Read Novel Full Chapter 230: Cloud Empire (50)
Chapter 230: Cloud Empire (50)
In the skies above the Cloud Coliseum, the result became clear within seconds.
The giant hologram above the arena flickered once, then stabilized.
Victory: Kyrian (Blood Court)
Defeat: Wang Dahai (Rank 92)
Those who had bet on Wang Dahai lost everything, the one hundred and twenty thousand spirit stones evaporated in the blink of an eye.
Those who had bet on Kyrian received an immediate return of three times the value. The fifty thousand turned into one hundred and fifty thousand in moments. Cries of despair and celebration mixed in chaotic waves through the stands.
Kyrian returned to the reserved stands without hurry. He walked with the same calm as always, crimson robe rippling slightly, red eyes indifferent to the chaos around him. Bai Zhu greeted him with a strong slap on the shoulder and a wide smile that showed all his teeth.
"I told you they were going to lose money! Hahaha! Look at their faces down there!"
Nan Feng Yu, who was beside them, laughed softly, but there was a trace of tension in his laughter.
"That was... a little terrifying. I hope we don’t have to fight each other."
Kyrian merely nodded, without responding. He walked directly to the betting counter reserved for challengers. The attendant, the same young man in official uniform, saw him approaching and already prepared the payment crystal.
Kyrian handed over the temporary challenge token. The attendant verified it, then transferred his reward.
His twenty thousand stones were returned, in addition, he received the return from the bet, another forty thousand spirit stones. Along with that, there was also the prize for victory, another five thousand stones.
In total, he received sixty-five thousand mid-grade spirit stones, all of which were instantly taken into his spatial ring.
He showed no reaction. He only looked at the attendant.
"Register my next fight."
He placed another fifteen thousand stones on the counter, the exact price to challenge someone between rank 80 and 90.
The attendant blinked, surprised by the speed, but nodded.
"Your next fight has been scheduled against rank 85 then. Challenge accepted. Your name will rise to rank 92 immediately."
Kyrian nodded and returned to the bench beside Bai Zhu.
Meanwhile, throughout the entire Coliseum, shouts and words about Kyrian spread like fire through dry straw.
"He didn’t even move! Wang Dahai fell bleeding in one second!"
"Special physique! It has to be a high-grade special physique, just like Yun Hao!"
"Look at his eyes... completely crimson... I’ve never seen anything like that!"
"I lost everything! Betting against the Blood Court was stupidity!"
It was now clear to everyone Kyrian was not ordinary.
And it was common knowledge that he possessed a special physique, just like Yun Hao, the already recognized genius of the Cloud Academy. The murmurs about "Innate Talent" began to circulate among the more experienced.
At that moment, Elder Tian raised his voice again.
"Next challenge. Luo Feng, of the White Crane Sect, against Rank 97, Chen Bao!"
Kyrian looked at the silver-haired young man, Luo Feng, the same one who had a disagreement with Bai Zhu in Iron Bell City. Bai Zhu saw him descend into the arena and commented maliciously.
"I hope he loses!"
He said it sincerely. Kyrian found Bai Zhu amusing but said nothing.
Now he calculated coldly.
He had already earned sixty-five thousand spirit stones, more than the winner of the Alchemy Competition. Coming to the Coliseum had truly been the right thing. In addition, he could gain another fifty thousand spirit stones if he reached the highest rank among the leaders of the external forces, since he had entered the bet with them.
He looked at the giant wall displaying the 100 ranked fighters. His name, Kyrian, already appeared at rank 92. Bai Zhu at 95. Nan Feng Yu at 98. He Yun at 99. Qin Luo at 100. And soon, probably, Luo Feng would be at 97.
Probably, also soon, the entire bottom of the ranking would be filled with new names, all of them young leaders of the external forces of the capital.
And, as Kyrian expected, Luo Feng won.
The fight was intense, Luo Feng used a light and fast sword technique, full of cutting intent.
Chen Bao was a specialist in Qi shields and heavy counterattacks. They exchanged blows for nearly fifteen minutes, the arena floor cracking in several places, blood flowing from superficial cuts on both. In the end, Luo Feng landed a precise strike on Chen Bao’s thigh, cutting tendons and forcing the ranked fighter to kneel. He surrendered.
Luo Feng’s name appeared at rank 97. Chen Bao disappeared from the list.
But then something happened that Kyrian did not expect.
Elder Tian raised his hand again.
"Next challenge, Shi Kang, of the Scarlet Rock Sect, against Luo Feng, Rank 97 of the Coliseum!"
Everyone was surprised.
Luo Feng, who was still in the arena breathing heavily, looked toward the opposite gate with a confused expression. He had just fought. How could he be called again?
Kyrian understood immediately.
Shi Kang had probably also paid to challenge rank 97. Since Luo Feng defeated Chen Bao and took the position, Shi Kang’s challenge was automatically transferred to the new occupant.
Shi Kang stepped out of the gate.
Tall, broad shoulders, dark skin marked by scars, heavy red robe reinforced with plates of spiritual rock. Peak of Qi Liberation, almost in the Core Formation Realm. He carried a long spear with an obsidian tip.
Luo Feng was breathing heavily. He had already spent much Qi in the previous fight. His movements were slower, his cuts less precise.
Shi Kang smiled coldly.
"You just climbed up? What a pity. Rank 97 is mine now."
Elder Tian gave the signal.
"Begin."
Shi Kang attacked without mercy.
His spear moved like an avalanche, heavy blows reinforced by Qi. Each thrust made the ground tremble and crack. Luo Feng tried to dodge with his light sword, but he was exhausted. He blocked three blows, but the fourth struck his left shoulder, opening a deep cut. Blood splattered.
Luo Feng counterattacked with a series of rapid slashes, sword intent cutting through the air. Shi Kang did not retreat. He spun the spear in a perfect circle, creating a Qi barrier that absorbed the slashes. Then he advanced with a brutal descending strike.
Luo Feng barely dodged, but the impact of the spear on the ground created a shockwave that threw him backward. He fell to his knees, panting.
Shi Kang gave no chance.
He advanced with a direct thrust to the chest. Luo Feng blocked with his sword, but his arm was already trembling. Shi Kang’s strength was overwhelming. The blade gave way. The tip of the spear stopped inches from Luo Feng’s heart.
"Surrender?" Shi Kang asked, voice low and cold.
Luo Feng gritted his teeth but lowered his sword.
"I surrender."
Elder Tian raised his hand.
"Victory of Shi Kang, of the Scarlet Rock Sect!"