Liu Feng walked ahead of Rai Yu and Lin Xian with firm steps through the iron sector's corridors.
The walls were lined with dark metallic panels, and blue light strips traced along the floor edges like glowing veins inside the steel body of some giant creature.
In every corner, surveillance cameras swiveled like sleepless sentinels, tracking every breath and glance.
She stopped in front of a massive iron door, etched with the image of a white dragon coiled around a broken spear.
She raised her hand and placed her finger on the dragon's center.
A soft purple glow lit beneath it, followed by a deep hum and the grinding of heavy machinery as the door unlocked automatically.
She turned to Rai Yu, then pointed toward Lin Xian, speaking calmly but firmly:
"Mr. Gu, your nephew must proceed now… It's time for his trial."
Rai Yu raised an eyebrow, stepping forward as he asked:
"And what about me? Don't I get a test as well?"
Liu Feng glanced at him, her eyes reflecting a cold gleam:
"Sir, you require no test.
You're a renowned mercenary, and we were informed of your arrival in advance.
The senior leaders approved your entry without hesitation...
But your nephew must prove himself."
Rai Yu chuckled lightly, then patted Lin Xian's shoulder and said:
"Don't disappoint me, nephew… We need this step."
Lin Xian gave a calm smile, though a chill had started creeping into his chest:
"Don't worry, uncle… I'll do it."
Liu Feng gestured toward another door, beside which a digital panel displayed:
[Combat Arena – Iron Tier Mercenary Trial]
She spoke seriously:
"The trial is simple…
Just kill a level (C) demonic beast.
The door will open once the target is confirmed."
Lin Xian's eyes froze momentarily.
A level (C)…! That was no minor rank.
Such creatures were often once awakened humans—now turned into monsters through twisted Dao gateways.
But he didn't hesitate.
He reached for his black sword, slowly drawing the blade. It gleamed dully, as if it absorbed light rather than reflected it.
He whispered: "Let's do this..."
Then stepped into the arena.
At the same time, Liu Feng gracefully pinched her cloak's edge and bowed slightly:
"Mr. Gu, please follow me to the viewing chamber…
Someone wishes to meet you."
Rai Yu wasn't the kind to refuse.
With each step behind her, his eyes scanned the surroundings—not the eyes of a man tempted, but of a hunter evaluating his prey. Every move was calculated.
They reached a door engraved in a lavish classical design.
She opened it with a special key card, and the two entered a stunning chamber.
The viewing room was luxurious to the point of arrogance.
Plush leather seats, a central bar serving drinks and permitted drugs, and a massive holographic screen displaying the arena where Lin Xian now stood—on a steel platform, facing a muscle-bound, deformed beast with black horns protruding from its back.
But what drew Rai Yu's attention wasn't the screen…
It was the man seated on the front sofa, eyes narrow, holding a glass of thick red wine.
Rai Yu smiled.
The dragon had finally left its den.
Liu Feng spoke respectfully:
"Mr. Li Jin… This is Mr. Gu Long."
The man lifted his gaze.
He appeared to be in his early thirties, but his aura was suffocating, as if even the air feared him.
He smiled faintly as he stared at the screen:
"Your nephew is gifted, Mr. Gu…
His movements are precise, and that sword seems alive in his hands."
Then he turned to face Rai Yu directly.
A wave of pressure exploded in the room.
For a split second, Liu Feng shivered—as if the space had shrunk suddenly.
But Rai Yu… didn't blink.
He replied with a half-mocking smile:
"That boy? Sure… he's got something different inside him.
But he's still crawling."
Li Jin stepped closer, his eyes measuring Rai Yu like an old rival risen from the grave.
He said:
"The name Gu Long… has always come with disasters.
Let's hope this time isn't one of them."
Rai Yu chuckled softly:
"Who knows…
Maybe you'll be my next disaster."
Meanwhile, the beast before Lin Xian snarled, its skin taut and scarred, eyes glowing with a fierce amber hue.
It roared violently and leapt forward.
But instead of retreating, Lin Xian took a single step forward, and—
Ting!
His sword shot out in a black arc, slicing through the air toward the beast's neck.
In the viewing chamber, Li Jin smiled.
And on the screen… blood began to spray.
The scent of battle was in the air.