Evan Chu and Blue-Shade God-Venerable walked down the street for over two li before finally reaching the so-called Slave Ward. Taverns and restaurants lined both sides, all packed with customers, but Evan had no intention of stopping for a drink—he was here for something far more important.
“See that big gate up ahead? Inside is where they sell slaves. Trust me, you’re about to see something that’ll blow your mind,” Blue-Shade said, a sly grin on his face.
Evan glanced at the place Blue-Shade indicated—three hundred meters ahead stood thick walls and a five-meter-wide gate, guarded by five men on each side, looking tough and alert.
He noticed everyone entering had to pay Violet Cloud Crystals. “Again with the Violet Cloud Crystals? The Freewind Sect sure knows how to squeeze every coin!” Evan muttered, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“It’s the rule. Most folks go in just to watch the show. Slave duels are wild—wait till you see it for yourself. If we’re lucky, there might be one happening today,” Blue-Shade replied, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Evan’s interest was piqued. “Let’s go. I want to see this for myself!”
As they reached the gate, a guard immediately blocked Evan’s path, giving him a once-over before barking, “Entry fee’s a thousand Violet Cloud Crystals. If you don’t have it, move along and don’t block the way.”
A thousand Violet Cloud Crystals was pocket change to Evan, but the guard’s attitude reeked of arrogance—classic dog-eye looking down on people. Evan kept his cool; sometimes you had to swallow your pride. He casually produced a supreme Violet Cloud Crystal and said,
“Not sure if this is enough. If it isn’t, I’ve got more.”
The guard’s eyes lit up at the sight of Evan’s Violet Cloud Crystal. This was a real big shot! He’d totally misjudged him. “More than enough, sir! That covers both of you. I was blind to your greatness—please forgive my ignorance, my lord!”
Evan Chu glanced at the guard and smiled, “No worries. It’s normal to make mistakes—just be more careful next time. So, can we go in now?”
“Of course, of course! Please, this way, my lord!” The guard’s voice and attitude flipped instantly, bowing respectfully to Evan Chu.
Evan and Blue-Shade God-Venerable stepped inside. One look was enough to make Evan’s heart jolt—dozens of massive cages filled the place, each packed with dozens of people. Every one of them looked utterly broken, their spirits crushed, clothes in tatters, faces full of misery.
“See that? These are the slaves. If you fancy anyone, you can buy them and take them away. Don’t waste your pity—this is a world where the strong devour the weak. Survival’s all that matters,” Blue-Shade said, his tone cold and matter-of-fact.
The place was huge, and the crowd was thick. Evan scanned the slaves’ auras—most were God-Kings or God-Emperors. Only three were at the God-Venerable Realm, and even then, all were just at the early stage.
Suddenly, cheers erupted from up ahead, mixed with the sounds of fighting. Evan was startled, but before he could ask, Blue-Shade said, “Evan, looks like our luck’s in—we’ve come on a day of slave duels. Let’s check it out!”
“What’s the point of these fights? Didn’t you say slaves could be killed anytime? Why bother with duels?” Evan asked, confused.
“The winner gets taken away by a buyer—meaning they get out of here and become a servant, maybe a gate guard or bodyguard. It’s their one shot at freedom. Otherwise, they just rot in a cage, waiting for a miracle,” Blue-Shade explained.
After walking several dozen steps, Evan saw a cage on the right filled with women. Their clothes were just as ragged, some so torn their bodies were almost exposed. Not a single spark of life was left in their eyes, and Evan couldn’t help but feel a stab of pity.
But when he looked at one particular woman, her eyes struck him as oddly familiar—like someone he’d known in a past life. Yet her face was so ugly, you’d look away after just one glance.
Come on, let’s see for ourselves. These slaves aren’t allowed to use weapons, and their hands and feet are locked up with special chains—most martial skills are useless here. What you’re watching is pure fighting technique and raw defense. Sometimes, someone from a lower realm can even kill someone stronger,” Blue-Shade God-Venerable explained.
They squeezed into the crowd. Up ahead was a giant sunken pit, surrounded by fences, with spectators standing above. In the center was a gate, and two slaves—both chained—were locked in combat, while two overseers watched nearby.
Both overseers were late-stage God-Emperors, clearly the ones running the show. Suddenly, one chained slave lashed out with a palm strike, faint echoes of wind and thunder trailing behind as he attacked his opponent.
The other slave scrambled to dodge, but the chains on his feet slowed him down. Evan Chu noticed both slaves’ wrists and ankles were rubbed raw and bleeding, some places festering, but neither seemed to feel any pain—they were desperate to kill each other.
Both fighters were at the early God-Lord Realm. People like them would only end up as servants for major clans. Their hair hung over their faces, hiding their age and features.
The dodging slave, maybe pushing too hard, suddenly tripped over his chain and crashed to the ground. The attacking slave missed, his momentum carrying him several steps forward.
The fallen slave seized the chance and kicked out like lightning, slamming into the attacker and sending him flying four or five meters. He sprang back to his feet in an instant.
The crowd erupted into cheers as the kicked slave went flying. Some spectators even tossed Violet Cloud Crystals into the pit, though they held back their strength—if a God-Emperor threw too hard, they could kill a slave with a single toss.
Seeing the crystals rain down, both slaves went wild, eyes reddening as if injected with chicken blood. Even the one coughing up blood scrambled to snatch as many Violet Cloud Crystals as he could off the ground.
Watching this, Evan Chu was even more confused—why grab crystals now instead of going in for the kill? Wouldn’t it be better to finish off your opponent?
In no time, the crystals were all snatched up. Both men hurried to stash them in a corner of the pit before launching into a second round of brutal fighting. It seemed the Violet Cloud Crystals were their ‘reward’—the more you earned, the better your shot at freedom…