The crowd erupted into cheers after seeing the decision and Manager Qiu bowed towards the top VIP box.
"As our Benefactors requests, release the beast!"
Two gates at the corner of the arena slowly rose as the anticipation filled the crowd. Cloudy mist fell from the black cells of the arena spilling across the ground.
Zhang Minghao sighed and sat back down in his seat, and Chen Jinshi grasped the ledge of his viewing platform in excitement.
Chen Jinshi even gave a nod of approval towards Liu Qinglan yet she ignored him.
Above them all Liu Qinglan looked at the raised gates with expectation. Slowly tapping her fingers sequentially on the railing of her VIP box as her vision narrowed on the openings.
In a place like the Black Tower, for the night, money could make you a god over the contestants. This is exactly what she wanted, what she yearned for.
Below towards the edge of the arena, Wu Tianfeng and the mortal both looked at one another. They were exhausted and covered in wounds.
Their weapons were broken and their drive to survive was waning.
An unwillingness filled their hearts, had they not done enough?
Wu Tianmo stood at the top of the arena with his gaze fixed on the gates, within them was something powerful. This was not a feeling a mere tier one beast could give off, this was something different.
The aura it gives off is even stronger than the initial tier two serpent beast within the Thousand Serpent Sect's mountain.
Dust scattered and from within emerged a large wolf, its black fur was covered in red markings and its teeth were stained crimson from the previous meal.
It's green eyes fixed on the remaining contestants as drool fell from its mouth. It walked through the open west side gate, dipping its head slightly in pain.
On top of its forehead a glowing branded symbol stood out.
Wu Tianmo recognized the wolf, it was the same breed he dealt with within the gorge. Except this one was a mid tier two demon.
Overall, it was much stronger than the one he ambushed within the gorge.
At the east side of the arena, the gate reeled open as a screech echoed from within drawing the eyes of the crowd.
The beast's head poked out of the opening revealing a large brown talon like beak covered in gray feathers.
The large avian beast, was an unknown. They were hard for lower tier cultivators to tame showing the lengths Manager Qiu went to procure it. To the vast majority in attendance, they had never faced avian beasts.
In the Blackwood Forest, they were rare. Or they were just deeper within, no one knew for certain.
Like the wolf, the avian had a large brand upon its forehead which glowed ever so slightly. Yet the brand laid across it's feathers without disturbing their flow. This brand was more spiritual than a fire based branding.
The beast resisted slightly, showing its reluctance to participate in its captors games.
Yet like all those in bondage, they eventually give into their reality. The brand illuminated and a sizzling sound could be heard from it.
The avian let out a eerie screech and took off into the air, flying around the edges of the arena. This revealed its large multi meter wingspan, a long slender neck, curved talon like beak and a wide back support by two clawed feet.
Wu Tianmo couldn't believe it.
How could they send two mid tier two beasts against two exhausted contestants... One a mortal, one a body reforging cultivator.
Wu Tianmo was ignorant, this wasn't a competition, it was slaughter.
On the opposite side of the arena the large black wolf leapt onto a boulder at the center then howled, sending chills throughout the viewers.
Surrounding them, stones embedded within the walls of the arena started to illuminate as a spiritual essence based wall began to manifest.
This was to protect the viewers from the clashes of the contestants and beasts yet it didn't obstruct their view. However it didn't just provide protection, it slowly started to shrink, forcing the two remaining contestants into the fight.
Liu Qinglan clapped excitedly and leaned over the ledge of her VIP box. Her face flushed and her hands trembling.
To her, this was peak entertainment.
The wall around the field got higher and higher, slowly starting to close from above.
A fierce killing intent filled Wu Tianmo, his hand trembled but was then comforted by the hilt of his sword.
It's now or never... Little green, let's save them.
Wu Tianmo built up refined qi at the base of his feet and released it, causing himself to be propelled above the center of the arena.
As he slowly started to descend mid air he drew his sword.
The wind blew through his snow white hair as his red eyes locked onto his target.
Falling Moon!
A crimson intent lined the sword sharpening it's edge considerably.
Then his refined Qi erupted from within him, enveloping the sword completely in blood colored qi.
This was the power of a Meridian Opening Realm who could empower their weapons.
The Avian beast looked up as a crimson covered blade was plunged into one of its wings sending it spiraling down into the center of the arena.
The beast smashed into the center following a terrifying screech, causing blood covered dirt to fly into the sky upon impact.
The crowd, which was originally cheering loudly went dead quiet.
Was this part of the festival? Who was this third fighter?
As the dust settled, it revealed the avian now impaled into the ground by Wu Tianmo's blade struggling to get up.
Nearly tearing off its own wing to escape.
He smirked and ripped his sword from the Avian's wing.
In one fluid sweeping rotational slash he swept through the slender neck of the Avian separating its head from its body.
The crowd cheered!
Manager Qiu stood above them all in the VIP box next to Liu Qinglan, they both were seething with anger.
This was unacceptable, to Manager Qiu this beast had been procured for a massive sum of cash only to be killed by this intruder! To Liu Qinglan her desired ending was ruined by an unknown cultivator.
"Wait... I recognize that brat."
Wu Tianfeng stood there shocked, finally he smiled,
"I knew you would show up."
He fell to his knees then onto the ground unconscious. Across his back was a massive wound which was oozing blood and pus.
Wu Tianmo quickly ran to him and covered him with his own crimson robe.
He looked nearby, surprisingly the mortal was still standing and in good shape.
The mortal looked at Tianmo with interest.
"You understand none of us will make it out of here alive, the Black Tower doesn't allow for disruptions. They will eradicate your family for this."
Wu Tianmo looked down at Wu Tianfeng,
"He is my family."