Wang Yi quickly learned that Thor had accepted a master from the Dry Witch Universe, a powerful teacher who would guide him in mastering the laws of thunder and lightning. Though somewhat surprised, Wang Yi didn't dwell on it. His presence in the universe had already created significant ripples in the natural order, reshaping paths for himself and others. He recognized that their paths were diverging in unexpected ways.
Wang Yi had already cautioned Hong, suggesting that if he joined any of the five pinnacle forces of the Virtual Universe Company, he should avoid drawing undue attention, especially in high-profile areas like the Sea of Illusions. Wang Yi's understanding of events, thanks to the breadth of his knowledge and vision, gave him an edge. He planned to use it carefully, taking precautions to rewrite certain histories.
With these things sorted out, Wang Yi refocused on his core objectives, settling into a strict training regimen.
"My first priority is to be prepared for Bolan," he thought. "That means pushing the technique The Flow of Ten Thousand Streams to reach at least the 'Hundred Streams' level. This will hone my speed and precision. And for defense, I need to fully master the third level of the Yan Shen Soldiers..."
At present, Wang Yi's advantage came not just from skill but from his three distinct bodies: his original human form, a Flame Star Beast clone, and a Void Zerg clone. This unique setup granted him the ability to simultaneously train in multiple original laws—time, fire, and space—at the same time. The progress he achieved was far faster than that of typical geniuses.
On July 16, 2066, the day before the arena competition was set to begin, Wang Yi gathered with the other Earth geniuses in the Virtual Universe. The venue was a massive floating continent above Ganwu, where an enormous conference hall housed tens of thousands of young contenders from across the Dry Witch Universe. The room held 101,000 participants who had passed the brutal pre-selection stage, each eagerly awaiting the final battle's announcement.
A tall man in a silver robe appeared at the high podium at the front of the hall. His arrival silenced the vast space, which had been buzzing with excitement and nervous whispers.
"Quiet!" His commanding voice reached every corner of the hall, bringing immediate silence.
"There are 101,000 of you who have survived the Ganwu Universe Country's preliminary rounds," he began, his voice resonating powerfully. "Among you, the top 100 of each world zone have already secured their places in the finals and will represent the Ganwu Universe Country in the ultimate battle across universes."
Behind him, a massive screen flickered to life, displaying the images of those top-ranking contestants—each one a formidable figure who had fought through waves of competition to claim the first-place spot in their respective world zone. The silver-robed man's voice continued to reverberate through the hall.
"The remaining 100,000 contestants will compete for 900 additional spots."
A murmur of excitement rippled through the hall as the contestants began to comprehend the task before them. "The arena battles are divided into two main stages—the 'ring melee' and the 'one-on-one duels,'" the silver-robed official continued.
Thor couldn't help but exclaim to the others, "It's incredibly brutal! Each of us will be divided into groups of 1,000. In each group, we'll battle 100 at a time in a ring, fighting until only ten survive."
Hong nodded gravely. "This first round alone will reduce 100,000 participants down to 10,000. Only those who prove themselves here can move on. And from those 10,000, another 900 will be selected to fill the open spots. It's going to be incredibly fierce."
Luo Feng chuckled, leaning toward Wang Yi, "You've got it easy. No need to fight in these qualifiers; you're already in the finals." Wang Yi had claimed the number-one spot in his world zone early on, earning him a direct path to the finals.
Hong, Thunder God, and Luo Feng knew that Wang Yi's strength far surpassed theirs, so his winning first place was no surprise. Each felt the weight of his own path to prepare and improve. While Luo Feng had nearly secured his own spot, luck wasn't in his favor. He ended up placing seventh in his zone and now had to battle through the two selection matches ahead.
Luo Feng didn't mind, though. Instead, he felt more motivated. These upcoming matches would be his trial, a chance to refine himself against some of the best fighters in the universe. It was a test he was eager to face.
On July 17, 2066, the arena battles began. A sense of anxiety hung in the air as contestants gathered. The melee round was divided into 1,000 groups, with 200 groups competing each day over five days.
Luo Feng, Hong, and Thor were each assigned to their own groups—Luo Feng in the 133rd group, Hong in the 299th, and Thor in the 551st. Wang Yi, having already qualified, watched the battles from the audience stands with his family.
The competition venue was the Virtual Universe's Martial Arts Arena on Island 01932, a vast structure capable of holding a billion spectators. The colossal arena roared with anticipation as families, fans, and supporters cheered for their champions. In the Black Dragon Mountain Empire section, Wang Yi's family, along with the families of Luo Feng and other competitors, settled in to watch the show.
The spectacle was breathtaking. The sheer scale of the arena, coupled with the collective anticipation of a billion spectators, created an electric atmosphere that was hard to ignore.
"Look at all these people!" Wang Yi's young daughter tugged at his arm, her eyes wide with amazement.
Wang Yi smiled, holding her close. Though he was enjoying the lively atmosphere, his thoughts were already turning to his next training session. He kept a close eye on his three comrades in the ring, but inwardly he was considering his training goals for the coming months.
Below them, the silver-robed official introduced each competitor, one by one, detailing their achievements as they took their place in the ring. Fans erupted in cheers for each participant, creating waves of excitement throughout the stands.
In the audience, Gao Yurong, Wang Yi's partner, watched her family's reactions with amusement. The children were enthralled, their eyes sparkling as the competitors were introduced. This was a moment of pride for her, and she felt their thrill as if it were her own.
Wang Yi glanced at her and smiled, sensing the significance of the moment. He then turned back to the ring, curious to see how the three Earth fighters would fare.
This arena melee was a grueling test for everyone involved. Luo Feng and Hong were fully aware of the stakes, knowing that only those who emerged victorious from the melee and the subsequent one-on-one duel would have a chance at the finals.
As the battle in the 18th group began, Wang Yi observed keenly. Though he was not actively participating, he was in the ring in a different way—through the consciousness of his three bodies. He had split his awareness, allowing him to simultaneously train his three bodies in separate locations.
In the real world, his human form was perfecting the Yan Shen Soldier technique, casting a glowing rain of fire across the sky. His Void Zerg clone practiced the intricate body techniques of The Flow of Ten Thousand Streams, gaining deeper insights into the laws of space. Meanwhile, his Flame Star Beast clone immersed itself in a molten lake, absorbing cosmic energy and attuning itself to in the law of fire.
In this unique state, Wang Yi could engage with his family while honing his skills to an unparalleled level. His ambition was to surpass Bolan, and he knew he had a long road ahead.
The arena battles continued through the day, and the audience remained captivated. The competition's brutality wasn't lost on Wang Yi's children, who gasped with wide-eyed wonder and excitement.
As the five-day melee event unfolded, Wang Yi spent his time observing, strategizing, and refining his techniques. The ring battles tested every contestant's resilience, resourcefulness, and power, but they were only a prelude. The real essence of this contest would be found in the ultimate one-on-one duels, where strategy and technique would be the deciding factors.
When the time came for the final selection, Wang Yi would be prepared, but until then, his focus remained on his training and on supporting his fellow Earth warriors.