Chapter 360 - 3: Stage 3: Strong vs. Weak Confrontation (2)

Chapter 360: Chapter 3: Stage 3: Strong vs. Weak Confrontation (2)

[High-intensity spatial barriers currently exist between the continents belonging to the four factions. Do not allow Spatial Ability Users to attempt a crossing. The consequences will be yours to bear.]

[In ten days, the spatial barriers between the territory of the Type 789 Human Race and the territories of the other three factions will disappear.]

[One year from now, all spatial barriers will disappear.]

[In this round of the competition, Territory Cores will not take damage. Capturing the Lord’s Mansion of a non-allied territory grants control of that territory.]

[You can choose to let a controlled territory continue its original development, or you can demolish it to build a sub-base.]

[Note: If left as is, the territory will retain its original Territory Core bonuses. If a sub-base is built, its Territory Core will be assimilated and synchronized with the main base’s Territory Core bonuses.]

[Lords who lose their territory will not lose their status as lords and may still lead their heroes, soldiers, and subjects.]

[After losing a territory, your subordinates’ morale will gradually decline, and desertions will occur.]

[By retaking your own Lord’s Mansion or capturing an enemy’s, you can secure a sanctuary for yourself and your subordinates.]

[Pledging allegiance to another lord to gain sanctuary for yourself and your subordinates is also a viable option.]

[Note: You may attack the territories, associated structures, soldiers, and subjects of any non-allied lord.]

[Note: In the current stage, the level cap for lords is 10, and the level cap for Territory Cores is 10.]

[Note: The final evaluation for this stage will be based on the total area of territory occupied, for which points will be awarded. The top 1,000 lords with the largest territories will advance. The territories of all other lords will be reclaimed.]

[Note: There is no set time for the final evaluation of this stage; it may occur at any moment. All lords, do not let your guard down.]

[Fight to your hearts’ content! Let’s see who is strong and who is weak. Will it be you? Or them?]

The familiar system announcement echoed within Lin Yu’s soul.

Most of the information was what Lin Yu had expected. The overall combat rules weren’t much different from previous competitions, with no bizarre new regulations thrown in.

’But why are they using this special rule called "Strong vs. Weak Showdown"?’

’Judging by the rules and our starting positions, we’re the "strong" side. But why? On what grounds? We haven’t even fought yet!’

’It can’t be because of me, can it? My territory is a little bigger, and I have a few more subjects, but that’s it. In terms of combat power, if the top 100 or even top 1,000 lords united, they could probably break into my inner perimeter. It’s not so exaggerated that they’d make three other races team up against our Human Race just because of me, right?’

’I’ll check the chat channel. Maybe someone else knows what’s going on.’

At this thought, Lin Yu channeled a sliver of his Soul Power, lightly touching a Soul Artifact resting beside his soul—the competition’s system interface.

[Type 789 Human Race Chat Channel (9999)] (Chat is now divided into three official channels: World, Regional, and Race.)

Ding Dong: "What the hell? Why are we the ones getting ganged up on?"

Zhang Lv: "I’m scared stiff... In ten days, we’re really going to be surrounded and attacked?"

...

Zhao Zhaonan: "Has anyone noticed we’re short one person in the chat channel? There are only 9,999 of us. Didn’t 10,000 people qualify?"

Jin Dongjie: "Hahaha, I know about that!"

Jin Dongjie: "Does everyone remember how Cuiwei Star was under martial law for a few days during the break?"

Ding Dong: "What about it? Don’t tell me the missing person was assassinated. Are the anti-humanity organizations really that brazen these days?"

Jin Dongjie: "Hahaha, just the opposite. He committed a crime against humanity and was executed on the spot."

Zhang Jing: "Holy shit, how did I not know about this? My family’s influence on Cuiwei Star is nothing to sneeze at!"

Ding Dong: "Spill it! How could I not know about a juicy piece of gossip like this? It must have been top secret!"

Yun Qihao: "?"

...

Instantly, the curiosity of every lord watching the chat channel was piqued. This was especially true for the scions of powerful families, who were even more intrigued by a piece of gossip they hadn’t heard than the average lord.

Seeing everyone’s curiosity in the chat, Jin Dongjie’s vanity was thoroughly satisfied. He began to type, pleased with himself.

Jin Dongjie: "Heh heh, this isn’t something just any family would know. I only found out by a stroke of luck myself. I won’t get into the specifics."

Jin Dongjie: "The lord who committed the crime against humanity was named Opal Hass. I’m sure many of you have heard of him!"

Ding Dong: "No way! The Hass Clan is a major power on Cuiwei Star. Had Opal Hass gone insane?"

Zhang Jing: "What did he do to be charged with a crime against humanity?"

Qian Duoduo: "No wonder. My family’s business dealings with the Hass Clan came to a sudden halt."

Zhao Zhaonan: "@Opal Hass"

Zhao Zhaonan: "He’s really not in the group..."

...

Jin Dongjie: "Heh heh, @Qian Duoduo, it wasn’t just Opal Hass who died. Ninety percent of the Hass Clan was wiped out. The rest were arrested, and only a few who weren’t on Cuiwei Star managed to escape off-world."

Qian Duoduo: "It’s that serious?! What exactly happened? Do you know?"

Jin Dongjie: "Remember the Eye Demon that attacked us in the end? And Mei Yuan, the one who was supposedly parasitized and organized the Northern Expedition Legion?"

Li Hua: "I remember. That guy interrupted my training, almost causing me to fail my class change."

Li Hua wasn’t being subtle anymore. He wasn’t the least bit afraid of other lords knowing his situation. After all, the most important information was already out, so the rest didn’t matter.

Jin Dongjie: "Ahem—"

Li Hua’s sudden flex nearly threw Jin Dongjie for a loop. He had bought several copies of that secret manual himself. According to his family’s expert assessment, one needed immense talent to successfully master it.