After bidding farewell to the Serpent Queen, Neven skillfully navigated into a small room perched on the edge of a cliff. It was a cramped space designated for contestants, furnished with two luxurious high-backed armchairs and a crystal ball on the table that offered a view of the entire Arena of Asura. His iron-masked opponent was already pacing within the Arena of Asura, appearing restless and uneasy as he wandered near the elevator.

Aria, her golden mask barely concealing the anxiety on her face, bit her lip. After a painful internal struggle, she finally spoke, her voice trembling slightly. "You should withdraw. He’s bigger than Oak; he'll kill you." Her words were filled with worry. "You can choose to be the first. The Serpent Queen likes you; at least you’d stay alive."

Neven exhaled sharply and stepped closer. "Are you really willing to give me to the Serpent Queen?" he asked, his voice heavy with suppressed anger.

"But isn't that better than risking your life?"

"Aria, even if you can accept other women by my side, my heart cannot be split in two." Neven removed his mask, his eyes burning with both anger and sorrow. "Emotions are like blades; they cannot remain sharp at both ends. Don’t push me towards others, don’t try to divide my feelings." His gaze fixed on Aria, his tone tinged with melancholy.

Aria bit her lip harder. She knew Neven was pretending to be strong, and tonight’s fight would be exceptionally brutal. What made her feel immensely guilty was that all of this was happening because Neven wanted to save her.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. "Sir, it's time."

Neven took out a bottle of Essence Elixir and downed it in one gulp.

They donned their masks again and headed to the Arena of Asura, where the nobles were gathering along the narrow cliffside gallery. Aria followed Neven through the crowd of masked faces. This narrow viewing platform, though not as grand as the Moon Tower's coliseum, could still accommodate thousands of bloodthirsty spectators. More and more people gathered, their excitement palpable even behind their masks.

Aria reached the railing, peering down at the boiling magma below. In the center was a vast rocky platform, and the elevator would descend directly onto it. An iron door on the rocky ground emitted constant roars from within.

Aria broke into a cold sweat as she heard the cries of the Night Ghouls. Neven leaned against the railing, lacking any hard armor, not even a cloak, with only his Soul Stone sword at his waist. The black-gold Soul Stone emitted a faint glow. He pulled Aria into his arms, his eyes under the mask glimmering with golden light.

"Don’t worry. If all goes well, I’ll be back by midnight. If you get tired, rest in the room we were just in."

"How can I not worry?" Aria said anxiously. "That night we entered, there were only a few hundred Night Ghouls, and Damian happened to save us during his patrol."

Neven chuckled softly. "That night, we were lucky; today, we rely on skill." He kissed Aria's forehead gently and said.

The Arena of Asura echoed with the voice of a Serpent host, his tone resonating throughout the space:

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to today's ultimate showdown, the Arena of Asura's kill match is about to begin! This is a ruthless and brutal battle where only the strongest will survive! Are you ready to witness this bloody spectacle?"

He paused, his unmasked serpent eyes scanning the crowd, his voice growing more fervent. "Today's warriors are prepared to defend their honor with blood and sweat! You will witness the limits of courage, strength, and death! You will hear the cheers of victory and the cries of defeat!"

The crowd's emotions ignited, their cheers growing louder.

"Let’s count down together, welcoming this epic duel! Ten, nine, eight… three, two, one!"

As the countdown ended, the host shouted, "Let the battle begin!" The Arena of Asura erupted, filled with screams and shouts.

As Neven stepped onto the elevator and slowly descended to the valley floor, Aria's heart sank with the clinking of chains. She clung to the railing, the searing heat from the magma below hitting her face. Two elevators descended simultaneously, greeted by cheers from the crowd.

Soon after, the iron door opened, and from the darkness came deep growls as the Night Ghouls emerged. Their eyes glowed a menacing red, and their sharp fangs gleamed in the firelight. Neven took a deep breath and drew his glowing sword, the blade slicing through the air with a cold shimmer. The atmosphere grew heavier, and the battle was imminent.

Night Ghouls swarmed out of the cave like a black flood. Without hesitation, Neven charged into the pack, each strike of his sword precise and lethal. Blood splattered, and the black ichor traced arcs through the air.

Nearby, someone intermittently counted the number of Night Ghouls killed. With each fallen Night Ghoul, the crowd erupted into cheers. The count determined victory, and Neven and the iron-masked giant were neck and neck, both fighting with all their might, neither willing to fall behind.

Gamblers watched eagerly, the Arena of Asura resembling a grand celebration. The air was filled with laughter and heated discussions, a cacophony of noise creating a unique atmosphere. Bets were placed on whether Neven in the golden mask would win or the iron-masked giant, and some even wagered on who would fall first.

Aria trembled as she clung to the railing, her eyes never leaving Neven. Every swing of his sword, every dodge, made her heart leap into her throat. The rocky ground was littered with nearly a hundred Night Ghoul corpses, yet more continued to pour from the dark cave, their black hides and sharp fangs glinting in the firelight.

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Each of Neven’s strikes carried immense power, his movements graceful yet deadly, like a lethal dance. His blade whistled through the air, each swing taking another Night Ghoul’s life. The iron-masked giant was equally formidable, each blow carrying enough force to rend the world.

Suddenly, Neven tripped over a Night Ghoul corpse, his body tilting slightly. He quickly adjusted his balance, avoiding a fatal strike from a Night Ghoul, but a brief gap appeared in his defense. Aria's heart nearly leaped out of her chest, her knuckles turning white from gripping the railing too hard.

Seizing the opportunity, the iron-masked giant stepped over several Night Ghoul bodies and swung his massive axe at Neven. Neven swiftly turned and parried the deadly blow with his sword. Their weapons clashed with a deafening metallic clang, eliciting gasps and jeers from the audience, the atmosphere reaching a fever pitch.

Neven's arm trembled slightly, but his gaze remained resolute. He knew this battle was not only about life and death but also about the bond between him and Aria. The iron-masked giant attacked again, and Neven countered with more agile footwork. Their combat intensified, each exchange more ferocious than the last.

Aria’s breathing became labored, hearing someone protest that the iron-masked opponent was breaking the rules. She rushed to the host, pointing angrily at the Arena of Asura. “He’s cheating! Stop him!”

The serpent host sneered. “The master said the rules have changed today.”

Aria's heart tightened at his words. "You're toying with people's lives!" she shouted, her voice sharp and almost a scream. "You have no limits!"

The announcer glanced at her disdainfully and spoke slowly, "Here, the only rule is survival of the fittest. If you want to live, you have to fight for it." His words were filled with cruelty and mockery.

Aria took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She knew she couldn't change the situation and could only continue to pray that Neven would survive this brutal battle. Her eyes turned back to the arena, where Neven and the iron-masked brute were still locked in fierce combat.

The iron-masked brute clearly had the upper hand. His attacks were powerful, forcing Neven to retreat constantly. Though Neven was agile, he was at a disadvantage in terms of strength. Each clash made his body tremble slightly, and sweat dripped down his face.

At that moment, the iron-masked brute struck with force, sending Neven's longsword flying. Neven lost his weapon and staggered, nearly falling. The audience gasped and booed, their emotions running high.

Aria's heart raced as she saw Neven in danger. She couldn't help but shout, "Dodge it!"

But the iron-masked brute seized the opportunity, charging forward with his axe raised high, aiming directly at Neven. At the last moment, Neven rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the fatal blow.

Gasping for breath, Neven quickly got to his feet and picked up the sword from the ground. As he grasped the hilt, the Soul Stone glowed brilliantly, and a surge of powerful energy flowed into him.

The iron-masked brute hesitated, then sneered, "Still struggling?"

Neven stared at him coldly, the Soul Stone in his hand shining brightly. He swung it, unleashing a powerful energy wave. The brute was forced back several steps, his sneer replaced by astonishment.

The audience erupted in deafening cheers, the atmosphere in the Arena of Asura reaching its peak. The brute retreated quickly as Night Ghouls swarmed towards them again.

Aria could only keep watching the fight. The tension in the arena grew, and the audience's excitement intensified. With each clash between Neven and the iron-masked brute, the crowd cheered as if the whole world were rooting for them.

In the midst of the chaos, two people were arguing quietly in a corner. Aria strained to hear their conversation.

"Are you sure we should act now?" a low female voice asked.

"This is the best chance. When more Night Ghouls appear, we'll strike in the confusion," another voice replied.

"The demigod is uncontrollable now. We need to move quickly..."

"What if we're discovered?" the woman whispered, her voice thin and trembling with fear. "Do you know who he is? He's the Commander of the Starguard. If he finds out I'm alive..."

The tall man pushed her toward the railing, his tone mocking. "His elixir won't last long. Tonight, he'll die here."

"And if we fail?" The woman's voice quivered, revealing her helplessness.

"Don't you want to see him again?"

The woman nodded painfully.

"Then go, don't waste time here." The man leaned in, whispering into her ear.

As their figures disappeared around the corner, Aria followed, trying to keep her footsteps light. Her breathing was rapid, her heart pounding as if every beat could be heard. The dim light cast long shadows on the stone walls, and the air was thick with a musty odor and an unknown stench, as if danger lurked in every corner. At a junction, they parted ways, each heading in a different direction. Aria hesitated for a moment before deciding to continue following the woman.

As the woman walked into the corridor, she heard whispered voices coming from around the corner.

Aria peeked and saw the woman holding a glowing spirit stone. The two guards stood motionless as if cursed. The woman threw something into the air, releasing a purple smoke. Then came two dull thuds. The two serpent guards fell to the ground, easily dispatched.

Aria's heart stopped, and she held her breath. After the woman disappeared down the hallway, Aria quietly approached. The serpent guards were dead, blood pooling around them. Their faces were twisted in pain, their pupils dilated and blackened.

Feeling nauseous, Aria knew she had to keep following. She couldn't let this woman escape.

She stepped over the bodies and continued down the corridor. Her footsteps echoed in the empty hallway. At the end of the corridor, the woman pushed open a massive golden door. After confirming that the room was empty, she entered. Aria quietly moved closer, hiding behind a golden pillar not far from the door, peering cautiously into the room. Her palms were sweaty, her legs weak, but she couldn't stop now.

This was a treasury in the Ancient Serpent Abyss, filled with gold and treasures. Golden light shimmered in the dim light, creating an eerie beauty. The walls were embedded with gems, casting colorful reflections. The floor was covered with precious carpets, every detail exuding opulence.

In the treasure-filled room, the woman headed straight for a central tray. It was a twisted, spiraling column of gold snakes, holding a crystalline vial. Amidst the jewels, the vial stood alone on the opulent tray.

Aria held her breath, filled with confusion and fear. She didn't know why the woman was stealing the small vial, but her intuition told her it was part of a larger plot. She gripped her dagger tightly, her eyes fixed on the woman's every move, afraid to miss any detail. The surroundings seemed to tremble, every second filled with unknown tension and danger.

What shocked Aria the most was that, under the bright light, she could clearly see from the woman's back that she was missing an ear.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from afar.

The entire building shook violently, small stones falling. Aria clung to the pillar, hearing shouts from farther away. Something terrifying had happened in the Ancient Serpent Abyss.

The woman, clutching the vial, ran out in a panic. Aria hid, watching her run down the corridor. A squad of serpent guards shouted, chasing after her.

Aria tried to recall if she knew anyone missing an ear. The name of the burned corpse she had seen before came to her mind: Daphne Blackwood, Damian’s sister. They had just mentioned being afraid of Neven discovering she was still alive. Aria immediately felt her guess was correct; the woman was very likely Daphne Blackwood. But why was she still alive?

A louder noise came from the arena.

Aria's eyes widened. The crash had come from the Arena of Asura. She ran back, her fear growing. Perhaps the man intended to attack Neven, while the woman was just there to steal something.