The second-floor stands were reserved for only the most prominent figures in the Dark World.

After all, throughout history, those in high positions have always enjoyed looking down from above.

Behind the black curtain, Miss Lan seemed to smile faintly, her tone leisurely and pleased. "After watching for over two months, today's match finally had something worth seeing. Sister Yue Ji, Butcher, what are your thoughts?"

The Butcher scratched his head and turned to look at the boss.

After a brief silence, Moon Princess spoke softly, "Very strong."

"When even Sister Yue Ji says so?"

Miss Lan chuckled. "Then perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to make a friendly connection. Third Master, who is he?"

Mr. Liu raised his hand, and a bodyguard immediately placed a tablet in his hands.

"Gu Ting. Seventeen years old. First Order Divine Officer. A menial worker at a Treasure Appraisal Shop."

He swore with a laugh. "He's already proficient with Dark Shock, and he's still just First Order? Well, I suppose that's normal. Anyone in the Dark World who can't hide themselves well doesn't survive long."

Miss Lan smirked subtly. "That's not what I was referring to."

Mr. Liu raised an eyebrow, turning to her. "Oh?"

Miss Lan said coolly, "What I mean is, he doesn't seem particularly interested in money. Quite a character, wouldn't you say? Such people are either without desires entirely—or they're extraordinarily ambitious. Try giving him a Golden Card."

Mr. Liu made a sound of acknowledgment. "Yue... wait, Butcher, where's Miss Moon Princess?"

On the stands, Moon Princess was nowhere to be seen.

Only the Butcher remained, scratching his head as he said, "No idea—like you don't already know she's on the Ghost Slayer Path. Always coming and going like a ghost. Who could ever tell when she leaves?"

But as her long-time partner, the brute could sense that the boss's attention had been drawn to that young man.

After all, throughout the match, Moon Princess had fixed her gaze on the youth, never sparing a glance for anyone else.

Mr. Liu thought for a moment. "Alright then."

"Mr. Zhu, Boss Zhang, the matches are over for today."

He chuckled, his face like a smiling Buddha. "Would either of you care to stay for a drink?"

Boss Zhang gave an awkward laugh, muttered something about being busy, and quickly left.

Oddly, even though Zhu Cheng had won the match, his expression was sour as he too made a hurried exit.

Mr. Liu clasped his hands behind his back, his regretful smile almost comical. "A bunch of second-rate talents, all of them. These matches are getting duller and duller. I'm looking for talents comparable to the Ether Association's Omega Sequence geniuses. What are these clowns supposed to be?"

The Butcher scratched his head. "Third Master, then why keep hosting these fights?"

"You don't understand—it's a tradition of the Dark World. The very first king of the Dark World, many years ago, rose to power through underground brawls. Well, back then it wasn't called underground boxing; they referred to it as Beast Fighting."

Mr. Liu waved dismissively. "Ning Chen, go meet the newcomer for me."

From the corner emerged a lethargic young man, yawning as he replied, "Sure, boss."

Mr. Liu suddenly added, "Oh, and fetch an alchemy weapon from the warehouse. Hmm… one of the ones Miss Lan crafted. Let's not be as stingy as the Association."

Ning Chen yawned again. "Alright, got it..."

·

·

As Gu Jianlin stepped down from the ring, everyone who saw him instinctively moved aside, clearing a path.

In the Forbidden Zone, human life held no value, and there were no rules to stop someone from killing you. Here, the one with the stronger fists was always in the right. No one dared provoke a man ruthless enough to defeat a Mutant barehanded.

How quickly the tables had turned.

Gu Jianlin still remembered the way they had looked at him when watching the Beast Fighting earlier. To them, both humans and Mutants alike were just animals, struggling for survival in a cage, objects of their condescension.

As though the cage itself gave them all the safety they needed.

But when he emerged alive from the ring, their gazes shifted.

Fear. Caution. Flattery. Unease.

The shift in status and identity was staggering.

Whether you deserved respect was entirely dependent on your strength.

This was the Dark World.

Suddenly, a butler in a black suit approached with a smile. "Mr. Gu, Third Master Liu invites you upstairs for a private chat. He also has a gift prepared for you."

"Alright."

Gu Jianlin nodded slightly. Of course, the reason he had stepped into the ring wasn't just to stand up against injustice—but also to showcase a hint of his strength and gain access to the upper echelons of the Forbidden Zone.

With his talent, this was a simple task.

"This way, please."

The butler led him to the second floor and into a private guest room.

The room's décor was quite exquisite. Though it was merely an underground bar in the black market, it had the atmosphere of a nightclub. The entire design resembled a crystal palace—decadent and indulgent.

On a crimson plush sofa sat a smiling, portly man, holding two Bunny Girls in each arm.

One Bunny Girl was feeding him wine, while the other peeled grapes and placed them in his mouth.

In the corner, the drowsy young man was still yawning.

"Ah, you're here?"

When Mr. Liu saw the young man enter, his eyes, narrowed into slits, gleamed briefly with an elusive light. He said with a grin, "Not bad, not bad. I was very satisfied with today's Beast Fighting. You've got potential, kid—though your combat technique is average, to say the least. Or rather, you have none at all. But your Extraordinary Ability is solid, and that money-throwing move at the end? Stylish."