Lin Shu walked alongside Chi Yanqi and Chi Aoyan as they ascended the arena stairs, entering the exclusive section reserved only for the great fighters of the Aether Rank. This was a privilege beyond the reach of Copper and Silver Rank fighters; even Gold Rank fighters had their own quarters, though not nearly as grand as these.
"As an Aether Rank fighter, I'm entitled to a place here," Chi Yanqi declared proudly, lifting his gourd and taking a deep swig before laughing. "I get servants, a private training ground, and my own living space. You can stay here if you like, since there's no such thing for lower ranks. Gold and Aether get special treatment—but believe me, the Gold Rank chambers are nothing compared to mine! Hahahaha!"
The drunken flame's booming laughter echoed down the corridor while his disciple, Chi Aoyan, walked quietly at his side. Her eyes flickered to Lin Shu in quick, subtle glances, studying him in silence.
They reached a finely crafted door, and when Yanqi pushed it open, they were met with a lavish sight: silken carpets woven in deep crimson patterns, intricate carvings on the walls, and the scent of sandalwood lingering in the air. Aoyan stepped lightly inside, while Yanqi sprawled himself comfortably across a plush sofa, gourd in hand.
Lin Shu, keeping his distance, chose a solitary chair further away. His cold gaze never wavered as Yanqi addressed him.
"Now, Behemoth—actually, wait. What's your name? I can't keep calling you Behemoth forever."
"Just call me Li," Lin Shu replied flatly.
Yanqi nodded, satisfied. "Good. Then let's talk business. As a fighter, you can get an agent who'll arrange sponsors and matches, but I can offer you both. I'll be your agent and your sponsor. As I said before, I'll give you ten Blue Sky Shards. The only condition is that you show me your true power. I know you were holding back against Phantom—you didn't go all out. But don't worry, I don't need to see every trump card of yours. I just need to know where to rank you and how to prepare your future."
Lin Shu's thoughts sank inward. It was true: anyone with a sharp eye could tell he hadn't unleashed his full strength. The offer was extraordinary—ten Blue Sky Shards were the kind of reward even peak-stage cultivators would fight and bleed for. To get them in a signing deal was beyond what anyone at his stage should receive.
"Alright," Lin Shu said at last, his tone calm yet carrying the weight of certainty. "But I'll tell you this—I can contend with even peak-stage cultivators without problem. You can be sure that I'll reach Gold Ranking in the arena."
Yanqi's grin widened, and he raised his gourd in approval before drinking deeply. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Then how about we test your strength here in the training facility, Li?"
Lin Shu rose without a word, following Yanqi and Aoyan as they made their way into the spacious training hall below. Polished stone floors spread across the arena-sized chamber, its walls lined with racks of weapons, training dummies, and battle scars from countless duels.
Yanqi set the gourd aside and rolled his shoulders. "Alright, Li. Tell me when you're ready. We'll have a quick exchange. Don't worry, I won't use my tamed beast—you'll face me alone. I'll even go easy on you."
Lin Shu gave a silent nod and exhaled slowly. His Qi surged, and then his body began to change.
A deep, grinding sound echoed as the Ivory Forge Juggernaut Art awakened. His bones groaned and shifted, a steel-like sheen spreading across them as if molten ore was being poured into his very marrow. Jagged ridges of bone pushed outward, coating themselves in a dense metallic layer until they gleamed like blackened iron under the dim light. His chest expanded, reinforced plates forming over his ribs like an armored cuirass, while heavy pauldrons of ivory-steel jutted out from his shoulders.
His arms thickened, veins glowing faintly with the essence of the forge as layers of bone armor locked together like interlocking scales. From his forearms extended serrated ridges that looked like the edges of brutal blades. His hands were no longer hands—they were gauntlets of living iron, claws curved and sharp enough to tear through stone.
Across his back, a spine of jagged protrusions formed, each spike pulsing faintly with his Qi. His jawline hardened, and his mask-like expression was now framed by a helm of ivory bone, his eyes cold and merciless behind the narrow slits.
When the transformation was complete, Lin Shu no longer resembled a man, but a walking juggernaut—an armored behemoth forged from bone and steel. His very presence pressed down like the weight of a mountain, suffocating and unyielding.
He stepped forward once, the ground beneath his foot cracking under the unnatural weight of his reforged body. His voice, distorted and resonant beneath the armor, carried across the chamber.
"I am ready."
Chi Aoyan's eyes widened as she stared at the armored horror standing before her. Every inch of Lin Shu's body gleamed with ivory-coated steel, jagged spikes protruding along his spine and shoulders. Even from a distance, his presence radiated an almost suffocating weight.
Yanqi, however, wore a wide smile as he took a sip from his gourd. "I did expect something like this when I saw you form that iron earlier," he said. "I guess this is where your confidence comes from. So you said this could withstand a peak-tier technique? Well then, stay right there—I want to see if that's true."
Lin Shu gave a small nod, his expression unreadable behind the mask. Yanqi extended his arm, flames licking and roaring along his forearm as he conjured something that resembled a fiery arrow. The projectile shot forward with terrifying speed.
Lin Shu's armor absorbed the impact. He was slammed back to the ground, steel plates dented and charred from the intense heat, yet he stood, unbroken. As the dust settled, the markings of burns glimmered across his chest, but his stance remained firm.
Yanqi laughed, a sound full of both excitement and approval. "So you weren't bluffing. This is indeed extraordinary. I can tell you can take several more hits like that. You have a real chance at advancing to the Gold Rank. But defense isn't everything, Li. I saw your speed—it's good, your strength is solid—but speed and strength alone won't always let you touch your opponent. What if you face someone with defense half as strong as yours? Can your power truly match a peak-tier technique?"
Lin Shu said nothing, only raising his armored arm toward one of the training dummies. "What are these designed to take?" he asked.
Yanqi gestured toward the rows of dummies. "The ones on the left can withstand peak-tier techniques at most. The ones on the right are designed for high-stage attacks—I brought them here for Aoyan. Why do you ask?"
Lin Shu's voice was calm but sharp. "Do you mind if I destroy them?"
Yanqi understood immediately. "No—be my guest."
Lin Shu's mind whirred."I'll only release half of the thunder I stored. That should be enough to nearly reach peak-tier power. The full attack will stay as a trump card for later."
Lightning began to coil around Lin Shu's hand, sparks arcing across the armor. He leveled his arm toward the dummies. "Lightning Fang Surge—half power."
A beam of pure, crackling electricity shot forward, splitting the air with a roar. The dummies in the front row were vaporized instantly, shattered beyond recognition, while the ones behind them cracked and burned under the residual force.
Chi Yanqi's grin widened until it seemed it would split his face. "This is exactly what I hoped for… a boy with incredible speed, instinct, defense, and intelligence. An almost perfect fighter for the arena."
"Hahaha! That's what I like to see!" Yanqi exclaimed. "Now we can discuss the contract without any doubts."
He waved Lin Shu over, leading him back to a private table. Chi Aoyan followed silently, her eyes still fixed on the boy who had just demonstrated such terrifying skill.
Yanqi set down his gourd and leaned forward. "Li, here's what I'm willing to offer: ten Blue Sky Shards immediately, access to information and opportunities for all important matches and events, and I'll be investing directly in your strength and cultivation. In return, you'll fight four times a month under my guidance and participate in two special matches monthly. I must be your sole agent and sponsor. No other parties, no outside interference."
Lin Shu listened carefully, assessing the terms, his mind already calculating the benefits and restrictions. He could see clearly how this arrangement would allow him to remain in control, keep his strength growing, and gain access to top-tier matches without being overshadowed by stronger agents or fighters.
But Lin Shu still had one problem. Having an agent was fine—most fighters had one—but only a single investor was not something someone aiming to reach the peak of the arena's rankings would normally accept. Yet Chi Yanqi seemed to read his silence.
"If you're thinking about my condition of only having me as your sponsor, remember this—I am of the Chi Clan. You could say I'm a carefree elder, or more precisely, a free-spirited elder."
His disciple muttered under her breath, "Or a drunkard elder."
A sharp smack landed on the back of her head before she could hide her grin, making her wince. Chi Yanqi carried on as if nothing happened.
"So, you don't have to worry about being short on investments. As long as you do your part, I will make sure the support is there."
The conditions were good—tempting, in fact. From what Lin Shu knew, this might be one of the best offers he could hope to secure.
"Alright," he said at last. "I guess you're my agent now."
Chi Yanqi smiled, pulling out a contract. This was not a mere agreement of words but a Written Binding Oath. Unlike ordinary contracts, this one required the blood of those bound to it, a measure that ensured neither party could break its terms without severe consequence. Such contracts were usually drafted under the eyes of neutral authorities, demanded by organizations like the Valor Arena.
Lin Shu carefully wrote his own conditions before pressing his blood into the paper. He made sure Chi Yanqi recorded every clause properly, leaving no space for trickery. When all was settled, they brought it to the proper place to be safeguarded and formally approved by the Arena and the contract was in effect for as long as three years after the that the contract must be renewed or if the parties decide to not renew the contract, It automatically breaks and loses its effects.
Once it was done, Lin Shu agreed to participate in his first monthly fight within the week, his goal set on rising to the Silver Rank as quickly as possible.
He was offered lodging with them, but he refused without hesitation. He preferred solitude—always. No eyes watching him, no walls pressing down on him. Freedom and silence were the only companions he trusted.