If Chen Rui entered the Super System's status panel now, he would have seen that the translucent human figure had undergone some strange changes. But all his attention was focused on Langke.
Langke looked ferocious in his Berserk state, but inside, he was terrified. His attacks were often dodged or deflected by Number 64 before they could land, while his opponent's counterattacks always struck the most awkward places to defend. It felt as though he was tied up in knots. Though his strength had nearly doubled, the boost hadn't had the effect he'd expected, and he was still under his opponent's control. Number 64 seemed to be on the defensive, but his rhythm hadn't faltered at all. It was as if he were gathering strength and waiting for an opening—and once he seized one, his attack would be fatal.
What terrified Langke most was that his Berserk state couldn't last much longer. It was about to end, and he would soon enter a period of greatly reduced strength.
"Thud!" Chen Rui blocked a blow and felt his opponent's strength waning. He saw Langke's swollen muscles suddenly shrink, and immediately understood. He unleashed all the strength he had been holding back and launched a fierce counterattack.
The spectators watched in astonishment as Langke, despite using his Berserk talent, failed to finish off Number 64 and was instead forced onto the defensive. When Langke's momentum finally ebbed and a heavy punch knocked him down, leaving him unable to get back up, the last glimmer of hope vanished from the spectators who had bet on Langke. The handful who had wagered on Number 52 erupted in ecstatic cheers.
After defeating Langke, Chen Rui panted heavily. The Star Body's properties helped him recover his stamina faster, but he had still used up a great deal of energy. Fortunately, his wounds had already scabbed over, and he was healing well. Only the most badly injured area beneath his ribs would take longer to mend.
Langke lay weakly on the ground, his whole body aching and drained of strength. He tried several times, but couldn't get up. He had used his Berserk talent as a last resort because his opponent had kept him on the back foot. Number 64's stamina was also beyond his expectations. Even without going Berserk, Langke would have had no chance of surviving if the fight had continued at the same pace.
Langke had intended to use the strength of his Berserk state to deliver a fatal blow to Number 64. He hadn't expected his opponent to remain completely composed. Instead, Langke was the one who couldn't hold out, and in the end, he was soundly defeated.
As Number 64 approached step by step, the Horned Demon known by the fearsome title Blood Hand seemed to see himself tormenting his opponents as he usually did. He trembled with fear and hurriedly cried, "Don't kill me! I surrender!"
In fact, the arena's rules required the fight to continue for two hours before either side could be declared dead. Surrendering before the two hours were up was invalid unless Alaux agreed. Langke could tell that Number 64 was a first-time contestant, and he hoped to use the last of his strength to take a chance.
Sure enough, Number 64 stopped. The spectators saw Langke beg for mercy and began to curse, shouting in unison, "Kill him! Kill him!"
"Sir, spare my life." Langke didn't care about losing face. He slowly crawled forward and prostrated himself before his opponent. Number 64 hesitated for a moment, then slowly turned away. Langke begged for mercy, but a venomous glint flashed in his eyes. He sprang up without warning, his long-prepared claws reaching for the back of his opponent's head. Before he could complete the attack, a sharp pain shot through his throat: a swift, powerful hand chop had struck him.
Langke looked terrified. A hoarse "kh-kh" sound came from his throat, and he finally collapsed to the ground, never to make another sound.
Chen Rui might not have known the arena's rules very well, but he clearly remembered Poison Dragon repeating the same words to him over and over: "In a real fight, your enemy won't show you any mercy. If you want to survive, the only way is to kill your opponent."
Langke's attempt to ambush him had been tantamount to asking for death. He became the first enemy Chen Rui had killed.
The spectators fell silent as the masked man slowly lowered his hand, picked up the cloak from the ground, and draped it over himself again. After a moment, he raised both fists in victory. The arena's atmosphere ignited at once, and many people shouted, "Number 64! Number 64!"
Everyone thought Number 64 had deliberately baited Langke into attacking, then ended his life with one clean, decisive blow. It had been a striking display.
Amid the waves of cheering, Chen Rui felt no pride at all. On the contrary, during that moment of silence, he had been forcing himself to endure his revulsion and discomfort at having drawn blood for the first time. He steeled himself and kept reminding himself: if he showed cowardice or made a mistake in any future battle, the corpse lying on the ground would be his own!
The instant he raised his hands, Chen Rui had completely immersed himself in the role of Agulie, and in this demonic world where the strong ruled and power was supreme. For the sake of survival, for the sake of controlling his own fate, his Heart of the Strong would burn without ever retreating in the battles to come, until the end of his life.
This transformation of spirit might not let Chen Rui break through to the Gang Realm at once, but it was undoubtedly a necessary condition for entering the Baleful Intent Realm in the future.
After his victory, Chen Rui accepted the purse from the Succubus who had brought it to him. It contained his appearance fee for the day and the more than one hundred Black Crystal Coins he'd won by betting on himself. He ignored the Succubus's flirtatious glance, put the purse in the Storage Warehouse, and left the arena.
One Black Crystal Coin had become more than a hundred and twenty. He'd made a fortune. Back when he'd finished the Master Challenge Tournament, Shea had rewarded him with only five Black Crystal Coins. And the Purple Crystal Coins given to him by that "generous" Imperial Capital Master, Kamp, now seemed like nothing special.
The most important thing now was to get the Fluorescent Shadow Stone statue. Then tonight's haul would be perfect.
Chen Rui went to the room where he had signed up and saw Alaux sitting on the sofa, leisurely holding a large wineglass. The Servant Demon Qidun stood carefully by his side.
"Lord Alaux, I've killed Langke as agreed. Please honor your promise."
Alaux gazed at the statue for a while, then snorted. "I don't like dealing with people who hide their faces. Take off your mask!"
"Are you going back on your word, my lord?"
"So what if I am? Besides, I'm not talking about the statue. I'm talking about your mask! Do you want me to take it off myself?" Alaux's tone left no room for refusal.
Chen Rui was secretly on guard, his thoughts racing as he decided what to do. "Lord Alaux, I can give up the statue. But as for the mask... please forgive me. It's part of a vow, and I can't take it off yet."
Alaux wasn't moved in the slightest. His aura gradually grew sharp. "Your vow is your business, not mine. I'm ordering you to take off your mask. Otherwise, I'll peel it off your corpse."
Alaux didn't suspect Chen Rui's identity. He simply wanted him to remove the mask on a whim. The arena might have its own rules, but this was the Demon Realm: the will of the strong was the law. Reasoning with him would be useless.
Chen Rui's heart sank. Alaux was no Langke; their strength was worlds apart. Fighting with all his might would be useless, and even escaping would be difficult. What could he do? Was everything going to be exposed? Given the feud between Joseph's side and Chen Rui, taking off his mask would also mean certain death.
Servant Demon Qidun was about to add a threat of his own when he saw Number 64 burst into unrestrained laughter. He hurriedly shouted, "You ignorant fool! How dare you show contempt for Lord Alaux!"
Chen Rui had just remembered something about Alaux from the information he'd read. Deciding to take a gamble, he abruptly stopped laughing. "Alaux, with those words, you've made yourself my enemy! I hereby formally challenge you!"
Alaux raised an eyebrow. Beside him, Qidun thought he must have misheard. A fellow at the early Middle Rank was actually challenging a High-Rank Demon?
Number 64 said coldly, "I lost my surname and the honor of my family. I once swore to the Demon God that I would never remove this mask until I had recovered the honor that was taken from me. Anyone who blasphemes this vow will become someone I must defeat!"
The demon race valued the continuation of the family above all else. For a demon stripped of his surname, it was in some ways more cruel than execution. Chen Rui's excuse was very convincing for a demon, and under normal circumstances, his opponent wouldn't refuse.
"Lost your surname and your honor..." A strange look flashed through Alaux's eyes, then he gave a scornful laugh. "You want to challenge me? Unfortunately, your strength is pitifully weak. I could wipe you out with one finger. You're not qualified!"
Chen Rui's mind raced. Thinking of Poison Dragon's sealed power, he quickly came up with an explanation. He shook his head. "I've been placed under a seal. Only battles between life and death can awaken my power and combat talents, layer by layer. That's the real reason I came to the arena! I may not be your match now, but give me two months, and I'll make that contemptuous smile disappear from your face forever! If you don't dare accept my challenge, you can kill me right now and peel the mask from my corpse to satisfy your pitiful curiosity!"
The provocation made Alaux raise an eyebrow. He slowly stood up, and an oppressive pressure burst out from him. Qidun trembled in fear beside him. Seeing that his provocation had worked, Chen Rui grew calm instead. He had endured Shea's Killing Intent several times, and it had been several times more terrifying than this. He had also undergone Poison Dragon's training, so he naturally didn't fear Alaux's killing aura. He met Alaux's gaze with unwavering resolve.
"Excellent! What a fine gaze! I accept your challenge!" Alaux suddenly laughed, baring his white, gleaming fangs. His laughter still rang like clashing metal. He nodded. "You're an interesting fellow. I'll give you two months!"
As he spoke, Alaux's pupils shone brightly, and blazing flames flared within them. A scroll wreathed in fire appeared before Chen Rui, its golden words faintly visible. "I don't know where you got your confidence. You must be a Greater Devil with a mutated bloodline, but even if you use your combat form, you're nothing in my eyes. I don't have two forms, but I do have a special talent: this, the War Contract. Sign it now, and if you don't show up for the challenge in two months, I'll be able to find you anywhere!"
Chen Rui had come up with the challenge in a moment of desperation, hoping to buy time. He hadn't expected Alaux to have such a special talent. It was already too late to back out or ask for more time.
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