chapter 45

After the seventh prince, the fifth princess and the representative got settled in the VIP area that was built inside the arena, Xua Yan was able to take a proper look at them. As Xua Yan got a closer look at the seventh prince, he appeared to be very young, probably around 17 or 18 years old. Despite his youthful appearance, there was a sense of authority and command about him that made it clear he was not to be underestimated. He had a regal bearing and was impeccably dressed, his robes made of the finest silk and adorned with intricate embroidery.

Xua Yan couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration as he looked at the prince. He had heard many stories about the seventh prince's bravery and martial prowess, and it was clear that they were not exaggerated. The prince's eyes were sharp and alert, scanning the arena with a keen sense of awareness. His hands were calloused and rough, a sign that he was no stranger to physical labor and training.

Beside the seventh prince sat his sister, the fifth princess, who was covering her face with a veil. Xua Yan couldn't see her face clearly, but he could tell that she was beautiful. Her clothes were also made of the finest silk and adorned with precious jewels, a sign of her status and wealth.

Xua Yan wondered why the princess was covering her face with a veil. Perhaps it was a sign of modesty, or maybe it was to protect her from the harsh sun. Regardless, he could sense that there was something mysterious and alluring about her, something that made him want to know more. As Xua Yan took a closer look at the princess, he noticed that her eyes seemed familiar to him, but he couldn't quite place where he had seen them before. He furrowed his brow, trying to remember, but nothing came to mind. Eventually, he gave up and told himself that it was probably just a trick of the mind, or perhaps he had seen someone who looked similar to her in the past. Even though he couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity, Xua Yan decided to put the thought out of his mind and focus on the present.

Xua Yan's attention shifted to the man sitting on the other side of the seventh prince. The man appeared to be in his 30s, with a serious expression on his face. He was dressed in a plain robe, devoid of any decoration or ornamentation, which indicated that he was not a member of the royal family but held an official position.

As Xua Yan observed the man, he could tell that he was someone of great importance. There was an air of authority and power that emanated from him, and Xua Yan sensed that he wielded a significant amount of influence in the kingdom. It was clear that he had earned his position through hard work and dedication, and that he was a force to be reckoned with.

Xua Yan wondered what the representative's role was in the prince's entourage. Perhaps he was a close advisor, or maybe he was there to oversee the tournament and ensure that everything ran smoothly. Whatever his position, it was clear that he was an integral part of the prince's team and that he played a crucial role in the affairs of the kingdom.

As the seventh prince, the fifth princess, and the representative from the capital settled into the VIP area of the martial arts arena, the mayor stood up to address the crowd. His voice boomed through the arena, commanding the attention of everyone present.

"Welcome, one and all, to the martial arts tournament," the mayor began, his voice ringing out clear and strong. And after Hearing him the crowd erupted in cheers "Before we begin, I would like to take a few moments to explain the basic rules of the competition." Mayor didn't want to waste the time, that's why he directly got to the point.

The crowd fell silent, eager to hear what the mayor had to say. They knew that the tournament was not to be taken lightly, and that the rules would be strict and enforced with utmost severity.

"The rules of the tournament are as follows," the mayor continued, his voice steady and unwavering. The mayor announced that the tournament would consist of five rounds. The first round would involve hunting in the jungle, and only the first 15,000 participants from each strength level would be selected to move on to the next round and killing stronger beasts then your strength level might help you in getting into that list faster. This meant that the weaker participants would have to compete against each other in order to move on to the next round, while the stronger participants would have a higher chance of being selected.

The second round would be a one-on-one combat between the selected participants, and the winners would move on to the next round. The third round would be a team-based competition, where the winners would be selected based on their performance as a team. The fourth round would be a test of strategy, where the participants would have to come up with a plan to defeat their opponents.

Finally, the fifth and final round would be a free-for-all battle, where the last person standing would be declared the winner. The mayor emphasized that the rules must be followed at all times, and any violation would result in immediate disqualification.

The different types of tests in the martial arts tournament serve various purposes. For example the first test, hunting in the jungle, is designed to test the physical strength, agility, and survival skills of the competitors. By navigating through the dense jungle and hunting for prey, the competitors demonstrate their ability to adapt to unpredictable and challenging environments.

The second test, the sparring competition, is designed to test the combat skills of the competitors. It allows them to showcase their martial arts techniques and abilities, including striking, grappling, and defense. This test is particularly important as it determines the top 10 competitors who will move on to the next round.

The third test, the weapons competition, tests the competitors' proficiency in using weapons, such as swords, spears, and bows. This test allows the competitors to demonstrate their skill in handling weapons and their ability to adapt to different types of combat scenarios.

The fourth test, the endurance competition, tests the physical and mental endurance of the competitors. By engaging in long-distance running, the competitors demonstrate their ability to push through fatigue and discomfort and maintain focus and concentration under pressure.

The final test, the battle royale, tests the overall combat skills, strategy, and adaptability of the competitors. It is the ultimate test of survival and requires the competitors to demonstrate their ability to outwit, outmaneuver, and outfight their opponents.

Overall, the different types of tests in the martial arts tournament serve to test the physical, mental, and martial arts skills of the competitors. They provide a comprehensive assessment of their abilities and determine who among them is truly worthy of being crowned the champion.

The participants listened attentively to the rules, eager to show off their skills and prove themselves worthy of being crowned the champion. The atmosphere in the arena was charged with excitement and anticipation, as everyone waited for the competition to begin.

As the mayor outlined the rules of the competition, Xua Yan listened intently, his mind fully focused on the task at hand. He knew that the tournament would be a test of his strength, skill, and endurance, and he was determined to give it his all.

As the mayor finished outlining the rules of the first round, Xua Yan began to mentally prepare himself. He knew that the jungle would be a challenging and dangerous place, full of obstacles and unknown dangers. But he also knew that he had trained hard for this moment, and that he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As he looked around at the other competitors, Xua Yan could see the determination in their eyes. They were all here for the same reason - to prove themselves and to win glory and honor for themselves and their families.

As the mayor finished his speech, a group of army soldiers emerged on the stage. They were dressed in their full military gear, and their faces were set in stern, no-nonsense expressions. Xua Yan watched as they began to direct the participants towards the exit of the arena, where they would be led into the jungle.

The soldiers were there to ensure that the tournament ran smoothly and without incident. They were responsible for maintaining order and keeping the participants in check, as well as enforcing the rules of the competition. Xua Yan knew that they were highly trained and skilled, and that their presence would help to deter anyone who might be considering cheating or causing trouble.

As the participants made their way towards the exit, Xua Yan could feel the tension in the air. The jungle was a dangerous and unpredictable place, and he knew that many of the participants would be feeling nervous and apprehensive. But he also knew that this was their chance to prove themselves, to show the world what they were capable of.

Xua Yan took a deep breath and followed the crowd with Wei Ming and others, determined to do his best and make his mark in the competition. He knew that the journey ahead would be tough, but he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Xua Yan made his way towards the entrance of the arena, he saw that many of the participants were huddled in groups, whispering and discussing their strategies. Some seemed to be forming alliances, while others were sizing each other up, trying to determine who their biggest competition would be.

Xua Yan could tell that the competition was going to be fierce, and that the participants were taking it very seriously. He had heard that the martial arts tournament was a prestigious event, and that many people had trained their whole lives for the chance to participate. It was clear that everyone here was determined to win, no matter what it took.

As he approached the entrance, Xua Yan saw that there were army soldiers stationed there, ready to guide the participants to the jungle where the first round would take place. The soldiers looked stern and serious, and Xua Yan could tell that they were taking their duty very seriously.

As he joined the crowd of participants, Xua Yan couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. He had trained hard for this moment, and he was determined to do his best. He knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but he was ready for the challenge.

As the soldiers began to lead the participants towards the jungle, Xua Yan fell into step with a group of other fighters. They exchanged nervous glances and introductions, each one sizing up the other and trying to determine who their allies and enemies would be.

Xua Yan knew that the next few rounds would be crucial, and that he would need to be on his guard at all times. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not even for a moment. As the group entered the jungle, Xua Yan took a deep breath and prepared himself for whatever lay ahead.

Wei Ming turned to Xua Yan and asked, "Xua Yan, do you think we should join a group? It might increase our chances of surviving and advancing to the next round."

Xua Yan shook his head, "No, I don't think it's a good idea. If we join a group, we'll have to reveal our strengths and abilities, which could put us at a disadvantage in the later rounds."

Wei Ming nodded in understanding, "I see your point. But what if we can't make it on our own?"

Xua Yan gave him a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, we'll be fine. We have each other's backs, and we've trained hard for this. We can do this on our own."

Meanwhile, Li Hua, Jian Cheng, Mei Ling, Chao Feng, and Jun Wang were huddled together, discussing their strategy for the first round.

Li Hua suggested, "I think we should split up into two groups of three. That way, we can cover more ground and increase our chances of finding the targets."

Jian Cheng agreed, "That's a good idea. But we need to make sure we communicate with each other and don't get separated."

Mei Ling added, "And we should be careful not to reveal our strengths too early. We don't want to become targets for the other participants."

Chao Feng nodded, "Yes, we should try to blend in and not draw too much attention to ourselves."

Jun Wang spoke up, "And we should be prepared for anything. The jungle is full of surprises, and we never know what we might encounter."