Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1706: 541: Carnival_5
The Holy Army's convoy was swiftly granted passage and headed directly for the arena.
As their vehicles drew closer, the imposing arena loomed into sight at once.
This arena had been constructed in a rough manner, its exterior marred by bloodstains and littered with scraps of mecha along with desiccated bodies.
A hideous demon statue gaped its jaws wide at the arena's entrance.
Right now, throngs of people crowded out for a full kilometer, and folks in the queue often broke into sudden brawls over line-cutting.
The guards close by turned a blind eye, merely hauling the defeated away.
“So many people?”
Su Ming struggled to find the words; in this utter chaos, these idiots still flocked together here.
Residents of the Lost City clearly weren't all there.
“This arena holds up to three million viewers simultaneously, but no worries—we're using the fighters' entrance, so we head right inside.”
Novlin assured Su Ming.
“Alright!”
Su Ming gave a nod.
Soon, their convoy slipped into the underground garage of the Lost Arena via a dedicated route.
Su Ming and his group stepped out from the vehicles.
“Stay put everyone, Jikol Corps Commander is on his way.”
Novlin called out to the group.
“Yes!”
The team waited calmly.
From afar, a line of sleek black luxury cars rolled in and stopped.
A brutal-faced man flashing a mouthful of metal teeth, three steel spikes driven into his brow, stepped out with his band of intimidating goons.
They shot mocking smirks at the Holy Army crew.
Holy Army members showed all sorts of odd reactions, naturally on guard.
Novlin, with utmost gravity, pointed them out to Su Ming.
“That's the Black Death Society crew, second-biggest gang in the Land of Lost. Their boss Meng Lao is infamous for his cruelty, and he's an elder here too.”
“Hmm.”
Su Ming eyed Meng Lao briefly, dismissing him entirely.
Back in the day, he might've sensed some danger and taken note. Yet now, with his boosted power and position, the guy meant nothing—like some street punk.
Su Ming knew full well this shift stemmed from the influence of power and rank. No wonder so many turn cocky and domineering after gaining them.
In a way, it's not just individual flaw; such forces quietly reshape people, and not all hold firm to their core.
Just then, a convoy of battered jeeps pulled up.
Holy Army folks lit up with excitement, their tones buzzing with fervor.
“They're here!”
Su Ming looked over as the jeeps halted before them.
Doors swung open.
From the lead jeep emerged a giant standing 2.8 meters tall, rippling with iron-hard muscles, sharp-featured face, silver at the temples, feral eyes blazing with might, exuding overwhelming presence.
Akufa and the rest followed, disembarking right after.
“Jikol sir!”
Anton Lu and company rushed forward to pay respects.
“Anton Lu, been ages!”
Jikol clapped him on the back in a bear hug.
Novlin advanced too, bowing deeply.
“Jikol sir!”
“Novlin, word is you're entering the tourney this round?”
Jikol remarked to him.
“Yes.”
“Best of luck! I trust Renis' eye.”
Jikol told Novlin.
“I'll give it everything.”
Novlin nodded firmly.
Su Ming lingered at the group's rear, sizing up Jikol Corps Commander.
The Holy Army had been the Dark Star Empire's second legion, reputed as the mightiest besides the First—naturally, anyone commanding it carried serious gravitas.
Suddenly, Jikol caught a peculiar stare and pivoted toward the cloaked Su Ming, sensing something off about this figure, who radiated a lethal threat.
Su Ming quickly averted his gaze elsewhere, dodging Jikol's eyes; he hadn't figured the man's senses were that keen.
“Jikol sir, time to go in?”
Akufa piped up then.
“Yeah, move out!”
Jikol snapped back, guiding the group to the metallic elevator platform.
In moments, they rode the metal platform up into the Lost Arena.
The Lost Arena formed an oval shape, fronted by a roped-off VIP zone with seats reserved for the City Lord and Lost City's big shots, while rows of chairs filled the other sections.
Spectators poured in steadily, nearly a third of the seats taken already.
Jikol ushered Akufa and crew toward the prime viewing spot.
As they neared, a massive metal elevator rose up.
Otaine arrived alongside Hovido and others.
“Otaine brother!”
Jikol Corps Commander called out, striding ahead.
“Jikol, little brother, never thought you'd return!”
Otaine flashed a sly, wicked smile.
“It's the Land of Lost's grand carnival today, your absolute favorite fest, brother—how could I miss it?”
Jikol replied to Otaine.
“Hah, spot on! Join brother up top!”
Otaine, beaming with glee, beckoned Jikol.
“Alright!”
Jikol promptly trailed Otaine to the main platform.
Meantime, Novlin guided Su Ming and the rest to seats off to the right of the main area—not quite as elite, but still nicely positioned nearby.
Su Ming settled in, sneaking a peek at Otaine atop the main platform, then whispered to Novlin.
“That old guy's the Land of Lost's ruler, Otaine?”
“Right, our Corps Commander used to be tight with him—that's how we settled here after breaking from the Dark Star Empire.”
Novlin clarified for Su Ming.
“Got it.”
Su Ming nodded.
Next, a bunch of savage-looking thugs with cold stares marched in, aiming for the main platform.
Novlin kept naming them for Su Ming.
“Leading them is Mudem, head of the infamous smuggling ring, another Land of Lost elder.”
…
“Hmm.”
Su Ming paid close attention.
Minutes flew by, and soon the main platform brimmed with top brass,
the arena swelling with roaring fans.
The atmosphere thundered with endless yells.
“Start it already!”
“Show us the bloodbath, the massacre!”
….
Clap~
All of a sudden, pounding, fierce music erupted across the venue.
Then, a holographic projection sprang up at the arena's heart: a voluptuous woman with a blood-red rose inked on her bosom and flaming red locks, firing up the crowd.
“Welcome all to the Lost Arena! Today kicks off the Land of Lost's once-a-decade carnival. City Lord Oyinta himself will lead the revelry—give it up!”
“Oyinta sir!”
“Oyinta sir!”
…
Myriad voices bellowed Oyinta's name in frenzy.
No matter how savage and ruthless Oyinta truly was!
The sanctuary he'd forged in the Land of Lost sheltered every outlaw without law.
Hence, his sway here was immense.
Oyinta rose, gesturing broadly to the masses, declaring.
“Thanks for the cheers. The Land of Lost is our shared haven; no one will tear it down. Rest easy here, live wild and free! Enough talk—let's kick it off!”
The hostess then hyped everyone up.
“Brothers, sisters! The fights are starting soon, delivering the ultimate thrill of combat today.”
Her speech wrapped,
Energy shield generators along the arena's rim hummed to life, sealing the combat zone completely.
Su Ming eyed the rising energy barrier.
The Land of Lost spared no expense—this shield matched those in Starlight City's districts, same tech for sure.
That meant it could tank V Generation Mecha strikes, guaranteeing solid safety.