The camera slowly zoomed in, bringing the magnificent cluster of floating structures behind her into view.
“Good morning, everyone! Today, October 6th, the highly anticipated first stage of the National High School League’s Monte Competition Zone will officially kick off here! 1,770 contestants from 118 high schools across various regions of the Huaining Group Region will compete fiercely for points over the next four weeks on this unique aerial battlefield!”
Xia Qing turned sideways, pointing towards the distant floating battle zones where figures were already moving.
“According to the competition format, the first stage of the competition employs a dynamic points matching mechanism, with opponents of the same grade being prioritized in the first week. Today’s battlegrounds will be randomly assigned to each contestant by the system. This means they must directly face this moving aerial battlefield without any prior adaptation!”
She paused, her voice brimming with barely concealed excitement.
“Even more exciting, this year’s National High School League has for the first time abolished grade divisions, switching to a mixed-grade competition for all segments. First-year new students will have the opportunity to directly face second-year and third-year seniors, and the points rules have been adjusted accordingly. Junior contestants who defeat senior opponents will earn higher points!”
“What changes will this competition format reform bring to this year’s matches? How will the legendary strong school contestants perform? Tune in to Monte Region Television; we will broadcast this grand event live for you in its entirety!”
“Click!” The cameraman gave an OK signal. “Perfect!”
...
At 7:20 AM, the maglev bus carried the Tianqi School Team members towards the Sky Colosseum.
The scenery outside the window was different from yesterday.
The morning sun cast its rays upon the floating islands, and the structures suspended above the sea of clouds appeared to be edged in gold.
Occasionally, Beast Tamers riding flying pets swept past the window, leaving a trail of crisp chirps.
The outline of the Sky Colosseum became increasingly clear.
The Central Main Arena’s energy shield was already active, its faint blue light membrane refracting a rainbow halo under the morning sun.
The surrounding floating battle zones moved slowly according to their own rhythms; the various-sized floating islands, like stars scattered in the sky, rotated gently within the sea of clouds.
On the spectator platforms outside the colosseum, a considerable number of spectators had already gathered.
There were teachers and students from various schools, local residents of the Monte Region, and numerous media reporters carrying their equipment, searching for the best shooting angles.
The maglev bus came to a steady stop at the entrance of the contestant-exclusive passage.
After disembarking, Wei Xiuyu led the team members through security and into the contestant waiting area.
The waiting area was located on the first floor of the main arena, a spacious hall already filled with contestants from many schools.
School uniforms of various colors mingled together; contestants from different schools stood or sat, some conversing in low tones, others resting with their eyes closed, creating a subtle yet tense atmosphere.
Wei Xiuyu led them to a relatively quiet area. “The first match starts at 9:30 AM, so you have less than two hours to prepare. There’s a dedicated pet care area in the contestant waiting area if you need it. Remember, you need to report to your respective staging areas thirty minutes before your match begins.”
She paused, glancing around. “Keep your phones on and contact me or the coaching staff immediately if you have any problems. Now, prepare yourselves.”
The team members dispersed; some went to the pet care area for final checks, while others found a corner to sit and quietly adjust their state.
Liu Yi didn't go to the care area.
Ziyue and Chiying were both in excellent condition and didn't require any additional care.
She found a seat by the window; Ziyue crouched at her feet, and Chiying hovered beside her.
Outside the window, the entire panorama of the Sky Colosseum was visible.
...
At 8:50 AM, the announcement system in the contestant waiting area chimed.
【Contestants participating in the first time slot, please report to your respective staging areas. The C-District staging area is located on the third floor, east side of the main arena. C-District contestants, please proceed by elevator.】
Liu Yi stood up, and Ziyue immediately followed, her two tails gently swaying.
“Time to get ready,” she said, crouching down to gently rub Ziyue’s head and then touch Chiying’s dragon horn. “I need to recall you both to the Beast Taming Space before the match, and then summon you when it’s time to enter the arena.”
“Bingbing!”
Ziyue nuzzled her palm, indicating understanding.
Chiying also nudged her cheek with its dragon horn.
Liu Yi recalled both pets to her Beast Taming Space, feeling their presence steadily within it.
She turned to leave, only to see Li Chengying standing nearby, looking at her with a conflicted expression.
“What’s wrong?” Liu Yi walked over.
Li Chengying scratched her head. “I’m wondering if I should recall Mianmian and Little Leopard to my space now, or let them come with me to the staging area. We should be allowed to bring pets to the staging area, right?”
“It should be fine,” Gao Xue said, walking over from the side. Her Frost Crystal Butterfly and Night Shadow Doll were both with her. “The staging area is just a waiting zone, not the competition zone, so pets can come along.”
“Then I won’t recall them for now!” Li Chengying decided immediately. “I’ll let Mianmian and Little Leopard stay with me, so I don’t get nervous.”
Liu Yi nodded, said nothing further, and turned to walk towards the elevator.
The C-District staging area was located on the third floor, east side of the main arena, and required a dedicated elevator to reach.
When the elevator doors opened, several people were already inside, wearing school uniforms of different colors.
Liu Yi walked in and stood in a corner.
The elevator ascended, and through the transparent cabin walls, the floating islands outside could be seen slowly moving.
The doors to the staging area opened, and the sight before Liu Yi made her raise an eyebrow slightly.
It was a spacious circular hall, with floor-to-ceiling windows all around, offering a clear view of the real-time situation in various battle zones outside.
Dozens of comfortable seating arrangements were placed in the center of the hall, each with a dedicated pet resting area beside it.
At this moment, many contestants had already gathered in the staging area.
Liu Yi found a seat by the window.
From this vantage point, she could clearly see the seven battle zones of District C.
Each battle zone was composed of several floating islands, which were slowly moving under the sunlight; the energy shields were already activated, and a faint blue light membrane enveloped the entire area.
Staff members were conducting final checks, traversing between the floating islands on maglev skateboards.
Liu Yi withdrew her gaze and sat quietly.
Her fingers unconsciously tapped on the armrest, a steady and slow rhythm.
She was mentally simulating the upcoming match.
“Hey, are you also in the first match?”
Rate on N.U.
