Chapter Eleven: What Kind of Person

Liu Kuang's words were clearly hinting to Liu Pan that his turn to enter the arena was imminent, so Liu Pan began paying closer attention to the ongoing battles atop the stage.

Liu Pan understood that although Liu Kuang had only possessed the Great Wilderness Blade for seven days, owing to Yan’s influence, Liu Kuang was now not to be underestimated. Perhaps Liu Kuang had not yet cultivated the Nine Suns Blazing Heaven Blade Technique, but the Flame Dragon Tyrant Body Technique was surely something he had already begun practicing.

As expected, after several more matches, Liu Kuang stepped onto the stage.

Bare-handed and weaponless, Liu Kuang ascended the arena.

His opponent was a burly man, clad in a black short shirt, his exposed arms rippling with sinewy muscle. In his grasp, a broad-bladed sword gleamed with a cold, metallic light.

Watching Liu Kuang walk onto the stage unarmed, the burly man was clearly stunned, his face darkening with displeasure the next moment.

"You’re not using a weapon?" the burly man asked coldly; it was obvious to anyone that he was now quite unhappy.

After fifty bouts between the disciples, this was the first time someone entered the arena without selecting a weapon. It was hardly surprising that the burly man’s expression soured.

Because Liu Kuang had gone up without choosing a weapon, many spectators immediately turned their attention to his stage, their exclamations rising in waves of amazement and disbelief. Yet beyond the astonishment, there were other whispers—after all, Liu Kuang's actions were so conspicuous that it seemed he was intentionally showing off, acting arrogant beyond measure.

And truthfully, Liu Kuang had indeed intentionally entered the stage without a weapon. His purpose, however, was not to show off, but because only with his bare hands could he unleash his greatest strength.

Seemingly oblivious to the simmering anger in the burly man's words, Liu Kuang answered calmly, "I don’t need one."

His voice was quiet, but many in the crowd heard it, prompting another wave of exclamations. Even disciples on other stages paused their matches, curious to see how Liu Kuang would fare bare-handed against the burly man.

On the viewing platform, Yang Jiangshui and the elders had naturally noticed Liu Kuang's stage as well.

Liu Pan was at a loss; Liu Kuang's display of arrogance was almost excessive. Yet after a moment's thought, Liu Pan felt even more speechless, for this extreme arrogance in Liu Kuang's character had originated from his own pen. His rationale at the time had been simple: a Mad God must be mad, must he not?

Hearing Liu Kuang's calm response, the burly man laughed from rage, "Fine, very well! Let’s see if you can keep up that arrogance!"

His grip on the broad-bladed sword tightened, veins bulging on his arms, his gaze shifting to the referee. Obviously, the moment the referee signaled the start, he would explode into action, eager to give this arrogant opponent a harsh lesson.

The referee, one of the elders’ personal disciples, sensed the heated exchange between the two, but showed no concern that the bout might get out of hand. In truth, even if things did, he cared little.

He glanced at the two combatants, uttered a simple command: "Begin!"

Clang!

The sound of metal rang out. At the instant the referee’s word fell, a figure was sent flying off the stage, crashing into the crowd, while beside him, a battered broad-bladed sword clattered onto the ground.

Silence. The entire square fell still in that moment; even the other disciples in the midst of their matches stopped, staring in disbelief at Liu Kuang atop the stage.

Clearly, many could not process what they had just witnessed in so brief a moment.

A single punch—just one punch, and the burly man was defeated.

At the referee’s command, both Liu Kuang and his opponent moved. Liu Kuang struck with his fist, the burly man with his blade. But Liu Kuang was faster; the burly man never had time to swing, for Liu Kuang’s fist was already before him.

In the end, the burly man only managed to raise his sword across his chest before Liu Kuang’s punch sent him hurtling off the stage.

Liu Kuang’s punch landed on the blade itself, yet even so, after his fall, the burly man lay motionless for a long moment, blood trickling from his lips, clearly badly injured.

Such a fierce blow had even deformed the broad-bladed sword. It was hard to imagine what might have happened had that punch struck flesh instead of steel.

"Excellent!" The first to react were the veteran disciples, who broke into applause and cheers. Amidst the acclaim, the new disciples slowly regained their composure; some flushed with excitement and cheered, others trembled, faces pale. Only a few remained silent, their eyes gleaming with a faint, sharp light.

This was the first bout of the entrance trials to draw blood, and so far, the most ferocious. Spurred by its intensity, the remaining matches, though not all equally wild, abandoned the previous cautious restraint.

"Well?" After leaving the stage, Liu Kuang made his way through the crowd to Liu Pan.

"Not bad, but your opponent was a bit weak," Liu Pan replied with a faint smile, sizing Liu Kuang up before continuing, "I didn’t expect you to be only at Warrior Level Eight. I always thought you were at Level Nine already."

"Seven days isn’t enough for that," Liu Kuang’s eyes flashed with a subtle light. After a moment’s hesitation, he sat beside Liu Pan on the empty ground and asked, "You never told me why you helped me during the clan competition."

"Helped you?" Liu Pan’s lips curled. He had indeed assisted Lin Kuang back then, but it was more a matter of convenience—his true aim was simply to avoid competing with Liu Kuang and directly obtain the Great Wilderness Blade.

"Take it as me helping you. Just remember you owe me a favor; as for the reason, you don’t need to know." With that, Liu Pan rose and headed toward the base of Stone Refining Peak.

Although the matches had become more interesting thanks to Liu Kuang, Liu Pan still felt there was little point in watching further.

Moreover, with so many bouts today, only one round could be completed in a single day. To compete again, he’d have to wait until tomorrow, and staying here to watch these pointless matches felt like a waste of youth.

Watching Liu Pan leave so nonchalantly, Liu Kuang couldn’t help but furrow his brows. In that moment, he felt Liu Pan might be even more arrogant than himself.

"Liu Kuang?"

A voice called out. Liu Kuang turned to see a burly man dressed in a beastskin shirt—a man he had noticed earlier, who seemed to have some connection to Liu Pan.

"Who are you?" Liu Kuang asked. Truth be told, Liu Kuang’s temperament would typically ignore someone like Hu Lang, but Liu Pan’s enigmatic behavior piqued his curiosity, prompting him to learn more about Liu Pan through his acquaintances.

"My name is Hu Lang," the man replied, scrutinizing Liu Kuang before frowning. "Are you really only at Warrior Level Eight?"

Liu Kuang was taken aback, unsure why Hu Lang would ask such a question, but after a moment’s hesitation, he nodded.

"How can that be?" Hu Lang’s frown deepened as he continued to eye Liu Kuang, clearly puzzled about something.

"Is there a problem?" Subjected to Hu Lang’s persistent scrutiny, Liu Kuang felt uncomfortable, his tone growing colder.

"Pan said you’re the one who can explain why I lost to him, but honestly, you don’t seem like someone with that kind of ability." Hu Lang seemed oblivious to Liu Kuang’s coldness, continuing his appraisal with a baffled expression, unable to decipher Liu Pan’s words.

"I can tell you why you lost to him?" Liu Kuang frowned, equally perplexed. He and Liu Pan were hardly close, lacking any real understanding of each other, so he couldn’t fathom why Liu Pan would say such a thing.

Moreover...

He sized up Hu Lang, his frown deepening; he could sense Hu Lang’s formidable aura, yet Hu Lang’s words confirmed he had already lost to Liu Pan.

Liu Pan—Warrior Level Nine. From Yan, Liu Kuang knew Liu Pan had reached Level Nine. But even so, Liu Pan’s victory over Hu Lang shouldn’t have involved him. Why would Liu Pan say such a thing?

Could it be because of the Great Wilderness Blade?

Thinking this, Liu Kuang found it unlikely. Yan had said that if the blade was not bound by blood, its power was no greater than an ordinary stick—perhaps only harder. No matter how tough, it would only serve as a blunt weapon, nothing special.

Under Hu Lang’s questioning gaze, Liu Kuang sat on the ground and slowly closed his eyes.

A crimson space.

Liu Kuang frowned slightly and recounted the events to Yan.

When it came to Liu Pan, Liu Kuang could only hope to gain insight from Yan.

"Why would he say that?" Liu Kuang asked, his voice full of confusion, his eyes fixed intently on Yan at the center of the molten lake.

After a moment’s silence, Yan sighed, hesitating before answering, "I can’t figure it out either. The Great Wilderness Blade’s body is too decayed now; as its spirit, I can’t sense what happens outside. Though I spent some time with him, I have no idea what went on beyond. I truly don’t know."

Liu Kuang fell silent at this, pondering for a long time before asking, "Then, in your view, what kind of person is he?"

"I can't define him," Yan paused, then continued, "He seems to know everything, and yet seems to know nothing at all. I simply can’t grasp what kind of person he is."

"Knows everything and yet knows nothing? What does that mean?" Liu Kuang was stunned. He had found Liu Pan enigmatic, but now Yan’s words were equally mystifying.

"He knows everything because, the first time he entered this space, he knew my name, knew of the existence of the Flame Dragon Tyrant Body Technique and the Nine Suns Blazing Heaven Blade Technique, knew I was waiting for someone with the Wild Flame bloodline, and even knew where that person could be found," Yan said, casting a glance at Liu Kuang before continuing, "But as for knowing nothing, that’s because despite his awareness of so many secrets, he doesn’t even know his own constitution or real age, and he needs me to guide him in cultivation."