Chapter 2432: Emperor's Arena

Seemingly aware of Lu Ye's gaze, the woman looked up for a moment, then quickly lowered her head again, appearing flustered.

Before her arrival, Gong Mao had given her specific instructions. Though reluctant, she was a slave of the gladiator arena and thus unable to refuse any of its arrangements.

"What's your name?" Lu Ye asked.

The woman quickly replied, "Cuican."

Lu Ye raised an eyebrow slightly. "Thank you!"

He probably realized who she was. She must be the one who had previously helped him arrange an opponent. After he mentioned it last time, Gong Mao had her transferred to see him off, and this time, he specifically arranged for her to greet him.

Yet, Gong Mao hadn't proactively mentioned anything from beginning to end. He likely just wanted to use this opportunity to foster a good relationship with him.

Cuican was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Lu Ye to thank her. But she was not foolish; she quickly understood the reason for his gratitude. Lowering her head, she murmured, "Honored guest, you exaggerate. It's merely my duty as a servant."

Lu Ye nodded slightly. "I don't need anything at the moment. You may leave. I will call for you if needed."

Gong Mao's intention in leaving Cuican was quite clear, but Lu Ye had no such inclination.

Cuican bowed gracefully. "Then this servant will take her leave."

She stepped out of the private room, gently closed the door, and let out a long breath.

Two days passed in a flash. Lu Ye remained in his private room, never leaving, while Cuican stood quietly outside the door, awaiting his commands.

A soft knock sounded on the door, and then Gong Mao strode in, beaming. "Brother Lu, are you ready?"

"I'm ready anytime."

Gong Mao observed him, noting his excellent morale, and happily said, "Then for today's battle, I'm counting entirely on you, brother."

Lu Ye remained noncommittal. For Gong Mao, this battle might be crucial for his status within the arena, but for Lu Ye, it was a fight to the death—though he fully intended to be the one to survive.

"To be frank, brother, today's battle will take place in the Emperor's Coliseum. This is the largest viewing arena we have, and it has never been opened to anyone below the Dao Harmonization realm. With three months of preparation by the arena, I believe today's battle will become the focal point of the entire Inner Realm." Gong Mao explained enthusiastically, then shifted his tone. "It's just a shame you're unwilling to show your true face or reveal your identity; otherwise, after this battle, you would surely become renowned throughout the Inner Realm!"

His words, both overt and implied, exuded confidence in Lu Ye's victory, yet Lu Ye knew he was likely not as relaxed as he appeared.

"There's no need to become renowned throughout the Inner Realm," Lu Ye replied. He wasn't aiming for fame; if he were, he wouldn't have made those requests to the arena earlier. "However, there's one thing I want to confirm: the arena can ensure my identity remains perfectly hidden, right?"

Gong Mao vowed, "You needn't worry about that, brother. The arena's reputation is on the line. What we agreed upon beforehand will be fulfilled without compromise."

"Do I need to wear any special artifacts?" Lu Ye asked again.

"Not at all," Gong Mao replied with a slight smile. "You can enter normally, brother. At that time, apart from Que Yue, your opponent, no other spectator will be able to clearly see your true face. These are just some of our minor techniques."

Lu Ye nodded, not doubting Gong Mao's words. If the arena couldn't manage such a minor detail, its great reputation would be meaningless.

"Also, there's one more matter I'd like to discuss with you, brother." Gong Mao suddenly displayed a peculiar smile, as if what he was about to say was difficult to articulate.

Lu Ye gave him an inquiring look.

"It's like this," Gong Mao said, his expression turning serious. "Before the battle begins, basic information about both combatants is transmitted to all observing cultivators to assist their betting. A sixth-stage Dao Fusion against a ninth-stage certainly creates a buzz, but the cultivation gap is too vast. If the ninth-stage Dao Fusion also possesses an affiliated artifact, there would be even less suspense. So, my idea is not to mention the affiliated artifact in the basic information disseminated for this battle. What are your thoughts, brother?"

Normally, mentioning it would be more beneficial for the arena, as it would ensure more cultivators place their bets on Que Yue. If Lu Ye then wins, the arena's profits would be immense.

Yet, the arena had precisely such a request for concealment, and Lu Ye was unsure of their true intentions.

As if discerning his thoughts, Gong Mao said, "The arena has operated for many years, always striving to present thrilling battles to all fellow cultivators. If the apparent disparity in strength is too great, it loses its appeal."

Lu Ye understood. This was merely a superficial excuse; in reality, even Gong Mao wasn't certain if he could truly defeat Que Yue, hence the suggestion.

He, of course, had no objection. He nodded, "You can decide on this matter."

"Then I thank you, fellow cultivator," Gong Mao said, clasping his fists with a smile.

While the arena has always presented itself with integrity, that doesn't mean they won't employ some harmless tactics in appropriate situations to better secure their interests.

After thanking him, Gong Mao suddenly lowered his voice. "To be honest, brother, in these three months, with the arena's assistance, Que Yue has nurtured his Heavenly Measuring Ruler to approximately fifty-five marks."

Lu Ye blinked, understanding.

If Gong Mao had merely been conducting business before, this warning clearly contained a significant personal motive.

Que Yue, a ninth-stage Dao Fusion cultivator, possesses approximately 190 marks of power. Supplemented by his affiliated artifact's 55 marks, this totals over 250 marks, essentially comparable to a peak Dao Fusion cultivator.

"If you're ready, brother, please follow me," Gong Mao said, his expression turning serious.

Lu Ye nodded.

Gong Mao led the way, with Lu Ye following closely behind.

Moments later, in front of a vortex within a secret chamber, Lu Ye took a quiet breath, stepped in, and the world spun around him.

The Emperor's Coliseum, an arena capable of accommodating 100,000 spectators simultaneously, was the largest in the entire gladiator complex. Historically, only those in the Dao Harmonization realm were qualified to enter; there had never been a precedent for accommodating Dao Fusion cultivators here.

But this time, the arena made an exception.

One hundred thousand people was not a large number relative to the entire Inner Realm. It wasn't that the arena lacked the capacity to accommodate more cultivators, but rather that there was no need to.

The spectator stands throughout the arena were packed, with nearly half of the audience comprising Dao Harmonization realm powerhouses. For a contest among Dao Fusion cultivators, such a sight was rare, as Dao Harmonization cultivators often viewed such clashes as child's play.

Yet, Dao Harmonization cultivators were quite interested in a battle of such immense scale, for it was destined to be a grand spectacle. After this battle, who knew how many would become rich overnight, and how many would lose their entire fortunes.

At the very top of the spectator stands were luxuriously appointed private boxes. Those privileged to watch from these boxes were generally renowned Dao Harmonization realm powerhouses; ordinary Dao Harmonization cultivators could only sit in the main stands below.

At this very moment, in one of the private boxes, two women sat by the window, chatting and drinking wine.

One of them was Yuan Xi, who had arrived in the Hehe Realm with Lu Ye. The other woman had a stunningly beautiful face and eyes like spring water, yet she exuded no hint of flirtation; instead, an infinite charm radiated from her.

The two women had been drinking for an unknown period. Yuan Xi, slightly tipsy, giggled as she looked at the beautiful woman.

"Why are you laughing like an idiot?" the beautiful woman asked, her expression helpless.

Yuan Xi chuckled. "Then lend me some money, and I won't laugh like this." As she spoke, she grabbed the beautiful woman's hand and shook it. "Sister Lian, please have pity on me."

Lian glared at her with annoyance. "I have the heart, but not the courage. That person has already declared that anyone who dares to help you will be considered an enemy!"

"If you don't say anything and I don't say anything, who would know?" Yuan Xi whispered conspiratorially, as if afraid of eavesdroppers.

Lian shook her head. "If you don't want others to know, then don't do it. I certainly don't want to be held accountable by that person someday. You know how petty that fellow is."

"Hmph!" Yuan Xi seemed to be getting more tipsy. "If he were truly magnanimous, I wouldn't have run away!"

"Are you truly not going back?" Lian tilted her head, looking at her. "Actually, it's not so bad. You've managed this way for so many years. Look, he didn't even stop you when you wanted to leave. Sometimes, you shouldn't be so willful."

"It's precisely because I've lived like this for so many years that I need to make a change! I don't want to live as someone else's subordinate!"

"That's good ambition!" Lian said with an approving expression. "So, what are your plans for the future?"

Yuan Xi, full of spirited ambition, slapped the table. "I'm going to build my own Dao Harmonization City! One day, my Dao Harmonization City will stand at the pinnacle of the Inner Realm, trampling all those so-called 'Top Ten' underfoot!"

As Yuan Xi spoke, Lian's gaze gradually moved upwards. Once she finished, Lian quickly urged, "Come down! You're an adult; what kind of behavior is standing on the table with your hands on your hips?"

Yuan Xi leaped down from the table, flung herself into Lian's arms, and with a playful wiggle that caused a sudden swell, she cooed, "Sister Lian, please just agree."

"No!" Lian pushed her away immediately, her posture indicating there was no room for negotiation.

Yuan Xi was thoroughly annoyed. "And here I thought, with our years of friendship, you definitely wouldn't stand idly by."

Lian shook her head with a sigh, then suddenly turned to look out the window, raising an eyebrow. "Don't say I didn't show you a clear path. There's an opportunity out there; see if you can seize it!"

Yuan Xi followed her gaze and saw Lu Ye's figure appear within the starry fragments of the gladiator arena.

She couldn't help but frown. Although Lu Ye's figure was incredibly blurry due to the arena's techniques, and his face was indiscernible, she inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity, as if she had seen this Dao Fusion cultivator in the arena somewhere before.

Lian had already retrieved her gladiator token and checked the information transmitted by the arena. She couldn't help but scoff, "Nameless Guest... What on earth is Old Dog Qin up to? Is a sixth-stage Dao Fusion truly worth this much trouble? Even his name has to be hidden."