The main arena of [Pride Island] only city. A location well known even outside the [Great Forest] region. A site where the ranked combats of the western part of the plane and not a few challenges from outside took place. And probably would continue for hundreds of years to come, only stopped temporarily because of the war the region had just begun a few months ago.

Yet, on this day in the mid-autumn of the year that would receive the name of [Red and Green Blood Reaping] from future scholars, the enormous wooden arena and the half-mile square near it were full of people.

Cultivators and non-cultivators, experts and ones that just stepped on the Martial path, models of righteousness and their opposites, nearly everyone on the entire island had gathered to witness the fights that would take place here on this day.

The main arena of the region, a title it had carried for not one hundred years, lived to its title. Easily sitting half of [Zihoadao] population, this day, it would be packed to the brim. One could already hear a few people trying to make a profit from selling their spots, something expected only from the most prominent fights.

"Make your wagers! Even if you don't manage to see the fights, don't lose the opportunity to make yourself rich!

How many bouts will Bai Qi fight? Will he fall at the first one? At the second? Or maybe, he will end up completing the ten?!

The Yi Clan guarantees a payout of a hundred times your wage, in case you are right!

Bet now, don't lose the chance!" Among the crowd of gawkers, from which the better part would not even be able to enter the arena, people in the green and yellow of the Yi clan announced.

"The [Yi's Lighting Incarnate] has only lost once. I bet that no matter how well Bai Qi does, he will never get past him!

What?! Do you think that the [Strength of a Hundred] will lose?!

Hear, hear, and what about the others?!

The [Deep Soul Gaze Princess] has lost only once, the same as the Yi's genius, so what if she's only third in the ranking? My bet is on her!

Don't forget about the newest master, [Xinhuai]! Maybe he did not fight much as an arena master, but he's the only one whose name is clear from defeat!" Nearly every person on the square, no matter how experienced he was, considered himself entitled to speculate on the results, a fact that the Yi Clan's bet runners utilized to get even more bets out of them.

Suddenly, half of the square grew silent, and only a few seconds later, the people restarted their uproar, this time directed to the arena's building entrances and the paths towards them. The pathways on the square and the air above it were now the point of attraction for every gaze.

"Look, it's the [Strength of a Hundred], Shi Zhi!" Someone shouted while pointing towards a heavyset, burly, middle-aged man walking along a couple of Yi Clan's cultivators who flanked him from the sides.

"[Deep Soul Gaze Princess], He Liling!" A veiled young woman accompanied by a grey-haired expert flew without stop from the square's southern, mansion-filled side.

"And there's [Xinhuai]!" An exceptionally tall and cloaked man of undetermined age, said to be only eighteen years, flew past the square. He did so while accompanied by one of the renowned Yi Clan experts, rumored to be his mentor, Cai Zhenkang, and another man that released the aura of a peak Warrior Lord.

"[Haunting Whip], Yi Zhen!" A middle-aged woman walked alone while smiling at the surrounding people, who retreated from her path without any word and could be said to flinch as she glanced towards them, even if her smile and eyes seemed good-natured.

"I knew all of them would be here, but..!

[Mortal Fang] has arrived!" As it crossed the square, ignoring paths, forcing its way towards the arena's main entrance, people gasped and backed away even before it reached them. The Arena Master nicknamed [Mortal Fang] wasn't human, not even a cultivator per se, but an authentic beast. A 1st level [Saint Beast] of the [Sun Howler] race.

"Oh, it's the [Two Ax Butcher]! I wonder how his battle with Bai Qi will go. Will he take succeed where his son failed?!" People shouted off as a middle-aged man with barbaric looks slowly walked through the air. Two enormous axes, each nearly the size of the man, hung on his back. And he was dressed in a robe made from untanned leather, which only added to the savage looks that his scared face, unbrushed hair, and unkempt beard gave him.

Three of the remaining four arena masters arrived in a group, surrounded by a whole retinue of guards, servants, and gaudily dressed attendants. Their arrival, even if one of the most eye-catching, attracted far less attention than they seemed to expect, as the faces of several members of their group turned sour. Only a few people called the monikers of the, seemingly in their mind, celebrities.

"Oh, the [Sacred Weapons] wielders of the [Yuwen Family]!

It will be interesting to see how Bai Qi will deal with the [Sea Piercing Spear], Yuwen Shui.

Or the [Heaven Shattering Mace], Yuwen Yahui.

But, especially with the wielder of the treasured blade of that family, the [Mountain Slicing Sword], Yuwen Hanying!"

Yet, overall, the commentaries were far less welcoming, and any outsider would feel that neither of these three cultivators enjoyed much love from the locals.

"Oh, the noble trio. Again in a big group, huh?

They are still arena masters, so what if they want to flaunt their status? It's not like they are weak.

They aren't strong, either. Remember that the three only ended with two draws and a win when they fought Du Gao during the ranking combats!

They aren't using a chariot this time, and that's saying a lot.

Hahahaha, now only the City Lord's appearance may have done that.

Wait, the City Lord?!

You didn't know? Lord Yi announced he would come today, even if he may not stay for long.

Wow! Can it be because of the Clan's star, Yi Lei?

Probably, wait! There's the City Lord's entourage!"

The uproar on the square died once again, and this time most people chose to go on one knee, or at least to incline their heads towards the enormous war chariot that stopped while overflying it. The size of a small palace and pulled by half a dozen winged [Dragon Scale] horses, it was breathtaking by itself, even if one ignored a hundred members of the escort around it or the two figures standing at its top.

"I thank you for the reception, but be at ease. Today, I have only arrived to accompany one of my clan members to a fight that promises to be one of the best our city has seen in the last few years. Thus, let's help ourselves to the performance of our brave fighters and not spend the morning in niceties." Yi Lao, the second most important member of the Yi clan and the ruling City Lord, waved his hand to the people below while smiling.

{Wasn't that a bit overly friendly, Lord? Lord Yi is the City Lord, and while I thank you for accompanying my son, this is a slight to your standing.} One of the people flying close to the chariot, a woman draped in the formation-enhanced martial robes of a Yi Clan warrior, slightly bowed as she asked via qi transmission.

{Don't worry about it, Min. How could I, as your cousin, try to take the light from young Lei? And this should help the city break free from the worry of having most of our Clan members out, so going a bit friendly isn't wrong.} Yi Lao was the rare type of Lord who accepted and encouraged his followers to speak out, so he explained himself without even a hint of annoyance.

{Thank you, Lord. Then, should we?} With a more pronounced bow than before, the woman then pointed towards the arena.

{It should be time, so yes, let's proceed.} Yi Lao half-nodded without stopping overlooking the square.

{Yet, I haven't been informed of that boy, Bai Qi, arrival.} With a hint of annoyance on her face, Yi Min transmitted after contacting the arena's personnel preparing to receive them.

{No need to wait. There should be a reason for such tardiness. I will not take offense for something like that this time, especially when this was supposed to be a more uncomplicated event.}

{Understood, my Lord.}

Actually, it wasn't only the head of the City Lord's guards to guess why haven't Bai Qi arrived yet. While as the challenge's acceptant, Bai Qi was entitled to a fair share of freedom on how, what, and when he would appear, no rogue cultivator, no Warrior Lord could be allowed to make a City Lord, a Warrior Emperor, wait for him.

By now, all the challengers had arrived. And the gong on the City Palace's roof resounded, indicating that the Rabbit Hour was about to end. And yet, anyone was to see Bai Qi.

***

"How long will we have to wait?!" Teng Lang growled at Yi Bingwen, who would assume the role of judge for the challenge bouts.

Yet, the angry growl or the chaotic shouting from the stalls that accommodated thousands of people did not faze the aged Warrior King. Mocking remarks from some arena masters and their respective attendants, mainly the [Yuwen Family] ones, were also ignored by him.

A few of the City Lord's entourage allowed to the balcony occupied by the latter also made angry and disappointed comments, but a simple wave of Yi Lao's was enough to shut them all.

"Lord, pardon me, but it seems you are aware of something that we aren't?" By now, it wasn't hard to guess that her Lord knew the reasons behind Bai Qi's delay. And probably it wasn't only him, as Elder Yi Bingwen and all of the arena's people maintained their calm as if all was going as it should.

"Mmm, I do. And you all will find out in a few moments. After all, the Dragon hour is about to commence." Yi Lao nodded in response but chose to explain nothing.

*DONNNNN*

"The Dragon Hour has arrived, and both challengers and acceptants are present. Should we commence, Lord?" Taking the initiative to speak out before anyone could, Yi Bingwen asked in a qi-reinforced voice while bowing towards the 3rd floor's southern part.

"Before that, Elder, I believe everyone merits an explanation." Yi Lao stood up from the throne-like chair he occupied and, without showing any surprise at Yi Bingwen's words, answered so everyone could hear him.

"It is as the Lord says, but let us allow the acceptant, Bai Qi, to relate what happened and why his appearance was kept secret from everyone." Yi Bingwen profusely bowed before turning towards a few hooded attendants of his who stood near the sole stage of the arena, "Young friend Bai Qi, may you take the stage?"

*Swoosh* *Step*

One of the hooded figures vaulted up into the air, disrobing as he flew, and landed on the stage, revealing himself to be Bai Qi.

Yet, Bai Qi's appearance was the one of someone who had come to challenge someone, but the one of someone who had already fought, and some tough fight as well.

Bai Qi's white martial robe was covered in half-dried blood, his half-white, half-black hair sweaty and glued to the skin, and his face wearing a haggard expression.

Still, as he spoke, Bai Qi did it in an even tone, displaying none of the observable weariness and signs of combat, "Thank you, Lord Yi, Senior. First of all, I apologize for the manner of my arrival, but as you will learn, there were reasons. Ones I will reveal now, and let the heavens and the Yi Clan people serve as my witnesses!"