Chapter 897 - 892: Fierce-eyed Lion

Chapter 897: Chapter 892: Fierce-eyed Lion

Bai Pu and the others’ illusionary gladiator outfits are quite interesting.

Gladiator outfits consist of only a piece of cowhide that protects the heart, fixed on the chest with crossed straps, and the lower body wearing only a ring-shaped leather battle skirt.

The gladiator’s cowhide chest plate bears the arena’s emblem.

For example, Bai Pu has the Blood Ring Arena’s circular blood drop emblem on the front, while the back features an enlarged version of the circular blood drop painted across his entire back.

The Rose Arena features a red flower design, and the Shadow Fang Arena has a black fang design.

This attire leaves the men’s chests, abs, back muscles, and thighs exposed.

Female gladiators have slightly more coverage, with an additional piece of raw cowhide resembling a bra.

Regardless of gender, gladiators’ skin is coated with olive oil, and every exertion reveals the muscular contours, inciting the audience’s primitive desires.

In the routine introduction segment, Bai Pu was arranged as the last Bronze Medal Gladiator introduced, surpassing the senior bronzes, and followed by the famous Silver Medal Gladiators.

Such efforts by the Blood Ring Arena evidently paid off, as many spectators, mainly women, excitedly pointed at Bai Pu and discussed.

"That new face! Look quickly at that man called ’Gangxin’ Dior!"

"Such enchanting physique! Truly a divine gift of a perfect body."

"I wonder if he’s brave enough, I want to throw my bouquet to him..."

Bai Pu’s Power and Endurance are special attributes, with roughly comparable Attribute Values (excluding equipment additional attributes), making his physique robust, well-defined, with a masculine aura. His gestures resemble Ancient Greek sculptures, full of strength and beauty.

Unfortunately, Celestial Human Attribute Points, as adjustable attributes, like equipment additional attributes, wouldn’t change Bai Pu’s physique.

Otherwise, if Bai Pu’s Three Physique Attributes were consistent, his build would be more symmetrical, and his Charm Value would be even higher.

Bai Pu saw the Rose Arena’s Great and Small Witches and exchanged privately in the team channel, as expected.

After the routine introduction segment, the arena administrator rang a human-sized bronze gong.

Gladiators formed pairs and entered the maze from different entrances!

...

Bai Pu, along with his roommate—the pirate leader Iron Spine Balrog, rushed into the maze.

"This maze is temporarily built, engraved with Magic Arrays to reinforce and isolate Spiritual Detection while prohibiting flying! You can only rely on memory, forcefully remembering the route to slowly deduce the correct path to the central high platform."

On the central high platform, preset Magic Traps await. The first gladiator to reach the platform can activate the Magic Trap using the flags taken along the way! Additionally, later-comers’ trap locations are visible to those ahead, so the sooner you reach the platform, the better.

"Roar!"

A deafening roar echoed at the corner, where a hungry male lion with glowing green eyes stared intently at Bai Pu and his companion.

"Hey, it’s a big one!"

Iron Spine Balrog reached behind, pulling from his spinal shell an Iron Blade Whip! Each section of the whip had sharp blades and barbed teeth, resembling a living centipede.

No wonder this guy is called "Iron Spine," as the iron shell on his back is his weapon!

Bai Pu’s eyes clearly reflected the attributes of the giant lion.

[Unknown (Elite Level 11)]

[Attributes: Power 300, Agility 210, Endurance 220, Spirit 50]

[Combat Power: 10140]

The giant lion pounced!

Swipe, Iron Spine Balrog’s Iron Blade Whip lashed out, cutting through air—the giant lion was afterimage!

The lion’s afterimage split into two, forming two lions on the left and right, slightly solidifying before pouncing again.

Balrog roared, turning his Iron Blade Whip into fast-moving whip shadows, unleashing a barrage that swept the lion shadows in.

[Storm Strangle]!

Yet, the two lion shadows shattered into pieces without disappearing!

The shadows multiplied, encircling Bai Pu and Balrog, snarling and advancing.

Balrog helplessly remarked to Bai Pu, "My lord, it seems I’ve screwed up..."

"It appears to be a lion versed in Mind and Illusion Mystical Arts... perhaps a kind of Demon Beast talent. All the lions we see are mere illusions. The real body has always remained hidden behind us."

Bai Pu grinned slightly, channeling Prismatic Demon Fighting Qi. The Prismatic Domain abruptly opened!

Surrounding lion phantoms burst apart one by one due to the continuous damage inflicted by Bai Pu’s Prismatic Domain!

Simultaneously, Bai Pu suddenly turned, thrusting his spear!

A blurred lion shadow, filled with unwilling roars, was pinned to the maze wall by the spear, gradually revealing its true form.

The lion had a blood-red eye on its forehead, three tails, bizarre and terrifying.

"It’s... it’s the Fierce-eyed Lion! A Demon Beast from the Lost Continent’s Hot Wind Plain, brought here unexpectedly!"

Iron Spine Balrog recognized the creature and laughed wickedly, "With the real body revealed, it’s easy. I’ll chop this beast into minced meat!"

"Stop. How many times have I told you?"

Bai Pu methodically stabbed, striking in the narrow maze realm, suppressed by the Prismatic Domain, making the Fierce-eyed Lion unable to use its talents and Mystical Arts, repeatedly inflicting bleeding wounds.

Iron Spine Balrog withdrew his weapon, replying reluctantly, "You said... any prey you’ve marked, you dislike it being snatched."

Soon, the Fierce-eyed Lion was severely wounded, limping with a blinded eye, retreating awkwardly.

Bai Pu followed the Fierce-eyed Lion, quickly locating its temporary nest within the maze—a triangular flag awaited.

Bai Pu stabbed the Fierce-eyed Lion to death with his spear, raised a hand, and the triangular flag flew into his grasp.

[You captured a Gladiator Battle Banner. You gained 200 Blood Ring Arena Reputation, 20 Blood Ring Arena Merit.]

Bai Pu tossed the battle banner to Balrog, then reached for the blue treasure chest left by the Fierce-eyed Lion, opening it.

—Natives can’t see the process of opening treasure chests.

With two draws, Bai Pu drew two items.

One was the Fierce-eyed Lion’s red vertical pupil, named [Evil Eye], an Alchemy Material.

Another was [Fierce-eyed Lion’s Hide], featuring small scales like fish scales, suggesting the creature, named a lion, may be amphibious.

Notably, [Fierce-eyed Lion’s Hide] is a base material for forging golden equipment, usable for creating tops or Leg Armor—of course, a clumsy craftsman might degrade the completed equipment to blue quality.