Leo returned to his exclusive lounge, room 2079.
The room was spacious and simple, with an independent training area.
Shortly after he sat down, the electronic screen embedded in the wall lit up with a notification.
[Battle Day Confirmed!]
On the 220th-floor arena
April 16th, 3:00 PM
Leo looked at the date: "The 16th, that's the day after tomorrow."
For the next two days, he immersed himself in the basic Cultivation of Nen.
Although there was no Breakthrough progress, his Qi volume increased slightly.
April 16th, afternoon, 220th-floor arena.
The place was bustling with noise, and every seat was taken.
The "perfect record" Leo had set had long since spread throughout the arena, and this first battle on the 200th floor attracted far more attention than usual.
When he calmly stepped onto the arena, the deafening cheers almost blew the roof off.
The commentator's passionate voice echoed throughout the venue through the loudspeakers.
"This is a highly anticipated battle! The unstoppable contestant Leo, who has fought his way to the 200th floor with an all-win record, has stepped onto the arena!"
"His opponent, contestant Tu Ba, maintains an impressive record of three wins and one loss. He is an experienced veteran!"
The referee stood in the center of the arena, reiterated the rules, and raised his right hand.
"The match—begins!"
A cruel and contemptuous smile hung on Tu Ba's face.
He flexed the metal glove on his left arm, and Nen slowly emanated from his body—the process was very slow, taking at least three seconds just to complete the basic "Ten".
"Newbie, you're unlucky to have met me."
Tu Ba licked his lips.
"But don't worry, I won't kill you~ At most... I'll make sure you can never stand up again."
Leo watched Tu Ba's slow and crude circulation of Nen and shook his head in disappointment.
Too slow.
It took several seconds to activate Nen to cover himself; when encountering an experienced Nen User, those few seconds were enough to decide the outcome.
But it wasn't surprising—Tu Ba was clearly a "wild" Nen User who had Awakening his Nen after luckily surviving on the 200th floor, without any System training, relying entirely on instinct to fumble his way through.
This head-shaking motion was seen by Tu Ba.
His expression changed suddenly, and anger instantly rushed to his head.
Tu Ba remembered his own high spirits when he first reached the 200th floor, only to have his entire left hand cut off by his opponent in the first match.
That crushing defeat allowed him to survive by luck, and also accidentally Awakening his Nen.
To compensate for his lost arm, he trained hard to create this materialized metal left arm—it was extremely hard and could amplify his strength.
"How dare you look down on me..."
Tu Ba's face twisted.
"I've changed my mind. I will break your limbs and let you howl helplessly, living the rest of your life in pain!"
He poured his Qi frantically into his metal left arm, the gauntlet emitting a dark red light, then rushed towards Leo, his left fist raised high, smashing down fiercely towards Leo's skull!
This punch carried a whistling sound, with enough force to shatter a concrete wall.
Leo stood in place, not moving, not even putting up a defensive stance.
The moment Tu Ba's fist was about to hit him, he raised his right hand—the movement wasn't fast, but it was heart-stoppingly precise.
With his five fingers spread, he grabbed Tu Ba's metal left arm steadily.
The fist stopped five centimeters from Leo's forehead, unable to advance even a millimeter.
The grin on Tu Ba's face froze.
He tried to pull his arm back, but Leo's hand was as immovable as iron pincers.
He increased his strength, and the metal gauntlet creaked, but he still couldn't break free.
"Is that it?"
Leo looked up at him, the corner of his mouth curling into a disdainful arc.
"You don't even have the strength to hit someone, and you claim to know Nen."
Before the words fell, Leo's right hand exerted sudden force.
"Crack, crack, crack—!"
A harsh sound of twisting metal rang out.
Tu Ba's metal left arm began to deform and cave in under Leo's fingers, like a soda can crushed by a hydraulic press.
Tu Ba's eyes widened in horror, and before he could speak—
Leo let go, simultaneously striking out with his right fist encased in "Ko".
A simple straight punch, imprinted on Tu Ba's chest.
"Bang!"
A dull thud like a war drum.
Tu Ba flew backward, drawing a parabola in the air, falling off the arena and crashing heavily onto the ground.
His chest caved in with a clear fist print, his body twitched violently, and blood gushed from his mouth and nose; it was clear he wouldn't survive.
Leo calmly retracted his fist, the Nen around his body slowly receding.
The entire 220th-floor arena fell instantly silent.
The audience had their mouths open, expressions frozen.
Those who had expected to see an intense showdown were now stunned like wooden chickens.
The referee was stunned for two seconds before reacting, hurriedly jumping off the arena to check Tu Ba's condition. Ten seconds later, he returned to the arena and raised his hand to announce.
"Contestant Tu Ba has lost the ability to fight! Contestant Leo wins by KO!"
The silence was broken, and even more intense cheers erupted.
The commentator roared excitedly.
"Congratulations to contestant Leo for successfully securing a win! The undefeated legend continues!"
Leo didn't linger and walked straight off the arena.
As he passed through the contestant tunnel, a warmth came from the tattoo on the back of his hand.
[Rank: Rank 27 (76%)]
The progress increased by 15%.
Leo wouldn't show mercy to people like Tu Ba—if he didn't die, it was his fate, and if he died, he could only blame his own lack of strength.
After securing the win, Leo went to the registration office, filled out the form again, and still checked "Available for battle at any time." Then he returned to the lounge to continue his Cultivation.
Five days passed in a row, and he didn't receive any new match notifications.
Leo's first battle was too shocking—killing a veteran with three wins and one loss with a single punch; this crushing strength made other contestants on the 200th floor fearful.
Those without sufficient strength couldn't gauge Leo's depth and chose to wait and see for the time being.
Leo was happy to have the peace.
He made a strict training plan. Physical training and combat skill polishing in the morning, Cultivation of the Four Great Principles of Nen in the afternoon, and meditation and recovery at night.
On the afternoon of the sixth day, Leo decided to go watch a match to relax, and by the way, see if Yungu was still in the arena.
He came to the 190th-floor arena area.
A match had just ended, and the winner was a blue-haired woman—Sophia.
Her face was stained with blood, her right eye was somewhat swollen, but her eyes were bright.
Her opponent lay on the arena, having lost consciousness.
The referee raised Sophia's hand to announce her victory; she had earned the qualification to be promoted to the 200th floor.
Leo raised an eyebrow.
A week ago, this woman was instantly defeated by him, but now it seemed she hadn't been discouraged; instead, she had clearly improved.
She had given up those flashy high kicks, her attacks were more concise and efficient, and her defense was more solid.
Sophia faced the audience and bowed slightly to express her thanks.
When she lifted her head, her gaze met Leo's in the audience.
Leo smiled slightly and waved at her, as a greeting.
Sophia was stunned for a moment, then nodded, turned, and walked off the arena.
"Hmm—she made it to the 200th floor too."
Leo muttered to himself.
"Should I try to persuade her?"
He knew the cruelty of the 200th floor; the first battle for those who couldn't use Nen here often ended miserably.
Broken hands and feet were common; if lucky, one might survive and Awakening Nen, but if unlucky, one would just die on the arena.
Sophia's talent and perseverance were good; it would be a pity if she were ruined on the 200th floor just like that.
After thinking for a moment, a mischievous smile curled on Leo's lips.
He decided to release a little "goodwill" to help this lost lamb.
Sophia packed her belongings and changed into clean casual clothes.
She stood in the elevator, watching the floor numbers jump, her heartbeat accelerating involuntarily.
"200th floor. I finally made it!"
The elevator door opened, she took a deep breath, and stepped out.
The corridor was spacious and quiet, completely different from the hustle and bustle of the lower floors.
She walked towards the registration office according to the signs.
After walking about twenty meters, a change occurred.
An invisible pressure came from the depths of the corridor, covering her like a physical force.
Sophia's hair stood on end instantly, she instinctively took two steps back, her heart beating wildly.
What was that?
It was clearly just an ordinary corridor, yet it made her feel like she was in a jungle, being watched by a ferocious predator.
Cold sweat seeped from her forehead, she gritted her teeth, forcing herself to continue moving forward.
The further she walked, the greater the pressure.
The aura was cold, heavy, and carried undisguised malice.
Sophia's breathing began to quicken, her legs felt like they were filled with lead, and every step was exceptionally difficult.
She understood—this aura was aimed at her.
When she reached the middle of the corridor, she was almost unable to hold on.
Her body's instinct was screaming at her to run, but her willpower suppressed this urge firmly.
Sophia stopped, roaring at the front of the corridor.
"Who is it? Come out! Stop playing ghost!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the pressure increased sharply.
A figure walked out slowly from the shadows at the end of the corridor.
Hands in pockets, walking casually, with a half-smiling expression on his face.
Leo!
Sophia's pupils shrank, her face full of shock.
She knew Leo was strong, but she didn't expect... he was this strong.
Just the aura he emitted made her almost unable to stand.
Leo walked to ten meters in front of her and stopped, shrugging his shoulders.
"It's me."
His tone was very relaxed, as if that terrifying pressure just now had nothing to do with him.
"As your Senior."
Leo continued, his smile unchanged.
"I don't want you to throw your life away for nothing, so I'm giving you some advice—the floor you're about to step onto, it's still too early for you."
After speaking, he raised his right hand and stretched it out vaguely towards Sophia.
Even more shocking malice attacked!
Sophia felt the surrounding air seem to freeze, and invisible force squeezed her body, her will.
She retreated again and again, finally unable to hold on, sat down on the ground, supported herself with her hands, and gasped for breath.
Cold sweat soaked her back.
Leo smiled inwardly.
This set was his imitation of Hisoka's classic iconic scene—using powerful Nen pressure and killing intent to intimidate Gon and Killua, the effect was indeed good.
But what surprised him was that Sophia struggled and stood up again.
Although her legs were trembling, although her face was pale, although blood oozed from the corners of her mouth because she bit down too hard—she still stood up, supporting herself against the wall, staring fixedly at Leo.
Leo raised an eyebrow. The woman's tenacity exceeded his expectations.
His heart moved, and he slightly increased the intensity of the Nen pressure.
Sophia's body swayed, her fingernails on the wall turning white from the force.
She didn't fall again, but used all her strength to hold on, the stubbornness in her eyes not diminishing in the slightest.
Leo shook his head helplessly and gave a hint.
"When you master the power to face me directly, you will be qualified to step onto the 200th floor."
This sentence made a light flash in Sophia's eyes.
She took a deep breath and made a decision that surprised Leo—
She knelt on both knees and kowtowed deeply to Leo.
Using all her strength, her voice was trembling but exceptionally firm.
"I want to make it to the 200th floor! I want everyone to stop looking down on me! I want to become stronger! I want to master this power—!"
She raised her head, her eyes shining with an almost crazy light.
"I want to take you as my master! You must teach me!"
Leo was silent.
He looked at Sophia kneeling on the ground, that face stained with blood and sweat, written with unyielding spirit and desire.
This look... he had seen it.
In the Secret Realm, in the mirror, in his own eyes.
A moment later, Leo smiled helplessly, withdrew his right hand, and turned to walk towards the lounge.
Sophia watched his departing back, a flash of unwillingness in her eyes.
She looked at the registration office not far away, then looked at Leo's figure walking further and further away, her fists clenched tightly.
Just when she thought there was no hope, Leo's voice came from ahead.
"Why are you still sitting there?"
Sophia turned her head abruptly.
Leo stood at the corner of the corridor, looking at her sideways, his expression indifferent.
"Let's go."
A light of joy instantly burst into Sophia's eyes.
She hurriedly climbed up from the ground, not bothering to pat the dust off her body, and followed him quickly.
The two walked one after the other, disappearing into the depths of the corridor.