218: Colosseum

Gu Qing knelt on the ground, his hands clawing desperately into the cracks of the bluestone slabs, his fingernails snapping off and leaving him bloodied.

His aura, which originally belonged to the Nascent Soul Stage, was now permeated with madness and chaos.

"Tsk."

Luo Ximei shook her silk fan, her heterochromatic eye narrowing slightly.

"Crude, far too crude."

"Although the Demon Seed is overbearing, your body is too weak."

"It's like pouring lava into a paper cup; it will leak out at any moment."

As she spoke, she extended a slender finger, a point of pure black-and-white Devilish Qi condensing at the tip.

"I will help you add a lid."

"Buzz!"

With the injection of that point of Devilish Qi, Gu Qing's originally violent aura, which was on the verge of exploding, was miraculously suppressed.

The black air currents that had been dashing about wildly seemed to have found a backbone, beginning to circulate along a certain eerie but orderly route.

Although the pain remained, the sense of crisis that his body would explode at any moment vanished.

Gu Qing panted heavily, sweat mixed with blood dripping onto the ground.

Although his Realm was unstable, this power exchanged for overdrawing his life was enough for him to unleash destructive power comparable to Soul Transformation in a short period.

"Thank you... Demon Venerable for the technique."

Gu Qing's voice became hoarse and piercing, like two rusted iron plates rubbing together.

Although he had fallen into demonic path, his sanity remained.

He knew that this Female Demon Lords had just saved his life, or rather, allowed him to live a little longer to seek revenge.

"No need to thank me."

Luo Ximei withdrew her hand and wiped her fingertip with distaste.

"I simply do not wish to see the Medicinal Pill given by the Revered Master go to waste."

"And..."

"I also really want to see just how far an honest man driven mad can go."

Su Lin stood to the side, quietly watching all of this.

It wasn't until Gu Qing's aura had completely stabilized that he nodded slightly.

"Can you still walk?"

"I can."

Gu Qing stood up unsteadily.

Although his newly grown limbs were still somewhat uncoordinated, under the infusion of Devilish Qi, they were filled with explosive power.

He clenched his fist, and the air in his palm let out a sharp bang.

"Then let's go."

Su Lin turned around, his gaze shifting toward the distance.

The lights there were bright, a place of luxury and dissipation.

That was the Jile Pavilion.

"However..."

Su Lin paused and looked back, his gaze sweeping over the five disciple behind him whose auras were fully released, looking as if they wanted to write the words 'I am a big shot' on their faces.

"Old Man, you're just too slow! That Boss Hua or whatever, I can split him in half with one sword strike!"

"And then?"

Su Lin looked at her with a helpless expression.

He pointed at Gu Qing.

"This is his revenge."

"If we are to help him, it's not as simple as just killing people."

"To kill the person, you must first crush their heart."

"We want to make that Jile Pavilion fall from the clouds into the mire at their most proud and arrogant moment."

"We want them... to watch everything they've built collapse in despair."

Su Lin narrowed his eyes, his tone flat but carrying a bone-chilling coldness.

"Therefore, we are guests."

"We are there to spend money, to show our support."

"Do you understand?"

"Guests?"

Chu Weiwei's eyes lit up, the small bottle in her hand rattling loudly.

"I get it! The kind of guests who... look very rich but are actually there to plant poison!"

"..."

Su Lin rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"While not entirely accurate... it's close enough."

"In short, restrain your auras."

"Put away your Mahayana Stage pressure, Devilish Qi, poison gas, and cold Qi, all of it!"

"Disguise yourselves as ordinary Cultivators."

"Is it that hard?"

"It is hard."

Cold Moon said expressionlessly.

Her Imperial Dao Dragon Qi had already merged into her marrow; even if she suppressed it intentionally, her every movement carried an imperial majesty that made Mortals want to kneel.

"I... will try my best."

She took a deep breath, and the purple-gold glow on her body gradually faded. Her luxurious casual attire also transformed into a set of purple silk robes that looked quite expensive but did not exceed regulations.

However, that face was truly too cold and noble; no matter how one looked at it, she didn't seem like an ordinary person.

Su Lin looked at this group of disciple who, despite their best efforts to disguise themselves, still stood out like cranes among chickens, and sighed.

"Let it be."

"Remember, unless it's absolutely necessary, you are not allowed to take action."

"Tonight's protagonist is him."

Su Lin patted Gu Qing on the shoulder.

At this moment, Gu Qing's terrifying Devilish Qi had also been concealed by Su Lin using an illusion.

Now, he looked like a down-and-out, heavily injured mute servant following behind Su Lin, the wealthy Young Master.

"Let's go."

Su Lin snapped open his folding fan and took the first step.

"Let's go see Southern Yu's number one gold-consuming den."

...Night fell.

At the end of Vermilion Bird Street in the Nanyu Imperial City, the lights were brilliant, as bright as day.

A magnificent nine-story pavilion stood there, with flying eaves and bracket sets, looking golden and resplendent.

The pavilion was hung with large red lanterns, each inscribed with the gilded words 'Jile'.

The sounds of silk and bamboo instruments were incessant, and the decadent music made one's bones feel soft.

Before even getting close, a thick scent of rouge and powder wafted toward them.

The guests coming and going were either rich or noble, each dressed in fine clothes and holding beautiful women, with knowing smiles on their faces.

"It's quite lively."

Su Lin stood at the street corner, looking at the pavilion that was like a gold-swallowing beast, and let out a cold laugh.

"Bright and beautiful on the surface, but underneath it's all human bones."

"Revered Master."

Cold Moon stood by his side, her gaze coldly fixed on the main gate of the Jile Pavilion.

"This land was bestowed by me back then."

"I didn't expect... they would actually turn this place into such a den of filth."

Her voice was suppressed with anger.

As the Empress, what she hated most were these parasites who didn't perform their duties but instead used their privileges to harm the people.

"Don't be in a hurry."

Su Lin patted the back of her hand soothingly.

"After tonight, this will no longer exist."

The group walked toward the main gate of the Jile Pavilion.

"Halt!"

Just as they reached the entrance, they were stopped by two fierce-looking guards in black clothes.

Both guards had Golden Core Stage cultivation. Their gazes were fierce as they sized up Su Lin's group.

"You look like new faces."

One of the guards' eyes circled around Su Lin before finally landing on the five stunning women behind him.

"Is this your first time here?"

"The Jile Pavilion is member-based. Without an introduction from an acquaintance or a fortune of ten million, you cannot enter."

Although he spoke of rules, his hand was already extended, his thumb and index finger rubbing together.

The meaning was clear: give money, or get lost.

"Members?"

Su Lin folded his fan, his face showing the arrogant, matchless smile typical of a profligate son.

He did not speak.

He simply took out a Spirit Stone from his sleeve.

This thing, one piece was worth ten thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones!

"Clack."

Su Lin casually threw that Top-grade Spirit Crystal to the guard as if he were throwing a common stone.

"Is this enough?"

The guard scrambled to catch the spirit crystal, completely stunned.

He had never seen such an Advanced Spirit Stone in his life!

His hands were shaking!

"Enough... it's enough! More than enough!"

The guard's attitude instantly did a 180-degree turn, his waist bending so low it almost touched the ground.

"Young Master, please come inside! Quick! An honored guest has arrived! Notify the manager!"

"Hmph."

Su Lin gave a light snort, not even looking at him as he led his people inside.

As Su Hongling passed the guard, she intentionally bumped into him.

"Useless thing with no eyes."

She muttered under her breath. That bump seemed unintentional, but it contained a trace of hidden force.

The guard felt half his body go numb, nearly kneeling on the ground, but he didn't dare to utter a word, only able to keep a forced smile as he sent these ancestors inside... The interior of the Jile Pavilion was a world of its own.

Upon entering, there was a massive courtyard.

In the center of the courtyard was a huge stage, where a group of dancers in thin silk were dancing gracefully in seductive poses.

Surrounding it were tiers of stands and private boxes, filled with spectators.

The sounds of cheering, flirting, and dice rolling mixed together, creating a deafening noise.

"So noisy."

Mu Qingxue frowned, and the surrounding temperature dropped slightly.

"Endure it."

Su Lin sent a voice transmission.

At this moment, a fat, middle-aged manager with a face full of smiles came forward.

He had clearly received the message from the guards at the door and knew a big spender had arrived.

"Oh, this Young Master, you're quite a new face! Is this your first time at our Jile Pavilion?"

The manager's beady eyes scanned Su Lin and then very discreetly glanced at the five women behind him, inwardly shocked.

These five women were each stunning beauties with extraordinary temperaments.

To be able to bring concubines of this level out, this Young Master's identity was definitely not ordinary!

"This Young Master's surname is Su, I've come from the Central Continent."

Su Lin casually fabricated an identity.

"I heard your Jile Pavilion has some special entertainment, so I came to take a look."

"A Young Master Su from the Central Continent! I have long heard of your reputation!"

Upon hearing 'Central Continent', the manager became even more attentive.

"Young Master Su has come to the right place! At our Jile Pavilion, there's nothing we can't do, only things you can't imagine!"

He lowered his voice and said with a mysterious look:

"I wonder if the Young Master would like to listen to some music, or perhaps gamble a few rounds?

Or... go down below to play something more exciting?"

"Something exciting?"

Su Lin raised an eyebrow, showing a look of interest.

"How exciting are we talking?"

"Hehe..."

The manager pointed at the floor.

"Down below, we have a Colosseum."

"Not only do we have Yao Beast against Yao Beast, but also... man against beast."

"That scene, tsk tsk, flesh and blood flying everywhere, it will definitely open the Young Master's eyes!"

Upon hearing the words 'man against beast', Gu Qing, standing behind Su Lin, suddenly trembled.

An uncontrollable trace of Killing Intent leaked from his body.

Although it was quickly suppressed by Su Lin, the manager still keenly noticed something.

He glanced at Gu Qing.

At this moment, Gu Qing's head was lowered, his back bowed, and he was dressed in tattered grey clothes, looking like the lowliest servant.

"This one is..." The manager frowned.

"Oh, my Mute Slave."

Su Lin said indifferently, reaching out to pat Gu Qing's shoulder.

"He was once ignorant and made a mistake. I crippled his limbs, and I've just had them reattached, so I brought him out to see the world."

"I see."

The manager realized, a flash of disdain in his eyes.

"Then Young Master, please follow me. Tonight happens to have a main event!"

"We've newly captured... oh no, newly invited a special gladiator. It's said he was once a Disciple of a great Sect!"

"Guaranteed to be spectacular!"

The manager led Su Lin's group through the noisy hall to a hidden Teleportation Formation.

With a flash of light.

The group arrived at a massive underground space.

It was even more spacious than the area above, and also more oppressive.

Surrounding them were tiers of high stands, filled with masked, richly dressed spectators.

And in the center was a massive, sunken iron-cage Colosseum.

At this moment, a brutal slaughter was taking place inside the Colosseum.

An Iron-backed Azure Wolf covered in spikes was frantically biting a human Cultivator.

The Cultivator was covered in blood, his left arm already gone, holding a broken sword in a desperate attempt to resist.

"Bite him to death! Bite him to death!"

"Tear him apart!!"

The spectators in the stands shouted frantically, their eyes filled with bloodthirsty excitement.

"Ugh..."

Su Hongling took one look and almost vomited.

"This is the so-called entertainment?"

She clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white.

"A bunch of animals!"

Luo Ximei's face was also cold as frost, Devilish Qi churning in her heterochromatic eye.

"This kind of place... I really want to burn it to the ground."

Chu Weiwei had already crushed a bottle of poison in her sleeve, ready to act at any moment.

Su Lin looked at the field expressionlessly.

That Cultivator was already finished.

The azure wolf bit into his throat, and blood sprayed out.

A burst of cheers erupted from the audience.

"Young Master, this way please."

The manager seemed accustomed to such scenes and led Su Lin to the best VIP box.

The box was lined with animal skins and set with spiritual fruits, offering a clear view of the entire Colosseum.

Su Lin sat down, not looking at the disposal of the corpse below, but instead turning to the manager.

"The real main event is about to begin!"

"The next match was personally arranged by our Pavilion Revered Master."

"On one side is the Violent Demon Ape from the Northern Desolation, and on the other..."

The manager smiled mysteriously.

"Is a tough nut to crack."

"We tortured him for three months and pulled out three of his Spirit Bones, yet he can still stand up."

"Tonight will be his end."

Just as the words fell.

The iron gate of the Colosseum slowly opened.

"Roar!"

A deafening roar echoed out.

A black giant ape, nearly three zhang tall with knotted muscles and blood-red eyes, rushed out.

With every step it took, the ground shook.

And from the gate on the other side.

A thin figure, dragging heavy shackles, slowly walked out.

It was a youth who looked no more than eighteen years old.

He was naked, his body covered in various terrifying scars—whip marks, brandings, and even marks from being bitten by wild beasts.

His collarbones were pierced by two thick iron chains.

But his gaze was like that of an untamed lone wolf, staring fixedly at the demon ape opposite him.

As soon as the youth appeared, the cheers in the stands instantly turned into even more frenzied roars.

"Tear him apart! Tear him apart!"

"That's the tough nut from the Qingxu Sect! Let's see if he can still be so tough today!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"