"Get any wish granted by the Third Princess?"
Timothy wasn't really interested in the other stuff, but this caught his attention.
"Since that jade bracelet can nurture the Rainbow Lotus, how about I try my luck in the arena and win that bracelet?" Timothy said with a smile, looking at Sylvia, who was eating in a rather adorable way, her lips shiny with grease.
Sylvia suddenly regained her goddess-like dignity. "It's just a bracelet, and it doesn't matter if she's some princess or not. I could get it in an instant if I wanted to, no need for you to step in."
"Just trust your boyfriend for once. Plus, I'd like to test my own strength," Timothy stood up, ready for action.
This kind of event, where all the top fighters gather, was perfect for him to earn system rewards. He wasn't about to let such a great opportunity for improvement slip by.
"If that's the case, I'll leave it to you. But a date isn't a one-way street, you've done so much, maybe I should... give something back," Sylvia hesitated, seemingly a bit embarrassed.
"Just call me 'hubby', that'll do," Timothy responded immediately.
"You!"
If it had been anyone else who said that, they might have been a corpse by now.
But at that moment, Sylvia felt her cheeks burning red.
"Hmph, dream on! We'll talk about that later!"
With a huff, Sylvia turned her head away, pretending to look at the scenery outside the window, but really she was trying to calm her racing heart with the cool evening breeze.
The first round of the competition had already started on the arena.
None of those who dared to compete for the princess's hand were weak.
The two fighters in the arena were both at the mid-stage of Aura Initiation and only about twenty years old.
Such talents were considered exceptional disciples in any ordinary sect.
Both were going all out, sparing no effort.
Blood splattered, and after a short while, one of them was finally knocked out of the arena.
The other was also exhausted, barely able to stand.
Timothy leaped down from the tavern and went to watch the competition at the edge of the arena.
Just two rounds in, the winner of the first round was defeated, and the fights became even more intense, with injuries and even casualties occurring.
A giant of a man, 6 feet 9 inches tall with bulging muscles and a fierce look, stood last.
Just his presence, like a small mountain, exerted immense pressure.
Moreover, his ruthless moves had already severely injured two or three opponents, with one nearly dead.
Many were intimidated,the steady stream of challengers to the arena suddenly thinned.
After all, no one wanted to face such a formidable opponent.
Though many aspired to win the princess's hand, risking their lives was another matter.
"Let me give it a try!"
Just then, Timothy shouted from the crowd and leaped onto the two-meter-high arena in one smooth motion.
"Nice move!"
Some of the less worldly spectators gasped and applauded.
[You have impacted the minds of thirteen ordinary people, Agility +6]
Timothy moved his body a bit, barely feeling any change.
As expected, the system rewards were based on the strength of the opponents.
Even with a large number of ordinary people, it was hard to get a decent reward.
"Roar, finally a worthy opponent."
Feeling the solid and steady aura emanating from Timothy, the muscular giant got serious.
Facing all around, Timothy shouted, "I'm claiming the championship of today's arena. I advise you all to give up and save yourselves the trouble."
His words immediately stirred anger and uproar among the crowd.
"Such audacity, to say such things! He clearly doesn't know his place!"
"I think he's tired of living. Sure, being in the later stages of Aura Initiation is impressive, but he's up against countless admirers of the Third Princess."
"His skills are nothing special!"
"Is he out of his mind to provoke like that?"
[You have impacted the minds of the crowd, Agility +126, Strength +126]
"Exactly as I thought," Timothy marveled internally.
Just as he expected, even shamelessness, if used correctly, could be effective.
Though many were just ordinary townspeople, there were quite a few cultivators hidden among them.
The values provided by these cultivators were definitely not insignificant.
Timothy then shouted, "If you've got the guts, stop babbling and come up here to fight me. I'll show you what 'out of your depth' really means!"
"You're asking for it!"
[You have completely enraged the crowd, Agility +126, Strength +126]
Watching Timothy, the 6-foot-9 giant suddenly sensed something was off.
He realized that Timothy's aura had significantly increased since just moments ago!
"How is this possible! He hasn't done anything but talk big!"
"Kid, no matter what tricks you've used, the princess will be mine today!"
The giant roared, his face bristling with hair and his eyes bulging with rage.
With a howling sound, his fist, as big as a sandbag, swept towards Timothy with a fierce wind.
Although their realms were similar, Timothy's strength had surged dramatically.
With just a sidestep, he easily dodged the punch.
"So fast!"
The giant was shocked, not expecting Timothy to have such agility.
He hurriedly tried to retreat, but it was already too late.
"Thud."
With a muffled sound, Timothy's punch sent the giant sliding back several feet, his internal energy thrown into chaotic turmoil.
His body, honed to be as hard as rock, was unexpectedly repelled by what seemed like a casual punch!
The giant realized something was wrong,this man was far from as simple as he had imagined.
Before he could react further, suddenly, lightning flashed in Timothy's hand.
The thunder, filled with a violent aura, roared and split into five bolts, striking down fiercely.
"Boom!"
The giant couldn't dodge in time and was directly hit by the lightning.
Instantly, his tough skin turned black and charred, and intense pain made him scream in agony.
He tried to flee, but in just a blink, Timothy had moved right in front of him.
"Thud!"
The giant's sturdy chest caved in, his ribs completely shattered.
His massive body, like a kite with its string cut, flew uncontrollably out of the arena.
Dust flew up as he crashed down like a dead body, unable to move even slightly.
"In just three moves, in merely a moment, the giant who seemed unbeatable was defeated without any resistance!"
"He's just too strong!"
[Agility +127, Strength +127]