“Ding!” The bell sounded, and the duel began.
Tuli Yang looked at Soren and said word by word, “To kill you, I need but one sword. If I draw a second, it shall count as my defeat.”
The moment these words were spoken, they were truly filled with powerful aura, causing one to completely doubt not his words.
Then, Tuli Yang did not immediately strike. Instead, he planted his sharp sword into the ground, knelt on one knee, lowered his head, closed his eyes, and began reciting a death prayer.
At this moment, his ugly face no longer brimmed with comical air, but became solemn and dignified.
His dwarfish body also emanated a sharp, powerful aura.
This reminded one that he was a powerful swordsman, a top-tier swordsman who would certainly advance to become a Dragon Swordsman within the next three to five years.
This death prayer he now recited was for Soren.
This death prayer was originally meant to be recited after the duel, after killing one’s opponent.
But Tuli Yang was one thousand percent certain of killing Soren, so he recited the death prayer before the duel.
Moreover, he cared not at all that Soren might launch a sneak attack upon him. Of course, in truth, given Soren’s swordsmanship cultivation, even if he launched a preemptive sneak attack it would be entirely useless, merely seeking death for naught.
Tuli Yang’s cultivation was that of a sixth-rank high-grade swordsman, comparable to Turingduo.
And Soren’s pure swordsmanship cultivation was that of a third-rank mid-grade swordsman. So when Tuli Yang said his martial arts were ten times Soren’s, although somewhat exaggerated, it was not entirely false.
In a true contest of swordsmanship, even if Soren continuously used dragon power critical strikes, he would certainly lose. Even several Sorens combined would not be Tuli Yang’s match.
Once Tuli Yang finished his death prayer, he would deliver a single fatal strike!
Soren was certain to die!
Therefore, everyone present held their breath, their eyes wide open, feeling the powerful killing intent filling the hall, and the footsteps of the Grim Reaper drawing near.
Gui Qinshao’s beautiful eyes stared fixedly at Soren, wishing him to die a miserable death immediately. Whatever strange feelings she had previously held towards him, now she wished nothing more than for Soren to die at once.
Because Soren had humiliated her, humiliated her publicly.
And Turingduo’s heart was in turmoil. In one respect she also wished for Soren to die a miserable death, but most importantly of all, she wished to escape this terrifying marriage.
As for the noble ladies present, although they avoided Soren as one would avoid the plague, that was due to their political stance, which compelled them to draw a clear line with Soren. If one spoke of their inner hearts, of course they wished for Soren to win.
Although this scoundrel Soren had toyed with many people’s feelings, causing many of them to have to spend great sums to visit sorcerers to restore a certain symbol of purity.
But the times spent with this scoundrel were truly happy, that kind of happiness from the physical to the spiritual, which would become a lifelong memory for them. Many of these ladies were already married, but every time they lay with their husbands, they would close their eyes and imagine their husbands as Soren.
Although they all wished for Soren to win, they knew he could not win.
They knew Tuli Yang’s swordsmanship excellence with perfect clarity. Tuli Yang’s swordsmanship shocking all present at last year’s royal city academy graduation examination was still vivid in their memories.
“Soren is dead meat.” This was the heartfelt thought of all guests present.
Although most noble ladies did not wish for Soren to die, in this duel, he was dead for certain!
…
In the high attic.
“Ling Ao, do you think Soren will die?” Zhili asked.
“By cultivation level, he is certain to die.” Ling Ao said, “But this man is incomparably cunning, so the result is difficult to know.”
Zhili nodded, not speaking.
At this moment within the banquet hall, one more person was concealed.
That was Zhili’s personal grand eunuch Li Chenglian. Although separated by several dozen metres, killing Soren was still effortless.
Even if Tuli Yang could not kill Soren, Li Chenglian could certainly kill Soren.
Li Chenglian’s martial arts, second only to Gao Yin, made him the second strongest in the Fury Wave royal court.
Under normal circumstances, Li Chenglian could not move against Soren. But tonight Soren was seeking death, having agreed to Tuli Yang’s duel, so this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
…
“Dust to dust, earth to earth. May you rest in eternal peace. May dragon power accompany you still in lives to come.” Tuli Yang recited the final line of his death prayer.
Then, he opened his eyes and stood up.
“Soren, you are dead.” Tuli Yang said.
Immediately, everyone opened their eyes wide, fearing to miss even an instant.
Because what was to come was a single fatal strike. There would be no second sword. One sword, one kill.
Then, everyone clearly felt powerful dragon power energy gathering, gathering, gathering.
Tuli Yang’s dwarfish body grew more and more suffused with killing intent, his dragon power growing ever stronger.
Finally, Tuli Yang’s entire being seemed to transform into a single sword, merging as one with the platinum sword in his hand.
This was the unity of body and sword, a realm reachable only by Dragon Swordsmen.
And Tuli Yang, at sixth-rank high-grade swordsman, had already reached this realm.
Turingduo widened her beautiful eyes, revealing a look of astonishment. This was the first time she had looked directly at Tuli Yang.
She had not imagined that beneath such a dwarfish, ugly body, there could be such talent and will.
“This man is no ordinary person.” Zhili said faintly.
Gathered to the extreme!
One strike, one kill!
One sword, one kill!
“Whoosh…”
Tuli Yang, body and sword as one, like a meteor, like lightning, suddenly thrust towards Soren.
Fast to the extreme. Under heaven, in martial arts, only speed is invincible.
So fast that even if Soren used time-slowing technique, he could not defend, could not evade.
Tuli Yang had spoken true. To kill Soren he needed but one sword. Absolutely no second sword was required.
This was an absolute one-strike kill. Even if Soren were twice as strong, he could not dodge this sword of Tuli Yang’s.
He was certain to die!
Therefore, the heartbroken noble ladies did not wish to look. They did not wish to see Soren die on the spot.
But by now it was already too fast even to close their eyes. The Grim Reaper arrived in a flash.
…
And Soren, from beginning to end, stood motionless.
His sword remained in its scabbard. He had not even drawn it.
He gathered his mental power, and the Demon Star also gathered its mental power.
Incomparably powerful mental power, a six-star mid-grade mentalist, plus an instant mental power critical strike. In an instant, his mental power could reach high-grade mental power attack.
After Tuli Yang finished his death prayer, his eyes had been fixed directly upon Soren.
Their gazes met!
Then, Tuli Yang erupted in attack, body and sword as one, lightning thrusting forward.
And at the same moment, Soren’s gathered powerful mental power, penetrating through Tuli Yang’s eyes, suddenly blasted out in a critical strike!
Mental critical strike!
“Boom…”
Tuli Yang’s fully concentrated mind suddenly exploded violently.
Before his eyes, instant white light.
His entire mind’s mental power suddenly exploded, losing all control.
His sword, still half a foot from Soren, his entire brain domain went blank in an instant.
At the same time, Soren drew his sword and flicked it upward!
“Pugh…” Tuli Yang’s dwarfish body flew over a dozen metres and crashed heavily to the ground, a mouthful of fresh blood spurting out, convulsing continuously, his fate uncertain.
Almost simultaneously, a faint explosion sounded in the air, then like a gentle breeze, gradually rippling outward.
The entire hall fell into deathly silence!
They gazed at all this in complete disbelief.
Was not Soren certain to die? Was not Tuli Yang’s one sword a certain kill?
By all appearances, Soren had absolutely no power to fight back.
Why, then, was the one insta-killed instead Tuli Yang? Were not his martial arts and swordsmanship ten times Soren’s?
“This, this is impossible…” Gui Qinshao trembled.
“Bang…”
At this moment, behind the crystal window of the high attic, Ling Ao nearly bit his lip until it bled, gazing at all this in utter astonishment and utter disappointment.
Soren had not died? He… he had actually won against Tuli Yang. How was this possible?
And Zhili’s eyes suddenly contracted, a trace of fury flashing past.
Why had Li Chenglian not acted?
This opportunity to kill Soren was completely once-in-a-lifetime. Why had Li Chenglian not acted?
In truth, Li Chenglian had already acted!
The instant Tuli Yang moved, he too had moved. He had flicked a finger towards Soren.
This finger’s dragon power qi sword was silent and traceless, yet sufficient to kill ten Sorens and more, directly blasting Soren’s head apart.
At that time, everyone would believe it was Tuli Yang who had killed Soren, not he, Li Chenglian!
But…
The instant he struck, another person also struck.
There was one more person concealed within the crowd, standing opposite Li Chenglian.
The instant Li Chenglian shot forth his dragon power qi sword, she too gently curved a finger and flicked.
Two incomparably powerful qi swords collided in mid-air, completely cancelling each other out, merely exploding with a light sound, rippling like a gentle breeze, attracting no one’s attention.
Li Chenglian immediately found those eyes within the crowd, transcendent and otherworldly, beautiful as stars.
He slightly bowed in salute, and she nodded in response!
Who was she?
Princess Zhiyan!
Only Princess Zhiyan could make Li Chenglian bow in salute, for her status was equal to Zhili’s.
Soren had not come to the banquet alone. Princess Zhiyan, wearing a veil and in disguise, was also concealed within the crowd.
One could say, if not for Princess Zhiyan’s presence, how could Soren possibly have agreed to the duel? With Zhili present, there was certain to be Li Chenglian present. If Soren agreed to the duel, regardless of victory or defeat he would be secretly killed by Zhili.
After secretly receiving Princess Zhiyan’s confirmed assurance, Soren had agreed to Tuli Yang’s duel.
But once the duel truly ended!
No words could describe the astonishment in Soren and Li Chenglian’s hearts!
Soren knew that Zhiyan’s martial arts were high, but exactly how high he did not know. She should be about on par with Nai’er, after all she was only twenty-five this year.
And how high Li Chenglian’s martial arts were, he knew with perfect clarity.
He was Li Zhu’s adoptive father. Li Zhu’s martial arts were almost on par with Nai’er’s.
Li Chenglian’s martial arts, even if inferior to Gao Yin’s, were not far off. He was absolutely at the pyramid’s peak of the Fury Wave Kingdom. Those capable of fighting him numbered no more than three or four.
And just now, Princess Zhiyan had said with complete calmness that even if Li Chenglian acted, she could ensure Soren’s safety.
Then, she had done it. Soren was truly about to piss himself in shock.
She was actually… that powerful!
No wonder, every time Dream Datura spoke of Zhiyan, she directly skipped over her.
And no wonder, every time Chancellor Byron spoke of Zhiyan, he would slightly pause, then also skip over her.
Because this person left one utterly speechless!
Of course, at this moment no one in the entire hall knew that Zhiyan and Li Chenglian had acted.
Everyone only saw that Tuli Yang had been insta-killed by Soren.
Yet in truth, Soren had also truly insta-killed Tuli Yang. Zhiyan had acted against Li Chenglian, but not against Tuli Yang.
Because she knew that Soren could easily destroy Tuli Yang.
The total words she and Soren had exchanged numbered no more than twenty, yet she already understood this man incomparably well.
Since he had agreed to duel Tuli Yang, he could already win.
And she also knew that, barring accident, this man would become her husband, although he was four years younger than her.
And he was still resisting this marriage. The one he wished to marry was Yan Nai’er, not herself.
The last time their father the king had just brought it up, he had deliberately interrupted.
King Zhibian had once asked Zhiyan whether she was willing to marry Soren. Her answer was simple. Willing!
…
The entire hall remained silent, gazing at Soren in astonishment.
Only now did Turingduo remember that Soren’s mental power attacks were very strong. The last time, she had been taken down by his mental power trickery.
But at that time it was because her mind had been in disarray that Soren had succeeded. And this time, Tuli Yang had been fully concentrated, yet was also insta-killed by Soren’s mental power. This was too shocking!
Soren came before Turingduo and said, “You are free.”
At this moment, Tuli Yang was still convulsing on the ground. Then several people quickly appeared and carried him away.
Previously, Tuli Yang had promised that if Soren won the duel, he would return Turingduo’s freedom, willing to dissolve the engagement.
Turingduo was startled. Was she free? Why could she not feel it at all?
Soren said, “Of course, true freedom must be fought for by oneself. You must learn to resist your family’s will. You can go to the Dragon God Temple, you can travel the world, or you can even join our side? Princess Zhiyan is a woman, you are also a woman. We are all women. It is easy to talk.”
Turingduo’s heart was in turmoil. Although Soren deliberately spoke in absurd fashion, his meaning was quite serious.
True freedom could only be fought for by herself. If she forever placed family interests foremost, she would never obtain freedom.
Then, Soren extended his hand and bent at the waist, saying, “Miss Turingduo, might I invite you to dance?”
Turingduo’s heart was in chaos, still pondering Soren’s words.
Her family had been so cruel to her, her father so cruel to her. Must she still place family interests foremost, sacrificing herself?
And once she accepted Soren’s invitation to dance, it would represent the beginning of resisting her father’s will.
Just then, a stern, cold gaze swept over like lightning, making Turingduo’s delicate body tremble, nearly freezing stiff.
This was her father Turingtuo’s gaze. Since childhood she had revered, worshipped, and feared this gaze.
Since childhood, the thing she feared most was disappointing her father.
“No.” Turingduo coldly refused Soren, saying, “I have no interest in dancing with you.”
Then, she directly lifted her skirt, turned, and departed, returning to her room.
As she walked, her heart was incomparably sorrowful. She had ultimately submitted after all, and submitted in an instant. Even though her father had merely cast a single gaze upon her.
Walking along the way, Turingduo discovered that even her boudoir was no longer returnable to, because Tuli Yang had done some nauseating things inside it. That boudoir could no longer be used.
Thus, Turingduo suddenly did not know where to go.
…
At this moment, Soren came before Gui Qinshao and extended his right hand.
Immediately, everyone in the entire hall was thoroughly excited.
Now, it was time to fulfil the second stake. Was Gui Qinshao to strip off her small undergarment before the eyes of all?
If so, from this day forward, her reputation would be utterly ruined.
Of course, the one whose reputation would be even more ruined was Ling Ao. From this day forward, he would become the laughing stock of all.
Gui Qinshao was still somewhat drunk. Her beautiful eyes gazed at Soren, brimming with tears.
Her entire delicate body trembled continuously, her teeth clenched tight, nearly bleeding.
This scoundrel Soren, this bastard, why must he be so cruel, humiliating her so publicly?
Why had he not the slightest tender regard for women? He was still her first man. They had not only the name of husband and wife, but the reality as well.
At this moment, in the attic, Ling Ao’s blood rushed to his pupils, his hand gripping his precious sword so forcefully that his nails pierced his flesh, fresh blood seeping out.
His most beloved woman was being humiliated thus, yet he could not rush down to protect her.
“Your Highness, let me go down.” Ling Ao directly knelt.
“No.” Zhili said faintly, filled with absolute will, watching with burning interest all that unfolded below.
Immediately, Ling Ao knelt on the ground in agony, motionless, his jaw shattered, fresh blood seeping out.
And Zhili beside him completely ignored him.
Gui Qinshao was surrounded by countless onlookers, yet her Ling Ao never appeared.
Very well, very well! Everyone was waiting for her to make a fool of herself. This scoundrel man Soren, humiliating her so?
And Ling Ao, who loved her, did not appear, allowing her to be bullied by others.
Did they not wish to see her make a fool of herself? Was it not about stripping the small undergarment beneath her skirt? Strip it then, who fears whom!
“You want it that badly? Then I’ll give it to you…” Gui Qinshao said pugnaciously, then bent down and reached towards the inside of her skirt.
Immediately, the breathing of everyone present tightened, their gazes burning hot.
“I never asked for your small undergarment. I was merely joking with you just now. How could I bear to so degrade you?” Soren said gently, “One day as husband and wife, a hundred days of grace. I merely wished for you to see clearly the true faces of some people!”
The moment these words were spoken, Gui Qinshao’s heart suddenly trembled.
Then, Soren’s gaze turned tender. He bent at the waist like a gentleman and said, “Qinshao, might I invite you to dance?”
At this moment, Ling Ao in the attic was about to explode with fury. This scoundrel Soren, this was publicly cuckolding him!