The Arena

The Arena was located just north of the center of Yan City. It was one of the city's most popular places.

After all, watching powerful fighters clash—especially in a fight to the death—held considerable appeal for many people.

And the two sides in this duel had rather extraordinary backgrounds, to say the least.

On one side was Song Cheng, head of the Song Family of Yan City and a powerhouse at Lesser Perfection of the Yuan Dan Realm. His strength was in no way inferior to that of Wei Tong, the Blood Robe Sect's leader. He had led the Song Family in Yan City for many years, earning quite a reputation.

The other side, however, was rather unusual. In fact, it had left countless people dumbfounded.

As the opponent of the Song Family's head in this deathmatch, everyone had initially assumed the other fighter would be Lin Zhentian, the head of the Lin Family. After all, a name like his sounded like it belonged to someone immensely powerful.

But to everyone's surprise, the one actually taking part in the deathmatch was Lin Zhentian's grandson—a sixteen-year-old boy named Lin Dong.

Still, the boy's history was extraordinary. It was said that two months ago, Lin Dong had been the one to kill Wei Tong. Despite having only reached the middle stage of the Heavenly Yuan Realm, and possessing Spiritual Power that could barely rival a Two-Seal Symbol Master's, he had still slain Wei Tong.

Before that, Lin Dong had managed to kill Gu Ying, the Blood Robe Sect's deputy leader and a Two-Seal Symbol Master.

It was worth mentioning that another Blood Robe Sect enshrinee at the Lesser Yuan Dan Realm had also died at Lin Dong's hands. In effect, he had wiped out the entire Blood Robe Sect.

What was more, the news had been verified by multiple sources and was actually true—though Wei Tong's death had also been partly due to his own carelessness.

There were also rumors that Lin Dong could kill opponents above his level because he had previously taken a mysterious powerhouse as his master.

Some even suspected that the mysterious powerhouse had secretly helped Lin Dong kill Wei Tong. After all, Lin Dong was the heir his master had chosen.

As a result, today's battle had plenty of spectacle to draw countless powerful fighters to watch. Every major force in Yan City had gathered in the Arena, except for the City Lord's Mansion and the Symbol Master Association.

After all, Lin Dong was a ruthless fighter capable of killing Wei Tong. The Blood Wolf Gang had even claimed that Lin Dong had entered Pill Immortal Pool to cultivate two months ago, so his strength should have advanced by now.

That only made the fight more compelling. Countless people wondered whether Lin Dong, having grown stronger, could defeat Song Cheng head-on.

And if Lin Dong lost, would the mysterious powerhouse behind him come forward? Quite a few people were curious about that mysterious figure.

Accompanied by Xia Wanjin, Xuan Su, and Master Yan, who had helped guide him, Lin Dong entered the vast Arena alongside Lin Zhentian and the others.

They had taken only a few steps when they came face-to-face with a group of people. At the head of the group was none other than Yue Shan, the Blood Wolf Gang's leader, whom Lin Dong had met at Pill Immortal Pool two months ago.

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, head of the Song Family.

"So you're that Lin Dong from the Lin Family? Heh. Not bad. Very impressive!"

Yue Shan fixed his gaze on Lin Dong and spoke with a cold laugh, his voice carrying a hint of icy menace.

Yue Shan hated Lin Dong and wanted him dead. Two months ago, Lin Dong had cost him Pill Immortal Pool, along with the chance to cultivate four powerhouses at the Lesser Yuan Dan Realm.

If his children had been able to lay a solid foundation by cultivating at Pill Immortal Pool, they might have broken through to Lesser Perfection of the Yuan Dan Realm in a few years.

Yue Shan had spent a long time plotting to seize Pill Immortal Pool. He had only learned of Wei Tong's death after returning.

Then Lin Dong's arrival had ruined months of Yue Shan's efforts. How could he not be furious?

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

Not only had Wei Tong died that time, but another Blood Robe Sect enshrinee at the Lesser Yuan Dan Realm had perished as well. The Blood Robe Sect had consequently fallen apart that very night.

The territories the Blood Robe Sect had once controlled, along with its many treasures and riches, had all been divided among the other forces. The Wanjin Merchant Association had even taken half for itself.

So when Yue Shan heard that Lin Dong had crippled Song Qing, Song Cheng's only son, over the dispute at Pill Immortal Pool, he immediately reached out to Song Cheng.

The Song Family had always been fickle, maintaining ties with many sides. But after the incident with Song Qing, the Wanjin Merchant Association chose to stand with Lin Dong, so Song Cheng had joined the Blood Wolf Gang without hesitation.

After all, the Blood Wolf Gang was the only force in Yan City willing to stand against the Wanjin Merchant Association.

With Yue Shan's support, Song Cheng had promptly sent Lin Dong a challenge, inviting him to fight to the death. Lin Dong wasn't afraid, but he hadn't agreed to fight right away. Instead, he had set the duel for today, two months later.

And so, today's deathmatch had come to pass.

Song Cheng looked like a refined, scholarly middle-aged man. But his face seemed slick and calculating, and a few traces of false warmth were always plastered across it. He looked every bit the cunning old fox.

Now, seeing Lin Dong, Song Cheng narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them. Yet he kept smiling as he spoke.

"So you're Lin Dong? A hero truly does emerge in youth. You certainly have some skill. But your methods are far too vicious for someone so young. Don't worry, though. I'm still your elder, after all. I won't kill you. I'll simply send you to keep my son company."

Song Cheng spoke with a broad smile, but his words sent a chill through everyone who heard them.

Xia Zhilan, standing behind Xia Wanjin, gave an indignant snort. Then she immediately let loose a furious tirade.

"You shameless old bastard! You know you're the elder, do you? Your son ambushed someone and tried to take his life. Lin Dong showed you enough respect by not killing him, and you still have the nerve to bully someone younger than you? You've got some gall!"

Even Song Cheng, for all his cunning, couldn't keep his composure after Xia Zhilan berated him in public. He could only let out a cold snort and reply with a darkened expression.

"You can hide behind a woman for now, but once the deathmatch begins, no one will be able to save you. Do you really think that getting lucky and killing a careless Wei Tong means you're strong enough to rival someone at Lesser Perfection of the Yuan Dan Realm?"

"We'll see how strong I am soon enough. I have to say, you and your son really are cut from the same cloth. Let's hope you don't turn out like that good-for-nothing son of yours, who couldn't even withstand one of my moves."

Lin Dong gave a derisive laugh. Two months ago, he truly hadn't been strong enough to defeat a powerhouse at Lesser Perfection of the Yuan Dan Realm. But now, the balance had already shifted.