The moment Old Blade Zhao and Gu Li stepped onto the grand arena, what they saw before them was not each other, their opponent, but the crowd behind the other—under the blazing lights, their expressions savage, their faces twisted, stretching as far as the eye could see.
These finely dressed men and women erupted with extraordinary fervor. Wave after wave of cheers, shouts, and rising cries of support rang without end.
Neither man, including Gu Li, had expected such a clamorous, chaotic setting. Nor had either of them ever experienced such a frenzied atmosphere. It left them both feeling deeply awkward and uneasy.
Though they were opponents, they unexpectedly shared the same feeling—one of profound humiliation.
It was as though they were not highly skilled martial artists, nor were they engaging in a sacred and brutal Life and Death Duel. They had become tigers and bears in a circus, fighting and playing for the amusement of those in the stands.
Of course, both men knew that the Ma Family of New Joy Ward had opened betting on this match and drawn in vast sums of silver. Ordinary matters could stir fervent pursuit once interests were involved, let alone a battle to the death between two Peak Innate Masters.
Furthermore, the victor of their battle—the one who survived—would have the chance to receive a share of the profits as compensation.
Naturally, they could have chosen not to come to New Joy Ward. But without the Ma Family acting as a third-party overseer, it would not have been a Life and Death Duel. It would lack fairness, and either side could use means other than martial force to deal with the other at any time, thus failing to achieve the aims of those backing them.
Fortunately, both were top Innate experts, possessed