Chapter 00068: Life and Death Battle of the Second Round
# Life-and-Death Battle of the Second Round
Chapter 68
Novel: Abandon The Universe
Chapter 68: Life-and-Death Battle of the Second Round
"Lieutenant Lan, you did well this time." Since learning that there were only sixty guards, Commander Tai rarely showed a smile.
Although Commander Tai knew this was due to the good fortune of Zhen Nuo Star and had nothing to do with Lan Xiaobu, he still took the initiative to praise him for the subsequent selection.
If it weren't for the possibility of the Hanlan Empire obtaining cultivation techniques, Lan Xiaobu might have engaged in some empty pleasantries with Commander Tai.
Now, Lan Xiaobu would definitely not return to Zhen Nuo Star to gamble on its safety. So faced with Commander Tai's praise, he merely chuckled, "Sixth Prince, if you truly think I did well, then give me a Boundary Stone. I've only heard of this thing but have never gotten one."
The implication was clear: if you give me a Boundary Stone, then you truly think I did well. If not, then there's no need for such flattering words.
Upon hearing Lan Xiaobu's words, a flicker of murderous intent flashed in Commander Tai's eyes. How dare he ask him for a Boundary Stone? Truly unaware of his own mortality. Yet he quickly wore a warm smile and said, "It's not difficult for Lieutenant Lan to get a Boundary Stone. When we return to our quarters, I'll give you one."
Is there really a Boundary Stone? Lan Xiaobu's heart leaped with joy, and he immediately clasped his fists and said, "Then I thank the Sixth Prince in advance."
Commander Tai waved his hand, "It's a trivial matter. We still have the selection tests ahead, so I hope Lieutenant Lan will give it his all and become the pillar of our Zhen Nuo Star."
Lan Xiaobu sneered inwardly. What do I need you, Sixth Prince, for to become a pillar of the selection tests? Just here for a free meal?
"Haha, Xiaobu, I told you, following you brings good luck. Gu Dao, let's go out and eat big meat." Ke'er laughed heartily and patted Gu Dao's head.
If it weren't for Ke'er mentioning big meat, Gu Dao would have definitely pushed Ke'er's hand away in disdain. But upon hearing "big meat," Gu Dao couldn't help but remain fixated on the wolf leg.
Not just Commander Tai, everyone alive was secretly terrified. One could only imagine the scene at that moment; if it weren't for the sudden easing of the mental attacks, would they have survived? The chances of surviving under the continuous escalation of those mental attacks were slim to none.
"Xiaobu brother, thank you." Pasia said with a smile, her body shivering slightly, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Lan Xiaobu's gaze fell on her, but his mind was elsewhere. The other guards were equally brazenly staring at Pasia, causing her to giggle as if she were playing with everyone.
Several junior lieutenants even began to tease Pasia, while Ning Dongrou showed disdain and contempt in her eyes.
Lan Xiaobu didn't care about any of this; he started to feel his divine sense. His Spirit Refining Technique unexpectedly broke through to the second stage, which was a tremendous joy for him. He was certain that Lian's second-stage Spirit Refining Technique was not on the same level as his. His second-stage Spirit Refining Technique could probably easily eliminate Lian's. In fact, even before entering the second stage, he could easily deal with Lian's technique.
Everyone in the circle waited for over an hour when suddenly, the walls outside the room sank down, and the surroundings became spacious. In the area where Lan Xiaobu and the others stood, three large characters—Zhen Nuo Star—appeared.
Lan Xiaobu's gaze swept around the scene, and he fell silent.
When they arrived, there were at least ten thousand people in this square; now were there around a thousand left? Moreover, Lan Xiaobu could clearly feel that a significant portion of these people were already mentally broken, hardly different from corpses. In some areas, there wasn't even a single person left; it seemed like total annihilation.
This scene could only be described in two words: brutal.
Lan Xiaobu didn't know how many people entered the Level-5 Technological Civilization Planet, but by proportion, there were probably no fewer than eight hundred. Yet now, looking at the position of Tian Luo Star, there were only about sixty or seventy people left.
Lan Xiaobu sighed, and the surviving guards of Zhen Nuo Star felt an even greater sense of relief and fear. It was a miracle that more than thirty of them survived.
The giant loudspeaker in the square rang again, "The first round of assessments is over. The planets that passed the assessment are: Level-2 Technological Civilization Planet, Moon Fence Star, with four contestants and six guards passing. Level-2 Technological Civilization Planet Zhen Nuo Star, with five contestants and thirty-one guards..."
This counted Gu Dao as a guard as well.
However, when the number of thirty-one guards was announced, nearly all eyes shifted to Zhen Nuo Star. No one had previously reported Zhen Nuo Star's level, and with thirty remaining, no one had paid attention. After all, most Level-4 Technological Civilization Planets had twenty to thirty guards surviving. And Level-5 Technological Civilization Planets typically had fifty to sixty guards. Now, for a Level-2 Technological Civilization Planet like Zhen Nuo Star to still have thirty guards remaining and no contestants eliminated was truly astonishing. Many were unaware that Zhen Nuo Star's guard team only had sixty-one members; if they knew, it would be even more shocking.
Lan Xiaobu knew he might have gone too far, but he didn't mind. Everyone was in the same team, and he was still the captain. If he didn't take action when he could save others, he couldn't get over that psychological hurdle himself. Moreover, Zhen Nuo Star still had thirty guards left; no one would think it was intentional; at most, they would just believe Zhen Nuo Star was lucky.
The broadcast continued calling out the names of planets, and Lan Xiaobu heard the name of Fei Pu Star.
Fei Pu Star also passed the first round of selection assessments, with seven contestants and fourteen guards remaining.
Lan Ya Star was extinguished by Fei Pu Star, but Ke'er showed no reaction at all upon hearing the name of Fei Pu Star; he was just waiting to eat big meat with Gu Dao.
Seventy-nine planets participated in the first round of assessment, and only thirty-one passed, less than half. All three Level-5 Technological Civilization Planets from the Hundred Mo Star System passed the first round, with the remaining guards on the other two planets exceeding fifty, except for Yin Yi Star. As for Level-1 Technological Civilization Planets, they were all eliminated, with none left.
The broadcast continued, "Now proceeding to the second round of selection assessments, only Level-4 and below Technological Civilization Planets may participate. Level-5 Technological Civilization Planets automatically pass the second round. Now, please report the names of the planets, and each will send an elite contestant to the Hundred Mo Star System's selection combat platform. Each technological planet must win three matches to immediately pass the second round of assessment.
In the second round of assessment, the guards of the respective planets may replace the elite geniuses in combat, or one person may compete in multiple matches. However, no technological weapons are allowed; any discovery will lead to the permanent disqualification of that planet from participating in the Jade Dawn Star selection, followed by subsequent punishment. Now, please let the Level-4 Technological Civilization Planet She Ye Star and the Level-3 Technological Civilization Planet Ting An Star take the stage for competition."
As the broadcast voice fell, a massive White Jade Platform slowly rose in the center of the square. This platform was at least ten zhang in size, with a Yin-Yang fish pattern in the middle, completely unobstructed.
Lan Xiaobu saw two men walking toward the platform from two positions. The man from She Ye Star was slightly thin and not very tall, carrying a long knife on his back. The contestant from Ting An Star was also not tall but looked very robust, wielding a three-pronged spear that resembled a harpoon, the spearhead nearly half a meter long.
Once the two climbed onto the platform, they wasted no time and went straight into battle.
At the moment the two struck, Lan Xiaobu knew one of them would definitely die. This selection was blatantly a matter of life and death; whoever survived would be the winner.
The contestant from Ting An Star was strong and forceful; each thrust of his spear shook the platform beneath them, causing even Lan Xiaobu and the others to feel the vibrations.
Based on Lan Xiaobu's estimation, the contestant from Ting An Star might lose. This guy looked fierce, but without Inner Qi to support him, he couldn't hold out for long. Once his offensive weakened, the thin guy from She Ye Star would surely deliver a fatal blow. Just look at how this fellow dodged.
Sure enough, after a dozen exchanges, the movements of the Ting An Star contestant slowed down, while the long knife of the She Ye Star contestant pierced through the gaps in the defense of the three-pronged spear and aimed for his heart.
"Ding!" At that sound, Lan Xiaobu realized he had misjudged.
Indeed, the contestant from She Ye Star's expression changed drastically. Before he could retract his long knife, a flash of white light shot out from the tip of the Ting An Star contestant's boot, directly penetrating the throat of the She Ye Star contestant.
The rules prohibited the use of technological means, yet this one used a hidden attack.
Lan Xiaobu noted that this seemingly robust guy, with such grandiose techniques, turned out to be one who favored underhanded tactics. Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover.
"Level-3 Technological Civilization Planet Ting An Star wins. The next match is between Level-2 Technological Civilization Planet Zhen Nuo Star and Level-3 Technological Civilization Planet Fei Pu Star..." The voice rang out again from above the square.
As for the deceased contestants, robots had already come to remove them.
(End of Chapter)