Infinite flow, but I submit myself

The stairs leading to the arena spiraled upward endlessly, at least up to this point, Tang Mo Bai hadn’t seen the top of the tower. Of course, he hadn’t truly explored the bottom either.

The arena was possibly the largest space they had encountered since arriving. It resembled a true Roman Colosseum, with tiered seating around the entire perimeter, and at the center were several separated stages.

What was even more surprising was that the sky above the arena was visible. In the night sky, a blood-red moon hung ominously in the center, casting an eerie reddish glow over the bloodstained gladiatorial battle below.

It felt like a gruesome homage to bloodshed.

Every time a combatant was knocked down, blood spurting as they fought to the death, the crowd would roar with cheers and applause, as if they were watching an exquisite theatrical performance.

This scene, so far removed from the peaceful society Tang Mo Bai was accustomed to, made him feel uneasy.

Deville, who had left earlier, was now fighting in one of the arenas. Unlike his silent and withdrawn demeanor from last night, in the arena, he was like a wild beast on the hunt. Each punch he threw was accompanied by the splatter of blood, reminiscent of a lion tearing into its prey. The cheers from the audience in his arena were the loudest. Tang Mo Bai only glanced once before instinctively looking away.

“Are there really this many people here?” Xiu Wei Yi asked in surprise.

Though the tower had plenty of space with various areas, the sheer number of people in the audience seemed excessive—at least a few thousand. Were they all members of the revival games?

No, something felt off…

Tang Mo Bai noticed something unusual about the people in the audience. They seemed… translucent.

To test his hypothesis, he picked up a small stone from the ground and threw it into the crowd. All the eyes in the audience followed the stone’s path, but the stone passed right through their bodies.

“They’re just part of the backdrop, or a way to create atmosphere,” 009 dismissed his actions and faced the group. “The arena has different types of battles: regular combat, betting battles, and death matches.”

“In regular combat, no weapons are allowed. Betting battles are the same, but both sides must stake an equal wager. In death matches, any means are allowed to kill the opponent, and the match ends only when one side dies.”

“The rewards for regular combat are not fixed. The more spectacular your performance, the more viewers you attract, and the more soul coins you’ll earn… Choose your opponents wisely. You’ve seen the rules: for the next three days, the older participants can’t challenge you. That means you have three days to adjust, and during these three days, you’ll have one unrefusable challenge per day.”

“Lastly, you have one free healing opportunity each day for the first three days.”

Upon hearing this, those who had been injured the previous night visibly relaxed, while Tang Mo Bai felt a pang of regret.

But soon, 009 produced something that drew everyone’s attention. It looked very much like a health potion from a game. With just a small bottle, most of the injuries healed, leaving only minor ones that didn’t hinder movement.

The healing efficiency was… astonishing.

The experts outside saw this scene, their eyes burning with interest. The specially invited scientists looked as if they wanted to jump right into the game and observe the miraculous item firsthand.

If this could be replicated in the real world, the potential for treating injuries would be terrifying.

“Everyone, calm down,” Wang Yuan Zhi had to advise the older doctors. “Our people aren’t completely safe yet, let alone having the luxury to focus on acquiring these items.”

“We know, we know,” the scientists replied, clearly aware that they couldn’t take risks for the sake of immediate gain, but they were still disappointed, quickly jotting down their observations and risk assessments.

This wasn’t unusual. Just as there were those eager to explore the infinite-platform concept, there would always be opposing views. Human conflict is inevitable everywhere. As Wang Yuan Zhi watched, a slight smile appeared on his face.

After healing everyone, 009 turned and walked toward the audience seating, clearly signaling that his job was done for the day and no more information would be shared.

The remaining group, including Tang Mo Bai, stood in place for a moment, unsure of what to do next. But soon, someone reacted and used their first unrefusable challenge to pick a fight with someone nearby, especially with those who seemed weaker. It was almost a replay of the earlier scene when they had to choose their living quarters.

“Let’s go!” Xiu Wei Yi, still stunned, was quickly pulled by Tang Mo Bai, who led him out of the crowd and away from the dangerous place.

After running some distance, the two stopped, panting. Xiu Wei Yi gasped, “Thank… thank you.”

In truth, Tang Mo Bai didn’t have to run. As the only one without a team of heavily-armed companions, others were quite wary of him, not daring to challenge him. But Xiu Wei Yi didn’t have the same luck…

“It’s nothing. It’s just a small favor. Besides, you saved me in the last instance, didn’t you?”

Xiu Wei Yi forced a weak smile, “Yeah, we barely made it out of the last instance…”

But then, he suddenly fell silent. “What should we do now?”

Though they had temporarily escaped the arena, inevitable challenges awaited them. Especially considering 009’s statement, if they didn’t earn five soul coins by the end of the first day, they would be dead by tonight.

And they couldn’t just avoid eating forever. While their living space could still be managed with the accommodations from last night, going without food for more than a day would drastically weaken their combat abilities. In the end, it would only lead to slow, inevitable death. So today, they had to earn not just five soul coins.

But the problem was—how many soul coins would they earn from winning a fight? 009’s explanation had been vague. Was there some trick behind this?

As he thought about it, Tang Mo Bai recalled the comments in the live chat earlier, particularly the ones mentioning “bets.” Could this be linked to…

Should they find a place to ask about the real world? But since no one had volunteered information in the broadcast, perhaps that meant even knowing that information wouldn’t be particularly helpful.

Tang Mo Bai was still hesitating when a voice suddenly interrupted.

“Why not take this opportunity to earn your first pot of gold? Most of the new arrivals probably haven’t figured things out yet. If you use your rookie privileges, you should be able to easily pick an opponent that suits you.”

“Of course, keeping your privileges until after the first batch of ‘testers’ has fought their opponents, like hyenas feeding on the leftovers of the successful, is a smart choice too. Even though rookies get a free daily healing, their confidence will likely be shattered, and those with some strength will probably be whittled down to nothing. It will be a good opportunity to harvest the survivors.”

Tang Mo Bai and Xiu Wei Yi turned toward the source of the voice, finding a black-haired young man speaking. His straight black hair fell neatly, with bangs forming a subtle M-shape. On the right side of his face, a few strands of hair were braided, revealing his handsome features. He wore frameless glasses perched on his sharp nose.

“Nice to meet you. You can call me Yan Wuzhen, an information dealer. Apologies for interrupting your conversation, but I think I might be able to offer a little help.”

Tang Mo Bai blinked. “Is it free?”

“If I said it was free, you probably wouldn’t believe me,” Yan Wuzhen winked, looking innocent and harmless. “Of course, it’s not free, but don’t worry. My pricing is quite flexible.”

“Then forget it,” Tang Mo Bai shrugged. “We don’t have any soul coins. You could say we’re broke.”

“You’re broke now, but that might not always be the case. And besides, there are other forms of trade,” Yan Wuzhen smiled and extended his hand toward himd. “At least, we could be friends, right?”

Tang Mo Bai glanced at him, then extended his hand to shake. But just as he was about to let go, he froze.

It felt as though his palm had been scratched.

Yan Wuzhen released his hand first, turned, and walked toward the restroom without a glance back. Tang Mo Bai subtly checked his palm, then grabbed Xiu Wei Yi and followed.

“What’s wrong?” Xiu Wei Yi asked, puzzled.

“Nothing… Do you need to use the restroom?” Tang Mo Bai asked, already pulling him toward the men’s room.

Yan Wuzhen was standing at the farthest end of the restroom. He didn’t react when they entered, continuing to zip up his pants.

Xiu Wei Yi’s pupils dilated. “Wait, hold on, are you saying ‘other forms of trade’ is this? I’m not into this…”

Before he could finish, he saw Tang Mo Bai taking off his pants as well.

Xiu Wei Yi: Wait, brother, what is going on?

It felt like being surrounded by male companions (sigh).

“Quit talking and hurry up!” Tang Mo Bai quickly pulled Xiu Wei Yi’s pants down. Xiu Wei Yi resisted with all his might but was blocked by Yan Wuzhen. “We’re in this together now. Let’s just be honest.”

“No, please!” Xiu Wei Yi cried, as someone had approached the door and overheard their conversation. Without hesitation, they turned and left, avoiding the situation.

Xiu Wei Yi, unable to resist the force of the two, instinctively covered himself, but Yan Wuzhen sneered. “It’s nothing special. What are you trying to hide?”

Hearing this, any man would be unable to take it. Xiu Wei Yi immediately dropped his hand. “Is yours something to show off?”

Yan Wuzhen let him look, grinning as he turned away.

Damn it, he did have something to show off!

Tang Mo Bai’s pupils shrank, but he stubbornly argued, “It doesn’t count unless it’s up.”

“Hah, why would I bother with two smelly guys?” Yan Wuzhen snorted.

“Are you incapable?”

“Ridiculous. Do you think I’d fall for such childish provocation?”

“Are you incapable?”

Yan Wuzhen’s forehead twitched, and he immediately started moving his hands. “Five minutes. Whoever doesn’t get up within five minutes is the impotent one!”

Tang Mo Bai: “Challenge accepted!”

Xiu Wei Yi: “This is not a good idea.”

Someone who had earlier turned away from the restroom, seeing the three of them in such a bizarre standoff, glanced at them, then quickly turned around. “Let’s use another restroom.”

In an instant, the three of them resumed calm, standing in line, pretending to be using the urinals. Yan Wuzhen’s face was expressionless, but he began to wonder if choosing to make a deal with these people was truly wise.

Xiu Wei Yi, exhausted, mumbled, “So, what are we doing here? I can’t even pee anymore.”

“Live streams block public restrooms, as long as you maintain the ‘restroom’ state,” Yan Wuzhen said wearily, still sticking with it. “Some information can’t be shared directly in the stream.”

“But we don’t have any soul coins to pay for your info. We can’t even afford the oil lamp tonight.”

“So…” Yan Wuzhen smiled slightly, “I’m investing in your future.”

Tang Mo Bai and Xiu Wei Yi blinked. “What’s that?”

Yan Wuzhen narrowed his eyes. “You’ve never heard of the Devil’s Casino?”

Tang Mo Bai and Xiu Wei Yi: “…What’s that?”

Yan Wuzhen stared at Tang Mo Bai’s face. “You don’t know?”

“No.”

Yan Wuzhen squinted. “Alright, to put it simply, it’s a large casino run within the confines of the Lost Paradise. There are many different gambling events, but one of the most popular among lower-tier participants is the Demon Arena.”

At that moment, Tang Mo Bai immediately connected the earlier chat mentions of “betting” to this. “So the reason for the increase in viewers in the livestream is because they are betting on us?”

Yan Wuzhen grinned. “Exactly. Just like in real-life sports betting, people always research the team’s odds of winning, study their past performances…”

“You guys must have been attacked by some of the older players when you first arrived here. Did they pressure you into signing a contract for a gladiatorial match in three days as compensation?”

Xiu Wei Yi and Tang Mo Bai both recalled their first few moments when they arrived.

“Their goal is to steal the soul coins you’ve earned over the next three days,” Yan Wuzhen continued.

Xiu Wei Yi asked in confusion, “But why? Why are they so sure that new players will be able to earn enough soul coins?”

Yan Wuzhen replied, “Because… these three days will be the easiest time for you to earn soul coins here. The longer you stay in this place, the fewer soul coins you’ll earn with each gladiatorial match.”

Tang Mo Bai understood. “Because we’re ‘unknown’?”

“Exactly. New players are the biggest unknown variable in the arena. No one knows your combat strength, and they can’t predict who will win or lose… not until you’ve fought enough battles,” Yan Wuzhen said, his tone darkening. His black eyes seemed to stir like an ocean of ink when he got excited.

“Uncertainty is the biggest black swan in gambling. Sudden exposures and instant bankruptcies happen all the time, and that’s why it attracts so many desperate gamblers. By the time the older players figure this out, their potential is already fixed, and their information has been completely exposed to the viewers.”

Tang Mo Bai asked, “How are the betting pools for the specific matches distributed? How much of it can we take home?”

“Gambling is a game where the house always wins,” Yan Wuzhen answered. “The casino that runs the Devil’s Arena takes a 15% cut. From that, they allocate 1% to both the slaves and the slave owners, and only the winners of the gladiatorial matches get a share. The losers get nothing.”

Tang Mo Bai suddenly had a bad feeling. “So how is this 1% divided?”

Yan Wuzhen casually replied, “Of course, it’s split 70-30.”

Xiu Wei Yi weakly asked, “We get 70%?”

“Nice try. We get 30%, that’s 30% of that 1%!”

Tang Mo Bai felt his instincts kick in. “So we’re basically begging for scraps?”

Yan Wuzhen stared at him in surprise. “That’s right. There are so many people who would beg for a chance like this! Compared to real slaves, at least we have a chance at the spoils.”

“Wait… you’re from Blue Star too?!” Tang Mo Bai asked in disbelief.

“What’s Blue Star?” Yan Wuzhen didn’t understand what he was referring to.

“Never mind,” Tang Mo Bai thought about the comments in the livestream chat and suddenly had a vague suspicion. He raised an eyebrow in surprise. “So you’re targeting us to manipulate the betting!”

“Got it in one,” Yan Wuzhen said, a sinister smile creeping onto his face. His tone shifted, becoming more intense, as if the calm facade was cracking to reveal the manic energy of a beast beneath.

“Though this is an unpredictable stage, just like in any exciting sports match, the more brilliant the star, the more attention they draw. The underdogs in the gladiatorial arena will catch the eyes of all the gamblers, and the bigger the betting pool, the more we stand to gain.”

Yan Wuzhen’s gaze turned predatory, fixated on Tang Mo Bai, ignoring Xiu Wei Yi entirely.

It was clear that the “dark horse” he intended to create was right in front of him.