Oh my God, another super-strong kid appeared!"
"Are all children this scary nowadays?!"
Just after Lan Fei left the first-floor ring of the Sky Arena, more cheers erupted from the spectators. In Ring D, a brown-haired boy in a crisp white gi executed a clean finishing move, earning his victory. The crowd's applause roared again.
"Based on your performance, you qualify to skip directly to the 50th floor."
The referee in Ring D officially declared the result as he printed a red-bordered ticket and handed it to the young victor.
"Thank you very much."
The boy, composed and polite, pressed his hands together and bowed in the style of traditional martial arts etiquette. Then, he turned on his heel and, ticket in hand, began trailing behind the boy who had left before him — Lan Fei.
Meanwhile, Lan Fei exited the first-floor corridor and stepped into the elevator marked for competitors climbing to the 50th floor.
Ding!
Just as the doors began to slide shut, a small hand reached in, halting them. A young boy stepped in, flashing a polite smile. It was the same boy in the white gi — the one who had just defeated his opponent in Ring D.
"Huh?"
Lan Fei narrowed his eyes slightly, recognizing the familiar face.
"That kid… isn't he Zooci?"
Although they hadn't met before, Lan Fei recognized the name. Zooci — or more precisely, Zushi — was the young prodigy under Wing's tutelage, introduced in the Sky Arena arc. Unlike Gon and Killua, who learned Nen shortly after their arrival on the 200th floor, Zushi had already begun mastering the Four Major Principles: Ten, Zetsu, Ren, and Hatsu.
"Hello, little brothers!"
The elevator receptionist, a cheerful young woman in uniform, addressed both Lan Fei and Zushi as she turned around. Though surprised to see two children heading to the higher floors, her professionalism held steady.
"In the Sky Arena, levels are divided every ten floors. From the 50th floor onward, it's considered mid-tier. Winning once on any floor lets you advance; losing drops you down one tier."
"Mm, I know the rules."
Lan Fei nodded indifferently.
"I heard that from the 100th floor on, fighters get access to private rooms and advanced facilities!"
Zushi's eyes lit up as he tilted his head in curiosity.
"You're well-informed, little guy," the receptionist giggled, reaching out to affectionately pat Zushi's tidy hair.
"My acting master told me."
Zushi grinned, puffing his cheeks like a proud kid, then turned his attention to Lan Fei.
"By the way, I'm Zushi. I watched your match earlier — you're seriously strong!"
"Lan Fei."
Lan Fei responded simply, uninterested in idle conversation. He had already awakened his Nen through system-based reward evolution, placing him leagues ahead of his peers. Zushi's compliments, while genuine, didn't move him.
Ding!
The elevator opened on the 50th floor.
"Lan Fei, how old are you?"
Zushi asked as they stepped out together.
"Thirteen."
Lan Fei sighed, a bit annoyed by the endless curiosity.
"Thirteen?! And already this strong?"
Zushi's admiration was written all over his face.
"What's your martial arts style? I'm studying Shingen-ryu!"
"Style?"
Lan Fei chuckled.
"Are you showing off with all these fancy genre names?"
"Showing off?"
Zushi tilted his head in confusion.
"Haha, I don't really belong to any genre."
Lan Fei scratched the back of his head. Zushi was a bit naive, but he wasn't annoying. In fact, he found the boy somewhat endearing.
"No genre?! But you're so powerful… Did you train yourself?"
Zushi's eyes sparkled with disbelief and admiration.
Just then, a gentle voice called out.
"Zushi, well done."
A young man with glasses and a composed demeanor approached. He was Wing — a Nen practitioner and Zushi's acting master. Though appearing mild, Wing was capable of powerful Nen techniques and had introduced Gon and Killua to Ten.
"Thank you, Master! I'm honored to be under your guidance."
Zushi bowed deeply.
Wing's gaze drifted toward Lan Fei.
"And this is…?"
Before he could finish, Lan Fei was already walking away.
"His name's Lan Fei, Master. He's thirteen too. He won just like me and reached the 50th floor in one go… but I think he's a lot stronger."
Watching Lan Fei's back, Zushi furrowed his brows.
"I watched his match too," Wing adjusted his glasses, their reflection glinting sharply.
"That boy isn't ordinary. Aside from you, it seems there's another rising monster in the Sky Arena."
"Since we're both on the 50th floor," Zushi whispered to himself, "I'll definitely meet him again… and I'll test his strength myself."
Though Wing had told him he was a once-in-a-century talent, mastering the Four Major Nen Principles at such a young age, Zushi felt an unusual pressure from Lan Fei. Still, he was confident — and eager — to prove himself.
Yet, unbeknownst to him, Lan Fei's current level wasn't just a little higher — he was approaching the upper ceiling of strength for this stage of the tower.
Soon, Lan Fei arrived at the 50th floor registration window. He handed over his ticket to the staff.
"Mr. Lan Fei, here's your reward for the last match," the young woman at the counter said as she handed him an envelope.
Inside: 152 Jenny. Not much.
Lan Fei blinked.
"Right… first-floor fights only pay enough for a bottle of soda."
He smacked his forehead.
"Better start climbing fast if I want real money."
With a bottle of soda in hand, Lan Fei headed toward the 50th-floor lounge to rest.
BEEP.
A robotic voice echoed across the corridor:
"Contestants 2008 Lan Fei and 1963 Zushi, please proceed to Arena A on the 57th floor."
"Huh? Already?"
Lan Fei raised his brows.
"Well, the sooner I rush to the 251st floor, the better. Need the prize money, and I still have to make it to Yorknew City."
He grinned and downed the soda in one go before striding toward the lift to the 57th floor.
Outside, night had fallen over Heaven's Arena. The entire tower glittered like a beacon under the city's neon sky. Inside, crowds packed the spectator stands, eagerly awaiting the next bout.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience!"
"Up next is an unusual matchup — a pair of gifted fighters, both barely into their teens!"
"But don't let their ages fool you."
"These two tore through their opening matches, climbing all five starting floors in a single sweep!"
"As we wait for them to enter Arena A, let's review their highlight reels!"
The large VCR monitors above the ring lit up with footage of Lan Fei's and Zushi's victories.
"Are your fingers on the bet buttons, folks? It's time to choose — who do you think will win this matchup of young titans?!"
The atmosphere inside Arena A on the 57th floor surged into a frenzy as the spotlight focused on the arena door, awaiting the entrance of two of the youngest yet fiercest fighters seen in recent Sky Arena history.