Outside the venue, many fans had already gathered, hoping to catch a glimpse of their idols up close.

Although tonight's match wasn't particularly important, two star players were present: one nicknamed "Night Fiend" Nan Zhibei, and the other, "Blood Asura" Karu.

However, these two were not each other's opponents. The rankings of their respective opponents were relatively low, and it was generally agreed that both could win with ease.

The difference was that "Night Fiend" Nan Zhibei was here with his club for the team competition, while "Blood Asura" Karu was here for the individual competition.

The Behemoth Alliance featured two types of competitions: team matches and individual matches.

Many capable players participated in both. Some formidable players, in order to vie for a club championship, willingly gave up individual matches to focus solely on team competitions.

Chen Gu, lacking a club affiliation, participated as a wild card and was only eligible for individual competitions.

For many years, the championship title for team competitions had carried more weight than that for individual matches.

Despite being a "guest of honor" in the Alliance, Chen Gu became a complete rookie once he stepped onto the competition field.

Therefore, the arena adaptation process began with the two star players. The rookies were scheduled last, allowing the big names to take as much time as they needed to adapt, provided it wasn't excessive—the Alliance rarely interfered.

Thus, Chen Gu found he had arrived early. After the two star players and other strong players like Chalmos, it wasn't until around seven in the evening that it was the turn of this year's rookies.

Fortunately, among the three rookies, Chen Gu was first in line.

He was just there to go through the motions. The Combat Rooster had already been herded into the arena by staff before he even entered.

The appearance of an Energy Gathering Mechanical Species attracted everyone's attention.

In the history of the Alliance, Energy Gathering Mechanical Species had appeared many times, and the outcomes had rarely been promising. However, their potential advantages tempted many to try.

Chalmos sat in his private box, watching the Combat Rooster below with indifference, knowing it was his opponent for the night. He took a sip from his teacup, then couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth into a sneer. "There will always be those who think too highly of themselves, believing they're the exception, that they can succeed where others have failed."

"Haha, what makes them so special?"

"Such people are truly naive and laughable."

This year marked Chalmos's first attempt at participating in the individual competition. With average talent, he had always dedicated himself to training, participating only in team matches to prove his worth to his club.

It wasn't until this season, after signing a major new contract and undergoing rigorous off-season training, that he believed his abilities had reached a level where he could manage both team and individual competitions. Consequently, hints of his ambition began to surface.

The Alliance is quite considerate toward an inspiring representative like me, arranging such an opponent for my first individual match—enough of a spectacle and an easy win.

Chalmos was quite satisfied.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Chen Gu's "arena adaptation" training did not disappoint. Chen Gu merely entered the "Consciousness Linker," and then the Combat Rooster wandered about the arena for a few agitated laps, and that was it.

The crowd exchanged knowing smiles; clearly, the biggest problem with Energy Gathering Mechanical Species participating in Behemoth Alliance competitions was still unresolved: they were too ferocious and utterly uncontrollable.

This newcomer, just as everyone had anticipated, demonstrated no ability to control the Energy Gathering Mechanical Species.

After Chen Gu had acclimated to the field, there was less than an hour before the start of tonight's matches, but still two hours until Chen Gu's own match began.

Chen Gu's match against Chalmos was scheduled as the fourth match, expected to start around nine in the evening. Before them was a three-round team competition.

Bai Yunpeng did not go to Tycoon Seven's private box today. Instead, he chose to sit in Chen Gu's box as a show of support—Chen Gu seriously suspected Marshal Bai was just being stingy and didn't want to spend his own money on a box.

Besides Bai Yunpeng, Darkray, Qing Ruyan, Gong Shuxu, and others were all in the private box.

Chen Gu felt somewhat unhappy that his unfilial son had only sent a brief message: "Returned to Empire River Star."

In other words, he wouldn't be able to witness his old man's glorious performance as he made his name in the Behemoth Alliance.

The tickets Chen Gu had requested were for Chen Zili.

Last time his grandson returned, he discovered Yang Yaoyao was also a fan of behemoths. After watching a match together, it seemed to have a good effect; the awkwardness between them lessened, and their relationship grew closer.

So, taking advantage of his grandfather's participation in the competition, his grandson acquired some tickets and brought the entire publicity department to watch the match live for the second time.

As for how Grandpa's match will go, it's not important. As long as it creates an opportunity for me to get closer to my goddess, that's all that matters.

Moreover, the guy was too timid to ask Yang Yaoyao out alone and even had to bring a bunch of third wheels.

This time, there were many people in the private box, so Chen Qingyu hadn't invited Yang Yaoyao and the others over. However, the tickets Chen Gu had obtained were for front-row seats with a great view, surrounded by either wealthy merchants or celebrities, so Yang Yaoyao wouldn't face the embarrassing situation she encountered last time.

When Chen Gu was warming up on the field, the Student Union members looked at one another. "Chen Zili, is your grandfather's behemoth an Energy Gathering Mechanical Species?"

They were also seasoned fans and, of course, knew that Energy Gathering Mechanical Species were almost universally acknowledged as unsuitable for the competition.

Chen Zili hummed in affirmation. A few of the boys silently breathed a sigh of relief, feeling slightly less pressure. His grandfather is already so 'well-connected'; if he also became a 'Behemoth Alliance star'... though it probably wouldn't make much difference. It's clear he's just here for fun, to fulfill a 'youthful dream.'

For the Behemoth Alliance to make an exception and issue him a wild card was already incredibly impressive.

The girls, however, had stars in their eyes. The old gentleman is so vigorous! To become a Behemoth player at his age!

In Chen Gu's private box, his friends and family more or less shared the same thought: An Energy Gathering Mechanical Species—it doesn't matter. As long as he's fulfilling his dream, that's what counts.

Only old Master Gong Shuxu, holding a glass of high-proof aged whiskey, stood alone in a corner. He wore a self-satisfied smirk, as if to say, I've seen through it all, smugly observing everyone's fervent discussions.

When the Energy Gathering Mechanical Species appeared on the field, there was an uproar from the audience. Some shouted their disapproval with rather unpleasant comments, but since Chen Gu's match wasn't the "main event" of the day, a few complaints didn't really matter.

After Chen Gu, the remaining two newcomers quickly went through their pre-competition field adaptation training. Very little time was allotted to them, and they were clearly nervous, yet also somewhat expectant.