I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1391: It is indeed a little interesting, the root of the disaster

Hong Gui was a well-known figure in Gufeng Ancient City. Having operated the arena for tens of millions of years, she had established connections with all clans and forces. She was powerful, adept at navigating complex social dynamics, and knew how to assess situations effectively. Even in the turbulent waters of Gufeng Ancient City, her relationship with the Zhou clan was particularly strong.

Although Gu Changge and Zhou Jue were noble figures in her eyes, she felt they were somewhat distant and unlikely to forge any real connection. In contrast, this visiting old friend belonged to her world, presenting more opportunities for future interactions. After considering her options, she decided it would be best to meet this old friend in person.

After announcing her departure, Zhou Jue nodded in acknowledgment.

Since you have something important to attend to, Hong Gui, go ahead. I’ll stay here with Young Master Gu.

Alongside him, many members of the Zhou clan were present, so they had no concerns about a lack of support.

Hong Gui then took her leave, and her servants and maids followed suit. Gu Changge, for his part, remained silent, understanding the situation.

Although Hong Gui possessed strength comparable to the Dao Realm, she had nearly exhausted her potential and could not progress further. According to the strength system within the immortal civilization, it would be challenging for her to undergo a second spiritual transformation. In truth, such a character was unlikely to capture Gu Changge’s interest.

After Hong Gui departed, Gu Changge’s gaze returned to the arena below. The cages, covered with black cloth, were pushed out and placed in the arena, square and silent. However, a strong malevolent aura continued to permeate the air, giving rise to some hideous spiritual visions in the void. It was clear that ordinary people would struggle to see the scene clearly.

Zhou Jue noticed Gu Changge’s expression and couldn’t help but ask, “Could Mr. Gu be more interested in this?”

Gu Changge smiled lightly and replied, “I’m actually interested in one of the figures among them.” He chose not to elaborate further and found a seat in the pavilion to sit down.

Zhou Jue was even more surprised but decided not to press for more details. He scanned the area but didn’t notice anything unusual; it all seemed like a very ordinary duel. He then ordered his clansmen to prepare tea and spiritual fruit cakes and found a seat beside Gu Changge.

“The few fighters about to compete are all dead fighters from other arenas. They’ve been in at least hundreds of battles, and their combat experience is extremely rich. They’ve reached this point by stepping over countless corpses…” Zhou Jue explained.

“In this realm, few can defeat them in a life-and-death fight. Opportunities to witness such thrilling events are rare, so today, I can feast my eyes.”

Just then, a slightly affluent middle-aged man approached the arena and began to introduce the origins of the figures preparing to fight.

He was clearly quite looking forward to and excited about this, his emotions running high. After all, this event had been organized by Hong Gui herself. The warriors who had died in battle were extremely valuable in the arena of all races, and such fighters wouldn’t be easily allowed to compete. The arrival of Gu Changge and the elders of the Zhou clan today had cost Hong Gui a significant sum, prompting her to send up several hundred battle-hardened soldiers.

The Ten Thousand Clans Arena had many sub-fields, spread across numerous universes and ancient cities within the territory of the Zhou Clan. Dead fighters sold to the arena could earn various titles if they performed exceptionally well in other arenas. For instance, fighters could earn a title for achieving ten victories in ten battles or a hundred victories in a hundred battles.

Naturally, duels with different titles came with varying threshold fees for viewing. However, it was noteworthy that there was no such title for nine victories and one defeat. In the arena, once a fighter was defeated, it often meant death, and their life would come to an end. Only those who understood the difficulty of achieving ten victories in ten battles could truly appreciate the challenge. Being victorious in all battles was considered even more legendary.

If you wanted to survive, you had to keep winning. Of course, if you were lucky, you might attract the favor of some nobles willing to pay a high price for your life, but such opportunities were rare. The Ten Thousand Clans Arena was not foolish; it took astronomical resources to train every dead warrior. To ensure the excitement of each fight, the arena meticulously arranged evenly matched opponents.

In other words, during a duel following eight consecutive victories, a fighter would face an opponent who had also achieved eight victories in a row. The resources consumed in this process were nothing short of staggering.

On the surrounding viewing platforms, the crowd erupted in cheers and shouts. Many spectators were eager for the fight to begin, never expecting that this event would involve hundreds of dead soldiers. Young geniuses and young clan members from various races and sects looked particularly excited, urging the match to start as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, on a nearby gambling platform, the person in charge spoke loudly, introducing the backgrounds of the dead men in the cages and explaining the odds for this gambling fight. Under normal circumstances, such a scene was commonplace in the Ten Thousand Clans Arena, where countless matches took place every day.

The Ten Thousand Clans Arena spanned an area large enough to encompass several ancient planets, and this was just one of the many arenas. However, compared to others, this particular venue operated at a higher level. The lowest cultivation level of the dead soldiers who fought here was that of true immortals.

Today, it was even rarer to feature a slain warrior at this level. As soon as the news spread, guests from the other arenas were taken aback; they quickly changed their tickets and rushed over. Soon, the spectator seats filled densely with figures, creating a bustling sea of people.

“Soldier in a hundred battles! It seems Hong Gui is willing to go all out today; she must have spent a fortune,” Zhuo Jue remarked, surprised at the candidate for the duel. He couldn’t help but stroke his beard and smile, clearly impressed by the spectacle.

In Zhuo Jue’s eyes, what Hong Gui was doing was equivalent to enhancing his reputation in front of Gu Changge. While he felt pleased, Gu Changge remained composed, sipping tea with his gaze lowered as he awaited the duel below.

Meanwhile, in another pavilion within the wrestling arena, an air of immortal charm surrounded the gathering. Led by a maid, Hong Gui rushed over with a bright smile on her face. Inside the pavilion, all the elders and disciples of the Scavengers Sect were sipping tea and enjoying spiritual fruits, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their old friend, Sect Leader Wang He.

Having traveled around Gufeng Ancient City, they had come directly to this venue. Many of the disciples were filled with curiosity about the famed Ten Thousand Clans Arena, as this was their first visit. They glanced around, taking in the atmosphere. In contrast, a few disciples from extraordinary backgrounds appeared completely at ease, sipping their tea with expressions that suggested they were no strangers to such scenes.

Wang He stood tall by the window of the pavilion, his gaze fixed on the scene unfolding in the arena.

If I remember correctly, my old friend’s Ten Thousand Clans Arena is set to produce a remarkable character in the future, but she will also face unprovoked disasters. The information I have so far is vague, but if the opportunity arises, I might be able to help her avert this disaster.

He sighed inwardly, contemplating the energy demands of the Book of Scavengers, which he had used recently.

It will take a considerable amount of time before I can draw upon its power again. The artifact spirit of the Book is unbearably arrogant and refuses to acknowledge me as its master. It’s nearly impossible to communicate with her on a daily basis. If only I knew what kind of energy the Book needs to recover, it wouldn’t be such a burden.

As he thought back to his investigations into the life experiences of various beings, he recalled stumbling upon records concerning the Ten Thousand Clans Arena. A slight frown crossed his face; the original means of profit in the arena often disrupted the harmony of the heavens.

Sometimes, the arena would target weaker groups, seizing their talented individuals and training them as dead warriors from a young age. If those ethnic groups dared to resist, they might face complete annihilation. Such occurrences were all too common in this world, where the law of the jungle prevailed. Countless groups and forces were destroyed daily.

Since the establishment of the Scavengers Sect, Wang He’s methods might not have been entirely noble. However, he often managed to resolve numerous follow-up issues by relying on the Book of Scavengers. He knew that the dangers sown by the arena would inevitably bear fruit one day.

It seems I still have to persuade my old friend about this.

Just as Wang He pondered this, he heard footsteps approaching from outside the pavilion. Hong Gui, dressed in a bright red long dress with hair that shone like the sun, rushed in. As she approached, her cheerful voice rang out.

“Hey, isn’t this the esteemed head of Wang He? What brings you to my arena today?” Hong Gui greeted with a bright smile.

Wang He snapped back to attention at her voice and returned her smile. “It’s been a while, Senior Hong Gui. You still look as charming as ever.”

The elders and disciples of the Scavengers Sect followed suit, bowing respectfully. Although Hong Gui appeared youthful, she was quite ancient, and even Wang He referred to her as “senior.”

Hong Gui had once received Wang He’s favor for various reasons, leading to a friendship between them. She held a good impression of him. Compared to the ancient figures who had cultivated for tens of millions of years, Wang He’s current age seemed quite young. He had been standing on the threshold of the Dao Realm for tens of thousands of years, merely a thin line away from successfully entering it.

Hong Gui couldn’t help but feel envious of his talent.

Hong Gui recognized Wang He’s potential and foresaw a bright future for him, which motivated her to establish a friendship. As a result, she personally came to greet him.

Wang He waved slightly, signaling for the members of the Scavengers Sect to leave, indicating he and Hong Gui had matters to discuss. Intrigued, she allowed everyone to step out, eager to learn why Wang He sought her out this time.

In her eyes, Wang He was exceptionally skilled and often accomplished remarkable feats; even among those at the same level, he was not easily threatened. If he entered the Dao Realm, his strength would undoubtedly become even more formidable.

Wang He wasted no time and explained his purpose for visiting. He mentioned that he had heard a heavenly elder of the Zhou clan would hold a disciple acceptance ceremony soon. He expressed his desire to attend the ceremony and sought Hong Gui’s assistance in this matter.

The Scavenger Sect was primarily renowned in the galaxies and universes surrounding its territory. In the face of a giant like the Zhou clan, it was relatively insignificant. Despite being a half-step Dao Realm cultivator, Wang He lacked an invitation from the Zhou clan and therefore felt he had no right to attend the ceremony.

Hong Gui was taken aback; she was unaware of any such news and was curious about how Wang He had come by this information.

However, since Wang He had approached her, Hong Gui felt obliged to assist him, both out of gratitude for his previous kindness and her respect for his status. The matter was not troublesome for her to handle.

Seeing Hong Gui agree, Wang He felt a wave of relief and joy. They then reminisced about old times before shifting the topic to the day’s duel. Wang He expressed his excitement about witnessing the battle of hundreds of dead soldiers.

In response, Hong Gui shook her head helplessly. “I didn’t want to arrange this,” she explained, “but you don’t understand—Elder Zhou Jue of the Zhou clan is here in person. I had to comply with the request. If things go awry, it would be embarrassing for Elder Zhou Jue.”

Her connection with the Zhou clan was the foundation of her standing in Gufeng Ancient City, and she knew better than to offend its elders.

“Someone brought here?” Wang He asked, startled. He suddenly thought of something and couldn’t help but inquire, “Could it be that man in white who’s been rumored about in Gufeng Ancient City recently?”

Hong Gui nodded. “Yes, who else do you think would receive such personal attention from the elders of the Zhou clan?” As she spoke, there was a hint of envy in her tone.

Although she was considered one of the prominent figures in Gufeng Ancient City, Hong Gui knew she was still a dispensable entity in the grand scheme of the Zhou Clan. In contrast, the man in white possessed an extraordinary background that commanded the entire Zhou clan’s attention—a status she couldn’t even begin to fathom.

Previously, when the people of Gufeng Ancient City attempted to uncover his origins, they had faced severe backlash, which only deepened her awe and caution regarding his presence.

“No wonder,” Wang He remarked, feeling a sense of unease settle in his heart. However, he quickly dismissed any lingering thoughts about it. He sensed that Gufeng Ancient City might not enjoy peace in the near future.

As the two conversed, the fighting in the arena commenced. The black cloth covering the first two cages was lifted, revealing two figures shackled within. The moment their restraints were undone, they transformed into streaks of light, colliding and engaging in a fierce battle.

Blood splattered everywhere as punches connected with flesh, accompanied by the sickening sound of bones breaking. The spectacle sent waves of excitement through the crowd, each creature eagerly leaning forward in anticipation. This was the essence of primal combat—void of any frills or embellishments, yet brimming with raw, lethal intent.

The explosion of pure power emanating from the fighters was enough to shift mountains and seas, shaking the very fabric of the arena. Although a protective formation surrounded the venue, preventing the true might of a true immortal from being unleashed, the intensity of the battles was still thrilling. The ferocity of the struggle surpassed anything seen among lower-tier creatures, captivating the audience.

In nearby cages, the black cloth was simultaneously pulled back, revealing two more figures. Without exchanging a word, they swiftly unshackled themselves and launched into battle. One of the fighters stood out with his gaunt, almost skeletal frame, clad in a tattered gray robe. His hair was a matted gray, and his face was a grim tableau of blood and dirt, the strands of hair clumped together, further emphasizing his ragged appearance.