Chapter 272: Prelude
Chapter 272: Prelude
Sun Xuelang didn't uncover the mystery of the box on the right but 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, and some were downright eerie.
Sun Xuelang smiled and explained, "Some of these may seem creepy, but they aren't dangerous. They have strict requirements for their living environment, and we need to maintain them constantly."
"These are prepared for those picky customers on the ship. They have high standards, and only something visually exotic and thrilling can satisfy their tastes."
Chen Chuan agreed. After seeing so many exhibits, only the Crimson Sea Worm had triggered a virtualization symptom in his Second Self. The other creatures didn't give him the same feeling.
At that moment, he used his Boundary Token to search for information about the Crimson Sea Worm. This creature could secrete a highly toxic substance, and ordinary people would be poisoned by mere contact.
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, though it was no match for terrestrial beasts.
Sun Xuelang explained that releasing the Crimson Sea Worm the next day would be purely for entertainment during the fight, perhaps just for fun.
After touring the entire exhibition hall, more than an hour had passed without them realizing it.
As they exited, Sun Xuelang said to them, "Our Canglong Corporation's business scope is expanding, attracting the envy of many competitors. We face human-made attacks and sabotage every year, and our security team urgently needs fresh blood. We welcome talented students to join us."
As he spoke, he handed three blue jade cards to Chen Chuan, Pan Xiaode, and Qi Huixin, smiling as he said, "These cards bear the seal of our Canglong Corporation. With them, you can board our company's ships docked near the coast or at ports at any time. Enjoy your evening, my fellow students. I'll take my leave now."
After Chen Chuan and the others thanked him and parted ways, Pan Xiaode commented on Sun Xuelang's departure, "That Sun Xuelang is a good man."
Tan Zhi added, "Sun Xuelang has always had a good reputation in school. He's now a mid-level executive at Canglong Corporation and no longer needs to engage in combat 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. He then proposed watching the cruise ship's invited band performance, which Chen Chuan and the other two didn't oppose. Surprisingly, the performance turned out to be quite enjoyable, and they stayed until almost ten o'clock before returning to their rooms.
The next day, the cruise ship arranged a jet ski-towed waterskiing activity in the morning and a fish-chasing diving activity in the afternoon.
This diving activity was particularly popular among fighters. Participants had to wear specially designed wetsuits and compete in teams to collect all the colored fish from other teams within a set time while ensuring the fish remained intact.
Chen Chuan, Pan Xiaode, and the others naturally formed a team and chased and competed with other teams of fighters. Pan Xiaode thoroughly enjoyed this activity.
Chen Chuan, having received underwater training from Chen Xuexing, found the activity purely entertaining and a chance to relax.
The entertainment continued into the evening. In the afternoon, they were informed that a fight between 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 combat arena, they found it already occupied by many spectators, including not only their fellow Wu Yi Academy students but also some senior students. However, none of them showed any intention of greeting each other.
This was understandable, as even within the same academy, everyone had their own circles, and it wasn't uncommon for students to be unfamiliar or even dislike each other. Therefore, they didn't take the initiative to socialize.
After finding seats, Chen Chuan looked around. The circular arena was packed with people, mostly holographic projections, but their presence added to the atmosphere. He then turned his attention to the center, where a massive aquarium extended to the top, encompassing the entire space. There were two water gates and passages on either side, but they were currently dry, indicating the fighting area for the two fighters.
Across from them, not too far away, Gong Zhanyi sat, appearing somewhat distracted despite the upcoming high-level combat match.
The administrator approached and shook his head at Gong Zhanyi.
"Young Master, we might have made a mistake. He's not here, and we must find him, no matter the cost..."
The administrator interrupted, "Young Master, this is Canglong Corporation's ship."
As if doused with a bucket of cold water, Gong Zhanyi instantly calmed down.
The overseas islands feared the Canglong Corporation the most. Dashun would not interfere in the island nations' affairs, but due to business matters, the Canglong Corporation had been dealing with them all along. This company's power made them deeply wary, and indeed, now was not the time to antagonize them.
He held back and said, "Let's wait a bit longer and watch the match first."
At the same time, many people outside the arena were also paying close attention to this combat.
Who would prevail, the Implant Fighter or the Wilderness Faction, as powerful as they claimed? They were eager to know the outcome.
Most people believed this was a contest between the Implant School and the Wilderness Faction.
In reality, individuals varied greatly, and even if one side lost today, it would not be simple to conclude that one faction was stronger.
However, if the Implant School won, numerous companies would undoubtedly promote the match, deeply engraving this concept into the public's minds. Once such a thought was implanted, with the formation of a fixed impression, it would be challenging to change.
At 6:55 pm, the arena's doors slowly closed, and all the lights inside came on.
"Here they come!"
Everyone's spirits lifted, and they all looked towards the combat platform.
Chen Chuan also looked down and saw a thin man walking in from the right. He had thick, dark eyebrows, unkempt beard and hair, yellowed and thick fingernails and toenails with sharp, pointed hooks. His face was painted with oil colors, and his entire body exuded a wild aura.
His muscular lines were clear and smooth, sturdy yet flexible. He carried no weapons, only wearing a custom-made, tight-fitting wetsuit.
At this moment, the opponent emerged from the opposite passageway. Compared to his rival, he had no distinguishing features, with an ordinary face that left no lasting impression. Surprisingly, he showed no recognizable signs of implants.
Chen Chuan couldn't help but take a few more glances at this man. With an appearance no different from an ordinary person and a stable, graceful rhythm to his movements, it was hard to imagine that this was a fighter with nearly all body parts replaced by implants.
Was this the level of compatibility, reaching over ninety percent?
As the two arrived, water began to fill the aquarium, gradually submerging both of them.
This combat was a friendly exchange between the two fighters, and the Rhinoceros Horn Cruise Ship only provided the venue. Out of respect for the fighters, there was no official announcer, and their names were not disclosed.
Of course, the discussions on the Boundary Token were another matter.
At this moment, outside the arena, the audience on the cruise ship watched with a mix of curiosity and tension, focusing on the Boundary Token. The discussions there had been lively from the start.
Someone asked, "Won't these two fighters drown inside?"
Immediately, someone explained that skilled fighters could breathe underwater. Moreover, if the combat wasn't too long, holding their breath wouldn't be difficult for either of them.
Below, someone began to explain in detail why fighters could do this. The detailed narrative and professional terminology immediately attracted a wave of exclamations and admiration.
Compared to the noisy audience outside, the fighters in the arena were relatively calm. Some had serious expressions, and occasionally, someone would use the Boundary Token to communicate.
Although the Third Limit fighters from the Wilderness and Implant Schools had sparred before, they had never faced off in the public eye like this. Today's bout might influence future combat trends and potentially affect each of them, so they couldn't help but pay close attention.
At this moment, the aquarium was completely filled with water, and a hole suddenly opened at the bottom, creating a visible vortex due to water pressure. This hole would close and then open in another spot, sometimes two, sometimes three.
The comment interface immediately displayed a statement from the organizers, informing the audience that this was to increase the unpredictability and difficulty of the combat, and both fighters had agreed to it.
Chen Chuan couldn't help but take a closer look. Although it seemed like a minor change, in a battle between evenly matched opponents, even the slightest additional variation might become a crucial factor in tilting the scales of victory.
Then he shifted his gaze to the two fighters, assessing their combat power in his mind.
He had sparred with Third Limit fighters a few times, but he had never truly reached that level himself. How would two Third Limit fighters battle each other? He was about to find out.
At this moment, a drumbeat reverberated through the arena, and he realized that the bout had begun.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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