Gu Ning opened his personal panel and noticed a new section labeled [Arena]beside [Territory].
Clicking into [Arena], he found three options: [Enter], [Rankings], and [Points Store].
Seeing the Points Store surprised Gu Ning—he hadn't expected to shop here. He tapped [Points Store].
The store offered a wide selection, entirely free of basic materials. Instead, it featured valuable items like equipment, blueprints, and Commoner Summoning Cards.
After browsing briefly, Gu Ning found many items genuinely appealing.
Next, he opened the [Rankings]and discovered no one was listed yet!
Finally, Gu Ning selected [Enter].
Text immediately appeared:
Arena Rules:
1. The Arena randomly matches opponents for battles. Winners gain points; losers lose them.
2. Spectators may place bets. Opponents may also set private wagers.
3. Death is impossible in the Arena.
4. Points can be exchanged for items in the [Points Store]. Redeeming items deducts corresponding points from your ranking.
5. The top 10,000 players on the Arena Rankings qualify for the weekly Inter-Domain Competition.
---
The first three rules were straightforward, but the last two caught Gu Ning's attention.
Rule 4 warned that spending points would drastically lower one's ranking. Falling too far could disqualify them from Rule 5's Inter-Domain Competition.
While clashes against the Demon Domain were dangerous, victory promised immense rewards.
After absorbing this, Gu Ning set down his chopsticks, moved to his bed, and chose to enter.
---
The moment he appeared, a cacophony of noise assaulted his ears, briefly disorienting him. He quickly steadied himself and surveyed his surroundings.
He looked exactly as he did in the real world—though he knew this was just his consciousness. He stood on a corridor at the highest level, overlooking tiered seating encircling a central stage. Holographic screens hovered above the stage, enhancing the view for spectators.
"Boss Gu! You're here too?"
Gu Ning turned to see Wang Mu, who'd been assisting him nightly. Gu Ning felt a certain camaraderie with him.
He nodded with a smile. "Just checking it out. How've you been?"
"Pretty good, thanks to your support!" Wang Mu grinned, scratching his head. "Want me to show you around? I've already tried a match!"
Gu Ning agreed.
Wang Mu led him down a staircase from the corridor to the spectator seats. After sitting, a red panel appeared before each of them with options: [Start], [Spectate], [Shop].
"Hit [Start] to queue for a match," Wang Mu explained. "[Spectate] lets you watch ongoing battles on your panel—though most people just watch the main screens for popular matches. [Shop] sells virtual food and drinks. They feel real when consumed, but cost actual White Stones. Doubt many will buy them!"
Gu Ning found the system intuitive. "How was your match? What's it like?"
"Did one! You get dropped into a random environment—mine was grassland. Others got oceans, snowy mountains... " Wang Mu shared details from his experience and rumors.
Gu Ning nodded. "I'll try a match." He pressed [Start].
---
He materialized in a desert. Opposite him stood a burly middle-aged man wielding a great axe and iron shield.
Gu Ning inspected his opponent:
Lei Yu
Level: 5
Other details were hidden, as Wang Mu had warned. Even rarity grades were concealed.
Lei Yu likewise scanned Gu Ning:
Gu Ning
Level: 4
Gu Ning had intentionally held back at Level 4, though he expected to hit Level 5 after his next sea hunt.
Lei Yu noted the name "Gu Ning" with mild surprise—it matched the famous player's, but many shared that name. Seeing the lower level, he grinned. Free points.
"Bad luck, kid," Lei Yu called out. "I'm a level higher. You won't die here, but it'll hurt. Just surrender and save yourself the pain!"
Gu Ning ignored the taunt. After being cooped up on ships, everyone was eager to vent.
"I won't surrender. Begin when ready."
"Won't admit defeat until facing complete failure, eh?" Lei Yu snorted, charging forward.
Gu Ning stood motionless, raising his staff. "Frostbind."
Shimmering white light coalesced around Lei Yu's legs, encasing them in ice.
Lei Yu staggered, staring in shock. "Whoa! You've got a Talent? Insane luck!" Talents were still rare. Knowing defeat was certain, he yelled, "Stop! I yield!"
Gu Ning halted his half-formed water arrow.
"Wait… are you theBoss Gu Ning?" Lei Yu asked, eyes widening.