In the stands, the spectators' jaws dropped at the sight.
"How is this possible! Shui'er is being beaten back by this newcomer?"
"I must still be dreaming!"
"Why are those nine scorpion tails so fast?"
"..."
Mimi, the commentator on the raised platform, was also shocked speechless.
"No... how is this possible?" Mimi felt like dying. "Miss Shui'er is a Soul Fighting Star! How could a newcomer be suppressing her?!"
"My money!!!!!"
On the stage, Luo Chen paid no heed to what the spectators thought. At this moment, he was already tired of this game of hawk catching chicks.
"I'm hungry." A trace of impatience flashed through his eyes. "Time to end the match."
And so, once Luo Chen took control, the Nine Poison Scorpion Hook Sword's nine tails, which had been moving freely, instantly gathered together.
"First form, Gather Together as One!"
In an instant, the nine scorpion tails twisted together into one enormous tail and thrust toward Shui Bing'er with terrifying pressure.
"Damn it!" Shui Bing'er's gaze darkened, and she once again condensed ice spikes at her fingertips, firing them at Luo Chen's scorpion tail.
But no matter how she struggled, how she dodged, or how quickly she released ice spikes, she could not stop the Nine Poison Scorpion Hook Sword's rapid approach.
Like a bolt of black lightning, the Nine Poison Scorpion Hook Sword reached Shui Bing'er in an instant.
The sight of the sharp scorpion tail before her made Shui Bing'er's scalp prickle with fear.
Especially when the tip of the scorpion tail pressed against her throat, she finally tasted death.
She was even certain that if the scorpion tail advanced just a little farther, it would pierce her throat.
And so, before Luo Chen could make his move, Shui Bing'er's clear, firm declaration of surrender rang across the entire stage.
The word "surrender" instantly silenced the entire arena.
At that moment, nothing remained in the spectators' hearts but endless confusion.
They wondered why Miss Shui'er... had surrendered. They wondered how Shui'er, a Soul Fighting Star with more than ten consecutive victories, could surrender so easily. They even wondered whether the person onstage today was the real Shui'er.
At the same time, anger toward Demon Scorpion rose in their hearts. They were angry that Demon Scorpion did not know how to cherish a delicate beauty. They were angry that Demon Scorpion had obstructed Shui'er's advancement to Soul Fighting King.
Only after a while did the host, Mimi, come back to her senses.
She hurriedly raised the Amplifying Soul Tool in her hand, her voice choked:
"It looks like our newcomer, Demon Scorpion, has brought Shui'er's path to advancement to an end today!"
"Now, let's give Demon Scorpion a round of applause to congratulate him on his victory!"
In the past, whenever Mimi called for applause at a moment like this, enthusiastic applause would always erupt from the stands.
But today, because Luo Chen had defeated Shui Bing'er without the slightest effort, the spectators, seeking to vent Shui'er's grievances, actually
did not clap at all. The entire arena was deathly silent.
Mimi looked somewhat awkward. She gave an awkward laugh and said:
"Perhaps the spectators were so engrossed in the battle that they didn't hear me."
She gave a dry laugh, then raised the Amplifying Soul Tool and repeated herself:
"Now, let's give Demon Scorpion a round of applause to congratulate him on his victory!"
"..."
The stands remained utterly silent.
"Uh..."
The smile froze on Mimi's face. The spectators still made no sound. This was the first time she had encountered such a situation in her career.
Just as she was considering what to say, Luo Chen, standing in the middle of the stage, suddenly spoke:
"I entered the wagering matches for money, not for fame and fortune held hostage by morality."
"Host, when do I get paid?"
At those words, the silence throughout the arena turned deathly. The spectators stared blankly at the youth, disbelief written all over their faces.
"What does he mean by that?"
"He... is actually asking when he gets paid?"
"Didn't he notice that we weren't applauding?"
"Is he ignoring us?"
Mimi was also stunned by his words, but she quickly recovered and hurriedly said, "Go out through the exit on the left. A staff member will take you to collect your payment."
Hearing this, Luo Chen smiled and nodded, returned to human form, and walked toward the left exit without looking back.
On the stage, Shui Bing'er stared blankly at Luo Chen's receding figure, sinking into thought.
Fame and fortune held hostage by morality-is he referring to me?
But... the spectators really were trying to vent my grievances for me, weren't they?
Meanwhile, Luo Chen hummed a tune as he walked through the contestants' passage, happily imagining:
Ten Gold Soul Coins for one match. According to the rules, as long as I win ten matches, I can be rated a Soul Fighting Star. Then I can fight a few more matches and leave the Soto Great Soul Arena to attend an intermediate Soul Master academy.
At that thought, Luo Chen's steps grew lighter. As soon as he emerged from the contestants' passage, he saw a middle-aged man wearing a hat and fine brocade robes waving at him.
Are the Soto Great Soul Arena's staff this rich? Luo Chen wondered inwardly. If I'd known, I should have checked their job openings first.
Once Luo Chen approached, the middle-aged man removed his hat in thanks and said, "Hello, Mr. Demon Scorpion. I am Lü Jingyi, the manager of the Soto Great Soul Arena."
"The manager of the Soto Great Soul Arena?!" Luo Chen's gaze darkened slightly. "May I ask what you need me for?"
"Our young master watched your match and would like to invite you to his room for a chat," Lü Jingyi said with a smile. "Seize this opportunity. Your future self will certainly thank who you are today."
"Can I say n-"
Before Luo Chen could finish, Lü Jingyi's previously restrained presence suddenly erupted, the imposing presence of a Soul Saint rushing straight at Luo Chen.
"This is the young master's command. Please don't make things difficult for me," Lü Jingyi said, still smiling. "The young master likes jasmine flowers. Please bring jasmine flowers with you when you go to see him, Mr. Demon Scorpion."
"Understood," Luo Chen said. "Then could you pay me the Gold Soul Coins for this wagering match first?"
"Of course." Lü Jingyi clapped his hands lightly. A few seconds later, a staff member approached carrying a tray with a pile of Gold Soul Coins on it.
"What does this mean?" Luo Chen asked.
"Don't overthink it," Lü Jingyi said. "You defeated a Soul Fighting Star in your very first wagering match, breaking the Soto Great Soul Arena's historical record. This is your reward for breaking that record."
Naturally, Luo Chen did not believe Lü Jingyi, but right now, the other man held the knife and chopping block, while he was the fish on it. Helpless, he could only raise his eyebrows and say, "I can't carry so many Gold Soul Coins by myself. Why don't you let me deposit them first, and then we can go see your young master?"
"We have a bank right here at the Soto Great Soul Arena." Lü Jingyi addressed the staff member. "Xiao Fan, take these Gold Soul Coins to the Soto Great Soul Bank and deposit them, then wait for us at the entrance to the lobby."
After Xiao Fan left, Lü Jingyi bent slightly at the waist and pointed in a direction. "This way, please!"