The Arena

The gladiatorial arena is located north of the center of Yan City, and it's quite a popular spot within the city.

After all, watching powerful individuals battle, especially to the death, holds considerable appeal for many.

Not to mention, the origins of both sides in this particular match are quite extraordinary.

On one side stands Song Cheng, the head of the Song Family in Yan City. He is a powerhouse at the Lesser Perfection of the Yuan Dan Realm, his strength no less than that of Wei Tong, the leader of the Blood Robe Sect. He has led the Song Family to establish themselves in Yan City for many years, earning considerable renown.

The other side, however, is rather mystical and, frankly, has surprised countless people.

Initially, everyone assumed the opponent of the Song Family head, the other participant in the death match, would be Lin Zhentian, the head of the Lin Family. After all, a name like that sounds incredibly powerful.

But what no one expected was that the person actually participating in the death match would be Lin Zhentian's grandson, a sixteen-year-old youth named Lin Dong.

However, this youth's experiences are far from ordinary. It's said that two months ago, Wei Tong's death was the work of this very Lin Dong. With a cultivation base no higher than the middle stage of the Heavenly Yuan Realm, combined with Spiritual Power that barely rivaled a Two-Seal Talisman Master, he managed to kill Wei Tong.

Before that, Lin Dong had only just managed to defeat Gu Ying, the deputy head of the Blood Robe Sect and a Two-Seal Talisman Master.

It's worth mentioning that another expert of the Lesser Yuan Dan Realm from the Blood Robe Sect also died at Lin Dong's hands, effectively wiping out the entire Blood Robe Sect.

Furthermore, after multiple confirmations, this information turned out to be true. However, Wei Tong's death was partly due to his own carelessness.

There are also rumors that Lin Dong was able to defeat opponents of higher cultivation because he had previously taken a mysterious expert as his master.

Some even speculate that Wei Tong's death was the result of this mysterious expert's covert assistance, as Lin Dong is supposedly the successor that expert favored.

Therefore, today's battle is filled with hype, attracting countless powerhouses to spectate. Even the major forces of Yan City, apart from the City Lord's Mansion and the Talisman Master Association, have gathered at the gladiatorial arena.

After all, Lin Dong is a formidable individual capable of killing Wei Tong. Moreover, according to the Blood Wolf Gang, Lin Dong entered the Danxian Pond for secluded cultivation two months ago, and his strength should have improved by now.

This adds even more intrigue, and many are curious whether Lin Dong, with his improved strength, can defeat Song Cheng of the Song Family head-on.

If Lin Dong loses, will the mysterious expert behind him intervene? Many are quite curious about this mysterious figure.

Accompanied by Xia Wanjin, Xuan Su, and Master Yan, who had guided Lin Dong, Lin Dong and Lin Zhentian's group entered the massive gladiatorial arena.

However, after only a few steps, Lin Dong's group encountered another party head-on. The person leading them was none other than Yue Shan, the leader of the Blood Wolf Gang, whom Lin Dong had met two months ago at the Danxian Pond.

Behind Yue Shan stood a middle-aged man who bore some resemblance to Song Qing. Lin Dong guessed he must be Song Qing's father, his opponent, Song Cheng, the head of the Song Family.

"You're Lin Dong from the Lin Family, aren't you? Heh, not bad, very good!"

Yue Shan's gaze fell upon Lin Dong as he spoke with a cold laugh, his voice laced with a chilling intent.

Yue Shan wished he could eliminate Lin Dong as soon as possible. Two months ago, it was this very person who caused him to lose the Danxian Pond, which held four powerhouses at the Lesser Yuan Dan Realm.

If his children had been able to cultivate and build their foundations in the Danxian Pond, they might have broken through to the Lesser Perfection of the Yuan Dan Realm within a few more years.

Yue Shan had spent a long time planning for the Danxian Pond, and he only learned of Wei Tong's death after returning.

As a result of Lin Dong's appearance, Yue Shan's months of effort went down the drain. How could he not be enraged?

Furthermore, there was the matter of Wei Tong and the Blood Robe Sect.

Not only did Wei Tong die that time, but another expert of the Lesser Yuan Dan Realm from the Blood Robe Sect also perished, leading to the sect's dissolution that very night.

The territory, wealth, and other assets previously controlled by the Blood Robe Sect were all divided among other forces, with the Wanjin Merchant Association taking half.

Therefore, upon learning that Lin Dong had crippled Song Qing, the sole son of Song Cheng of the Song Family, due to the dispute over the Danxian Pond, Yue Shan immediately extended an olive branch to Song Cheng.

The Song Family were opportunists, already on good terms with many parties. However, due to the incident with Song Qing, the Wanjin Merchant Association chose to side with Lin Dong. Naturally, Song Cheng unhesitatingly pledged allegiance to the Blood Wolf Gang.

After all, in Yan City, the only force truly capable of opposing the Wanjin Merchant Association was the Blood Wolf Gang.

With Yue Shan's support, Song Cheng unhesitatingly sent a challenge to Lin Dong, inviting him to a death match. Lin Dong, naturally, was not afraid but did not agree immediately. Instead, he proposed a match for today, two months later.

Thus, today's death match came to be.

Song Cheng appeared to be a refined middle-aged man, but his face looked rather slick, always adorned with a somewhat hypocritical smile, giving the impression of a cunning old fox.

At this moment, upon seeing Lin Dong, Song Cheng's eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within them. However, he maintained his smile and said amiably:

"You are Lin Dong? Indeed, a hero emerges from youth, possessing remarkable abilities. However, your methods are a bit too brutal for a young man. But rest assured, I, Song Cheng, am your elder. I won't kill you; I'll merely let you accompany my son."

Although Song Cheng spoke with a seemingly jovial tone, his words sent a chill down one's spine.

Xia Zhilan, who was following behind Xia Wanjin, let out an indignant snort upon hearing this and immediately cursed out:

"Shameless old fool, you admit you're an elder? Your son attacked sneakily, attempting to take a life, and it's already showing you face that Lin Dong didn't kill him. Yet you have the audacity to bully the young, truly thick-skinned!"

Even with Song Cheng's composure, being publicly berated by Xia Zhilan made him lose some face. He could only let out a cold snort and say with a slightly darkened expression:

"You can hide behind a woman now, but once the death match begins, no one will be able to save you. Do you truly believe that by luckily killing an careless Wei Tong, you've gained the strength to rival the Lesser Perfection of the Yuan Dan Realm?"

"Our strength will be revealed soon enough. I must say, you and your son are truly alike. I hope you won't be like your useless son and be unable to withstand even one of my moves."

Lin Dong couldn't help but sneer at this. If it were two months ago, he indeed wouldn't have had the strength to defeat a powerhouse at the Lesser Perfection of the Yuan Dan Realm. But now, the scales had long since tipped.