Full health is the kill threshold, no matter if you're a god or a demon!

"Because if you participate," Skylock said, "you'll be seen."

"Were they seen?"

Liu Nian frowned.

When Skylock spoke, he pointed to the sky, which clearly meant he wasn't talking about ordinary players, but rather...

"Do you know how the power rankings are determined?" Skylock asked again.

"Isn't it arranged by the system?" Liu Nian said.

This is a consensus among all players.

"System?" Skylock shook his head, a slightly sarcastic smile playing on his lips. "The administrator of the Void Arena is the Void Elf Azshara..."

Liu Nian knew this name because Kal'tsit told him about the Altavin Tower District, saying that the "Void Tower" at the top connected to the four main cities and existed in all four cities at the same time. It was a special existence of a different dimension, and its owner was Azshara.

"I suspect that the so-called power ranking is actually a fabrication by the five transcendents," Skylock said.

Liu Nian's pupils contracted slightly.

"The goal is simple—to expose all potential transcendent beings."

He paused, and the light in his six eyes deepened, like six bottomless wells.

"This is an open conspiracy!"

A calculated scheme?

Liu Nian pondered the word in his mind.

It was indeed a calculated move, because no one could resist the allure of those rewards—legendary equipment, legendary skill stones, and eternal random rewards. No player could remain unmoved by such things. And those players yearning for fame and recognition would certainly not pass up this opportunity to become overnight sensations.

Liu Nian said, "May I ask you a question?"

"Please speak."

"Some people say you've stayed here to keep the top-ranked fighter in the neighboring Sinful Realm a check on your abilities?"

"That's part of the reason," Skylock said.

Liu Nian looked at him and said, "So the second reason is because of what we're talking about now? You deliberately lowered your level, hid in a low-level region, and avoided danger? No, you've already been noticed... So, your real purpose is to attract the attention of those above and prevent players like me from being exposed?"

Liu Nian's expression grew serious as he spoke.

This guy knew he was being watched, so he simply stayed put at the top of the leaderboard, protecting and warning those who came after him...

Take Liu Nian, for example.

Skylock neither admitted nor denied it.

Skylock said, "There were a few other promising guys before you, and they all left here under my cover."

He sighed: "Liu Nian, you're not the first, and you won't be the last."

"Although I don't know if my guess is right!" Skylock said.

Liu Nian had originally decided to participate in the Void Arena, which was why he suppressed his level. But now, he reconsidered the matter. Although the rewards were tempting, with his current strength, he could easily obtain them himself from the Battlefield of the Heavens.

How fast was the robbery?

In comparison, the threat posed by the five transcendents is far greater!

The main question is, would Liu Nian dare to take what they offer?

Risks versus benefits... this deal isn't worth it!

So after much thought, he decided to accept Skylock's suggestion.

"I owe you a favor!" Liu Nian said.

Skylock shook his head: "You flatter me. Actually, I have my own selfish reasons for helping you. Someday in the future, you may grow beyond your imagination. At that time, I hope you will still remember me and give me a hand."

"If possible, I will."

The two returned to the conference room.

Skylock raised his hand and clapped his hands, silencing the low conversations around the round table, the rustling of papers turning, and the clinking of teacups.

"Then, the meeting continues." Skylock's six dark golden eyes slowly swept across the room. "The second thing we need to figure out is—how many guilds, or rather, how many players, are on Pharaoh's side?"

He swiped his finger across the holographic map in the center of the round table, and the map's layers switched instantly.

The dense red markings were darkened and replaced by guild logos and locations.

Dark Night Cemetery, Bloodthorn Guild, Dark Iron Council, Nightblade...

These guilds that have been confirmed to have defected are marked in a striking blood red, with detailed notes next to their names—number of members, level distribution, and known stronghold locations.

In addition, some names were marked in light red with a prominent question mark after them. This meant that these guilds might have sided with the Pharaoh, but it was not yet confirmed. Their numbers were twice as many as those confirmed to have defected, like a dark red fog shrouding the map.

Skylock pointed to the first name marked in red on the map.

"Dark Night Cemetery, that's the undead guild that briefly occupied Graystone Fortress. Their strength is so-so, but what they did this time is quite infamous—they were the first to openly defect and seize a system city. Although it was only a few minutes before Guild Leader Liu reclaimed it, these guys set a bad precedent!"

Someone around the round table sneered. Dark Night Cemetery, to put it bluntly, was just a bunch of opportunistic undead players who took advantage of the chaos to seize Graystone Fortress, only to be humiliated and kicked out by Liu Nian before they could even settle in.

"Bloodthorn Guild." Skylock's finger moved to the next blood-red icon, drawing a circle on the map. "A guild composed of a group of dark elves, led by 'Lady Bloodthorn,' ranked eighteenth on the combat power list. They've been active in the Undead Valley area and have poor relations with players in the major cities, so it's not surprising that they've sided with the Pharaoh."

"The Dark Iron Council." Skylock's voice quickened as he pointed to an area on the map formed by several small markers. "Strictly speaking, it's a small guild alliance. The members are a mixed bag—gnolls, goblins, dark gnomes, blackheart dwarves… mostly races that just coast along. They're not strong in combat, but they're numerous and widespread, like a stubborn skin disease; you can find them everywhere."

"The Blade of Eternal Night." Skylock paused, pointing to a marker hidden in the shadows on the map. "It's an assassin guild, operating on a mercenary path. The guild leader is 'Shadow of the Night,' ranked 29th in combat power. This guild's stance has always been ambiguous—they do whatever they're paid for, regardless of right or wrong. But this time, their assassins have appeared in several cities attacked by the Pharaoh, assassinating NPCs and players. It's still unclear whether they're on a paid mission or doing something shady."

Skylock's finger moved to the last name.

"Hand of Shadows".