153: Chapter 153 Duel Arena

Donghua Immortal City, West of the city.

The atmosphere here is completely different from the quiet elegance of the east or the bustling noise of the city center.

A faint scent of blood permeates the air, along with violent and intense Battle Intent. The shops on both sides of the street mainly sell healing Medicinal Pills, repair Magic Treasure, or rent armor and weapons. Most of the Cultivators passing by have fierce Auras, sharp eyes, and carry a certain amount of Evil Qi; they are clearly people who live on the edge of a blade and are accustomed to fighting.

After passing through several noisy streets, a huge square surrounded by high walls appeared ahead. At the entrance to the square stands an archway dozens of feet high, cast from some kind of black metal and filled with an awe-inspiring Aura. On the archway, written in blood-red paint, are three ferocious large characters—Fighting Platform!

On both sides of the archway stand two hideous statues of demon gods holding giant axes, lifelike and brimming with Evil Qi, enough to strike fear into anyone.

At this moment, outside the archway, the crowd is surging and the noise is deafening. Countless Cultivators are gathered here; some are queuing to enter, some are calling out to friends, and others are shouting loudly, setting up gambling tables and predicting the outcomes. The air is filled with an atmosphere of excitement, fanaticism, and greed.

"The betting is open! Black Fiend versus Blood Hand, odds for Black Fiend are 1 to 1.5, and 1 to 2 for Blood Hand!"

"Latest news! 'Mountain-Breaking Saber' Liu Yidao just defeated 'Raging Wind Sword' Zhao Wuying in three moves at Platform C-3, achieving a ten-game winning streak! Who is the next challenger?"

"Go look! At Platform A-1, two Peak Human Immortal experts are dueling, fighting so fiercely that the Formation is almost unable to hold!"

"I heard the 'Berserker Arena' is open again today. The defender is a Body Cultivator who ascended from the Lower Realm, and he has already defeated seven challengers in a row! The pot has accumulated to five thousand Medium Grade Immortal Crystals!"

Various noisy sounds flooded into Lin Wan's ears. He raised an eyebrow; this "Fighting Platform" was indeed, as he expected, a place of mixed dragons and snakes, full of both opportunities and dangers.

After paying the entrance fee of ten Low Grade Immortal Crystals, Lin Wan followed the flow of people into the archway.

The scene before his eyes suddenly opened up.

Inside the archway was a huge circular square, like an arena. In the center of the square were ten square platforms, each several feet above the ground, built from some kind of sturdy black rock. The platforms varied in size, but even the smallest was a hundred feet square. Around the platforms, there were translucent light shields of various colors, which were defensive Formations to prevent the aftermath of battles from affecting the spectators.

The ten platforms were numbered "A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J". At this moment, on most of the platforms, Cultivators were fighting fiercely. Saber flashes and sword shadows, Magic Treasure colliding, Spells roaring, and the sounds of roars and screams were endless. The spectator area below the platforms was packed with people, countless Cultivators shouting, cheering, and cursing wildly, the sound waves almost overturning the protective light shields.

The air was filled with a thick smell of blood, sweat, and violent Immortal Yuan fluctuations.

Lin Wan's gaze swept across the ten platforms. On Platform A-1, two Cultivators with powerful Auras, reaching the Peak of the Human Immortal stage, were battling intensely. One used a saber, with Saber Qi cutting across the sky, tearing through the air; the other used a spear, the spear thrusting like a dragon, piercing the void. The battle was extremely fierce, and the protective light shield was shaking violently; clearly, the two were evenly matched, and it was hard to determine a winner in the short term.

On Platform B-2, a burly man with a bare chest, bulging muscles, and a figure like an iron tower, punched a sword-wielding Cultivator, sending him flying while coughing up blood, falling off the platform. The burly man roared at the sky, his voice like thunder, filled with violent Battle Intent. The Evil Qi on his body was thick; clearly, he had already won many consecutive matches.

On Platform C-3, a cold-faced swordsman in black, holding a long saber, was closing his eyes to rest, and no one dared to challenge him. This must be the "Mountain-Breaking Saber" Liu Yidao who had just achieved a ten-game winning streak that people outside were discussing.

Lin Wan's gaze finally landed on Platform D-4.

This platform was a size larger than the others, and the protective light shield was obviously thicker and more solid. On the platform, a giant man, nine feet tall, with a shiny bald head, a fierce face, wearing only a pair of animal skin shorts, and revealing a sturdy body that looked like it was cast from steel, was pacing back and forth like a violent bear, roaring impatiently.

"Who else?! Who else is not afraid of death and dares to come up to challenge Grandpa Bear?!"

"A bunch of spineless cowards! With just this little bit of ability, you dare to come to the Fighting Platform?"

"Five thousand Medium Grade Immortal Crystals! If you win against Grandpa Bear, these five thousand Medium Grade Immortal Crystals are yours! If you don't dare to come up, then get lost and go home to suckle!"

The giant's voice was like a thunderclap, making the platform's light shield hum. His Aura was violent, and he was clearly at the Late Stage of the Human Immortal realm. Moreover, his physical strength was terrifying; standing there, he seemed like a moving mountain of flesh, full of oppression.

Below the platform, there were many observing Cultivators, but most were just discussing, and no one dared to go up to challenge him.

"This Xiong Ba is truly a monster! A Body Cultivator who ascended from the Lower Realm, his Physical Body is ridiculously strong; he has already defeated seven challengers in a row! Among them were two Late Stage Human Immortals!"

"Indeed, his brute strength is simply terrifying! The Magic Treasure and Spells of Cultivators at the same level hit him like they are scratching an itch; they can't break his defense at all!"

"And when he fights, he completely disregards his life, trading injury for injury; it's extremely vicious! The previous challengers were either beaten until their bones were broken or smashed into meat paste!"

"Five thousand Medium Grade Immortal Crystals! A pity, no life to take it..."

"I heard this Xiong Ba was a top expert among Body Cultivators in the Lower Realm, proving his Dao through strength before ascending to the Immortal Realm. Although he is only at the Late Stage of the Human Immortal realm, his combat power is comparable to a Peak Human Immortal! Ordinary Late Stage Human Immortals going up there are just courting death!"

Listening to the surrounding discussions, a hint of interest flashed in Lin Wan's eyes.

A Body Cultivator who ascended from the Lower Realm? Late Stage Human Immortal, with combat power comparable to a Peak Human Immortal? Seven consecutive wins, with a cumulative bet of five thousand Medium Grade Immortal Crystals?

"Five thousand Medium Grade Immortal Crystals, that is quite a considerable fortune. Besides, a Body Cultivator who ascended from the Lower Realm... it's just the right time to test how my newly forged Immortal body compares to the top Body Cultivators of the Lower Realm."

With a plan in mind, Lin Wan walked toward Platform D-4.

"Someone wants to challenge Xiong Ba again?"

"Who? Who is so afraid of death?"

"Eh? It's a new face, haven't seen him before. His Aura... seems to be Middle Stage Human Immortal? Isn't this just going to his death?"

"Middle Stage Human Immortal? Courting death! Xiong Ba could slap him to death with one palm!"

"Probably some greenhorn who hasn't seen the world and got his brain turned by the five thousand Medium Grade Immortal Crystals."

"Hehe, there's a good show to watch. Betting is open! How many moves can this new kid last? 1 to 10!"

"I bet he won't last three moves!"

"Three moves? You think too highly of him; I think one move is already hanging by a thread!"

Seeing Lin Wan walking toward Platform D-4, the surrounding Cultivators immediately became excited and started discussing, with most of their gazes toward Lin Wan carrying mockery, pity, and schadenfreude. In their eyes, a Middle Stage Human Immortal challenging Xiong Ba, a Late Stage Human Immortal Body Cultivator with combat power comparable to the Peak, was simply courting death.

Lin Wan ignored the surrounding discussions and walked straight to the edge of the platform, where there was a small registration desk with an old man in the standard black robe of the Fighting Platform, sporting a goatee, sitting behind it.

"I want to challenge the defender of Platform D-4," Lin Wan said to the old man with the goatee.

The old man with the goatee looked up at Lin Wan, a hint of surprise flashing in his turbid old eyes, but he immediately returned to calm and asked professionally: "Name, cultivation level, do you have a guarantor or deposit?"

"Lin Wan, Middle Stage Human Immortal. No guarantor, how much is the deposit?" Lin Wan asked.

"To challenge the defender of the 'Berserker Arena', you need to pay five hundred Medium Grade Immortal Crystals as a deposit. If you fail the challenge, the deposit will not be refunded. If you succeed, the deposit will be returned, and you will receive all the accumulated bets on the platform," the old man with the goatee said calmly.

Five hundred Medium Grade Immortal Crystals? Lin Wan frowned slightly. He only had about two thousand Low Grade Immortal Crystals left; converted to Medium Grade, that was only twenty, far from enough.

"I don't have that many Immortal Crystals, can I use items to pay the price?" Lin Wan asked.

"Yes, but it must be appraised by our platform's appraiser." The old man with the goatee nodded, seemingly accustomed to this. Many who came to challenge at the Fighting Platform were desperate people who were penniless and wanted to take a gamble; it was normal to use items to pay.

Lin Wan thought for a moment and took out several pieces of loot he had obtained from killing powerful enemies in the Lower Realm from his Storage Pouch. A blood-colored long saber, a cyan treasure armor, and a purple thunder bead. These three were all at the Low Grade Immortal Artifact level, which were considered top-tier Magic Treasure in the Lower Realm, but in the Immortal Realm, they could only be considered ordinary.

The old man with the goatee took the three items, glanced at them casually, and a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes. He said calmly: "Crude things from the Lower Realm, the Law contained within is shallow, and the material is also average. Adding the three together, they are worth three hundred Medium Grade Immortal Crystals."

Three hundred Medium Grade Immortal Crystals? Lin Wan shook his head internally; this valuation was much lower than he expected. However, he also knew that items from the Lower Realm were indeed worthless in the Immortal Realm.

"Not enough," Lin Wan said, and took out a small jade bottle containing three "Barrier-Breaking Pills" he had refined in the Lower Realm for breaking through Bottlenecks; the quality reached the level of Low Grade Immortal Pill.

The old man with the goatee took the jade bottle, opened it, and sniffed it, his eyebrows raised: "Oh? Low Grade Barrier-Breaking Pill? The quality is passable, but it's a pity the Pill Formula is outdated, and there are slightly too many Impurities. Three pills, worth two hundred Medium Grade Immortal Crystals."

Three hundred plus two hundred, exactly five hundred.

"That's fine." Lin Wan nodded. Although he felt a bit of heartache, he knew that you can't catch a wolf without sacrificing the cub. If he won, it would be five thousand Medium Grade Immortal Crystals, enough for him to spend for a while.

"Sign and press your fingerprint, go up to the platform." The old man with the goatee collected the three Magic Treasures and the jade bottle, handed Lin Wan a black token engraved with the words "D-4", and a life-and-death waiver.

Lin Wan took it and glanced at the life-and-death waiver; it was nothing more than terms stating that on the Fighting Platform, life and death are destined, each is responsible for their own fate, and the Fighting Platform assumes no responsibility. He signed his name without hesitation and pressed his fingerprint.

"Kid, you really dare to come up to die?" On the platform, Xiong Ba had long been waiting impatiently. Seeing Lin Wan sign the life-and-death waiver and walk onto the platform with the black token, he immediately opened his big mouth, revealing white teeth, and grinned grimly, "Looking at your delicate skin and tender flesh, Grandpa Bear can't bear to crush you. How about this, you kneel down and kowtow three times now, call me grandpa three times, and Grandpa Bear will show mercy and only break three of your legs, letting you off the platform, how about that?"

Below the platform, a burst of laughter immediately erupted.

"Xiong Ba is starting to tease the newbie again!"

"This pretty boy is probably going to be scared to the point of wetting his pants!"

"Hurry up and kowtow, maybe Xiong Ba will really spare your life!"

Lin Wan turned a deaf ear to Xiong Ba's provocation and the laughter from below the platform. He looked calm, walked to the center of the platform, and stood opposite Xiong Ba.

"Are you ready? Kid, Grandpa Bear doesn't know his own strength when he attacks, don't cry for your daddy and mommy later!" Xiong Ba twisted his neck, making a "crack, crack" sound, his muscles bulging like horned dragons, full of explosive power. A cruel and violent Aura pressed toward Lin Wan like a physical force.

"Can we start now?" Lin Wan asked calmly, as if he didn't feel that terrifying pressure at all.

"Courting death!" Xiong Ba was enraged by Lin Wan's calm attitude, a fierce light flashed in his eyes, he stopped talking nonsense, and stomped his foot!

"Boom—!!"

The entire Fighting Platform seemed to shake! Xiong Ba's massive body, like a cannonball fired from a chamber, surged forward with violent air waves, instantly crossing dozens of zhang to appear before Lin Wan. A fist, the size of a sand pot, covered in calluses and shimmering with a bronze metallic luster, whistled through the air with a piercing sonic boom, smashing fiercely toward Lin Wan's head!

Before the fist arrived, the fist wind had already struck! The violent gale caused Lin Wan's robes to whip and snap, and a deep trench was plowed into the surface of the Fighting Platform!

This punch was simple, brutal, and direct—no fancy tricks, just pure power! It was enough to split mountains and shatter stones, or crush a Low Grade Immortal Artifact!

"What terrifying Physical Body strength!" A discerning Cultivator off the stage couldn't help but exclaim.

"That kid is finished! If that punch lands, his head will be blown apart!"

"Hurry and dodge! Why are you just standing there like a fool?"

"Scared silly, right? Haha!"

Facing this terrifying punch from Xiong Ba, which was enough to kill a Cultivator of the same rank, Lin Wan remained standing in place, neither dodging nor evading; even his expression didn't change in the slightest. He simply raised his right hand slightly, fingers spread, palm facing forward, as if he intended to... catch that fist?

"You're courting death!" Seeing this, the ferocious light in Xiong Ba's eyes intensified, and he added even more strength to his punch. He wanted to pulverize this ignorant kid into meat paste with a single blow!

"Slap!"

A crisp sound, like someone swatting a mosquito, rang out clearly and sharply amidst the whistling of the violent fist wind.

Then, the entire area around the Fighting Platform fell into instant, deathly silence.

All the clamor, laughter, and exclamations came to an abrupt halt.

Everyone stared with wide eyes and gaping mouths, like ducks with their necks throttled, looking in disbelief at the inconceivable scene on the Fighting Platform.

In the center of the Fighting Platform, Xiong Ba, that violent, human-shaped Vicious Beast, had his terrifying punch—capable of shattering a Low Grade Immortal Artifact—actually... caught by that seemingly frail, fair-skinned young man with a single, slender, white palm, and so nonchalantly at that?!

Yes, he caught it!

It wasn't a block, nor was it a deflection; he had truly and firmly gripped Xiong Ba's sand-pot-sized fist with his five fingers!

Where fist and palm met, the violent gale seemed to collide with an invisible wall, scattering in all directions and causing the Fighting Platform's light barrier to ripple violently. Yet, Lin Wan's figure remained as immovable as an ancient pine rooted in the ground. Even the surface of the Fighting Platform beneath his feet showed no signs of damage.

As for Xiong Ba, his violent punch, capable of killing peers, was gripped by Lin Wan's palm as if it had fallen into a quagmire or collided with a divine mountain; all his power and Aura vanished in an instant. For the first time, his ferocious face displayed shock, bewilderment, and... a trace of unbelievable terror.

"This... this is impossible!" Xiong Ba widened his bull-like eyes, staring fixedly at his own fist which was held fast and unable to move. He then looked up at Lin Wan's terrifyingly calm face, and a chill rose from the depths of his heart.

"Your strength is passable, but your technique is too poor, and your use of magic power is even cruder." Lin Wan held Xiong Ba's fist and commented indifferently, as if critiquing a substandard work. "Body Cultivators of the Lower Realm only Cultivate their Physical Body and neglect the Dao and Spells; in the end, it is an inferior path."

"You...!" Xiong Ba was so infuriated by Lin Wan's nonchalant evaluation that he nearly vomited blood. He roared, and his other fist, like a heavy hammer, smashed fiercely toward Lin Wan's chest! At the same time, the fist held by Lin Wan exerted sudden force, attempting to break free.

"Obstinate."

Lin Wan shook his head, and the palm gripping Xiong Ba's fist squeezed gently.

"Crack—!!"

A teeth-grinding, clear sound of bone fracturing was exceptionally piercing on the silent Fighting Platform.

"Ah—!!"

Xiong Ba let out a shrill scream. His fist, which could withstand a Low Grade Immortal Artifact, had been shattered inch by inch like rotten wood under Lin Wan's seemingly casual squeeze! Blood, mixed with bone shards, splattered out from between Lin Wan's fingers!

Overcome by intense pain, the other fist Xiong Ba had been smashing toward Lin Wan's chest instantly lost its strength and hung down limply.

"Get off."

Lin Wan released his grip and then casually kicked out, striking Xiong Ba squarely in the lower abdomen.

"Bang—!!"

With a dull thud, Xiong Ba's massive body flew backward like a tattered sack, tracing a parabola before smashing fiercely into the Fighting Platform's protective light barrier. The barrier dented violently, and he was rebounded back, crashing heavily onto the edge of the platform. He spat out blood and struggled a few times, but failed to get up.

Silence. Deathly silence. One could hear a pin drop in and around the Fighting Platform.

Everyone stared blankly at the young man on the platform, who still stood in the same spot as if he had only done something trivial—not even a wrinkle on his robes—and then looked at Xiong Ba, who was sprawled on the ground like a dead dog, his fist shattered, mouth spewing blood, and in a wretched state. They felt their brains struggling to process it all.

This... this is over? That infamous, maniacal Body Cultivator Xiong Ba, who had defeated seven Human Immortals in a row and possessed combat power comparable to a Peak Human Immortal, was just like that... killed in one move? And, judging by the young man's appearance, it seemed... he hadn't even used his full strength?

"Hiss—!!" After the brief silence, a chorus of gasps rang out from beneath the Fighting Platform.

"I... did I see that right? Xiong Ba... was killed in one move?"

"It's more than a one-hit kill! It's absolute suppression! From start to finish, that young man only used one hand and one foot!"

"Too terrifying! What kind of power is that? Xiong Ba's Physical Body can withstand a Low Grade Immortal Artifact! And yet, he crushed his fist so casually?"

"Middle Stage Human Immortal? This is a Middle Stage Human Immortal? Which bastard said that? This is at least a Peak Human Immortal, no, an Earth Immortal! He must be an Earth Immortal Senior who has hidden his cultivation!"

"It's over, it's over! My Immortal Crystals! I bet everything on Xiong Ba winning!"

"I'm rich! I bet on that kid winning in one move! One to one hundred odds! Haha, I've made a fortune!"

After the brief shock, the crowd beneath the Fighting Platform exploded. Some were shocked, some ecstatic, and some wailing. Especially the bookmakers who set up the bets, their faces were pale, and they were on the verge of tears. Who could have imagined that a little-known kid with only Middle Stage Human Immortal cultivation would be so terrifying, taking out Xiong Ba in one move? The odds were frighteningly high!

On the Fighting Platform, Lin Wan ignored the clamor below. He walked up to Xiong Ba and looked down at him.

"You... you..." Xiong Ba struggled to lift his head, looking at Lin Wan with eyes full of fear, unwillingness, and a trace of confusion. The Physical Body strength he was so proud of was so vulnerable before this young man.

"Five thousand Medium Grade Immortal Crystals, they are mine." Lin Wan said indifferently, his gaze shifting to the old man with the goat-like beard at the edge of the Fighting Platform.

The old man with the goat-like beard had also regained his senses, and his gaze toward Lin Wan was full of shock and gravity. He had presided over the Ding-4 Fighting Platform for many years and had seen many experts, but this was the first time he had seen someone like Lin Wan, with Middle Stage Human Immortal cultivation, nonchalantly kill a Late Stage Human Immortal Body Cultivator in one move.

"This battle, Lin Wan wins!" The old man with the goat-like beard took a deep breath and announced loudly, then took out a Storage Pouch and tossed it to Lin Wan. "This is the accumulated wager from the Fighting Platform, five thousand Medium Grade Immortal Crystals, please keep them safe. Additionally, your deposit will also be returned."

Lin Wan caught the Storage Pouch, and with a sweep of his Divine Sense, confirmed it contained five thousand crystal-clear, Immortal Qi-rich Medium Grade Immortal Crystals. He nodded, put the Storage Pouch away, and handed the vouchers for the Magic Treasure and Medicinal Pill he had previously deposited back to the old man with the goat-like beard.

The old man with the goat-like beard checked that everything was correct, returned the three Magic Treasures and the jade bottle to Lin Wan, and asked, "Young Friend Lin, do you wish to continue holding the challenge? With the strength you displayed today, if you continue, the wagers could quickly accumulate to ten thousand, or even tens of thousands of Medium Grade Immortal Crystals."

Lin Wan shook his head: "No need."

His main purpose for coming here was to earn Immortal Crystals and, incidentally, to understand the strength of the Cultivators in the Immortal Realm. Now that his goal had been achieved, there was no need to continue showing off. Moreover, he was new here and it was unwise to be too high-profile, lest he invite unnecessary trouble. Xiong Ba was not weak, which was enough for him to have a rough assessment of the combat power of Late Stage Human Immortals and even Peak Human Immortals. As for stronger opponents, they might exist on this Fighting Platform, but there was no need to provoke them now.

"What a pity." A flash of disappointment crossed the eyes of the old man with the goat-like beard. If Lin Wan continued to hold the challenge, with the strength he displayed today, he would surely attract a large number of challengers and gamblers, and the Fighting Platform's commission would rise accordingly.

Lin Wan said no more and turned to walk off the Fighting Platform.

Everywhere he passed, the crowd automatically parted to make a path. The gazes of everyone looking at him were filled with awe, curiosity, and even a trace of fear. Killing Xiong Ba in one move—such strength was enough to make him famous in the Fighting Platform area of the West City.

Lin Wan ignored the surrounding gazes and left the Fighting Platform directly.

He did not return to Tingyu Pavilion, but instead walked toward another part of the city. He needed to exchange the five thousand Medium Grade Immortal Crystals he had just won, along with some other useless items on his person, for cultivation resources to prepare for the Ascension Conference three months later.

"Five thousand Medium Grade Immortal Crystals should be enough to purchase some decent Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and... to scout for some information."

Lin Wan's figure soon disappeared into the bustling crowd.

Meanwhile, news of "a mysterious expert appearing at the Fighting Platform, a Middle Stage Human Immortal killing the maniacal Body Cultivator Xiong Ba in one move" spread like wildfire, quickly propagating through the West City and even the entire Donghua Immortal City.

"Have you heard? A fierce character has appeared at the Fighting Platform! A Middle Stage Human Immortal took out Xiong Ba, who had a seven-game winning streak, in one move!"

"Really? A Middle Stage Human Immortal killing a Late Stage Human Immortal Body Cultivator in one move? Are you bragging?"

"It's absolutely true! I saw it with my own eyes! That guy only used one hand, crushed Xiong Ba's fist, and then kicked him flying! Xiong Ba is still lying in bed right now!"

"Tsk tsk, that fierce? Could he be a Prodigy secretly cultivated by some major Sect or great family?"

"Not sure, a new face, haven't seen him before. However, the Body Cultivator Xiong Ba, who ascended from the Lower Realm, was like a little chick in his hands; this strength is definitely not simple!"

"I heard his name is Lin Wan? I've never heard of this name before..."

"Lin Wan..."

In an instant, the name "Lin Wan" caused quite a stir among the low-level Cultivators in Donghua Immortal City. Although it was not enough to attract the attention of the truly big shots, he had at least gained a little initial fame.

Lin Wan did not care about all this. At this moment, he was standing before a nine-story pavilion that was even more magnificent and imposing, named "Tianji Tower."

"Tianji Tower... I hope this place has the information I want."

Lin Wan looked up at the three large, sweeping characters that seemed to contain some kind of Tianji dao rhyme, a trace of anticipation flashing in his eyes, and stepped inside.