Chapter 114: The Entrance

On the arena stage, the figure in the black robe flicked his left hand. The giant blood-red hand clenched into a fist, crushing Hu Lichun tightly within its palm. He raised his fist, and Hu Lichun, trapped within the ten-meter-wide construct of blood, dangled helplessly in mid-air.

The black-robed man produced a dagger, strolled over to the struggling woman, and smiled coldly. "Three thousand six hundred cuts—what a propitious number indeed." As he spoke, he prepared to carve her alive.

"Sister Hu! Damn you! Amaterasu Society, hear my command! Kill this bastard and save Sister Hu!" Wang Lisha grabbed her walkie-talkie, screaming orders for her subordinates to intervene. To her horror, however, there was no response.

"What is happening? Xiao Li! Old Huang!" Wang Lisha frantically cycled through frequencies, but only static echoed back.

In a shadowy corner, an inconspicuous young man sneered, "The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. The Moro Society? In the eyes of the Skull Society, you are nothing but trash."

Wang Lisha was frantic, her heart burning with anxiety as her men remained silent. On the stage, the black-robed man had already plunged the dagger into Hu Lichun’s thigh.

"Ah!" A piercing scream escaped Hu Lichun’s lips. The entire venue fell into a deathly silence; everyone shivered, chilled to the bone. Was he truly going to perform a slow, systematic dismemberment?

"I don't care anymore! Sister Hu!" Watching the horrific scene, Wang Lisha, overcome with emotion, attempted to leap from the high platform to save her. Hu Lichun had been her loyal shadow for years, saving her life time and again. To Wang Lisha, she was not just a subordinate, but a sister. She could not stand by and watch her be butchered.

"President Wang, don't be rash!" Wang Jisheng held her back. The frail Wang Lisha would only be throwing her life away if she stepped onto that stage. The Moro Society was clearly determined to use this blood-soaked terror to subjugate every faction across the five coastal provinces. Hu Lichun was merely the chicken being slaughtered to warn the monkeys.

"Let me go! Let me go!" Wang Lisha roared.

At that moment, Liu Ke stood up, his face filled with smug triumph. He said softly, "President Wang, if you knew it would come to this, why bother? You want to save that old woman? Fine. Hand over the Amaterasu Society, and perhaps I’ll put in a good word for you. Maybe the Mage will have a change of heart and let her go."

Wang Lisha froze at this extortion. To sacrifice the entire Amaterasu Society for Sister Hu? She hesitated.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You claim to love her, but the moment you’re asked to pay a price, you waver. Human nature—so selfish," Liu Ke chuckled, lounging back as if watching a play, waiting for the show on stage to continue.

The venue was tomb-like. Tens of thousands of people sat in absolute silence, paralyzed by the shadow of bloody terror. It was a scene of shared despair. The major underground factions of the five coastal provinces were terrified. Was there truly no one who could stop this murderous demon? Were they all destined to live under the rule of this psychopathic butcher?

While they prayed for someone to step forward, the weight of the black-robed man’s power kept them cowering in silence. As the man pulled the dagger from Hu Lichun’s leg and grinned, preparing to drive it into her waist, Lin Feng finally pulled the Kunwu sword from his pack and stood up.

Wang Kaishen, Yuan Linlin, and Li Ruoyun mocked him loudly. Wang Kaishen curled his lip, his expression dripping with contempt. "Heh, you trying to play the hero? Take a good look—that’s a bloodthirsty monster. With those scrawny arms and legs, you won’t just be throwing your life away; you’ll probably die of fright before you even reach him!"

"Sit down and stop humiliating yourself!"

Yuan Linlin, seeing Lin Feng stand with a sword, tried to persuade him. "Lin Feng, don't be foolish. You’re my father’s guest; I can't just ignore this. Haven't you seen him tear people apart? I don't mean to look down on you, but staying alive is what matters most!"

Li Ruoyun scoffed, sneering, "Lin Feng, stop pretending. I know you. You can't even beat up a street thug at the college gate, yet you want to step into the arena? Go home and wash up for bed—dreams are the only place you'll find glory!"

Lin Feng ignored their taunts and walked calmly toward the arena.

"Lin Feng, are you stupid? Even the triple champion of Huaxia Sanda wouldn't dare go up there, yet you’re rushing to your death! Fine, I’ll wait to collect your corpse!" Wang Kaishen sat back, crossing his legs, waiting to watch Lin Feng be butchered.

A profound silence descended as Lin Feng strolled toward the center of the arena. Everyone in the venue stared at him, whispering, "Who is that?"

Only the thousand-strong delegation from Binhai City recognized him. A flicker of hope ignited, and they raised their fists, shouting in unison:

"Master Lin!"
"Master Lin!"
"Master Lin!"

The roar filled the arena, and soon, people from other cities joined the chant, turning the venue into a sea of thunderous sound.

"Master Lin? Who is that? Don't tell me it's that kid. No, impossible!" Wang Kaishen looked on, bewildered.

On the high platform, Wang Jisheng saw Lin Feng and released Wang Lisha. With Master Lin here, this so-called Blood Mage was nothing.

"Lin Feng! Hahaha! You finally showed up! I’ve waited a long time for this. Today, I will carve you up with my own hands!" Liu Ke, hearing the name, pushed his wheelchair to the railing, his face twisted in a hideous, triumphant grin.

In the corner, the young man narrowed his eyes, filled with killing intent. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number, speaking in a chilling voice: "Target appeared. Execute the plan."

Meanwhile, the black-robed man ignored the shouting, savoring his cruelty. He raised his hand, the blade poised to pierce Hu Lichun’s side. Lin Feng was still twenty meters away—too far to intervene.

"Ah!" Yuan Linlin screamed, covering her eyes.

Just as the blade was about to strike, Lin Feng placed his hand on the hilt of the Kunwu and drew it. His eyes were calm, a faint smile gracing his lips as he whispered four words:

"Heavenly Vault Sword!"