Chapter 190
Despite their advantage in Gear, the opposing team is little better than exhausted. Being mortal in the Divine Realm, there’s not much energy here they’re actually capable of cultivating, and with exercises and fights every day, they are forced to burn off what little they do collect.
On the other hand, there’s an abundance of Death Energy, as nobody here seems to use much of it, and I can also filter a fair bit of the Divine energy, giving me a pleasant glow as my body absorbs it to Reinforce and change itself instead of using to to cultivate. The Mortal realm is very low in Divine Energy, and I’ve long since used up what Elder Song infused me with, so it almost felt like my body was dehydrated the way it started absorbing energy once I got here.
The referee signals the start of the fight and I launch myself at the four gladiators, keeping to about half speed, which is still more than they can react to. Within seconds they’re all down and the referee is staring at me in shock.
"We have our first Champion team of the day. Ahra and Puppy." I flick my ears in annoyance at his words and the crowd begins to laugh. I wonder what it takes to get a new name around here?
Ahra strips the half giant of his pants and chest armor, then gathers a sword from another fighter. Another has a long woolen tunic and a belt I commandeer, wearing them as a dress, but I leave them with everything else and motion for the guards to carry them out of the ring.
"Interesting strategy, starting bare handed into the second round. Our next team is an unusual one. Eight fighters all from a single gang. Welcome the Bangalore Boys to the arena." They’re all human, and all exceptionally ugly. Ahra looks traumatized at the sight of them before steeling herself for the fight.
"I don’t care what sort of ringer the Royals sent in here, we’re winning it all today." Their leader sneers waving at the crowd who roars in approval. I never thought of it that way. I suppose I am guilty as charged. Not only do I have an innate advantage as a Lycan, I can fight with full energy all day long. A feeling these cultivators haven’t enjoyed since they got here.
As soon as the fight starts two leap at Ahra who skilfully holds them at bay with her swordwork. The other six surrounded me, thinking they had an easy win, not realizing the mistake they were making. I launched the Energy Dragons out in opposing circles and activated Shadow Meld, slicing at leg tendons and exposed stomachs with my claws while they scrambled to recover.
In theory, we’re near the same level of cultivation, but none of them had the advantage of Elder Po spending months drilling essential assassination techniques into their minds and only one is a Physical cultivator.
None of the wounds will not be quickly fatal, just agonizing, and the wails of wounded fighters mix with the roar of the crowd as they begin to cheer us on. Ahra has taken a few light wounds by the time I finish, but one opponent is down and the other isn’t far behind. I sneak up behind him and grab both of his arms using a Crushing technique, shattering the bones. Ahra takes a moment to kick a few of the downed gangsters before the referee decides they’re done and calls the fight.
On general principle we take everything from them, piling it up in the corner of the ring while the assembled Nephilim mock the losers.
"Puppy, do you think it’s a good idea to antagonize them like that? Won’t it make life difficult for you later?" he asks, holding a short interview between fights while crews clean up the blood soaked arena.