The independent cultivators couldn’t defeat the five teams, but if they didn’t fight, their slots would remain too few. If they continued to waste time here, they wouldn’t even get a chance to enter the secret realm. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Some of the more perceptive cultivators found a shortcut: join one of the five teams. Among them, Divine Weapon City had the most slots. They could transport thirty people at the same time, double the number assigned to each of the other four cities. It was also three times the number available to independent cultivators.

Moreover, the Divine Weapon team consisted of 600 members. If they managed to join and ended up among the last to be transported, they would enter the secret realm by the twenty-first wave, which was much better than fighting among 10 million independent cultivators.

A muscular, yet smart, warrior raised his cudgel and addressed Nie Yuntian. “I am Ci Mu, and I have a 7-Star God-grade cudgel. I wish to join the Divine Weapon team. I hope you will accept me, Leader Nie.”

Nie Yuntian studied him, judged that he could be useful, and nodded. “I welcome you to my team, Ci Mu!”

With Ci Mu’s successful entry, others quickly followed, displaying their Divine Weapon in hopes of joining one of the five teams. Divine Weapon City had the largest quota, so they were willing to accept more people. Those with 7-Star God-grade Divine Weapons or higher were admitted.

The Wanyao team had a specific requirement. Sun Qianqian accepted only monsters with powerful Divine Weapons, and many were selected under her criteria.

Lingxiao City also attracted many powerful independent cultivators and applied its own selection method. Someone in their team could observe Qi. Those with clear Qi were usually upright people who performed good deeds, while those with murky Qi were more likely to resort to deceit for personal gain. Such individuals were usually evil bastards and driven away. Feng Wuji oversaw the process, ensuring that no one lingered after rejection.

As for Wushuang City, they refused all applicants; they already had 2,000 people. Since they could only send fifteen at a time, it would take 140 waves for all of them to enter the secret realm. By then, most resources would be gone. There were no benefits in expanding their ranks.

Some cultivators turned their attention to Everlight City. Its smaller numbers and the presence of outsiders made it seem more approachable than the native-led teams, and several sought to join.

Han Wu and the other three discussed and established a rule: they would only accept natives with powerful Divine Weapons. Their goal was to recruit talented people for Everlight City.

The natives who dared to compete were usually lone warriors with ambition and expectations. Regardless of what they gained, they would not return to their respective civilizations like the outsiders once the event ended. Instead, they would remain in the Divine Weapon Civilization and grow. Though ranked last among the four strongest cities, it still possessed formidable power.

By recruiting natives, Everlight City could retain talent even after Han Wu and his companions departed.

Jin Buhuan observed everything and felt quietly grateful for their decision. While his former allies were trying to bring him down, outsiders like Han Wu were repaying his kindness. Jin Buhuan wanted to cry and swore that he would treat Han Wu and his companions as family as long as he lived. Anyone who harmed them would be his enemy, and he would show no mercy!

Han Wu was unaware that his actions had earned Jin Buhuan’s trust.

As they continued selecting candidates, a familiar voice called out, “Han Wu, can I join the Everlight City team?”

Han Wu turned and saw a skinny old man, little more than skin and bone. The man’s clothing looked familiar.

Qin Shuang noticed the forging hammer that he carried and exclaimed, “Are you Master Ou?”

“Master Ou?” Han Wu echoed in shock.

The man before him bore little resemblance to the Master Ou he remembered. Even if Master Ou had been begging for food on his way to Divine Weapon City after they parted, he could not have become so old and skinny!

“Master Ou, what happened? Did something bad occur?” Han Wu asked.

Master Ou smiled bitterly and explained briefly. “I used my master’s secret technique. I sacrificed my own flesh and blood to nurture my Divine Weapon.”

He then presented his Divine Weapon for Han Wu to inspect.

Han Wu touched it and was surprised beyond belief. The forging hammer’s effect was too powerful! It had nine God-grade effects, and they all complemented each other.

Han Wu suddenly felt that his own 9-Star God-grade Divine Weapon was worthless by comparison.

“I knew it. A true Divine Weapon is one forged by your own hands,” Han Wu remarked.

Master Ou chuckled. “In that case, may I join the Everlight team? I have grudges to settle on my master’s behalf. I have to fight those from Divine Weapon City, and this is a good opportunity.”

Han Wu nodded. “Of course! Master Ou, I can vouch for both your strength and character!”

Many independent cultivators managed to join the five teams, but even more were turned away. Many of them were outsiders with no ties to the Divine Weapon Civilization, and they were accustomed to causing trouble.

After being rejected, their thoughts turned radical, and they launched attacks. They would rather die than accept rejection.

The moment they acted, the Divine Weapon City’s city lord activated the plaza’s special effect. Those who attacked any of the five teams were branded as rule breakers and transported to special zones assigned to the five teams. Each team had to eliminate the rule breakers within their own zone before they could be transported onward.

The deathmatch’s rules within these zones were simple: one-on-one until death. The five teams also enjoyed a special privilege. They could send in as many men as needed until they secured victory.

Against a powerful rule breaker, they could send in disposable pawns to wear them down before delivering the final blow.

Han Wu frowned at this rule and selected some of his more powerful people from his team to handle the situation.

Within five minutes, the hundreds of rule breakers who had attacked the Everlight team were wiped out. Han Wu himself killed eighty of them, roughly three-fifths of the total. His overbearing aura intimidated the remaining independent cultivators. They abandoned any thoughts of attacking the five teams and waited patiently for the city lord to transport them.

At last, the first wave started. Members of the five teams and the independent cultivators were randomly selected and transported.