So when Lang Ya invited him to fight the third round, Nu Yan couldn't possibly agree—unless he'd lost his mind.
With a cold snort, Nu Yan turned to leave.
"I'll just use this slave. Send whoever you want to fight—how about that?" Lang Ya's voice came from behind him.
Nu Yan halted, turning back with a puzzled look, as if to ask if he was serious.
Lang Ya shrugged slightly, making it clear he wasn't joking.
Numerous gazes turned their way from all around, everyone watching like spectators enjoying a show. Nu Yan immediately frowned. He could certainly leave right now. Though he'd suffered a major setback, it wasn't entirely without gain—the World Force of a Fifth-Grade Open Heaven cultivator was still useful to him. What's more, he'd picked up Wu Five on the way here, which somewhat offset this trip's losses.
But leaving just like that—he simply couldn't swallow the bitter pill.
He lowered his gaze toward the basin below. Although Jia Yi had fallen to that Heavenly King Heaven cultivator and been killed, he hadn't gone down without a fight. Jia Yi's desperate resistance had inflicted some injuries on his opponent, and the previous battle must have cost the Heavenly King Heaven cultivator a considerable amount of energy.
In single combat, he wasn't this person's match—but surely a war of attrition would work?
Undeniably, that Sixth-Grade Open Heaven cultivator below was a considerable temptation for Nu Yan. Most importantly, if he could win, he could finally vent the fury pent up in his heart.
Seeing his hesitation, Lang Ya waved his hand dismissively. "Of course, if you're afraid, feel free to leave. I won't force you."
He'd said the same thing before. Back then it was a provocation, and now it was still a provocation—though the tone was entirely different. Before, he'd been gnashing his teeth; now he was sneering repeatedly.
Nu Yan was already wavering, and this taunt immediately pushed him to make up his mind. "Who's afraid? But let me say this upfront—if you lose later, don't go back on your word."
Lang Ya nodded repeatedly. "Don't worry. I won't renege."
His expression was relaxed and carefree, showing immense confidence in his Ink Slave beneath him. This made Nu Yan's heart skip a beat, giving him a vague sense that he'd been foolish once again.
But he'd already agreed, and backing out now would be like trying to dismount a tiger. Besides, if he refused to fight, he'd only be mocked by his clansmen.
Bracing himself, he looked toward Yi Er with a questioning expression.
Jia Yi was dead, so Yi Er was all he had. Though Yi Er's strength was somewhat inferior to Jia Yi's, the gap wasn't enormous. Against an opponent bearing injuries and severely depleted of energy, there was still a reasonable chance of winning.
Meeting his gaze, Yi Er lowered his head in silence.
"Useless!" Nu Yan hissed through clenched teeth. Yi Er's demeanor made it obvious he had no confidence. Sending him into battle with such a mindset would end badly for certain.
Scolding aside, Yi Er had served him for many years. Though he was a slave, he'd been at his beck and call the whole time. Nu Yan truly couldn't bear to send him to his death.
Nu Yan turned his gaze to Yang Kai and said in a deep voice, "You go!"
This Wu Five was someone he'd picked up, and he had no idea what his true strength was. But human Open Heaven cultivators were all pretty much the same—even Yi Er lacked confidence, so Wu Five probably wouldn't fare any better.
He was already regretting not leaving immediately. If he'd gone earlier, the losses would have been significant but not catastrophic. Now he was about to lose even this Sixth-Grade Ink Slave he'd picked up along the way.
But if he had to choose between sacrificing Yi Er or Wu Five, he'd choose the latter without hesitation. They weren't close—might as well pretend he'd never found him. Thinking this way, he could at least console himself.
"Yes!" Yang Kai was taken aback for a moment, then clasped his fists in response.
He hadn't expected this task to fall on him, which left him rather helpless. But with his "master" from the Ink Clan having given the order, he couldn't openly defy it.
Nu Yan gritted his teeth. "Even if you die, drag him down with you!"
Yang Kai nodded. His figure flickered as he dropped down into the basin.
Standing beside Nu Yan, Ding Si sighed softly. Truth be told, he rather liked the newcomer Wu Five. Jia Yi and the others were mostly the taciturn type. Though Wu Five was new, at least he could carry on a conversation.
But now that he'd entered the fighting pit, there probably wouldn't be any coming back. That Sixth-Grade Open Heaven cultivator from Heavenly King Heaven down below was not to be trifled with. This thought filled Ding Si with genuine regret.
The basin reeked of blood, with severed limbs and flesh scattered everywhere.
Countless Ink Slaves had fallen and perished here. The spilled blood had stained the ground a deep crimson.
That Sixth-Grade Open Heaven cultivator from Heavenly King Heaven gazed over with an indifferent expression, his face calm. Though he bore signs of injury, they were nothing serious. His fight with Jia Yi had cost him a considerable amount of energy, however.
Nonetheless, he remained confident he could defeat the opponent before him in this arena.
"Please!" Yang Kai clasped his fists toward him.
The moment those words left his lips, the opponent shot toward Yang Kai like an arrow loosed from a bow, his World Force surging around him, his momentum overwhelming.
In the first fight, he'd already revealed his background, so there was no need to hide anymore. Besides, he had decided to end this quickly—he needed to seize the advantage of close combat.
The next moment, his expression shifted slightly.
Because his opponent had also charged forward with explosive force, just like him—no technique being cast, no artifact being deployed. Just a single fist, carrying the might of heaven and earth, smashing toward him.
The entire arena erupted in astonishment. Countless Ink Clan members and Ink Slaves widened their eyes in utter disbelief.
Nu Yan was equally shocked, but what he felt even more strongly was fury!