Volume Two: Travels in the State of Qi, Chapter 120: Entering the Arena for the Competition

"Zhang Heng, are you really going to fight?" Standing at the entrance, Qi Sisi turned back to look at Zhang Heng, her eyes filled with worry.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine."

"Zhang Heng, maybe you should reconsider. These people are hardened killers who have lived through life-and-death struggles; their combat experience is incredibly rich. You look so delicate, I doubt you've ever even been in a real fight. Even with your Void Return realm cultivation, you might not be able to beat them." Qi Sisi offered a forceful analysis.

Zhang Heng gave a mischievous grin. The Phantom Void Stone shifted rapidly. In an instant, the aura of spiritual energy Zhang Heng projected dropped to the third tier of the Origin Core realm.

Qi Sisi stood stunned, suddenly recalling that Zhang Heng could alter his spiritual energy level at will.

*Lowering his own energy level to bait others—thinking about it, it actually sounds quite fun.*

"How about you drop it even lower, Zhang Heng? First tier of the Origin Core realm is enough here."

"It's fine, let's go in." This time, Zhang Heng took the lead.

Zhang Heng tore a piece of cloth from his clothing and wrapped it around his face before heading inside with Qi Sisi. There was no helping it; he couldn't find a mask on such short notice, so he had to make do. It wasn't pretty, but it served the purpose.

Because life in the imperial palace was so boring, Qi Sisi had snuck out many times to play here, making her well-versed in all the procedures.

The man in charge of registration at the fighting arena saw them approach and spoke coldly: "Who is registering? Release your spiritual energy."

Zhang Heng complied immediately.

"Spiritual energy at the third tier of the Origin Core realm. Codename?"

"Wuhen," Zhang Heng replied. He had decided on this name the moment he arrived.

Since many cultivators died here every day, most people avoided unnecessary trouble by using aliases and wearing masks.

"One hundred medium-grade spirit stones."

"Oh, alright." Though puzzled, Zhang Heng immediately took the stones from his spatial ring and handed them over. Coming from a background of great wealth, he naturally didn't care about such a small sum.

"Here is your identification tag."

Shortly after, the registrar handed Zhang Heng a small wooden plaque engraved with the word "Wuhen." Zhang Heng took it, his gaze firm, and walked toward the arena.

The match on stage had just concluded, with one cultivator using a blade to bisect his opponent. The arena official flew onto the stage and recited the usual tired script. The winner, either being smart or perhaps simply too exhausted to continue, took his reward of five hundred medium-grade spirit stones and left.

"Very well, since this contestant has chosen not to continue, those who wish to compete may now step onto the stage," the official announced.

Since the winner stepped down, two new challengers were needed. Zhang Heng saw his chance. By entering now, he could start against the weakest opponents and accumulate more winnings as he went—a perfect strategy for him. He didn't have high expectations; a few dozen consecutive wins would suffice.

"I'm going. You know who to bet on, right?" Zhang Heng gave a confident smile and walked onto the stage.

Seeing Zhang Heng step up, the crowd exchanged confused glances; they didn't recognize him.

The official introduced him, "This man goes by 'Wuhen.' A newcomer at the third tier of the Origin Core realm. If anyone wishes to challenge him, come forward."

"Let me have a go." No sooner had the words been spoken than a massive ball of a man landed on the stage, kicking up a gust of wind. Looking closely, it was a tall, obese male cultivator. He weighed at least two hundred and fifty pounds and carried two enormous iron hammers. Had the arena floor not been made of special reinforced material, he likely would have crushed it.

"Very well. The upcoming match: newcomer Wuhen, third tier of the Origin Core realm, versus Tie Niu, second tier of the Origin Core realm. The match begins in one quarter of an hour. You may now place your bets."

Odds: Wuhen to win, 1 to 1.1; Tie Niu to win, 1 to 0.9.

*Good grief, they're looking down on me? You're just handing money to the Princess of Qi,* Zhang Heng thought, secretly annoyed by the odds.

The crowd began to murmur. Although the newcomer was at the third tier, he looked completely inexperienced. Tie Niu, despite being only second tier, was a regular at the arena whose combat prowess was well-known. Thus, most people bet on Tie Niu.

Only a few contrarians bet on Zhang Heng. The only one in the arena who remained calm was Qi Sisi, who bet everything she had—a total value equivalent to three spirit essences. Though her own combat skills were lacking, she was a Princess of Qi and certainly wasn't short on resources.

Seeing this, others in the arena began to follow suit and bet on the newcomer, Wuhen. They were savvy people; they saw the word "confidence" written all over the girl.

"Kid! How many spirit stones are you looking to gift me today?" Tie Niu spoke, his voice dripping with disdain. Despite being only second tier, his countless life-or-death battles meant that defeating a third-tier cultivator was child's play.

The contestants determined the size of their wagers themselves.

"Let's bet five hundred medium-grade spirit stones," Zhang Heng said nonchalantly. He couldn't bet too much; he didn't want to scare anyone off.

"Deal!" Tie Niu didn't hesitate. Although five hundred stones was an unconventional opening bid, he accepted it gladly. Who was he to turn down a gift?

As time passed, Zhang Heng silently recited his two martial arts techniques over and over in his mind. He liked to ensure absolute perfection, so double-checking was always prudent.

A quarter of an hour passed in a flash. The official shouted, "The match begins!" and flew off the stage.

"Kid, this isn't a playground. Get lost while you still can!" Tie Niu scoffed, swinging his heavy hammers toward Zhang Heng.

Force-based cultivators were generally slow, and Zhang Heng’s greatest strength was his agility. To him, Tie Niu’s attacks felt like child's play—powerful, yes, but as slow as a turtle. With a light dodge, Zhang Heng slipped out of range.

Seeing he had missed, Tie Niu grew slightly angry. He spun around quickly and struck again.

"Big oaf, I'm tired of playing with you." Using the Aurora Phantom movement technique, Zhang Heng flashed behind Tie Niu.

"Heavenly Ruin Kick!" Zhang Heng gathered his energy into his foot and struck forward.

The martial technique manifested immediately. A giant phantom footprint appeared, covering his leg as he launched himself toward Tie Niu. He struck the giant in the back, but instead of injuring him, he was sent flying back by the man's protective spiritual shield.

The audience roared with laughter. Tie Niu was famous for his defense and strength; how could such a scrawny newcomer hope to hurt him? He was doomed to lose.

Qi Sisi was also confused. *Isn't Zhang Heng at the Void Return realm? What kind of game is he playing?*

"Kid, are you scratching my back?" Tie Niu laughed and attacked again. Zhang Heng dodged once more.

Unable to land a hit, Tie Niu became enraged. "Kid, if you're a man, stop running around like a coward!"

"Big oaf, come and hit me if you can!" Zhang Heng stood at the edge of the stage, taunting him.

Tie Niu gathered his energy and charged again. Zhang Heng flashed behind him once more. "Big oaf, it's time for you to go down." With a flick of his finger—the Giant Spirit Point—a massive burst of spiritual energy exploded against Tie Niu's back.