I wonder what brings Warden Moses to visit a condemned prisoner such as myself?
In the lounge, You’er gazed languidly at Moses, who sat poised on the sofa, and posed his question with an air of subtle amusement.
“Before I explain my purpose, I have a piece of news for you, though it may not be to your liking.”
Moses lifted his eyelids, casting a fleeting glance at You’er’s languid expression across from him. A flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes, yet, recalling the pressing matters he needed to discuss with the scarred, formidable youth before him, he suppressed his irritation.
“Please, Warden Moses, speak your mind. I believe I can handle whatever it is.” You’er said, gesturing with a smile.
“Early this morning, my subordinates spotted Miekin Hogg in the West District, and the person he went to visit was Heggel Gale.” A glint of murderous intent flashed in Moses’s eyes as he uttered Heggel Gale’s name.
Upon hearing Moses’s words, a myriad of connections instantly formed in You’er’s mind. Yet, his expression remained unchanged, still radiating that same casual indolence as he addressed Moses.
“Is that so? I appreciate Warden Moses bringing me this information, but how does it concern me?”
“East Elder, I know you are a man of sharp intellect, so let us speak plainly.”
East Elder was a respectful title others used for You’er, derived from the epithet ‘Dual Prodigies of East and West’. Moses’s use of this address signified that he now regarded You’er as an equal.
“I trust you’re not unaware that Miekin Hogg’s visit to Heggel Gale was to forge an alliance against you!” Moses narrowed his eyes, laying bare the crux of the matter to You’er.
“I never claimed ignorance, nor have I ever expressed fear of them.” You’er said, interlacing his index fingers and speaking in a voice that had turned distinctly colder.
“Given East Elder’s prowess, facing either of them individually would indeed leave you without fear.” Moses tapped the tabletop, his next words causing a jolt in You’er’s heart.
“But what if both factions appeared in the arena, with only you caught in the middle? What then would be the outcome?”
“Because of this Gladiator King Festival?” You’er asked, raising an eyebrow, recognizing the gravity of the situation.
“Precisely!”
Seeing that You’er had finally grasped the severity of the issue, a faint smile played on Moses’s lips.
“Warden Salakriffin has divulged some information: the Gladiator King Festival, three days from now, will feature a special mode—the Free Challenge Mode! In this mode, anyone can issue a challenge to any qualified participant from any district, and the challenged party has no right to refuse!”
“So, Warden Moses, you are here today to turn the tables on them, seeking to ally with me against Miekin Hogg and Heggel Gale?”
You’er interlaced his fingers and rested them on the bridge of his nose, gazing at Moses as he asked.
“So, what is East Elder’s answer?” Moses’s gaze was fixed intently on You’er’s face, keenly aware that the blind youth before him possessed a unique way of ‘seeing’.
“An alliance is indeed the optimal course of action, but this is hardly an equal exchange.”
You’er’s unhurried reply caused Moses to furrow his brow.
“What do you mean?”
“Have you considered, Warden Moses, why you specifically sought me out in the East District for an alliance? It is because your position has been deeply affected by Heggel Gale. If he eliminates a formidable rival like me in this event, his prestige and status will undoubtedly soar even higher, and your position as warden will likely fall into his hands!”
You’er’s expression suddenly sharpened, his gaze piercing Moses as he continued.
“If my investigations over the past year are correct, Warden Moses, then all four wardens, including yourself and Miekin Hogg, were once condemned prisoners, just like me and Heggel Gale, weren’t you?”
“You know even that?” Moses was so stunned he couldn’t tear his eyes away, suddenly realizing he had gravely underestimated the youth before him.
You’er’s words struck true. Moses himself had once been like these men now, clawing his way up from bloodshed and slaughter to reach his current position. Yet, even in this esteemed role, freedom remained elusive; he could not leave the Death Arena’s hundred-mile radius, his life perpetually held in Salakriffin’s grasp.
Everything within the Death Arena was orchestrated by Salakriffin. That man held everyone—prisoners, guards, and even wardens—firmly within his manipulative grasp.
Perhaps Salakriffin had grown weary of them, these so-called wardens. You’er and Heggel Gale were quite possibly his chosen successors, and the fate of the current wardens was then all too clear.
As Moses wrestled with his growing unease, You’er’s alluring voice broke through his thoughts.
“Warden Moses, I can help you eliminate Heggel Gale, the man you so fear, allowing you to remain securely in your position as warden. However, I also have conditions.” You’er rose to his feet, looking down at Moses from his elevated position.
“Hmph… East Elder, please state your terms. As long as it is within my power!” Moses’s gaze gradually hardened as he clenched his fists and spoke.
“Then I shall not hold back.”
You’er’s expression remained impassive, yet a sly, triumphant smile played in his mind as he raised a finger to Moses.
“First, I desire Warden Moses to procure a Swordtooth Flower for me!”
Upon hearing You’er’s demand, a corner of Moses’s mouth twitched. He secretly thought, ‘This boy truly demands the impossible.’ The Swordtooth Flower was a spiritual bloom, capable of swiftly elevating an Advanced Swordsman to a Great Swordsman. With no known side effects, its value was extraordinarily high.
“I agree. I will have it delivered to you first thing tomorrow morning… What else?”
Though it pained him greatly, Moses could only nod in agreement.
“Second…”
Before stating his second condition, You’er drew a deep breath of cool air.
“In a few months, when I make my escape from this Death Arena, I ask that Warden Moses provide some… convenience!”
Clang!
No sooner had You’er’s words fallen than the teacup in Moses’s hand slipped, clattering to the floor. His eyes wide with horror, he bellowed at You’er.
“You want me to help you escape? That’s utterly impossible!”
However, You’er calmly shook his head.
“Please calm yourself, Warden Moses. My intention is not for you to actively assist in my breakout, but rather to provide a convenience when I do escape. For instance… perhaps you might happen to be away on official business that day.”
“You intend to escape through my sector?!” Moses’s grey eyebrows knitted together, his face a canvas of shifting emotions.
“That’s roughly the gist of it, Warden Moses. I don’t believe this would result in any significant loss for you, would it?”
You’er smiled at Moses, his expression light.
“Very well!”
After a long pause, Moses, having finally made up his mind, slammed his hand on the table and rose abruptly.
“I can agree to your terms, but I must warn you: Warden Salakriffin, the master of this prison, is far more terrifying than you can imagine! And you must swear that, should your escape fail, you will not implicate me in any way!”
“I swear it!” You’er raised his palm.
“It’s a deal!”
****
Moses’s actions were swift and decisive. Early the next morning, he dispatched someone to deliver what You’er desired—the Swordtooth Flower!
It was a spiritual bloom, its pistil brimming with a potent magical energy that anyone could absorb.
However, the pistil also contained a neurotoxin, causing excruciating, unbearable tingling throughout the body during absorption. While the process was agonizing, it paled in comparison to the ultimate reward.
Spending nearly an entire day, You’er successfully drained the Swordtooth Flower of its magical energy, and, as he had wished, ascended into the ranks of Great Swordsmen.
Only one step remained until he reached Sword Master!
The moment he became a Great Swordsman, You’er felt a bottleneck, which had plagued his mind for over a year, loosen within him.
For the first time, You’er felt a subtle connection to that formidable sword skill: the Divine Soul Sword Art!
You’er’s estimation proved correct. With just one more step—an advancement to Sword Master—he would meet the most fundamental requirement to unleash this sword skill!
This was precisely why You’er had delayed his escape for several months; he needed time to advance to Sword Master!
By then, he would possess the strength to contend with Salakriffin!
However, before that, he had a few individuals he absolutely had to eliminate in the upcoming Gladiator King Festival.