The rest of the cultivators and demon beasts that were still in the Mirror World were instantly teleported out. However, they didn't appear where Krune and the rest were staying. Instead, they were sent back to the side of their protectors, who came along with them. When they looked around and noticed that they were out, they couldn't help but sigh. Some were angry, others sad. Nonetheless, they at least asked their protectors how exactly the others passed. Still, that was of no concern for Krune anymore.
Suddenly, the entire protection formation covering the north of the please began to shrink. A few hundred kilometers away from Krune's group, the ground started to transform. Suddenly, an enormous arena appeared, covering over a hundred kilometers!
Krune and the rest of the participants didn't find it strange. As many tests as there might be, the last five slots will be decided by direct confrontation in the end. Otherwise, the Universes that reached this far would definitely not be satisfied.
Norzulun then stepped forward. In the next second, he was right above the center of the arena. Although he couldn't see anything around him, he knew that everyone was watching him through the multi-universal broadcast.
"Congratulations to everyone who got this far. We have been observing all the competitors, and we are proud to say that they all deserve to be here now. As you can imagine, we will conduct one vs. one battles from now on. First, we will use a bracket system until the top 8 are decided. After that, those last eight will fight each other once. The five with the most victories under their belt will get one of the Dalin Universe Slots."
"It's a very simple and straightforward method. It will also not leave any doubts about who are the ones who deserve to take one of the five seats in Dalin Universe's Management. Of course, we have a good idea about each participants' strength after observing them during the competition's last three phases. So you don't need to worry, we will use a seed system to separate them so that they will only encounter each other close to the end."
"Obviously, there is a chance that some of the participants are still hiding a lot of their strength. If that is the case, you can only blame yourself if you are put inside a bracket with a seeded cultivator or demon beast. Still, the chances aren't that big, and even if it happens, it won't be more than two or three participants."
"Anyway, I'll now announce the name of 16 seeded participants that we think to have the highest abilities."
"Iem Turo, Dalin Universe, first group."
"Tarande, Enmatio Universe, secong group."
"Waka Ulin, Ulin Universe, third group."
"Tiango, Bondro Universe, fourth group."
"Sara Qanze, Kaleu Universe..."
"Laka, Kizan Universe, tenth group."
Laka was the first surprise. That's because different from previous ones, he wasn't a Peak Divine Path Realm demon beast. Instead, he was still in the 8th Stage.
Sure enough, after everything Krune showed in the multi-universal broadcast, no one would believe that he wasn't a seeded participant. Still, everyone watching it couldn't help but feel surprised to see a wisp in there. Not to mention that Krune was still in the 7th Stage of the Divine Path Realm. Everyone was curious about that Purple Tribulation Lightning of his too. Of course, now everyone knows about the Luvile Universe, so his home Universe would soon receive many visitors.
Hanan was the only one in Krune's group that didn't raise any surprise. He is a Heavenly Divine Soul Owner while being at the peak of the Divine Path Realm. After what showed in the Soul World and Mirror World, it was quite acceptable for him to be there.
"Mala, Rarcan Universe, sixteenth group."
Norzulun then continued.
"With this, we concluded the separation of the seeded participants. We will once again use another time accelerating formation so that everyone can recover to their peak state. We will start the last phase in one hour, so make sure to watch it to the end."
Krune wasn't that much injured to start with. However, he entered the time formation anyway. Why? Obviously, because he would be able to relax for longer, make some food, and think about what he would do. However, he did not share his food with the others this time.
"You guys ate almost all my food, so I don't have enough for you. Go look for someone else."
Even Laka was rejected this time, much to his sadness.
The week inside the Time Accelerating Formation quickly passed. With the Universes behind each of the competitors, they didn't lack any pills to heal themselves. So a week was more than enough for everyone to recover to their peak.
"Time is over! Those who were not picked as seeded participants will now draw lots."
All the remaining participants then went to the center of the arena. There was a formation that made it impossible for them to know which position they would take too. Some showed happy faces. Others showed ugly ones. Nonetheless, there was nothing that could be done anymore.
Obviously, the first group began their fight first. Not only that, but the very first battle was between Iem Turo, from Dalin Universe, and a guy called Horune.
Horune knew that he had taken one of the worst lots to be paired with Iem Turo. Still, he was also a Heavenly Divine Soul Owner at the Peak of the Divine Path Realm. That being said, he wasn't afraid at all. He immediately drew out his weapon and dashed against Iem.
Krune couldn't help but smile after seeing that. That Horune was using one of his Purple Flame Weapons, a Greatsword.
Horune's energy entered the greatsword, and the purple flame began to come out. That was definitely Krune's brand main trait. Without a doubt, that greatsword was genuine.
Horune is a cultivator focused on earth laws primarily. He was almost as good as the Diamond Golem that Krune killed in the Holy Land. The only difference is that although he completed all Sub Laws of Earth, he hasn't fused them into the Major Law of Earth yet. That made a big difference in the power of his earth laws.
When he got close to Iem, he controlled gravity, trying to bring the opponent against himself. He is a pure melee cultivator, so the closer, the better.
Iem felt the gravity acting on himself and snorted.
"Cute!"
Contrary to the others' expectations, Iem didn't try to fight against the gravity, but let it push him against Horune. Not only that, but he also didn't bring out his weapon.
"Is he crazy? That's a Purple Flame Greatsword!"
"Who knows? I don't think that a seeded participant would be reckless."
Horune and Iem arrived in front of each other in a blink of an eye. At the same time, Horune's Domain spread, increasing his Earth Related powers even more. But then, Iem made something that no one expected. He literally punched against Horune's Purple Flame Greatsword! Not only that, but he didn't use any Domain either!
Even Krune was taken aback by that. As the one who forged that Greatsword, he knows very well how strong it is. He is sure that with the Purple Flame's power, his Greatsword surpassed the Stars Path level, being the same as a Stars View one. It was a crazy move to use one's body to fight against it, especially when it was in the hands of a Heavenly Divine Soul Owner!
However, what happened next was not a fist being cut in half as everyone thought. Instead, Iem's fist changed in the last moment. It became transparent as if it was made of glass!
*Bang!*
Horune felt like his Purple Flame Greatsword was hit by a planet! Several kilometers, the space around the two shattered as several spatial storms could be seen inside. The stalemate lasted for half a second when suddenly, Horune's Greatsword was sent flying!
Horune's eyes opened wide. He wasn't only using gravity. He was using all the earth laws to increase the power of the Greatsword to the max! Earth laws are directly related to metals, so one can imagine how strong a weapon like a greatsword would be on Horune's hands. He was also using an Earth Domain, which made it even more terrifying! Still, Horune lost in a direct confrontation against a fist! How ridiculous it sounded?
That event made Horune lose focus for a moment, which was more than sufficient for Iem.
*Puch!*
Horune recovered his attention just in time to see Iem's second fist passing through his chest! After that, some kind of weird energy made his Earth Sub-Laws dissipate as his Earth Domain crumbled.