Chapter 1358 Grim Gladiator
Chapter 1358 Grim Gladiator
Hearing Jaden's doubts, Lucia simply smiled at her with quiet confidence, her expression calm as if the outcome was already decided in her mind.
"I understand your concerns," she said gently, "but I also know that Max has not even used his true strength yet. What he has shown so far is only the surface, because his real power is something that would shock even you if he chose to reveal it. He understands very well what is best for him, and that is why he has been fighting using other methods instead of exposing his core strength."
Her gaze remained fixed on Max as she continued speaking, her tone steady and assured. "The Grim Gladiator, at most, possesses strength around the first level of the Rebirth Realm, and compared to Max, dealing with someone at that level will be nothing more than a simple task."
Jaden let out a slow sigh and nodded her head, because she could not tell whether Lucia's confidence came from blind faith or from a deeper understanding of Max's true capabilities.
In the end, she chose to trust Lucia's judgment, believing that there was something about Max that even she had not fully grasped yet. With that decision made, Jaden placed her bet on Max winning, just like Lucia, her doubts lingering but no longer strong enough to hold her back.
It took several minutes before the flow of people moving toward the betting pools finally slowed and stopped, and one by one, the spectators returned to their seats, filling the Divine Colosseum once again with restless anticipation.
The atmosphere grew tense as conversations died down, replaced by an expectant silence that hung heavily in the air.
"Ladies and gentlemen, hold your seats tight, because the battle between Max and the Grim Gladiator is about to begin," the announcer declared loudly, his voice echoing powerfully as he pointed toward Max standing calmly in the arena. "On one side, we have Max Morgan, a legend in the making, a genius who has defeated countless warriors with only a few moves. On the other side, we have the Grim Gladiator, widely regarded as the strongest warrior in the history of the Divine Colosseum."
As his words rang out, a figure slowly emerged from the opposite end of the arena, drawing every eye toward him. The Grim Gladiator walked forward clad in full armor, a set of radiant golden plates that covered him from head to toe and reflected the sunlight brilliantly.
The tip of his sword dragged along the ground as he advanced, producing a sharp metallic sound that echoed ominously with each step. His presence alone pressed down on the arena like an invisible weight, and within moments, he came to a stop before Max, standing face to face with him as the Divine Colosseum held its breath, fully aware that a battle unlike any other was about to unfold.
"Those of you who do not know," the announcer said as his voice echoed across the Divine Colosseum, "the Grim Gladiator is also a warrior from the mortal realms, just like all the others who fight here. This rule exists to ensure that every battle remains fair and square." After a brief pause that felt deliberately heavy, he raised his hand and declared, "The battle starts now."
At his words, the battle officially began, yet neither Max nor the Grim Gladiator made a move. The two stood facing each other in complete stillness, their gazes locked as if time itself had slowed within the arena. Max carefully observed the figure before him, quietly releasing his perception to gauge the Grim Gladiator's true strength, and what he sensed made things clear almost instantly.
The aura surrounding the Grim Gladiator was no longer confined to Divine Rank and instead carried the unmistakable pressure of a realm beyond it. From that feeling alone, Max could tell that the Grim Gladiator was far stronger than anyone he had faced so far in the Divine Colosseum.
'From the sensation coming off him, his strength feels similar to Mark when he was fully transformed,' Max thought calmly as he continued to assess his opponent. 'I do not know how that translates precisely into the cultivation standards of the Divine Realm, but one thing is certain. This Grim Gladiator does not stand a chance against me.' His expression remained composed, betraying none of his thoughts, even as the oppressive aura of the Grim Gladiator pressed outward across the arena.
Around the Divine Colosseum, several powerful individuals came to the same realization at nearly the same time, and shock rippled through those who could perceive such things. "Damn, the Grim Gladiator's strength has reached the third level of the Rebirth Realm," Jaden exclaimed silently, her eyes widening as she turned toward Lucia.
"I never thought the Heron Family would become this desperate," Lucia replied with a deep frown, her expression darkening as she stared at the arena. "Sending a third level Rebirth Realm warrior to fight against a mortal is far beyond what they usually do."
"Do you think Max still has a chance?" Jaden asked quietly, her brows knit together as doubt crept into her voice.
"We will see," Lucia said with a soft sigh. Even she found it difficult to believe that Max could win against someone at the third level of the Rebirth Realm, no matter how terrifying his previous performances had been.
Elsewhere in the colosseum, Lord Arckin and his subordinate also frowned as they observed the unfolding situation. "They really increased the difficulty this time," the subordinate said in a low voice. "Normally, the final opponent would only be a first level Rebirth Realm warrior, but they sent someone at the third level instead. This is excessive."
Lord Arckin sneered coldly as he watched the Grim Gladiator. "They are truly desperate. Max rejecting their invitation clearly struck a nerve. They want him to lose here and remain trapped in the Divine Colosseum forever."
"And what if Max actually loses?" the subordinate asked, concern evident in his tone.
"There is no need to worry," Lord Arckin replied with confidence. "With the chaos Max has already caused, the Grims Family has issued orders to take him in at all costs. Even my authority here has increased. If it comes down to it, we will take Max directly from Malissa's grasp."
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