Rigging Matches

The courtyard where Ailin was staying was a standard standalone residence. It even had a pond and all sorts of miraculous flowers. Moreover, the courtyard seemed to have its own Magic Array similar to one that gathered natural elements, making the elemental energy here somewhat denser than outside.

Five hundred Nether Stones had not been wasted.

Ailin was flipping through a book in the pavilion beside the pond. The book had come from the courtyard's study and contained strange tales about Blood Nether City and its surroundings, as well as introductions to where certain items could be purchased. It was like a guide to Blood Nether City.

"My lord."

The beautiful waitress from earlier suddenly called out from beyond the courtyard.

Ailin returned to his senses. "Come in."

"My lord, someone calling himself Ek says that he is an acquaintance of yours and wishes to visit."

After learning that Ailin was a ten-win streak powerhouse at the Blood Battle Stage, the beautiful waitress had become even more respectful toward him. Under normal circumstances, she would not personally handle something as simple as delivering a message, but because it concerned Ailin, she had come herself.

"Ek?"

Ailin raised a brow as the black-haired young man he had spoken with at the Blood Battle Stage came to mind.

Although they had not exchanged names at the time, when the black-haired youth later went onstage to challenge someone, the referee had announced his name. It was Ek.

What did this guy want with him?

Ailin found it somewhat interesting and said, "Let him in."

To be honest, he was rather curious about the fellow. From what he had observed, this guy and his opponent had seemed to be rigging a match. To dare rig matches in a place like the Blood Battle Stage—he really was bold.

"Yes."

After receiving Ailin's permission, the beautiful waitress carefully departed.

Not long afterward, the black-haired young man followed the waitress to Courtyard 14.

"Ailin, we meet again!"

The black-haired youth, Ek, smiled as soon as he saw Ailin.

Ailin first said to the waitress, "Go take care of your work."

"Yes."

The beautiful waitress then left, closing the courtyard gate behind her.

"I really didn't expect it. I only heard that you planned to fight continuously, yet you went on to achieve ten straight victories in one go. That's impressive."

After watching the waitress leave, Ek grinned at Ailin.

Ailin smiled but did not say much else. "Have a seat. Let's talk."

Ek did not stand on ceremony and sat directly across from Ailin. In a familiar tone, he said, "You've become quite famous at the Blood Battle Stage now. You're probably second only to Bens."

"Oh? Are ten-win streaks at the Blood Battle Stage that rare?"

Ailin asked with a smile.

"Haha, not really."

Ek laughed. "Win streaks are somewhat difficult, but every so often, someone still manages ten consecutive victories."

At this point, Ek put on a mysterious expression and switched to voice transmission. The Blood Battle Stage needs to attract spectators too. Even if no one can achieve ten straight victories, the Blood Battle Stage will arrange for a powerhouse to appear.

So many of those ten-win streaks are staged by the Blood Battle Stage itself?

Ailin's brow twitched slightly.

Hehe, the Blood Battle Stage needs to earn Nether Stones too, Ek said indifferently. Besides, doing this can sometimes attract other powerhouses. Maybe it will even bring out genuine experts capable of ten or twenty consecutive victories.

Ek then resumed speaking normally. "During this period, because of Bens, even people with decent strength will not actively challenge for win streaks. After all, if they do not have the strength to deal with Bens, showing themselves now and getting arranged by the Blood Battle Stage to face him would be troublesome."

"Hehe, going on a challenge streak during this time really wasn't a wise choice for me, then."

Ailin smiled casually.

"Hehe, you didn't run into Bens today. If you don't challenge tomorrow, then naturally you'll be fine. Even if the Blood Battle Stage wants to arrange something, it can only arrange fights for those who register. If you don't register, then even if you have fifty straight victories, the Blood Battle Stage cannot force you to fight Bens."

Ek waved his hand and spoke frankly. Then, looking at Ailin with feigned surprise, he asked, "What? Don't tell me you plan to keep challenging?"

Seeing Ek act this way, Ailin could not be bothered to waste words. He smiled faintly. "All right, stop beating around the bush. What exactly did you come to see me for? Surely you didn't come just to tell me this?"

Ek smiled and stopped concealing his intentions. "Hehe, I did come to discuss a small matter with you."

Ailin chuckled. "Let's hear it."

He had to admit that this fellow was rather interesting. At the very least, Ek's understanding of the Blood Battle Stage far exceeded Ailin's earlier expectations. Could this guy actually be an insider at the Blood Battle Stage?

Seeing Ailin speak, Ek's expression became somewhat more serious. He unleashed his Divine Domain around them, preventing their conversation from being overheard. "Ailin, I want to confirm something. Do you intend to continue challenging afterward?"

He did not directly ask about Ailin's strength.

For one thing, a person's strength was relatively private, and asking outright might provoke resistance. Besides, he had his own estimation of Ailin's strength. He guessed that Ailin possessed the power of a Six-star Demon and might even have a good chance of challenging for one hundred consecutive victories.

Many people guessed that Bens possessed the same level of strength. Therefore, it was not impossible for Ailin to face Bens.

Ailin glanced at Ek without hiding it. "That's right. I'll continue challenging tomorrow. Not just tomorrow—if I can keep winning, I'll keep going."

He wanted one hundred consecutive victories, so there was no point hiding it. Even if he concealed it from Ek, he would be discovered as soon as Ailin challenged again the next day.

Seeing Ailin admit it, Ek nodded, a trace of a smile appearing in his tone. "Ailin, what I came to discuss is precisely related to this matter."

At this point, he had also become certain that Ailin was probably someone who enjoyed challenges and danger. Otherwise, ordinary people would stop after winning a few matches in a row.

If one kept going without stopping, one would either achieve one hundred consecutive victories or be defeated by a powerhouse arranged by the Blood Battle Stage.

And defeat could mean death.

The longer the win streak, the greater the chance of dying after a loss.

"Oh?"

Ailin looked at Ek.

"Ailin, based on the strength you displayed earlier, winning continuously over the next few days definitely won't be difficult. However, with Bens around now, once your win streak rises, the Blood Battle Stage will inevitably arrange for you to fight him. Many people speculate that Bens is at least a Six-star Demon powerhouse. Defeating him will not be easy."

Ek continued, "Even if you defeat Bens and even have a chance to challenge for one hundred consecutive victories, have you considered whether the Blood Battle Stage would really let you succeed so easily? They will definitely send out genuine powerhouses then. Perhaps even the City Lord or the Prefect will take notice and may send out a Seven-star Demon. How great do you think your chances are?"

"So you mean I should stop challenging?"

Ailin looked at Ek, seemingly unable to understand the man's thinking. Ailin was the one challenging, so why was Ek so concerned?

"Don't misunderstand."

Ek hurriedly shook his head before revealing his purpose. "Hehe, the reason I'm saying all this is because I want to cooperate with you and earn a batch of Nether Stones together."

"Earn Nether Stones?"

Ailin suddenly understood something. His tone turned strange. "By using these Blood Battle Stage challenges to earn Nether Stones?"

"Hehe, exactly."

Ek directly explained his situation. "Didn't you ask me before why I wasn't afraid of running into Bens? First, I won't challenge for a win streak. Second, I already have an arrangement with some people. The opponent I challenge will only be Glass. Even the outcome and how I lose are decided beforehand. Naturally, there won't be any danger."

As expected, this guy had been rigging matches earlier.

Ailin understood.

And judging from how confident Ek was, the Blood Battle Stage probably knew they were rigging matches as well.