"Welcome to day two of the Battle Arena championships, I'm your host, Xiang Shun", Shun announced.
"And I'm Song Chang", Chang said.
"With the Qi Gathering Stage qualifiers done, and the contestants today having witnessed it, how will that change their strategies?", Shun asked.
"I don't think it will change their strategies very much, but they will probably be looking to add some depth to their skills. Most should know, but for the few that don't, battle arena has a mirror match where the player faces a perfect copy of themselves. Often during these battles, the opponent will perform a combination or fusion of skills that the main player hadn't previously thought of or considered. I know once the rounds ended yesterday and the QR pod cafe went back to regular business, many Foundation Establishment cultivators rented pods. Hopefully they used their time wisely", Chang explained.
The introduction to the second day continued as viewers watched and reacted in surprise. How could such a good thing exist that showed you your full potential. Many listeners had decided they had to visit the cafe in the near future.
Huoran was also watching and sent a text to Minister Wu, 'We need to prepare to build a few cafes or renovate the old one into a special realm.'
Wu text back, 'Understood, I will discuss it at the meeting. I just want to ask, Boss Wei, what is the plan for the merchant and the three wolf beastkins?'
'The merchant will be allowed to leave in a few hours, I'll personally escort him out. The other three, I don't know yet, I will have a discussion with them first and perhaps release them back to their companions once they are ready to walk again', Huoran typed,
'In fact they should be awake in the hospital and watching the championships too. I will go visit them now, have a good evening.'
'Good evening, boss', Wu ended the conversation.
"I told you it was a bad idea to go out to sea, Razorfang", Greywind hoarsely said.
"Yes, Razorfang, I wonder what possessed you to chase him this far. We are now at the mercy of the people of this island", Snowclaw added.
Razorfang laid in the bed, furious at their predicament. He never felt this weak before as his beast core had been suppressed to the mortal level. He couldn't break the restraints and even the lowly Qi Gathering Stage guards outside the door could kill him if they wished.
"At least we have something to watch", Greywind remarked, "I've never seen a light curtain like this, even though all the fights are between Foundation Establishment cultivators, at least it's something to see."
"What trash, they want to call us animals, but look how they kill each other for entertainment", Razorfang retorted, having heard enough.
"I'm afraid your wrong there", a young man entered the room, "even though it appears that they kill each other, I can assure your that they are most definitely alive."
The three beastkins were shocked that this human came into their range without being detected.
"Who are you?", Razorfang demanded, "And how long will you hold us here."
The other two winced at Razorfang's attitude but said nothing.
"My name is Wei Huoran, and I'm the disciple of the senior who meditates on this island", Huoran bowed during his introduction.
The three's eyes bulged upon hearing his identity and SnowClaw spoke first, "let me apologize for our intrusion into your island's space."
"Yes it was unfortunate about your mount, but it would appear to me that you companion here has many things to hide", Huoran responded while looking at Razorfang, "Not only did he lead the eighteen of you here, but he felt bold enough to question my master."
Razorfang stayed quiet only pretending to lie still at the moment.
Greywind spoke up, "Daoist Wei, you said eighteen of us?"
"Not that much longer after you arrived here, the other five mounts and the beastkin they carried arrived", Huoran explained, "I simply invited them to the island to understand the situation, even though they aren't so pleased with how things are going."
The three wolves frowned and each gave the others a serious look.
"I should mention that they are here to visit you, since they are skeptical of our words", Huoran joked, "Please allow our guests to enter."
Fifteen wolf beastkin entered the door and stood by the walls. One older wolf stepped forth and walked over to each bed to inspect their condition.
"As you can see Master Greymane, the three of them are alive and recovering", Huoran spoke to the old wolf.
"Yes, you did speak the truth", Greymane suspiciously eyed the three injured wolves.
"I believe by our healer's estimate, they should be able to walk in six hours and they should suffer no ill effects", Huoran spoke confidently, "You can also witness that they still are in possession of all their storage artifacts."
Greymane was still upset but he did verify Huoran's claim.
Huoran started to walk towards the door, "I'll give you an hour to speak with your people, after that I must insist that they have quiet for five hours to assist their recovery."
After he left, Greymane spoke in their language, which mainly sounded of growls with occasional sharp barks or bowls, (What happened when you decided to leave the pack.)
Greywind spoke first, (We chased the merchant, but the merchant changed directions and came towards this island. When we got within a certain distance, a loud warning blared out. Unfortunately they felt that we were challenging them and some weapon instantly killed BlackTalon. They took us and the corpse back here to the island.)
Greymane looked deep in thought, (We must procure his body to complete the ancient burial rituals. I will speak to that human to work out an agreement.)
Razorfang finally spoke, (How come you haven't killed them yet, old man.)
Greymane angrily admonished him,
(Ignorant cub, do you think I would be like this if I wasn't suppressed like you are. Everyone of us have only enough strength to walk around. Even the guards here could end us all if they received the order to.)
Razorfang snorted and turned away from everyone.
Greymane stood up, (I'll go speak with him now, stay here and recover.)
Greymane and the fourteen others walked out and returned to the meeting room they had been waiting in before.
Huoran entered the room ten minutes after and sat on the opposite side of the table, "Did you figure out why your warrior chased a human all the way from your continent to our home?", he asked Greymane.
Greymane eyed Huoran for a moment, "The merchant was accused of poisoning our clan chieftain, so he was tasked with the capture of said merchant."
"I don't mind you speaking with this Tan Xinyue, but it will be here and not at your homeland, whether or not you agree", Huoran told Greymane, "I'll have him called here, in the mean time while we wait, let's watch some matches even if they aren't that skill full."
Huoran told the guards to escort Xinyue to the meeting room and then placed his tablet on the table. He activated holographic mode and stretched his arms to adjust the size of the image being projected. A pair of voices could be heard, "Chen Wu is a powerful fighter, but Fu Zhong has been using his water movements to dodge and avoid most of the attacks of Chen Wu. Despite this, Wu has been systematically positioning Zhong in disadvantageous situations using superior tactics. If Zhong doesn't have an answer soon on how to deliver a fatal blow, he will run out of options and be easy prey for Wu", Shun broadcasted.
"He must have something up his sleeve Shun, otherwise this is just a valiant effort that meaningless", Chang added.
The battle was taking place on a mountain slope next to small pond.
"Oh, that was a big hit by Wu, that hammer should have cause serious damage and Zhong is barely hanging on. Wu is walking over ready to end the fight and move on the next round. He is raising his hammer and Oh No, Zhong wasn't done. He launched an ice arrow hidden in the pond hitting Wu right in the eye", Shun announced.
"Using himself as bait, he went for an all or nothing strategy that just barely worked, but it was enough and Fu Zhong picks up a win", Chang reported.
Huoran minimized the hologram and although he knew Xinyue had entered the room beforehand, he greeted him now, "Merchant Tan, thank you for joining us."
"Thank you for the invitation, Daoist Wei", Xinyue returned the greeting.
"Before we start, I can that you are curious about the display my artifact created. Let me clear up a few questions first. The first thing is, no one died from that fight. Second, they are both using a special artifact that I created to enter that location. Third, that location can be described as an illusionary secret realm, so people can battle to the death and there no real effects", Huoran explained, "Now let's discuss how we handle this situation."
"Daoist Wei, I am innocent, I've been trading with their clan for over three hundred years and essentially know everyone there. There is no reason for me to ruin the reputation of my trading company", Xinyue pleaded.
"Except that another company was competing with you and you wanted to frame them with a heinous act to drive them away", Greymane theorized.
Before either side could make any more claims, Huoran stopped them, "I'm not a judge so let's try to fix things. Greymane, take your people back. If it's agreeable to you, bring your chieftain here and we will treat him. Merchant Tan, if you have a long range communication talisman with you , use it and have them come here to pick you up. Just mark sure they announce their arrival so we don't shoot down anymore ships or mounts."
Both sides agreed and Greymane prepared to leave with his crew and Xinyue contacted his trading company to arrange a ship.
Huoran was watching the contest, "That's it ladies and gentlemen, all the battles are finished, and the participants of the solo and team contest have earned their spot in the Foundation Establishment tier championship. Tomorrow we will return for the Qi Gathering championship tournament. Until then, this is Xiang Shun."
"And I'm Song Chang."
"Good night", both host said in unison.