Chapter 576: The Training Arena

Chapter 576: The Training Arena

Wu Di was determined to fight Zhang Yi to free himself from his lingering obsession.

Baili Changqing had no choice but to act as the mediator and referee.

So, he led them out of Cipher Bar and toward the Training Arena, a special facility within the district designed for soldiers.

This place was located within the Operations Command Center and remained brightly lit even at night, with elite soldiers standing guard.

Baili Changqing guided Zhang Yi inside without any obstacles.

Along the way, Zhang Yi carefully observed his surroundings.

This place felt almost futuristic, as if it was ahead of its time.

Every building was made of a dark silver, metallic-like material, seemingly even more advanced than the materials used in his Shelter—

its defensive capabilities were clearly on another level.

Even the first floor alone was over ten meters high, making anyone who stood there feel small and insignificant.

Suddenly, an idea crossed Zhang Yi’s mind, and he turned to Baili Changqing with a smile.

“Can I invite my friends over?”

Baili Changqing looked at him in surprise.

“What? You don’t trust us?”

Zhang Yi shook his head.

“Not at all. But if I happen to get injured, I’d prefer to have my personal doctor treat me.”

Baili Changqing chuckled.

“Don’t worry, we have specialized doctors here. Besides…”

He glanced at Wu Di but didn’t finish his sentence.

With Zhang Yi’s strength, could he even get injured?

Zhang Yi smirked knowingly.

“I only trust my own doctor.”

After thinking for a moment, Baili Changqing understood Zhang Yi’s reasoning.

Although the Operations Command Center was a restricted area, the Training Arena wasn’t part of its core zone—

so it wasn’t a problem to let others come and watch.

“Alright! You can call your friends over. I’ll issue them entry permits.”

Zhang Yi nodded and contacted Liang Yue and the others, telling them to come over.

But in reality, his most important goal was to bring Lu Keran here.

He wanted her to use her Divine Machinery Control ability to analyze the materials used in this place.

If she could figure out how to replicate them, it would be a huge advantage for strengthening his Shelter in the future.

Zones A and B were considered high-end areas in Blizzard City and were close to the Operations Command Center.

So, in no time, Lu Keran and the others arrived.

As soon as they stepped in, their eyes were filled with awe, utterly amazed by the grand architecture.

The intense military atmosphere here was overwhelming—

every soldier exuded a chilling presence.

After all, even the guard soldiers stationed here belonged to the elite Yan Yun Forces of Blizzard City!

When Lu Keran and the others arrived, they immediately approached Zhang Yi, curious about why he had called them.

Zhang Yi briefly explained the duel with Wu Di.

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged strange glances.

Wu Di wants to duel Zhang Yi?

Wasn’t that a bit too ambitious?

Zhang Yi, however, spoke in a low voice.

“That guy isn’t stupid—he’s actually quite smart! He knows I won’t use my full strength here in Blizzard City. Otherwise, do you think he’d dare challenge me anywhere else?”

Lu Keran frowned in disgust.

“That’s so despicable!”

Uncle You was also puzzled.

“What’s the point of this? Even if he wins, it’s meaningless if you’re not fighting seriously.”

Zhang Yi remained calm.

“He just wants to prove that he’s stronger than I was during the Battle of Tianhai City. Some people are like that—

they need a personal victory to find peace of mind. This is his obsession.”

“But… there could be another reason behind it.”

Lowering his gaze, Zhang Yi murmured in a deep voice.

“In any case, I have to win this fight—without exposing my true strength.”

This would be slightly challenging, but not by much.

Zhang Yi already had thorough knowledge of Wu Di’s abilities.

However, the same could be said in reverse—aside from his new powers, Wu Di had also figured out most of Zhang Yi’s techniques.

Zhang Yi looked up at Lu Keran.

“Keran, since you’re inside the Operations Command Center, take this chance to study the materials used here. You get what I mean, right?”

Lu Keran’s eyes widened in surprise.

She had thought she was just here to watch a fight—she hadn’t expected to be assigned a mission!

But soon, she grinned excitedly.

“Got it! I’ll get it done!”

This was an exciting challenge for her, and she loved it!

Ever since she gained her superhuman ability, her favorite thing to do was analyze new materials and create new machines and weapons.

—

While they were talking, Baili Changqing pulled Wu Di aside.

Wu Di, now calm and composed, was putting on a tight black combat suit and wrapping black bandages around his wrists.

Baili Changqing frowned in concern.

“Wu, Zhang Yi is way stronger than before. He even withstood Yuan Kongye’s attacks. Do you really think you can beat him?”

Wu Di’s eyes gleamed sharply, and the arrogance from before had faded.

“I know. But, Captain, I studied his fighting style in that battle.”

His eyes burned with determination.

“His strength lies in defense, not offense. If Yuan Kongye had more combat experience, Zhang Yi wouldn’t have defeated him so easily.”

“When Boss Bian was alive, he always told me that power alone doesn’t decide everything—the real key is up here.”

Wu Di tapped his temple with his finger.

“I’ve already figured out a way to beat him.”

A smug smile crept onto Wu Di’s lips.

“This time, I have to win—even if it’s just once! Otherwise, I’ll never let it go!”

What he longed for most was Bian Junwu’s approval.

Even though Bian Junwu was dead, if he could defeat Zhang Yi, who had been Bian Junwu’s favorite, he would finally feel at peace.

More importantly, he knew Zhang Yi wouldn’t go all out here.

Winning—no matter how—was all that mattered.

Timing, geography, and opportunity.

A true warrior knew how to use the battlefield to his advantage.

Baili Changqing sighed helplessly.

“Let’s hope you’re right.”

Wu Di’s reasoning made sense.

Fighting someone like Zhang Yi, whose defense was nearly unbreakable, wasn’t too dangerous—

as long as he didn’t stupidly try to outlast him.

Of course, that was assuming Zhang Yi didn’t use his terrifying Spatial Slash ability.

Baili Changqing turned and walked toward Zhang Yi.

He needed to have a word with him before the fight.

Soon, Baili Changqing stood beside Zhang Yi, smiling.

“Come on, let’s get you changed.”

“Wait, I need to change clothes for a duel?” Zhang Yi asked, amused.

“Of course!”

Baili Changqing laughed.

“In the Training Arena, all fights are done in combat uniforms—they offer better protection against injuries.”

Just as he finished speaking, Wu Di stepped out of the locker room, now dressed in his tight black combat gear.

Zhang Yi nodded.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

Author's Note