73: Chapter 70: Life and Death Decisive Battle 73: Chapter 70: Life and Death Decisive Battle PS: There’s another chapter at 8 pm, on the top list of Sanjiang, with three more updates during that period.
The center of the ‘Winning and Losing Tower’ was an almost two-acre green stone platform, with the area above the platform open, surrounded by densely packed iron railings.
The outer area of the stone platform was also etched with dense and numerous runes, which resembled ropes, coiling around layer upon layer.
This was a talisman array, which, once activated, could ensure that the blades, hidden weapons, and even the wind of fists and Sword Energy would not harm the customers outside.
The inn was surrounded on all four sides by five-tiered stands circling around the stone platform, with several hundred wooden tables for guests to watch the battles.
The sixth layer was for private boxes, with a total of twenty luxuriously decorated boxes having excellent views, reserved for the most privileged guests.
When Chu Xisheng walked down the stairs to the first floor, he saw that all four sides of the stone platform were already full of people.
These people weren’t any better than the frenzied gamblers outside, still gesticulating wildly, talking incessantly, and even shouting loudly, causing the entire inn to buzz with noise.
Guided by the Female Guard, Chu Xisheng arrived at a room on the left side of the stone platform.
It was his resting area with walls on three sides, a relatively private space.
However, from here he could see across to where Zhuang Hongfei was seated in a Taishi Chair, his eyes slightly closed, enjoying the massage given by several beautiful women.
They massaged his legs and shoulders, helping Zhuang Hongfei relax his body.
Chu Xisheng felt a bit envious, wondering why he didn’t have this kind of treatment?
He glanced at the two young girls beside him and wisely chose not to speak.
Chu Yunyun looked across the room and asked, “Excuse me, where can I place my bet?”
The Female Guard appeared slightly surprised, then shook her head, “Family members are not allowed to bet.
Regardless of the outcome, there will be no payout.”
Chu Yunyun frowned slightly, disappointed as she stuffed the silver note worth 170 taels back into her pocket.
She wasn’t aware of this rule in the Life and Death Arena.
However, the Female Guard then changed her tone, “Nevertheless, the stakes on the outside bets are quite high this time.
If Little Chu wins, he’ll get at least over a thousand taels tonight.”
Previously, Chu Xisheng had fought in three Life and Death Arena matches and only acquired a little over eight hundred magic silver.
Lu Luanti, however, was slightly surprised, “Is that all?”
Considering the surging crowd outside and the gamblers’ fervent attitude, she thought the bets would start at a minimum of ten thousand Demon Silver.
“After all, this is only a Ninth Grade Life and Death Arena match, and—”
The Female Guard looked somewhat embarrassed: “The official placed betting restrictions.
The highest bet accepted outside the tower is ten taels of Demon Silver, inside it’s capped at a hundred taels, and five hundred for the boxes.”
Chu Xisheng immediately had an idea; it was Zuo Qingyun’s lack of confidence in him that prompted the limit, fearing the inability to cover larger losses.
Meanwhile, in the Winning and Losing Tower’s sixth layer A-Box, people were discussing the same issue.
When Wo Meiniang’s figure gracefully entered the box, she saw Zuo Qingyun, One-Armed Blade Li Cang, and Cloud Sword Manor Master Du Yunlai seated together by the window.
They had different expressions— some contained a cold sneer, some were leisurely at ease, and some were completely calm.
But inside the box, the atmosphere was oppressively cold to the extreme.
Wo Meiniang smiled lightly and took a seat by the window, “Zuo Ya, you’re really generous this time.
Setting up a betting pool for a match that’s sure to lose, is your house filled with money you can’t spend?”
Zuo Qingyun frowned slightly, huffing with dissatisfaction, “What are you talking about?
Who says I am certain to lose?”
Wo Meiniang, knowing Zuo Qingyun’s temperament, played with her smoke gun without taking offense, “I’ve watched Chu Xisheng’s three Life and Death Arena matches.
The lad’s talent is pretty good, not inferior to Zhuang and Zhou.
If he were given some time to grow, earn more money, be equipped with one or two powerful magic artifacts, inscribe a few ‘Secret Technique Totems’, and improve his sword skill and Primordial Skill by another level, he would be able to compete with Zhuang and Zhou in the Ninth Rank tier.
She glanced slyly at the two others sitting beside the tea table.
These two stage masters from the South Street Temple Market were not easy to deal with.
Just as the young lotus begins to show its sharp tips, these two wanted to stomp it down into the mud.
“Mei Niang’s heart does lean strongly one way,” commented the One-Armed Blade Li Cang, who was around forty years old, with distinctive and sharp features, pale complexion, and bulging temples.
His right sleeve hung empty as he held a teacup with his left hand, lips curved slightly upwards with a smirk, “Our official is actually afraid of losing money, unable to bear a loss, but you speak of him as if he’s a generous gentleman who readily parts with his wealth.”
Zuo Qingyun’s eyes narrowed slightly, his words carrying sarcasm, “As if you could afford to lose.
If you have the guts, take on another Life and Death Arena match with me, choose any from Seventh to Eighth Rank tiers, and let’s bet big.”
“Well said!” Li Cang laughed loudly, blowing on the leaves in his cup, “As long as you dare to take my bet now, why not?
Today, I increase the stakes with two more stages, along with ten thousand Demon Silver, do you dare to take it?”
Wo Meiniang’s eyebrows immediately furrowed as she quietly tugged at Zuo Qingyun’s sleeve.
Zuo Qingyun, however, paid her no mind.
His face turned from blue to white before he chuckled sardonically, “Fine, it’s a deal, but if you, Old Li, dare to go back on your word next round, I, Zuo, will burn down your nine cargo ships and seven taverns.”
Although he was smiling, his chest was filled with an unbearable sense of frustration, knowing that his youthful impulsiveness had been played upon by that old man.
“Then it’s settled,” Li Cang put down his teacup, his lips curling into an exaggerated arc.
“This round seems promising, Old Du, do you care to wager as well?”
Cloud Sword Manor Master Du Yunlai was a middle-aged man in his forties.
His features would have been exceptionally handsome were it not for the myriad of pockmarks that marred his face, spoiling the overall impression.
His expression was serene, embodying a carefree detachment as he shook his head, “Today is a life and death arena between your two families, I’ll stay out of it.”
At that moment, a ‘boom’ resonated from below.
Someone was beating a drum, announcing the official start of the life and death arena, inviting the contenders to take the stage and decide the outcome.
Zuo Qingyun instantly reined in his feelings and concentrated his gaze upon the stage.
Chu Xisheng had already stepped onto the stairs, but just then, Lu Luanti slipped a palm-sized jade talisman into Chu Xisheng’s hand.
“Take this, if you feel you can’t cope, pour your True Yuan into this talisman.”
Chu Xisheng looked down and examined it, recognizing it as a jade talisman that even a martial cultivator could utilize.
He did not know its grade, nor the magic it entailed.
Chu Yunyun’s pupils, however, showed a flicker of recognition.
With her extensive knowledge, she identified it as a Fifth Grade ‘Wind Escape Talisman,’ which could turn Chu Xisheng into a violent wind, allowing him to flee the arena.
It was a valuable item, worth six thousand demon silver.
It was likely Lu Luanti’s own life-saving measure.
“Why are you asking so many questions?
Just take it,” Lu Luanti said, arms crossed, reluctantly glancing at the talisman.
Then, gritting her teeth, she scoffed, “I’m not trying to harm you.”
Chu Xisheng laughed dryly, amicably pocketing the jade talisman into the pouch at his waist.
As he ascended to the platform and saw Zhuang Hongfei also making his way up there.
Zhuang Hongfei was previously shirtless, but at the moment of stepping onto the stage, he donned an extremely peculiar soft armor.
The material of the armor resembled the golden silk inner armor that Chu Xisheng had once used, woven from top-grade silk and copper wire.
The external aspect of this armor, however, bristled with a total of twenty pockets, bulging with an assortment of hidden weapons.
There were runes on the outside of the armor, presumably to lighten its weight.
Otherwise, the collective weight of these hidden weapons could reach over a hundred pounds, enough to exhaust Zhuang Hongfei to death.
When this man stood on stage, the surrounding five tiers of stands erupted once again, with countless people shouting Zhuang Hongfei’s name.
“Are the two of you ready?”
The officiating martial master with Seventh Rank cultivation looked from side to side, saw no discrepancy in either, and without expression said, “Then after three drum beats, you may begin!”
This drum beat seemed to strike deep into the hearts of the people, once again hushing the entire Winning and Losing Tower.
Zhuang Hongfei folded his hands behind his back, his eyes coldly fixed upon Chu Xisheng, “Those two girls with you, are they your women?
They’re quite pretty.
Why be so foolish as to participate in this life and death arena?”
Chu Xisheng paid him no attention, his hand resting on the blade, focusing his spirit, energy, and mind into one point.
He had already taken a Divine Power Pill and a Blood Melt Pill in advance, his entire body now felt heated.
The Magic Artifact tied to his legs was also affixed, ready to be activated at any moment.
The second drum beat, the stands grew even more silent, everyone waiting for the moment the two combatants would move.
A faint smile played on Zhuang Hongfei’s lips, “I enjoy different flavors, after your death today, I will look after them for you.”
Chu Xisheng’s mind remained as steady as a rock.
Zhuang Hongfei’s words were merely to disturb his focus.
And in the next instant, another ‘boom’ echoed around the arena.
In a flash, Chu Xisheng’s figure shot out like lightning.