"Hmm?" The Red Rock Lord whipped his head around, his piercing gaze shooting toward Lin Lei.
"He—" The butler Gamorei beside him stared at Lin Lei in shock as well. The Red Rock Lord had just revealed his formidable power moments ago, yet this mysterious "Lei" still had the audacity to challenge him. Was this stupidity or courage? Gamorei carefully reassessed the young man before him.
"Of course, I can also choose not to challenge," Lin Lei said, his tone shifting abruptly.
"Hmm?" The Red Rock Lord looked at Lin Lei.
"Boss…" Bei Bei grew somewhat anxious.
Lin Lei smiled calmly. "Red Rock Lord, I have two reasons for challenging you this time. First, I wish to pursue the pinnacle of cultivation—becoming a Nine Abyss Lord would be a confirmation of my progress. The second reason is to gain entry into the Plane Battlefield! If you, Lord Red Rock, are willing to take my brother and me into the Plane Battlefield, and once inside, follow my wishes as you guide us through it, then I would be happy to withdraw my challenge."
Lin Lei's goal had been the Plane Battlefield all along.
If this Red Rock Lord could bring him and Bei Bei in and act according to his wishes, wouldn't that save everyone a great deal of trouble?
"The Plane Battlefield?" The Red Rock Lord glanced coldly at the two of them. "You two would dare enter the Plane Battlefield just for a taste of Highgod Power. That courage alone is enough for me to respect you." Lin Lei heard this and understood—the treasures earned through military merit in the Plane Battlefield were by no means limited to Divine Artifacts. They could include Highgod Power as well.
"You're courting death," Gamorei muttered in a low voice.
"Whether we're courting death is none of your concern," Bei Bei snorted.
"I cannot possibly agree to this request," the Red Rock Lord said flatly.
"Then I'll continue with the challenge," Lin Lei said without hesitation.
The Red Rock Lord's vertical purple pupils locked onto Lin Lei. His deep voice rumbled, "Boy, you're looking for death!"
"Hey, the fight hasn't even started yet—anything could happen." Bei Bei lifted his chin confidently. Lin Lei smiled with composure as well. "Red Rock Lord, as a Nine Abyss Lord, I've cultivated for many years and have always dreamed of one day sitting in the seat of a Nine Abyss Lord. Surely a Lord of your stature wouldn't fear my challenge?"
"Boss, I think he's scared," Bei Bei chimed in right away.
The Red Rock Lord glanced at Bei Bei but showed no annoyance. He gave an indifferent order: "Gamorei, see them out."
"Yes, my lord." Gamorei bowed, then turned to Lin Lei and Bei Bei. "Gentlemen, please follow me."
Lin Lei and Bei Bei were taken aback. At the same time, Lin Lei noticed that the Red Rock Lord had already turned and was walking away into the distance. A flicker of unease crossed Lin Lei's mind—what is this Red Rock Lord planning? He wouldn't refuse to fight altogether, would he? From the moment he'd received the invitation today, something had felt off.
"Red Rock Lord, you're not afraid, are you?" Lin Lei called out in a clear voice. But the Red Rock Lord's figure had already rounded a corner and vanished from sight.
Just as Lin Lei and Bei Bei were growing anxious and uncertain, an icy voice drifted back—"One month from now, on the Eastern Wasteland beyond the city walls. Since you seek death, I'll grant your wish."
Hearing these words, both Lin Lei and Bei Bei broke into faint smiles.
"Sir Lei, really now…" The butler Gamorei shook his head with a sigh. "I admire your spirit, truly I do. But challenging the Lord? There's simply no hope. Your gravity space is impressive, yes, but the Lord is supremely versed in the Laws of the Earth. You won't be able to affect him at all. In my estimation, you are completely countered by him."
Lin Lei merely smiled.
Generally speaking, when two cultivators practiced the same law, the more accomplished one would suppress the lesser. But there was one exception—when one side possessed an innate divine ability.
Lin Lei's "Black Stone Space" was, in essence, Lindsay's innate supernatural power. The Red Rock Lord knew nothing about it.
"Let's go, gentlemen."
Gamorei led the way, still talking as he walked. "The Lord was in a rare good mood today. Seeing that you're a talent, he actually invited you here with the intention of recruiting you as his subordinate! You could have become the Red Rock Lord's right hand—in the Red Rock territory, that would make you second only to the Lord himself. But you… sigh, why must you be this way?"
Lin Lei and Bei Bei exchanged a glance and couldn't help but laugh.
"Boss, the Lord wanted to recruit you as his man," Bei Bei said with a grin.
Lin Lei now understood why the Lord had gone out of his way to invite him here. But clearly, his response had infuriated the Red Rock Lord—so much so that the Lord hadn't even made the offer before leaving.
"My apologies for disappointing the Red Rock Lord," Lin Lei remarked with a touch of irony.
Gamorei shook his head at Lin Lei's reaction.
In his view, Lin Lei was exactly the type of combat-obsessed warrior who chased the pinnacle above all else. From the moment Lin Lei expressed his desire to enter the Plane Battlefield, Gamorei had concluded he was one of those recklessly bold types. Without sufficient courage and that adventurous spirit, no one would dare set foot in the Plane Battlefield.
Lin Lei and Bei Bei strolled along the street, chatting casually. Having only recently risen to fame in the Red Rock territory, Lin Lei found that the moment he appeared in public, all eyes were on him. He had no choice but to alter his appearance and switch his outer robe to an earthy yellow. That helped him blend in a bit.
"At least our efficiency this time wasn't bad," Lin Lei said with a smile.
"Right. According to the intelligence, ordinary challenges can drag on for years, even centuries or millennia." Bei Bei nodded. "Just one month—this is actually quite short."
But then suddenly—
"Everyone!" A booming voice rang out from behind them. "Big news, great news! The Lord's estate just put out word—the Lord and Sir Lei will be having their official decisive battle one month from now on the Eastern Wasteland beyond the city walls! This is the first time in millions of years that the Lord has engaged in public combat!"
Lin Lei and Bei Bei turned to look.
A burly man in golden robes stood in the center of the street ahead, shouting the announcement. The entire street erupted into a frenzy as everyone rushed over to crowd around him.
"What? Only one month? The Eastern Wasteland beyond the city walls—are you sure?"