"There will be nine battles, three at the Immortal Foundation Stage, three in the Immortal King Stage, and three in the Immortal Emperor Stage. Regardless of the stage, all battles reward a fully ripe and beneficial Empyrean Grade resource for the taking."
"Woahh!"
With Davis announcing a battle exchange, many were excited, but some also found it funny.
When had an Anarchic Divergent, an evil existence, ever managed to do something like this?
It could be said their horizons were broadened.
Still, with resources at the Empyrean Grade staring at them, they wanted to take part in it and win.
A sudden gust of wind billowed through the ceremonial hall, stirring the silken curtains and fanning the flames atop the phoenix-shaped lanterns.
*Boom~*
A figure dropped from the sky, landing in the open battle stage that had emerged from the center. His robe fluttered behind him as he rose to his full height, revealing an arrogant yet handsome youth with fiery red hair and deep golden eyes. He was draped in crimson and bronze, his robe decorated with a roaring wolf emblem on the back.
"I'll go first," the young man declared as he cupped his hands towards the Divine Emperor of Death and everyone, his voice echoing through the palace.
"Ahh…"
"No…"
Voices of regret echoed around the crowd. Because they had hesitated, someone got to the forefront.
They could only wish that the Divine Emperor of Death disqualified him for his impertinence, but the latter nodded at him.
"Good show of bravery. Now from my family…"
Davis looked towards the seating of his people, finding who amongst them to pick.
The challenger was a Peak Stage Monarch, causing him to point toward his little brother.
"Edward, it's your chance to show yourself to the world."
"Yes, big brother!"
Edward flew out into the battle arena. His black hair fluttered, and his lightning aura exploded dazzlingly as he landed. He was also a Level Nine Immortal King with a prowess that couldn't be easily detected since he kept his aura calm.
"Little brother of the Divine Emperor of Death… that's a steep hurdle…"
The young genius said. However, he smirked, "But you won't ever compare to your big brother, so I guess I still have some winning chance.
His words elicited a burst of laughter from the crowd that quickly died down.
Edward narrowed his brows, but he didn't opt to respond.
Some among the crowd gasped.
"It's... the third young master of the Blaze Wolf Lower Realm, Kelzen Tyrhart!"
A Grand Elder leaned toward his companion, "That's the eighth-ranked genius of the Flame Core Alliance… he's infamous for challenging others at their peak without ever suffering defeat, mostly because he makes his opponents maddened and lose control of themselves."
There was a stir amongst the Davis's Family seating arrangement, complaining that this Kelzen Tyrhart was so rude.
However, Davis's expression still remained calm and even had a smile.
"The rules of the duel: first to yield, turns unconscious, or is unable to continue battling, loses. Avoid fatal blows as much as possible. Let the battle begin."
The moment Davis's voice faded-
*Boom!*
Kelzen Tyrhart vanished from his spot, a blast of fiery wind trailing behind. The ground cracked as his momentum tore across the battlefield, his figure like a crimson comet.
"Burning Wolf Art: Scarlet Hunt!"
A flaming claw appeared, shaped like a wolf's paw the size of a boulder, bearing down on Edward from above. The flames roared with tyrannical force, threatening to sear space itself.
*Crackle~!*
However, blue lightning flared as Edward raised a single hand. With the calmness of a seasoned warrior, his fingers pointed to the sky.
"Sky Punishment Art: Lightning Bind."
*Bzzz!!*
Pillars of radiant lightning burst from the ground in a circular formation, meeting the descending claw. The clash of flame and lightning caused a stunning explosion of elemental might, shaking the platform and even making the phoenix flames surrounding the lotus altar ripple in response.
*Boom!~*
The crowd shielded their eyes from the brilliance.
As the smoke cleared, Edward stood at the center, his robe fluttering, his face calm. A faint scorch was visible on his shoulder, but that was it.
Kelzen Tyrhart floated in mid-air, a bit stunned that his opening strike had been neutralized so easily.
"Tch…" he clicked his tongue, then laughed. "You're better than I thought."
He clapped his hands, and a strange radiance surrounded his body as fire coalesced along his arms.
"Let's not pretend anymore. I'll go all out!"
*Whoosh!*
His aura surged to the extreme. A fire wolf manifested behind him- gigantic, imposing, roaring silently with heat that made space twist.
"Tyrant Wolf King's Inferno!"
Kelzen Tyrhart dashed forward again, this time cloaked in the wolf's form. He became a beast of heat and destruction, clawing, pouncing, and roaring as each blow exploded with might.
But Edward again reacted calmly.
"Sky Punishment Art: Lightning Mirage Steps."
He disappeared in an arc of lightning, sidestepping with flickering speed, his figure creating multiple afterimages. Kelzen Tyrhart missed every strike by a hair's breadth.
The audience gaped.
"He's not even attacking. He's just dodging! And he's doing it effortlessly!"
"He's testing the other guy's patience…"
Within moments, Kelzen Tyrhart began gritting his teeth, unable to land a clean hit.
And then, Edward's voice rang out in a mocking tone.
"Are you done showing off?"
Kelzen Tyrhart roared and launched his ultimate move, "Wolf King's Wrath: Meteor Fang!"
A condensed fire spear appeared in his hand, shaped like a wolf's incisor, and he hurled it with all his might. It tore across the sky like a divine comet, its core burning molten-white.
Edward's expression turned sharp. He raised both hands, and his calm aura shifted into dominance.
"Sky Punishment Art: Thunderstorm Severance."
A whirlpool of black-blue lightning formed above him. The moment the fire spear closed in, a bolt the size of a tree trunk descended and struck it mid-air!
*Boooom!~*
The lightning bolt split the Meteor Fang apart, causing it to explode into harmless embers.
Kelzen Tyrhart's pupils shrank. Before he could even react, Edward was in front of him.
A single palm landed on his chest.
*Crack!*
Kelzen Tyrhart's defensive armor shattered. A gentle, but firm shock of lightning surged through him, numbing his limbs. It was smooth and not berserk. Instantly, he was fried from within in a systematic manner. His eyes rolled up, and he dropped from the sky.
*Thud~*
After that, there was only silence until a clear voice rang out.
"Kelzen Tyrhart is unable to continue. Edward Loret wins." Ellia giggled.
The silence broke into roaring applause, shouts, and whistles.
Davis clapped with pride, nodding gently.
From the guest seats, several cultivators looked at Edward with widened eyes.
"That's not a kid riding his brother's coattails…"
"He completely suppressed a Kingly Monarch of the Flame Core Alliance… incredible"
Kelzen Tyrhart was carried away by his people, looking more bitter than angry.
Meanwhile, Edward floated back to his side, landing near Davis with a subtle smile.
"Thank you for the opportunity, big brother."
Davis chuckled, "You did well. Still, you should battle more since you're not done yet."
"Eh?"
Edward looked stunned.
Davis turned to the crowd and raised a hand again.
"My family has to win three times to earn the reward, so the first battle still continues. Who dares step forward to face my little brother?"
The supreme geniuses were stunned, but some still responded almost instantly.
Nearly three young men flew out at the same time and landed on the battle arena.
"Only one can face one of my people at a time. Either await your turn or push your opponents out of bounds."
The Divine Emperor of Death's voice could be heard, causing them to instantly make a move against each other.