Chapter 1284: Eight Challenger

Aren't the special arenas set up in the city precisely for this purpose?

Menban stepped forward from the crowd and stood below the platform.

Sha Wei immediately waved to him: "Big guy, you look like a leader in the Tigerwing Army? I've already defeated all your men, aren't you going to avenge them?"

His gesture was flippant, but Menban didn't get angry. "You're standing in the wrong place. This arena isn't yours to claim."

Sha Wei scoffed, "If you're too scared to get on, just say so."

"This is a life-and-death arena. Only the arena master is qualified to defend it," Menban said calmly, pointing to a sign by the side of the ring. "The master's name is written right there!"

Sha Wei looked and saw seven or eight names on the sign, representing the successive arena masters.

At the very bottom, the most recent name was—

"Broken Blade? What an awful name!"

The codename was not only unpleasant but also ominous.

Menban continued, "Only with Broken Blade's approval can anyone else stand on Arena Number Eight."

After He Lingchuan's promotion, he hadn't fought in the arena for a long time. Since Arena Number Eight was the most eye-catching life-and-death arena, it couldn't remain vacant indefinitely. So, the Military Training Hall added a special rule: with the master's consent, Arena Number Eight could be used by others.

Of course, Menban was currently baiting Sha Wei, implying that "Broken Blade" would not consent.

The citizens watching below knew perfectly well what was happening and were waiting for the spectacle.

Every now and then, some reckless troublemaker would appear, usually getting a good 'lesson' in the arena and then settling down.

"Which one of you will go tell this 'Broken Blade' that I've occupied his arena and he needs to come quickly to defend it!" Sha Wei burst out laughing. "If he doesn't dare to come, this arena is mine!"

A buzz immediately swept through the crowd below, and people began pointing at him.

The most frequent comments Sha Wei heard were:

"This guy really doesn't know what's good for him!"

"Has he lost his mind?"

"He dares to occupy Arena Number Eight?"

"Oh, he's so foolish, it's almost endearing."

So, was this "Broken Blade" very famous in Panlong City? Known to everyone?

Menban cleared his throat. "As an aside, Brother Sha, where do you intend to serve once you enter Panlong City?"

"The Tigerwing Army," Sha Wei replied truthfully. "I heard the Great Wind Army isn't recruiting anymore, so I was planning to report to the Tigerwing Army tomorrow morning."

The army only recognized strength. His high-profile actions upon arrival, including offending the soldiers from Ximo Ridge, were part of his own calculated plan.

"You want to join the Tigerwing Army?" Menban nodded. "Then you'll need 'Broken Blade's' approval."

"??!" Sha Wei looked completely bewildered. "What?"

Menban raised a hand and tapped the sign. "You just arrived, so it's understandable that you don't know. Listen closely—"

His voice, full of vigor, echoed through the Military Training Hall:

"—'Broken Blade' IS the Tigerwing General!"

Laughter erupted from below the platform; everyone had been waiting for that exact revelation to see its effect.

Sha Wei, who seemed fearless, now looked a little embarrassed.

He was trying to challenge the leader of the Tigerwing Army?

He wanted to make a name for himself, but he ended up challenging the boss right from the start?

How could such a coincidence exist?

"'Broken Blade' has fought forty-seven rounds of life-and-death matches in this arena. His last fight was a continuous twenty-one-round relay battle, breaking Panlong City's record," Menban said coldly. "You'd better show some respect for such a warrior."

Twenty-one consecutive battles without rest? Sha Wei secretly gasped. No matter how arrogant he was, he knew that wasn't something a human could accomplish.

His companions exchanged glances below the platform, clearly disbelieving.

"This must be hearsay, a baseless rumor, right? How many people could have actually witnessed it?"

Seeing their expressions, Menban continued, "The on-site referee for 'Broken Blade's' twenty-one successive battles was General Hong."

General Hong!

That name had a powerful effect. As soon as it was mentioned, the people opposite were startled, and their disbelief gradually dissolved.

Since General Hong himself was the referee, it was most likely not a fabrication.

In other words, "Broken Blade" truly was that formidable!

Xin Yi was also carefully observing He Lingchuan beside him. He had never heard Menban's account before. It seemed this rising star was indeed as described in the intelligence reports: young, promising, fiercely brave, and decisive.

Suddenly, someone by the side shouted, "The Tigerwing General has arrived!"

"The Tigerwing General is here!"

Both were He Lingchuan's personal guards; a mere glance from the general was enough to prompt them into action.

Everyone's gaze shifted, including Sha Wei's.

On and below the platform, their eyes met.

Only then did Sha Wei realize what true awkwardness was.

The leader of the Tigerwing Army had heard all his boasting!

Sha Wei cleared his throat. "General..."

The Tigerwing General was indeed young, yet he carried himself with the majestic bearing of a dragon and the stride of a tiger, possessing an imposing presence even without expressing anger. Although he stood below the platform, his aura was significantly more powerful than Sha Wei's.

He Lingchuan suddenly took two steps forward. Under his gaze, Sha Wei's next words somehow got cut off.

His throat went dry, and he felt an unaccustomed awkwardness.

He Lingchuan asked him, "Do you still want to join the Tigerwing Army?"

Sha Wei nodded, gritting his teeth.

"If you want to join the Tigerwing Army, you must follow my rules!" Under the gaze of all present, He Lingchuan's voice resonated throughout the hall. "Panlong City isn't afraid of boastful talk; it's only afraid of people who lack ability. Sha Wei, since you want to fight in Arena Number Eight, I will cede my position as arena master to you."

"Listen up, everyone—" He pointed his left hand at Sha Wei, his voice suddenly sharpening, like a clap of thunder exploding in everyone's hearts. "Whoever can defeat him will be allowed to join the Tigerwing Army without examination and will be appointed as a squad leader!"

A buzz erupted below, the words igniting an enthusiastic reaction, like boiling water poured into a frying pan.

The expressions on people's faces ranged from excitement to gloating.

"Let's see how arrogant that kid named Sha can be now!"

He Lingchuan then turned to Sha Wei and said, "You don't need to win twenty-one consecutive matches. On Arena Number Eight, if you can manage to win just seven matches, you will also be qualified to join the Tigerwing Army and be appointed as a squad leader!"

"As for the rest of you—" He Lingchuan didn't forget Sha Wei's companions, pointing at them one by one. "You, three matches; you, four matches; and you… never mind."

"The Military Training Hall Challenge begins now!" he ordered loudly. "Those who dislike them can step up to the stage—generals from all divisions are excluded!"

The people below had long been restless. The moment He Lingchuan finished speaking, challengers leaped onto several arenas.

He Lingchuan walked to the edge of Arena Number Eight and personally beat the drum for the combatants.

He personally stirred up the excitement, and the long street became completely packed, layers deep with spectators. Those at the back even spilled into the alleyways, standing on tiptoes to peer over at the arena.

After a set of intense drumbeats, the life-and-death battle began.

Slim happened to push his way over and said to Menban, "Oh, the boss thinks highly of this kid."

"You're here because...?"

Although Slim was not in the Great Wind Army, he and Menban shared a camaraderie and often drank together.

Slim grinned at him. "Want to place a bet?"

He had opened his betting booth again.

As expected. Menban rolled his eyes. "Haven't you made enough money over the years? Still eyeing these small amounts?"