting the new arena

Xua Yan woke up early the next morning, feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead. He knew that he needed to fuel his body with nutritious food to keep his energy levels up, so he decided to cook his own meal. He realized that he had no space to cook inside the inn where he was staying, so he had to come up with a different plan. He entered inside of the entropy and searched for the ingredients he needed to prepare his meal.

Xua Yan had no trouble finding the necessary ingredients in the entropy. He retrieved some of the meat, vegetables, and herbs that he got from the jungle and got to work preparing his breakfast. He built a fire inside the entropy using some dried wood that he had collected the day before. He then cooked the meat over the open flame, seasoning it with the herbs and vegetables. As he cooked, the delicious aroma of the meat and herbs filled the air, and Xua Yan's stomach growled in anticipation. He knew that he needed to eat quickly so he could start his day, but he also wanted to savor the taste of the meal that he had prepared. After a few minutes, the food was ready, and Xua Yan sat down to enjoy his breakfast.

As he ate, Xua Yan thought about the challenges that lay ahead. He knew that he needed to be at his best if he wanted to succeed in the martial arts competition, and that meant taking care of his body and mind. He savored every bite of his meal, feeling grateful for the opportunity to cook his own food and take control of his own health. After finishing his meal, Xua Yan cleaned up the cooking area and put everything back into the place inside of the entropy. He then headed out into the city, ready to continue his preparations for the competition. He knew that he had a long road ahead of him, but he was determined to give it his all and come out on top.

As Xua Yan walked down the busy streets of the Seven Hill city, he decided to pay a visit to Wei Ming and his companions before heading towards the competition area. After all, it was always good to have company and share the experience with others. As he reached their place, he could hear some movements and sounds from inside the house. He knocked on the door, and Wei Ming answered.

"Xua Yan, good to see you!" Wei Ming said, with a smile on his face. "Come in, we were just about to have breakfast."

Xua Yan entered the house and greeted everyone with a nod. He could smell the aroma of the breakfast being prepared in the kitchen. He felt hungry and his mouth watered at the thought of food. He decided to wait and have again some breakfast with them before they headed towards the competition area.

As they sat down to eat, Xua Yan asked them about their preparations for the competition.

"Have you all been practicing your martial arts?" he asked.

"Yes," Li Hua replied. "We have been training hard for the past few days, and we are ready for the competition."

"We have been practicing too," Jian Cheng added. "But we are still not sure about the rules and regulations of the competition. Do you have any idea?"

Xua Yan shook his head. "No, I don't know anything about the rules yet. But I am sure they will be announced soon."

After finishing breakfast, they all got ready and left the house to head towards the competition area. As they walked, they talked about their expectations and excitement for the competition.

"I hope we all can get selected in a sect," Mei Ling said.

"I just want to do my best and show everyone what I am capable of," Chao Feng added.

"I am looking forward to meeting new people and learning new things," Jun Wang said.

Xua Yan listened to them, nodding in agreement. He, too, was excited to meet new people and learn new things. He had always believed that competition was not just about winning, but about the experience and the learning it brought.

As Xua Yan and his companions arrived at the competition area, they were welcomed by a buzzing crowd of spectators, consisting of martial arts enthusiasts from various regions and backgrounds. The atmosphere was electric, and the excitement was palpable. Xua Yan could sense the anticipation and thrill in the air, but he also noticed that the crowd was slowly moving towards the city gates.

Curious about what was happening, Xua Yan approached a random person in the crowd and asked for information. The person shrugged and admitted that they didn't know much but had heard that the competition was going to take place outside the city on a newly built arena in the forest area. Xua Yan felt a mixture of surprise and anticipation at this news. He had prepared himself for the competition to take place within the city, so this new development was unexpected.

Xua Yan turned to Wei Ming and the others to share the news. "The competition is going to take place outside the city in the forest area," he said, excitement and anticipation evident in his voice.

Wei Ming and the others looked surprised. "Really? That's unexpected," Wei Ming said.

"I wonder why they decided to move it outside the city," Li Hua added.

Jian Cheng chimed in, "Perhaps it's because the arena is too large to fit within the city walls."

Mei Ling nodded in agreement. "That could be it. Or maybe they want to create a more natural environment for the competition."

Chao Feng added, "Whatever the reason, it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out. I'm ready for a good fight."

Jun Wang spoke up, "I just hope the new arena is well-constructed. We don't want any accidents during the competition."

Xua Yan nodded in agreement. "Yes, safety should always be a top priority. But I'm sure the organizers have taken that into account."

As they approached the gates, the crowd became more restless and began to surge forward. Xua Yan noticed that some people were starting to push and shove their way to the front.

"I don't like the look of this," he said to the group. "We should try to stay back and wait for things to calm down."

Wei Ming agreed, "Yes, let's not get caught up in any unnecessary trouble."

They slowly made their way through the crowd, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. As they reached the front of the gates, they saw that the guards were struggling to keep the crowd under control. But they were successful in getting out of the city.

As they made their way towards the city gates, Xua Yan and his companions could see a sea of people, all heading in the same direction. Despite the large number of people, the mood was relatively calm, and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. As they approached from gates and looked outside, they could see that the road leading outside the city was lined with various stalls and vendors, selling all sorts of snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. The sight of the bustling market made Xua Yan feel a sense of excitement and adventure.

As they passed through the gates, the scenery changed dramatically. The vibrant, bustling streets of the city gave way to a dense, sprawling forest. Xua Yan could hear the sounds of nature all around him – chirping birds, rustling leaves, and the distant sound of a flowing river. The forest was vast and seemed almost endless, and Xua Yan couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at its beauty.

As Xua Yan was walking towards the arena, he overheard a conversation from a group of martial artists who were discussing the construction of the arena. Curious, he approached them and asked about it.

Xua Yan: "Excuse me, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. Can you tell me more about the arena?"

Male martial artist: "Ah, you mean the arena in the forest? It's a brand new one, built within just 10 days by some of the top martial artists from the capital of Heavenly Retreat kingdom."

Xua Yan: "Really? That's impressive. Do you know who built it exactly?"

Female martial artist: "We're not sure of the names, but we heard they were disciples of some of the most renowned martial artists in the kingdom."

Xua Yan: "I see. Well, I'm looking forward to seeing it myself."

As they continued to walk towards the arena, Wei Ming and the others caught up with Xua Yan.

Wei Ming: "Hey, what did you find out?"

Xua Yan: "Apparently, the arena was built in just 10 days by some of the top martial artists from the capital of Heavenly Retreat kingdom."

Li Hua: "Wow, that's amazing! I wonder who they were."

Jian Cheng: "I heard they were disciples of some renowned martial artists in the kingdom."

Mei Ling: "I can't wait to see it!"

Chao Feng: "Same here. It's going to be an exciting competition."

As they approached the forest, they could hear the sounds of the crowds and the buzz of excitement in the air. The anticipation was high as they prepared to witness the most prestigious martial arts competition in the region.

As they walked deeper into the forest, they could see the arena in the distance. It was a massive structure, with high walls made of stone and wood. The arena was surrounded by several smaller buildings, which Xua Yan assumed were used for storing equipment and supplies. The arena itself was built on a raised platform, with several tiers of seating for spectators. As they approached, Xua Yan could see that the arena was already bustling with activity. Martial artists from all over the region were warming up, stretching, and preparing themselves for the competition.

Xua Yan felt a rush of excitement and adrenaline as he took in the scene. This was what he had trained for, and he was ready to give it his all. He could feel the energy and excitement of the crowd, and he knew that he was in for an unforgettable experience. As he looked around at his companions and the other martial artists, he could see the determination and focus in their eyes. They were all here for the same reason – to prove their worth and claim the title of champion.

Xua Yan and his companions walked towards the newly-built arena in the forest area. As they got closer, the arena became more visible and its sheer size and grandeur impressed Xua Yan. The arena was much larger than he had anticipated and he could see that it had been constructed with great care and attention to detail.

The path leading to the arena was busy with other martial artists and spectators. Xua Yan could hear the sounds of excitement and anticipation coming from the crowd. Wei Ming and the others were equally impressed with the arena and were talking about how this would be a true test of their martial arts skills.

As they got closer to the arena, Xua Yan could see that it was surrounded by a high wall. He could also see guards posted at various points, their eyes scanning the crowd for any potential troublemakers. Xua Yan noticed that the guards were all martial artists of some skill and he felt a sense of respect for their dedication to their duty.

The group finally arrived at the entrance to the arena. They could see the other martial artists lining up to register for the competition. The line was long and it was moving slowly. Xua Yan and his companions joined the queue and patiently waited their turn.

As they waited, Xua Yan couldn't help but notice the variety of people waiting in line with them. There were martial artists from different regions, backgrounds, and levels of skill. Some were dressed in expensive clothing, while others wore simple robes. Some were surrounded by entourages, while others stood alone.