Amidst a silence, Holland stood on the high platform and addressed the more than two hundred candidates competing for the Divine Son (Saintess):

"I will now announce the rules for this competition for the Divine Son and Saintess, listen carefully."

As soon as Holland finished speaking, everyone's attention inevitably shifted from Lin Yi to Holland, the Cardinal.

Even Lin Yi had to focus, fearing that this first round might be direct combats.

If it really is like that, unless he encounters a few 'soft targets' like Yeluzi.

But after the battle just now,

it's expected that they will be more cautious against him from now on.

And won't be careless like Yeluzi, giving him a chance to ambush again.

While lost in thought, Lin Yi suddenly sensed a gaze coming from above.

He looked up and saw Pope Frederick averting his eyes.

This discovery left Lin Yi quite curious. Why is the Pope so focused on him?

This isn't the first time he's felt this kind of attention.

Since arriving in this world, Lin Yi has often felt like he's being watched.

He suspects that this feeling is often due to the seemingly harmless Pope observing him.

Could it be that he already knows Lin Yi is from Rafam Continent?

If that's the case...

This might have something to do with that little girl guarding the Dragon Tomb. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Just then, Holland began explaining the competition rules:

"The first round of the Divine Son competition will be based on a point system."

Holland then showed a meaningful smile as he looked at these top geniuses from various factions and continued:

"In a while, I'll teleport you to the central area of the Demon Forest, where you will earn points by hunting demons."

"Points will be determined by the demon cores you hold."

"The top fifty scorers will advance to the next round."

These casual words shocked all participants of the Divine Son competition.

There was then a sound of gasping from the crowd.

Everyone exchanged glances at that moment.

From their eyes, one could see the astonishment and fear within.

The most critical part of Holland's speech is:

The central area of the Demon Forest!!!

The horrors of the Demon Forest need no further elaboration.

In the depths of the Demon Forest, terrifying Tier Nine demons exist.

Demons, mages, and sword masters are all divided into nine tiers, from low to high.

Among those competing for the Divine Son, the highest level is only Tier Seven.

Even Tier Seven Sikong Tingzhi encountering a Tier Nine demon would face certain death, possibly without even the chance to escape.

Placing the first round of the Divine Son competition in the dangerous depths of the Demon Forest, how can these top talents of the Nine Nether Continent remain calm?

But there are always exceptions.

Lin Yi couldn't help but look curiously at Ling Yuwei:

"Why is the Demon Forest so terrifying?"

Upon hearing Lin Yi's 'ignorant' question, Ling Yuwei couldn't help but touch her forehead in exasperation.

Others looked at Lin Yi with expressions as if he were an idiot, which left Lin Yi somewhat helpless:

'What's wrong with asking if you don't understand?'

Ling Yuwei then briefly explained to Lin Yi the distribution of demon levels within the Demon Forest.

The outer area of the Demon Forest is considered relatively safe and is the area where humans are most active.

Because here only demons of Tier Three and below are distributed.

Moving further inside leads to the inner perimeter of the Demon Forest, where demon levels range from Tier Four, Five, and might even include Tier Six high-level demons.

Deeper into the inner perimeter is the center of the Demon Forest.

Here gather super demons of Tier Seven and above, with terrifying power that these contestants cannot likely overcome.

Thus, upon hearing the competition location would be at the center of the Demon Forest, everyone's faces turned grim.

Yet the shock among the crowd did not stop there.

For Holland spoke again:

"Perhaps you've already sensed it yourselves."

"This competition for the Divine Son may also be accompanied by an imminent death."

"If anyone wants to withdraw, now is your chance."

"Once teleported into the Demon Forest, you'll be spending a long 24 hours there."

"So..."

"Now is the only chance you have to withdraw."

These words left everyone silent.

Holland began to count down:

"Ten"

Lin Yi noticed some people already showing signs of struggle on their faces.

They seemed to hesitate on whether to give up this chance to soar high.

"Nine"

Yet by this point, no one had chosen to leave.

Everyone exchanged looks among themselves.

They seemed to wait for someone to first step forward to give up and leave.

"Eight"

…

"Two"

At this moment, many people clearly showed intense anxiety.

Still, not a single person stepped forward as the first to leave.

Instead, a few like Gongsun Zhi, Sikong Tingzhi, and Charles maintained an indifferent expression throughout, showing little change.

Perhaps they were also shocked by the competition rules,

but their determination to win and confidence in their own abilities ensured they never entertained the idea of quitting.

"One"

When Holland finished the countdown, everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Perhaps some had wavered and thought about quitting.

But as the only chance to leave disappeared,

their resolve also had to become more firm.

Perhaps as folk tradition suggests, the Divine Son isn't always the strongest, but always the most favored by the heavens.

Here, who doesn't think of themselves as a favored child of destiny?

As long as it's not a one-on-one fight, they didn't want to easily give up this chance to ascend.

On stage, Holland smiled at the crowd and said:

"You are indeed the top talents of our Nine Nether Continent, this courage to face death is not something ordinary people possess."

Holland then continued:

"However, I must remind all of you."

"The Demon Forest is not as simple as you think."

"Here's a suggestion."

"An excellent team might increase your chances of survival in such a perilous environment."

"Next, I'll give you some time; you can form teams to proceed."

"Also a reminder."

"As long as you come back alive, you have a chance to win ultimately."

"If within this day, there are only 50 left, we'll end the competition early."

As Holland explained,

for some reason,

in Lin Yi's mind, a scene filled with blood and storm slowly unfolded.

When only 50 remain, the competition will end prematurely.

The first thing Lin Yi thought of was:

The rules don't specify whether those who die are killed by demons or by... humans.

Nor do they mention if the demon cores come from demons or... were stolen.