Death... and me

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Rean, Roan, and another eight participants flew to one of the platforms where a terminal could be found near the border of each one of them. "You have ten minutes to decide which type of test you wish to pose to your challengers," the queen explained from the top of the palace. "There is a huge range of categories. Battle-related, formations-related-talismans-related, alchemy-related, knowledge-related, cultivation-related, even some games are in there..."

"After you select one, everyone will be able to see which type you selected and can choose your arena if they feel they can win against you," Amelia continued. "If the challenger wins, they will have another ten minutes to select a category and will have to defend their spot from there onwards. Ten minutes, the time starts now."

Rean and Roan looked at their own terminals. The options were indeed broad. Amelia didn't kid when she mentioned games. Roan's eyebrow rose when she looked at one of the games. 'The Battlefield Board...' Although the name was different, it was pretty much the same game he played back in the Sunkan Planet. He used it a lot to teach Rean and the others about strategies and war. It was very helpful. Rean could be said to be a very well accomplished strategist nowadays exactly because Roan taught him with this game.

The Werdlem Empire Battlefield Board was even more complete and detailed. It could project a battlefield over the platform, and both commanders could use their Spiritual Senses to control the units. Each side started with ten thousand units instead of only a thousand. Roan felt quite interested in it.

However, there was only so much time for today's contest, so a small rule was added to this and all other games available. No more than ten seconds can be used to make your next move. Otherwise, you lose instantly. Also, the battle couldn't last more than ten minutes. If it took more than that, the winner would be selected based on the number of strongholds conquered by each side. If the number of strongholds were the same, the victor would be the one with the most units remaining.

Roan faintly smiled and selected the Battlefield Board Game without hesitation. If he loses in this category, he might as well throw himself into a hole and never come out again.

Instantly, the Battlefield Board Game was projected over his platform; at the same time, his choice was sent to everyone's CDs so the participants could decide whether or not to challenge Roan. Many eyes lit up, cultivators and other races' experts who seemed confident in their warfare ability. The ten minutes weren't up yet, so no one could come for Roan yet, though.

On Rean's side, he also saw the same game. However, after glancing at Roan's platform, Rean simply shrugged his shoulders. 'Well, Roan is guaranteed to win, so I'm going to select something more interesting.' Rean patiently went through the list before an idea appeared in his mind. 'Hum... Kuslau could already use the Sword Intent even though he was only a Saint Realm Expert. Not to mention, he was also at the fourth stage, Sword Aura, just like Roan and I.' Rean looked around and the hundreds of thousands of participants waiting to enter the platform. 'No doubt more of these youngsters can use Weapon Intents as well, especially the members from big powers. Perhaps I can learn something if I go for it... What do you think, Roan?'

Roan sat on his platform, waiting for the ten minutes to end. He glanced at Rean's platform and nodded. 'I don't see a problem with that. Share your memories from the battles so that I can take a look as well.'

Rean smiled and selected his category.

-Straight Sword Battle-

-Rules: All types of cultivation energies and elements are not allowed-

In the end, Rean made it so challengers could only fight with their swordplay or sword intents. It was a challenge of pure skill where cultivation made no difference. Of course, there were those with body cultivation techniques, but Rean had his Yin Yang Starlight Body, so he wouldn't be at a disadvantage against anyone.

*Bzzzzz...*

Immediately, the formation in Rean's platform activated, and all the cultivation energies and elements inside were sealed. Rean could feel the formation's energy enveloping his body, making it impossible to circulate his Spiritual Energy or control and absorb Elements. 'This is fun!' he thought and felt like laughing.

The other participants on the other platforms also selected their own categories. As one can imagine, Rean ended up being the only participant who selected a battle-related category. After all, you had to hold your position until midnight, and it wasn't even midday yet. Those who looked at Rean's choice felt like he was an idiot who would exhaust himself way before midnight arrived.

On one of the platforms, the participant selected alchemy knowledge. On another, the guy went for beast-taming skills. There were three youngsters who obviously had no confidence whatsoever and ended up selecting games, just like Roan. They hoped they would be lucky enough to win until the end. Their games, obviously, were also modified so they wouldn't last more than ten minutes.

"Hum?" Rean looked at a young woman with a red robe on a platform opposite to his own. Since Rean was also a participant, her choice was sent to his CD. "History of Universe F974, uh? That's this Universe's name in the Werdlem Empire..." Sure enough, even history was added to the various categories. In the woman's case, the terminal would pose many questions to both participants to answer within a time frame. Finally, all platforms had their categories selected.

"The ten minutes are up!" Amelia smiled. "Everyone wishing to challenge the tag holders, you can enter their platforms now. You have until midnight to get the tag and hold onto it."

As soon as Amelia's words died out, the hundreds of thousands of participants flew to the platforms. Those who weren't part of the big powers understood they had to act now. If the big powers joined forces to protect a platform, they would have no chance to challenge the participants inside.