Starting with SSS-rank talent, I contracted the Forbidden Ferocity.

The next morning.

Outside the Nanjiang Beast Taming Association, a black warship hovered in mid-air.

The boat is engraved with the emblem of the Southern River, with flowing patterns all around and blue breezes emanating from its bottom.

All ten members of the reserve battalion boarded the ship.

Shen Ye stood at the bow of the ship.

Night Feather perched on his shoulder, Candle Nine hid in the shadows, and Dragon Abyss squatted on the railing with his arms crossed, his golden pupils gazing into the distance.

Han Pojun walked to his side.

Are you nervous?

Shen Ye said, "No."

Han Pojun glanced at him.

"The Nine Cities battlefield is different from the Nanjiang reserve camp."

"No one there will give you any special treatment just because you have an SSS-level talent."

Shen Ye nodded.

"Perfect."

Han Pojun remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Too."

The warships pierced the sky.

Half a day later, a huge floating island appeared above the clouds.

Nine golden chains hung down into the void around the island.

The island boasts mountains, forests, wilderness, and ancient city ruins.

This is the battlefield of the Nine Cities of Dongxia.

The annual Nine Cities Prodigy Battle is held here.

When the warships landed, the other eight city teams had already arrived.

imperial capital.

The Demon Sea.

Tianfu.

Northern Wilderness.

Xiling.

East China Sea.

Akahara.

Yunzhou.

Add Nanjiang as well.

Nine teams, each with ten members.

A total of ninety prodigies under the age of eighteen.

As soon as Shen Ye disembarked, he felt several powerful auras sweeping towards him.

Three of them are the strongest.

Fourth order.

Han Pojun said in a low voice:

"Qin Wuji of the Imperial Capital, early stage of the fourth rank, his contracted beast is the Thunder Prison Dragon Eagle."

"Chu Jinglan of the Demon Sea, early stage of fourth rank, contracted beast is a juvenile Canghai Demon Whale."

"Li Xuance of Tianfu, early stage of fourth rank, his contracted beast is the Azure Lotus Sword Deer."

Shen Ye's gaze swept over the three of them.

At the very front of the imperial capital's procession stood a young man in black with his arms crossed, a lightning pattern between his brows, and a dragon-eagle half the height of a person standing behind him.

The dragon eagle's feathers were deep purple, and lightning flashed in its eyes.

Qin Wuji

[Realm Level: Early Stage of Fourth Rank]

[Talent: SS-level Lightning-type Beast Taming Talent, Thunder Prison Monarch]

[Contracted Beast: Thunder Prison Dragon Eagle, Early Stage 4]

[Risk Assessment: High]

On the other side of the Demon Sea was a young man in blue, whose aura was as deep as the sea.

On the other side of Tianfu, there was a young man holding a wooden sword, with a gentle expression, yet his sharpness was concealed.

Qin Wuji also saw Shen Ye.

He walked over.

The people from the capital followed behind him, their eyes arrogant.

"You're Shen Ye from Nanjiang?"

Shen Ye asked, "Is something the matter?"

Qin Wuji said calmly:

"I heard you have SSS-level talent."

"Unfortunately, his level is a bit too low."

Luo Lie's face darkened.

Xiao Jue took half a step forward.

Gu Chen didn't move, but looked at Shen Ye.

Shen Ye remained calm.

"and then?"

Qin Wuji smiled.

"You'd better not run into me too early in the first round of Capture the Flag in the Secret Realm."

"I don't like bullying those who are less capable."

Shen Ye looked at the Thunder Prison Dragon Eagle behind him.

"Your bird is nice."

Lightning suddenly flashed in the eyes of the Thunder Prison Dragon Eagle.

Qin Wuji's expression also turned cold.

Shen Ye continued:

"If I find it, I'll grab it."

The surroundings fell silent instantly.

Someone in the Beijing team angrily said:

"presumptuous!"

Qin Wuji raised his hand to stop his teammate.

He looked at Shen Ye, and his eyes finally turned cold.

"I hope you'll still say that after you enter the secret realm."

Shen Ye said, "You will hear it."

At that moment, a magnificent sound rang out from the sky.

"The Nine Cities' Battle of Prodigies, Phase One: Capturing Flags in the Secret Realm, is about to begin."

The rules are as follows.

Nine teams were randomly deployed to the outer perimeter of the Nine Cities battlefield.

"There are nine royal flags and thirty-six spirit flags on the battlefield."

"Capture the Royal Flag to gain 10,000 points, and the Spirit Flag to gain 1,000 points."

"Defeating members of other teams will allow you to take half of their points."

"Those who voluntarily concede are teleported out of the arena."

"Intentional homicide is prohibited."

"The first stage is over. The bottom three teams in terms of points will be eliminated directly."

Luo Lie said in a low voice, "In other words, in the first phase, three out of the nine cities will be eliminated."

Gu Chen said, "Not only that."

"If a team gets crushed, there's no point in even thinking about the later stages."

Xiao Jue grinned.

"Then hit someone else."

Shen Ye looked at the people from Nanjiang.

"After entering, please assemble."

Gu Chen scouts the way.

"Xiao Jue and Luo Lie will face off head-on."

"The others will guard the flanks."

"If we encounter the capital, we'll attack first."

Everyone was taken aback.

Luo Lie's eyes lit up.

"So direct?"

Shen Ye said, "Qin Wuji is trying to suppress our momentum."

"Then let's fight back first."

Gu Chen smiled.

"I agree."

Xiao Jue shouldered his battle axe.

"It should have been done a long time ago."

Han Pojun stood at a distance, not interrupting.

But the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

The teleportation array lit up.

Ninety prodigies disappeared at the same time.

Shen Ye's vision suddenly went dark.

When he opened his eyes again, he was standing in the ruins of an ancient city.

The watch lights up.

[Nanjiang Team Points: 0]

[Current Location: East Third District, Ruins of a Ruined City]

[Hint: A spirit flag is present nearby]

Shen Ye looked up.

Night Feather flapped its wings and took to the sky.

Soon, the view was transmitted back.

A blue spirit flag was planted in the central square of the ruined city.

But there were already people next to the flag.

It's not the Nanjiang team.

It consists of three players from the Beijing team.

One of them was preparing to pull up the flag.

Shen Ye's eyes turned slightly cold.

"What a coincidence."

The shadow beneath his feet shifted.

The Nine Candles appeared.

Long Yuan grinned, and golden battle blood slowly ignited.

Shen Ye walked towards the central square.

"The first flag."

"Take it."