Far from her, on a different platform, a young man with an arm missing began to take out things from his spatial ring while remaining on top of the platform. They were materials. Once he took a few dozen things, he began to assemble them and it soon turned into a final product. A catapult. Or rather, a catapult with many small slots. It was something that could throw many items at once in the same direction

Then, he began to direct not to the front but to one side. He proceeded to fill the slots with round inflammable shells, similar to those used by the cannoneer. Then, he shot them. They flew high in a parabola before an explosion was heard far away...

His duty was to explode the forest on the path of others or just to anger the forest. He would be safe as long as he remained in the platform and could continue to shoot until the death mist came. He would die then but he would probably take a few along with him.

His Master saved his wife and kids. He was more than willing to lay down his life in exchange.

...

Further away, an old man who was also not here for the win at the start was laughing. His services had supposedly been bought by another contestant. But he had his own ideas in mind. He had been bought on the side by another contestant. And that one gave him tangible benefits for his family back home.

He planned to fake helping both and get the win in the end if he could.

He had been given a few treasures by the three employers he had. He had come here prepared beforehand though with a lot of his own treasures. He never amounted to much and was close to dying but he had quite the attaining in arrays.

He took out a disk onto which he had crafted his masterpiece. It was an array that could completely shield him from any detection, making him effectively invisible. Well, to anything that was under the 30th stage of spiritual accumulation. And it was enough for this place.

He stepped down from the platform and began to run through the forest.

...

A lady in her forties heard some sounds of explosion to the east. She looked there for a moment before turning her attention back to the item in front of her. She had been paid to take part in this and didn't regret it. She had been given a single task: to spread whatever was in that thing inside the forest.

She was free to do whatever she wanted after finishing this task.

She picked the jar with both hands and send it tumbling down inside the forest. A second later, that thing was attacked and destroyed by the flora and a dark liquid oozed out. It began to move by itself and enter the flora as if being absorbed. Then, she could see the flora turn entirely black at a frightening speed.

She knew what this was. The element of corruption. One of the most dangerous and evil elements. She didn't think twice before bolting away onwards even as she was being lacerated by the surroundings, she kept running with all her might.

Death would be a far better end than corruption.

...

Inside the grand hall, every contestant went back to sit at their place after their champions were sent away. At their tables, three glass squares appeared and on them, images began to appear. Two of them showed their own champion's condition while the third one focused on a randomly picked one.

At the very front, on the stage where the Saints where, a giant glass square appeared. It showed the same image as everyone's third square.

Those squares were spiritual devices who could show the events happening in real time. That was how the contestants would watch over their champions throughout the trial, cheering them on from afar.

Of course, some only had one champion after all this and some didn't even have one. The squares that should show their champions were cracked and without image. They could only focus on the squares still showing images. There was one contestant in particular who was devastated as only the random view was left at his table. He was ordering the waiters to bring him some alcohol...

As for Hae-Hyuk and Sophia, they could observe how Min-Su and Jin were doing. Both of them were doing fine to be honest. Jin was doing better though since Min-Su, who had given up on the half-elemental technique, could only force his way forward differently.

He was using two swords masterfully to cut himself a path.

Hae-Hyuk turned his sight towards the giant screen on the stage. He didn't need to check on his disciples, they wouldn't be stopped there. He was more interested in the others. Especially, he wondered who the Saints would be observing. He was quite surprised to see them switch their views many times. They were watching everyone at the moment...

As he had a glimpse of his opponents, Hae-Hyuk had to admit that they came prepared too. There were quite a few with abilities similar to Min-Su when it came to weapon mastery. Those should be able to move further... Ah, not this one, he was too close to the abomination.

Aside from those, there were some with quite mysterious means, those who used treasures. They would likely be worthy concurrents. There were ways to give treasures to their champions indirectly, so yes, he expected it to happen. He didn't do it himself since he believed that someone truly strong did not need tricks.

As he thought of his two disciples, he didn't change his opinion. The two were strong. Enough that no tricks would defeat them. Either someone stronger appeared or they would win him this thing.

Then, he turned his gaze to Sophia. She was anxiously focusing solely on Min-Su. Well, she did like him better than the other.