Chapter 268: The Martial Arts Meet officially begins; impossible to advance

Year 2 of Does Does Da Xia, the first day of the sixth lunar month.

The Does Does Da Xia Martial Arts Meet, which had been brewing for over twenty days, finally began.

Before nightfall, every house in Xia City had already lit its fires. Countless figures darted about within, and the sounds of clanking and clattering drifted from the rooms—one could tell at a listen that they were donning armor and carrying weapons.

Once night officially fell, everyone immediately walked out of their homes, gathering along the streets toward the entrance of the outer city.

"Go, go, go! It's about to start; let's grab a good spot."

"Sister, let's go!"

"Mother, bring me my blade, quickly."

"I'm heading out first, Father."

"Big Brother, I'm entering the venue now. Good luck."

………………

In the inner city, lively young lads were the first to run out of their homes. Their goals were clear: once out the door, they headed straight for the outer city.

Xiao Heng and Xiao Lin, along with their cousins Xiao Jing and Xiao Cen, also arranged to leave their homes together. Their houses were also in the inner city, and not far from the iron gate of the inner city, so as soon as they stepped out, they saw a large crowd of their peers.

All four were clad in iron armor, carrying five-stone bows on their backs, a quiver of arrows, and a primary weapon. For their age, they could be considered armed to the teeth.

Perhaps because it was their first time wearing armor, Xiao Lin's expression was clearly quite smug. However, when he saw the crowd on the main street, he was instantly dumbfounded:

"How can there be so many people wearing armor?"

Yesterday, when the Camp Supplies Department gathered all those in the Woodcutting Realm to divide them into groups in advance, it had already been announced: after nightfall tonight, the preliminary Woodcutting Realm group matches would begin, with the location near the Xia City gates.

Therefore, looking at those walking toward the city gates, aside from some women and ordinary people watching the excitement, one could basically tell at a glance who was a participant and who was not.

The problem was that everywhere Xiao Lin looked, anyone who appeared to be of a similar age and like himself, heading to participate in the Martial Arts Meet, was fully armed and armored. Almost no one was wearing casual clothes.

Xiao Heng had expected this long ago and laughed: "They're all from the inner city. A set of ten-forged armor and a five-stone bow only cost 280 contribution points in total. Which family can't afford that? Thinking of advancing just by relying on this—they're overthinking it."

Xiao Lin nodded. 280 contribution points—let alone the four thousand-plus households in the inner city, even in the outer city, quite a few people could afford it. Armor and five-stone bows were likely the standard equipment for this Woodcutting Realm group Martial Arts Meet.

"Look at Zhao Yuanwu and her younger brother. Why is the armor they're wearing golden?"

Hearing Xiao Lin's voice, Xiao Heng and the other two, who were walking forward, hurriedly turned their heads to look in the direction he was pointing.

At this sight, the expressions of the three instantly became much more solemn.

Zhao Yuanwu and Zhao Yuankong were also walking toward the outer city, about twenty meters away from them. The ten-forged armor the siblings wore was actually glowing with a layer of golden light.

"That's ten-forged armor forged with the skull of a Lei Kui mixed in. Most members of the camp's intermediate hunting teams currently wear this kind, but these two siblings actually had a set custom-made!"

Hearing Xiao Cen's words, Xiao Heng remembered something and nodded: "I heard my father say that the camp is currently encouraging members of intermediate hunting teams to replace their gear with hundred-forged armor and weapons. The Camp Supplies Department has recovered many ten-forged Lei Kui armors. Replacing them with a set costs 700 contribution points, and if you want a custom-fitted set, you have to book it three days in advance. These two siblings are truly willing to spend money!"

280 points wasn't much, but 700 contribution points was a bit high. The key was that even if you exchanged for it, it didn't guarantee you would advance, so there couldn't be many people willing to spend this money.

Xiao Jing shook his head and said: "Definitely. Their father is Lord Zhao Hu, who is himself a Frigid-level expert, and the Steel Mane squad is so strong—their family certainly won't be short on contribution points."

The three nodded upon hearing this. Zhao Yuanwu and her brother not only had a good father, but their two uncles were also Frigid-level experts, and the hunting teams they each led were also very strong.

Xiao Lin observed the crowd as he walked. After counting the people wearing light golden armor, his expression instantly turned ugly. He said to Xiao Heng:

"Heng, this won't do. I looked around, and there really are quite a few. There are at least a hundred people who have changed into light golden armor. I'm afraid our preliminary match really isn't stable. If I had known, I would have asked Father for some contribution points to exchange for a set."

Xiao Heng shook his head with a smile: "Don't worry. I told you, for the preliminary selection, strength is definitely not the deciding factor. Wearing better armor won't have much effect. Don't worry!"

Xiao Lin had a different opinion upon hearing this: "That's not right. Wasn't the grouping already done last night? A hundred people per group. Many people are guessing that there are only 5 spots to advance per group."

Xiao Jing and Xiao Cen also nodded. The entire camp had over 16,000 people in the Woodcutting Realm, and last night they had already been divided into 172 groups, with a hundred people per group. Although the method for the preliminary matches hadn't been announced, they were also guessing in their hearts that it should be a group competition, and only the final winners could advance.

"That's impossible. Xia City alone has 17,000, and the five branch venues—Five Plains Realm Valley, Wu Shuang, Han Qiong, and Beehive—have 15,000. Added together, that's over 32,000 people and over 300 groups. Even if it were like the Earth-Digging Realm matches, comparing wins and duration, it would probably take ten days or half a month. A group competition? I'm afraid it couldn't even be finished in a month. It's even more impossible!"

Although Xiao Heng's tone was very certain, Xiao Lin and the other two still looked suspicious.

Seeing that the three didn't believe him, Xiao Heng didn't continue. He changed the subject and asked: "I'm in Group 51. Which groups were you all assigned to?"

Xiao Lin: "I'm in Group 29."

Xiao Jing: "I'm in Group 88!"

Xiao Cen: "I'm in Group 102."

Hearing their group numbers, Xiao Heng shook his head in disappointment. There was no help for it; there were simply too many people in the Woodcutting Realm in Xia City. With 172 groups, it was indeed too difficult for the four of them to be assigned to the same group.

But Xiao Lin and the other two clearly had different thoughts than him.

The three of them still believed that it must be a group competition. If they weren't assigned to the same group, then the four brothers naturally wouldn't have to compete against each other, which was a good thing.

The four soon followed the crowd through the inner city iron gate and stepped into the outer city.

Because the nearly 70,000 people who came from Longyou lived in temporary large wooden houses, the houses in the outer city were not as dense as in the inner city. After passing through a small cluster of buildings, it became very empty, and everyone soon saw the city gates from afar.

But the moment they saw the city gates, everyone was instantly stunned.

Near the city gates, for some reason, ten huge square iron cages had been erected. The cages were estimated to be two hundred meters wide and twenty meters high.

The layout inside the ten iron cages was similar: there were artificial mountains made of giant rocks, several giant trees cut in half, snow slopes piled very high, and very deep gullies and snow pits…………

"What is this for? Are they letting us go in for free-for-all combat?"

"I'm afraid that's really it. A hundred-person melee, and finally deciding on a few people to advance."

"Otherwise, why divide us into groups? It must be a melee."

"But everyone is equipped with weapons. How do we determine the winner?"

"That's right, what counts as being eliminated?"

"When we were grouped last night, it was said that weapons and armor could be brought at will, and even medicinal pills could be prepared. If it really is a hundred-person melee, there will definitely be quite a few casualties!"

………………

The moment they saw the iron cages, the crowd immediately began to discuss.

Most people directly stated the guesses in their hearts;

Only a small number of people, after pondering for a moment, had flickering expressions, clearly having seen something, yet deliberately not saying it.

Xiao Heng was also observing. After staring at the iron cages for a long time, his expression suddenly froze, clearly having thought of something.

He turned his head and found that Xiao Lin and the other two had already started to split up to find their group teams, so he immediately rushed forward and grabbed them.

"Lin, you all wait. I've guessed it……"

The three were stopped by him and immediately gathered together.

Xiao Heng's expression was serious. He lowered his voice and quickly instructed: "After finding your group teams, get familiar with the others as soon as possible. I suspect……"

"All participants, there is one last hundred-breath time to return to your teams. Those who haven't found their teams by the time the time is up will be treated as eliminated. The countdown starts now: 100…… 99…… 98…… 97…………"

Xiao Heng wanted to say more, but the Camp Supplies Department staff member presiding over the Martial Arts Meet above the city gate had already started the countdown.

He could only stop and separate from Xiao Lin and the other two to find his own team.

Around the ten iron cages, wooden signs had long been erected, clearly marking numbers from 1 to 172, which were clearly the group numbers. Many people were already standing under the wooden signs.

It had to be said that having lived in the harsh environment of the Frozen Abyss for a long time, even without strict training, human organization was naturally very strong. This was also the reason why the Camp Supplies Department only gave a hundred breaths of time.

"10… 9… 8… 7……"

Over 17,000 people, surrounding the ten iron cages on the square, quickly divided into 172 small square formations along the wooden number signs.

"3…… 2…… 1…… Time's up!"

With the end of the final countdown, no one was wandering outside on the square anymore. Everyone had already stood within their group teams.

"Good, not bad!"

Qiu Peng's voice replaced that of the Camp Supplies Department staff member just now. He walked to the top of the city gate and first praised them with a smile.

As one of the six department heads and also one of the few Frigid-level experts currently in the camp, Qiu Peng had prestige. As soon as he spoke, the over 10,000 people below immediately quieted down. Everyone looked up at the city gate, quietly waiting for what he had to say next.

"I know that in the past few days, many of you have been inquiring, wanting to figure out what kind of selection method the preliminary matches will adopt. I specifically instructed everyone not to leak the news, so up to now, whether it's you 17,000-plus or the 15,000-plus at the other five branch venues, I can ensure that not a single person knows the selection method for the preliminary matches."

Qiu Peng's expression was somewhat smug. Looking at the 172 square formations below, a flash of sharpness crossed his eyes, and he continued: "Weapons, armor, medicinal pills…… I said last night that aside from your parents, anything that can enhance combat power is allowed for you to bring."

"Hahaha……"

…………

After Qiu Peng finished this sentence, a burst of laughter came from below.

Unlike the Earth-Digging Realm, the participants in the Woodcutting Realm group matches were as young as nine and as old as twenty-plus. The age span was simply too large.

This led to many of the younger ones not putting their minds on the competition itself at all. Some wanted to inquire about the inside story of the competition through their parents, some asked their parents to spend contribution points to exchange for weapons and armor at the Camp Supplies Department, some exchanged for medicinal pills…… In short, they were all thinking of taking shortcuts to pass the preliminary matches.

"I specifically instructed everyone not to leak the news."

The smugness on Qiu Peng's face when he said this just now clearly showed his confidence that the selection method for the preliminary matches had not been leaked, which could be considered a small lesson for those who wanted to take shortcuts.

Above the city gate, Qiu Peng raised his hand to press down. After everyone quieted down, he continued: "Alright, weapons, armor, medicinal pills—I see you are all well-prepared, so I won't be long-winded. I will directly announce today's preliminary selection method……"

Qiu Peng turned around and nodded to Yuan Cheng and the others behind him.

Boom, crack…………

Below Qiu Peng, a huge sound of iron chains suddenly came.

Everyone looked down and realized that the huge iron gate, fifteen meters high and eight meters wide, hanging in mid-air, had moved.

Roar………… roar………… roar…………

From behind the city gate, several roars suddenly came from far to near.

"What sound is this?"

"It seems to be…… Cold Beasts!"

"What? Cold Beasts?"

"It really is a Cold Beast. I've heard the roar of a Cold Beast; it is a Cold Beast."

"It is indeed. Don't you remember the Cold Beast tide before? We've all heard it."

"How can there be Cold Beasts?"

………………

As the roars got closer and closer, and never stopped, the over a hundred square formations on the square in the city instantly became restless.

Roar…………

An angry roar came from behind the city gate, and then Yuan Cheng, dressed in black, walked in with a smile, holding a chain in one hand.

Behind that chain, a Long-Tongued Snow Mane was actually tied.

That Snow Mane was over three meters long, and its blood-red pupils were staring fixedly at Yuan Cheng.

It was breathing heavily through its nostrils. Although all the barbs on its back had been cut off, its four limbs were still struggling and kicking on the ground, causing the snow on the ground to churn endlessly. The momentum was very terrifying.

The angry roar it made seemed to be able to shock people's hearts, but some bold ones could clearly see that the long tongue in its mouth had actually been tied into a dead knot……

"It really is a living Cold Beast……"

"It seems to be a little injured."

"Long-Tongued Snow Mane, that's Deputy Si Zheng Yuan Cheng. Why did he catch a Snow Mane?"

"Could it be, let us……"

Whoosh…………

The moment the Long-Tongued Snow Mane appeared, at least half of the people on the square took a small step back. Especially when Yuan Cheng deliberately pulled the chain and walked along the main road, the Woodcutting Realm people on both sides of the road all showed deep fear on their faces. Some timid ones even fell down.

"Hehehehe…………"

Seeing the people who fell, Yuan Cheng immediately grinned.

In fact, these Woodcutting Realm people in Xia City, including the 60,000 to 70,000 ordinary people who recently came from Longyou, were not unfamiliar with Cold Beasts.

Hunting teams brought Cold Beasts back every night, and not just low-level ones; intermediate Cold Beasts were also brought back. Seeing Cold Beasts, they shouldn't be this afraid.

But the problem was that the Snow Mane Yuan Cheng was pulling was alive.

Of the over 17,000 Woodcutting Realm people in Xia City, it was estimated that no more than one-tenth had truly seen a living Cold Beast. And among this one-tenth, the vast majority were because of the Cold Beast tide that Jing Xian caused in March last year.

Yes, if it weren't for the Cold Beast tide that Jing Xian caused, the Woodcutting Realm people in the Does Does Da Xia camp would basically have no chance to see living Cold Beasts.

The reason was simple: the Woodcutting Realm did not have the qualifications to hunt.

When they went to Seeing Seeing Hong Mu Ridge to collect wood before, they might encounter one or two sleeping ones, but now, as the Does Does Da Xia hunting teams became stronger and stronger, and the cleaning of the outskirts of Seeing Seeing Hong Mu Ridge became more thorough, the probability of them seeing Cold Beasts became lower and lower.

Seeing a Cold Beast and seeing a Cold Beast corpse were two completely different concepts.

Especially since more than half of the Woodcutting Realm people participating in the Martial Arts Meet tonight were teenagers between ten and fifteen years old. Excluding the very few who had experienced that Cold Beast tide, the rest, aside from having eaten beast meat, basically knew nothing about Cold Beasts.

A ferocious Cold Beast appearing before their eyes, the deterrence it produced on these children was clearly very sufficient.

The door of the No. 1 iron cage was opened by someone. Yuan Cheng pulled the chain hard and threw the Long-Tongued Snow Mane directly in, then quickly stepped forward to untie the chain on the Snow Mane.

That Snow Mane was clearly very afraid of Yuan Cheng. The moment the chain was untied, it first looked at the entrance of the iron cage, then realized something, immediately turned around and ran toward the artificial mountain inside the iron cage, drilling directly behind the mountain to hide.

"Hehe, you're sensible. Close the iron cage."

Yuan Cheng walked out, then signaled others to close the iron cage.

"Roar…………"

Another angry roar came, and everyone turned to look at the city gate.

This time it was Director Yu Wen Dao. He was pulling a Golden-Eyed Magic Sheep.

Like the Snow Mane just now, the eyes on the back of this Magic Sheep had all been blinded, and the sharp horns on its forehead had also been flattened, clearly also processed.

Director Yu Wen Dao threw the Magic Sheep directly into the second iron cage;

"Roar…………"

As the subsequent eight Frigid-level experts like Luo Yuan walked over one by one, the roars of the Cold Beasts never stopped.

Bone-Spiked Frost Wolf, Blue Moon Essence, Cloud Mist Teng Jiao, Golden-Armored Lei Kui, Bai Pi, Fire Stone Tiger, Frost Electric Ape, Green Thunder Roar—the eight chains were soon filled.

At the same time, Qiu Peng's voice above the city gate sounded again.

"The selection method for the preliminary matches, I can tell you now: it is to use the group as a unit, draw lots to enter an iron cage, and no matter what method you use, as long as you successfully hunt the Cold Beast inside, the group will collectively advance."

Whoosh…………

The square instantly erupted in an uproar, and everyone's faces were full of astonishment.

Let alone those children in their early teens, even some adult Woodcutting Realm people had expressions that were instantly stunned. They turned their heads to look at Qiu Peng above the city gate, their faces full of doubt and incomprehension.

"This is letting us go to our deaths. What kind of Martial Arts Meet is this?"

"This is impossible. Even if these Cold Beasts are injured, we can't be their opponents. Our weapons and bows simply can't break through the outer skin of the Cold Beasts!"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible."

"An adult Snow Mane has extremely tenacious vitality, and its strength is at least 15,000 or more. If we encounter it in the wild, it's hard to even escape, let alone hunt it. How is it possible!"

………………

The discussions coming from the square made the group of Frigid-level experts who had just walked back to the top of the city gate sink their faces much lower.

Especially Qiu Peng, Yuan Cheng, Lin Kai, and Lu Yang—their expressions were very ugly.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 269 =====