The Timid Starve, the Bold Feast!

Shrek Academy, in a hidden corner.

A slovenly man in a tattered black robe, his face covered in stubble, leaned against the wall and drank.

He was none other than the Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao.

At this moment, how could he still possess even a trace of the domineering aura he once had when his hammer shook the world?

He looked every bit like a drunkard waiting to die.

But now.

His murky eyes were fixed on the Heavenly Curtain, and his breathing grew heavy.

"Finger Rebirth... complete healing..."

Tang Hao tremblingly reached out his rough hand, wanting to touch the image on the Heavenly Curtain as his lips quivered.

"If it's a Divine Medicine like this... then Ah Yin..."

"Could Ah Yin come back to life too?"

The moment that thought arose, it instantly ignited his heart, which had long since fallen silent.

Clang!

The wine bottle in his hand fell to the ground.

Tang Hao rose to his feet. Even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, he would never let it go.

"No matter who you are, no matter what price I have to pay!"

"This Divine Medicine is mine!"

The next moment, a Black Shadow shot into the sky and flew toward the distance.

Before that, he had to go see that cave he had not visited in decades.

Heaven Dou City, outside the gates of the Dark Night Arena.

With the Heavenly Ranking being revealed one entry after another, this place had now become the liveliest spot on the entire continent.

After learning its location, countless Soul Masters came from all directions.

Some came to catch another glimpse of the stunning beauties on the ranking, while others came to investigate the Divine Medicine that could regenerate severed limbs.

Of course, quite a few also harbored ulterior motives.

Yet whenever someone reached the Dark Night Arena's grand entrance.

Their steps would inevitably come to an abrupt halt.

Because at the center of the wide entrance stood a "Guardian God."

He wore a specially made, oversized White Steward Uniform and stood more than three meters tall.

His muscles stretched the clothing taut, as though it might burst at any moment.

With his tiger back and bear waist, slightly dark skin, and stern face, he was as intimidating as a Fierce Beast.

He stood there quietly, arms crossed, without moving.

Everyone who passed by him to enter felt their throats tighten and instinctively swallowed.

Within the crowd, several Old Hands who frequented the place hunched their necks and boasted in low voices to the newcomers beside them.

"You don't know him? He's one of the Dark Night Arena's three great stewards, known as Steward Tai!"

"You have no idea how terrifying he is!"

"Last time, a Soul Sage who didn't know his place lost money here and caused trouble, cursing the Duel Arena."

"And then?" The newcomer beside him listened with rapt attention.

"And then?" The Old Hand sneered.

"Steward Tai threw one punch."

"Just one punch. He didn't even activate his Martial Soul!"

"That Soul Sage, along with his Martial Soul Avatar, was all blasted into Meat Paste."

"That sight, tsk tsk tsk..."

The newcomer's face turned pale with fright. "Hiss... Really? A Soul Sage killed with one punch?!"

Just then.

There was suddenly some commotion at the entrance.

A Big Man, broad and burly with a face full of flesh, was shoving aside the people in front of him and forcing his way inside.

Steward Tai, who had remained motionless until then, puffed out two streams of white air from his nostrils, and his enormous body suddenly took a step forward.

Boom!

Everyone felt the ground tremble.

Before the Big Man could react, a palm larger than his head descended from above and lifted him straight into the air.

"Ah...!!!"

In Steward Tai's hand, the Burly Big Man looked like a chick caught by an eagle.

His feet dangled in the air as he kicked helplessly.

He instinctively circulated his Soul Power with all his might to resist, but when he met Steward Tai's enormous, terrifying eyes.

The Soul Power in his body instantly stalled, and he was too frightened to struggle any further.

"M-My lord, spare me! Spare me!"

"I-I just came to watch the matches! Don't kill me!"

Steward Tai brought his huge face close, his enormous eyes staring fixedly at him as he spoke in a muffled voice.

"Is that so?"

His rough voice made the Big Man's ears buzz.

"Y-Yes, yes! I swear!" The Big Man nodded frantically, snot running down his face.

Just as everyone around them thought this Big Man was done for today, an astonishing scene unfolded.

Steward Tai suddenly grinned, revealing a mouthful of gleaming white Teeth.

Then he gently set the Big Man back on the ground and even thoughtfully brushed dust off his shoulder that was not there.

"Welcome."

"..."

The entire place fell deathly silent.

The Big Man's legs went weak, and he nearly dropped to his knees.

The contrast was too great!

One second, he was like the God of Slaughter descending upon the world; the next, he had turned into a Greeter?

"Th-Thank you, my lord!"

Trembling, the Big Man pulled out a large handful of Gold Soul Coins from his robes and handed them directly to the Ticket Seller.

Then he hurriedly scrambled into the Duel Arena, terrified that he would die if he was even a moment too late.

This scene thoroughly intimidated those harboring ulterior motives.

Those who had still been entertaining little schemes and wanted to take advantage of the chaos to cause trouble.

Now obediently lined up to buy tickets, not daring to even breathe too loudly.

Inside the Duel Arena.

Once past the gates, there were surprisingly few Guards inside—one could even say there were none.

Aside from the main path leading to the Audience Seats, there were many deep side corridors on either side leading further into the Duel Arena.

At this moment, an almost transparent gray figure took advantage of the crowded flow of people.

And silently slipped into an empty side corridor.

This person was a sharp-faced, rat-eyed Man with a furtive appearance.

His name was Yun Zide, and he was a level 72 Soul Sage.

His Martial Soul was the highly concealment-focused Night Hidden Rat.

At this moment, a faint layer of gray Soul Power enveloped his entire body.

He seemed to blend into the surrounding shadows.

Even if someone walked right past him, they would never notice that there was another person there.

"Hehehe..."

Yun Zide walked down the empty corridor, his face covered in a smug and lecherous grin.

"That Big Guy is good at scaring people at the entrance, but he can't scare Grandpa!"

"The timid starve, the bold feast!"

"With my Night Hidden Rat Martial Soul, I've even strolled through Sect Treasure Vaults!"

"What the hell is a tiny Duel Arena like this?"

As he bragged, he wriggled his long, narrow nose and sniffed hard at the air.

"As long as I find that Catwoman or that Host, I'll knock them out and take them away!"

"Then I'll loot this place's treasure vault while I'm at it. Maybe there's even that Divine Medicine from the Heavenly Curtain!"

The more he thought about it, the more excited Yun Zide became, and his pace quickened.

Suddenly!

His nose twitched sharply twice.

"Hm? This scent..."

A faint fragrance drifted into his nostrils, cool and clear with a trace of sweetness.

Just smelling it made the Evil Fire within him stir restlessly.

Yun Zide was an experienced womanizer. Relying on his Martial Soul's skill at concealment, he had harmed many decent young women over the years.

His eyes immediately lit up. "Top quality! She's definitely a top-quality beauty!"

"She's right ahead!"

"Is it that Catwoman? Or that Host?"

Yun Zide rubbed his hands excitedly, lust gleaming in his tiny eyes. "Hehe, my luck is finally here!"

He quickened his pace and rushed toward the source of the fragrance.

However, after taking only two steps.

"Sizzle..."

Yun Zide suddenly felt his feet catch, as though he had stepped in powerful glue.

Trying to lift his feet took tremendous effort.

"What's going on?"

He lowered his head in confusion.

A thin layer of Blue Mist had somehow spread across the previously dry ground.

The mist looked light and insubstantial, but when it touched his skin, it carried a bone-piercing chill.

In the brief moment he was stunned, the mist seemed to come alive.

It rapidly spread upward from his calves.

In an instant, both his feet were firmly stuck to the ground.

No matter how hard he struggled, he could not move at all!

"This is bad! I've been trapped!"

Yun Zide's heart skipped a beat, and he frantically circulated his Soul Power in an attempt to break free.

But he discovered that the chill had already begun seeping into his body, freezing him so badly that even his Soul Power was difficult to circulate.

Just then.

Smack—!

A sharp, piercing crack exploded through the silent, pitch-black corridor like a clap of thunder.

The blast was so loud that Yun Zide jolted, his eardrums aching.

He looked up in horror toward the front.

In the darkness ahead.

A Slender Figure slowly approached, accompanied by that enchanting fragrance.

At the same time, a cool voice rang out, carrying a hint of laziness and a trace of teasing.

"Oh? Looks like I caught a disobedient little rat."

As her words fell.

Smack—!

Another crisp crack boomed like thunder!