Victor's appearance heightened the tension in the entire scene; his smile concealed an unsettling, sinister meaning.
The Eldar were visibly hostile to his arrival, especially the Death God Army members, whose weapons subtly trembled, ready to be drawn at any moment.
Li Feng, however, remained leisurely, seemingly unaffected by the atmosphere.
He nodded to Victor, reached for a spirit stone from a nearby slab cart, and said, "You're Victor, right? Since you're the boss here, can you tell me how many lives, enslaved by you, these spirit stones can buy in your casino?"
Victor raised an eyebrow, his smile deepening. "Ah, Mr. Li's directness is quite unique. You know, not many guests dare to 'flaunt' their wealth like this on my turf."
He clapped his hands, and a waiter in a black uniform immediately stepped forward, carefully beginning to count the spirit stones.
Victor slowly turned, looking at Asuryan and Yvraine with a complex and indifferent expression.
"However, more than the chips, I'm more curious why so many 'celebrities' have gathered in my casino. Especially this Ark Prophet, a truly rare guest."
Asuryan smiled faintly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Victor, I'm not here to disturb your business; I'm just passing through, hoping that as this edifice crumbles, we can unite. I trust you won't interfere with us."
"Passing through? Unite?" Victor gave Asuryan a meaningful look, then glanced at Yvraine and the Death God Army warriors. "Unfortunately, I never believe in coincidences, or in you."
With a wave of his hand, several Drukhari / Dark Aeldari bodyguards stepped forward, subtly blocking Yvraine and Li Feng.
Li Feng frowned, but his tone remained relaxed. "Uh, I've been playing for a long time today, but the stakes here are too small, barely worth a glance. I want to see a real gamble, a big gamble!"
Victor narrowed his eyes, seemingly assessing Li Feng's intentions.
Just then, Yvraine spoke coldly, "Victor, we don't want to conflict with you. The world outside Commorragh is already burning. If we Eldar can resurrect ynnead, then the fate of our race can be saved from The Thirsting Lady's hands. But if you insist on making things difficult for us, I won't stand idly by."
Upon hearing this, Victor's smile widened, but with a hint of danger. He slowly clapped his hands, the sound exceptionally harsh in the silent hall.
"Ah, truly splendid (Subarashii~). Resurrect ynnead? A truly grand dream. However, Yvraine, do you really think such a 'noble' goal can move me?"
Yvraine had made an enemy of Victor when she became the Incarnate of Death, mainly because the energy she unleashed at the time shattered the 'Gate of Khaine' connecting Commorragh to the Warp, leading to countless demon tour groups rushing into the city for free looting.
When it happened, Victor himself turned and ran, directly becoming 'Coward No. 1,' hiding in a bunker.
Only after confirming safety outside did he emerge and order the pursuit of Yvraine, but the dispatched pursuers were like the Calabash Brothers saving their grandfather, one by one sent in to their demise.
This incident shook Victor's authority because he not only failed to prevent Yvraine's escape but also failed in all his retaliation efforts, leading many Drukhari / Dark Aeldari to leave Commorragh and join the Death God Army.
His subordinates complained bitterly, and top Archons like Malys plotted rebellion.
Victor already wanted to settle scores with Yvraine; his tone became sarcastic, even with a hint of mockery.
"What does the fate of the Eldar have to do with me? In this Commorragh, profit is the only truth. Besides, you know, even if the Death God is resurrected... can it truly help us restore our former glory? Against the mon-keigh, Orcs, Tyranids, the Warp, and those blue-skinned Tau..."
Yvraine and the Eldar fell silent for a moment. Victor's words were correct; even if the Death God was resurrected, it would only pull the Eldar from'shock-induced death' back to 'intensive care.'
Which of these dominant races in the The Galaxy / Milky Way doesn't have a great god behind them?
Humans have The Dark King (the Emperor), Ork Orks have Gork and Mork, Tyranids have the hive consciousness, the Warp has the Chaos Gods / The Four Gods and various Greater Daemons and demigods, and the Tau now seem to have some 'Tau Goddess'...
Yvraine clenched her fists, her eyes filled with anger and determination.
"Victor, your actions are already despicable... but 'love, don't hurt,' at least don't try to interfere with our last hope."
Victor merely smiled, then looked at Li Feng, finding him more interesting—his target this time. "It's Mr. Li who seems much more interesting than you'survivors' of the Ark. He wants to see a big gamble, so I might as well grant his wish."
He extended a hand to Li Feng, his posture both elegant and dangerous. "So, Mr. Li, please tell me, what do you want to bet?"
"I'll bet on your position as the power-holder of Commorragh..."
Victor's smile instantly froze, a chill flashing in his eyes.
He lowered his outstretched hand, his gaze coldly fixed on Li Feng, as if trying to see through this seemingly casual mon-keigh.
The atmosphere in the hall tightened to the extreme at this moment. The hands of the Death God Army members and Drukhari / Dark Aeldari bodyguards were subtly on their weapons, and the air was thick with the scent of impending conflict.
"Mr. Li's courage is indeed extraordinary," Victor's lips slowly curved into a smile, but it no longer held any pleasure. "However, do you know what challenging a power-holder means in Commorragh?"
Li Feng shrugged, a lazy smile still on his face. "Oh? Sounds exciting. Since we're talking about a 'big gamble,' I naturally have to bet on something worthwhile."
He pointed to the spirit stone cart behind him, then waved his hand. "These spirit stones are my chips. As for you, how about putting up your 'power-holder' status as the stake?"
Victor narrowed his eyes slightly; he didn't answer immediately, instead scrutinizing Li Feng from head to toe with an extremely dangerous gaze. "You are indeed very interesting, Mr. Li. I've seen many reckless people, but few who dare to directly challenge authority in Commorragh like you."
He clapped his hands lightly, and his Drukhari / Dark Aeldari bodyguards immediately placed a black oval table in the center of the hall. A brilliant virtual halo projected around the table, displaying countless gambling rules and options within it.
"Alright, since you want to bet on my status, I'll grant your wish," Victor chuckled softly. "However, I must warn you, gambling in Commorragh is never fair."
As he spoke, he turned and made a few gestures at the projection. Soon, a massive arena scene appeared in the halo, and the surrounding virtual screens began to display combat footage of various Gladiators.
"This is Commorragh's most famous arena," Victor's tone grew colder as he began to introduce it like a host.
"Here, it's not just combat, but a game of survival and strategy. The rules are simple: both sides form a five-person Gladiator team and go through multiple rounds of challenges in the arena."
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