Lin Hao hadn't finished complaining when he heard the rules of the competition.
Just as he expected, it was either defeating a divine beast or obtaining a key. Of course, based on what the speaker said, it seemed that defeating other people could also be considered a victory in this competition.
As soon as the person on the stage finished speaking, the contestants below, without saying a word, were 'teleported' to the trial grounds.
The moment Lin Hao opened his eyes, he saw the 'snowy land' he had visited countless times.
Even though he knew it was an illusion, seeing the falling snow made him feel so insignificant.
And because of the immersive experience, it was quite cold.
Lin Hao looked around and found that he seemed to be the only one teleported here. He stood up, looked at the surroundings, and then headed towards the center.
During this time, he encountered many people. However, Lin Hao found it unnecessary to fight those who started attacking as soon as they met. After all, as long as he got the key, he could leave.
All of them had a system with them, which was used to indicate how many people were left in the arena.
In less than half an hour, only eighteen people remained on the competition grounds.
Lin Hao stared at the '18' displayed on the system and stood frozen.
As expected, young people are still too impatient.
They're already fighting before even seeing the simulated divine beast in the central area.
Not long after walking, he saw five or six people in the distance preparing to fight. Seeing this, Lin Hao immediately jumped onto a tree and watched the people below slaughtering each other.
He saw a seemingly delicate girl directly obliterate the other boys.
As Lin Hao, hiding in the tree, looked at the girl's face, he recalled the character introductions in the last few pages of the booklet Zhao Jianye had given him.
As expected, anyone who could be in that booklet was not to be underestimated.
The girl glanced at the scattered wreckage of mechs and then walked towards the center.
Lin Hao checked the system, and sure enough, the remaining number had decreased to 14. This was already considered above average for the class.
Should he really follow that girl to challenge the divine beast?
Why not just 'commit suicide' here?
But if he did that, the people outside would surely say something.
So, Lin Hao abandoned the foolish decision of self-destruction.
-----Time Skip-------
The remaining few people indeed chose not to continue fighting but stood together to discuss how to safely obtain the key.
Of course, the one who obtained the key would be ranked first in their class for combat power.
Lin Hao, who leisurely arrived at the center on the second day, saw the people discussing strategies but chose not to join them.
Anyway, as long as he didn't get first place, it was fine.
He sat next to a tree, watching the divine beast idly flicking its tail. It seemed to yawn.
Compared to the divine beast summoned by Ye Xue, this divine beast felt quite weak.
He believed that obtaining first place would be very easy.
It was called a divine beast, but it looked a bit like creatures from the ancient Blue Star, yet also unlike them. The overall appearance was somewhat peculiar.
Hu Tu, who was also spacing out like Lin Hao, saw his friend arrive and immediately came in front of Lin Hao, his eyes full of pleasant surprise. "You're finally here! I thought you were eliminated, son."
After saying this, Hu Tu sat down next to Lin Hao.
Upon hearing this, Lin Hao turned his head, looked at Hu Tu sitting beside him, and said, "You're the one who'll be eliminated, son."
Their friendship seemed to have grown stronger during the past two days of calculated play.
However, when Lin Hao saw Hu Tu, he still felt a twinge of guilt.
But this guilt only lasted for a brief moment.
Because of their opposing positions, it was impossible for that single game to change things.
Therefore, Lin Hao's current thought was to be nice to Hu Tu while his true intentions were still hidden.
"They've been discussing for an entire night, and yet no one has gone to fight that divine beast. It's so boring."
Hu Tu leaned against the tree trunk, looking at the crowd still planning and complaining to Lin Hao with a tone of helplessness.
Lin Hao agreed in his heart upon hearing this complaint.
Against this kind of creature, attrition would be useless. It had to be defeated in one blow. Moreover, if it was angered, everyone in front of it would have to attack it. If anyone tried to hide, they would be automatically considered as forfeiting their claim by the system.
But these young masters and ladies seemed unaware of this rule, as some were talking about attrition.
Lin Hao, upon hearing this, pondered whether he should inform them of this information. But the moment he thought about what these young masters and ladies had done to him a few days prior, he swallowed his words.
Since they were people who wouldn't shed tears until they saw the coffin, there was no need to waste his breath on them.
It was just that Lin Hao didn't want to fight this divine beast with them.
But if he didn't fight this divine beast, he wouldn't get the key in its belly.
Yes, that key was inside this creature's belly.
The competition rules stated it was a choice of three, but in reality, it was a choice of two.
Either defeat the monster, or defeat all the people.
Lin Hao's mind suddenly thought of something, and he turned to the pretending-to-be-asleep Hu Tu and asked, "Haven't you guys used this combat simulation before?"
If he hadn't heard some kids talking about splitting up to find the key, Lin Hao wouldn't have had this thought at all.
Because he had always felt that this game was something they had played long ago.
But.
Hu Tu slowly opened his eyes upon hearing this, stretched lazily like a cat suddenly awakened, and stared at Lin Hao, saying, "No, this is the first time I've seen this thing. My old man said it's something used for military training, classified, and not usually seen by ordinary people. What's wrong?"
Why was he suddenly asking this?
Upon hearing this, Lin Hao waved his hand, indicating that he was just asking casually.
However, Lin Hao's heart was not as calm as his outward appearance suggested.
He hadn't expected that the combat simulation Ye Xue had played with him for half a year was actually an imperial military secret.
Tsk tsk tsk, Ye Xue was truly amazing.
Having received his answer, Lin Hao pondered whether he should tell them how to pass this game.
Just as Lin Hao was about to speak, the group who had been discussing suddenly split into two teams.
It seemed like one group was preparing to attract the creature's attention, while the other group would seize the opportunity to search for the key.
Seeing this scene, Lin Hao immediately stood up from the ground.
He turned to Hu Tu and said, "Get up, it's time to fight."
Lin Hao summoned his mecha while inwardly cursing those students.
What could have been resolved through their own duel, they had to go and provoke that creature.
Now, rest was impossible.
He wouldn't be able to rest until this creature was defeated.
They were really troublesome.