The Master of Beasts

"Big Brother, Big Brother, that move of yours was so cool!" Chen Xiaoyu exclaimed, running over excitedly.

The crowd and Spiritual Beasts that followed all expressed that the earlier display had indeed been impressive.

「...」

After a brief exchange, everyone entered the lounge in the sky.

A hint of disgust flickered across Wudao Tian's face. "Huh, it's actually a match between the Silver Moon Wolf Clan and the Howling Moon Wolf Clan. These big shots really have some twisted tastes," he remarked.

"Senior Brother, is there something wrong?" Chen Jiuge asked, somewhat confused.

"See for yourself." Wudao Tian pointed to the screen.

On the field, twelve enormous white wolf apparitions materialized overhead. Instead of immediately going for the ball, the two sides instantly engaged in a melee.

For a moment, the field was a brutal maelstrom of flesh and blood; no one had any attention to spare for the soccer ball.

"Why are they fighting the moment they meet? Isn't this a soccer match?" Chen Xiaoyu asked, puzzled.

Wudao Tian took a sip of Spiritual Wine and explained, "Who said no one dies in a soccer match? This is just another form of competition among the True Immortal Disciples of the Heavenly Realm."

"In the last tournament, quite a few cultivators were kicked to death. Some races and forces already harbored deep-seated hatred for one another, so they'd start fighting the moment they stepped onto the field. You can see people have already died, can't you?"

Indeed, a Silver Moon Wolf Clan member in human form had his head brutally ripped out, a long, bloody spine still attached. It was an incredibly cruel sight.

Having lost some of their kin, the remaining Silver Moon Wolf Clan members flew into a rage, and the battle between the two sides grew even bloodier.

It was unclear how much time had passed. With a blast from Qi Wen's whistle, the battle on the field concluded. Surprisingly, the victor was the Silver Moon Wolf Clan, who had initially been at a disadvantage.

Looking at the Silver Moon Wolf Clan member who now had only one leg, Chen Jiuge said, somewhat perplexed, "Even if they're enemies, this is too much, isn't it?"

"Junior Brother, you're still too naive. Do you really think this so-called soccer game is just for entertainment? Don't you know that every victory grants the winning side's force a share of resources?"

"A sect at the level of our Myriad Beasts Sect might just be here to enjoy the spectacle and participate in a few matches for entertainment. But what about those weaker forces?"

"The resources in the Heavenly Realm are abundant, but almost all of them are already claimed," Wudao Tian said with a sneer.

"Just watch. It's only going to get more intense."

「...」

Senior Brother was right. The subsequent matches were indeed fiercer, with some even ending in mutual destruction.

Watching the life-and-death struggles among True Immortals from various races, Chen Jiuge suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Something about this Heavenly Realm seemed terribly wrong.

Following a shot on goal by a Myriad Swords Sect disciple, the defending Spiritual Beast was dismembered into countless pieces. Qi Wen's whistle blew, signaling the end of the match.

The Myriad Swords Sect had won.

"Junior Brother, if you ever encounter anyone from the Myriad Swords Sect, be careful. Their shots are extremely powerful. Your team's Blue Sea Giant Demon wouldn't be able to withstand it; it would likely end up just like that Spiritual Beast on the field," Wudao Tian warned.

Chen Jiuge nodded gravely. The Myriad Swords Sect's shots aren't mere shots anymore, he thought. A soccer ball infused with countless Sword Qi could likely shred anything in its path.

Two months later, the first round of the competition ended, but the qualifying rounds were not yet over. Each team had to win three times to advance.

「...」

"Thank goodness, thank goodness! Our opponent is the Skyhawk Clan." Ao Mei breathed a heavy sigh of relief upon seeing his team's next opponent.

For the past two months, they had watched the games with trepidation. Nearly every team that survived the first round possessed unique, deadly skills and was incredibly fierce. If their own team hadn't had Chen Jiuge and Wang Jiao, they might as well have surrendered on the spot.

The Skyhawk Team's advantage was speed. While speed can translate to power, that's only if one's strength meets a certain standard. After several unsuccessful goal attempts, Wang Jiao seized an opportunity. He launched a Hurricane Impact, directly piercing through three Skyhawks and securing the victory.

「...」

A month and a half later, the Four Seas Team's next opponent was revealed: Triple Sect!

"This is trouble," Wudao Tian frowned as he watched the Four Seas Team enter the field.

Ever since their outpost was breached by the Demon Clan, Triple Sect had abandoned their territory in the Heavenly Realm, relocating directly to the Infinite Star Sea. This time, for reasons unknown—perhaps a fit of madness—they had struck a deal with those influential figures: the outcome of the soccer tournament would determine Triple Sect's eligibility to return to the Heavenly Realm.

"Everyone, protect yourselves. I'm already content that we've made it this far. I've already spoken to my father, the King; everything promised to you will be fulfilled," Ao Mei said gravely.

Aside from Chen Jiuge and Wang Jiao, the other three team members, especially the two Blue Sea Giant Demon brothers tasked with guarding the goal, looked utterly dejected, their faces ashen as if they were about to die.

"I'll guard the goal," Chen Jiuge suggested.

"Brother Chen, you..." Ju Han was moved beyond words.

"There's no need for concern. I cultivate the Life Dao; I'll be fine," Chen Jiuge said, shaking his head.

Before they could even discuss tactics, the match began.

Triple Sect's number one player merely sneered and kicked the ball with immense force. Wang Jiao, responsible for intercepting, grew furious. Dammit, I'm a Qiongqi! If we can't win, it's because the team isn't good enough, not because I'm not! So, Wang Jiao chose to meet the kick head-on.

Both their powerful feet landed on the soccer ball simultaneously, the tremendous impact of their collision whipping up a fierce gust of wind.

"As expected of the Qiongqi Clan, your strength is immense," Triple Sect's number one player said with a smile. "But it seems you haven't awakened your Heavenly Evil Qi Divine Skills yet. What a pity."

CRACK.

The sickening sound of bone breaking echoed. Wang Jiao's leg had been shattered by his opponent, who had unleashed his full power.