CHAPTER 226: CHAPTER 146: ARE YOU HERE TO COMPETE OR TO FLIRT? (PART 3)

Even if they lose, they want to lose with dignity.

......

In the hotel, Miao Yi put away his phone and hurriedly gathered his teammates together: "I’ve received word that Qin Haoyu has enlisted twelve teams to join forces and eliminate us first when the team battle begins."

Leon looked puzzled: "How did you get this info? Did you place an insider by Qin Haoyu’s side or something?"

"Ahem~"

Miao Yi rubbed his nose guiltily: "Liying told me."

"Liying? Huang Liying from the Silver City Team? Hold on, you guys have only known each other for a few days, how are you calling her so affectionately?"

Leon’s eyes widened, looking at Miao Yi indignantly: "You’ve got some nerve, you thick-browed fellow, are you here for the competition or to find romance?"

"These two things aren’t mutually exclusive."

Miao Yi smiled awkwardly, knowing he was in the wrong, he didn’t dare to retort against Leon like he usually would, after all, he did add Huang Liying’s friend during the competition, and the more they chatted, the more they clicked.

Now, they were just a step away from breaking the tension.

Xu Yuebing furrowed her brows slightly, looking at Ye Qingzhou with some concern: "The team battle is the day after tomorrow, so when they join forces, don’t worry about us, make your escape first."

Zhu Jinfeng also agreed with Xu Yuebing’s judgment: "That’s right, once the competition officially begins, we will each have a one-time-use teleportation token on us, so if we encounter deadly danger, it will automatically teleport us out of the Grotto Heaven, so Ye Qingzhou, don’t worry about us."

The other teammates also expressed their willingness to risk their lives for Ye Qingzhou, to hold back the opponent’s progress, because as long as Ye Qingzhou was there, the Linjiang Team still had hope for the championship.

Ye Qingzhou smiled and shook his head: "No need to make things complicated, when the time comes, just step aside and I’ll clear the field first. Once the riffraff are gone, we can slowly explore Yanling Grotto Heaven."

As for the outcome of the team battle, Ye Qingzhou wasn’t particularly concerned.

What truly piqued his interest was whether he could find C-Grade Fire and Fire Ding among the Innate Five Qi within Yanling Grotto Heaven.

As long as he gathered these two types of Innate Fire Qi, his Five Emperors Dragon Swordsmanship would be one step closer to Great Success.

So far, Ye Qingzhou has already amassed Gold, Wood, and Water among the Innate Five Qi, and only lacks Fire Element and Earth Element to achieve initial mastery.

Originally, Ye Qingzhou hadn’t intended to do anything to Qin Haoyu and his team.

But since the other side insisted on stirring trouble, Ye Qingzhou didn’t mind sending them out early; after all, as long as the Silver City Team remained, the competition wouldn’t end prematurely, giving him ample time to search for what he desired.

The outcome of the match no longer mattered, Ye Qingzhou’s primary aim now was to delve deep into Lingyun Grotto Heaven.

......

On the tenth day of the Phoenix Cup competition, at the entrance of Lingyun Grotto Heaven, fourteen participating teams and one hundred and twelve competitors gathered.

The atmosphere on-site was electrifying, with countless people eagerly anticipating the final verdict.

Unfortunately, the match inside the Grotto Heaven couldn’t be broadcast live, otherwise, the ratings would undoubtedly be phenomenal.

Qin Haoyu, Luo Qingqing, and Lan Caidie exchanged glances, then their eyes unanimously focused on the Linjiang Team.

Clearly, they planned to eliminate Ye Qingzhou first, and then rely on their skills to vie for the team battle’s championship trophy.

Compared to Lingyun Grotto Heaven, Yanling Grotto Heaven’s teleportation array is considerably larger, accommodating nearly two hundred people at a time, along with a large amount of resources.

Therefore, the Dongji Kingdom’s official development of Yanling Grotto Heaven exceeds that of Lingyun Grotto Heaven by far, not only constructing several large forward bases inside but also setting up laboratories, a research center, and even a small repair workshop.

This is precisely why the Phoenix Cup was specially chosen to be held here, with the primary aim being safety assurance.

After all, the competitors are Martial Dao geniuses of Xiang Province, precious talents, losing even one would make local leaders suffer immensely.

Moreover, the previous trial at Lingyun Grotto Heaven had caused quite a stir due to Songg Xin’s disappearance.

If not for the subsequent catastrophic extermination of the Linjiang Song Clan, the Songg Xin disappearance case wouldn’t have been so easily resolved.

Thus, safety in this Phoenix Cup League is paramount.

Before long, the participants were uniformly teleported into Yanling Grotto Heaven’s interior, then each received a token engraved with a flame symbol at the base.

"This is Shennong Emperor’s Order; when it detects mortal danger, it activates teleportation, sending you outside of the Grotto Heaven."

Instructor Mou Changlong said sternly, then took out an incense stick and lit it on the ground: "When this burns out, you can leave the camp, and the competition will officially start."

"The rules are simple; the camp is absolute safe zone, no fighting allowed, or you’ll be disqualified. To earn points, check the task wall for missions. If you accept the same task, points go to whoever completes it first."

"There are two ways to win: first is topping the points leaderboard, the second is being the last team standing in the Grotto Heaven."

"Do you understand?"

"Understood!"

The contestants responded loudly.

Mou Changlong nodded with satisfaction; the young people before him were very impressive, much stronger than in his time.

An incense stick burned quickly.

The Linjiang Team members sprinted out of the camp as soon as it burned out.

"They’re running! Quick, chase them!"

Just as they left the camp, they were blocked by Ye Qingzhou.

Looking around the field, Ye Qingzhou counted the heads, showing a satisfied smile: "Looks like everyone is here, perfect timing, sending you off all at once."

Zheng~

The sound of a sword’s hum echoed in everyone’s ears.