Lou Ben saw that there was only one person running around and consequently left standing.
It was Wu Gen.
The two characters met eyes and from the far distance, Wu Gen rushed towards Lou Ben.
Lou Ben was still heavily injured "I cant fight this kid. While I was trying to survive the last fight, it seems like everyone also met bad timing."
"I thought I would be able to hide and wait for the last fight and catch them off guard."
"Who would have thought that my fight with Liang Jianjun was long enough for the whole arena to fall?"
Lou Ben's mind was racing, he was one of the last two contestants. He didn't get to go through with the plan of hiding and throwing the last attack when it was least expected.
"You're the final one!" Wu Gen was dashing towards Lou Ben.
Unfortunately, Wu Gen seemed more intelligent than Liang Jianjun and stopped his charge when he got close enough.
"What's your name?" Lou Ben was stalling for time to try to scheme.
"It wont matter, you will probably lose your memories after this fight."
"But I will take it easy on you. Your injuries don't seem light."
Wu Gen was sure he had this final fight would belong to him.
"My name is Lou Ben, if I fall here then the least you can do is remember my name!"
Although Lou Ben had no battle experience nor confidence in winning, he felt the blood rushing through his body as he anticipated meeting fist to fist with Wu Gen.
"Good, you are a born fighter like me!"
*SWOOSH
Wu Gen threw a jab
*SWOOSH
*SWOOSH
*SWOOSH
Fists flew toward Lou Ben, he could only run away.
He was hoping to tire Wu Gen out, but Lou Ben was already exhausted. Not only was this his first experience in fighting, but he also never had the chance to train his stamina.
A fight between mortals is a fight of endurance.
Lou Ben seemed to be behind in the aspect of health and endurance.
Wu Gen threw a kick that landed on the belly of Lou Ben.
"GUH"
The air was knocked out of him, he kneeled and had to catch his breath.
"You lasted this long; it is no surprise. While everyone was fighting, I waited until the last two people stood head-to-head and launched a surprise attack."
"You could say I have the most stamina remaining here!"
It turned out that Wu Gen had the same idea as Lou Ben, but unfortunately for Lou Ben, he had met Liang Jianjun.
*SWOOSH
Wu Gen threw one more kick, but it didn't land on Lou Ben.
"No, I have already made it this far!" Lou Ben was seething with rage and desperation.
"Lou Ben! You are already the last one remaining, be courageous and accept your defeat like a man!" Wu Gen was also anticipating success and was so close to the goal.
Lou Ben remained in a kneeling position waiting for Wu Gen to advance.
*SWOOSH
The kick came looking for Lou Ben but was intercepted with his arm!
He held the leg of Wu Gen and stood up forcefully knocking Wu Gen on the floor.
"Guh"
The wind was knocked out of Wu Gen as he landed.
*BAM
Lou Ben kicked the face of Wu Gen, blood splashed on the floor and Wu Gen's eyes swirled in a daze.
"No!" Wu Gen also made it far into the competition with all his might, he didn't want to lose out after making it so far.
The sparkle in his eyes appeared once more.
Lou Ben reached down to sit over Wu Gen and began pummeling his face.
*BAM
*BAM
*BAM
*BAM
*SWOOSH
The last hit missed the almost unconscious Wu Gen.
He grabbed the sleeves of Lou Ben and wrapped his legs around his waist.
Lou Ben stood up trying to shake Wu Gen off him, but Wu Gen had the upper hand.
*BANG
*BANG
*BANG
Fists came raining down towards Lou Ben.
He fell and landed on Wu Gen, damaging both.
Lou Ben rolled onto the side of Wu Gen, but he had no more energy. He laid face towards the floor.
The light from his eyes were dim.
Wu Gen stood up with a swollen face and bones protruding from his fists.
He put all his might into those punches earlier.
"huhh…"
"It wasn't easy, but I will remember you as the second best."
"Haha!"
Wu Gen looked up and spread his arms out laughing at the heavens.
"I did it!"
"I will be the disciple of Master Xiao!"
Wu Gen collapsed as he closed his eyes with a smile and hit the floor hard.
Steward Wen Guoliang was smiling "those kids are vigorous. I had hopes for that young Lou Ben child. Shame. I wanted to see him rise like a dragon, but it seems that he is only a snake."
"Well, who would have imagined that we have so many potential dao masters in the palace. Master Xiao will be very happy at this."
"I'll let these people keep their memories. I have plans, I only hope that Master Xiao will entertain the idea..."
The colloseum collapsed and all the contestants were teleported to the floor of the entrance.
The injuries sustained from battle were healed and it only took moments for the mortals to regain consciousness.
"What happened?"
"I lost?"
"Hey, who won?"
Lou Ben stood up with a sneer as he was thinking about his fight with Wu Gen.
"Hey, get up!"
He kicked Wu Gen, who was still unconscious next to him.
"Ow! What gives?" Wu Gen swiped the drool off his face and stared at Lou Ben.
"You won didn't you?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"So, why didn't I lose my memories?" Lou Ben was staring at Wu Gen.
"and… how am I supposed to know that?"
"Look Lou Ben, look around, everyone here remained and kept their memories, but they still lost!"
"What does this mean?" Wu Gen looked around and met the stare of Lou Ben.
Lou Ben was hesitant, but a smile slowly creeped up as he spoke to Wu Gen "Steward Wen Guoliang must have plans for us. Tell me what is your name?"
"huh? What plans?" Wu Gen was puzzled.
"What does it matter? You and I have fought with all our might, and have remained to tell the story to our children! You are a good fighter, now tell me your name!"
Lou Ben smiled and awaited for Wu Gen to respond.
"haha! Yes, we are both young and furious, Steward Wen Guoliang must want us to compete further!"
"My name is Wu Gen, I am a servant who works inside the public strength facility!"
Both characters shook hands and went their own ways.
The surrounding contestants all laughed and shook hands.
There was no animosity between each other, after realizing that they maintained their memories, there was no bitterness.
Each person that remained knew they could be a dao master given enough resources and time, but most importantly, this is the first time they experienced such blood rushing excitement.
Even if they didn't get the chance to be a dao master, they could still tell their children about such a thrilling story.
Having the memory of such a complex competition was all that they wanted to walk away with.
The people inside the palace of Xiao were mortals, and in regular situations, they would tuck their chins and hide in the shadows.
This was the first time they could raise their heads high and walk towards the heavens.
The selection tests will be etched in their hearts forever, no only did they survive through their own determination, they also gained brothers who have endured just as hard as them!
The men all laughed and stared at the heavens.
As this was seen, groups of laughter were heard.
It was the female partners of the contestants!
"Oh dear, was it really that fun?"
"My husband, why are you laughing?"
"Hehe, husband, you look so handsome!"
The women gathered around and found their partners.
It turned out they would gather around after finishing their duties and await for their husband.
"Qi Shuang!"
Lou Ben found his beloved and smiled.
"Let's go home, I'm sure everyone here is exhausted and wants nothing more than to receive a warm meal and warm the bed with his wife!"
Lou Ben grew from this experience; this was the first time he had such a brotherly relationship with the people around him. He was excited as his heart grew to know this kind of feeling.
He spoke once more to Wu Gen and caught the gaze of Liang Jianjun "brothers, I'm sure we will meet once more, and become dao masters together!"
"To our next meeting!"
Everyone head this, the men were excited, and the women only giggled at seeing how such a young character was able to incite their partner to be so happy.