No one expected Yamato to actually make it into the top 64.

This news came as a complete surprise to everyone.

Liu San and the others suppressed their excitement, while Yu Nian had already begun cheering for him enthusiastically.

Even Bai Cheng, Leng Ningxue, and the Employees behind them had smiles on their faces.

Yamato certainly hadn't disappointed them, and he had truly proven his strength.

By reaching the top 64, Bai Cheng and the others now had the right to leave the Station. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

However, the group was incredibly confident; they also knew that Bai Cheng would not leave.

The matter they were currently discussing was whether to let Yamato continue competing or to withdraw now.

This time, Liu San seemed determined to test Yamato's limits and chose to continue the competition.

Yu Nian couldn't help but try to persuade him: "These are channel rewards. You can get them even if you don't go on stage. We're already in the top 64; isn't this too risky?"

"Yamato is a good Employee, what if..."

Just as Liu San was about to speak, Yamato happened to finish off the opponent's last War General-level Employee. Immediately after, information began popping up on the light screen before them.

【#2 Channel wins, advancing to the top 64!】

【Congratulations on your successful advancement! You have gained one opportunity ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) to voluntarily surrender (Death Immunity)!】

【Note: Advancing to the top 16 grants one opportunity to fail without penalty!】

【Your channel will receive the following reward: Station Exit Pass!】

【Do you choose to leave the Station?】

After defeating a fixed number of channels, the contestants would gain some relatively convenient privileges.

The privilege granted for advancing to the top 64 was the ability to voluntarily surrender during a duel, meaning Yamato wouldn't die even if he lost.

Seeing this message, Yu Nian stopped trying to persuade Liu San to give up, and the latter became even more firm in his resolve.

"In that case, let's do it!" she switched to cheering him on.

As for whether to choose to leave the Station, there was almost no hesitation for Bai Cheng.

She decisively chose to continue.

At the same time, Bai Cheng scanned her surroundings. At this moment, very few people remained in the massive dueling arena; it could be described as very empty.

By now, everyone had finally obtained a pass after risking their lives several times, allowing them to leave the Station and continue forward.

Bai Cheng originally thought many people would forfeit and choose to leave, but after looking around, she found the actual situation was exactly the opposite.

A hint of surprise appeared on Bai Cheng's face. Yu Nian also noticed this anomaly and said with some surprise,

"Not a single person withdrew from the competition?"

"This isn't scientific!"

"They can finally leave safely, so why are these guys all indifferent?" Yu Nian was very puzzled.

Beside her, Leng Ningxue pointed out the core issue: "Those afraid of death are already dead. Of those who remain, I'm afraid not a single one is afraid of death."

Bai Cheng nodded and added: "And greed. They fought to the death to reach the final rounds; how could they just ignore the upcoming rich rewards and leave like cowards with their tails between their legs?"

One must realize that after this Dueling Tournament ends, the entire world landscape for Survivors will undergo a massive change.

All channels will be integrated to form a giant behemoth city. How would those scattered remaining Outpost Cities survive?

Bai Cheng could already foresee the eventual fate of those Leaders who never qualified for the competition or chose to give up from the start.

As everyone scanned the field, the three of them spotted a very familiar figure among the contestants.

"It's Ye Liangchen," Leng Ningxue said.

Watching him standing alone in a corner, Yu Nian couldn't help but wonder: "This guy really doesn't have teammates; he even has pitifully few Employees."

Bai Cheng still hadn't forgotten his development path of strengthening himself, and she couldn't help but feel some admiration in her heart.

"This guy looks like he still has energy to spare."

While the group was observing him, Ye Liangchen seemed to sense something and discovered them as well.

No, or rather, Ye Liangchen had noticed them long ago.

Their gazes met in the air. They only nodded to each other as a greeting; no one intended to step forward to reminisce or chat.

"We are opponents from here on out."

At this moment, battle intent had already ignited in Ye Liangchen's heart. After witnessing Bai Cheng's terrifying talent, he had been practicing hard during this period.

As for the championship this time, he would fight for it even if he had to give it his all!

The top 64 duels soon began. Everyone who had fought their way here was a ruthless character. When facing his opponent, Yamato was no longer as nonchalant as before.

He gave his all in every battle.

If it weren't for the breaks allowed in between, he probably wouldn't have been able to keep going.

Yamato's current opponent was a giant beast covered in heavy armor. Not only was its defense amazing, but its destructive power was also terrifying.

Fortunately, although the two were of the same rank, Yamato's quality was a level above the opponent's.

This giant beast was only an Epic Level Employee.

After a hard-won victory, although he wasn't injured, he was somewhat exhausted.

Just as Yamato thought he had defeated the opponent's strongest Employee and could use the subsequent battles to rest properly, the enemy channel unexpectedly sent out another Guardian Rank!

This time it was a humanoid Employee with unknown abilities, but he appeared to be known for his speed.

As soon as he appeared, he saw Yamato's weakened state.

At the start of the battle, he taunted: "Is #2 Channel out of people?"

"Hahaha!" He laughed loudly after speaking: "In that case, all of you are going to die today!"

Yamato responded with a cold sneer: "Dealing with you is more than enough."

As the countdown ended, both figures moved simultaneously.

Yamato's form suddenly blurred, turning into an afterimage that circled behind the opponent. The deep blue energy condensed in his palm stabbed toward the opponent's back like a sharp blade.

Seeing that Yamato actually dared to challenge his own advantage, the opponent immediately prepared to toy with him.

But just as he was dodging, countless ice crystals suddenly condensed in the air.

These ice crystals dealt no damage, so he didn't sense them.

No, perhaps in his arrogance he had felt them but didn't take them to heart.

At this moment, those ice crystals restricted his movement. Although they dealt no damage, they caused his speed to decrease.

Then, a intense sense of crisis surged in his heart.

"Not good!"

---

Today is the Winter Solstice. Happy Winter Solstice, everyone! Did you all eat dumplings?

Eh, it seems only people in the North eat dumplings. What did you treasures in the South eat?

Right, right, I also have a small favor to ask—I'd love a small gift~