Cloudspire Coliseum was deathly silent.
Then the gong struck.
BOOM.
"First match!" the announcer's voice boomed across the clouds. "Lin Chen vs. Mo Tianyu of the Black Cloud Sect!"
Gasps echoed.
"Mo Tianyu? The Void Devourer?"
"He's top ten in the Spirit Realm rankings!"
On the platform, Mo Tianyu appeared in a swirl of black mist, crimson eyes glowing. "You're the one who buys power?"
"I prefer the term 'invests in excellence,'" Lin Chen replied casually, summoning a shimmering blade with currency symbols etched along the hilt.
[Ding! Arena Buff Activated: Limited Resources]
[Pay-to-Win Functions are restricted to Pre-Purchased Loadout only]
Lin Chen grinned. "Good thing I brought a shopping cart."
The duel began.
Mo Tianyu moved like a shadow, blinking across the stage with each pulse of his dark aura.
He swung his claws.
Lin Chen blocked effortlessly with his Paywall Edge—a sword that consumed enemy spiritual energy with each clash.
"Tired already?" Lin Chen smirked.
Mo Tianyu hissed and formed a vortex behind him. "Devour!"
A gravitational field erupted.
Lin Chen's robes rippled violently, but his feet didn't move.
[Ding! Auto-Counter Module Activated]
[Using Pre-Bought Skill: Gravity Refund Field]
The vortex reversed.
Mo Tianyu was flung backward like a ragdoll.
The crowd roared.
"He just reversed a devouring art?!"
"What kind of item does he have?!"
Up in the VIP stands, sect leaders exchanged grim looks.
"This boy must be eliminated."
Down below, Lin Chen pointed two fingers forward.
"Let's end this."
[Activating Final Pre-Purchase: Soul Severance Token]
[Effect: Ignores defenses. Ends duel in one strike. Cooldown: One use per tournament] (｡>∀<｡)
A golden rune burst forth, slicing through Mo Tianyu's defenses like paper.
He collapsed, unconscious.
The entire arena fell silent.
Then erupted into deafening cheers.
[Ding! Victory Registered]
[Public Favor: +580,000]
[Arena Ranking: Advanced to Top 16]
Lin Chen turned and left the stage as if nothing happened.
Commentators screamed.
"Pay-to-Win Cultivator just bought his way into legend!"
In the shadows, an assassin cult master watched him go.
"New bounty. Lin Chen. Kill on sight."
Backstage, Xue Qinghan waited, arms crossed. "Showy."
"But effective," Lin Chen replied, handing her a chilled lotus tea. "Want to co-op next round?"
She hesitated.
Then took the cup.
[Affinity +5 (Now 40/100)]
Lin Chen smiled to himself.
The crowd outside still chanted his name.
And this was only the beginning.
—End of Chapter 10—