The old man’s gaze swept through various areas below the stage, his voice was unusually loud, "Most of the people here probably don’t know me, but it doesn’t matter, I’m just an old man forgotten by history, whether you know about me or not is irrelevant."
Down below, Ren Feifan was surprised to discover that everyone, regardless of their nationality, could understand the words that the old man was saying.
It was quite magical. To him it sounded like Huaxian language, while for the foreigners around him, it was in their native language.
This must be some secret technique.
The old man on stage paused for a few seconds before continuing:
"Today, I, this old man, will announce some details about the Ice Ghost Island competition. I know that most of you gathered here are the strongest elites from your respective countries—at least on the surface you appear that way. You are all terribly proud and arrogant, so much you must believe yourselves to be the skies above!
But let me tell you, on Ice Ghost Island, in the next few weeks, you will all become worthless trash!"
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar!
The crowd began to stir. They were indeed proud, but their pride was rooted in their strength.
At least they have the strength to be arrogant, but the old man before them was too audacious, actually calling them garbage?
If they were garbage, then what did that make him?!
But the next second, the old man stomped his foot, causing ripples to form on the ground. Almost instantly, a terrifying wave of energy spread out in all directions!
All the strong individuals below the stage felt a jolt, their blood seemingly rumbling.
What a formidable energy!
In response, everyone enacted their defenses, each trying to withstand this horrifying wave of force!
Strong individuals perhaps did not seem to be affected, average ones stepped back a few paces, and the people with weaker strength were even blown away!
Ren Feifan didn’t move an inch, but his face showed a trace of astonishment.
This old man was extraordinarily powerful. With so many strong individuals present, he was able to create such an effect with a single blow—his realm was at least innate!
Before long, the player field became completely silent. The old man, pleased with the result, continued:
"Since no one has any objections, then I will continue. First, this competition will have two rounds. The first round adopts a scoring system. You will be entering a mysterious place within Ice Ghost Island where slaughtering, grudges, and treasure-snatching are allowed! There are no limits there, only one ultimate rule—survive!
At least 100 competitors will be eliminated in this battle, which will last three days. Once the three days are up, those who rank in the top 100 will qualify for the second round. The rest will remain trapped there until they die!
This is a very cruel elimination system. We don’t need the weak!"
Upon hearing these words, Ren Feifan instantly felt the cruelty of Ice Ghost Island. Based on some information provided by Wang Zhen, he suspected that most of Huaxia’s participants would be killed in the first round!
A scoring system? Could killing people get you points?
Wasn’t that too brutal?
Just as Ren Feifan was contemplating this, the old man continued: "Most of you here should have an identity jade on hand. This identity jade contains specific prohibitions. You will receive points by killing monsters or beasts!
Of course, you can also obtain points by killing other participants and plundering their points.
Some of you may find this cruel, but that’s the real world. The strong survive, the weak die!
If any of you are afraid, you can choose to withdraw now. This is your last chance."
At these words, no one moved.
Everyone who set foot on Ice Ghost Island knew that this would be a treacherous journey. They were prepared for death.
In fact, their official records back in their home countries were already marked as deceased.
They were committed to following through, so they would not withdraw now.
"Good, those are the rules for the first round. As for the second round, the weak have no right to know. In three days, I will naturally tell the surviving 100 competitors. That’s all, I don’t want to say anything more than necessary. There’s no pomp and circumstance here, I just hope you’ll fend for yourselves.
Open the Channeling Array!"
The old man made a gesture with his fingers and a beam of light shot onto the ground in the center of the field.
Suddenly the field shone with a bright orb of light, and then a blue whirlpool appeared.
"Jump in. Once you do, you’ve officially chosen the first round and there is no way back," the old man stroked his beard lightly and said lazily.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone hesitated slightly. No one volunteered to be the first to jump in the whirlpool.
Just then, a haughty young foreigner appeared at the edge of the whirlpool. Without a moment’s hesitation, he jumped right in and instantly disappeared!
It was actually Collins!
Suddenly recognizing Collins, there was a wave of surprise amongst the crowd.
Those who recognized him also felt a spark of apprehension. After all, Collins had been the winner of the Ice Ghost Island competition in previous years—he was familiar with the challenges and unafraid.
Ren Feifan also noticed a small detail. The instant before Collins disappeared into the whirlpool, he had glanced at Ren Feifan with a playful look in his eyes.
It was almost as if he was challenging him!
When the old man on stage noticed that Collins had also entered, his eyes sharpened, and his face showed a hint of intrigue.
"Why is Collins going in? He was supposed to be a referee. What is he playing at?"
Suddenly a middle-aged man came over and whispered something in the old man’s ear. The old man began to chuckle bitterly.
"I can’t believe Collins, with all his strength, is choosing to contend with a nobody from Huaxia. How absurd."
Then, his gaze fell on the Huaxia area. He scanned it lightly, not finding any strong individuals.
What was Collins up to?
Suddenly, his eyes narrowed for he noticed a pair of eyes bright like stars staring right at him from a corner.
And they showed no fear at all!
The moment their eyes met, it was as if a spark arched in the air.
"Interesting. It must be this little guy.
A guy who dares to make eye contact with me, without showing any fear, cannot be weak. At least he will make the first round more interesting. Ha, finally something to amuse me, otherwise this trip would have been in vain."
Ren Feifan looked away from the old man to the blue whirlpool. Judging from the spiritual energy around the whirlpool, the place it lead to must be abundant with spiritual energy.
By now, quite a few foreign experts had jumped in.
Everyone believed that the first to enter would have an advantage.
Zhang Liuqing, Chu Xiaoyao, Zhong Yi, and two others locked eyes, their expressions filled with hesitation.
They knew that once they stepped into the whirlpool, they would be subjected to endless pursuit.
Whether they could survive even two days was an unknown.
There was no opportunity inside the whirlpool, only death.
None of the players on Huaxia’s side moved. Zhang Liuqing turned to look at Ren Feifan, as if waiting for him to make the first move.
Seeing everyone else looking at him, Ren Feifan reluctantly stood up, stretched and said, "I don’t particularly like any of you, but I also don’t particularly dislike you. After all, we are all from Huaxia. If you want to follow me, then follow."
Without waiting for their reactions, Ren Feifan headed towards the blue whirlpool.
Zhang Liuqing, Chu Xiaoyao, Zhong Yi and the other two gritted their teeth and also followed.
As soon as Ren Feifan stepped into the blue whirlpool, he felt a terrifying suction force. Soon after, countless sounds of howling wind could be heard.
All of a sudden, Ren Feifan’s vision went black and he lost consciousness.