The time came to the next day.
August 8th, 2:00 PM.
The lobby on the first floor of Heavens Arena was bustling with people, more crowded than usual.
A huge electronic screen scrolled with the main event of the night — 'White Robe' Kastro VS 'Magician' Hisoka, the Peak showdown between two Floor Masters.
On the poster, photos of the two were displayed side by side: one in white robes with a gentle smile; the other with clown makeup, a perverted grin hanging at the corner of his mouth.
Below, the match time was marked in gilded letters, less than two hours away.
Leo and Kalluto passed through the light door, appearing inside his exclusive Floor Master room.
The light door slowly dissipated behind them. Without stopping, the two walked out of the room and headed straight for the elevator.
The elevator doors opened on the 235th floor. The lobby was filled with a cacophony of voices.
Audiences dressed in all sorts of clothes were everywhere, gathered in small groups, excitedly discussing the same thing.
"The showdown between White Robe Kastro and Magician Hisoka, I can't wait!"
"I heard that after losing to Hisoka, Kastro trained hard for over a year, just to defeat him."
"Mr. Kastro fought his way to the Floor Master position with a continuous winning streak. Could someone that strong even have a master? How powerful would that person be!"
"I wonder who it is..."
Leo and Kalluto followed behind the crowd.
Hearing these discussions, a smile tugged uncontrollably at the corners of Leo's mouth. He felt a secret sense of satisfaction inside.
Kalluto turned to look at Leo, lowering his voice to ask.
"Kastro is your disciple, right?"
Leo nodded, not speaking.
But his footsteps became a bit lighter than before.
On the 235th-floor arena, the spectator stands were roaring with noise, like a rolling tidal wave, completely igniting the massive coliseum.
The air was scorched by the sound waves and heat, almost smelling of gunpowder.
Spotlights shone on the center of the ring, illuminating every inch of the ground as bright as day.
The huge electronic screen scrolled with photos and records of the two fighters. The commentator's voice, broadcast through speakers, reached every corner, as excited as if he were fighting on stage himself.
Leo and Kalluto made their way through the crowd and found their seats.
Sophia, Shizuku, and Goreinu were already there. The three sat in a row, and upon seeing Leo and Kalluto, they shifted to make room.
Goreinu leaned over, lowering his voice to ask.
"All taken care of?"
Leo nodded, saying no more.
He didn't want too many people to know about Liam's matter for now.
Sophia didn't press further either. She was more concerned about something else.
"Master, can Kastro win against Hisoka?"
Her eyes held both anticipation and worry.
Shizuku also turned to look at Leo, adjusted her glasses, and waited quietly for an answer.
Leo pondered for a moment.
"About a fifty percent chance. As long as Kastro doesn't let Hisoka lead him by the nose, there's still good hope."
He paused, his gaze falling on the ring.
"Hisoka is best at misleading people, drawing enemies into his own rhythm. One of his abilities is called 'Texture Surprise,' which can mimic the texture of various objects. Kastro must frequently use 'Gyo' during the fight. If he fails to notice Hisoka's deliberate concealment, he'll fall into a passive position."
He glanced at Sophia.
Sophia nodded, seeming to understand somewhat.
Goreinu also nodded, though he didn't fully understand either, but he trusted Leo's judgment.
Shizuku adjusted her glasses, not speaking, but her gaze was already fixed on the ring.
The commentator stood on a high platform, shouting into the microphone.
"Look! The venue is packed, friends! Just fifteen minutes left until this fated battle begins, and the place is already full!"
"This is a dream match, a duel between two Floor Masters! Who will have the last laugh? Let's wait and see!"
The giant screen scrolled with commentary subtitles. Cheers from the stands rose wave after wave.
Leo and the others sat quietly in the spectator stands, looking down at the ring below.
Time ticked by, and the surrounding clamor grew increasingly intense.
When the countdown hit zero—
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Sharp bell chimes shattered the noise, instantly igniting the final frenzy of the arena.
Spotlights shone on both ends of the ring. Two figures emerged from the fighter entrances.
Kastro wore a neat white martial arts uniform, his steps steady, his gaze calm.
His hair was a bit shorter than it was over a year ago, making him look more refined and capable.
He walked to the center of the ring, stood still, and fixed his gaze on the opposite side.
Hisoka walked out from the other side.
He wore a deep purple bodysuit, his facial makeup more elaborate than usual, the stars and teardrops perfectly symmetrical.
His steps were coquettish, as if walking a runway, but in those golden pupils burned a fire suppressed for far too long.
The two stood facing each other, a few meters apart.
"Alright—!! The fight! Is about to begin—!!"
The commentator shouted.
Kastro looked at Hisoka, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
That smile wasn't mockery, nor provocation. It was gratitude.
"Hisoka, thank you."
Hisoka tilted his head, a perverted smile spreading across his face, a playing card flipping between his fingers.
"Hmm~ ♦?"
"Without your 'baptism' back then, I wouldn't have Awakened to Qi, nor would I have met my life's most important mentor, Mr. Leo."
Hisoka's eyes narrowed slightly. He licked his lips.
"Hmm ♦ I just wonder how much you've learned from Leo. I'm so looking forward to it ♦"
A gleam flashed in Kastro's eyes, his voice lowering.
"You'll see, Hisoka. Even though we fought side by side before, I haven't forgotten that punch, and I won't hold back!"
Hisoka slowly ran his tongue over his upper lip, a low, excited chuckle escaping his throat.
"Is that so? Come on then, I can't wait any longer~ ♦"
"This match uses the point knockdown system! No time limit, one move decides victory!"
"Begin!"
After the referee finished explaining, his arm swung down sharply!
Before the words faded, Kastro's figure had already transformed into a white blur, shooting forward!
No probing, no superfluous feints. A fist brimming with power and speed tore through the air, aiming straight for Hisoka's face!
The smile on Hisoka's face didn't fade. His head jerked backward.
The fist wind brushed past the tip of his nose, stirring a few strands of red hair.
The punch missed, but Kastro didn't retract his force.
His right fist continued pushing forward while his core suddenly exerted power.
Pivoting on his right fist, his entire body spun like a top — his left elbow swept sideways, aiming for Hisoka's temple!
Hisoka's pupils reflected the rapidly enlarging tip of the elbow.
He pushed off the ground with his feet, his right arm swiftly extending, fist clenched, striking at Kastro's jaw!
This was a counterattack.
And also a trap — if Kastro continued his pursuit, he'd run right into Hisoka's fist.
Kastro displayed the strength cultivated through his training.
His spin stopped abruptly after completing a hundred and eighty degrees. His left foot planted firmly on the ground as if nailed to the ring.
Hisoka's counter-punch swept past his face, the fist wind brushing his hair.
Simultaneously, using his left foot as the pivot, Kastro's waist powerfully twisted. His right leg swept out with a sharp whistling sound!
The target: Hisoka's chest and abdomen!
Hisoka was mid-air, leaning back, unable to dodge.
He quickly crossed his arms in front of his chest, solidly taking the kick.
Thud—!
Kastro's shin bone solidly smashed into Hisoka's forearm.
Hisoka's expression changed slightly.
The immense impact force prevented him from dispersing it. He was kicked backward, sliding three or four steps before barely stabilizing, his shoe soles grinding two white marks on the ring floor.
"Clean Hit! Kastro takes the first point!"
The referee announced loudly, pointing his arm towards Kastro.
"Wow—!! Clean and neat! Mr. Kastro takes the initiative! Secures the first point of the match!!"
The commentator roared excitedly. The spectator stands erupted with earth-shaking cheers.
Countless people stood up from their seats, waving their fists and screaming.
"So beautiful! That kick! Kastro!"
"Hisoka was kicked flying! Oh my god!"
"White Robe! White Robe! White Robe!"
Mountainous and oceanic shouts converged into a single name.
But Kastro paid no attention.
The moment Hisoka steadied himself, Kastro had already circled to his blind spot.
A fist condensed with Qi smashed towards Hisoka's back!
A critical moment!
The corner of Hisoka's mouth curled into a mysterious arc.
The rubber silently attached to the soles of his feet — Bungee Gum — suddenly contracted.
Its powerful stickiness and elasticity yanked his body sideways by a meter in an instant.
Kastro's heavy punch brushed past the hem of Hisoka's clothes, hitting empty air and stirring up a wave of Qi.
He didn't pursue. Landing and standing firm, his breath steady, he looked calmly at Hisoka.
"Hisoka, this point is just the beginning."
Hisoka patted the wrinkles on his clothes, then straightened up. Far from being annoyed, he let out a pleased, light chuckle.
He extended a finger, pointing at Kastro's face.
"Hmm ♦ Not bad at all! Worthy of making me wait so long. I'm so happy!"
As he spoke, his fingertip moved almost imperceptibly.
Kastro's eyes instantly covered themselves with 'Gyo,' while he subtly shifted his posture and tilted his head.
Whoosh—!
A transparent strand of Bungee Gum, perfectly concealed by 'In,' narrowly grazed past his eyes!
The sneak attack missed!