Beast Taming: Slaughter Atlas

Wang Lingfeng found a carriage and said, "Let's take this one, everyone get on board quickly."

The crowd from Celestial Star City rushed to get on the carriage.

All the members of Celestial Star City's Five Great Daoist Schools got on the carriage—exactly twenty-five people.

"Master, let's set off," Wang Lingfeng said to the middle-aged man driving the carriage.

The man responded and cracked the whip to start the journey.

"Senior Brother Wang, this carriage is so grand. Was it prepared by the academy?" Wang Lu asked curiously.

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their eyes to Wang Lingfeng.

Seeing this, Wang Lingfeng smiled and said, "Our academy can't afford so many Red Wind Steeds; these are courtesy of the City Lord's Mansion. This Red Wind Chariot looks very grand but isn't practical; it's usually used to receive distinguished guests. This is my first time riding one, and it's thanks to you all."

Upon hearing this, everyone showed a look of realization—this Red Wind Chariot was just for show.

In fact, the Red Wind Chariot wasn't as lacking as Wang Lingfeng said. Its speed was very fast, and sitting inside the carriage didn't feel bumpy at all, even more comfortable than certain luxury cars.

About a quarter of an hour later, the Red Wind Chariot slowly came to a stop, and a middle-aged man's voice came from outside.

"We've arrived, everyone can get off."

Upon hearing this, everyone hurriedly got out of the carriage. The middle-aged man then drove the Red Wind Chariot away, apparently having finished his task, which meant they would have to walk back later.

In front of them was a massive circular building, with architectural styling similar to the Roman Colosseum but entirely made of large Lapis Lazuli stones, extremely costly to construct.

"Let's head inside," Wang Lingfeng said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, everyone naturally agreed with enthusiasm.

Walking into the Dueling Arena, they found that it was already packed with tens of thousands of spectators.

There were four levels in total, and only the first level was empty; the other three levels were filled with the audience.

Wang Lingfeng seemed to have scouted the place beforehand, leading everyone directly to the area reserved for Celestial Star City's Five Great Daoist Schools.

The entirety of the Dueling Arena formed a gigantic circle, with fifty 100-meter-square stages in the center.

Wang Lu patted Wang Lingfeng on the shoulder and asked, "Senior Brother Wang, why are there so many spectators here?"

Wang Lingfeng responded with a smile, "Most people here are geniuses cultivated by the Five Great Daoist Schools, and some are from influential families in Cyan Dragon City."

Hearing this, Wang Lu nodded and said, "I see, but there are still too many people."

Wang Lingfeng laughed and said, "This isn't many; on the day of the finals, there will be several times more people."

"What? There won't be enough space for everyone then."

"Those who come are usually powerful Beast Masters; they can ride their Guardian Beasts to watch from the sky."

Wang Lu showed a look of shock at that; if their psychological quality wasn't good, they might even fall off.

As time passed, more and more people filled the Dueling Arena until it was packed to capacity, and Zhao Qianshan's voice came from the platform.

"Everyone, please be quiet; the arena tournament is about to start."

Upon hearing this, everyone stopped talking and quietly awaited the commencement of the matches.

Zhao Qianshan glanced at the time, then spoke again, "Now, I announce the start of the Young Daoist Schools Exchange Tournament. The second phase consists of arena battles. Next, let me introduce the schedule: the arena battles will last three days. Today, we will decide the top 100, tomorrow, the top 14, and the day after that will be the finals. Now, Elder Han will explain the rules."

Upon hearing this, everyone applauded, and soon Han Yunshan came up to the stage.

The rules of the competition were not complicated. First, do not attack Beast Masters.

Second, do not use any recovery items, including food, elixir pills, and Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.

Third, do not use any weapons, elixirs, or equipment that can increase combat power, including Beast Taming Armor and Soul Devices.

Fourth, you must comply with the referee's decisions. If there are any disputes, you may apply to the Daoist School.

The next step was the draw; yesterday's preliminary results would be used as the sequence numbers.

To ensure fairness, the Five Great Daoist Schools wrote all the sequence numbers on small balls, then placed them in five large transparent spheres, each with a single opening just large enough for one small ball.

This was similar to a lottery; the first two balls drawn formed a pair, with the winner advancing and the loser being eliminated.

The reason for the five spheres, as given by the Daoist Schools, was to prevent the five Double S-level geniuses from meeting each other too early.

Faced with this explanation, the audience could only accept it grudgingly, since might makes right here.

After all the rules were explained, Zhao Qianshan came to the stage again and said, "Next, we'll start the draw."

As he finished speaking, the staff began operating the machine for the draw.

The first number was 97, while the second was 578.

The staff loudly announced, "Number 97 and number 578, go to the first stage to compete."

At this moment, participant number 578 looked utterly defeated as a young contender moved towards the first stage.

The scores between the two differed by nearly 500 places, suggesting an obvious disparity in strength.

However, the staff didn't pause and started drawing again.

By the time half of the stages were occupied, the match on the first stage had already decided a winner.