"The next match is mine, I'm off!"
Zhang Chulan waved his hand and walked toward the arena.
"Brother Red, my father asked me to watch the match with him. Want to come along?"
Feng Xingtong asked.
"No need."
Zhang Chulan was set to face Dan Shitong. Seeing Zhang Chulan's lackluster appearance today, Lin Jiu already knew what the outcome would be.
As expected, nothing changed. Dan Shitong had already privately fought Zhang Chulan the night before, realizing he wasn't a match and having his weaknesses pointed out. Naturally, there was no need for a rematch. He disappeared somewhere to calm down in a corner.
Many notable figures appeared in Zhang Chulan's audience, including the likes of Wang Ai, Lu Ci, and Feng Zhenghao.
"Your grandson got beaten so badly, and you still have the nerve to come watch the fun?"
Lu Ci squinted at Wang Ai and sneered. He was eager for Wang Ai and Lin Jiu to clash so he could enjoy the Qi-State Origin-Flow Art all to himself.
Hearing Lu Ci's comment, Wang Ai's face darkened. He hadn't expected his precious grandson to lose so miserably in the first round of eliminations.
Knowing the details of the fight only worsened his mood, as his grandson had been thoroughly beaten throughout. His external injuries were minor, but half his dantian was destroyed, making recovery difficult.
This wasn't just an attack on Wang Bing, but a blow to the entire Wang family.
"Hmph, some nobody shows off a little skill and thinks he's invincible! My Wang family is reasonable. Getting injured in a match is one thing, but he should come and apologize afterward!"
Wang Ai said coldly, a sinister glint in his eyes.
"How's that boy? Should we make contact?"
Lu Ci asked Wang Ai.
"Sure."
…
"Hmm? This fat guy is interesting."
Lin Jiu watched the TV screen, focusing on a match between the nimble fat guy, Canglong, and Zhang Lingyu. Canglong knew he couldn't defeat Zhang Lingyu but kept hopping around him, refusing to surrender.
That wasn't the main point, though—Canglong kept muttering under his breath. Seeing Zhang Lingyu's forehead twitch with frustration, Lin Jiu could guess what the fat guy said.
Most likely, he was asking Zhang Lingyu about losing his virginity, and it's highly suspected that Canglong was the one who spread the rumor.
Unable to take it anymore, Zhang Lingyu raised his hand and unleashed his Yin Five Thunder, striking Canglong with a palm thunderbolt, leaving him charred and smoking.
Lin Jiu also noticed another match that had just ended. The participant was Tie Malou, who hadn't been matched with Wang Ye. Under normal circumstances, Tie Malou had enough strength to advance past the first round, as long as he didn't face someone like Wang Ye.
But a loss was inevitable. The opponent wasn't Wang Ye, but the result didn't change. What caught Lin Jiu's attention was that Tie Malou's defeat came at the hands of a Contractor. These Contractors often blended into the crowd, hard to spot until they started fighting.
The Contractor's weaponry intrigued Lin Jiu, reminding him of the God Arc from the world of God Eater. A rare tool, Lin Jiu couldn't remember all its abilities but knew it was made from cells of unique monsters called Aragami. It seemed somewhat similar to Kagune weapons.
Recalling the final segment of the fight, Lin Jiu realized that the Contractor's attributes weren't particularly outstanding—it was the God Arc that made the difference. Tie Malou's straightforward combat style didn't fare well against such a weapon.
"Hmph!"
"Shameless!"
"Shameful!"
"Heh..."
As Zhang Chulan walked down the street, people gave him glares, leaving him sweating awkwardly. He wasn't afraid of the gossip but worried someone hot-tempered might attack him on the spot, which could trigger a mob to chase after him.
Lin Jiu noticed two men in suits blocking Zhang Chulan after his match but paid no mind. He figured Zhang Chulan wasn't in any real trouble, and even if he were, it wouldn't affect him—if anything, it might be to his advantage. The more chaotic things got, the better it was for Contractors like him.
One of the men glanced at Lin Jiu, whispered to his companion, and continued leading Zhang Chulan away.
"Sigh~ So boring."
Lin Jiu thought about the recent fights, feeling bored by the restraint involved, always worried about accidentally killing the opponent. He missed the thrill of his last fight with Lu Ci.
Shaking his head to dismiss those dangerous thoughts, Lin Jiu wandered around Longhu Mountain. Other Contractors found the Raten Taishou competition exciting since no one died, something they rarely experienced in Reincarnation Paradise. It was the wealthiest battle they had ever fought.
"Ah, it's you again, monk."
Lin Jiu bumped into a monk who had set up a stall.
"Shouldn't I be the one saying that?"
The monk was exasperated to see Lin Jiu. Being an Outcast himself, he had been following the competition and knew he had made the right decision by backing down when he did. Otherwise, he might have ended up crippled.
Anyone bold enough to beat the grandson of one of the Ten Elders like that wouldn't hesitate to do worse.
"How much for this bracelet?"
Lin Jiu picked up a string of beads from the stall.
"No need, it's a gift to help you with your promotion. How could I charge you?"
The monk knew when to show tact.
Lin Jiu thanked him and left, surprised to have found an actual item among the monk's fake goods. Though it was a white-tier item with limited use, it was essentially a freebie.
[Item: Hui Ran Buddha Beads]
Origin: The Outcast
Quality: White
Type: Accessory
Durability: 17/25
Requirement: Intelligence 7
Effect: Intelligence +2
Rating: 8
Description: Made from the spiritual bones of a beast that a monk's master fought in a 10,000-round battle.
Sell price: 900 Paradise Coins.
=====
"Hey, have you seen Zhang Chulan? He's gone!"
Feng Baobao, who was looking for Zhang Chulan after the match, spotted Lin Jiu and approached him excitedly.
"No idea."
Lin Jiu shook his head. He only knew Zhang Chulan had been taken by Wang Ai and Lu Ci's people, but he had no clue which room they took him to.
"Leader Red, long time no see!"
A smiling Feng Zhenghao walked over with Feng Xingtong, greeting Lin Jiu.
"President Feng, you flatter me!"
Lin Jiu knew that when it came to cunning, he still couldn't outmatch this old fox. He didn't enjoy chatting with him and would rather settle things with a fight.
Feng Zhenghao's curiosity was piqued because of Feng Xingtong's mention of an Outcast who hadn't yet been recruited to his side.
Zhong Yuanhe and Gu Jingjing didn't make it into the top 18. Zhong Yuanhe wasn't too bothered, having only joined to gain experience. Gu Jingjing, on the other hand, was greatly disappointed. She had been eager to face a Tang Sect disciple, but she was eliminated before even meeting one.