"First to take the stage is the strongest legend of our Red Stone Arena, Violent Mathews!"
"Here at the Red Stone Arena, Mathews has fought 318 battles, 52 of which were life-and-death duels. He is undefeated. Just two days ago, Mathews officially became a powerful Level 4 professionist!"
"He is also the first Level 4 gladiator in our Red Stone Arena!"
After the host finished speaking, cheers erupted from the skill competition arena.
To most current survivors, a Level 4 professionist was an absolutely unattainable existence.
Perhaps, only in the Red Stone Arena, could they watch Level 4 professionists fight without paying anything.
When the cheers subsided slightly, the host spoke again, "And Violent Mathewsâs opponent is our Red Stone Arenaâs undying legend: Karl, a man who has lost a hundred regular matches, yet won a hundred life-and-death duels!"
"Just yesterday, Karl also became a Level 4 professionist! So, today, our Red Stone Arena will present to you the ultimate showdown between two Level 4 powerhouses!"
When the host finished, the cheers from the crowd were even more fervent than before.
Then, a middle-aged man, no more than 1.8 meters tall but extremely muscular, stepped onto the stage.
"The betting window is now open for the next 10 minutes! The odds for Violent Mathews are 1 to 0.5, and for Karl, 1 to 2."
After speaking, the host stepped down from the stage. Meanwhile, on the stage, Violent Mathews was shouting incessantly, periodically flashing his middle finger at his opponent. Karl, however, simply sat quietly in a corner of the stage.
...
Annie quietly summoned a Servant and took out two third-level magic crystals from her space ring.
"Place a bet on Mathews for me, thank you."
Wen Yu remarked to Annie, "Physically, that Karl fellow seems a cut above, and he has a better mindset too. I think Karl has a higher chance of winning."
Annie gently shook her head. "Itâs clear you donât come here often."
"Iâve been here once."
As Annie stroked Cyclopsâs fur, she whispered, "Although their strength is comparable, Mathews has fought so many matches and never lost. Karl is different... How should I put it... he lacks fighting spirit. He treats these fights like a job. Since this isnât a life-or-death match, Mathews will definitely crush him."
"Oh?"
Wen Yu raised his eyebrows, took out two third-level magic crystals, and handed them to the Servant.
"Put these on Karl."
Then, Wen Yu smiled at Annie. "Then letâs make a little wager."
...
Ten minutes flew by, and the battle on the stage quickly began.
Mathews and Karl both had extremely aggressive fighting styles. Their brutal, blow-for-blow fight made the spectatorsâ blood boil.
Unfortunately, with his strength, Wen Yu could naturally see that the gladiator named Karl had no fighting spirit whatsoever.
Karl was more inclined to defend than attackâand everyone knows that a prolonged defense inevitably leads to defeat!
In less than three minutes, a heavy blow from Mathews sent Karl to the ground. The referee quickly declared the winner, drawing a wave of boos from the audience.
"See? I told you," Annie said, smiling as she turned her head to Wen Yu.
Unfortunately, the spot where Wen Yu had been was already empty.
...
ăThe time went back to one minute ago.ă
Just as Wen Yu was watching the battle below with great interest, a black shadow suddenly flashed past the corner of his eye. It moved so quickly that Wen Yu barely caught a glimpse, let alone the other professionists.
Instantly, Starâs head snapped up. A Spiritual Fluctuation transmitted to Wen Yuâs mind: "Boss, thatâs the divine beast!"
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely! But its aura is very unstable!"
The moment Star finished speaking, Wen Yu transformed into a pool of black mist and sped towards the source of the aura.
...
ăIn a dark alley behind the Red Stone Hotel...ă
With the CREAKING of an iron gate, Wen Yu twisted the Red Stone Hotelâs perennially locked back door into a mangled wreck.
"Itâs here!"
Actually, Star didnât need to say anything more. Wen Yu immediately spotted the black cat lying on the ground.
Its black fur, once glossy, was now dull, matted with blood in places. Its small body trembled faintly, a clear sign of the immense pain this unknown divine beast was enduring.
Perhaps sensing someone approaching from behind, the black cat let out a soft MEOW, then mustered all its strength to open its eyes.
What a pair of eyes they were...
Only at the very center of its pupils could a faint green glow be discerned; the rest was covered in a dense network of blood-red cracks. Yet, within that tiny glint of green, a thread of unwavering determination shone through, fiercely tugging at Wen Yuâs heart.
The next second, countless Memory Fragments, like flashbacks, streamed from the black catâs eyes into Wen Yuâs mind!
A massive torrent of Memory Fragments poured into Wen Yuâs mind. The sensation was comparable to weathering a direct hit from a psychic storm. In an instant, it felt as if colossal waves were crashing through Wen Yuâs mind. Countless pieces of information surged in, only to be swiftly digested and absorbed by the formidable mental power of a Level 5 professionist.
...
"Boss... Boss, whatâs wrong with you?"
A voice, seemingly drifting from a distant shore, pulled Wen Yu back from the psychic storm.
Wen Yuâs vision quickly cleared, and he forcefully massaged his temples.
"Boss, are you alright?"
"HUFF. HUFF!"
Exhaling heavily twice, Wen Yu gently shook his head.
"How long was I dazed?"
"Less than ten seconds. Boss, what happened to you just now?"
"Nothing, I just discovered something interesting."
"By the way, where did that cat go?"
Star first looked at Wen Yu inquisitively, then turned to glance at the spot where the black cat had been lying, and shook his head.
"It disappeared with a swoosh."
Wen Yu nodded.
"Letâs go. We should head back. We donât want to keep Annie waiting too long!"
After speaking, Wen Yu clenched his fists tightly, then took the pendant Yang Hong had given him from his space ring and put it directly around his neck.
Recalling everything that had transpired since he entered Las Vegas, and connecting it with the recent Memory Fragments, a savage glint flared in Wen Yuâs eyes before he forcefully suppressed it.
The time isnât ripe... And as for you scoundrels, youâll pay the price sooner or later!
...
ăThe skill competition arena was in an uproar.ă
After the battle between Karl and Mathews, the remaining fights were just small fry messing around.
With a slight smile on his face, Wen Yu walked directly into the private box. Inside the treasure chest, Annie was stroking Cyclopsâs fur, while peeling fruits one by one and gently feeding them to Cyclops.
"I just went to the restroom. So, what was the result of the fight?"
Annie smiled and nodded. "You lost, you know."
Wen Yu shrugged. "The moment the fight began, I knew Karl would lose... The guy has no professional ethics. I must bring this up with Claus."
Annie giggled, covering her mouth, as Wen Yu continued to chat with her about amusing tidbits.
After a while, Annie let out a big yawn.
Seeing this, Wen Yu tactfully said, "Letâs go. The banquet upstairs should be over by now."
Annie nodded, linked her arm with Wen Yuâs, and the two walked out of the box together.
...
ăOutside the Red Stone Hotel...ă
Wen Yu stood with Kuangliu, silently watching Annie and Claire get into their car.
"Quite a nice woman, isnât she?" Kuangliu said to Wen Yu, a wide smile on his face.
Wen Yu nodded with conviction. "I like her very much."
"Oh-ho!" Kuangliu hooted with a smirk.
"Youâve finally come to your senses! Seriously, back in the Demon Suppression Tower Treasure Land, I often wondered if there was something wrong with your sexual orientation."
Wen Yu raised an eyebrow. "Whatâs wrong? Afraid Iâd lose control and pounce on you?"
Kuangliu pursed his lips but said nothing.
Watching Claire and Annieâs car recede into the distance, Wen Yu turned and walked into the Red Stone Hotel. Kuangliu trailed behind, still grumbling, "Youâre so strong, and pardon my French, but what kind of woman couldnât you have? If you ask me, you shouldâve just kept that Annie here. Seal the deal overnightâhow straightforward is that!"
Wen Yu suddenly turned around, looking seriously at Kuangliuâs face.
His profound gaze made Kuangliu feel a shiver down his spine.
After a moment, Wen Yu gently nodded. "Iâll consider your suggestion."