Rrrrip!
Splatter!
"Grrroar!"
The arena erupted in thunderous cheers as a giant of a man roared triumphantly, tearing his opponent apart with is bare hands. Blood and mangled flesh splattered across the ground.
"Aaand the winner is—Bloody Fist Jin." The announcer shouted, his voice amplified by the formations. "One more win, and he will be the second person to earn his freedom."
The crowd roared even louder.
"The bets are now open. His next opponent is the underdog, with five consecutive win of under his name—the Burning Flame."
A slender man clad in black robes stepped in the arena, his movements calm yet resolute, completely unfazed by the gore beneath his feet.
From the VIP balcony, Fang Ryuu watched with mild amusement.
'Hm... Isn't this the man who collided with me.'
"What are the odds?"
"Sir, the odds are ten to two, in favour of Bloody Fist Jin." an attendant stepped forward, replying respectfully.
Fang Ryuu casually took out a pouch from his space ring and handed it over. " One hundred Solid Qi Pills. Bet them on the Burning Flame."
The attendant checked the contents and stiffened. "S—sir, are you sure?"
"Yes."
Lin Yanran glanced at the arena, then at Fang Ryuu. "Do you know that man?"
"No," Fang Ryuu replied lightly. "I just think we have fate."
Lin Yanran narrowed her eyes slightly. "Hmm… now that you mention it, I also feel something familiar about him. Perhaps he truly does have fate with us."
"Maybe." Fang Ryuu smiled faintly. "Look—the match is starting."
Bloody Fist Jin leaned in and murmured something beneath his breath toward the hooded man.
Burning Flame didn't bother responding.
He bust forward, flames trailing behind him like a comet.
Bloody Fist Jin's muscles bulged as he tightened his stance, knees buckling slightly as he bent forward, brading for the impact head-on.
Burning Flame opened his hand, before clenching it with force.
A spear of condensed fire formed instantly in his hands as he charged and struck Bloody Fist Jin's chest with full force.
BOOM!
Dust and shattered stones exploded outward as the two collided.
"WOOOO!"
The arena roared.
As the dust settled, Bloody Fist Jin stood unmoved, The flaming spear was embedded against his chest—its tip sputtering, unable to pierce even a fraction of his skin.
A cruel grin spread across his face.
He drew his arm back.
Then shot it forward.
Burning Flame tried to evade, but he was a heartbeat too slow.
BOOM!
CRASH!
"Looks like you just lost your bet," Lin Yanran said with a grin. "That Burning Flame is only at the Pill Potion Realm — a full realm below Bloody Fist Jin."
"Huh? You really think Burning Flame will lose?" Fang Ryuu glanced at her calmly.
"Mm~" Lin Yanran nodded, clearly amused.
"I think Burning Flame is hiding something," Fang Ryuu said. "He'll win for sure."
"Oh? Want to make it interesting?" Lin Yanran extended her hand. "If you win, I'll follow your orders for a day. If I win, you do the same."
"Oh? Is that so?" Fang Ryuu smiled faintly and clasped her hand. "You're on."
Meanwhile, inside the arena—
CRASH!
Burning Flame was flung across the arena once more, his body skidding across shattered stone.
He struggled to his feet, staggering as blood spilled from his mouth, coughing as he forced himself upright.
At the center of the arena, Bloody Fist Jin stood proudly, arms relaxed at his sides, watching as if waiting for his opponent to foolishly charge again.
Burning Flame lifted his head.
"Pill of Oblivion—Chapter of the Extinguishing Lotus Flame!"
Wild fire erupted around him.
Flames surged outward, swirling violently before settling, with Burning Flame at their core.
Silence.
The arena fell unnaturally quiet as the temperature spiked. Even the spectators felt the heat pressing against their skin as sweat beaded on their faces.
The raging fire took the shape of a massive lotus.
Then—
It shrank.
Vanished.
Golden flames now armored Burning Flame's body, flowing like molten metal across his skin. A blazing spear formed in one hand, a dagger of fire in the other.
"OAA!"
He leapt into the air and hurled the spear.
The weapon screamed through the air, engulfed in roaring flames, transforming into a blazing comet as it shot toward Bloody Fist Jin.
Bloody Fist Jin's eyes widened—but he did not retreat.
After all, what could a mere Pill Potion Realm cultivator possibly do to him?
BOOOOM!
The spear struck.
A mushroom cloud of dust and shattered stone exploded outward, swallowing the arena floor in debris.
As the dust slowly settled, Bloody Fist Jin was still standing at the center of the arena—inside of a freshly carved crater.
Blood streamed from deep gashes across his body, his clothes torn to shreds. His eyes burned with mad fury as he searched for his opponent.
Burning Flame was nowhere to be seen.
Blink
The air around suddenly grew heavy.
A flash of light flared behind him. Bloody Fist Jin twisted instinctively, swinging his fist with all his remaining strength—
But it struck nothing.
Instead, a warm sensation bloomed across his back… then his chest.
His eyes trembled.
He looked down.
The tip of a flaming dagger protruded from his chest, fire sizzling softly against his flesh.
Darkness crept into his vision. His legs gave way, and he collapsed to his knees.
"N-no… I was so close…" he whispered hoarsely.
"Mother… this son has failed you."
His body fell forward, motionless.
Silence gripped the arena.
The announcer swallowed hard, drawing in a cold breath.
From the VIP balcony, Lin Yanran stared at the fallen giant in shock.
"WOOHOO! I'M RICH!"
An ecstatic shout from the common seating shattered the stillness.
"Ah—!" The announcer snapped back to his senses. "T-the winner of this match is—Burning Flame! As an independent entrant, his sixth victory has earned him substantial rewards!"
He cleared his throat.
"The Grand Auction will begin shortly after the reward ceremony. As always, thank you for your patronage."
"Ha! I win," Fang Ryuu chuckled, glancing at Lin Yanran.
"Hmph~" Lin Yanran turned her head away, clearly displeased at her lost chance.
"So," Fang Ryuu said casually, "what would you have asked me to do if you'd won?"
"Why?" She shot him a sideways glance. "So you could make me to the same?"
"No," Fang Ryuu replied with a gentle smile. "Just curious."
"Tch… fine," Lin Yanran huffed. "I would've asked you to treat me like a princess."
Fang Ryuu froze for half a second—
Then burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
"Hahaha!"