All the participants were gathered within the arena. One couldn't help but admire the architecture and materials used in the creation of this battlefield. If Thunder Academy didn't label it as a testing ground, it was sure to be a gladiator arena. The admiration even extended to the sheer number of participants who were standing within the premises.
Li Meng inspected his surroundings, trying to identify any of the known characters who were listed within the catalogue. Sure enough, he did find multiple personalities standing not far away from him. These were the participants of the top 10 Thunder-god halls, as well as some of the recommendations.
"May I have the pleasure to make an acquaintance of this brother?" Li Meng was surprised to find a figure standing behind him. Given his cultivation, there were not many people who could sneak up upon him.
He turned around, to find a cute fat youngster, staring at him with his round eyes. Even though one would want to laugh after seeing his appearance, Li meng couldn't help but feel a special aura from this person.
............….
"The boy in front is quite mysterious. Although his cultivation is quite similar to yours, his aura is retracted by a set of armour he is currently wearing."
"Is the armour powerful enough?"
"It's an emperor-grade artifact. Want to try and seize it from him?"
Li meng was surprised to hear this. This little fat boy had such a precious artifact. His background would surely be tyrannical. He wasn't someone who would respond with hostility towards someone who showed him such discretion.
.............
"I am Li Meng. May I know this brothers name?" Li Men's expression was quite natural and welcoming.
"Cao Wusheng is my name. I couldn't help but admire my brother's prowess." The fatty was surprised to see such a neutral expression on Li Meng's face. When someone within the masses first sees him, they are sure to react mockingly.
"Why would brother say that? I haven't even participated in any of the competitions. I am a small character from a low-ranking Thunder-god hall."
"Brother doesn't need to continue his act in front of me. We are two pieces of meat from the same cow. I didn't expect to find someone like you amid these buffoons. I am sure my brother is going to overpower all these insects and rise to the top of the rankings."
Although the fatty's voice was low enough, Qi general realm cultivators were surrounding them. They had extremely sharp senses and hence managed to hear the words spoken by him. All of them looked at Li Meng with a huge amount of hostility in their eyes.
Li Meng just smiled helplessly. How did he become a common public enemy? He looked at Fatty who still held an enthusiastic expression over his face. Li Meng couldn't distinguish whether it was intentional or not, but this fatty was too distasteful.
"Is something stuck on my face, Dao brother?" LI Meng wanted to captivate and spank this fatty butt, but he restrained himself.
It was during this time that a group of people walked up to the duo. Their faces were filled with an apprehensive expression, as well as a hint of irritation. They clearly didn't arrive here out of goodwill.
"May I know who Dao brother is?" One of the group members asked Li Meng.
"Just a cultivator from one of the Thunder-god halls." Li Meng replied with a solemn expression.
"Which Thunder-god hall do you represent?"
Li Meng lifted his plaque to let them see. Once the verification was over, a huge round of laughter sounded through the stadium. The group of people couldn't control their gut.
"This swine from a bottom ranking Thunder-god hall says that he will overtake the whole competition." The laughter continued. Li Meng didn't exhibit any change of expression. It was useless to haggle with a group of weaklings. It's best to speak with his actions.
"What re you fools laughing at?" The fatty shouted at the group of youngsters.
The sudden interference of this fatty surprised the group of people. They couldn't help but stare at this round ass fat duckling.
"What are you looking at? Have you ever seen a handsome man like me?" Li Meng even wanted to cough out blood after hearing the statement. It's just how egotistical is this fatty to talk like this.
One of the members of the group wanted to step up and beat the shit of this fatty but a conch blew at the exact moment. All the cultivators looked towards the stage above, where a group of people were standing.
The leader of this group of people was an old man who had a powerful air around him.
........................
"The academy is quite powerful. They sent an emperor level cultivator to head a ceremony like this.". These words were a chock to Li meng. Even the Pill Valley wasn't so exuberant with their display of power.
"I guess the actual power of Thunder Academy is higher than Pill Valley."
"I wouldn't be surprised by that. Alchemy is a profession which requires a huge investment of time and patience. Alchemists are naturally weaker when compared to those who purely walk on the path of martial arts."
"You will have huge opportunities to advance your strength in this place. I am looking forward to seeing what the test actually carries."
..........................
The old man on the podium had a slight change of expression as he looked at the students below. He felt like a scanner had just swept through him. The one who did this hid his auras quite fast.
"I congratulate all the participants who have managed to make it this far. Every single one of you represents your respective forces. We hope that you will perform well and become future disciples of my academy."
"Before the beginning of the competition, I have an announcement to make. The academy has decided to increase the number of rewards to be awarded to the winner this year. To be precise, we are going to triple the previous amounts."
The contestants instantly become wild after hearing this fact. Triple the amount. Just how huge were the rewards going to be?
"I would also like to announce another crucial matter. Although it might sound like an upsetting statement, the academy is doing it not only for its own good but also for you. The upper echelon was discussing the prospect of the subordinate forces under us."
"They have come to an understanding to decide the ranking with this year's tournament."
"The bottom 20 rankers would be eliminated directly to conserve resources."
Li Meng couldn't help but suck in a cold breath. This was a cause of concern for the hall master. She must have got her hands on this information.
"You will be representing your respective forces in this competition and hence will be graded accordingly. I hope you can help preserve your force's reputation and help it gain more resources."
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"The cultivator above is quite sensitive to my activity. I would be required to mask my presence, to not get identified by him. I wouldn't be able hep you brat."
"It won't be required. I am looking forward to the altar of punishment. Let's see how good it is."
...............
"The first test is going to commence soon. All of you will be moving together onto the altar. Once you take your respective positions, the altar of punishment would start its functioning. I have to warn the participants regarding their destructive aura."
"The longer you sustain in this altar, higher will be your ranking. Only the top 100 participants are allowed to enter the next phase."
"I would also advise you, people, to not overestimate your own prowess and act recklessly. The thunder energy contained within the altar is no joke. It could even threaten your life."
A massive altar came into view. The participants couldn't help but be surprised by viewing this. The academy changed its general pattern of testing in groups. They must be planning something.
"The participants will hereby move inside and take their positions."
Li Meng along with the rest of the crowd moved in.
