Underground Arena

Fan Lang made his way to the entrance of the Underground Arena.

Naturally, there were guards at a place like this, who also took on the responsibility of greeting guests.

Fan Lang stated his purpose, claiming that he wanted to be a free gladiator. The guards couldn't make the decision, so they took him inside the Underground Arena to speak with the person in charge.

The person in charge of the Underground Arena was called Dou Bin. If this were a game, he would be an NPC.

Dou Bin's name was too close in pronunciation to "Dou Bi" (idiot, a derogatory term for someone foolish), so in the Magic Martial Era game, most players referred to this NPC directly as Dou Bi. He was unlucky to have such a nickname.

Dou Bin was a short, middle-aged man with small, beady eyes. He always held a smoking pipe in his hand, and the pipe was always lit, puffing out wisps of smoke.

Fan Lang went straight to the point, stating directly that he wanted to be a free gladiator as soon as he met Dou Bin.

The advantage of being a free gladiator was the freedom of status. They could come and go as they pleased, fight if they wanted to, and no one would force them if they didn't want to.

In contrast, there were slave gladiators, who had lost their freedom and were completely controlled by the Underground Arena. They had to engage in endless gladiatorial combat every day until they died, which was extremely miserable.

"What's your name? Tell me about your situation so I can make a record," Dou Bin said, smoking.

"My surname is Fan, name is Lang, zero-level Mystic General, from the City Lord's Mansion. I'm here to make quick money. That's about it," Fan Lang gave a brief introduction.

"So you're from the City Lord's Mansion. Since you're here, the rules of the City Lord's Mansion don't apply. Here, there are only the rules of the Underground Arena."

"Don't worry, I understand the rules here."

"That's good. Here's a test card that can test the level of a Mystic Warrior. Test it to prove your specific strength."

Dou Bin took out a card and placed it in front of Fan Lang.

Some people who came to the Underground Arena would hide their true strength, deliberately fighting opponents who were far weaker than themselves, so they could secure stable victories. In short, they were pretending to be pigs to eat tigers.

So this kind of test was necessary. Every gladiator had to be tested.

Fan Lang took the test card and held it in his hand. He didn't have to do anything. The test card figured out his strength and displayed a few words.

Mystic General, zero-level.

This was completely consistent with Fan Lang's statement.

Dou Bin nodded, exhaling smoke, and said, "Alright, I'll arrange a fight for you today, and I guarantee your opponents will all be Mystic Generals. For every match you win, I'll give you eight hundred taels of silver. You'll get money even if you lose, but it'll be less, only one hundred taels of silver, as medical expenses."

"My time is precious, so it's best to arrange it quickly," Fan Lang urged.

"Then how about letting you go on stage in the next match? The gladiator in the next match is called Kuang Meng, who happens to be a Mystic General, just a few levels higher than you."

"Kuang Meng? That big guy?"

"Yes, it seems you know him."

"Alright, him it is!"

"A zero-level Mystic General dares to fight Kuang Meng. You're quite brave, kid. Leave a nickname. Most gladiators are called by nicknames. The audience likes that kind of thing."

"As for a nickname... just call me Wanderer."

Fan Lang just thought of a nickname.

This nickname was destined to make a name for itself in the Underground Arena!

After a series of arrangements, the next arena fight finally began.

The arena was located deep underground, with a large area. The middle circle was the fighting area, isolated by a barrier, and the outer area was a grandstand with a wide view. Hundreds of spectators surrounded the area, most of whom would participate in the betting on the gladiators' victory or defeat, not just watching the excitement.

For these spectators, the bloody fighting and the high-stakes gambling were both very exciting entertainment.

A host held a megaphone and used a volume amplified three times to deliver the opening remarks.

"The participants in the next arena fight are Kuang Meng, who has killed countless people, and a newcomer called Wanderer! Both are Mystic Generals, so this fight will definitely be exciting! Those who haven't placed their bets yet, hurry up and place your bets, there's still time!"

"One side is an experienced veteran gladiator, and the other side is a newcomer participating in the arena fight for the first time. Who is better? Will this fight be fatal? Let's wait and see!"

"Open the iron gates, and let the two gladiators enter!"

The host used his silver tongue to stir up the emotions of the audience, completing his mission, and retreated from an iron gate.

The other two iron gates opened, and a strong man over two meters tall walked out of the left gate, and a spirited young man walked out of the right gate.

The identities of the two were self-evident.

Kuang Meng had many scars on his face. He looked Fan Lang up and down, and sneered: "You, a kid who hasn't even grown his hair yet, wants to be my opponent? It seems that I will win this battle very easily. If you kneel down and beg me now, I might show mercy later and consider sparing your dog life."

Fan Lang didn't say a word, just locked his eyes on Kuang Meng, his eyes unblinking, his gaze as sharp as an arrow. He was waiting for the gong to sound to start the fight.

Kuang Meng kept talking.

"Little brat, why don't you talk? Are you mute? Why does a cripple come to participate in the arena fight? This is a place where people die, and gladiators die here almost every day. See the red on the ground? These are all blood stains, and they can't be washed clean. You are very likely to leave your life here, dying worthless, just like those gladiators who died before."

Kuang Meng either provoked, or ridiculed, or threatened.

There was an ulterior motive behind his words, which was to interfere with the opponent's emotions.

In a life-and-death fight within the same level, a single thought can have a huge impact.

Anger and fear can kill people.

Kuang Meng very much hoped to cause some emotional fluctuations to the strange opponent in front of him and increase his chances of winning, but he found that the other party had been very calm, without any change.

Very few people can maintain such calmness, and generally only veteran gladiators who have experienced many battles can do it.

"Damn, is this kid really a newcomer?"

Kuang Meng's conspiracy failed, and he cursed inwardly.

Above the stands, some spectators recognized Fan Lang's identity.

The original "Fan Lang" grew up in Wind Cloud City since he was a child, so it was not surprising that local people knew him.

"I know that newcomer called Wanderer, his name is Fan Lang, he is just a street gangster, he has no strength at all."

"It seems to be really Fan Lang, I also know him, just a small hooligan, he gets beaten on the street at every turn."

"It seems that Kuang Meng is sure to win this arena fight, quickly bet on Kuang Meng to win, bet more money!"

Those who recognized Fan Lang thought that he was still the street gangster he used to be, and believed that he would definitely lose. Under the influence of these people, many people bet their money on Kuang Meng.

Several hundred silver, several thousand silver, tens of thousands of silver... the stakes became larger and larger.

Clang!

The gong symbolizing the start of the battle finally sounded.

The instant the sound rang out, Fan Lang darted out with a whoosh!