The tour with the girls went well. For clan ladies like them, a city of criminals was full of new impressions. Since mostly smugglers lived here, no overt dark stuff caught their eyes. And we didn't poke into hidden spots where it might happen.
Afterward, the tour smoothly turned into shopping. Boldly using my spatial storage, the girls bought everything that caught their eye. A huge array of goods, since this city mainly sells contraband—items banned from normal sale or regular goods much cheaper by dodging taxes.
Anyway, the girls returned to the arena happy, each with a couple of bags. And no, my spatial ring space didn't run out. Just, as they said, "This is personal." Strange view, considering I saw all their purchases, some just in passing. But who am I to meddle in female logic? As long as no hysterics, the rest is tolerable.
We returned on time—fifteen minutes until official fights started—but Du Yueshen, spotting me, rushed me like I was late.
"We scheduled your fight first, as requested. Hurry, no jumping onto the arena in official matches. Enter through the special door after the judge announces you," he hurriedly explained.
Saying goodbye to the girls and telling them to take seats on the tribunes near the exit—everything would end soon—I followed Du Yueshen. The man just snorted disdainfully at my confidence but said nothing. He just kept explaining official vs. regular fight differences.
In regular fights, opponents go to the arena's edges pre-fight; in official, they stand at spell range for more spectacle and intensity.
For another Mid-level mage in my spot, it'd be a disadvantage, not advantage. The supposed edge is High-level mages have larger AoE, so closer range neutralizes that.
But practically, a High-level mage casts Mid-level spells faster anyway—distance means nothing. They'd just end the fight quicker against a slower-casting Mid-level mage foolish enough to face them.
But when they pit me against a regular, even experienced Mid-level mage… My opponent has no chance. If no Soul Seed—which I doubt—he won't even struggle.
Because my Initial-level spells hit like Mid-level ones. And my cast time is likely a bit shorter than his Mid-level casts. Not much, but enough—he'd defend, not attack.
His Mid-level spells, boosted by Spiritual Seed, outdamage mine a couple-three times, but factor in my Triple Cast… I already pity my opponent.
The rules explanation took those fifteen minutes, and we reached the entrance. Arena noise reached us—judging by volume, it was packed. No surprise; Du Yueshen leaked info on this intriguing fight to sell all tickets. At two thousand yuan each, with tribune capacity, that's big money.
"Welcome our first fighter, the Shanghai sensation, the youth famed for godlike seduction skills, Mu Bai!" This time, a full judge-commentator announced. Time to go.
As I stepped onto the arena, loud applause mixed with derisive whistles reached me. The crowd hadn't decided its stance on me yet.
"… This guy, with his looks and charisma, amassed resources you all couldn't dream of! Now, using them, he stands here challenging our second fighter, a High-level mage!" After his words, applause drowned out whistles. They love bold ones here. Especially watching cocky upstarts get crushed.
"His opponent today is the revered High-level mage you all know! Leader of the Stone Wolves Hunters group, Wan Yi!" After his intro, the crowd exploded in applause—local celebrity, apparently.
From the opposite entrance, a sturdy man just over thirty approached. Muscular build, vertical scar across one eye but not blinding it, long black hair slicked back, brown eyes. With light stubble and a sloppily draped green hunter cloak over shoulders, he looked the tough, seasoned Hunter. He felt like first step High-level mage; group name suggested earth as main element.
"You're a promising kid, so while there's time, I came to knock the arrogance out of you. Once you realize true strength isn't just swallowing resources, our country gains another outstanding mage," he said with a faint smile, this 190cm brute. And via spirit element, I sensed his sincerity. Decided—no toying; end it quick.
"You're not bad yourself. If you don't die and work hard, you might reach High Tier this life," I returned the compliment; no skin off my back. He just chuckled amusedly.
As we took positions, the judge gave the long-awaited signal for the crowd:
"Begin!"
A split second before my opponent, three ice spikes wreathed in dense ice blizzard shot from me at him along different trajectories. Three simultaneous sixth step Initial-level ice element "Ice Shot" spells. With my Spiritual Seed buff, each neared third step Mid-level power.
My opponent, an experienced mage, sensed the magic density in my attacks and quickly reshaped the spell gathering in his hand, casting third step Mid-level "Stone Shield." A stone shield instantly appeared, covering his body fully. As expected, boosted only about 2.6 times—no Soul Seed.
Since spells flew different paths to slightly different spots, the seasoned Hunter pressed tight to the shield, rotating it to take all three hits. His defense shattered.
But too early to celebrate successful block—while he danced with the shield, I fired two more "Ice Shots" at him. Sensing them with magic sense, he activated artifact boots without delay and dodged their paths. Another spell began forming in his hand.
Not giving him a breather, I activated my artifact boots—matching his speed—and chased, firing two more "Ice Shots." And these were standard Mid-level artifact boots, noticeably inferior to the girls'.
Apparently, the guy broke through to High-level recently and hadn't saved for matching artifacts yet. Fairly, most High-level mages lack even a couple fitting ones, so he fit the norm.
The chase lasted seconds more, me not letting him rest, complicating projectile paths, launching from sides to prevent focus.
He might adapt eventually via experience, but Triple Cast talent is too strong. While fending paired "Ice Shots," I finished a Mid-level spell.
As my opponent sensed magic surges from my position nearing third step High-level, he yelled instantly:
"I surrender!" As he spoke, the ice chain with sharp tip halted inches from his face.
Even restrained, the man's face frosted, steam from his mouth. Tribunes fell stunned silent, judge too before announcing my win.
Seeing him swallow, pupils narrowed at the icy spear tip, I rolled my eyes. I wouldn't kill him—just wrap in chain, freezing to bones. Nothing worse than a couple days for an Initial-level healing mage. Such exist here; I checked.
"What… step was that?" My opponent asked quietly, but on the dead-silent arena, all heard clearly. Great acoustics.
"Noble Six, my sugar mommy recently gave me a great gift," I replied casually, shrugging as if I wasn't talking about at least five billion yuan spent.
"F*, so I never volunteer to teach a lesson to a talented Major again." Cursing, the guy tossed me the phrase "Good tactic" and left the arena, muttering something under his breath.
Noticing this, the judge finally thawed and performed his direct duties:
"Mu Bai wins!"
Well, I'd shown my updated power to all interested parties; now I could calmly train the girls.