"Auntie, trust me, I can handle this. Wait for my good news."

  After whispering these words softly into Yu Meixiang's ear, Lin Feng steeled himself and gently pushed her aside, then decisively signed his name on the Life and Death Contract.

  "Lin Feng, from Mingjiang City, 18 years old, Level 21 Unranked Martial Artist, confirmation complete!"

  As soon as the registrar announced this, the crowd that had gathered to watch gasped in shock.

  "Wow, this guy is only Level 21?"

  "The blond-haired guy is Level 40, almost 20 levels higher! That's a difference of hundreds of attribute points, right?"

  "They're not even in the same league. How can he possibly fight?"

  "When I spar with my friend, I'm five levels higher and I still crush him. A 19-level difference is just insurmountable."

  "Exactly, the level difference is most obvious in attribute gaps. From Level 21 to 30, the total attribute points are 180, and from Level 31 to 40, it's 220. With a 19-level gap, I calculated it to be a total of 402 attribute points. Even if you average it across four combat attributes, that's a 100-point difference in each!"

  "And that's just the attribute point difference. A Level 40 martial artist has definitely learned more martial arts than a Level 21. A Level 21 hasn't even left the novice map, so how could they have any powerful martial arts? At Level 40, you can travel between the seven major maps. Even learning one or two Yellow Grade martial arts is incredible. This life-and-death duel is a foregone conclusion."

  "Didn't you see? The boy was just provoked and acted impulsively."

  "There's nothing to see here. It's going to be a one-sided massacre. That kid is doomed."

  ...

  The crowd buzzed with discussions, as such a large level gap in a life-and-death duel had never been seen in Mingjiang City before.

  It was like a Wuling Hongguang challenging a Koenigsegg—how could they even compete?

  Many people felt sorry for Lin Feng, some even felt indignant, despising the blond-haired guy's despicable tactics for tricking a kid into a deadly fight.

  Hearing the crowd's chatter, Yu Meixiang felt even more distressed, tears streaming down her face.

  Even though Lin Feng had assured her he was confident, she was still worried sick.

  "Young man, are you sure you want to go up against him? It's not too late to back out now. As long as you haven't stepped into the arena after signing the Life and Death Contract, you still have a chance to reconsider."

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  The registrar kindly reminded Lin Feng, knowing that with his level of strength, he was no match for the opponent. The other side's strength was clearly far superior, so it would be wise to admit defeat. There's no shame in it.

  You could regret signing the Life and Death Contract, but the consequence would be that you could never sign one again. But that's better than risking your life.

  Zhang Yong, fearing Lin Feng might come to his senses and back out, quickly taunted him, "Who was it that said whoever backs out is a grandson? Son, if you want to acknowledge me as your father, that's fine too. Kneel and apologize, call me 'dad' ten times, and I might let it go. After all, I know you don't have a dad, haha. I could reluctantly accept you, and maybe even marry your godmother, and take care of you. How about that?"

  Lin Feng ignored him and said to the registrar, "I have no regrets."

  The registrar sighed, nodded helplessly, and said, "Alright, then you two can go up. I'll arrange for an ambulance."

  "Thank you, but you should prepare it for him."

  With that, Lin Feng turned and walked towards the arena without looking back.

  Seeing Lin Feng heading to the arena, Zhang Yong's grin widened. He turned to Han Feifei beside him and said, "Honey, I'm about to avenge you by taking him out!"

  At this moment, a buddy of his placed a backpack on the ground, took out a sharp broadsword, and handed it over.

  "Brother Yong, take the sword!"

  Zhang Yong accepted it without hesitation, his confidence swelling to unprecedented levels.

  The surrounding crowd looked on with disdain. Outclassing someone by 20 levels and still using a weapon—how shameless!

  In regular arena sparring, real weapons aren't allowed, as beheading or dismemberment would be too gruesome. However, many martial artists do use weapons.

  So, regular arenas provide wooden weapons to prevent accidental fatalities.

  But the Life and Death Arena is different. Weapons are allowed, but you have to bring your own.

  Zhang Yong hadn't actually prepared one, but he happened to be picking up a Common Grade broadsword today, intending to use it for self-defense or to collect protection fees with more intimidation.

  Unexpectedly, he ran into Lin Feng, and the sword came in handy. Naturally, he didn't hesitate to use it.

  Even if others despised him, he didn't care. He wanted absolute dominance to take down Lin Feng!

  Both of them stepped onto the stage.

  A referee came up to announce the rules and asked Lin Feng, "Do you need a wooden weapon?"

  Lin Feng shook his head, indicating he didn't need one.

  It wasn't arrogance; a wooden weapon was useless. The opponent's sword was real, and it would break instantly in a clash.

  Seeing that Lin Feng didn't even want a weapon, the referee sighed inwardly. Poor young man, how are you going to fight like this...

  As the referee left the stage, only Lin Feng and Zhang Yong remained on the arena.

  The spectators below were already making their final comments on this seemingly predetermined life-and-death duel.

  "I bet this handsome young guy won't last more than ten rounds."

  "He won't even make it to ten rounds. Five rounds, tops."

  "Tomorrow's news in Mingjiang City will be about this: a young man recklessly challenges an opponent 20 levels higher and dies in regret."

  "Though reckless, his courage is commendable. Challenging a Level 40 at Level 21—I wouldn't have the guts."

  "No kidding, not even in games do many people have the guts to do that."

  "Poor handsome guy's pretty companion. They should contact the funeral home in advance to collect the body quickly."

  ...

  Click!

  The iron gate of the arena locked, signifying that only one person would leave alive.

  The Life and Death Arena is somewhat similar to the octagon on Earth, with a closed-off stage to prevent escape.

  However, the space is ten times larger than an octagon, allowing martial artists to fully showcase their skills and movement techniques without being constrained by the environment.

  The two stood facing each other from a distance. Zhang Yong held his sword across his chest, looking smug and triumphant.

  "Lin Feng, last time I didn't finish you off, but today you won't escape."

  "Tsk tsk, it took quite a bit of effort to trick you up here. Once I finish you, I'll find a chance to have some fun with your godmother, hehehe~"

  Zhang Yong grinned lewdly, dreaming of getting his hands on Lin Feng's godmother, a stunning beauty he wouldn't let slip away.

  "Soon you'll experience the scene of having your limbs severed by my sword, and finally your neck sliced off. You used to scream when I burned you with a lighter; I wonder if you can handle such a bloody and brutal scene, haha."

  Zhang Yong tried to instill fear, hoping Lin Feng would crumble mentally, making it easier for him to strike.

  But he was surprised to find that Lin Feng, once on stage, was a completely different person.

  On the ground, he was impulsive and easily angered, ready to fight at the slightest provocation.

  But now, on the stage, all those expressions were gone, replaced by a blank face and eyes filled with a deep, murderous intent.

  His gaze was like looking at a dead man, making Zhang Yong inexplicably uneasy.

  Seeing his verbal assault had no effect, Zhang Yong suppressed his unease, stopped talking, and took the initiative to attack with his sword!

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