Imperial Arena, backstage lounge.

Sweat trickled down Kai Deng's face, gathering at the chin and dripping down in beads. Sitting on the bench, he gasped for breath, trying to adjust his breathing, his damp white short hair could be wrung out.

His upper body was only wrapped in bandages for support, the curves not very obvious, this was precisely the boss's A-package exchanged as home commodity.

Her chest heaved violently, drenched in sweat.

After two fierce battles, she managed to kill the opponents, but now she had to fight the final round of thirty-two to sixteen.

"This is going to be tough."

As a Netherworld Envoy, Kai Deng was extremely capable in direct combat, but being a thief, she excelled at stealth and surprise attacks. Her physique couldn't handle much more, especially in the Continent Martial Arts Competition filled with bizarre characters. The endurance was running low, she knew the last match was going to be quite risky.

The lounge provided free supplements from the organizers, but after downing two bottles, it was pure natural nutritional supplements, with no alchemy involved.

What's the use, dammit?

Frustrated, Kai Deng crushed the iron can with her hand.

She wasn't here to compete for the martial arts championship; this was the most important battle for her, as long as she could meet the Emperor tomorrow, everything would be negotiable.

Diaz's intelligence network was formidable, even when Kai Deng wanted to resign, she couldn't escape. Originally sent an envoy to observe what Kai Deng was up to, but upon discovering the underlying story, Diaz chose to assist fully instead.

Kai Deng gladly accepted.

Diaz, as a titan of the Underworld, had everything in the treasury, but the Stone Tablet Fragments were the hottest items, causing such a stir.

Alicia, a descendant of the Overlord, had no use to Diaz since the Thief Guild was a parasitic organization that had reached its peak and could not be transformed, potentially harming Liszt.

In the future, Kai Deng would soar in the Royal Court, having the top-tier connections in the Underworld, thriving in both realms, making her unstoppable.

But the most critical part was winning the upcoming battle in just over ten minutes.

Kai Deng originally thought winning the championship would be hard, reaching the top sixteen seemed easy. But with these bizarre contestants from all over the world in a round-robin battle, it became truly unbearable, nearing her limit.

In her current state, she'd definitely be brutally defeated if she stepped out.

Due to an earlier incident involving private duels, the main characters being Saleret and Kai Deng, to ensure the safety of contestants, there was Royal City Army protection for these two key figures.

But for a Netherworld Envoy, known for disguise abilities akin to a cheat, it wasn't a big problem.

"What's wrong, looking so defeated?"

A Netherworld Envoy, disguised as a Royal City Army officer, said to Kai Deng.

During a conversation with Kai Deng, they found out that in a chaotic situation where Saleret, the madman, indiscriminately slaughtered, the equipment used for dining, "nightingale," was lost.

This was equipment deemed a "Divine Artifact," something truly left by the Shadow Lady Nocturne in the Western Continent, offering terrifying stealth and disguise capabilities, transforming into any clothing, and providing the protection of night, significantly enhancing physical attributes when acting at night or in the shadows.

It's something that could completely evade detection and be brought into the tournament venue.

The Netherworld Envoy's current Royal City Army armor was also transformed by Nightingale, looking heavy and solid but actually lighter than scale armor, as light as a feather.

Diaz was never stingy with top-tier fighters.

"Damn it, you try fighting two consecutive matches, standing and talking is easy... I don't have time to chat."

Kai Deng opened another can of supplements, guzzling it down.

The Netherworld Envoy pondered for a while.

The first match was over, and the person called Divine Sword had already secured a spot in the finals.

Outside now, it was the second match, with Gray Wolf King Reksey fighting a Demon Swordsman from Pedan.

Reksey was also a renowned Hall-level Adventurer, a Werewolf from the Chenfeng Plateau.

The third match was a rare female duel, with Aran Sword King's first disciple, Valentina, against a female Dark Elf.

Xiao Long appeared to be a genteel gentleman, perceived as such by the general public, but among experts, especially those at odds with him, he was a notorious show-off. Coming to the martial arts competition had ulterior motives, intending to smack Sword King's face.

He even placed a charm on Valentina.

Then it was Kai Deng's turn in the fourth match, which was her ultimate battle.

Saleret was a mad dog, not letting go once it bit, incredibly powerful, with legendary tales from the past, no one had ever seen the true face beneath the Iron Mask, and none who had stared into the Ghost Eye survived.

From start to finish, he hadn't used his eyes, relying solely on his twin blades to carve through as if no one else existed.

Liszt couldn't be naive, with so many participants in the Continent Martial Arts Competition, he'd considered the scenario where Saleret didn't draw Kai Deng, which was a rare event before the finals, and indeed it turned out that way.

Tomorrow, people from the East Sea would surely cause some commotion, but it was impossible to predict for now; regardless, Kai Deng must make it into the top sixteen.

The Netherworld Envoy leaned close to Kai Deng's ear, "In just over ten minutes, it's your turn. You are in a dangerous state right now, and the odds of winning this match are low. Time is tight, so I'll take the risk of being exposed to poison your opponent now, with a delayed-action nerve toxin, so when you get into the ring, just maneuver a bit more, and take him down. The security on-site is very tight. I can't guarantee absolute success, and no matter the outcome, I'll be withdrawing temporarily and you'll be on your own afterwards."

Kai Deng adjusted her breathing, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, feeling much more relieved, "Then hurry up and do it."

The Netherworld Envoy clicked his tongue, "Diaz is always watching, you can't escape anywhere."

With that, wearing the Royal City Army armor, the Netherworld Envoy left Kai Deng's lounge heading toward her opponent's room.

Meanwhile.

Saleret's lounge.

Due to the previous private duel incidents actively initiated by Saleret, more Royal City Army personnel were assigned to "guard" him.

Previously Swan and Ben could sneak in, but today, with the mid-show rehearsal by those slick, flashy people, and many top figures arriving tomorrow, security became tighter, impossible to penetrate, keeping them out.

Only at the organizer-designated hotel tonight might they manage to have a word with Liszt.

Earlier this year, when Liszt attacked Doringger, Saleret originally planned to go all the way, helping Doringger hold the tower and safeguard the Overlord Descendant's secret.

Being the second-in-command at the Adventurer Guild Headquarters, the vice-president, he had been accused of murdering his entire family, it was Celeste who said she knew who framed him and would exonerate him.

He temporarily sided with them then, never thinking Doringger would actually die.

Celeste was from the Lostra Intelligence Bureau, the information she provided wouldn't be wrong, yet she had no vested interests with him, promising exoneration was a verbal agreement at the time.

Ultimately, it still depended on himself.

Liszt and Doringger were birds of a feather, not necessarily more virtuous than Doringger, only taking care of his kin to win him over.

Saleret had spent years in the East Sea, witnessing Chuan Che bringing out the Hall-level title in Duguli's Cloud Palace.

He wasn't trying to prove anything extraordinary; he simply wanted to reclaim what was lost.

"Heavenly Slaughter, Greenberg."

Saleret recited the name of the person he intended to kill later, which could be a ferocious battle; if he won, he could secure a ticket to the finals, completing Liszt's assigned task.

But that wasn't enough, he aimed to fight all the way to the top position.

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