The Unparalleled Sword Emperor Chapter 2679 - 2654: First Entry into the Fighting Arena

As dawn broke, the fighting arena saw fewer warriors present. Accompanied by the gentle morning sun, Lin Bai, clad in his white robes, slowly proceeded towards the fighting arena and entered a darkened passageway. Within this passage, he retrieved a mask from his storage bag. Upon emerging from the shadows, Lin Bai's pristine white robe had been exchanged for black attire, and his face was now concealed by an unfeeling mask. His previously discernible aura transformed instantaneously, becoming exceedingly sharp, to the point where even his closest confidantes would have found it difficult to recognize him. After exiting the passageway, Lin Bai made his way swiftly to the underground plaza situated beneath the fighting arena.

"Hey, you've arrived. Quite early, aren't you?" Tai Yi greeted Lin Bai with a smile as soon as he entered.

Lin Bai responded calmly, "This is my inaugural visit to the fighting arena; I wouldn't dare be tardy! When is the martial arts competition scheduled to commence?"

Tai Yi advised, "No need to hurry. Kindly wait in that room over there. Today marks not only your debut as a newcomer but also the entrance of other contenders who will serve as your adversaries!"

"Proceed to the room and rest for a while. When it is time for your turn to enter, I will naturally come to notify you!"

Lin Bai offered a slight nod and proceeded into the room Tai Yi had indicated.

This chamber was remarkably unadorned, measuring approximately a hundred meters in size, with a long stone bench positioned along each side. Inside, Lin Bai observed four other warriors already seated.

Upon Lin Bai's entrance, they cast glances his way, tinged with a degree of interest. However, upon gauging his cultivation level, their interest quickly waned.

"To enter the fighting arena at the Seventh Layer of the Death Reversal Realm? Is this a suicide mission?"

"Hmph, he's biting off more than he can chew!"

Among these four individuals, two were masked, while the other two revealed their faces.

Noticeably, Lin Bai detected an air of disdain and contempt directed towards him from the two unmasked warriors.

Disregarding their attitudes, Lin Bai took a seat on the side, patiently awaiting the commencement of the martial arts competition.

Approximately half an hour later, several more warriors entered the room, one of whom was wearing a mask.

Lin Bai briefly acknowledged him with a glance before returning his focus to resting with his eyes closed.

Before long, a boisterous clamor reached Lin Bai's ears from beyond the wall; the spectators for the fighting arena had begun arriving in successive waves.

At this juncture, Tai Yi entered and announced, "Excellent, there are eight of you today. This signifies that out of the six newcomers, two will emerge as true combatants!"

"Prepare yourselves; your turn to enter is fast approaching!"

"Ghost Messenger and Lu Wei, you two are up first!" Tai Yi declared with a smile.

Lu Wei, the young, unmasked warrior, upon hearing he was to compete first, immediately stood and, clenching his fist, proclaimed, "Ghost Messenger? Hmph, just prepare to meet your end!"

As for the warrior identified as "Ghost Messenger," he was adorned with a mask resembling an evil spirit. He cast an indifferent glance at Lu Wei, showing no outward reaction. Yet, Lin Bai detected a flicker of derision within his eyes!

It was evident that the masked warrior, Ghost Messenger, did not perceive Lu Wei as a significant threat.

Just then, a booming voice reverberated from the fighting arena.

"A warm welcome to all attendees of the fighting arena! I am your referee for today, Ning Zheng!"

"Prior to the commencement of today's official bouts, we will hold a series of evaluation battles for the new contenders – a brief warm-up exercise!"

"..."

The referee, Ning Zheng, proceeded with his introductions within the arena's confines.

Upon hearing his pronouncements, the entire fighting arena was engulfed by a surge of excited murmurs.

"Now, let us welcome the first pair of new fighters to the stage: Ghost Messenger and Lu Wei!" Ning Zheng's voice echoed authoritatively.

From within the room, Tai Yi chuckled, "Off you go!"

Instantly, Ghost Messenger and Lu Wei rose and departed the room.

Meanwhile, the remaining individuals in the room gravitated towards the windows to observe the ongoing martial arts competition unfolding outside. They witnessed Ghost Messenger and Lu Wei walking side-by-side into the arena.

The fighting arena erupted in a frenzy of excitement upon their entrance, with the shouts and fervent roars of the warriors echoing ceaselessly!

"Slay him!"

"New fighters, display your prowess!"

"Will there be a standout performance today?"

"Give it your all!"

"Kill him!"

The frenzied cries of the warriors, one after another, sent waves of adrenaline through the crowd.

At this moment, Lin Bai also rose and moved to the window, observing Ghost Messenger and Lu Wei as they prepared to engage in combat.

The two stood upon the expansive plaza of the arena, their expressions conveying a mixture of shock and fierce determination as they surveyed the encircling fighters.

"Very well, let the martial arts competition commence!" Referee Ning Zheng bellowed.

Immediately, Ghost Messenger and Lu Wei snapped back to awareness, their gazes locking as murder intent flared in their eyes!

Without exchanging further words, the duo initiated their intense confrontation.

A thunderous and formidable battle commenced within the fighting arena.

Lin Bai, too, remained engrossed, closely following the unfolding developments of this fierce engagement.

Initially, Lu Wei held the advantage against Ghost Messenger, completely suppressing him and leading everyone to believe Ghost Messenger was on the verge of defeat. However, at that critical moment, Ghost Messenger suddenly unleashed his full power, sending Lu Wei flying!

Witnessing Lu Wei nearing his defeat, Lu Wei's expression turned stern. He resorted to a forbidden skill, his power surging as he charged towards Ghost Messenger, determined to end the fight definitively this time.

Sensing Lu Wei's lethal intent, Ghost Messenger ceased holding back, his countenance hardening into a ruthless mask.

With a single, decisive punch, he struck Lu Wei down, ending his life beneath his fist!

A thunderous impact resounded.

Lu Wei's body was violently ejected, crashing onto the ground, utterly lifeless.

The surrounding martial artists stared at Ghost Messenger in stunned silence, only snapping back to reality after a beat, before erupting into thunderous cheers.

"Ghost Messenger, victory!" the referee's voice boomed immediately.

Inside the room, an atmosphere of profound calm prevailed.

One individual remarked with a cold tone, "Ghost Messenger could have dispatched Lu Wei with a single blow, yet he prolonged the engagement unnecessarily. What a tiresome display!"

Lin Bai observed the speaker, a masked warrior absent. It was a middle-aged man, exuding a formidable aura of strength from his very muscles, evidently a powerful Body Refiner!

"Indeed, a true waste of our valuable time!" echoed another warrior, this one concealed behind a floral mask, his voice equally sharp.

At this juncture, Tai Yi escorted Ghost Messenger back into the room.

Ghost Messenger sat down to recuperate.

Tai Yi then addressed two others, "Sword Demon, Hong Lang, it is now your turn for the martial arts competition. Accompany me!"

"Finally, my turn arrives! Which one of you is Sword Demon? Are you ready to meet your demise?" The unmasked warrior stood from his stone bench, stretching languidly as he inquired nonchalantly.

Lin Bai remained still, calmly rising from his seat.

Noticing Lin Bai's movement, the warrior's brow furrowed. "So, you are the warrior at the Seventh Layer of the Death Reversal Realm? How dull. It appears my debut battle in the fighting arena will be an effortless triumph!"

"Heh heh."

Upon recognizing Lin Bai, Hong Lang's expression softened, and he displayed no hint of apprehension, clearly not viewing Lin Bai as a significant challenge!

Following this, Lin Bai and Hong Lang departed the room with Tai Yi.