Heavens Arena, 185th Floor, Ring C.
The cheers of the audience surged like a tide.
On the ring, Leo pulled back his fist as his opponent, Muldort's massive body, crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"There it is! Mr. Leo lands another beautiful KO, finishing off Mr. Muldort!"
The announcer's voice boomed across the entire floor through the loudspeakers.
"Congratulations to Mr. Leo for advancing to the 190th floor! Returning to the ring after more than half a month, Mr. Leo's strength has clearly improved! It looks like he will charge all the way to the 200th floor with an undefeated record!"
Leo turned and walked off the ring, and the referee handed him the promotion slip—190th floor.
As he passed the spectator stands, his gaze inadvertently swept over the front row.
Two familiar figures came into view.
Sophia was sitting on the left side, her blue hair striking under the lights. She was focused on a notebook in her hands, seemingly recording something.
And the person sitting a few seats to her right... Yungu.
That Enhancer Nen User, who in the original story taught Gon and Killua the basics of Nen Ability and possessed a gentle personality.
At this moment, Yungu looked younger than in the manga, his face slightly youthful, wearing simple greyish-white casual clothes, sitting upright with a focused expression.
Yungu noticed Leo's gaze, turned his head, smiled friendlily, and nodded.
Leo nodded back, thinking quickly.
"I don't see Chiharu; he's by himself. He must be here at Heavens Arena for training—according to the original timeline, this is probably where he meets Chiharu. It seems that gem will be useful..."
Leo withdrew his gaze and walked toward the contestant lounge.
He decided to reach the 200th floor today—quick and decisive.
In the spectator stands, Yungu watched Leo leave and muttered to himself.
"Master was right; there are indeed many formidable opponents at Heavens Arena."
He recalled the admonition from Biscuit before he left.
The petite two-star Gem Hunter stood with her hands on her hips, pointing at his nose and scolding him.
"Yungu, although your talent is good, you are too lazy! I don't know why you are an Enhancer—with your personality, wanting to reach the level of an Enhancer is harder than getting you to clean your room! Look at how sloppy you are!"
Yungu could only smile awkwardly at the time.
"Go to Heavens Arena."
Biscuit said at the end.
"That is currently the most suitable place for you. Forcing out your potential in actual combat is better than slacking off here with me. I won't go with you; you train well on your own!"
Yungu smiled. Indeed, for an Enhancer, growing through combat is the fastest way.
He stood up, left the spectator stands, and headed to the registration office on the first floor.
Two hours later, Leo was resting with his eyes closed in the 190th-floor lounge when the broadcast sounded.
"Please have Mr. Leo and Ms. Sophia proceed to Ring B on the 192nd floor!"
Leo opened his eyes, feeling somewhat surprised.
It was actually her, Sophia, the blue-haired female fighter.
Although they had met a few times, Leo was clear about her strength—an ordinary person who could not use Nen, relying on superb fighting skills and tenacious willpower to reach above the 190th floor, which was indeed worthy of respect, but he would not hold back.
192nd Floor, Ring B. Sophia was already standing on the ring.
She had changed into a blue martial arts uniform, and although there were still some lingering bruises on her face, her eyes were exceptionally firm.
Seeing Leo get on the ring, she took a deep breath and spoke first.
"I know you are very strong. But... I will not give up. Please do not hold back."
Leo raised an eyebrow. This woman was quite stubborn.
"Rest assured, I won't hold back."
He responded seriously.
"But I can let you make the first Move."
Sophia said no more. She took her stance, lowered her center of gravity, and her eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.
The next instant, she moved—dashing forward, her speed not slow.
As she neared Leo, she shouted, and her right leg swung high like a whip, kicking toward Leo's head!
Leo sidestepped, easily dodging the kick.
He could see that the force and angle of this kick had been trained over many years, but in the face of an absolute gap in speed and power, the significance of technique was limited.
He did not want to delay. The moment Sophia retracted her leg, Leo punched out with his right fist—holding back forty percent of his strength, to avoid this woman dying in vain at his hands.
The punch landed on Sophia's chest.
"Pfft!"
Sophia's eyes widened, a mouthful of blood sprayed out, and her body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing directly off the ring and lying limp and motionless.
The referee immediately jumped off the ring to check, and a few seconds later, looked up to announce.
"Contestant Sophia has lost consciousness! Contestant Leo wins by KO! Promoted to the 200th floor!"
The spectator stands erupted in a clamor mixed with amazement and regret.
Some cheered for Leo's ferocity, while others applauded Sophia's tenacity.
Leo walked off the ring, and as he passed the unconscious Sophia, he whispered, "All flash, no substance."
This was an evaluation, as well as a reminder—without a Nen Ability, obsessively pursuing flashy Moves would instead expose weaknesses. But Sophia could no longer hear it.
He walked to the elevator and pressed the button for the 200th floor.
Heavens Arena Rules: After reaching the 200th floor, one must complete registration on the same day, otherwise it is considered forfeiting the qualification, and one must start over from the first floor.
"Ding—"
The elevator door opened.
A mixed aura instantly rushed toward him. These were the "traces" accumulated from Nen Users gathering, fighting, and training here for a long time.
Residual Nen was mixed into the air, forming an invisible, heavy pressure.
Unlike the pure clamor of the lower levels, the atmosphere of the 200th floor was more restrained, yet also more dangerous.
Leo's expression remained unchanged as he stepped out of the elevator.
He followed the signs toward the registration office.
On the way, he could feel several gazes cast from the shadows—scrutinizing, evaluating, and carrying amusement or malice.
The veterans of the 200th floor were observing the new "prey."
As Leo approached the registration desk, a faint conversation came from behind him.
He did not turn back, but judged by the sound of footsteps—three people, about twenty meters away.
"Hehe, another newcomer is here."
A hoarse male voice laughed softly.
"Another easy win. I let you have the last few, but I'm taking this one; my preparation period is almost up."
Another voice had the texture of metal rubbing against metal.
"Looks like he can use Nen too."
"So what?" The first voice—Tu Ba—was indifferent.
"Who here doesn't use Nen? We are the ones who survived the baptism of the 200th floor. A rookie like him wouldn't know what kind of existence can remain on the 200th floor."
The third person chimed in casually.
"Alright, Tu Ba, go easy on him, don't kill him. We also want to get a win."
Tu Ba waved his hand: "Got it."
Leo walked to the reception desk.
"Welcome to the 200th floor, Mr. Leo."
The receptionist handed over a form.
"Please sign and register here. This floor uses a 'Declaration of Battle System,' and we have prepared a ninety-day 'Battle Preparation Period' for Your Excellency."
She began to explain the rules in detail, her speaking speed steady and clear.
"During this period, you can freely choose any day to participate in a battle. Each battle you participate in will grant you another ninety-day preparation period."
"Of course, if you do not engage in any battle within ninety days, you will be judged to have lost once."
"To pass this floor, you must achieve ten victories. If you lose four times before achieving ten victories, you will lose your qualification to advance."
"Once you win ten matches, you will be eligible to challenge the 'Floor Master'..."
Leo quickly scanned the contents of the form. The rules were consistent with the description in the manga.
He checked the option for "Available to fight at any time" and signed his name.
"Then please go to room 2079, your exclusive lounge, to rest. Once the battle day is confirmed, we will notify you immediately."
The receptionist put the form away, and Tu Ba also walked up to the reception desk.
This was a man around thirty years old, about 1.8 meters tall, with a dark grey metal glove on his left arm.
He wore a seemingly friendly smile on his face, but there was no hint of a smile in his eyes.
Tu Ba also picked up a form to fill out, also checking "Available to fight at any time."
After he finished filling it out, he looked at Leo with a smile.
"Little brother, you don't mind if I participate too, right?"
Leo looked at him, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, revealing a faint smile.
"I don't mind, suit yourself."
He withdrew his gaze, turned and left the reception desk, and walked toward the room on the 200th floor assigned to him.
Tu Ba watched Leo's back, his smile slowly turning cold.
He licked his lips, a bloodthirsty glint flashing in his eyes.
"Newcomers... should act like newcomers."
Deep in the corridor, Leo's figure disappeared around the corner.