The scene was too bloody and tragic.
Many could not bear to look away, turning their heads.
But Ji Hong's eyes were filled with unwavering determination.
He continued to hold the old Ape King's leg, steadfast and gentle.
Like a homesick child nestled beside his grandfather.
"Hmph! Fool, trying to delay time with such a suicidal tactic, thinking you can hold out until the drug wears off!"
"I'm afraid you'll be torn to shreds by that beast before that time even comes."
Young Master Mo Xie sneered.
Zhang Liuming beside him chuckled in agreement.
Liu Han and Ji Yan watched with agonizing hearts.
Ji Yan had even been on the verge of intervening to help Ji Hong multiple times.
But the aura of the six guardian powerhouses on the stage locked onto her.
The moment she dared to interfere, she would face a thunderous blow.
She sank to the ground in despair.
Her eyes were filled with hopelessness and pain.
Ling Fan's perpetually indifferent gaze finally showed a flicker of emotion.
"Ji Hong, is this your choice..."
This choice was something he had not anticipated.
It wasn't that there was no hope at all.
But the hope of Ji Hong holding on was slim.
On the battle stage.
Ji Hong's back was beyond recognition.
Countless torn wounds covered his entire back.
Even with Ji Hong's formidable physique, he could not withstand the attacks of such a terrifying demonic beast.
Many wounds were deep enough to expose bone.
His blood splattered everywhere.
Some even splashed onto the old Ape King's face.
Suddenly, the sharp claw the old Ape King had used to grab him paused.
As if stimulated by Ji Hong's blood, a brief moment of clarity returned to its eyes.
Its ancient eyes revealed infinite sadness and struggle.
To it, Ji Hong was like its own child.
Powerful demonic beasts inherently possessed high intelligence.
Even more so for these human-like demon apes.
Without hesitation, taking advantage of this brief moment of clarity and Ji Hong's vital blood helping to suppress the malevolent energy, it fiercely clawed back.
*Squelch!*
The old Ape King viciously tore its own throat!
This action exceeded everyone's expectations, shocking them all.
This demonic beast...
Had actually chosen suicide!
At this moment, countless powerhouses watched this scene with complex expressions.
Although this old Ape King was a demonic beast, its actions were filled with loyalty and righteousness, earning it more respect than many cultivators.
Such a demon ape should not have suffered such insult and treatment.
Ling Fan sighed softly.
What a magnificent Black Demon Ape King!
On the battle stage.
The old Ape King's corpse gradually grew cold and it toppled over with a crash.
Ji Hong froze for a moment, then threw his head back and let out an incredibly mournful wail.
His eyes blazed with infinite hatred, and with a swift movement, he fixed his gaze on Young Master Mo Xie.
Young Master Mo Xie grumbled, "Damn it! This beast actually committed suicide, ruining the plan I meticulously prepared. It truly deserved to die."
"Protector Li, you are the protector in charge of the gambling arena, so you shall be the one to kill Ji Hong."
Among the six guardian powerhouses behind him, a short, ugly, and fierce-looking man around fifty years old stepped forward.
He was Li Huipai, the protector of the gambling arena under the command of the Dark Martial Hall.
"Yes!"
Li Huipai bowed respectfully, then leaped down.
*Boom!*
An incomparably powerful aura erupted from him.
Another quasi-Heavenly Origin Realm expert.
And he was even more formidable and terrifying than Mo Shan.
He was almost on par with the old Ape King in its berserk state.
No one was surprised by Li Huipai's immense strength.
After all, to be able to suppress Mo Shan and manage the entire gambling arena, he had to be stronger than Mo Shan.
Otherwise, he would have likely been killed by the monster Mo Shan long ago!
Li Huipai strode forward.
He advanced step by step towards Ji Hong, who was overcome with grief.
At this moment, Ji Hong had completely lost his combat ability.
No matter how strong the Battle Demon Golden Body was, it always had its limits.
Ji Hong's ability to consecutively kill Mo Shan and withstand so many attacks from the old Ape King in such a depleted state was already astonishing.
Clearly, no more miracles would occur.
"Young Master Mo Xie, I beg you, don't kill Ji Hong. I, Liu Han, am willing to be your servant, even your dog, just to beg you to spare his life!"
Liu Han, disregarding all dignity, shouted at Young Master Mo Xie.
However, Young Master Mo Xie wore a condescending smile. You, Liu Han, and the Liu family are already dogs of our Dark Martial Hall. What right do you have to bargain with me?
"Young Master Mo Xie, I agree, I will be your woman! Let my brother go!"
Ji Yan gritted her teeth so hard that they almost shattered, her eyes filled with resolve.
Young Master Mo Xie gave a sinister smile and said, "After I kill Ji Hong, you still won't escape my grasp, hahahaha!"
"You bastard!"
Ji Yan could no longer hold back and leaped down onto the battle stage.
She stood in front of Ji Hong.
But with her cultivation only at the early stage of the Profound Gang Realm, how could she be a match for a guardian-level powerhouse?
Li Huipai casually unleashed an attack, sending Ji Yan flying.
If she weren't the woman Young Master Mo Xie had his eye on, that single blow would have killed Ji Yan ten times over.
"Heh, this little brat is finally going to die!"
In the viewing stands.
Ji Tianzong stood up with excitement.
Ji Xian and Ji De also sneered.
This ungrateful bastard, instead of honestly helping the Ji family make money, dared to collude with demonic beasts to kill their Ji family members. He deserved to die a thousand times over.
Under the vindicated gazes of the Ji family, and the watchful eyes of countless other powerhouses.
Li Huipai had reached Ji Hong.
Ji Hong was now kneeling powerlessly on the ground, his body covered in blood and wounds.
Li Huipai coldly raised a palm, martial qi surging, intending to smash Ji Hong's Heavenly Spirit Cover with a single blow.
At this moment of absolute focus from the entire audience.
A faint voice echoed in everyone's ears.
"Did you ask for my permission to kill him!"
As soon as these words were spoken.
Everyone was startled and couldn't help but turn to look.
They saw a young man dressed in simple cloth, standing with his hands behind his back by the railing. His hair was strangely ash-grey, devoid of any luster, as if he were an elder on the brink of death.
Yet, his appearance was that of a youth around seventeen or eighteen years old.
"Who is he?"
"I've never seen him before!"
"His words just now were so arrogant. Does Young Master Mo Xie need his permission to kill someone? Who does he think he is?"
"This guy seems to be an ordinary person with no cultivation."
"If he were a Heavenly Origin Realm martial arts master, then he would have the right to speak so boldly in front of Young Master Mo Xie, but he's just a cripple. How dare he!"
Discussions erupted immediately.
Liu Han, who had given up all hope, suddenly looked up in disbelief.
"Master Ling..."
He stared blankly at Ling Fan's back.
On the other side.