Soul Land 5: The Rebirth of Tang San

Chapter 198: The Perks of Becoming A Noble

Zhang Haoxuan nodded and said, "So, it's nearly impossible. You'll face either mighty demonic beasts or demons seeking noble status themselves. Age and rank don't matter here. You could face any opponent below the level of a god. Even if you're already at the ninth order, you might still face multiple ninth-order powerhouses. The so-called consecutive victories mean no rest between matches. If you don't reach ten victories by the time the arena closes for the day, it doesn't count, and you have to start over. Winning ten consecutive battles like this is tough. I'm at the ninth order and I still don't believe I can do it."

Tang San furrowed his brow. "That does sound difficult. What are the benefits for a human vassal to become a noble?"

Zhang Haoxuan replied, "There are many benefits. First, you're no longer a glorified slave and you can enjoy all the treatments of a demon noble. Your children will also no longer be vassals and they’ll be eligible to attend formal demon academies. However, as far as I know, this rule is just to lure human vassals to their deaths in the arena to entertain the demons. No human has ever gained noble status from the arena, while a good number have died trying. Now, hardly any human dares to risk their life in the arena."

Tang San took a deep breath and said, "So if I can gain noble status in the arena, I could even attend Kali Academy?"

Zhang Haoxuan looked startled, glanced at Tang San, and said, "In theory, yes. Demons who gain noble titles from the arena are highly respected and revered as battle heroes by their kind. Although it's rare, once it happens, they become sought after by all factions. But don't do anything foolish. With your current strength, let alone ten matches, you’d be hard pressed to win even two or three against seventh-order demons, and what will you do if you meet an eight-order or ninth-order demon? While the arena battles aren't always to the death, losing almost certainly means death if a human vassal faces a demon. There's no option to surrender."

Tang San nodded in response. "I understand. Don't worry, I won't take any reckless risks."

"That's good."

They arrived at the arena entrance. It was unclear where Zhang Haoxuan had gotten the tickets, but they entered smoothly.

Upon entering the arena, a faint scent of blood mixed with a heavy aura of killing filled the air, sending chills down the spine. It was evident how much slaughter had taken place in this arena.

Just then, Tang San saw many demons already seated in the stands, most visibly excited, eagerly anticipating the day's auction.

Zhang Haoxuan led Tang San to their seats, finding a very inconspicuous spot in a corner.

In front of each seat, there was a button. Pressing this button meant participating in the auction. After the auction, the participant would take the seat number from their seat to pay for and collect the auctioned items. Leaving the arena also required showing their seat number.

Upon leaving, each demon participating in the auction had to have their seat number checked to see if they had successfully bid for any items. If someone won an item but didn't pay for it, the solution was simple: regardless of who it was, they would be thrown into the arena to fight ten matches.

"If you manage ten consecutive wins, congratulations, you don't have to buy it. But if you lose...well..." explained Zhang Haoxuan.

Therefore, no one dared to participate in the auction carelessly, as it could be a path to death. A metal guard surrounded the button in front of the seat to prevent people in neighboring seats from maliciously pressing the action button, a situation that had occurred before.

When they sat down, they could see almost the entire arena from their position.

It was indeed a vast venue. It was circular, and the rows of seats were closely connected. Below the stands, closest to the arena, was a circle of about a hundred private boxes. These boxes were reserved for nobles and required a hefty fee to use. They were a symbol of status.

The arena itself was a mottled dark red. The ground seemed to be just that, normal dirt, and the dark red hue obviously came from the blood spilled there. It was clear how brutal the battles here were.

Tang San turned to Zhang Haoxuan and asked, "Master, it seems there are many benefits to winning ten consecutive battles in the Great Beast Fighting Arena. Does that include being absolved of a crime you committed?"

Zhang Haoxuan nodded and said, "To some extent, yes. The Great Beast Arena is a form of punishment among the demon race. When members of the demon race commit serious crimes, yet not serious enough to threaten the rule of the demon race, they may be sentenced to fight in the Great Beast Arena. Surviving the arena absolves them of their crimes. However, most end up dead, so this punishment is nothing but a delayed death sentence for all but a select few. It seems like there's a chance of survival, but it's challenging."

Tang San asked, "If they win, can they also gain nobility?"

Zhang Haoxuan nodded. "Yes. Winning proves one's strength. Not only will they be acquitted, but they can also obtain nobility status. It's the survival of the fittest."

The number of demons in the stands increased, and the Great Beast Fighting Arena, capable of accommodating tens of thousands, quickly filled up, increasing the atmosphere.

"The grand auction will soon begin. All bidders, please remain in your seats or face the consequences," a booming voice announced throughout the arena.

By "facing the consequences," he meant the consequences of the trouble caused by pressing someone else’s auction button.

The spectator area inside the arena quieted down. Suddenly, dark clouds gathered above the grand auction, dimming the light in the entire region.

Tang San looked up, surprised that these weren't real clouds but what looked like dark air streams converging, blocking the sun.

"This is a kind of array designed to make everything in the arena more visible," Zhang Haoxuan explained.

Just then, massive beams of light shone down from the highest point of the Great Beast Arena, dispelling the darkness and illuminating everything in minute detail.

At the center of the Great Beast Fighting Arena, a majestic figure appeared, humanoid but over ten meters tall. Even in the vast space of the arena, it was strikingly prominent.

This being had a large bald head and a single vertical eye. It had yellow-brown skin and four arms, and emitted a fierce aura. Its physique was robust and it was wearing a luxurious outfit that seemed to waste a great deal of fabric.

It raised all four arms, waving in a circle to greet the spectators.

Instantly, a series of cheers erupted from the stands, deafeningly loud. They all chanted the same name.

"Yu Xi, Yu Xi, Yu Xi!"

Zhang Haoxuan whispered, "This demon is quite famous. He's a powerful member of the One-Eyed Demon race known as the Blood Butcher, with ninth-order strength. He was once punished for a serious crime and sent to the Great Beast Fighting Arena, where he won ten consecutive battles to clear his name and gained a noble title. Even more terrifying, this creature enjoys beast fighting so much that he refused to leave after winning ten battles. He then proceeded to participate in four more rounds and win all of them, so he got fifty consecutive victories. He's the challenger with the greatest number of victories in the Great Beast Fighting Arena.

"He then joined the Great Beast Fighting Arena, and he’s now earning immense profits by guarding the final round. Basically, he appears as the final challenger whenever a demon wins nine consecutive fights. Since he took on this role, no one has completed the beast fight. He holds great prestige in the city, and he once said that he aims to ascend to godhood through slaughter."