The flickering torches provided a stark contrast to the dismal surroundings, the flames casting dancing shadows that highlighted the rusty iron bars of the countless cages. Guards stood vigilant, moving about in organized patrol teams, their watchful eyes ever-present. Yet, within the confines of one particular cage, the atmosphere shifted. Two women attracted the unwelcome attention of guards who lingered near the bars, their gazes filled with mischievous grins. One guard in particular, a muscular figure with broad shoulders and flexible, rigid muscles, departed from his position only to be replaced by another.
The new guard possessed dark eyes and shoulder-length hair with a trim beard. He was adorned in the traditional armor of a peak Foundation establishment stage expert, his physique marking him as a formidable opponent. However, his scarred face hinted at a past filled with battles and dangers.
In this world, lower than the 5th-rate sects were the 6th-rate sects, colloquially known as dojos. These martial arts establishments served as a common destination for low-level talents after completion of their academic studies. For low-tier talents, the journey through the educational system included time spent in school, followed by academics. The school system comprised 4 distinct grades, each lasting a duration of 2 years, while academics typically extended over a period of 4 years.
The atmosphere in the cage where Zuigao was held began to feel suffocating, as the new guard's presence exuded an overwhelming aura of authority. Despite his lack of extraordinary features, his scars hinted at a history of battles and hardships. The guard's unwavering gaze flicked between the two women and Zuigao, his expression impossible to decipher.
[Unknown Amount Of Time Later]
####
The scene unfolded in the dimly lit confines of the small, cramped cell. Two women, their faces worn with exhaustion and hunger, drew close to Zuigao, enveloping each other in a tender, desperate embrace. Their ragged breaths echoed off the cold, stone walls as they sought solace in each other's company.
Meanwhile, Zuigao, though clearly feeling the pangs of hunger, managed to stifle his grumbling, showing remarkable composure in the face of adversity.
Outside the cell, the guards indulged in a meal of succulent steak, crusty bread, and refreshing lemonade. However, a perplexed expression crossed one guard's face as he remarked on the lackluster flavor of the lemonade. His frustration was evident, a minor annoyance in the otherwise monotonous routine of guarding the solitary jail.
Amidst the dreariness of confinement, the guard's thoughts meandered to the tantalizing memories of encountering the alluring female prisoners. In his secluded world, the only solace he found was in the fleeting fantasies of their captivating forms, a fleeting escape from the harsh reality of his surroundings.
Zuigao never gave up. as well as ravenous, and still more ravenous. Under his eyes, there were pale lines. He was breathing laboriously and slowly. His tolerance was truly wearing thin. However, before he could make a request, a guard informed the others that it was time for the slaves to eat.
"Hey, how coincidental is that? I am unable to cultivate because my meridians are obstructed.
He also had an iron necklet around his neck, a tiny "gift" from the silver guards. The same procedure was administered to the other two girls.
[Few Minutes Pass]
####
Zuigao turned to face his plate. The water inside the iron glass showed a wrinkled, withered face with deep bags under the eyes. Even he was starting to perspire. He was so intense that some of his eyelashes fell and landed close to his food. He shook his head, pulling his head away from his food a little too quickly. He didn't touch them because a thin layer of dust covered them already. Didn't want to saturate them either.
He peered at his food.
A sliver of cold meat, some bread, a small, adorable apple, and an iron glass almost filled with drinkable water.
On an iron plate, they were all arranged.
Then, when he consumed the cold meat with his bread, he looked around and saw the two girl's plates.
Their plates were much more "Fuller" and had much better than his.
There are two hand-sized steaks for each one. Each one looked as if cooked a few hours ago. A pair of bread, a pair of tiny apples for each one, some red carrots, and a whole cup of clear water.
The girls slowly moved and began to eat their meal. Often sharing with each other as well.
They also threw some glances at Zuigao's part of the meal. Looking at it with weird emotions. They didn't ask him for anything nor did they share their meals with him.
Which Zuigao clearly understood, they had met for a few hours.
Their relationship was thin. And ... He was a male, so he could do anything to them.
####
Time passed, and Zuigao ate the last of his cold meat along with bread. Feeling that a hiccup was coming up, he swiftly drank a good amount of his water. His cup had only 1/3rd of its original capacity of water remaining.
He still got to know what time it was until he didn't know how much time before he started to yawn.
He thought that maybe he was feeling extra sleepy today so he glanced outside, looking at the sleepy and sloppy guards.
Immediately guessed that it was deep in the night.
Soon the guards went up and took a few blankets from the chest. Second-tier slaves were given some sheets to cover from the cold while Zuigao and the two girls got a low-quality blanket.
The problem was, it was only one.
"Just rip it in two..."
He said calmly; his voice was like a whisper, yet it sounded a little loud in the silent cage.
The two girls nodded before helping him to rip it in half.
The sounds slightly agitated the sleepy guard near them as he asked them to quiet it down.
The previous stoic guard had left quite a few time ago.
Zuigao managed himself in a comfortable position, covering the blanket on his right arm and lower body.
While the two girls just embraced each other as they provided warmth for each other.
(If it was a Xianxia novel like all else. This would probably be the part where they sleep together with the MC. Gotta be a slightly romantic scene but such a pity that this isn't hehe)
[Middle Of The Night]
####
Zuigao was shaking uncontrollably. His body just won't calm down. He felt his body temperature cooling down as he felt his right hand numb. The symptoms had started to kick in for real. This ignited the mental pressure inside his head. An invisible pressure weighted down on his chest which felt suffocating.
After unknowingly spending an entire hour like this, he finally slept.
Still, the mental pressure suffocates his being.
[4:00 AM, Early Morning]
####
He woke up. His body had now risen in temperature. Indicating that he had a cold fever.
He was awoken by one of the two girls.
Their wrists were tied to one another.
This confused the cold mind of Zuigao.
His thoughts were much slower as he guessed that the location was maybe going to change or ... The auction was starting.
The guard then came, accessing his condition and giving him a Poison Suppress Pill. Lowering the numbness of the poison.
There was still a thin layer of frost around the area of his right arm.
Metals clanged as all the slaves were in the same straight line as in before.
With third tier at the end with first tier in the start.
Zuigao moved and moved.
Until the guards came again, pushing open the heavy iron door and revealing sunlight to the pitiful people.
Some warm smiles came across some of the slaves were as some cried a little.
Thin streams of drops coming down from their eyes.
Zuigao looked around at the littered city with many paintings drawn on the back walls of the houses and many more buildings.
Due to it being early in the morning, many slept calmly in their houses.
While some exhausted ones who clearly had tons of fun the other day opened their windows to peek at the slaves.
Their gazes curious.
It wasn't long before the slave came across a long alleyway.
[30 Minutes Later]
####
They reached the end of the alleyway while taking some complicated turns to see a wide iron door.
The door had a rectangular gape on it.
From within the gape, a pair of eyes muttered to the nearby silver guard,
"Are they all here? Tournament is gonna start at around 8:00 AM so get them in"
The silver guard nodded as if he knew the information beforehand.
Many metallic clicks rang from within the door before it was finally opened.
The slaves entered and saw a slightly wide road with high ceilings.
They walked until they were led to some cages.
The cages had iron bars on it end as well while on its end there was a big door.
The door has many rows of gaps on it.
The slaves were all put into their specific grade of cages.
Zuigao sit down and breathed.
"I wonder what this tournament is ... Can be the martial Competition as well ..."
(But that is going to be for later hahaha. Pls vote me and support me. I didn't post for like 6 or 7 days. Sorry but I think I progressed this in normal pace or else I would have dragged this by 2 chapters)