Aobashi was famous in the City of Shadows not only for her outstanding strength and powerful position, but also for her good looks. Other than a man of the same class as her, like Erebus, an average person wouldn't even dare to dream of having her.
Usually dressed in green, Aobashi had a graceful and attractive appearance. She had all the traits of great beauty. But unfortunately, because of her very high status and qualifications, very few men had the courage to pursue a romantic relationship with her.
Oi! This is the woman that Erebus has a crush on! Han Shuo reminded himself. He then smilingly said, "I have way too many women already. Besides, a dictatorial lady like Aobashi isn't my cup of tea. You have nothing to worry about, Erebus."
When Aobashi heard Han Shuo's words, she stared at him with her bright eyes strangely before she suddenly giggled and said, "What are you so afraid of? Did you really think Erebus would think there was something between us?"
Han Shuo laughed and said, "I just don't want Erebus to misunderstand and get jealous."
"I'm not worried. Even if she wants someone else, she won't compromise her standards - I'm sure of that. Haha, what do I have to worry about?" after hearing Han Shuo's explanation, Erebus remembered that there were plenty of good looking women in his House of Han and he became unworried.
"But are you really sure?" said Aobashi with a mischievous smile, as if she was determined to break Erebus' will.
"Um..." Erebus put on a worried smile and was speechless.
While Han Shuo, Aobashi and Erebus chatted merrily, Camilla, Rugersey and Batúk had drawn their lots. Wallace glanced at the trio and immediately said loudly, "Aobashi, Erebus, it's your turn!"
When Wallace saw that Han Shuo was getting along well with the two Divine Guard Chiefs under his command, not only did Wallace not feel happy, he even felt a vague sense of worry. Unwittingly, Han Shuo had influenced many of those close to him. Carmelita, Andre, Erebus and Aobashi were all characters at the heart of the House of Sainte. They all had close friendships with Han Shuo.
For Wallace, this was not a good omen at all!
"Coming!" Aobashi replied. She gave Han Shuo a death stare and a snort before leaving to draw lots with Erebus.
Wallace, who had been watching the trio closely, couldn't help but furrow his brow. He suddenly felt as if he had lost all his loyal subordinates, except for Ralph, who will forever be his faithful hound. He couldn't help but turn to look at Ralph standing in the distance. For some reason, when he remembered that Ralph was going to lose terribly, he felt deeply uncomfortable.
The results of the draw were soon known. Erebus would fight Camilla, and Batúk would fight Rugersey. Aobashi had the unmarked ticket.
Aobashi seemed happy to get the unmarked lot. She said, "I'm quite lucky today, no need to waste much energy!" For Aobashi, apart from Ralph, no other Divine Guard Chief had nearly enough power to harm her. Since Aobashi was unaware of Han Shuo's true strength, she included Han Shuo as one of those too weak to harm her.
To Aobashi, even though Han Shuo's strength was extraordinary, there was no telling if he was even Ralph's equal. Having fought Ralph for many years, Aobashi knew exactly where Ralph stood in terms of strength. That was why Aobashi had repeatedly reminded Han Shuo to be wary of Ralph.
Aobashi had never had an actual duel with Han Shuo, but she was aware that Han Shuo had managed to injure Portlem at the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy. As far as Aobashi was concerned, someone like Portlem, who had only recently become a Highgod, simply couldn't pose a threat to her.
Based on the limited information, Aobashi deduced that Han Shuo was at most someone who had recently become a Mid-stage Highgod. She did not believe that an expert in this realm could defeat her.
"Well then, instead of choosing another location, let's just use the same arena for the match," Wallace said. He then turned to Han Shuo and Ralph and said, "When you two are ready, Andre will lead you to the arena," Wallace then whistled loudly.
Andre, who was not with the group, heard Wallace's whistle. He instructed the House of Saint divine guards stationed around the area to signal to Wallace from a distance that everything was ready.
Han Shuo said nothing but travelled straight to Andre. Ralph followed behind Han Shuo, staring hatefully at his back.
It took the divine guards several days to travel from this region to the battle arena. Han Shuo and Ralph, who possessed Highgod powers, didn't need that long. Travelling at their maximum speed, these Highgods, guided by Andre, took only a few hours to reach the arena.
The few hours spent on the journey was absolutely nothing to these Highgods who had spent centuries in cultivation. Andre completely ignored Ralph all throughout the journey but cheerfully chatted with Han Shuo. To Andre, the results had been preordained with no room for a different outcome. It had been very polite of him notkl to mock Ralph at all in the journey.
There were energy towers around the battle arena that formed intense protective barriers. Those who fought in the arena would not have to worry about shockwaves and stray energies from their battles injuring bystanders or damaging the environment. Most importantly, the sand table would allow Wallace and the VVIPs to observe the battle from a safe distance. They would gain a clear understanding of the Divine Guard Chiefs' strengths.
After Andre brought Han Shuo and Ralph to the front of the arena, he motioned for them to enter the arena. Han Shuo took the lead and entered the arena. Andre suddenly shouted to remind Han Shuo, "Minor injuries are fine, but do not cause serious injuries or death! My elder brother does not want to have a chief who is no longer able to serve the City of Shadows!"
Ralph, who was about to enter the arena, suddenly put on a cold face and shouted, "Lord Andre, what exactly do you mean by that?"
Andre looked at Ralph, smiled, shook his head and said nothing. But before he left, he reminded Han Shuo again, "Have mercy!"
Then he shouted to the divine guards guarding the perimeter, "Arena cleaners, evacuate the area and let no one enter!"
As the divine guards dispersed, Andre also retreated to a distance. He watched the arena with a smile on his face.
Ralph's mind was filled with rage. He coldly groaned and loudly warned Han Shuo standing in front of him, "Lord Bryan, I will show you no mercy!"
Han Shuo wore a puzzled expression. He then dug into one ear with his little finger, as if he thought there was a blockage in his ear canal. Only then did he reply, "Is there something wrong with your ears? Are you deaf? Lord Andre asked me to be merciful - not you. Hehe, for your own sake, you better not be merciful - you are weak enough as it is. I'm really afraid I'll kill you by mistake!"
"Let us begin!" Realising that he was no match for Han Shuo in a battle of insults, Ralph stopped the nonsense and charged into the arena.
As soon as the duo were near the arena, Wallace, the three Great Patriarchs and the other Divine Guard Chiefs turned all their attention to the sand table around which they had gathered. Wallace did something, causing the sand table's projection to zoom in on the two black dots. The figures of Han Shuo and Ralph were displayed vividly and clearly.
"If Ralph is also defeated in this battle, it will be so fantastic!" Camilla commented quietly.
"I really wonder if Bryan will win. Haha, he is always full of surprises!" remarked Jiya, who was smiling next to Camilla. She had a slight smile on her face and seemed hopeful about the outcome.
The patriarch of the House of Kinson, Caspar, looked at his daughter Jiya in amazement. He was already surprised that she had visited the Fifth Corps two days earlier. Being an expert in reading body language, Caspar noticed that something was unusual about his girl. Now, after hearing Jiya's comment, a suspicion suddenly crossed his mind.
"Jiya, are you interested in that youngster?" asked Caspar softly. Being her father, Casper was very straightforward with Jiya.
Jiya was obviously startled. She raised her head and took a quick glance at Caspar and flusteredly replied, "What? I don't know what you're talking about, father!"
She sure enough is! Caspar knew his daughter very well. She would always be calm and have the same poker face in any situation. Her flustered reaction to the question means that the answer could not be more obvious!
"They say the boy is promiscuous. Keep that in mind," Caspar said, before continuing quietly, "But if he is who you want, and you have decided, your father will not stop you.
Jiya was stunned and looked at Caspar in disbelief. Her father had never been an open-minded man. For so many years he had managed to drive away countless promising young men who adored her. She was surprised that Caspar would actually ask her to do it, even though he knew that Han Shuo already had many partners.
While Jiya was puzzled and thinking about her father's decision, Camilla suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Why can't we see anything anymore?!"
Jiya was surprised and worried about Han Shuo for no apparent reason. She turned her mind to the sand table and stopped thinking about anything else.
The sand table seemed to be functioning normally. However, a massive cloud of white mist had floated into the arena from nowhere and it happened to be blocking the area where Han Shuo and Ralph were. The spectating party who was excited about the battle could not be more anxious and frustrated.
Through the sand table, they could see dust flying and stones shooting from the mist. It was clear that an earth-shaking battle was happening in there but they had absolutely no clue who was winning or losing.
"City Lord, why is there suddenly a mist?" asked Caspar hastily.
Wallace too was baffled by it. He took out a magical mirror and inquired Andre, "What's going on? Haven't the arena been properly cleaned? How come a mist covered the area in the most critical time? Where did the mist come from?"
Andre in the magical mirror forced a smile and answered, "We have cleaned the arena properly. Such a thing can't happen. I'm sure that this phenomenon is man-made!"
Man-made! Wallace bunched his brows. In every competition, Ralph would only focus on wildly attacking and wouldn't spend any time to learn or change the environment. Therefore, if the mist was man-made, the only person who would do so must be Han Shuo. Wallace was absolutely certain of it!
But why? Why didn't he wants people to see his attacks? pondered Wallace with his brows bunched.