The Renegade with a Price

The Next Day.In the heart of Chaos City, the grand martial arts arena stood ready for the spectacle.In the continent of Tianheng, power and strength were worshiped. Almost every sizable town had a fighting ring, but this one was different. The host city, Chaos City, had been preparing for months. The arena, a colossal structure that could hold over a hundred thousand spectators, towered majestically at the city's core.

It resembled an arena on Earth, with five battle rings set up for the participants. They would be grouped into five teams, fighting one-on-one in a series of duels. The "Martial Arts Matchmaking" event would last for three days, and only one victor would emerge—who would win both the hand of the beautiful daughter of the city lord and a generous prize.

Of course, the entry was not for the faint-hearted. The fee to participate was five hundred gold coins, a hefty sum that made it clear only those serious enough to fight would even consider entering. Furthermore, the city lord, who sought a dragon-riding son-in-law, had set a strict age requirement. Only those under the age of twenty could compete. Older, more experienced warriors would be disqualified, as the event was meant for the younger generation to prove their worth, not the elderly powerhouses of various clans.

The morning of the tournament was chaotic, with people crowding the arena from every direction. Ronald, clad in a full suit of black armor that left only his eyes exposed, walked toward the registration area. His massive sword hung at his side, and his armor looked old-fashioned—completely out of place among the young, handsome contenders with their sleek, modern gear.

The stares and snickers of the crowd followed him, but he paid no mind. With his hunter squad trailing behind him, he approached the registration counter.A gasp suddenly erupted from the crowd."Mingzi Armor! It's the Outlaw!"Immediately, people took several steps back, instinctively creating space between themselves and Ronald's crew. His reputation had spread throughout the city, and no one wanted to risk crossing paths with these infamous rebels.

Yes, they were called Outlaws. In the eyes of the hundred tribes, humans were typically seen as weak and law-abiding, easily taken advantage of. But this group? They were notorious for their ruthless efficiency—if something didn't go their way, they'd simply cut down anyone in their path. They had earned the nickname "Outlaws Beyond the Law."

While this moniker sent a chill through the crowd, it wasn't enough to intimidate the young elites competing in the tournament. They simply queued up as usual, unfazed.

"Outlaw Beyond the Law?" Ronald muttered to himself, bemused.He couldn't help but laugh at how exaggerated things had become. Wasn't it just a robbery? Did they really need to make him sound like some kind of monster?

Ignoring the whispers around him, Ronald's eyes scanned the other competitors.The name Luo Shuihan was famous across the continent. Every major power had sent their best youths to compete, and with the current turmoil in Yunzhou, tensions were high. While the event was officially a matchmaking tournament, it had quickly evolved into something more—an all-out battleground for the young generation to prove their worth.

As Ronald was lost in thought, a shout suddenly rang out from nearby."Niu Wuliu is here!""Niu Wuliu?" The crowd erupted in excited chatter.Niu Wuliu was ranked seventh among the Top Ten Young Experts of Yunzhou, a title he had held for three years running. Hailing from the mighty Buffalo Tribe, he was a prodigy and the pride of his people.

Ronald raised an eyebrow, recognizing the name. He had heard of the top ten young experts before. Back when he was a king, one of his commanders, Murong Ying, had been one of them. At just seventeen, Murong had reached the fourth stage of the Body Refining Realm—truly a force to be reckoned with.

But now, Ronald's gaze sharpened. He knew Niu Wuliu wasn't someone to underestimate.