Chapter 345: Chapter 345: The Second Phase Begins, Struggle of a Cornered Beast

Newark City, the International Youth Martial Arts Center.

This magnificent structure, built at a cost of tens of billions, could accommodate a full 300,000 people.

A holographic projection blanketed the sky above the plaza, rendering every detail in crystal-clear quality for the billions of viewers watching across the globe.

That’s right—this year’s Global Youth Martial Arts Tournament would be broadcast live from start to finish.

And it was using brand-new livestreaming technology!

During the competition, you could even choose to watch from a specific competitor’s first-person perspective!

At this moment, the massive plaza of the Martial Arts Center was already packed with media and spectators from every nation, as well as... the eight national teams that had already arrived.

That’s right, eight teams.

Out of the ten participating national teams, eight should have already been on site, not including the yet-to-arrive Great Xia team.

However, one team had already been eliminated—the Ying Country team, which had ten members enter the trials and only two come out, both of whom were severely injured.

Suddenly, a clamor erupted from the crowd.

"Look! In the sky! That’s... The Great Xia team has arrived!"

Someone shouted, pointing at the sky.

A golden light filled the air as the enormous Golden-Feathered Profound Sparrow, like a cloud hanging low from the heavens, descended with overwhelming might, landing slowly in the central plaza’s designated rest area for Great Xia.

The gale it generated sent the surrounding flags whipping and snapping.

As the Golden-Feathered Profound Sparrow landed, ten young figures, led by two mentors, strode confidently down from its back with their heads held high.

In an instant, countless gazes—filled with scrutiny, curiosity, hostility, and even killing intent—shot toward them.

’That’s the Great Xia team?’

Not far away, in the European Union’s area.

A handsome, blond-haired, blue-eyed young man in silver armor toyed with the knight’s sword in his hands. His eyes swept over the members of the Great Xia Team, and a mocking smile played on his lips.

’I heard they drew the Spiritless Sea Region? Tsk, tsk. To think they all made it out alive, and they even look... pretty good?’

"Hmph. They just got lucky,"

a nearby brawny man, built like a brown bear, snorted coldly. "The Spiritless Sea Region might be strange, but as long as you don’t run into a beast tide, it’s nothing special."

They had no idea that Great Xia had not only encountered a beast tide but had even survived a collapse of the trial’s rules.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

In the rest area for the Sakura Country—also known as the Island Country.

The atmosphere was rather grim.

Several youths in samurai attire were kneeling on the ground, polishing their Samurai Swords.

A man in black, their leader, had a sinister glint in his eyes. His gaze was fixed intently on Shen Yixuan at the front of the group, and also on... that girl in white at the very back, whose aura was as cold as snow.

"Ten of them... all present."

The man in black muttered in Japanese,

"Great Xia’s foundation is truly not to be underestimated."

"But... the championship of this tournament can only belong to us!"

’For the sake of that thing...’

A flash of fanatical greed crossed his eyes.

...

Of course, the most hostile gazes came from the host nation—the White Eagle Empire.

The White Eagle Empire’s rest area was situated at the highest point, a vantage point fit for a king.

Ten young prodigies in high-tech Combat Suits, all exuding powerful auras, looked down upon the newly arrived Great Xia Team.

Standing in the very center was a young man with hair as red as flames.

He radiated waves of unnerving heat, causing the very air around him to shimmer and distort.

The White Eagle Empire’s number one seed—William Smith!

It was said that he was a natural-born master of the Fire Element and had even had the Crystal Core of an Emperor Realm Fire Element Demon Beast transplanted into his body, making his power terrifying to the extreme.

William’s eyes scanned the members of Great Xia, finally landing on Gu Yuexi.

It wasn’t because of her beauty, but because... he sensed a kindred spirit in her.

The kind of dangerous aura that lurked beneath a calm surface, capable of devouring everything.

"A little interesting."

William licked his lips, a blazing fighting spirit igniting in his eyes.

...

With all ten national teams now assembled,

a voice, both majestic and magnetic, echoed throughout the entire venue:

"Esteemed viewers! Honored guests!"

On the high platform, an old man dressed in a white and gold formal suit, his chest covered in medals, walked out slowly.

He was none other than the president of the White Eagle Empire’s Martial Arts Guild and the chief judge of this tournament—Alexander Pierce.

A genuine Emperor Realm Powerhouse!

"First, let us congratulate the nine teams who have passed the ’hellish’ trials!"

"The survival test was not only a screening of strength but also a forging of willpower!"

Pierce’s voice was rousing, but his eyes held an almost imperceptible arrogance.

With a grand wave of his hand, a leaderboard instantly appeared on the giant screen behind him.

"And now, I will announce the final results of the first stage, the survival test!"

"First place! The White Eagle Empire team!"

"Trial location: Fallen Star Pit!"

"Survivors: 10! All members unharmed!"

The moment his voice fell, the entire stadium erupted!

"White Eagle! White Eagle! White Eagle!"

The overwhelming cheers were enough to tear the roof off. This was their home turf, and this glory belonged to them.

On the big screen, a close-up shot of the ten White Eagle Empire contestants appeared.

Their leader, a tall young man with blond hair and blue eyes, wore a confident, almost arrogant smile. He looked into the camera, gave a thumbs-up, then slowly turned it upside down, pointing it at the ground.

A taunt!

A blatant taunt!

’Tch, what a show-off.’

In the Great Xia Team, Zhao Cheng grumbled, pursing his lips in annoyance.

As much as he hated to see it, he had to admit they had the skills to back it up.

The Fallen Star Pit was a deathtrap known for its chaotic gravitational rules. The fact that they had emerged completely unscathed spoke volumes about their strength.

"Second place! The Great Xia Federation team!"

"Trial location: Spiritless Sea Region!"

"Survivors: 10!"

Pierce’s voice continued to ring out.

They had also entered with ten and exited with ten, but because they took longer, they were temporarily ranked second.

As he finished, the sound from the crowd was just as loud, a fanatical roar coming from the sea of red in the stands—

the audience members from Great Xia and local Chinese residents cheering with all their might.

The camera swept across the Great Xia Team.

Shen Yixuan had a gentle smile, as warm and smooth as jade.

Xiao Tian tilted his chin up, a look of haughty pride on his face.

Gu Yuexi, on the other hand, was completely aloof, as if the surrounding commotion had nothing to do with her.

And on her shoulder, Chu Sheng had already closed his eyes, activating his Nether Vision.

’Alright, let Lord Mosquito see what good spots are around here!’

...

Next, the remaining rankings were announced one by one.

"Third place: European Union, 9 survivors."

"Fourth place: Rose Kingdom, 9 survivors."

These two were also old, established powers with deep foundations. Having lost only one member each, their strength remained formidable.

"Fifth place: Sakura Country, 8 survivors."

"Sixth place: Ancient Aie Empire, 8 survivors."

"Seventh place: Asia United, 7 survivors."

"Eighth place: Northern Federation, 5 survivors."

By the time they reached the last place, the atmosphere had grown somber.

"Ninth place: Nanzhou Empire, survivors... 2."

The two contestants from the Nanzhou Empire—that is, Australia—stood alone in their rest area, a somewhat desolate sight.

However, their expressions remained incredibly resolute!

The announcements of the results were complete.

Pierce paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire venue, a meaningful smile spreading across his face.

"The first stage was just a warm-up."

"The real competition is only just beginning."

"Next, the competition will officially enter its second stage!"

The entire venue fell silent in an instant. All the contestants pricked up their ears.

"The theme of the second stage is called—’The Struggle of a Cornered Beast’!"