Chapter 272: Seven Consecutive Victories, Eighth Match, Apostle of the God of Fire

The second day, 1:00 PM.

Ye Qiyan arrived at the new coordinates.

His opponent was a fire lizardman with six consecutive victories.

The rules remained one-on-one combat, but this time required equipping ranged weapons.

For ranged combat, Eve or The Hunt should have been the best choices.

But Ye Qiyan summoned the Scoundrel.

"Let's test your quality."

The Scoundrel emitted a monster roar completely unlike what a mechanical construct should produce.

The tall mechanical body stepped into the arena.

The lizardman using a fire crossbow stared blankly at the giant mech soldier before him, his previously disdainful expression toward the human Ye Qiyan instantly replaced by fear.

As the Guide announced the trial's beginning.

The Scoundrel's rotary cannons and small missile pods unleashed their firepower.

This lizardman actually had some skills, being much stronger than that shark-man.

Relying on his agile body and a burst flame acceleration state, he was ultimately smashed into pulp by the Scoundrel's single slap.

"Quite impressive, stronger than the shark."

The pulp became nourishment.

The victory streak count became two.

Over the next few days, Ye Qiyan consistently had the Scoundrel participate in battles. Seven days, seven consecutive victories, with his latest opponent being a giant monster with eleven consecutive wins.

Its strength was considerable, even reaching the point where the Scoundrel had to activate Berserk Mode and the God of Decay's Barrier to engage in a frenzied battle.

The final result was Ye Qiyan's victory streak reaching the number seven.

The eighth day.

"I say, what kind of opponent will I be matched with today? Last time it was already someone with eleven consecutive wins. Next, twelve wins? Aren't those with twelve consecutive wins supposed to leave this place?"

The Guide looked at him, nodding then shaking her head.

"Those who can leave are you train riders, not them."

"Entering this arena, aside from you wasteland travelers, there's only continuous advancement, entering higher-level arenas until reaching the Solar Corona level and meeting the Nether King, Lady Eris. Otherwise, there's absolutely no possibility of leaving."

"Only... you can leave."

The Guide's expression and tone had changed significantly compared to when they first met.

From the initial puppet-like woodenness to now being able to have extensive conversations with Ye Qiyan.

Moreover, this look in her eyes...

Ye Qiyan remembered where he had seen a similar gaze before.

The Smiling Face Person, the Guide from Forward Station.

Their looks when gazing at him were really similar.

Longing for liberation? Longing for... death? Or perhaps, longing to escape this place?

Ye Qiyan didn't ask this Guide about her thoughts.

If she truly needed help, then she should show sincerity, just like the Smiling Face Person did back then.

"So, where's my opponent today?"

The Guide recovered from her despondency, shaking the umbrella she had been carrying since the day of the Red Tears rain appeared.

An essentially identical arena rose from the ground.

She pointed to the other side.

A male Guide followed behind a human as they entered the arena.

The large screen instantly displayed both their information.

[Name: Ye Qiyan, Identity: Wasteland Traveler, Race: Human, Trials: 7/12]

[Name: Dilu, Identity: Apostle of the Ember God, Race: Human, Trials: 15/12]

This was actually a God's Apostle?

Moreover, his trial victory streak had actually exceeded 12, reaching 15?

What did this mean?

Ye Qiyan cast a questioning look toward the Guide.

She immediately explained:

"Entering the next level Lunar Heart Arena requires even greater strength. Some exceptionally powerful individuals choose to train more in the Stellar Core level arena, but most of them choose to sacrifice one summoned creature in a certain victory battle to end their streak and start over with one win."

"But someone like him who exceeds 12 matches yet refuses to enter the Lunar Heart level arena is aiming to enhance their strength further through continuous victories."

"The consequence of this is that he can only be matched against opponents who also choose continuous victory streaks, and he cannot use the method of sacrificing summoned creatures for life-or-death battles."

Ye Qiyan pointed at himself.

"I only have seven consecutive wins, right?"

"Mm, but you're strong, your summoned creatures are also very strong... Don't worry, you haven't exceeded 12 consecutive wins yet, and moreover you're a Train Conductor, a wasteland traveler, you can still use summoned creatures for battle."

"Let me remind you, this person is very powerful. I suggest you field that sword-wielding demon from that day."

The Guide spoke these words seriously.

Across from them, the God's Apostle covered in fiery red tattoos, with red seaweed-like hair, frowned while looking at the information on the screen.

"Seven consecutive wins? And a Train Conductor? He can actually be directly matched with me? Seems he has considerable strength, no wonder you had me choose to actively participate in trials today. Killing him and offering him as sacrifice to my God, I'll definitely qualify for Lunar Heart level combat power!"

The male Guide adjusted his glasses, his shifty-eyed appearance really resembling a rat.

He chuckled slyly, rubbing his hands together as he flattered Dilu:

"Of course, of course, Lord Dilu. When you reach the Lunar Heart level, I'll help you match with more suitable opponents until the day you become the strongest Apostle."

Ding ding—

The rules for this economy appeared.

[Can dispatch at most one person to battle, prohibited from using sword-type weapons]

As soon as these rules appeared, the Guide girl on Ye Qiyan's side immediately turned pale.

"H-how, how is this possible, such rules... Why? The other side doesn't even use sword-type weapons, this isn't fair!"

Ye Qiyan didn't react much, or rather, recently he had come to realize that this arena seemed to enjoy making battles more complicated.

But, hey.

It's just that swords can't be used. Even without the Tear-Engraving Sword, Red Tears still possesses powerful combat ability, and besides... he doesn't only have Red Tears as his demon.

"Since you're an Apostle, let's see who's more powerful between you and it."

"Gluttony."

His calm tone called to the Gluttony Demon in the Digestion Carriage, who was currently eating the kitchen waste Lisette had brought over.

The silvery-white slime mixed with azure light currents immediately separated a large portion that wriggled to Ye Qiyan's side.

It affectionately rubbed against Ye Qiyan's pants leg, as if proclaiming its loyalty~

"Transform."

The headless Goblin God's Apostle was transformed from its slime.

Wielding a long-handled hammer, carrying it on its shoulder.

Even without a head or face, it could still emit a bloodthirsty, brutal aura.

The moment this aura appeared, the Apostle of the Ember God standing opposite immediately changed expression dramatically.

"What is that? That's the aura of the highest level Apostle? No, how is that possible? How could that level of existence appear in a mere Stellar Core level arena?!!! I'll lose, I'll lose! I refuse this match, this isn't fair! The matching system has malfunctioned!"

Unfortunately.

It had already stepped onto the arena long ago.

Want to leave?

Too late~

Dong—

As the headless Apostle transformed by Gluttony arrived opposite it.

Accompanied by a bell sound.

The competition began.