Chapter 272: Prelude
Chapter 272: Prelude
Instead of uncovering the mystery of the box on the right, Sun Xuechang led Chen Chuan and the others deeper into the exhibition hall.
The display shelves were filled with peculiar creatures from the ocean, each one stranger than the last, some so eerie that they sent shivers down one's spine.
Sun Xuechang laughed and explained, "Some of these creatures may seem creepy, but they're not dangerous. They have strict requirements for their living environment, and we need to maintain them constantly."
"These are mainly prepared for those picky customers on the ship. They have high standards, and only visually striking and thrilling things like these can satisfy their tastes."
Chen Chuan agreed, as most of the creatures he had seen didn't give him the same feeling as the Crimson Sea Worm, which had caused his second self to show signs of virtualization.
At this moment, he casually used the Boundary Vessel to search for information about the Crimson Sea Worm. This creature could secrete a highly potent toxin, and ordinary people would be poisoned just by coming into contact with it.
However, for a Third Limit Fighter, this toxin posed little threat. It would either be blocked or quickly metabolized.
Even on land, this creature retained some combat ability, but it was no match for land predators.
Sun Xuechang explained that releasing this creature tomorrow was just for added excitement during the fight, and it might truly be just for entertainment.
After touring the entire exhibition hall, more than an hour had passed, and the four of them hadn't realized how much time had gone by.
When they exited, Sun Xuechang said to them, "Our Canglong Corporation's business scope is expanding, which has attracted the hostility of many competitors. Every year, we face man-made attacks and sabotage. Our security team desperately needs fresh blood. We welcome any talented students to join us."
As he spoke, he handed a blue jade card to each of Chen Chuan, Pan Xiaode, and Qi Huixin. With a smile, he said, "These cards bear the seal of our Canglong Corporation. With this card, you can board any of our company's ships docked near the coast or at the port at any time. I wish you all a pleasant evening. I'll take my leave now."
After thanking Sun Xuechang and parting ways, Pan Xiaode commented as he watched him leave, "That Sun Xuechang seems like a good person."
Tan Zhi added, "Sun Xuechang has a good reputation in school. He's already a mid-level executive at Canglong Corporation and no longer needs to engage in battles himself."
Pan Xiaode merely responded with an 'oh', showing no particular interest. He preferred fighting to managing people and asked, "It's still early. Where are we going now?"
Tan Zhi thought for a moment and suggested going to the casino below, but no one responded. So, he proposed watching the band performance invited by the cruise ship, and this time, Chen Chuan and the other two didn't object. However, they were surprised to find the performance unexpectedly enjoyable, and the four of them didn't leave until nearly ten o'clock, returning to their rooms.
The next day, the cruise ship arranged a water-skiing activity for them, towed by speedboats in the morning. In the afternoon, there was a fish-chasing activity while diving.
This activity was very popular among fighters. Participants had to wear custom-made diving suits and form competing teams. Within a set time, they had to snatch and collect fish of all colors from other teams while ensuring the fish remained intact.
Naturally, Chen Chuan and the other three formed a team and competed with other teams of fighters. Pan Xiaode thoroughly enjoyed this activity.
Chen Chuan had previously received underwater training from He Xiaohang, so this activity was purely entertainment for him, but it was also a rare opportunity to relax.
The entertainment continued into the evening because, in the afternoon, they had been informed that the fight between the two Third Limit Fighters would take place at seven o'clock. So, at half-past five, the four of them returned to the cruise ship, freshened up, had dinner at the restaurant, and headed towards the combat deck.
Upon entering the arena, they found it already filled with people. There were not only other students from Wuyi Academy but also some senior students. However, there was no sign of familiarity or friendliness among them.
This was normal; even within the same academy, everyone had their own circles, and it was common to have people who didn't know each other or even disliked each other. So, they didn't take the initiative to approach them.
After finding seats, Chen Chuan looked around. The circular arena was packed with people, most of them holographic projections, but their presence added to the atmosphere.
He turned his gaze to the center of the arena, where a giant aquarium almost covered the entire area. There were two water gates and channels on either side, but they were currently empty, indicating that this was the designated arena for the two fighters.
Across from them, not too far away, Gong Zhanyi sat, appearing distracted as he faced the upcoming high-level fight.
The manager approached and shook his head at Gong Zhanyi.
"Still no sign of him?" Gong Zhanyi was surprised and a bit agitated. "Could we have misjudged? No, he must be here, he has to be here, we'll do whatever it takes to..."
The manager interjected, "Young Lord, this is Canglong Corporation's ship."
(End of Chapter)At that moment, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, instantly calming Palace Zhan Yi's nerves.
The overseas islands feared Canglong Corporation the most. While the Sunwheel Company wouldn't interfere in the affairs of the island nations, Canglong Corporation was the one they constantly dealt with due to business matters. The power this company possessed made them deeply apprehensive, and indeed, this wasn't the time to antagonize them.
Palace Zhan Yi suppressed his emotions and said, "Let's wait and see. Let's watch the match first."
At that very moment, many people outside the arena were also paying close attention to this fight.
Who would come out on top—the Implanted Fighter or the Wilderness Sect, as they had claimed to be so formidable? Everyone was eager to know the outcome.
Most people believed this was a contest between the Implant Faction and the Wilderness Sect.
In reality, people are different. Even if one side loses today, it's not as simple as concluding that one faction is stronger.
But if the Implant Faction wins, the various companies will undoubtedly hype this match, deeply engraving this concept into the minds of the public. Once this idea takes root, it will be hard to change the established impression.
At 6:55, the arena doors slowly closed, and the lights inside turned on.
"Here they come, here they come!"
Everyone's spirits lifted, and they all turned their attention to the combat deck.
Chen Chuan also looked down and saw a skinny man walking in from the right. He had thick, bushy eyebrows and unkempt beard and hair. His fingernails and toenails were yellow and thick, with sharp, pointed tips. His face was painted, and his entire body exuded a wild, untamed aura.
His muscles were well-defined and smooth, both sturdy and flexible. He carried no weapons, only wearing a custom-made, tight-fitting diving suit.
At this moment, from the opposite passage, the Implanted Fighter walked out, taking about the same time as his opponent. Compared to his rival, he had no distinct features, just a generic face with nothing particularly memorable. Surprisingly, there wasn't a single identifiable trace of implants on his body.
Chen Chuan took a few more glances at this man who appeared no different from an ordinary person. His movements were steady and rhythmic, and if not for the introduction, one would never imagine that this was a fighter with nearly every part of his body replaced with implants.
Could this be a compatibility rate of over ninety percent?
As the two fighters appeared, water began to fill the aquarium, gradually submerging them up to their heads.
This spar was merely an exchange between the two fighters, and the Rhinoceros Horn Cruise Ship only provided the venue. Out of respect for the two fighters, there was no official announcer, and their names were not revealed.
Of course, the discussion on the Interface Token was another matter.
At this moment, the spectators on the cruise ship were all fixated on the Interface Token, their hearts filled with curiosity and tension. The interface was bustling with discussions from the very start.
Someone in the audience asked: "Won't these two fighters drown inside?"
Immediately, someone else explained, "Some skilled fighters can breathe underwater. Moreover, if the fight isn't too long, holding their breath won't be a problem for them."
Below, someone began to elaborate on why fighters could do this, and their detailed explanation, coupled with professional terminology, instantly drew a wave of exclamations and admiration.
Compared to the noisy spectators outside, the fighters in the combat arena seemed relatively calm. Some had solemn expressions, and occasionally, someone would use the Interface Token to communicate.
Although the Wilderness Sect and the Implant Faction's Third Limit Fighters had sparred before, they had never faced off in such a public display. Today's battle might influence the future of fighting and potentially impact each of them; they couldn't help but pay close attention.
At this moment, the aquarium was completely filled with water, and the bottom of the tank suddenly opened a hole, creating a visible vortex due to water pressure. The hole closed, and then another opened elsewhere, sometimes two, sometimes three.
The interface immediately displayed a message from the organizers, informing the audience that this was to increase the unpredictability and difficulty of the fight, and both fighters had agreed to this.
Chen Chuan couldn't help but take a few more glances, for although it seemed like a small change, in a fight between two equally skilled opponents, even the slightest variation could potentially become a decisive factor in determining the victor.
Then, he shifted his gaze to the two fighters, assessing their combat strength in his mind.
He had sparred with the Third Limit Fighters a few times, but he himself had not reached this realm. How would the two Third Limit Fighters fight? He was about to find out.
Just then, a drumbeat reverberated through the arena, signaling the start of the match...
...
End of Chapter
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