Fantasy, starting with a treasure bowl

"Brother Duan is being modest."

The middle-aged man in black robes also cupped his hands in greeting and said, "As the saying goes, rules are set by people, but strength reigns supreme."

"Besides, given your strength, Brother Duan, even if the last two matches aren't fought, I know you definitely won't lose."

"After all, even someone as strong as the 'Eastern Sword Saint' Yagyu Ukiichiro, who is at the half-step Xuan Gang realm, is no match for you, Brother Duan, let alone the rest of those worthless fry...!"

At this point, the middle-aged man in black robes didn't forget to give Lu Feng a thumbs up, his face full of flattery.

"This guy's pretty good at flattering people..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Feng also raised an eyebrow, secretly finding it amusing.

Although he knew that the middle-aged man in black robes was deliberately trying to please him, he did not point it out on the spot.

Because, the current outcome is exactly what Lu Feng wanted.

Firstly, the reward for clearing the Bloodbath Road is quite high, a full 50,000 top-grade spirit stones!

Secondly, by skipping the next two matches, Lu Feng can save himself a lot of trouble and avoid exposing his identity!

"Brother Duan, please allow me a moment's passage...!"

After speaking, the middle-aged man in black robes stepped aside to make way, his tone still full of respect, "Our boss has been waiting for Brother Duan in the Assassin's Hall for quite some time...!"

"By the way, my bounty for clearing the level and the ten million I just wagered should be settled now, right...?"

Seemingly remembering something, Lu Feng turned to look at the middle-aged man in black robes beside him.

After all, for him right now, everything else is trivial; only the bounty and spirit stones are the most important things!

"Brother Duan, you needn't worry about these trivial matters. Once the casino closes for the day, I will present you with every penny I owe you..."

Seeing that Lu Feng's mind was full of bounties and gambling, the middle-aged man in black robes also cupped his hands in a fist salute and then explained unhurriedly, obviously having expected this.

Because the reward for clearing the Bloodbath Road is 50,000 top-grade spirit stones. If all of them are exchanged for high-grade spirit stones, that would be a full 5 million!

In addition, Lu Feng had just placed a bet of ten million on a complete victory, and the odds for this battle were one to three. Even after deducting a 20% commission, he could still earn at least 24 million high-grade spirit stones!

The sum of these two bounty bets combined amounts to a staggering 30 million high-grade spirit stones!

Therefore, it is quite normal for Lu Feng to be so concerned about this right now!

"Uh, that's good...!"

Seeing the middle-aged man in black robes give his assurance, Lu Feng had his doubts, but he didn't say anything and simply followed the man to the Assassin's Hall.

After all, the Dragon Arena is a powerful force in Jinling City, a quasi-fourth-rank power. They shouldn't renege on their debt in public.

Moreover, if word gets out that they are going to renege on their debt for such a small amount of spirit stones, it will be a major blow to the reputation and credibility of the Dragon Arena!

Before long, Lu Feng followed the black-robed middle-aged man to a spacious hall with heavy security and a tense atmosphere. It was none other than the Assassin Hall, one of the three halls of the Dragon Arena!

"Brother Duan, our boss Zhang Shunfei has already prepared a banquet in the hall to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey. Please!"

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Assassin's Hall, the middle-aged man in black robes once again stepped aside to make way for Lu Feng, while simultaneously gesturing for him to "come in."

Zhang Shunfei?

Why is it this guy again?

Upon hearing this, Lu Feng was taken aback, a strange expression appearing on his face.

Because the two silver-ranked assassins who secretly followed him in the nameless cave outside Jinling City were superior to Zhang Shunfei, the man in black robes.

"Brother Duan, are you alright?"

Noticing that Lu Feng's expression was somewhat strange, the middle-aged man in black robes couldn't help but speak up.

"Uh, it's nothing, it's nothing...!"

Composing himself, Lu Feng shook his head and said, "However, as far as I know, the Dragon Arena not only has a strong foundation, but also boasts numerous experts. I imagine your boss must be quite powerful, right?"

"Indeed! Our boss, Zhang Shunfei, is no ordinary person. He is one of the four top assassins under the Dragon Arena. Only high-ranking figures at the top assassin level are qualified to host a banquet for guests in the Assassin's Hall here...!"

Faced with Lu Feng's probing, the middle-aged man in black robes also raised his chin slightly, his tone inevitably showing some pride, like a loyal dog relying on its master's power.

"I see..."

Lu Feng nodded slightly, said nothing more, and strode into the Assassin's Hall.

"Congratulations, young Duan."

As soon as Lu Feng stepped into the Assassin's Hall, before he could even speak, he saw a burly, obese middle-aged man slowly rise from the main seat of the hall. Then, in a flash, he landed in front of him. It was none other than Zhang Shunfei, one of the four top assassins of the Dragon Arena!

"Young Master Duan is exceptionally talented and incredibly strong. Even that Japanese devil, Yagyu Ukiichiro, is no match for you. You are truly a once-in-a-lifetime genius!"

"And to be honest, our Dragon Arena is never short of manpower, but we desperately lack a prodigy like Brother Duan. I, Zhang, raise a toast to you!"

Zhang Shunfei slowly raised his wine glass and handed it to Lu Feng. His face was full of admiration, and his words also revealed his appreciation for Lu Feng's talent. He clearly intended to recruit Lu Feng into the Dragon Arena.

"Brother Zhang, you're too kind. I really don't deserve the title of genius."

Having also grasped the implication in Zhang Shunfei's words, Lu Feng simply accepted the wine glass, drank it all in one gulp, and did not give an immediate reply.

Because he had no intention of joining the Dragon Arena; he just wanted to collect his money and leave as soon as possible. Otherwise, Lu Feng wouldn't have secretly killed the two silver-ranked assassins sent by Zhang Shunfei.

Fortunately, judging from the current situation, the other party has not recognized Lu Feng's true identity and still thinks he is the rogue cultivator Duan Renzhi from the outside world.

"Young Master Duan, here's your well-deserved reward and gambling winnings, take them!"

Seeing that Lu Feng didn't respond to his words, Zhang Shunfei was slightly annoyed, but he didn't show it on the spot. He simply took out a top-grade storage ring from his pocket and said, "There are nearly thirty million high-grade spirit stones in here. I've already had someone count them beforehand, and not a single one is missing!"

"Thank you, Brother Zhang."

He quickly reached out and accepted the storage ring. Although Lu Feng remained outwardly calm, he was secretly overjoyed!

After all, nearly 30 million high-grade spirit stones is no small sum; it's practically a fortune made overnight!

"Young Brother Duan, with your talent and strength, if you join the Dragon Arena in the future, your future achievements will definitely not be inferior to mine, and you might even rise to become a top-tier assassin...!"

Seeing that Lu Feng was only focused on collecting money and ignoring his hints, Zhang Shunfei couldn't help but get straight to the point.

After all, the reason for trying to win over Lu Feng was at the behest of his master, Sikong Zhuiyue, so he dared not be negligent!

"Brother Zhang, you flatter me. I've always been a carefree wanderer, accustomed to a life of leisure and tranquility. Please forgive me for being unable to accept such praise..."

Faced with Zhang Shunfei's attempt to win him over, Lu Feng didn't waste any words and politely declined with a bow.

After all, he's a man who only cares about himself his whole life, and it's impossible for him to risk his life for others!

"Since Brother Duan doesn't have this idea, I, Zhang, won't force him..."

Seeing this, Zhang Shunfei merely frowned slightly, but did not immediately turn hostile. Instead, he grinned and said, "Someone, show the guest out!"

"What the hell?"

"This guy actually let me go so easily?"

Faced with Zhang Shunfei's order to leave, Lu Feng was surprised but didn't think much of it. He turned and hurriedly left, saying, "Thank you, Brother Zhang!"

Swish! Swish!

No sooner had Lu Feng left the Assassin's Hall than two black figures sprang out from both sides of the hall, their killing intent palpable, suggesting they were both assassins under the command of the Dragon Arena.

"Boss, this person not only rejected your offer to win him over, but also managed to steal nearly thirty million high-grade spirit stones from you. Are we really going to let him go...?"

"Not only that, this guy named Duan Renzhi doesn't seem like someone to be trifled with either. If we let him go now, he might become a major threat to our Dragon Arena in the future...!"

The two assassins in black spoke solemnly and simultaneously bowed to Zhang Shunfei in front of them.

"Hmph, what you two can think of, I can naturally anticipate too!"

With a cold snort, Zhang Shunfei gazed in the direction Lu Feng had left, a chilling killing intent flashing in his eyes. "Leaving aside the fact that I failed to fulfill my master's orders, the spirit stones of the Dragon Arena aren't so easy to obtain...!"

"Immediately issue the order: dispatch all silver-ranked assassins, and simultaneously notify other available gold-ranked assassins in the arena to intercept and kill this person at all costs, and prevent him from leaving Jinling City!"

"Yes, boss!"

Upon hearing the order, the two assassins in black hurriedly fled, not daring to be negligent in the slightest!

...

Meanwhile, in the outer city of Jinling, at an empty alleyway

Clang clang clang...!

A clang of weapons clashing rang out, and the next moment a figure in black robes coughed up blood and retreated violently. His body then collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Not far from the corpse, a tall figure holding a long spear stood quietly, and his face was somewhat familiar. It was none other than Hu Ping, "Quick Gun", one of Lu Feng's opponents in the past when he was fighting on the Blood Battle Road!

"Another one solved, four left!"

Having annihilated his formidable foe in a single move, Hu Ping slowly sheathed his fine iron spear. His gaze then fell upon the group of black-clad assassins across the alley, a hint of disdain flickering within him. "Hmph, you trash think you can take me on?"