For What, To Stand Up Again

This arena was never about fair duels—there were no matchups based on similar strength.

Overwhelming power differences were the norm here.

Of course, if you were too strong, no one would be foolish enough to challenge you, so completing ten victories would be impossible.

And thus, no rewards.

Again, don’t even think about finding a fake opponent—Huang Jiuyou wasn’t stupid enough to let such an exploit exist.

Su Luo dodged Lei Shi’s lightning-fast strike.

Then, with a single Void Hand, he slammed Lei Shi onto the ground.

Just one hit was enough to make Lei Shi feel excruciating pain, his stomach churning violently.

In an instant, he understood the gap between them.

Lei Shi didn’t give up. He immediately scrambled back to his feet.

And attacked again.

Yet no matter how he struck, he couldn’t land a single blow on Su Luo.

Another Void Hand sent Lei Shi coughing up blood.

Still, he forced himself to stand.

Only for his legs to buckle, sending him crashing back down.

By now, he had only endured ten Void Hands, yet he was already on the verge of collapse.

Not surprising—Lei Shi wasn’t that strong to begin with. He couldn’t take many of Su Luo’s Void Hands.

Yet he stood again, launching another desperate charge.

Only to be met with another slap from the Void Hand, sending him sprawling once more.

Slowly, he rose again.

Such tenacity was hard not to admire.

"Keep going, kid defending the arena!"

The crowd wasn’t genuinely cheering—they were just enjoying the show. A few shouts cost them nothing.

Of course, some were discussing Su Luo.

"Gotta admit, inheriting the Demon God’s legacy really shows."

"Stop exaggerating. The gap in strength was huge—what’s there to praise?"

"Exactly. If they were the same cultivation level, maybe. But this? Just bullying the weak."

On the arena, Lei Shi took longer and longer to stand each time.

Su Luo finally spoke. "Why do you keep getting up?"

"I have no choice."

"Explain."

"For the woman I love."

"You realize how that sounds, saying that here?"

"She’s different. She truly loves me."

Lei Shi’s voice was unwavering.

Right then, a woman’s voice rang out: "Keep going, Brother Lei!"

Below the arena, a girl was shouting.

Instantly, Lei Shi found renewed strength and charged at Su Luo again.

Still useless.

Yet his stubbornness kept him standing—barely—before collapsing once more.

Even when he couldn’t stand, he crawled to Su Luo’s feet, gripping his leg as if trying to attack.

Su Luo was moved.

"Seeing you like this… I forfeit."

Su Luo stepped down from the arena, conceding defeat.

Half of today’s task was complete.

Originally, Su Luo had come to the arena to build his reputation by defending it.

Yet his very first match had been against such a relentless opponent.

Killing Lei Shi outright wouldn’t have been an issue—no one would’ve cared.

But seeing Lei Shi fight so desperately for love reminded Su Luo of how he’d once been for Li Siyi.

For a moment, his heart wavered.

So he let Lei Shi go.

Technically, this was cheating in the arena.

Forfeiting was only allowed when you couldn’t fight anymore.

But since it was Su Luo’s first time, Huang Jiuyou gave him a small warning and let it slide.

Lei Shi got the reward he wanted.

He had no intention of continuing to defend the arena, even if the later prizes were more valuable.

His beloved only wanted the Cloudgold Stone.

Lei Shi handed the stone to Fang Xiaoqian.

"Brother Lei, you really did it! Now my weapon can be even stronger. Thank you!"

"It’s nothing. For you, I’d do anything."

"Mhm! You rest now. I can’t wait to forge it—"

"Ah… okay."

Then Lei Shi passed out.

Fang Xiaoqian dragged him aside, tossed a cloth over him, and left without a second thought.

Su Luo hadn’t left yet. There was one more thing to do today.

A classic trope.

Lei Shi was being cheated on.

No—more like Fang Xiaoqian had been playing him from the start.

Really, searching for love in the City of Villains? What a joke.

Su Luo’s role now was to expose Fang Xiaoqian’s deceit, ensuring Lei Shi wouldn’t remain blind.

This was also why Lei Shi later joined Su Luo’s Heavenly Demon Sect.

In a secluded corner, Fang Xiaoqian met with her real lover.

"Brother Wu, I got the Cloudgold Stone!"

"Hah! That Lei Shi actually won it? Impressive."

"Hehe, no matter how strong he is, he’s nothing compared to you."

"Of course. But we should keep using him."

They began whispering sweet nothings.

Su Luo stepped out. "You two are really wasting my goodwill."

"Who are you?!" Wu Feng shouted.

"It’s you!" Fang Xiaoqian paled in terror.

There should’ve been more dialogue, but Su Luo skipped it.

He knocked them both down.

But he didn’t kill them—they were crucial for waking Lei Shi up.

Su Luo took the Cloudgold Stone.

Not because he needed it, but because the plot demanded it.

He returned to Lei Shi, still unconscious and clueless.

A kick woke him.

"Who dares—"

Seeing Su Luo, Lei Shi immediately quieted. "Uh… what do you want?"

Su Luo tossed the stone at him. "Know why I have this?"

"The Cloudgold Stone! What did you do to Fang Xiaoqian?!" Lei Shi roared.

"Still thinking about her? You’ve been used."

Su Luo recounted what he’d seen.

"No… no way! Fang Xiaoqian would never—"

"Tch."

Su Luo left without another word.

No point explaining further. Lei Shi wouldn’t believe it until he saw for himself.

Today’s task was done.

Lei Shi’s physique was perfect for one of the Demon God’s legacies, which was why Su Luo wanted him in the sect.

Finding Little Yu and Jiang Ningshu, Su Luo finally relaxed.

"Finished?" Little Yu poured him tea.

"Mostly. Just some loose ends. You two found a nice place."

Su Luo glanced around—clean and well-kept.

Finding such a spot in the battle-scarred City of Villains wasn’t easy.

"Actually, I made it myself," Little Yu said proudly.

She’d claimed the place, then fixed it up.

Since Su Luo would be staying for a few days, she wanted him to have somewhere decent.

As for seizing the spot? No guilt at all.

Su Luo had said it himself—no one here was a good person.