Waves of palpable sound spread across the entire plaza, silencing the crowd instantly.
Ye Yuanming nodded with satisfaction, waved his hand, and the teachers suspended in the air around the plaza understood. Their true qi surged forth, and a formation of light gradually enveloped the plaza, isolating it completely.
"Ahem, students, please do not panic. This is primarily because the matter to be announced is of great importance. We hope for your understanding."
As Ye Yuanming spoke, a buzz of discussion erupted within the plaza, with many students speculating about the nature of the event.
"Students, please be quiet. I know you are all feeling some resentment at being urgently recalled to the school, with many of you having to rush back before completing your current tasks."
"What I am about to announce is a change that has not occurred in thousands of years and presents a great opportunity for all of you."
"That is, the Myriad Races Battlefield is about to open! All students of our First Martial Arts University will enter the Myriad Races Battlefield to compete with the myriad races from other worlds, vying for the abundant heavenly treasures and powerful legacies contained within."
"This includes other top universities and first-tier universities. The remaining martial arts universities will open later. Our First Martial Arts University is among the first batch to enter the Myriad Races Battlefield."
"There are corresponding battlefields for each realm, so do not worry. However, there will be a Talents Ranking. All students who make the list will enter the Talents Battlefield for combat. The difference in cultivation realms within these battlefields will not exceed two levels, so you can unleash your strength with confidence."
"Furthermore, our academy does not compel any of you to participate in the Myriad Races Battlefield. Participation is entirely voluntary."
"Next, I will distribute some basic information about the Myriad Races Battlefield. I hope you will read it carefully, as this is a matter of life and death. Please exercise caution."
"Also, for the newly enrolled freshmen, you will have one month to study. After one month, everyone who does not wish to enter the Myriad Races Battlefield will gather at this very spot. Those who do not wish to enter the Myriad Races Battlefield, please step out and stand to my far right."
After Ye Yuanming finished speaking, he quietly observed the students below. Silence descended upon the plaza, and all students exchanged glances, but not a single one stepped forward.
As students of the First Martial Arts University, they were all geniuses who had excelled in the martial arts examinations of their respective prefectures. This was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity, and as geniuses, how could they possibly give it up?
"Excellent!" Ye Yuanming nodded with satisfaction, his eyes filled with admiration.
"The path of martial arts is one of struggle! I am very pleased that not a single one of you has withdrawn. However, as your elder, I must still remind you that while martial arts rely on struggle, remember not to be reckless. Plan before you act."
"Finally, I wish you all abundant martial luck!"
Ye Yuanming clasped his fists and performed a martial artist's salute to all the students below.
All the students below, including Gu Yuan, returned the salute to Ye Yuanming.
"Apart from the freshmen, all other students who wish to enter the Myriad Races Battlefield will gather here at the same time tomorrow. We, humanity, shall advance into the Myriad Races Battlefield!"
"Yes!" The synchronized voices echoed throughout the plaza.
Subsequently, the formation dissipated. The once orderly ranks dissolved into a myriad of shadows, flying off to their accommodations to pack their belongings, purchase supplies, or learn a few life-saving martial skills that might prove useful on the battlefield. Most, however, headed to collect the Myriad Races Battlefield manuals.
Gu Yuan was not as rushed as the senior students. One month was ample time for preparation.
Before that, Gu Yuan intended to accept Elder Wang's legacy of formations. He had been delayed by his previous trials and the martial arts league and had not yet received the inheritance. This time, he was determined to receive the formation legacy. His own ideas remained unverified.
Upon returning to his villa, Gu Yuan set down his belongings and tidied his attire before heading to the Scripture Pavilion. It was already crowded, with most people clustered around the popular life-saving martial skills.
Gu Yuan navigated through the crowds as best he could and made his way to the depths of the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion. A familiar counter appeared before him.
An old man, seemingly dozing on a recliner, stirred as he sensed someone's arrival. He opened his cloudy eyes and looked towards Gu Yuan.
Seeing that it was Gu Yuan, his cloudy eyes brightened slightly before returning to their original state.
He straightened up, a smile gracing his face as he watched Gu Yuan approach.
Gu Yuan walked up to the counter and respectfully bowed to Elder Wang, saying, "Master!"
"You're here. Are your matters concluded?" Elder Wang asked with a gentle smile.
Gu Yuan nodded, "They are, Master."
"Good. Let's not waste any more time. Let's begin learning formations. I presume you have been anticipating this for a long time." Elder Wang's face lit up with enthusiasm when formations were mentioned.
Gu Yuan's eyes filled with anticipation. He had long yearned to witness the power of formations. The mere thought of a teleportation formation capable of transporting people across vast distances was astonishing; other formations promised even greater marvels.
Elder Wang waved his hand, and a spiritual light enveloped Gu Yuan. A pulling sensation arose, attempting to drag Gu Yuan towards an unknown destination. Gu Yuan's body instinctively resisted, but Elder Wang's voice echoed in his ears.
"Do not resist!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Yuan forcefully suppressed his body's urge to fight and yielded to the pulling force. A flash of white light crossed his vision, causing Gu Yuan to instinctively want to close his eyes. When he opened them again, the scene before him made him gasp in astonishment.
Within this world, it seemed to contain most of the elemental powers present in heaven and earth. Various powers coexisted harmoniously within this world, without any familiar elemental clashes.
This was almost unimaginable. Gu Yuan had previously used the power of elemental explosions to win first place in the martial arts league. He had also heard that the opponent had taken a full day to recover fully, during which time many precious healing elixirs were consumed.
One had to understand that as a martial artist in the True Qi realm, one's true qi continuously repaired the body. Even a bone-deep wound, if unhindered, could be fully healed within half an hour at most.
Tsk, tsk, Gu Yuan watched as a wave passed through flames without evaporating, not even producing a wisp of steam.
"Gu Yuan, are you surprised?"
Elder Wang's voice sounded from behind him. Gu Yuan turned and looked at Elder Wang, who was composed of countless elemental forces. His ethereal body, formed from different elements, appeared colorful.
"Master!" Gu Yuan bowed respectfully.
Elder Wang slowly walked to Gu Yuan's side and said, "This is my inner world, composed of countless elemental forces from heaven and earth. The accumulation of most of my life is here."