novelraw Chapter 942 - 518: Half a Year
Chapter 942 - 518: Half a Year
It turned out that a total of sixty-seven people had fallen into the web of corruption constructed by Pilu, with the amount involved reaching as high as over seven million Spirit Stones. This figure, when reported, astonished the two Sect Leaders immensely. To think, the Foreign Affairs Hall had only been established and operating for a few months, yet these people managed to profit so much from it.
With insider information, Thorny Hall seized over five million Spirit Stones from Pilu’s residence, while the remaining one million plus had already disappeared without a trace. The two Sect Leaders had only one opinion on the handling of these criminals: Death by Lingchi!
Hidden Stream originally advocated for harsh punishments and stringent laws, and now this group had touched the fundamental interests of the Demon Sect, so for deterrence, they must not be easily spared. Lingchi is a punishment that causes people to tremble in fear, and demons have robust Life Force, different from Humans; even if their flesh is cut piece by piece, it can heal within a few days. Thus, the over sixty unfortunate souls, including Pilu, screamed painfully on the execution ground for half a month before the executioner finally chopped off their heads, then Tu Jin collected their Divine Souls.
The original Bay Crocodile Leader Okdo died swiftly under Xi Yan’s blade, so he actually died painlessly. At that time, in order to quickly control the situation, the Sect Leader had already issued orders for his subordinates to disarm and surrender without being killed, so the handling of these hundred or so people was quite tricky. If they were thrown into the God Demon Prison, living people disappearing without reason would inevitably lead to criticism from their friends and family.
In the end, someone in the Elder Council suggested simply throwing all of these people into the Dark Martial Arena.
In essence, the Dark Martial Arena is the place where Hidden Stream Demons engage in underground fighting.
Hidden Stream had always had a thriving underground Black Martial Arena, and the Hidden Stream leadership took a turn-a-blind-eye approach to its existence. After all, life in the mountains is indeed monotonous and boring; these demons need a place to vent their excess energy, or else they would cause trouble everywhere, making it even more troublesome.
After He Sect Leader took over the position, he pondered several times and surprisingly abolished the underground Black Martial Arena. Instead, it was replaced by an official Hidden Stream establishment, the Dark Martial Arena. This arena also allowed demons to fight here, offering rewards such as Magic Artifacts, Spirit Pills, and various other prizes for those who won. For the audience, betting games were similar, with the official taking twenty percent of the profits.
Though life and death were disregarded here, the combats were exceptionally brutal; yet, because there was official guarantee, winnings were always received, so every day’s matches were packed. After two months of operation, the Dark Martial Arena’s revenue surprisingly reached six hundred thousand Spirit Stones, an amount that was beyond everyone’s expectations.
In the Dark Martial Arena, fighters are categorized into those who have freedom and those who are forced. The former, naturally, are driven to showcase their skills and earn Spirit Stones, while the latter are compelled for various reasons to sell their lives here, like the rebellious followers of Okdo were thrown here to fight in underground combats, a fate as perilous as living a nine-in-ten chance of dying.
However, the two Sect Leaders’ approach didn’t breach their promise, and though this path is terrifying, winning fifty matches grants freedom, at least leaving a glimmer of hope ahead, so these people’s friends and families had no complaints.
Shortly after Changtian went into seclusion, Gongshu Zhao came to bid farewell. He had been out for so long, Qianjin Hall’s affairs must be piling up, forcing his return. Additionally, he had entrusted the Soul Power of ten thousand Cultivators to Tu Jin, as he put it himself, "Even if Yin Jiu You encountered me now, at most I’d revert to a wisp of ghost." As for the God Slaying Thunder he had been researching, it remained a mystery.
Yet before Gongshu Zhao departed, he also examined Ali’s Gold Essence. Being a trick tool Grandmaster, Ning Xiaoxian originally intended for him to try extracting the Gold Essence. Gongshu Zhao looked for a long time before bitterly smiling, "I can extract it, but it would damage its essence. Specialization in skills is crucial; I’m afraid it requires the White Tiger God, master of Geng Metal Power, personally to ensure no mistakes."
Although the Nanming Lihuo Sword has yet to be found, breaking the Dragon Binding Rope, a Divine Artifact, requires utmost precision. So after several considerations, it was decided to wait until Changtian’s seclusion ends, then take Ali to find the White Tiger. By then, this little girl should have already refined an avatar. The Soul Cultivation Heart Method Tu Jin passed to her has been reduced again and again, and she can create an avatar as soon as she can refine it.