After the male host finished dancing, he was directly replaced by the female host who continued dancing.
Song and dance elements were probably also considered part of Natlan's culture.
After the warm-up ended, the male host began to announce:
"The Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame has a long history. Everyone knows it, and everyone looks forward to achieving excellent results in the pilgrimage and obtaining the qualification to participate in the Night Warden War."
"Although it is an old topic, I will still introduce the general rules to everyone."
The host was very professional, but Mu Yang felt a bit out of place.
Because this voice sounded way too similar.
It sounded like Munakata from Ultraman Tiga...
Actually, Munakata couldn't host at all (BUSHI).
"After the opening ceremony, the contestants will successively face the team battles and individual battles."
"In the team battles, each team will first ride hot air balloons and land randomly at different locations."
"Contestants need to search for Holy Flame Altars within the competition area, gather the Flames of Contention through combat nearby, and then bring a sufficient amount of flames back to the arena."
"Losing a battle means defeat. Leaving the arena means defeat. Running out of time means defeat!"
"After continuous encounters, only the powerful teams can bring back the blazing and dazzling Flames of Contention."
Mu Yang had already heard this "dark zone breakthrough" rules several times.
He turned his head and shifted his gaze to the Pyro Archon on the divine seat.
Although he had expected it, he was still startled when he saw her with his own eyes.
So similar. Too similar.
Mavuika had her long fiery-red hair loose, one leg crossed over the other, resting her cheek on one hand, quietly listening to the host's announcement.
Even though she had heard all this countless times.
"Only contestants who pass the team battles are qualified to participate in the individual battles. In one-on-one duels, the outcome will not only affect personal points but will also determine the opponent for the next round."
"According to the number of participants this time, after multiple rounds of competition, the top five contestants in the points ranking will stand out and obtain the opportunity to participate in the Night Warden War."
"Next, let us welcome the Pyro Archon to deliver the opening speech!"
Mavuika stood up from her seat, stepped onto the stairs with one foot, and a powerful heatwave followed.
Flames enveloped almost the entire arena.
Within the flames, her long red hair gradually began to burn...
"Strength, condition, luck, strategy… there are many factors that determine superiority and inferiority, but victory and defeat do not lie."
"The Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame is not only a trial to determine the strongest, but also the best stage to showcase everyone's growth and progress."
"Today's victory will be the beginning of yet another legendary story. I declare — the competition begins."
Mu Yang secretly added in his heart, "All troops, advance"...
Complaints aside, the Pyro Archon was indeed majestic enough.
Would someone like this really be the "warm and hospitable good person" that Kachina had described in private?
He was somewhat looking forward to chatting with her.
Mu Yang's thoughts were interrupted by the enthusiasm of the audience.
The contestants began to enter the arena.
The spectator stands were shouting Chasca's name overwhelmingly.
She really was the hot favorite to win the championship.
Mu Yang searched the arena based on the descriptions he had received.
Before long, he found her.
The Flower-Feather Clan's color scheme and patterns suited her hair color very well.
In addition, her cowboy-like outfit was also very novel.
After Chasca came Iansan, Mualani, and Kinich.
They also had quite a few fans.
The cheers on site grew increasingly fervent.
Carried along by the atmosphere, Mu Yang also shouted encouragement for Kachina.
The little one seemed to have a telepathic connection and smiled while waving toward his direction.
"The cheers on site are getting more and more enthusiastic. The hot air balloons are about to take off. All contestants, please prepare!"
"Remember our rules. The hot air balloons will take you to random locations. The moment you land, the competition has already begun. Fight continuously, collect the Sacred Flames, and bring the Sacred Flames back to the arena!"
"Wish everyone good luck—!"
Along with the host's impassioned speech and the sounding of the war horns.
The hot air balloons carrying the contestants rose into the sky, and the competition officially began.
Kachina's group landed. Their luck was fairly good. The location was remote, so they did not immediately enter a massive chaotic battle.
"Then, let's proceed according to the plan!"
Captain Kachina said.
It was not actually some profound plan.
It was simply to fight by utilizing their own strengths.
This was also the best method Mu Yang could think of in a short time.
With only three days, wanting to achieve a qualitative improvement in strength — unless one was cheating.
Otherwise, it was generally very difficult to accomplish.
At times like this, one had to maximize strengths and avoid weaknesses.
According to the rules of the [Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame], there was no need to defeat every opponent.
The requirements mainly focused on the [Flames of Contention].
As long as you could bring back enough Flames of Contention and offer them to the Sacred Flame, you would pass.
Therefore, the direction Mu Yang gave Kachina was a blitzkrieg strategy.
Kachina gave people the impression of being a soft persimmon, so the opponent would very likely lower their guard.
They would take advantage of this mentality and specifically target opponents whose strength was similar to theirs.
Combined with the spear techniques and tactical theories Mu Yang had taught her, the main focus was on catching the opponent off guard.
After seizing the opponent's Flames of Contention, they would immediately move to the next target.
After all, it was a battlefield. Information on the contestants' side could not circulate that quickly.
With this method, as long as little Kachina avoided hot favorites like Chasca, she would definitely benefit.
Weak players had their own way of fighting. It was impossible for everyone to charge forward fiercely like Chasca and Iansan.
After repeating the plan once more, Kachina and her two teammates quietly approached the first Holy Flame Altar.
Seeing that the opponents were not particularly strong, Kachina deliberately made a little noise.
Then she pretended to be startled.
This sound drew the opponents' attention.
"Hahaha, isn't this Kachina? Looks like we'll take the first city."
"Hey hey hey, Kachina, you're not going to run, are you? You won't get any Flames of Contention if you don't fight!"
The few of them did not take Kachina seriously at all.
Kachina took out her weapon. "Kachina will not run away!"
"Now that's more like it."
The opposing captain, Adama, charged over. She had no idea that Kachina's movement was extremely fast, and she dodged the attack in an instant.
This was a youthful mini version of "Windwheel Triple Strike." Kachina had practiced it for three days and could only imitate the form.
If it had been Xiao, Adama would have been counter-killed many times already...
For the current Kachina, dodging the attack was already enough.
Because the opponents were careless and only sent one person forward, they had not expected the situation to reverse instantly.
Kachina's teammates appeared and delivered one punch each to Adama's face.
These were people from the Collective of Plenty. One could imagine how strong they were.
"Adama!"
"Where are you looking?" Kachina, after dodging, did not stop.
Instead, she used the momentum to charge up the mountain peak with her "Soaring Spinner."
Now, it was time for a palm strike descending from the sky — Heavenly Movement, Ten Thousand Turns!
The first battle was resolved in an instant.