The Shura Arena

Clad in a black robe, Ye Han walked slowly to the hall and took the same seat as the day before, ordering some small dishes and eating leisurely.

As soon as Ye Han descended the stairs, the originally noisy hall instantly quieted down. Everyone eating there lowered their heads, not daring to look at Ye Han, indicating that yesterday's events had truly instilled fear in many.

After paying for his meal, Ye Han left the tavern and headed west towards Miatt City's Shura Arena, having asked the waiter for directions while ordering his food.

Walking for nearly half an hour, Ye Han finally arrived at the location mentioned by the waiter. As he approached, the size of the Shura Arena surprised him. "I didn't expect to find such a grand structure here."

The Shura Arena, fifty zhang high and pyramid-shaped, was massive. Ye Han observed that the lowest level alone was as big as three soccer fields from Earth. It gradually decreased in size as it rose, with nine levels in total. Even the topmost level was as big as a soccer field.

Ye Han was astonished at the sight. "I didn't expect the architecture in this world to be so developed." Amidst the strange looks from those around him, Ye Han strode towards the Shura Arena.

The Shura Arena is found in every major city within each empire or smaller nation. It's a complete system, jointly established by the three great empires and not belonging to any one empire or force. No single empire could interfere with the workings of the Shura Arena.

Each empire's Shura Arena is managed by both the Swordsmen Guild and the Magic Guild. Swordsmen or magicians who make a name for themselves within the arena often receive invitations from empires or major families. Not only can one acquire immense wealth and great prestige in the Shura Arena, but it is also a place to accumulate a wealth of combat experience. Thus, the Shura Arena has become a favorite venue for swordsmen and magicians across the continent.

It is also a place of entertainment for nobles and a place to select elites. The Shura Arena holds betting events every day, with higher-level battles involving larger sums of money.

Nine levels, from the first at the bottom to the ninth at the top. The first five levels are usually watched by commoners or destitute nobles, while the top four levels are reserved for second-rate families and the major houses, also being the bloodiest and most intense.

Death is permitted in the Shura Arena. After all, the power of magic and fighting spirit above the sixth rank is not comparable to the lower ranks, so there are deaths every day and always newcomers. Under the lure of money and fame, no one can resist.

Watching the battle between two fourth-rank swordsmen, although it was intense, Ye Han shook his head, "Their techniques lack interest."

This was no fault of Ye Han's. Possessing the memories of two individuals who had lived for tens of thousands of years, his perspective was naturally much higher. Of course, he wasn't impressed by the attacks of low-level swordsmen.

Ye Han continued to ascend. On the fifth floor, he shook his head. On the sixth, he did not shake his head, but neither did their battles interest him.

Just as Ye Han was about to head to the seventh floor, someone stopped him. "I'm sorry, sir, but the upper floors are reserved for the major nobles and high-level battles. Please show your family crest," a guard said respectfully to Ye Han.

"Can't I enter here?" Ye Han asked indifferently.

"Yes, the upper floors are for the major nobles and powerhouses; ordinary people cannot enter," the guard explained, and Ye Han instantly understood the reasoning.

The nobles, especially the major ones, maintain their dignity by not associating with commoners or down-and-out nobles, as doing so would lower their status. Those who can enter the seventh floor and above are powerhouses above the seventh rank. Their goal is not money but prestige and their future prospects. They hope to gain recognition from the great nobles and be recruited, not to perform for the commoners.

"Then I won't go in," Ye Han said, turning around to walk downstairs.

"Ha, wearing a black robe and playing the expert, huh?" the guard muttered as Ye Han walked away.

"Bill," an icy voice called from behind. The guard named Bill turned around quickly. "Steward," he greeted the person behind him.

The steward did not respond to Bill but instead watched Ye Han's retreating figure.

"In the future, do not comment on our guests behind their backs. That person is not simple," the steward thought to himself, shocked. As an eighth-rank swordsman, he couldn't gauge Ye Han's depth. What surprised him even more was that, judging by his physique and voice, the man

 in the black robe was no more than twenty years old.

The steward didn't linger with Bill but turned to head up to the seventh floor. The appearance of a young man he couldn't see through had to be reported quickly. The matter with the young man from yesterday had already enraged the higher-ups.

Remembering the young man from yesterday, the steward couldn't help but shiver. Defeating a seventh-rank swordsman in just a few moves, and without even using a weapon, was no small feat.

Ye Han walked leisurely back from the Shura Arena, not angered by the guard's stoppage. In this world, nobles and powerhouses were always superior. In other words, this world belonged to the nobles and the strong. Commoners and the weak were merely pawns in their hands.

Just as Ye Han was about to return to the hotel, he sensed several auras locking onto him. Without showing any reaction, he observed his surroundings. To his left, at a street-side stall, two eighth-rank swordsmen were looking at items, but their eyes were drifting his way. On the right, two eighth-rank magicians were also observing him. Ye Han's lips curled slightly. "They're quick."

Pretending ignorance, Ye Han leisurely strolled through the streets. Miatt City was quite large and bustling. Suddenly, he quickened his pace and turned into an alley.

The four pursuers sped up and followed him into the alley, only to be dumbfounded—it was a dead end.

"Where did he go?" one of the swordsmen said.

"The aura's vanished too," one of the magicians added.

"Are you looking for me?" a languid voice came from behind, and they all turned in surprise to see Ye Han standing there.

"You've been following me all this way, is there something you want?"

"Our family would like to invite the young master."

"Which family are you from?"

"The head of the Kres family, Kristin," Ye Han replied after a moment of thought, "The Kres family, I don't know them. Why would they seek me out?"

"Tell them I'm not available."

The swordsman became angry upon hearing this. "In Miatt City, there aren't many who dare to refuse an invitation from our family."

"Then I'll be one of the few who dare," Ye Han said, turning to walk away.

"We'll have to insist on bringing you back," the Kres family might not be the largest in Miatt City, but they were a top second-rate family, and here was someone of merely fifth-rank acting so arrogantly.

As the swordsman finished speaking, another swordsman moved quickly to block Ye Han's path, releasing his eighth-rank aura. The two magicians stepped back, their magical energy also increasing.

Seeing their movements, Ye Han did not hesitate. Zombies were inherently murderous, and he took out an ordinary long sword from his ring, assuming a battle stance and releasing his full aura. Five powerful auras collided in the air, crackling with contact.

"Only a seventh-rank and so arrogant," the swordsman in front of Ye Han scorned upon sensing Ye Han's aura.

"Arrogant?"

As soon as Ye Han's words fell, he stomped the ground and shot forward, his long sword vibrating with a gray sword glow, piercing fiercely towards the eighth-rank swordsman.

"Youngster, quite arrogant to take the initiative," the eighth-rank swordsman, angered by Ye Han's bold attack, wondered if he seemed so weak.

One had to comprehend the forces of heaven and earth to cultivate beyond the eighth rank; many people with insufficient understanding remain stuck at the seventh rank for a lifetime. Thus, eighth-rank swordsmen are considered among the top on the continent.

The swordsman tilted his body and his long sword thrust out rapidly in response.

However, seeing the swordsman's reaction, a cruel smile appeared on Ye Han's face from within his black robe.