NOVEL WEB Chapter 11: No weapons
The old soul burst into laughter, a sound so full of excitement that it seemed to echo across the spiritual arena.
"Hahaha! Look at that, kid! Look at him! That saber cultivator is a true warrior! Did you see how he stood there, unwavering, even as the beast charged at him with all its might? And that final strike—oh, what precision! What courage! What spirit!"
He continued to rave, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm.
"This is what it means to be alive, kid! To face insurmountable odds, to bleed, to fight, to endure! That cultivator didn't back down even when his arm was torn off!
"He poured every ounce of his strength, every bit of his soul, into that saber! And he didn't just fight; he conquered! Hahaha! Now that's what I call living!"
The old soul went on, his voice rising with every sentence.
"You think he cared about the pain? About the odds? No! He only cared about the fight! About proving himself, about showing the world what he's made of!
"That's the kind of determination you need, kid! That's what I want to see in you! To face life head-on, without hesitation or doubt! To embrace the challenge, no matter how impossible it seems!"
Wei Jin remained silent, his expression unreadable.
But the old soul wasn't done. He turned his focus back to Wei Jin, his voice now laden with a sternness that wasn't there before.
"And you, kid—don't even think about running away from this lesson. Look at him! That saber cultivator didn't waste his time gambling or scheming! He stepped into the arena, faced his fears, and fought with everything he had!
"There's honor in that! There's pride in that! Fighting beasts in the arena is ten times better than throwing your life away at a gambling table! You win in here, you earn respect.
"You lose, you still gain experience. But gambling? It's a fool's game! A trap! You'll lose everything and gain nothing!"
The old soul's speech continued, growing more intense by the second.
"This is the path of a true cultivator—to test your strength, to challenge yourself against the unknown, to rise above your limits! Gambling is a coward's way out! It's for those who lack the guts to fight, who fear defeat!
"But you, kid—you're better than that! I won't let you waste your life on pointless risks! Get in that arena and show the world what you're made of!"
Wei Jin blinked, momentarily speechless. Then, with a faint smirk tugging at his lips, he replied, "I'll do both."
The old soul froze, his ethereal form flickering slightly as he tried to process what he'd just heard. "What? Both? What do you mean, both?"
Without waiting for the old soul to recover, Wei Jin turned to the attendant standing beside him. "How do I participate in this? I want to fight beasts too."
The attendant, who had been silently observing the young master of the Wei Family, seemed completely unfazed.
It wasn't uncommon for members of the ruling families to step into the arena, whether to prove their strength, seek glory, or simply entertain themselves.
With a polite bow, the attendant replied, "Of course, young sir. Many from the younger generation of ruling families have participated in the Grand Beast Hall's challenges. Please, follow me."
He gestured for Wei Jin to follow, his demeanor professional and composed.
The old soul, finally recovering from his shock, sputtered, "Kid! Did you not hear a single word I said? Both?! Are you insane?!"
But Wei Jin didn't respond and followed the attendant quietly.
The attendant led Wei Jin down a grand corridor adorned with intricate carvings of legendary battles between cultivators and savage beasts.
The atmosphere was charged with energy, the faint hum of spiritual arrays woven into the walls adding a layer of mystique to the place.
Massive lanterns, glowing with a soft, ethereal light, hung from the ceiling, casting flickering shadows that seemed to dance with the tension in the air.
The corridor opened up into the registration area—a sprawling hall that buzzed with activity.
Rows of wooden desks, weathered with age but still sturdy, lined the space.
Behind each desk sat a registrar, their robes denoting their roles within the Grand Beast Hall.
Some were old, their faces etched with wisdom and experience, while others were younger, their eyes sharp and calculating as they processed participants.
The air was filled with murmurs of conversation, the rustling of paper talismans, and the occasional roar of a beast echoing from the arena beyond.
Dozens of cultivators were scattered around the hall, their appearances as diverse as their cultivation paths.
Some were draped in luxurious robes, their wealth and status evident, while others wore simpler garb, their hardened expressions revealing lives forged through struggle.
A few were surrounded by entourages, advisors whispering strategies, while others stood alone, their auras radiating quiet confidence.
Wei Jin approached the main desk, where an older man with a long, flowing beard sat. His eyes, sharp and discerning, scanned Wei Jin from head to toe.
Despite the bustling activity around him, the registrar exuded an air of calm authority.
The old man gestured for Wei Jin to step forward. "Young sir of the Wei Family, is it?" he asked, his tone respectful but not overly deferential. "What brings you to the Grand Beast Hall today?"
Wei Jin's gaze remained steady. "I wish to participate in the arena challenges," he said, his voice calm and composed.
The registrar nodded, pulling out a large, parchment-bound ledger. He dipped a brush into a pot of spiritual ink and began jotting down details.
"Very well. We'll need a few details from you first. Let's start with the basics: what realm of beasts would you like to face?"
Wei Jin paused for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "I want to fight beasts of the same realm as mine," he said evenly.
A hush fell over the nearby registrants, and even the murmurs in the background seemed to quiet. The registrar raised an eyebrow, his brush hovering above the parchment.
"The same realm? You do realize, young sir, that savage beasts are naturally stronger than cultivators of the same realm? Their physical attributes alone can overwhelm many participants."
Wei Jin's expression didn't waver. "I am aware," he replied simply.
The registrar exchanged a glance with his assistant, a younger woman who looked equally surprised.
She whispered something under her breath, but the older man waved her off and continued his questioning. "Very well. And what weapons will you be using? Saber? Spear? Perhaps spiritual artifacts?"
Wei Jin's response was immediate, his tone unshaken. "None. I will fight barehanded."
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.
The registrar froze mid-motion, his brush slipping slightly on the parchment. He stared at Wei Jin as if he hadn't heard him correctly. "Barehanded? Are you certain, young sir?"
A ripple of shock spread through the hall. Cultivators nearby who had been preoccupied with their own preparations turned to look at Wei Jin, their faces a mix of disbelief and intrigue. Murmurs erupted among the crowd.
"Barehanded? Is he insane?"
"Does he think he's a martial arts prodigy? Who fights beasts barehanded?"
"Even spiritual body cultivators use gauntlets or bracers for protection!"
The old soul, who had been floating silently beside Wei Jin, burst into laughter. "Kid, you're something else! Barehanded against savage beasts? You're either incredibly brave or completely crazy! I love it!"
Wei Jin remained unfazed by the growing commotion around him. His gaze stayed locked on the registrar, who finally regained his composure.
The older man cleared his throat, his voice now tinged with caution. "I must remind you, young sir, that fighting barehanded against beasts is exceedingly dangerous. Few cultivators have succeeded in such endeavors."
Wei Jin's lips curved into a faint smile. "I am aware of the risks. Proceed with the registration."
The registrar hesitated for a moment before nodding. He dipped his brush once more and wrote down the details with a solemn expression. "Very well. I will prepare the necessary arrangements. May the heavens favor your bravery, young sir."
As the registrar finalized the registration, the murmurs in the hall persisted, with many cultivators casting curious glances at Wei Jin.
The attendant, who had been silently observing, finally spoke up, his tone respectful. "Young sir, your resolve is admirable. Please, follow me to the preparation area."
Wei Jin nodded, his expression calm and resolute. The old soul floated alongside him, still chuckling. "Kid, this is going to be interesting. Let's see if your fists can really match a beast's fangs and claws!"