Chapter 399: Pre-Battle Interview! Rules and the First Battle!

Chapter 399: Pre-Battle Interview! Rules and the First Battle!

"Let us welcome, after passing through layer upon layer of trials, the top young Beastmaster of the Dragon Nation, finally standing before the world..."

A figure walked through the illuminated corridor, like a football field's green pathway, and emerged into the audience's view. Although Su Ping was in the middle of the crowd, he was neither at the front nor the back.

However, as soon as he stepped out of the corridor and appeared before the audience, all the cameras in the venue focused on him.

On the large screen above, his face with a faint smile appeared, eliciting a chorus of cheers and discussions from the entire venue, akin to a mountain call and a sea roar.

"It's Su Ping! It's really him!"

"I told you, I saw him at the Origin Mall the other day, and he was with a super pretty and familiar-looking young lady! I even greeted him, but unfortunately, my request for a photo together was rejected."

"So, what happened to the incident the other day? Did that guy from Eagle Nation do anything to Su Ping?"

"What could have happened? There were so many high-level Beastmasters present at the time; how could anything have happened?"

"Su God! You're my idol! My paper doll's price has increased fivefold because of you..."

"..."

The enthusiastic atmosphere caused all the participants gathered from all sides to turn their heads and subconsciously look at the even younger figure in the crowd.

Some were envious, some were admiring, and some were curious.

At the same time, the host standing on the high platform seemed to directly cross space from the suspended staircase, taking a step and arriving at the center of the largest arena in the venue.

The four teams of participants took their positions, forming a perfect square matrix.

"Hehe, it's evident that the audience here is very excited, and so am I. How about this—if I listen to your cheers, I can interview some of the participants on behalf of the audience. What do you think?"

Liu Xun smiled and opened her mouth, and everyone immediately understood. At this moment, the entire venue was filled with cheers and discussions, accompanied by the glow of countless spotlights, making it feel like the center of the world.

In fact, it was indeed so.

Liu Xun picked up the microphone and continued with a smile, "It's hard to refuse such enthusiasm. Since it's like this, I'll find a few representatives of the participants and interview them about their feelings at this moment."

Then, the host in a long red dress walked towards Su Ping with the microphone.

However, even the people present didn't expect that Liu Xun would pause and stop beside Su Ping, standing in front of Ye Zhou, who had a look of bewilderment on his face.

"Ye, can I call you Ye? Ye Zhou, as the top student from Capital Advanced Academy, what are your thoughts at this moment?"

"Er..."

Ye Zhou was slightly stunned, but he wasn't the type to be intimidated by the situation. He quickly adjusted himself:

"It feels great, and being able to battle Beastmasters from all over the world will be a great help to me!"

His formal response made Ye Zhou break into a sweat, as interviews were usually a small matter, but he couldn't ignore the stares from the audience.

Some people even started cursing the host for her behavior.

For them, Su Ping was undoubtedly the most watched and cared-for participant in the entire nation.

The interview should have been for Su Ping.

Who was this person being interviewed now? Outside of the Capital, who knew who this Ye Zhou was?

So, at this moment, Ye Zhou felt a little embarrassed.

Liu Xun seemed not to notice this and continued, "Then, what is Ye's goal for this final exam?"

When it came to other topics, Ye Zhou might feel a little embarrassed, but when it came to this, he smiled slightly, "Of course, it's the first place!"

"Great, then let's wish Ye Zhou success in winning the championship this time!"

Liu Xun put down the microphone, seemingly unconcerned about the audience's reactions. She walked towards Chen Zhan, the participant from Imperial Capital Academy.

Although Chen Zhan was a local seed player from the Imperial Capital, the local audience from the Imperial Capital was indeed more numerous.

However, at this moment, there were also people who were dissatisfied:

"What's Liu Xun doing? Shouldn't she be interviewing Su God? What's with this small Karami?"

"Chen Zhan is a small Karami? Can the country bumpkin understand before shouting?"

"Can he compare to Su God?"

"..."

The discussions from above grew louder, but Liu Xun seemed not to hear them. The two continued their question-and-answer session, and after answering the previous question, Liu Xun finally walked towards Su Ping with the microphone.

A faint fragrance wafted through the air, and Su Ping could tell that this perfume's scent was undoubtedly of a high-grade Wood-type Beast secretion.

"Hello, Su God. I hope you don't mind me calling you that. I'm Liu Xun, the host for this event, and I'm delighted to meet you."

Compared to her interactions with Ye Zhou and Chen Zhan, Liu Xun's opening statement this time seemed a little different.

Even more so, she proactively extended her fair and delicate little hand.

Su Ping was slightly startled, then shook his head, but after reacting, he also reached out and held her hand.

Hmm, it's palpable, well-maintained, fair and smooth, with moist nails, and it tickles a little when scratching the palm.

Qin Xiaoxue, not far away, glanced over with a faint look at this famous host in the country, dressed in a bright red long dress.

Liu Xun, on the other hand, was completely unconcerned. She smiled and said,

"Su Shen, as an outstanding trainer, you are one of the youngest participants in this competition. How do you feel and what are your thoughts?"

"I'm very excited. Compared to beast training, having a powerful beast of my own is undoubtedly a greater recognition and affirmation for trainers."

Su Ping gave an official response.

Liu Xun's questions were no different from those asked to the previous participants.

What everyone was most interested in, and what happened after that live broadcast, was also the question on everyone's mind, but Liu Xun did not inquire about it.

This host had a good grasp of boundaries.

It could be said that, to reach this position at such a young age, in addition to her background, her abilities were indeed sufficient.

She knew what to say, what not to say, what to ask, and what not to ask.

Liu Xun's grasp of the situation was quite adept.

From start to finish, the main topic of the conversation did not deviate from this professional assessment.

Except for the last part.

After asking a few routine questions, Liu Xun's beautiful eyes blinked:

"It's clear that everyone wants to know more about Su Shen.

I heard some people in the audience just now, and Su Shen must have heard some of it too, right?"

"As a media person speaking for the people, even if I get scolded by the leaders and am told that I lack professionalism, I still have to ask Su Shen a personal question at this time, can I?"

At this point, the beautiful host put on a pitiful and fearless expression, and in front of the national audience, she was operating with ease, without any burden.

Su Ping also found it a bit amusing and nodded: "I'll try my best."

Liu Xun's eyes lit up:

"Su Shen, at your age, with such training achievements, you must not have a girlfriend, right? What kind of girl do you like? I want to see if there's a chance for me to try..."

Su Ping blinked, and it was quite obvious that this topic had nothing to do with the final exam.

But it did attract everyone's attention immediately.

The entire venue fell silent at this moment.

Even Qin Xiaoxue, who had been staring at Liu Xun with a distant and indifferent gaze, held her breath and looked at Su Ping with some tension.

Su Ping thought for a moment and then said helplessly:

"Well, I've never really thought about it. Currently, all my energy is focused on beast training, but I have little experience interacting with girls. I find it simpler and more reassuring to deal with girls who are relatively straightforward and generous."

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiaoxue's eyes lit up, and her narrow, beautiful eyes narrowed.

Liu Xun, who was standing in front of her, sighed:

"So that's the case. My good sisters who watched the live broadcast all heard it. This is exclusive news! It seems I'll have to change my style from now on."

Jokes aside, a qualified host should be adept at controlling the conversation.

"Okay, thank you, Su Shen, as well as Ye Zhou and Chen Zhan, for your answers. The time for the first round of the final exam is relatively tight, so I won't waste any more time. Next, let's move on to the first round of random draws!

After the draw, please proceed to the corresponding numbered arena in order, and now, the draw begins!"

As Liu Xun's outstretched palm disappeared, over two hundred names on the large screen began to quickly form pairs.

After just three seconds, the chaotic names instantly completed the team formation.

The large screen displayed the complete sequence of two-person teams.

No wonder this Capital Sports Arena had set up so many arenas.

Su Ping exhaled and soon found his name.

The next moment, a prompt sounded from the participant's wristwatch:

"Contestant Su Ping, please proceed to Arena 31 to prepare for your first round of beastmaster combat! You will be facing Zhou Yuan, the fifth-ranked contestant in the provincial exam from Minyue Province.

If you do not arrive at the arena within fifteen minutes, it will be considered a forfeit!"

A referee, like a guide, arrived here. Su Ping waved to Ye Zhou, Qin Xiaoxue, and Dong Mu Xuan, who had come this time without much interaction.

He then followed the guide and boarded a small car, arriving at Arena 31.

These arenas, from the audience's perspective and the bird's-eye view, didn't seem very large, but in fact, almost every one of them was a circle larger than the Divine Beast Tome arena, with an area of nearly a thousand or even several thousand square meters each.

...

(End of Chapter)The size of this arena, for a Beastmaster of Overlord rank, was already sufficient.

Moreover, with the advancement of Mechanical Virtual Technology, these arenas could extend in space without affecting the actual area occupied.

"Master Su, this is it! I, Li Ran, will be the main referee for Arena 31."

The main referee?

Su Ping raised his eyebrows, then stepped onto the arena with a smile.

Soon after, another participant arrived.

He was a slightly chubby young man, wearing round glasses, and a determined light shone in his small eyes.

His cultivation had reached the Overlord Apex.

Obviously, before arriving at the arena, Zhou Yuan already knew who his opponent was.

At this moment, he wasn't the slightest bit nervous!

Although the match hadn't started yet, but the calm demeanor and posture of Su Ping as he stepped onto the arena made him slightly squint his eyes.

A formidable opponent!

But thinking about it, it made sense. Those who appeared here were all selected from various provinces, and although his rank wasn't high, it didn't mean he was incapable in a one-on-one battle. There was even a high possibility of an unexpected upset.

Su Ping didn't dare to underestimate him.

Undoubtedly, Su Ping's battle attracted the attention of the majority of the audience.

Even the small regional main camera in the spectator stands was aimed at Arena 31 where Su Ping was located.

Su Ping exhaled. He was slightly nervous, after all, this was his first formal battle on the arena.

And the referee named Li Ran, at this moment, stood on the mechanical platform beside the arena and announced, "Before the battle begins, I will declare the rules of the arena duel. First, the use of magic potions is not allowed during the fight.

After the battle, they can be used during rest periods, but in total, the use of magic potions is not allowed to exceed five. The use of any mechanical weapons other than mechanical beasts is not permitted.

At the same time, after the battle, professional referees will lead the loser to the next arena to participate in the next battle. The winner can remain on the arena as the defending champion.

Furthermore, the defending champion can actively choose a simulated arena to form a simulated arena environment! The arena environment will not affect the energy type and concentration. It only serves as the environment itself.

However, note that in the simulated arena environment, similar to the high-altitude environment, unless one possesses flying beasts, once you fall, it will be considered from the environment's perspective as a loss of combat power, or even complete elimination and failure.

Therefore, the arena environment is relatively important.

Of course, the time spent going to the arena is not counted as rest time. If one does not arrive at the arena within a certain time, it will be considered as a forfeit.

Only after the battle officially begins can both sides summon their beasts, and the summoned beasts cannot use charge skills in advance.

At the same time, the determination of victory and defeat conditions, the most basic first, is that if one's beast loses all combat power, it is considered a failure.

Second, if a Beastmaster falls out of the simulated arena environment, it is considered a failure.

Third, surrendering is also considered a failure. Do you two understand?"

After receiving their affirmation, Li Ran nodded.

"Very well, since this is the first round of the first battle, the arena environment simulation will be randomly drawn. Begin drawing the random arena combat environment!"

"Drawing complete! The mechanical simulation environment of the arena is 'Lake Center Island'. Note! The size of Lake Center Island is 2,400 square meters, of which 1,000 square meters is the internal island arena environment,

and 1,400 square meters is the lake water environment. Once entering the lake water, it will enter a realistic underwater simulation, and the mechanical simulation will detect the Beastmaster and beast's state throughout..."

Li Ran's voice signaled the start of Su Ping's battle.

At the same time, all the spectators couldn't help but feel their hearts rise as they looked at the two people in the arena:

"Wow, this little fat guy doesn't seem nervous at all facing Su God?"

"Nonsense, how many of those who came here would be nervous? They are all Heaven's Pride, all genius Beastmasters, who's afraid of whom?"

"I hope Zhou Yuan can pull off an upset, hehe~"

"A water environment, this Zhou Yuan seems to be from Minyue Province? That's right next to the sea, isn't it?"

"The environment is not favorable for Su!"

The spectators in the stands and countless viewers in front of the live broadcast TV discussed in hushed tones.

And obviously, in this situation, there seemed to be some possible twists and turns and unexpected events, didn't there?

The countdown ended in an instant.

Su Ping, who could now act, immediately summoned Wan Ling and Xiao Qing, the latter entering the Five Elements Rotation state under Su Ping's command.

However, Zhou Yuan, the first challenger upon whom everyone had placed their hopes, did something that no one had expected.

This seemingly 'extraordinary' genius Beastmaster Zhou Yuan directly raised his hand:

"Um, referee, I surrender!"

(End of Chapter 1)

Chapter end