Wizard: Unlimited Profession Slots

Chapter 1132: Chapter 468: Death and Rebirth (3)

Cecilia’s aesthetic domain gained the dynamic "aesthetic of violence" element, significantly elevating her level of power.

......

On the Life Tree viewing platform, Leonardo rose from his seat.

He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses:

"Distinguished guests, brave participants."

His voice, amplified by magic power, spread throughout the entire arena:

"This year’s Elemental Night Festival will see some... innovations in the rules."

As he spoke, he took out a scroll from his pocket and slowly unfurled it.

The material of the scroll immediately sent a shiver down one’s spine—it was human skin, specially treated.

"Considering the unique astronomical event of the triple eclipse, we will adopt a ’survival elimination system’ combined with a ’points contest system’ in a dual mode."

Leonardo began reading the rules, enunciating each word with extraordinary clarity:

"First Stage—’Element Collection Period.’

He gently ran his fingers over the human skin scroll.

The veins on it immediately began to rearrange, forming a three-dimensional map of the arena:

"Each participating team will be transported to one of seven designated zones, each corresponding to a basic elemental attribute.

Under the influence of the Dragon Bone Network resonance, these zones will spontaneously generate ’Elemental Essence Crystals.’

The map showed seven glowing dots of different colors, representing the fire, water, earth, wind, lightning, dark, and light elemental zones, respectively.

Each zone pulsed slowly, like a biological organ.

"Each flame crystal is worth ten points, each ice crystal fifteen points, each earth crystal twelve points..."

Leonardo explained the scoring rules in detail, but the real focus lay ahead:

"However, the most precious is the ’Chaos Crystal’—a rare crystal only born from intense elemental conflicts, each valued at one hundred points."

Upon hearing this, a look of greed appeared on the faces of the participants present.

The value of a single Chaos Crystal is equivalent to ten basic crystals. Such temptation is enough to drive any team to take risks.

"Second Stage—’Pillage and Elimination Period.’

The map began to change, the boundaries of the seven zones gradually disappearing, transforming the entire arena into an open battlefield:

"Teams can plunder the crystals collected by other teams.

Eliminated teams will lose all their points, and their crystals will scatter at the point of death, available for other teams to pick up."

Ron’s brow furrowed slightly.

Such a rule design entirely encourages brutal combat among participants.

Weaker teams might very well gather some crystals in the first stage, only to be besieged and looted by stronger teams.

"Third Stage—’Dragon Bone Resonance Period.’

Leonardo’s voice grew more excited:

"The remaining teams will enter the central elemental nexus of the arena.

There, the resonance of the Dragon Bone Network will reach its peak, subjecting all participants to continual elemental assaults."

"The team that perseveres in the resonance until the end will achieve final victory and gain priority access to all elemental nexuses present."

But the most unexpected part is the special clause that follows:

"Special Rule—’Death and Rebirth.’

Leonardo once again adjusted his glasses, his expression like that of admiring the finest artwork:

"Under the mysterious powers of the triple eclipse, there’s a sixty percent chance for deceased participants to gain a ’rebirth’ opportunity.

But rebirth is not without its costs—the resurrected will acquire random mutation traits, which might enhance their abilities or impose unforeseeable limitations."

At this point, he let out a soft chuckle:

"Of course, these mutations are meticulously designed ’artistic transformations,’ guaranteed not to affect the resurrected’s basic combat capability.

After all, we are here to witness exhilarating contests, not tragedy unfolding."

The statement seemed gentle, but astute observers could discern the underlying malice.

The so-called "artistic transformations" were clearly some form of living experiment conducted by the Life Tree School.

The human skin scroll rolled back up, the vein patterns returning to their static state.

Leonardo stored away the scroll, a satisfied smile on his face:

"These are the complete rules for this year’s Elemental Night Festival.

Now, let us invite the contestants to make their final preparations. The feast begins in one hour!"

......

Following the announcement of the rules, reactions from various factions were distinctly different.

Salamanda’s expression was as dark as a thundercloud.

As the headmaster, he understood the sinister intentions behind these rules better than anyone.

This design clearly favored the modifiers from the Life Tree School.

They possess profound understanding of death and resurrection, and bodily mutation is commonplace for them, posing no hindrance whatsoever.

On the other hand, such rules encourage ruthless combat between teams.

Every deceased participant would represent a prime opportunity for the Life Tree School to acquire "experimental material."

Even upon resurrection, those "artistic transformations" would establish a compulsory bond with the Life Tree School.

However, in this grand scheme, the Sand Sea School had no voice.

They were merely guests, forced to accept the rules established by the hosts.

Though Salamanda cursed incessantly in his heart, outwardly he had to maintain silence.

The reaction from the Burning Scale Clan was entirely different.

On the viewing platform, an elder with graying hair let out a cold laugh:

"An interesting rule design.

But I’m curious whether your meticulously modified artworks can withstand the pure dragon fire’s baptism?"

His words were laden with provocation.

The Burning Scale Clan held extreme confidence in their bloodline powers, believing that no artificial modification could compare with the inherent Dragon Bloodline.

To them, these complex rules were instead advantageous.

—The more chaotic the environment, the better it highlighted the superiority of bloodline power.

The reaction of the indigenous tribes was more subtle.

They exchanged worried glances with each other.

As natives of the Quicksand Lands, they were most aware of the terrifying levels of Elemental Energy during the triple eclipse.

This rule design unquestionably pushed all participants to the brink of life and death.

But they were powerless to resist, only hoping their natural connection with the earth would provide extra protection.

......

Under such perilous rules, Ron began to reassess his strategy.

He activated the "Hermit’s Knowledge," swiftly analyzing the various possibilities and traps hidden within the rules.

"This is not merely a test of strength but a comprehensive trial of wisdom, luck, and adaptability."

He mentally organized the critical points:

"The first stage, the Element Collection Period, seems simple but is in fact preparation for the pilfering battles of the second stage.

The more you gather, the more you become a target for other teams."

"The second stage, the Pillage and Elimination Period, is the true core.

The strategic choices during this stage will directly determine if one can advance to the final Dragon Bone Resonance Period."

"And in the third stage, the Dragon Bone Resonance Period, it’s no longer about tactical skills but pure survival will and adaptability."

But what intrigued Ron the most was the "Death and Rebirth" special rule.

Through the deep insight of the "Eye of Observation," Ron detected a deeper conspiracy hidden behind the rules.

"The true purpose of this design is not to select the strongest team but to provide the Life Tree School with abundant experimental materials."

He recalled the traps Sheena once tried to set for him, along with the Life Tree School’s morbid obsession with live modifications:

"Every participant in the festival is seen by them as a potential experiment subject.

This rule merely dresses up the process of plundering experimental material as a fair competition."

"But they could never foresee that I possess abilities like ’Predation’ that transcend conventional limits."

"Resurrection mutation... this mechanism perfectly suits my ’Predation.’"

He gently caressed the silver pocket watch on his chest, feeling the power of time contained within:

"If the ’Predation’ ability can be used during the resurrection process, could it yield special benefits from mutations?"

This thought made his heart race.

The "Predation" power of the silver pocket watch, in theory, could devour any form of existence, including abstract concepts and energy imprints.

If the mutations during resurrection could also be ’preyed upon,’ then this festival would become an excellent opportunity to experiment with his powers.