Lin Bai received one-third of the 'Black Water Divine Thunder Skill' from Madam Yang. He returned to the Tang Family and began cultivating the skill, successfully manifesting the Black Water Divine Thunder within seven days and later mastering the 'Thunderstorm Fist'. After half a month of seclusion, Madam Yang contacted Lin Bai, informing him that the martial arts competition was arranged and his opponent would be a 'Little General' from the Zhou Family.
After tucking away Madam Yang’s Sound Transmission Token, Lin Bai resumed his secluded cultivation within his residence.
However, at this very moment, Ban Ye and Uncle Fatty arrived at Lin Bai’s dwelling, calling out, "Brother Lin Bai, are you within?"
Lin Bai emerged from his secret chamber, opened the door, and greeted them with a smile, "Uncle Ban Ye, Uncle Fatty, what brings you here today?"
Fatty chuckled, "We came to see you and, incidentally, to inquire if you have any available time. Tomorrow, we could head to the Fighting Arena for some excitement. There’s a notable fighter, the 'Little General,' scheduled to appear!"
Lin Bai appeared taken aback, his brow furrowing slightly. "Little General?"
Lin Bai invited the duo inside his residence, and after they settled down, their conversation turned casual.
Lin Bai found himself quite intrigued by this 'Little General.'
Ban Ye elaborated, "This 'Little General' goes by the name Luo Sha, and his track record in the Fighting Arena boasts an impressive thirty wins against a single loss!"
"He’s participated in thirty-one bouts at the Fighting Arena, securing thirty victories and suffering just one defeat!"
"It’s precisely due to that solitary loss that he hasn’t yet attained the title of Undefeated General!"
"Nevertheless, his combat prowess is exceptionally formidable," Ban Ye stated in a hushed tone.
Uncle Fatty chimed in, "Word has it that this 'Little General' is a warrior cultivated by the esteemed Zhou Family. Tomorrow, I'm planning to place a wager of some merit points on this 'Little General,' hoping to earn a bit of extra spending money!"
Lin Bai responded with a smile, "It seems both Uncle Fatty and Uncle Ban Ye are quite optimistic about this 'Little General.'"
Ban Ye offered a wry smile, remaining silent.
Uncle Fatty declared, "It's not that I'm necessarily optimistic about the 'Little General,' but rather his opponent is a complete novice in the Fighting Arena. Isn't that practically suicidal?"
"Lin Bai, you might not be aware, but currently, within the underground betting circles of the Fighting Arena, the odds for the duel between the 'Little General' and the 'Sword Demon' have reached an astonishing one to five!"
"If it weren't for the house's intervention in managing the odds, they might have climbed to one to a hundred!" Fatty elaborated in a low voice.
Lin Bai chuckled, "It appears that all the martial artists in Black Water City firmly believe the 'Sword Demon' is destined to lose to the 'Little General.'"
Fatty continued his enthusiastic chatter, expressing immense admiration for the 'Little General's' strength.
In stark contrast, Ban Ye offered continuous smiles, speaking little, yet his eyes held a discernible flicker of curiosity as he occasionally glanced towards Lin Bai.
Presently, within Black Water City, it was only Ban Ye who knew that Lin Bai also participated as a fighter in the Fighting Arena.
Furthermore, Ban Ye harbored a strong suspicion that the 'Sword Demon' was, in fact, Lin Bai himself!
At this juncture, Ban Ye spoke in a low voice, "This 'Little General' Luo Sha was once a notorious scourge of the Northern Continent, known for his ruthless methods and having ended countless lives!"
"His mastery of both fist and sword techniques is exceptionally refined. Throughout his past thirty matches, he has predominantly subdued his opponents with a single punch or a single sword strike!"
"I sincerely hope that tomorrow, when the 'Sword Demon' confronts this 'Little General,' he will exercise extreme caution against his formidable fists and sword skills!"
"However, his movement techniques are not particularly outstanding, so if one wishes to secure victory, maintaining distance through agile footwork is paramount," Ban Ye advised discreetly.
Lin Bai offered a slight smile, his gaze meeting Ban Ye's, and he understood the unspoken message within his words, inwardly letting out a wry chuckle. "Uncle Ban Ye must have deduced that I am the 'Sword Demon' and is offering me a gentle reminder!"
Lin Bai replied with a smile, "I believe the 'Sword Demon' is not someone to be underestimated, and tomorrow promises to be an exciting spectacle. Uncle Fatty, you must place your bets wisely; what if the 'Sword Demon' manages to defeat the 'Little General Luo Sha,' wouldn't all your winnings vanish?"
Uncle Fatty, his face alight with fervent excitement, retorted, "Impossible! If the 'Sword Demon' can defeat the 'Little General Luo Sha,' then I shall eat this table!"
Both Lin Bai and Ban Ye exchanged wry smiles, offering no further comment!
Lin Bai also informed Ban Ye and Uncle Fatty that he would be entering a period of intense, secluded cultivation for over a month and thus would not be attending the Fighting Arena to spectate the duels tomorrow!
As the deep night enveloped the surroundings, Uncle Fatty and Ban Ye finally departed.
"'Little General' Luo Sha... very well, I shall use you as a means to test the results of my half-month's cultivation of the Black Water Divine Thunder!" Lin Bai's lips curled into a cold, predatory smile.
As he clenched his fist, Lin Bai's entire being emanated a terrifying surge of Thunderbolt Power!
The Black Water Divine Thunder residing within Lin Bai was substantially more potent than that of both Ban Ye and Tang Yuezhi!
This is because Lin Bai harbors the Five Elements Divine Pill internally, which allows him to cultivate the authentic Divine Thunder, making it far superior to that of others who have not cultivated this profound elixir!
...
At the crack of dawn, Lin Bai, cloaking his presence, stealthily exited the Tang Family compound, making his way towards the Fighting Arena.
Within the dimly lit passageway, Lin Bai donned the iconic Sword Demon Mask!
Arriving at the Fighting Arena, Tai Yi greeted Lin Bai with a smile, stating, "Sword Demon, from this moment on, your wait is over. Proceed directly to the 'Yellow Character No.1' Pavilion within the Fighting Arena and seek out Madam Yang!"
"The Yellow Character No.1 pavilion is a space Madame Yang retains year-round!"
"As you have been chosen by her, you may go directly to meet her!"
Upon hearing Tai Yi’s instructions, Lin Bai gave a slight nod.
Without delay, Lin Bai turned and exited the underground area, making his way towards the designated pavilion.
Locating Yellow Character No.1, he gently tapped on the door. Shortly thereafter, an effeminate attendant opened it. Upon glimpsing Lin Bai, the attendant's face registered a flicker of disdain and contempt, and he nonchalantly said, "Enter!"
Lin Bai stepped into the pavilion and observed Madam Yang, who was reclining languidly on a plush couch within, seemingly attended by those four captivating men day and night.
"You have arrived!" Madam Yang acknowledged Lin Bai, her face beaming with a smile.
Lin Bai quietly inclined his head and proceeded to position himself near the window.
The Yellow Character No.1 pavilion boasted a superior vantage point, allowing one to survey the entirety of the Fighting Arena's combatants from the window.
Madam Yang let out a soft chuckle, remarking, "Today, you should not feel undue pressure. Your opponent is Young General Luo Sha of the Zhou Family, and even in defeat, it shall not be a significant matter!"
"The wager I have placed on your behalf is not substantial, merely fifty thousand merits."
"Should you fall, the loss is inconsequential; it serves merely as an introduction for you to the formidable figures within the Fighting Arena!"
Lin Bai inquired with a calm demeanor, "Given the financial standing of the Zhao Family's Madam Yang, you could effortlessly wager hundreds of thousands of merits. Why opt for such a modest stake?"
Madam Yang replied, "My concern is your potential defeat."
Lin Bai urged, "You should place a larger bet!"
"I shall not be defeated!"
Lin Bai declared with unwavering confidence.
Madam Yang responded, "Very well, I have witnessed numerous cultivators who tragically overestimate their prowess. They exude the same confidence as you before entering the fray, only to be utterly thrashed within the Fighting Arena, retreating in utter disarray!"
"This bout is intended merely for your acclimatization to the Fighting Arena environment,"
Madam Yang stated impassively.
Lin Bai offered no further words; as this was Madam Yang's decision, Lin Bai could not dispute it.
Madam Yang informed him, "The Fighting Arena schedules a maximum of ten contests daily, and your engagement is slated as the final, climactic event. Today, only a single Young General will be featured, thus attracting heightened anticipation!"
