Not just Qin Xuan, there was almost no one on the streets. The entire Steel Armor Shelter seemed empty.
Finally seeing a man hurrying through the street, Han Sen quickly stepped forward and asked, "Friend, what’s happening? Where is everyone?"
"It’s you, Ass Freak." The man recognized Han Sen at first glance.
Han Sen rubbed his own nose, "Friend, can you tell me where everyone went?"
The man was very easy-going. He smiled and said to Han Sen, "Where can they go? To the martial ring of course. This year’s martial arts contest has already begun. People are talking about it in God’s Sanctuary and on all the planets in the Alliance. You don’t know about it?"
"Ahem, I have been sick recently and almost missed such a great event. Can I still register now?" Han Sen asked.
"Ha-ha, you must be hiding from Son of Heaven," The man smiled. "Hurry! You can still make it."
"Thanks so much for the information," Han Sen thanked the man and trotted back to his own room. Putting away the package full of mutant black stingers, he hurried to the martial ring in the shelter.
There was no doubt that the martial ring was the most magnificent building in the shelter. It looked like the Colosseum in Rome and could accommodate at least a hundred thousand audience. What was different from the Colosseum was that it was built with metal, which made it look like a steel monster.
Han Sen ran to a gate of the martial ring. There was a gate every 60 feet around the round martial ring and each one of them could be used to access the ring.
Now, almost everyone in Steel Armor Shelter was already in the martial ring. Han Sen picked a gate at random and placed his palm on the metal gate, where a string of numbers suddenly appeared.
"88888!" Han Sen was surprised and then realized this must be his code as he should be the 88888th person to enter the martial ring. The martial arts contest was also arranged according to these codes.
Only those entering the martial ring for the first time would be assigned this number. So the next time he came in, there wouldn’t be a second number.
As the metal gate opened, Han Sen went through a path that felt like a tunnel. When he came out, he was in a venue larger than where the Olympics were hosted.
The stands were full of people. Above the ring floated a huge crystal stele full of groups of codes. There were 100 codes in each group, which meant these 100 people were arranged in the same match.
Han Sen had learned at school that the martial arts contest in each shelter operated automatically and humans couldn’t interfere in it. The preliminary round was conducted in groups of 100 people, and only the last one who stayed on stage was qualified to go to the next round.
This was indeed a strict selection. Since so many people had registered, the match had only come to Group 50 something on the third day of the preliminary round, so Han Sen probably wouldn’t have to do anything until tomorrow.
Han Sen looked around, searching for Qin Xuan and others. Before he could find Qin Xuan, he ran into Son of Heaven’s gang.
"Don’t let me see you in my group. Or you will be dead." Luo Tianyang stared at Han Sen coldly.
The last time they met, he was frightened by Han Sen, which was a disgrace to him.
Son of Heaven also looked at Han Sen gloomily. Although he did not say it, Han Sen knew from his look that he would try to kill Han Sen at all costs if they were in the same match.
"I'm afraid I have to let you down. I do not intend to participate in the martial arts contest," Han Sen shrugged and said.
Han Sen will certainly participate, but in Dollar’s name, so that he could show his real strength.
"You are unworthy to be called a man. Shame on you!" Luo Tianyang said contemptuously, setting the whole gang in an uproar.
Son of Heaven ignored Han Sen and walked past him. While he was walking, he smiled and said, "Qin Xuan, you have improved again. It seems that this year you will still be the champion."
"You are flattering me. Don’t forget that Dollar is also in Steel Armor Shelter," Qin Xuan said casually.
Han Sen turned and saw Qin Xuan, Yang Manli and other major members of the Steel Armor Gang. Yang Manli was frowning at him.
After talking to Qin Xuan, Son of Heaven led his gang away. Qin Xuan gave Han Sen a look, while Yang Manly said coldly, "Originally I thought you were just timid, but I did not expect you to be such a coward. You don’t have a man’s dignity and backbone."
After she finished, Yang Manli went away with Qin Xuan without looking back.
When Liu Hongtao passed by Han Sen, he patted Han Sen on the shoulder and smiled, "Han Sen, you did the right thing. A man can take temporary setbacks. ‘Step back to enjoy a better view,’ right? There is no need risking your life."
But anyone could see Liu Hongtao’s disdain and contempt. It was all written in his face.
Other members of Steel Armor Gang were also somewhat disgusted by Han Sen. Those who were able to enter the core of Steel Armor Gang were either military school students or recently enlisted soldiers. They certainly despised such cowardice.
Han Sen did not explain anything. Everyone thought he didn’t want to participate because he was afraid of Luo Tianyang, which worked in his favor. No one would then question why he did not participate or why he wasn’t there when Dollar appeared.
"I do not care how others see me. The most important thing is that my family and I can have a stable life," Han Sen thought to himself.
Starry Group was so powerful that he didn’t have the resources to counter them at the moment. If Son of Heaven knew he was Dollar now and tried to harm him in the Alliance, even he wasn’t afraid, what would happen to his mother and sister?
"I need to be more." Han Sen came out of the martial ring, looking down. There was no point of staying as it wouldn’t be his turn today anyway.
After he teleported to the teleport station on Planet Roca, Qin Xuan stopped him there and called him to her office.
"You are afraid of Son of Heaven?" Qin Xuan stared at him, her eyes were like daggers that could pierce his thoughts.
"Yes." Han Sen nodded—he had to be afraid.
Hearing Han Sen’s answer, Qin Xuan didn’t show disappointment but continued to ask, "Because of your family?"