With a wave of his hand, a large screen behind the podium lit up with red characters, showing the list of participants and the match arrangements for the first round.
Kent focused on the screen, scanning for his name. After a moment, he found it: he was assigned to Arena No. 9, the 127th match, against a participant named Cai Xiong Yun.
The loudspeaker echoed across the hall, announcing the matchups.
"Arena 1: Li Ruoshan from Longxi High vs. Bai Jingquan from Fire Jade High."
"Arena 2..."
"..."
"Arena 10..."
As the announcements continued, participants who heard their names walked toward their assigned arenas, sizing up their opponents and waiting for the referee's signal to begin the match.
The rules of the competition were simple: the contestants, along with their beasts, must defeat their opponents, with the fights stopping once one side is clearly defeated. Deliberate attempts to injure the opponent were strictly prohibited, and violators would be disqualified.
Kent observed the ongoing matches, his position decent, but his eyes were also drawn to some of the other battles.
It was impossible not to notice that the transformations in the creatures of the planet had led to an explosion of species, with mutations presenting almost a myriad of variations.
Even something as mundane as a cat could evolve into a terrifying creature, with different grades, abilities, and appearances.
Of course, Garfield, if not for Kent, would have been one of the lowest-level mutated cats. But after Kent's enhancements, Garfield had made a substantial leap in strength. While not the best of the best, Garfield was certainly among the elite.
Though Kent had yet to take many of these matches seriously, watching the competitors and their beasts made the trip worthwhile. Each time he encountered a new beast, he quickly accessed his system to analyze its attributes, rapidly expanding his knowledge. In fact, he probably knew more about these creatures than most of the mercenaries, who often fought outside the city but rarely encountered them with full knowledge.
Soon, it was Kent's turn to compete.
"Kent, please give me your guidance."
"Cai Xiong Yun, it's an honor."
The two exchanged polite gestures, then, with the referee's signal, the match began.
Cai Xiong Yun's beast was a silver-grade 25-level Green-skinned Fox, a decent opponent in the Saint Stone High league, and Cai Xiong Yun clearly thought this would be an easy win for him.
However, when Kent's beast, the Diamond Ape, launched its attack, Cai Xiong Yun's confidence evaporated.
In an instant, the Diamond Ape, with an agile leap, reached the Green-skinned Fox, delivering a punch that sent it flying out of the arena.
"Thank you for the match," Kent said with a light chuckle.
Cai Xiong Yun stood in stunned silence, unable to process what had just happened. The match was over in the blink of an eye. He had yet to figure out his strategy—whether to disrupt the opponent with harassment or to go for a direct attack.
In that moment, his Green-skinned Fox had been knocked out before he could even react.
Recovering his composure, he made sure his beast was only lightly injured, and with a sour look, he turned and left the arena.
Kent shook his head with a faint smile.
Indeed, he had caught him off guard, but the match had already begun. If he were to blame anyone, it would be his own lack of reflexes. Even if given another chance, the outcome wouldn't have changed.
Kent returned his attention to the matches around him.
An hour later, Kent's second match began. His opponent looked like a rich kid, and his beast was a formidable-looking Black Tiger, exuding an intimidating presence.
"Lu Renli," the opponent introduced himself.
"Kent," Kent replied.
The Black Tiger roared fiercely, and with a booming echo, the soundwaves spread across the arena, making Kent flinch and instinctively cover his ears.
Ten seconds later, seeing the right moment, Lu Renli halted the sonic attack and urged the Black Tiger into a full charge, leaping through the air with incredible speed, as if it were a tiger descending a mountain.
Kent's face grew serious, and he ordered his Diamond Ape to step forward, ready to intercept the strike with a punch.
Lu Renli sneered. "You don't know your limits, do you? You're looking for death."
His Black Tiger was 27th level and a Gold-tier beast, incredibly strong. He had never seen a beast at the leader level that could withstand such an assault.
However, to his surprise, Kent's Diamond Ape not only blocked the attack but also sent the Black Tiger flying through the air.
The Black Tiger, over five meters long and weighing more than a ton, was sent hurtling through the air by a single punch from the Diamond Ape. The sight shocked everyone who witnessed it.
"Unbelievable strength?!" someone murmured.
Everyone quickly realized that the Diamond Ape's innate power was so immense that it could overwhelm the Black Tiger with a single punch.
"You're something else," Lu Renli muttered. "Let's see what you've got."
With a roar, he sent the Black Tiger charging again. This time, instead of leaping, the Black Tiger aimed for a direct attack with its powerful jaws, eyes glowing with golden light. Two beams of light, like lasers, shot toward Kent's Diamond Ape.
The Ape stood unfazed, pounding its chest as if to show no fear.
Lu Renli sneered. He was sure the two golden beams would tear through Kent's beast, but to his shock, the beams simply fizzled out upon striking the Diamond Ape, leaving only two small burn marks on its body.
"This... this defense is ridiculous," Lu Renli gasped in disbelief. He had underestimated Kent's beast, but now he realized the Diamond Ape had an incredibly tough defense, like that of a mythical invincible creature.
Kent's face remained emotionless as he addressed his opponent. "Is that all? If not, I suggest you use it now, or I'll send you off the arena."
"You'd better watch your mouth," Lu Renli warned, but before he could finish his sentence, Kent waved his hand.
The Diamond Ape immediately disappeared, reappearing in front of Lu Renli. In an instant, it grabbed Lu Renli and tossed him across the arena.
"Winner: Kent."
Kent walked off the stage, and the Diamond Ape was returned to its bracelet. He could sense that his display of power had drawn the attention of many powerful competitors, but he simply shook his head. No matter how many people took notice, it didn't concern him. He had no interest in what others thought. His strength spoke for itself.