Chapter 26: The Arena

Su Qinghan walked slowly, stopping here and there as he sensed his way forward. Knowing he was searching for someone, she said nothing, following behind in boredom, her eyes wandering about and catching sight of many strange things. There were talismans forged from a woman’s menstrual blood, ghostly artifacts saturated with heavy yin energy, and evil cultivators selling ‘living puppets’—truly, nothing was impossible here. The bizarre and sinister wares made one’s scalp tingle and heart uneasy; those of timid disposition might even be frightened to tears.

“No wonder this is the territory of demonic cultivators… this place certainly has its own unique character,” she muttered, frowning as she tried to find a polite term.

She suddenly felt that all those threats Ye Cangming had uttered at the Valley of the Medicine King—of chopping off hands and feet—were mild in comparison.

Su Qinghan glanced at her, his voice cool and indifferent. “Those of the righteous path would do best to stay away.”

Chu Yuyao silently agreed. If not for the eighth-tier, thousand-year ice toad, she would never have come to this accursed place.

The two searched Brahma City for several days, exploring nearby areas as well, visiting every crowded locale they could find, but all to no avail. The Western Region was vast, and searching aimlessly was like trying to find a needle in the sea.

“Tongtong, which beast arena is Su Yufeng in? We’ve searched several and found nothing,” Chu Yuyao sighed, leaning on the railing of an inn and watching the demonic cultivators below.

She couldn’t outright tell Su Qinghan the arena was their destination, but she had tried to steer him in that direction. Still, their efforts had brought no results.

[Host, don’t ask me about everything. I can only give you a general location. The specifics are up to you to find.] The system replied lazily, not forgetting to add, [But seeing you two blundering around like headless flies these past days is quite amusing.]

Chu Yuyao gritted her teeth, too weary to argue with the dog system. If it wouldn’t say more, she’d just keep searching.

Just then, a noisy commotion arose downstairs.

She heard faint talk about the largest ‘Nether Prison Beast Arena’ in Ten Thousand Demons City, boasting an exceptionally formidable figure who had won over twenty matches in a row—even a terrifying ninth-tier demon infant had fallen at his hands…

Chu Yuyao’s heart stirred and she quickly glanced at the group speaking below.

Several demonic cultivators were gathered, drinking and talking with animated gestures.

“That guy’s really ruthless! I just came from Ten Thousand Demons City. A few days ago, I bet on him and made this much!” One cultivator waved five fingers triumphantly.

Others stared, one venturing, “Five hundred high-grade demon stones?”

“Please, would I boast about five hundred? It’s five thousand high-grade demon stones.” He replied with disdain.

The surrounding cultivators drew sharp breaths, their gazes filled with envy and jealousy.

Chu Yuyao’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively looked at Su Qinghan.

His expression remained unchanged, his aura even colder than before, betraying nothing.

Ten Thousand Demons City… Nether Prison Beast Arena…

She repeated the names silently, noting they matched the system’s hints. Whether the formidable figure was Su Yufeng, she would have to see for herself.

Just as she pondered how to guide Su Qinghan there without seeming deliberate, he turned and strode downstairs.

“Hey? Fellow Daoist Su, where are you going?” she hurried after him.

Without slowing, he replied coldly, “Ten Thousand Demons City.”

He had a feeling that the powerful figure in the Nether Prison Beast Arena was the one he sought. Though the feeling came without reason, it was compelling.

Chu Yuyao was secretly delighted, as if a pillow had arrived just when she needed sleep. Outwardly, she feigned concern. “Ten Thousand Demons City? I’ve heard it’s the stronghold of the Ten Thousand Demons Hall—far more dangerous than here…”

“If you’re afraid, stay behind.”

He didn’t look back, his tone utterly flat.

She was momentarily stifled, pouting inwardly. Damn man, so arrogant!

Though she grumbled, she quickly caught up, “Who’s afraid? I just think we should plan carefully.”

Inside, she could barely contain her excitement, eager to go.

Su Qinghan ignored her, leaving the inn and summoning his spirit vessel.

The journey to Ten Thousand Demons City was even more oppressive. Closer to the heart of the Ten Thousand Demons Hall’s territory, the demonic aura grew thicker and stickier, making it hard to breathe.

Chu Yuyao could even sense the poison in her body—once suppressed—beginning to stir ominously.

She frowned. After all the effort to prolong her life by seven months, surely the Thousand Death Powder wouldn’t activate early.

The system, sensing her worry, spoke up.

[Rest assured, host. Unless you do something reckless to trigger the toxin, the Thousand Death Powder will activate precisely seven months from now. But you’d best prepare in advance—Ten Thousand Demons City is nothing like Brahma City, where you could muddle through.]

Chu Yuyao ground her teeth. The dog system was growing ever less lovable, but it made sense.

Ten Thousand Demons City was Ye Cangming’s domain. If he learned she was on his turf, who knew what might happen.

But she had come this far; turning back was not an option.

She adjusted her bamboo hat and veil, which covered her head tightly, and the mask on her face, determined not to speak lest the dog man recognize her.

It wasn’t fear—she simply didn’t want unnecessary complications.

The spirit vessel sliced through the dark red clouds like a streak of light. As time passed, the silhouette of a towering city emerged, gradually coming into focus.

Ten Thousand Demons City.

It dwarfed Brahma City several times over, its walls soaring into the clouds, black as ink and faintly traced with demonic runes exuding a terrifying aura.

At the city’s heart, a vast complex of palaces rose against the mountains with overwhelming grandeur, the seat of the Ten Thousand Demons Hall.

Su Qinghan landed the spirit vessel in a secluded spot outside the city, and the two entered on foot.

Immediately, a heavier stench of blood and clamor assaulted them.

Unlike the chaotic disorder of Brahma City, Ten Thousand Demons City was marked by strict order and discipline. Patrol disciples in the hall’s attire prowled the streets, their gazes cold and sharp as they scrutinized passersby.

Anyone daring to fight, cause trouble, or steal here would be courting death.

No—death would be the easiest fate. The worst was to be unable to die, enduring endless torment.

Yet the atmosphere was even more stifling and oppressive, as if hovering on the edge of eruption or madness.

The Nether Prison Beast Arena was the largest and most famous in Ten Thousand Demons City—known to all. After a few inquiries, they received precise directions.

Following them, the two arrived at the arena.

It was a massive ring-shaped structure, built entirely from pitch-black stone, looming in the distance like a fierce beast crouched on the ground. The entrance itself resembled the beast’s gaping, blood-red maw.

Chu Yuyao’s lips twitched. The architecture was so aggressive—she felt as though stepping inside would see her swallowed whole.