In a battle between a second-level Innate and a first-level Innate, the gap, although seemingly just one level, was an insurmountable chasm.
Among the opposing Innates, even the most cautious and meticulous leader of the Myriad Demons did not believe that Eddie, who had just ascended to Innate status a few days ago, could defeat the experienced Tucker.
One had not yet fully mastered Innate power, while the other had fought in the upper levels of the Heaven-Reaching Tower for many years; one was a young and inexperienced lad, the other a profound and powerful Innate with formidable war beasts...
No matter how you compared them, Eddie was far inferior to the Tucker Demon Master, who had been famous for over two hundred years.
Even Alexander, the national teacher, elder Haye Yew, and others did not have complete confidence in Eddie.
They supported him because it was the Night Queen's suggestion, and she would never set a trap for Eddie; secondly, because of the hint from Divine Punishment, who had awakened Eddie's potential and helped him ascend to Innate status.
She must be the person most aware of Eddie's strength. Since she did not oppose, and even thought Eddie might defeat the Tucker, Alexander and the others naturally did not object.
What made them most comfortable was that Eddie's introducer was that 'she.' Just this fact alone filled Eddie's supporters with confidence.
Although victory was not certain, they believed he would not lose. This battle, fought to the end, even if it ended in a draw, would still be a significant victory for the twenty-year-old Eddie, tying with the Tucker, who had been famous for two hundred years, and fighting evenly with a second-level Innate as a first-level Innate!
Eddie was still young, with boundless potential, while the well-known Tucker had reached his peak, exhausting his potential with little room for further progress.
"Ha!"
The Tucker, leaping mid-air as Eddie was about to meet him, suddenly shouted unexpectedly.
His body paused, and his hands spread outward.
A powerful shockwave exploded, a golden halo spreading from his palms, like the force of a big bang, knocking Eddie back. The Tucker knew Eddie had a talent for binding opponents.
Previously, he was caught off guard, allowing Eddie to disorient him. Now, he had figured out a way to counter Eddie—mid-range attacks.
Up close, Eddie's binding talent was formidable, but such a strong talent surely couldn't be used endlessly or from a great distance.
The Tucker guessed that Eddie's talent required physical contact or very close proximity to be effective.
Therefore, he decided not to give Eddie any chance, directly using the shockwave's force to defeat his opponent at mid-range.
Though he couldn't kill his opponent, he had a hundred cunning methods to cripple the young man.
One of them was to completely crush the opponent's fighting spirit, to strike at the enemy's will.
Once the young man lost the heart of a strong fighter, becoming a coward trembling in fear, unable to even raise a fist, then all his potential would be in vain.
The Tucker had seen many young talents, but after significant defeats, they all became cowards, turned into wastes.
Now, he intended to destroy this arrogant young man...
"Want to become an Innate powerhouse? First, pay some tuition!" Detecting a safe distance, the Tucker rejoiced inwardly and flashed behind Eddie.
As Eddie swung his fist, the Tucker summoned a platinum tome, raising a light shield that sent Eddie flying. He planned to use extremely precise and clever tome summons to make Eddie, who was completely unable to attack, feel despair.
As Eddie was knocked back, the Tucker summoned an ancient behemoth, as large as a small mountain, to strengthen himself.
The golden ancient behemoth roared skyward and merged with the Tucker, causing his body to grow several times larger.
Now the Tucker stood ten meters tall, with a single finger nearly as large as Eddie's thigh. His outstretched palm could completely envelop Eddie.
Summoning the ancient behemoth wasn't enough; the Tucker decided to also make Eddie feel inferior and hopeless in terms of strength, completely crushing his fighting spirit. A second summoned beast appeared amidst a burst of golden light.
It was a golden dragon.
Eddie had seen flying dragons before, but this was his first time seeing a giant dragon.
"Double enhancement!" the Tucker shouted, and the imposing golden dragon transformed into a burst of intense golden light, merging with him.
Giant dragon wings grew from his back, his hands turned into dragon claws, and a dragon tail extended behind him, almost making the Tucker appear as a gigantic humanoid dragon.
Those Innates familiar with the Tucker knew that if the first ancient behemoth enhancement merely increased strength and size, then the second enhancement would skyrocket his combat power, adding the golden dragon's skills 'Intimidation,' 'Dragon Breath,' and 'Flight.'
With these three abilities, the Tucker could easily maintain an unbeatable position.
The opponent was inferior in level, realm, power, and especially in war beasts... Just the 'Intimidation' skill alone could reduce the opponent's combat power by half.
Add to that the dragon breath, more terrifying than hellfire, and the ability to fly, making it impossible for the enemy to escape.
This battle was won before it even started.
Almost no one among the opposing Innates thought otherwise, except for Phoenix, standing alone with a mysterious smile on her face, as if mocking the Tucker's actions as a futile and foolish effort.
The handsome young man in purple robes from the Demon Palace saw the smile on Phoenix's face, his resentment towards Eddie deepening.
But he didn't show it openly, hiding his feelings like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows.
"Roar, I'll turn you into a roasted pig!" the Tucker lunged at Eddie, opening his huge mouth to unleash dragon breath from a distance of ten meters.
"..." Eddie, instead of retreating, charged directly towards the Tucker.
In the blink of an eye, Eddie summoned his silver tome, raising a shield that deflected the incoming dragon breath back at Tucker.
Everyone was astonished; the kid could instantly summon a tome?
If they hadn't seen that his summoned tome was still a silver one, no one would have believed he was just a twenty-year-old youngster.
This instant tome summoning skill was simply not something a young person could learn.
Alexander and elder Haye Yew were the most shocked, knowing that Eddie had only recently contracted with the tome, for just half a year, and he had already learned to instantly summon a tome, a skill that others might not master in twenty years.
They had seen talents before, but never to this terrifying extent...
The gap between half a year and twenty years.
And those who could learn it in twenty years were already considered geniuses. It was simply speechless.
Thinking back on how Eddie had always acted like a good-for-nothing, Alexander and elder Haye Yew were even more stunned. This kid was really too good at pretending to be useless!
Tucker, who had intended to turn Eddie into charcoal, ended up being scorched by his own dragon breath, crying out in pain.
The other Innates furrowed their brows, impressed by Eddie's perfect timing in using the shield to reflect the dragon breath.
Just one meter farther and it wouldn't have reached Tucker, one meter closer and it would have torn Tucker apart. The distance was just right.
Could they have done it better?
No one voiced the answer, but everyone had the same thought in their minds: 'It wouldn't have been possible to do it any better.'
"Fury!" Although Tucker was hit by his own dragon breath, he was more embarrassed than hurt. In a fury, his body and hands spun like a windmill, creating a whirlwind storm around the shield.
The tome's shield is connected to its master's mind; minor impacts don't affect the master.
But prolonged impacts and vibrations can affect the tome's master.
If it were a warrior below level six striking, even continuous attacks for an hour probably wouldn't have much effect on a contractor of the lowest grade bronze tome...
But Tucker was an Innate. His storm might not damage the shield, but over time, it would definitely affect Eddie's concentration.
In a battle between masters, even a slight distraction can lead to a complete disadvantage.
Eddie didn't stay inside the shield waiting for the storm to pass; Tucker could create such a storm at any time with his spinning.
He instantly retracted the tome and unexpectedly flashed behind Tucker.
With his hands, Eddie lifted Tucker, as tall as a small mountain, high into the air and then threw him into the center of the tornado. In an instant, Tucker was swept up into the sky.
"It's teleportation, and binding too!" The opposing Innates frowned once again.
It wasn't surprising for an Innate to master teleportation, but how did this kid learn it just days after ascending to Innate status?
The most perplexing part was how he teleported out of the shielded space. Before the shield disappeared, a tome's contractor could walk out, but teleportation was impossible.
Was it a mistake, or could this kid simultaneously retract his tome and teleport instantaneously?
As the storm dissipated, Tucker fell from the sky. Reacting swiftly, he spread his enormous wings just before hitting the ground, landing smoothly.
Despite not being hurt, he still felt humiliated.
This youngster had countered his proudest moves, which was more humiliating than a harsh slap to the face, utterly intolerable!
His dragon breath was reflected, his storm was utilized... Tucker's rage was burning to its limit.
He couldn't believe that with his second-level Innate strength, he couldn't defeat this first-level Innate youngster. He decided to use the most direct method, the strongest power, and the most brute force to defeat his opponent head-on.
Could this youngster make his fists rebound back? "Ha!" Tucker raised his massive fist and struck down hard at Eddie. With a thunderous boom, Eddie was sent flying ten meters away.
Tucker felt triumphant, believing that the binding talent wasn't all-powerful and likely had limited uses.
Under his terrifying strength, this kid would surely be forced to kneel and beg for mercy! Imagining Eddie kneeling and begging before him, Tucker felt indescribably pleased. Laughing last was true victory; the kid was still too green!
He raised his giant fist a second time, striking down with all his might.
"Kid, didn't you drink enough milk? Why so weak? Ha ha!" Tucker mocked loudly.
The other Innates believed that a battle between a second-level Innate and a first-level Innate had no suspense.
The gap was clear, and it wasn't something that could be bridged with mere technique.
The elusive leader of the Myriad Demons, watching the battle unfold, had a bad premonition.
He looked at Alexander and elder Haye Yew and found that, although they seemed a bit anxious, they were far from panic-stricken.
This indicated that Eddie, the newly ascended Innate, still had reserves and couldn't be easily defeated.
His concern deepened when he saw Phoenix's expression, her smile now fuller than before, as if she was watching a little tiger, inexperienced in hunting, catch a wild buffalo and practice its skills, reluctant to finish off its prey too soon.
A thought flashed through his mind.
Before, Eddie was knocked back dozens of meters by Tucker's punch, breaking columns and nearly collapsing walls.
Now, with Tucker's double enhancement, his power increased tenfold, yet Eddie only retreated ten meters when meeting his fist head-on.
What did this imply?
It implied that Eddie was improving and growing stronger during the fight, evolving from being easily overpowered to almost standing up to Tucker, who was doubly enhanced.
If the fight continued, with Tucker exhausting his energy and Eddie improving, the balance might shift, and Tucker, the second-level Innate, could possibly be defeated by the first-level Innate.
Eddie must possess some talent that allowed him to learn and grow during combat...
Otherwise, the Night Queen wouldn't have suggested this supreme duel with Tucker.
And Divine Punishment wouldn't have agreed, let alone volunteered to arbitrate!
After this realization, the leader of the Myriad Demons was infuriated, feeling outmaneuvered by the Night Queen and Divine Punishment.
Most importantly, 'she' also agreed to this one-on-one supreme duel, proving Eddie's talent wasn't just binding. It might be a special ability of his war beast, suggesting his real talent was learning and growing through combat!
Boom! The leader of the Myriad Demons saw Tucker's second punch send Eddie flying again. He carefully counted Eddie's steps backward – previously ten steps, ten meters; now nine steps, nine meters. The earlier steps were deep, shattering the ground; now, the last two were noticeably lighter!
"Kid, use all your strength, ha ha ha, where did your power go?" Tucker, now confident, believed his strength could completely overpower Eddie.
He estimated that about ten more punches would leave Eddie powerless on the ground, severely injured and spitting blood...
A normal warrior couldn't withstand a single punch from an Innate without defense.
If Eddie's body weakened and he was hit by one of Tucker's doubly enhanced fists, his bones would probably shatter.
Even if he survived, his future would be bleak.
Tucker's face was filled with smugness.
He raised his huge fist high, preparing to strike down thunderously and force Eddie to fight back.
"Wait, Tucker, we concede, stop fighting," the leader of the Myriad Demons interjected, unwilling to let his subordinate be a training tool for someone with immense potential.
If Eddie improved, the leader's own top-ten ranking might be jeopardized. He decided to forfeit the match. Losing a match was one thing, but allowing Eddie to grow was another.
"What?" Everyone was incredulous, looking at the leader of the Myriad Demons in shock.
"Hmph, what a cunning fellow!" Only Phoenix, somewhat displeased but not surprised, let out a light snort.
"You want me to concede? To kneel and beg before this kid?" Tucker was shocked.
If it weren't the leader of the Myriad Demons speaking, Tucker would have struck him already. He couldn't believe the most respected leader would ask him to concede, equating to kneeling and begging for mercy before a twenty-year-old enemy, humiliating himself...
How could he stand tall as an Innate after that?
"I think it's best to end the match quickly, conceding is fine. Your strength is undeniable, and kneeling to anyone won't change that," the leader of the Myriad Demons sighed.
"You're an Innate, I respect your choice, but continuing might lead to regret."
"No, even if I die, I won't regret!" Tucker roared almost crazily, "I'd rather die than kneel!"
"Suit yourself!" The leader of the Myriad Demons realized he couldn't forcibly stop Tucker and began to understand the Night Queen's intention for the supreme duel.
In a supreme duel, no one can forcefully stop it, and there must be a victor.
The Night Queen's purpose wasn't to defeat Tucker but to target him, anticipating he might try to stop the duel, so she proposed a supreme duel, not just an honor duel.
And Divine Punishment, that cunning woman, used the condition of kneeling and begging for mercy.
She outwitted Tucker!
Divine Punishment knew Tucker's temperament and pride; in front of others, he would never concede, as doing so meant kneeling and begging for mercy.
Tucker, as an Innate, was not the kind of fighter who could bend and stretch, bearing humiliation and heavy burdens; he was more like a bull with mere brute force.
The leader of the Myriad Demons was in a foul mood: first, he couldn't see through Eddie's strength; second, he was outmaneuvered by the Night Queen and Divine Punishment; and third, his subordinate Tucker didn't fully obey his commands.
However, with his patient nature, he didn't show his displeasure, instead feigning respect for Tucker's opinion.
Though his behavior seemed unclear to others, he was also tactfully reclaiming some ground...
If Eddie truly won, people would admire his foresight; if Tucker failed, the impact would be minimized.
"Master, please forgive Tucker for defying your command. This is the first and last time I will do so. From now on, I swear never to disobey you again. But today, please allow me to settle this with this kid. I'm not convinced and don't believe I'll lose. He's a first-level Innate with ancient rune assistance, not far behind me in strength. But, master, I am confident I can defeat him! I've successfully mastered the triple enhancement!"
Tucker turned and knelt on one knee before the leader of the Myriad Demons to apologize.
Defying his master was no joke, and Tucker was no fool. He was well aware of his master's strength and temperament.
But Tucker was still unconvinced.
Despite the kid being highly regarded by the Night Queen, Divine Punishment, and 'her', and being extremely cunning and quick to react, he was still just a newly ascended first-level Innate.
Tucker, an Innate for over two hundred years, had recently mastered the triple enhancement.
The combined power of triple enhancement was almost equivalent to a third-level Innate.
Could he really not defeat a mere first-level Innate?
Tucker refused to believe he would lose!
He would rather defy his master's order than kneel before a weaker opponent. Why should he kneel before this kid...
"Ha!" Phoenix laughed, looking as if she were watching prey foolishly fall into a trap.
"Triple enhancement?" Eddie was indeed curious to witness the power of triple enhancement.
Just now, Eddie had learned true double enhancement by overlaying two giant shadows onto himself, significantly boosting his strength to nearly match Tucker's. What kind of power would triple enhancement with three giant shadows bring?
Initially, combining five giant shadows was necessary to form one.
Having learned double enhancement, Eddie found he needed just one extra shadow to achieve the effect of two overlaid giant shadows...
Could he also add one more shadow for triple enhancement? He eagerly awaited Tucker's triple enhancement, curious about the physical changes it would bring.
Combining his third-level insight with his natural vision, Eddie was ready to learn the triple enhancement that Tucker had developed over two hundred years of hard work.
This battle, Eddie thought, would leave Tucker spitting blood and regretting if he knew the truth.
It seemed only the leader of the Myriad Demons could see through Eddie's progress; others hadn't noticed his differences. Perhaps some did but chose to keep silent, their schemes hidden deep.
The only one showing emotion was the purple-clothed man from the Demon Palace. Was he a suitor of Phoenix?
Eddie glanced at Phoenix. He hadn't won her over but had already attracted unwanted attention—a silent enemy, how annoying!
"Don't look at me, my little enemy, focus on the fight!" Phoenix flirtatiously blew a kiss to Eddie.
Eddie was speechless.
"Darn it!" The exceptionally handsome man in purple, witnessing this scene, struggled to suppress his anger.
His forehead seemed to sprout horns, and his mouth gradually split towards his ears, taking on the appearance of a dragon-headed monster.
It was only when Eddie looked his way that he instantly reverted to his original handsome form.
Eddie realized that this man was not human but a demon, similar to the millennium-old tortoise spirit Saltold.
Could this man, named Tenscale, be a millennium-old dragon?
Tucker's triple enhancement was even more imposing. He summoned a red light, casting it onto the ground.
The ground immediately began to shake and bulge, like a volcano spewing lava.
Under everyone's gaze, Tucker plunged into the volcanic lava.
Inferno engulfed the sky...
At the moment of complete triple enhancement, it was like a solar storm, the shockwave thunderously expanding outwards, forcing everyone in the arena to step back.
Elder Haye Yew, Alexander, and General Windstorm, even as they joined hands, still retreated a step and a half, a testament to the power of the triple enhancement.
At the center of the arena, Eddie's hands moved gently, as if a young girl brushing willow leaves.
The shockwaves and flames around him transformed into mysterious rings of fire, revolving around his body, taming even the most powerful shockwaves into obedience like kittens...
The leader of the Myriad Demons watched, his heart chilling.
He could tell that this was not a skill a newly ascended Innate could possess.
When he, known as a peerless genius, practiced this technique, it took thirty years.
For others, it would take a hundred years, if not more, to master.
Some Innates, to this day, still couldn't achieve this level of skill! Yet, this young man had already mastered control over such power...
What techniques had 'she' taught him? If it were ordinary techniques, Eddie couldn't have achieved this.
If earlier the leader of the Myriad Demons merely suspected Tucker might lose and didn't want him to be a sparring target for Eddie,
Now, he was completely certain: this battle, Tucker would undoubtedly lose!