On the battle stage.
Ji Hong hunched his body slightly.
He gasped for air in large gulps.
His body was covered in wounds. Such injuries would have killed others countless times over, but this youth's body was made of something else; he simply wouldn't die.
His gaze was utterly defiant.
He looked towards Mo Xie Gongzi on the high platform.
Mo Xie Gongzi's face immediately flushed red with anger, almost losing his composure.
Damn it!
Mo Xie Gongzi angrily smashed the teacup in his hand onto the ground.
He had sent Mo Shan, the strongest fighter from the gambling arena, to execute Ji Hong.
Yet, he was killed by the near-death Ji Hong.
Now, Ji Hong was alive and kicking.
The slap to his face was incredibly painful, a resounding crack.
Ji Hong's gaze shifted away from Mo Xie Gongzi.
Then, in a VIP seating area, he saw Ji Yan.
The wildness and ferocity on his face subsided slightly, and he nodded at Ji Yan.
Then he saw Liu Han.
Finally, his gaze settled on the calm, gray-haired young figure.
"Ling, Xian, Sheng."
A hoarse sound escaped his throat.
The defiant light in his eyes immediately vanished.
Ling Fan nodded faintly at Ji Hong.
Ji Hong then let out a simple, honest laugh.
However, with his face covered in blood, the smile looked truly pathetic.
Still, Ji Hong smiled very happily.
It was like a student who had received recognition from his elders.
Others looked as if they had seen a ghost.
It was incredibly rare for Ji Hong, this wild and defiant youth, to show such a submissive side.
They followed Ji Hong's gaze and saw Ling Fan.
Suddenly, many people's attention was drawn to the gray-haired youth.
Who exactly was this person?
Ji Hong seemed to approve of him greatly.
No, it wasn't Ji Hong approving of him.
It should be said that Ji Hong yearned for his approval.
Ji Yan's heart was also filled with countless questions, and she looked at Ling Fan with disbelief.
She knew very well how unruly her younger brother was, like the wildest lone wolf, never bowing to anyone.
But why was her brother showing such a side to this person?
It was truly baffling.
However, now was clearly not the time to delve into this.
Ji Yan, unable to hide her excitement, said to Mo Xie Gongzi, "Mo Xie Gongzi, you said that as long as my brother won, he would live. Now is the time for you to keep your promise. Please release my brother quickly!"
Mo Xie Gongzi's expression was extremely unpleasant.
He was a pampered noble, born with a silver spoon, and his personality was extremely biased and stubborn.
Admitting his failure was more unbearable to him than death.
He gritted his teeth and said, "Who said I only arranged one fight? There's another one!"
"Guards, bring that beast out here."
A vicious glint flashed in Mo Xie Gongzi's eyes.
Soon, a giant old ape, four to five meters tall, covered in black fur like needle-like thorns, was dragged out.
Upon seeing this old demon ape.
Ji Hong's pupils instantly shrank to pinpricks, and his entire body trembled with rage, as if an all-consuming fire was burning in his chest.
This was the old demon ape that had raised him.
The old ape king of the Black Demon Ape tribe.
He hadn't expected Mo Xie Gongzi to not only send people to capture him but also to capture this old ape king.
Swish!
The old ape king opened its eyes.
It immediately fixed its gaze on Ji Hong.
However, there was no warmth in the old ape king's eyes; instead, they were filled with ferocity and malice, baring its sharp teeth.
Its aura was also much stronger than before.
Previously, it was only equivalent to a quasi-Heavenly Origin realm martial artist.
But now, its aura was directly chasing the Heavenly Origin realm.
Even if it hadn't reached the Heavenly Origin realm, it was not far off.
"This is the last opponent I've meticulously arranged for you! What do you think? Aren't you pleasantly surprised? Ji Hong, you should thank me properly. I originally thought Mo Shan could deal with you, but since you refuse to accept fate, I'll make you accept it completely!"
"You were raised by this beast, weren't you? Kill it, or... be killed by it!"
Ji Hong trembled all over.
Not out of fear.
But because of the struggle within his heart.
Facing the old ape king, he couldn't bring himself to strike.
Yet, his instincts urged him to kill the old ape king, to win his life and freedom.
On the spectator stands.
Liu Han was flustered and asked Ling Fan, "Master Ling, do you have a solution? Think of something quickly."
Ling Fan shook his head indifferently.
He said, "This demon ape has been given a potent medicine that can temporarily boost its strength and plunge it into a state of uncontrollable berserk. Once the effect wears off, this demon ape will die."
"Now is the time for Ji Hong to make a choice."
"If he can overcome his inner demons and choose to kill this demon ape, then he can avenge it. If he cannot overcome himself, he can only await death, to be killed by this demon ape."
"I will not make the choice for him; this is a test of his destiny."
Hearing Ling Fan's words, Liu Han was completely out of options and could only stare anxiously, pacing back and forth.
"Have you made your choice!"
Mo Xie Gongzi sneered.
He greatly enjoyed the struggling and pained expression on Ji Hong's face now.
This was his masterpiece carefully prepared for Ji Hong.
"Release!"
He gave the order.
All restraints on the old ape king were removed. At that moment, countless thick, arm-like chains on the old ape king snapped, and it charged out of the opened cage.
A pair of blood-red, ferocious eyes immediately locked onto Ji Hong.
For a fleeting moment.
The old ape king's eyes regained a trace of clarity.
It seemed to recognize Ji Hong.
This made Ji Hong even more pained.
However, the old ape king's clarity lasted only an instant, quickly being overwhelmed by ferocity.
Roar!
The old ape king let out a roar towards the sky, shaking the entire gambling arena.
Its massive body cast a shadow as it lunged towards Ji Hong.
At this moment.
Everyone's attention was focused on Ji Hong.
They all wanted to see how Ji Hong would choose.
Would he choose to be killed by the old ape king, or would he steel himself and fight the old ape king to the death?
However, the outcome was unexpected.
As the old ape king lunged, Ji Hong suddenly rushed forward.
He fiercely grabbed one of the old ape king's feet.
The old ape king's momentum immediately stalled.
Ji Hong's vital energy erupted again, surging towards the malevolent aura of the old ape king, attempting to suppress it.
He did not choose to be killed by the old ape king.
Nor did he choose to kill the old ape king.
Instead, he aimed to suppress the old ape king.
But his intention was still too naive.
The old ape king was already a powerful being comparable to a quasi-Heavenly Origin realm martial artist.
Now, with the potent medicine that stimulated its life force administered by the Dark Martial Hall, its strength had further surged. How could he suppress it?
Roar!
The old ape king let out an enraged roar, and Ji Hong's suppressive vital energy was instantly torn apart. Simultaneously, the old ape king fiercely attacked Ji Hong's back.
Crash!
Crash!
Sharp claws landed on Ji Hong's back again and again.
Ji Hong's back instantly became a bloody mess...
The scene was too bloody and tragic.