novelraw Chapter 344: This is a good thing!
Chapter 344: This is a good thing!
"You!"
Hong Zhen trembled with rage, the spiritual energy around him fluctuating violently once more as he attempted to force his way through again.
A pressure, as if descending from the highest heavens, slowly enveloped the entire martial arena.
This pressure wasn't aimed at any single individual.
Yet, it made everyone present feel a heavy weight in their hearts.
It was as if a basin of ice water had been poured over Hong Zhen from head to toe, his boiling fury and killing intent instantly suppressed by this irresistible pressure.
He jerked his head up, looking towards the highest point of the arena, at the empty main seat symbolizing the City Lord's authority, deep apprehension flashing in his eyes.
He knew this was a warning from the City Lord's Residence.
If he dared act recklessly again, what he would face next would be far more than just this unfathomable referee.
Sensing the descent of that grand pressure, the referee gave a slight nod, then looked at Hong Zhen again. "Gang Leader Hong, please return to your seat. If you attack again, it will be considered a provocation against the dignity of the City Lord's Residence, and by the law... you will be executed without mercy."The words "executed without mercy" smashed heavily onto Hong Zhen's heart.
And into the ears of everyone in the arena.
The members of the Giant Sun Gang were as silent as cicadas in winter, not even daring to breathe loudly.
Hong Zhen's expression changed several times. Finally, he glared venomously at Su Zhan, then abruptly withdrew his spiritual energy, heavily landing back on the ground, and turned to walk back to his seat.
The grand pressure enveloping the entire arena also dissipated as silently as it had arrived.
Seeing Hong Zhen retreat, the referee said nothing more. His figure flickered slightly as he returned to the edge of the fighting platform.
Dead silence filled the arena.
Everyone was deeply shocked by this scene.
A seemingly ordinary referee had actually managed to stop the enraged Hong Zhen so effortlessly.
And that grand pressure, which had appeared only briefly, had declared to everyone who the true master of Black City was.
Su Zhan slowly relaxed his combat stance. The scales covering his body and his vertical pupils quietly faded away, returning him to his usual appearance.
He glanced in the direction of the high platform, then shot a look at Hong Zhen, whose face was ashen. His eyes were inscrutable.
He closed his eyes again, continuing to regulate his breathing.
However, after this disturbance, he had a more intuitive understanding of the weight carried by Black City's City Lord's Residence.
And the enmity between him and the Giant Sun Gang and the Ghost Fiend Sect had now become completely irreconcilable, heading towards a life-or-death situation.
Still, he didn't care about these things.
As long as he could establish contact with the City Lord, none of this would be a problem.
Therefore, he must now demonstrate his own value, to attract the City Lord's attention.
What pleased him was that Hong Zhen's earlier disregard for the competition rules and attack on him had indeed drawn the City Lord's notice.
This was a good thing.
The first round of the main competition concluded, with fifty bloody battles coming to an end.
The winners advanced, while the losers were either dead or maimed.
The martial arena was filled with the scent of blood.
On the high platform, the City Lord's Residence representative appeared once more, his voice resounding throughout the arena.
"The first round of the main competition has ended. Congratulations to the fifty who have advanced. Next, we will draw lots for the next round of opponents. For the top twenty-five battle, twenty-four will fight in pairs, with one receiving a bye. The one with the bye will directly advance to the top thirteen. Now, let the draw begin!"
The huge light screen lit up again.
Fifty names rapidly scrolled across it.
All the qualifiers, including Su Zhan, focused their gaze intently.
After the heart-stopping scene with Hong Zhen moments ago, the atmosphere was now even more tense.
The names on the light screen gradually stopped scrolling.
[Bye: Zhao Qian]
A wave of envious murmurs rose from the spectator stands.
[Chen Qing vs Li Kui]
When this matchup result appeared, the eyes of the entire arena instantly focused.
Many faces showed expressions of pity.
Li Kui was wearing Dragon Rise Society attire.
He was indeed a member of the Dragon Rise Society, with strength at the Tide Realm sixth stage.
Li Kui looked as if he had been struck by lightning, his face turning deathly pale, devoid of all color.
The bloody and brutal scene of Su Zhan torturing and killing Shi Lie was still vivid in his mind. This ruthless man who even dared to provoke a gang leader-level figure was now his opponent?
Although he was also a man who lived by the blade, he knew full well he couldn't possibly last three moves against Chen Qing, let alone survive the terrifying methods that didn't even give a chance to surrender!
He was one of their own!
But judging by Chen Qing's cold and merciless demeanor, he really didn't dare to bet on whether the other would treat him the same.
Su Zhan's face showed no expression as he indifferently glanced at the ashen-faced Li Kui.
"The next round of matches will be held in five days. All qualifiers, prepare well!"
With the announcement from the City Lord's Residence representative, the draw ceremony concluded.
The crowd began to disperse slowly.
Long Shouzhuo, beaming with joy, came to Su Zhan's side and personally escorted him back to the Dragon Rise Society's Main Hall.
Throughout the journey, the smile never left his face as he clapped his hands in repeated praise.
"Young friend, today you truly... displayed divine might, haha! Satisfying, truly satisfying! That Shi Lie was the poster boy of the Giant Sun Gang's younger generation. For you to deal with him so... well, so cleanly, is like cutting off one of their arms!
You also severely deflated that brute Hong Zhen's arrogance, making him lose all face!
You have greatly enhanced the prestige of our Dragon Rise Society!
However, that scoundrel Hong Zhen, driven into a corner earlier, actually attempted to break the rules and attack you. Truly shameless.
Fortunately, the dignity of the City Lord's Residence cannot be violated, and he was stopped.
Young friend, you must still be careful these next few days. The Giant Sun Gang and the Ghost Fiend Sect likely won't let this go."
Su Zhan listened silently, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
As they were about to return to the Listening Bamboo Pavilion.
Long Shouzhuo changed the subject. "Oh, right. The draw for the next round, what a coincidence, you were paired with that lad Li Kui from our society. That boy's aptitude is decent, but he's a bit timid. He was probably scared out of his wits earlier.
When you step onto the platform, young friend, just go through the motions, give him a few pointers.
After all, he's one of our own. Let him surrender and leave the stage with some dignity. It'll also let him witness the demeanor of a true expert, which will benefit his future cultivation."
Su Zhan naturally understood Long Shouzhuo's meaning. "President Long, rest assured. I know what to do. Since he's a fellow society member, I won't take his life, and I will give him the chance to surrender."
This was exactly what Long Shouzhuo wanted to hear. The smile on his face became even more genuine. "Haha, good! With your word, old me is reassured. Please rest well. If you need anything at all, just give the order."
After seeing Su Zhan back to the Listening Bamboo Pavilion, Long Shouzhuo left, satisfied.
Closing the courtyard gate shut out the noise from the outside world.
Su Zhan sat down cross-legged. The image of Li Kui's terrified, pale face flashed through his mind.
He naturally wouldn't use the same brutal methods he employed against enemies on someone from the Dragon Rise Society.
He needed the Dragon Rise Society as a temporary stepping stone. There was no need to create internal enemies over a battle he was certain to win.
However, this didn't mean he would go easy.
He needed victory. He needed to keep winning all the way until he earned the qualification to meet the City Lord.
These five days.
Retaliation from the Giant Sun Gang and the Ghost Fiend Sect might also arrive in some form during this time. He had to maintain his peak condition.
A storm was brewing, and he would meet it with nothing but force.