The bustling, vibrant imperial capital had a hidden side beneath its bright, luxurious exterior—a chaotic, primitive realm untouched by sunlight.
A red-light district?
Perhaps many names could describe it, but the place Gu Tengfeng led the East Court's sword team to was known as the Blood Arena.
It had an even more chilling name: the Arena of Life and Death.
"The Blood Arena was originally called the Beast Fighting Platform," Gu Tengfeng explained as he led his team members down a deep, shadowy alley. "Over time, it evolved into a place where not only beasts fought, but humans fought each other—and sometimes beasts as well. Blood is shed here daily. I brought you here to push you to your limits, to force out all your potential in life-or-death situations."
Ordinary training had its limits in enhancing strength, but a fight to the death was the ultimate way to unlock a martial artist's potential.
"Damn, Boss Gu, isn't this a bit too much?" Lin Mochen swallowed hard. "In the Blood Arena, once a martial artist steps onto the platform, their life and death are left to fate. Do people really die there?"
"Without being pushed to the brink, how could there be any breakthrough?"
A glint of determination flashed in Gu Tengfeng's eyes as he spoke calmly, "Since I was sixteen, I have killed over two hundred and seventy different opponents in the Blood Arena. There were demonic beasts, members of the demon race, and even vicious death row convicts."
"Boss Gu, the Gu family's way of training its younger generation is really..." Lin Mochen trailed off, unsure how to continue. He had spent his youth in gambling dens and couldn't imagine growing up in such a brutal and bloody environment like Gu Tengfeng had.
It was no wonder Gu Tengfeng's strength was so extraordinary!
Ling Feng's eyes gleamed fiercely. Knowing that their opponents were typically demonic beasts, members of the demon race, or death row convicts alleviated any guilt he might have felt.
All he had to do was kill!
It was the perfect opportunity to hone his Slaughterous Sword Will.
"Don't worry, I’ll have the Blood Arena arrange suitable opponents for you to minimize the risk of dying on stage. However, once you’re on the platform, death is always a threat. If you let your guard down, death will be the price!"
Gu Tengfeng reminded them once more.
"Captain, you really have our best interests at heart!"
The team members exchanged smiles, though tinged with a hint of bitterness.
However, Ling Feng and Li Bufan were different. Their eyes burned with an intense battle will!
Seeing the intense will to battle radiating from Ling Feng and Li Bufan, Gu Tengfeng nodded in approval.
Truth be told, the chances of a breakthrough for veterans like Lin Mochen, Yu Sixian, and even Gong Cheng were slim in the short term. However, Ling Feng and Li Bufan were different. If they could temper themselves in the brutal fights of the Blood Arena, their strength would undoubtedly increase rapidly.
They still held limitless potential.
Before long, Gu Tengfeng led Ling Feng and the others to a bustling grand arena. The place was packed with people and resembled a colossal, circular coliseum.
The stands were filled with a fervent crowd whose eyes gleamed with primal bloodlust as they watched the brutal fights. The excitement was palpable as flesh and blood flew within the arena.
Though humans prided themselves on being superior beings, having transcended their bestial origins, the primal instincts of their ancestors still lurked deep within their bloodlines.
Under the thrill of bloodshed, the spectators in the Blood Arena were overtaken by fervor, shouting and roaring with savage delight.
"Rip out his brains!"
This violent and brutal atmosphere permeated every inch of the Blood Arena.
"Oh, isn't this Young Master Gu? It's been a long time since your last visit!"
As soon as Gu Tengfeng led his team into the Blood Arena, a middle-aged man, looking to be around forty, approached them with a welcoming smile.
The Gu family of the imperial capital was one of the principal backers of the Blood Arena. Gu Tengfeng had grown up under this harsh and nearly cruel training, showcasing the iron-blooded nature of his family.
Gu Tengfeng nodded slightly at the man and said calmly, "Manager Sun, I’m here to register a few friends and let them have a few fights to gain some experience."
"Haha, of course, Young Master Gu. Your friends will be well taken care of."
Manager Sun led Gu Tengfeng and his group to a rather well-appointed study, took out a thick ledger, and smiled broadly. "How can I assist you, young masters? What kind of opponents do you need?"
To facilitate their actions, Gu Tengfeng had Xue Xiaolin disguise herself as a man long ago, so Manager Sun didn't realize there was a woman among them. Even if he had noticed, there was no need to mention it.
Clearing his throat, Manager Sun continued, "You can choose death row convicts, members of the demon race, demonic beasts, or you can opt for a random fight. Based on the level of challenge you want, we can randomly assign opponents, which might include other challengers."
"Our challenges here are categorized into one-on-ones, many-on-many, and five-on-fives, with the highest retention rate being five-on-five matches. Given your numbers, I assume you're looking for many-on-many challenges."
"Indeed, many-on-many. All against death row convicts."
Gu Tengfeng glanced at his team members and said, "Li Bufan, you team up with Lin Mochen and Yu Sixian. Gong Cheng, you team up with Ye Nanfeng. As for Ling Feng, you'll be with Xiaolin."
"Three teams then?" Manager Sun confirmed with a smile.
"I protest! I can handle this alone!" Li Bufan frowned.
"Protest denied. If you truly want to defeat Mu Liufeng and the Central Court's sword team, you will do as I say!" Gu Tengfeng fixed his gaze on Li Bufan, his aura exerting an irresistible pressure.
Li Bufan clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and finally stepped aside without saying another word.
"Ah, what a pity I’m not teamed up with Brother Feng; I could have had an easy ride!" Yu Sixian couldn’t help but mutter.
"Hmph!" Gu Tengfeng glared at Yu Sixian and said coldly, "If you have any complaints, I can let you go up alone!"
"Boss, don’t do that to me!" Yu Sixian quickly put on a pained expression. "I was wrong, I was wrong."
Manager Sun, following Gu Tengfeng’s instructions, added the names of the three teams to the ledger and then took out seven tokens, each with a different number.
"Alright, and what about the strength level of the opponents? Should we choose those at the peak of the Pulse Formation Realm, around fifty meridian gates? Is that acceptable?" Manager Sun asked.
"No problem," Gu Tengfeng confirmed with a nod.
"Very well. Each of you must pay ten high-grade elemental stones and sign this consent form. After that, you can proceed to the waiting area for contestants."
Without hesitation, everyone signed the consent form. Then, under the guidance of an attendant, they headed to the waiting area.
Once all the members of the East Court's sword team had left, Manager Sun couldn't help but marvel, "I didn’t expect those inexperienced youths to have such heavy killing intents, especially that boy named Ling Feng. His aura is truly terrifying!"
"It seems we'll need to buy another batch of death row convicts from the imperial capital's dungeons..."