Chapter 871: Settle It in the Arena

"Hehe, Li Feiyu! Didn't think you'd be so sensible, knowing to come out and meet your death." Scarface pointed at Han Li's nose and shouted harshly.

Han Li unhurriedly walked out of the house, seemingly oblivious to Scarface's words, then stopped in front of Du Long.

"Hmph! You were lucky the other day—Boss Du Long was injured from the match, letting you live until now. Now that the boss's injury has healed, why don't you kneel and kowtow, hand over all your Xuan points? Maybe if the boss is in a good mood, he'll spare your miserable life." Seeing this, Scarface's voice grew somewhat angry.

Han Li glanced at the hopping Scarface, a glint flashing in his eyes, then looked away and quietly watched Du Long.

His calm demeanor stunned the onlookers, and their laughter abruptly ceased.

Scarface, seeing Han Li ignore him so blatantly, stiffened, anger flashing in his eyes. He was about to speak again when Du Long shot him a glare.

Scarface smiled sheepishly at Du Long and tactfully stepped aside.

"Very good. It's been a while since I've met someone with backbone. Do you know what I like most? It's crushing the bones of people like you, one by one!" Du Long said expressionlessly, cracking his knuckles as he clasped his hands before his chest.

"You needn't say such things to try to shake my resolve. Tell me, do you intend to settle this here or find another place?" Han Li shook his head and said calmly.

"Not bad courage. Then we'll see each other in the arena." Du Long's pupils suddenly contracted. He gave Han Li a deep look, left a word, and turned to walk outside.

Han Li said nothing, silently lifting his foot and stepping forward. The two walked side by side toward the exit.

Seeing this, the nearby crowd showed surprise, clearly not expecting Han Li's reaction. Then someone shouted, "Let's go, follow them and watch!" and everyone followed.

Scarface snorted coldly and quickly followed.

Han Li and Du Long soon arrived at the exchange hall. Many from other areas had somehow gotten wind of the news and gathered there, clearly eager to watch the excitement.

The vast exchange hall was now nearly full of people.

The three at the front exuded immense auras, none inferior to Du Long's, and they watched Han Li and Du Long with interest.

"Brother Gu, Brother Tu, Brother Sun, what brings you here today to watch the fun?" Du Long stopped, looked at the three, and said with a carefree smile.

Han Li also followed the sound and sized up the three.

The one in the middle was a woman in yellow, her skin as white as jade, her features quite lovely. What was most striking was the composed demeanor she exuded from within, transcendent and aloof, always giving the impression of a crane among chickens.

This woman was none other than Gu Qianxun, and the purple-robed woman they had seen earlier stood beside her.

To Gu Qianxun's left was a man in a black robe, his skin dark and shiny, much shorter than Du Long, even slightly shorter than Han Li. But his hands and feet were unusually thick—his arms as thick as Han Li's thighs, and his thighs comparable to Han Li's waist.

With his short stature and thick limbs, the black-robed man looked incongruous, yet every part of him seemed filled with explosive power.

To Gu Qianxun's right was a blue-skinned youth, quite handsome, but his skin was covered in earthworm-like patterns that exuded a chilling cold.

"It's Gu Qianxun from District One. She's come to watch this too."

"The chief Xuan fighter of District Four, Black-faced God of Death Tu Gang, and the Ice Fist Sun Binghe from District Six—they've come too."

The Xuan fighters of District Nine buzzed with discussion as they looked at the three.

Han Li glanced at the other two, then turned his gaze back to Gu Qianxun.

Gu Qianxun also looked over. Their eyes met, and Han Li's heart tightened, feeling as if a strange power from her gaze was seeping into him.

His Divine Refining Art activated automatically, and the vast divine sense power in his mind rumbled like a river, washing away the strange sensation until it vanished.

A glint seemed to flash in Gu Qianxun's eyes, then she looked away and turned to Du Long.

"Brother Du Long, as the chief Xuan fighter of your district, why be so serious with a newcomer?" Gu Qianxun said lightly.

"If a newcomer were insolent enough to offend your authority, would you remain so calm, Brother Gu?" Du Long's expression turned cold as he retorted slowly.

Gu Qianxun smiled noncommittally and said nothing more.

"Excuse me, fellow daoists. I'll catch up with you three after I twist this kid's head off." Du Long cupped his hands toward the three, speaking as if Han Li were beneath his notice.

With that, he strode ahead toward the arena below.

Han Li's face remained calm, as if he hadn't heard Du Long's words. He nodded slightly to Gu Qianxun, thanking her for her earlier attempt to mediate the conflict, then walked downward.

"Wait a moment." Gu Qianxun suddenly called out to Han Li.

Han Li stopped and looked over.

Gu Qianxun glanced at the purple-robed woman beside her. The woman looked reluctant but still walked up to Han Li.

She cast a sidelong glance at Han Li, snorted, and produced a white jade bottle, handing it over.

"Your grudge with Du Long has nothing to do with me, but Du Long is far stronger than you. Inside this bottle is a Kanglong Pill, which can temporarily enhance your physical strength, narrowing the gap between you and Du Long. Of course, there are side effects, but a month or two of recovery should set things right." Gu Qianxun said.

"A Kanglong Pill? Generous of you, Brother Gu." Tu Gang chuckled.

Sun Binghe said nothing, but a flicker of surprise crossed his face.

Han Li raised an eyebrow. Judging by their reactions, the Kanglong Pill seemed extraordinary. It was similar to the Blood Tide Pill given to them by Shi Pokong, though he didn't know which was more effective.

"Hmph! Your strength is utterly pathetic. I don't know what my sister sees in you, actually giving you a Kanglong Pill. Take it quickly!" The purple-robed woman seemed extremely displeased about giving Han Li a Kanglong Pill and spoke in a commanding tone.

A cold glint flashed in Han Li's eyes. He turned to Gu Qianxun and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Gu. But since Du Long and I have decided to settle this through a match, it should be fair. If I accept your gift, it would be unjust. I dare not accept."

With that, he stepped forward, ignoring the purple-robed woman entirely.

"Ungrateful! Without the Kanglong Pill, you won't even last a single move against Du Long." The purple-robed woman's face flushed with anger as she shouted at Han Li's retreating back.

Han Li's steps didn't falter, as if he hadn't heard her. His figure soon disappeared down the passage.

Seeing this, the purple-robed woman grew even angrier, stomped her foot, and turned back.

"Heh, this Brother Li is quite interesting. But I wonder if his life is as tough?" Tu Gang withdrew his gaze from Han Li's back, glanced at Gu Qianxun, and chuckled.

Gu Qianxun's eyes flickered, her expression unreadable, as if lost in thought.

...

Han Li followed the downward passage and soon arrived at the dim hall below.

Du Long and the one-horned giant stood there together, discussing something. When they saw Han Li appear, the latter looked up.

"I've heard about your matter with Du Long. I can arrange for you two to settle it on stage, but you'll have to wait a while—all three platforms are in use now." The one-horned giant said to Han Li.

Han Li nodded, walked to the side of the dim hall, sat down, and closed his eyes, not once looking at Du Long.

Seeing Han Li so composed, Du Long frowned slightly, then sneered inwardly and sat down elsewhere.

Half an hour later, a match on one platform finally ended.

Han Li and Du Long stood up almost simultaneously and, under the one-horned giant's arrangement, stepped onto the platform.

When announcing the start, the one-horned giant did not conceal the fact that Han Li and Du Long were using the match to settle a personal grudge.

Both Du Long and Han Li were notable figures in the arena. Du Long was the nominal boss of District Nine's Xuan fighters, while Han Li, though a newcomer, had been nearly undefeated recently and was riding a wave of popularity.

The fact that they were settling a personal grudge on stage excited the nearby spectators, who shouted the names of Du Long and Li Feiyu.

The arena erupted in cheers and clamor.

The betting platform also announced the odds for this match: one to two.

"Heh, didn't think you'd be so popular. Savor this atmosphere while you can—you won't feel it for long." Du Long listened to the cheers around him and wore a mocking smile.

Han Li stood silently a dozen zhang away, his eyelids lowered, saying nothing, as if lost in thought.

He wasn't putting on an act. From the moment he stepped onto the platform, Du Long had been emitting a vast killing intent, wave after wave pressing down on him.

This killing intent was intense, like surging waves. He vaguely saw behind Du Long a blood-red land and mountains of white bones.

Blood stained the mountains and rivers; heaven and earth were red.

Han Li thought he had killed countless enemies, but his own killing aura was nothing compared to Du Long's. The other was indeed the chief Xuan fighter of District Nine, clearly honed through countless years of battle.

He gathered his mind, striving not to be affected by the other's killing intent.

Seeing that Han Li seemed unaffected, Du Long's eyes flickered with a trace of surprise.

At the entrance of the exchange hall, Gu Qianxun, Tu Gang, Sun Binghe, and others gathered, looking down at the platform.

There were fewer people around them now; most Xuan fighters had surged toward the betting platform.

"It seems this Li Feiyu has a strong will, not at all afraid of Du Long's 'Asura Killing Realm.'" Tu Gang raised an eyebrow, a glint flashing in his eyes.

Gu Qianxun remained expressionless and silent, while the purple-robed woman beside her snorted disdainfully.

Sun Binghe looked coldly at the platform below and said nothing.