Daoens's potion scheme was finally exposed on the spot. He immediately displayed an expression of great surprise and loudly declared that he was unaware of the situation, claiming it was entirely the doing of the alchemist master he was acquainted with. However, to maintain the master's reputation, he could not reveal the name and instead took full responsibility himself.
Daoens pretended to be a victim of unfortunate circumstances, garnering the understanding of the audience. Meanwhile, Zhuoyang and Chongyang watched the farce with cold indifference.
"He didn't know it was an illegal potion? Only a fool would believe that!" Zhuoyang scoffed, whispering as he discreetly glanced at Fulilian. "I don't care about the others; as long as she knows, that's enough."
Chongyang nodded slightly, but his eyes were fixed on the inscrutable judge. From the expression of the old judge after the scheme was revealed, Chongyang sensed that the elder likely realized Daoens's trick from the beginning but chose to say nothing.
It seemed that Daoens's background was indeed substantial. This elder… whether due to his ties to the Magic Association or for reasons of personal gain, he was likely inclined to favor Daoens. Upon further reflection, it became evident that Daoens's long-standing presence beside Fulilian suggested that there might have been some agreement between their families.
If it was a confirmed political marriage, then no matter how Zhuoyang fought for it, it would be in vain. However, since both of them had reached a marriageable age and were still unmarried, it implied that the matter had not yet been settled… Chongyang pondered silently.
After Daoens's potions were confiscated, it was time to check Zhuoyang's scrolls and potions.
The judge continued to examine the items at a leisurely pace. After inspecting the first level five scroll, he casually set it aside. However, the second scroll, the Fire Burst Technique, and the third scroll, the Great Fire Burst Technique, immediately caught his attention.
What a pity! Just first-level and second-level scrolls? The old man glanced curiously at Zhuoyang. What use could first and second-level scrolls possibly have in the battle of a seventh-level magician? Could it be that this young man from the North was so poor that he could only manage to acquire one level five scroll, while the remaining two had to be lowly first and second-level scrolls to make up the numbers?
Zhuoyang's expression was calm, exuding a steady confidence that conveyed, "Hurry up and check; we want to start the fight soon."
The old man, unable to suppress his curiosity and feeling that the magical fluctuations from these two scrolls were somewhat unusual, carefully opened one of the scrolls to examine the magic formation on the paper.
Upon looking, his eyes nearly bulged out, and his thick brows furrowed into a single line.
What kind of magic is this!?
A whole massive and intricate magical formation was dizzying to behold. Not to mention that it far surpassed a typical first-level scroll; even the three high-level level five scrolls from Daoens couldn't match this level of complexity!
The old man scrutinized it closely, and the more he looked, the more astonished he became. With his Saint-level prowess, he was unable to penetrate the magic formation on this scroll!?
As he noticed the judge examining Zhuoyang's scroll with extreme caution, Daoens couldn't help but feel pleased.
In his mind, it was clear that the old man must have discovered something amiss, which was why he was examining it so thoroughly.
"Two potions and three scrolls. I lost the potions, and the country bumpkin's scrolls were confiscated… In the end, I still have the upper hand." With this thought, Daoens's mood became exceedingly cheerful as he cast a smug glance at Zhuoyang.
The onlookers also sensed something was off and began to stir again, jeering and denigrating Zhuoyang, clamoring for the immediate confiscation of his scrolls.
Zhuoyang glanced coldly at them, but accidentally caught the gaze of Fulilian. Noticing that her eyes held no suspicion or disdain, only concern for him, Zhuoyang felt a surge of hot blood rush to his heart, filling him with warmth as if he had just downed a whole bottle of fine spirits.
As everyone's thoughts swirled, the judge remained fixated on the scroll in his hand, and a drop of cold sweat, which he hadn't experienced in who knows how long, slowly trickled down his forehead.
He couldn't comprehend it!
The old man's emotions were severely shaken. After diligently training in magic for most of his life, having finally reached the pinnacle of his craft, how could he today not understand a mere first-level magic scroll!?
It was akin to an old professor who had spent a lifetime writing in a literary academy suddenly encountering a new student who handed in a paper as profound as Einstein's theory of relativity. The shock and disbelief he felt were indescribable.
"This is not random scribbling." The old man had determined from the beginning that this was indeed a successful, usable magic scroll, containing first-level magic. Although the magical formation on it was extremely intricate, it subtly hinted at an internal logic. From every angle, it was undoubtedly a first-level scroll, just one that was so profound it was hard to believe.
The old man remained entranced, staring for so long that everyone began to feel something was off.
If this scroll was illegal, why hadn't it been confiscated?
Questions floated above everyone's heads.
Even Zhuoyang couldn't help it anymore; just as he was about to speak up, the old man suddenly turned to look at him.
"It's coming!" Daoens smirked slightly, revealing a hint of delight.
"What kind of magic is this scroll?" The old man asked solemnly, but his tone wasn't one of accusation; it sounded more like… a plea.
Zhuoyang was taken aback for a moment but then calmly replied, "It's a first-level fire magic."
When handing over the scroll, Zhuoyang had already explained to him that these two fire magic scrolls contained two very special attack spells. On the surface, they were first and second-level, but in reality, they had the power of sixth and seventh-level magic! Moreover, there was absolutely no violation of the rules.
While Zhuoyang had his doubts, he firmly believed in his brother. Thus, facing the old man's question, he calmly stated his answer.
"Who do you think you're fooling!" someone in the audience shouted.
"Who would bring a first-level magic scroll to a situation like this!?"
"This is a terrible cover-up; if you wanted to hide an illegal scroll, it shouldn't just be a first-level one."
"Truly a country bumpkin; he thinks he can fool the judges of the magic association with this!"
The mocking and derisive laughter from Daoens's side was unmistakable, but Zhuoyang stood firm as a mountain, beside him was Chongyang, whose expression remained calm.
"Shut up!!" The old man suddenly shouted loudly. His target was not the Zhuoyang brothers but the raucous crowd, instantly silencing the noisy audience.
What was happening? The mocking smile on Daoens's face stiffened.
The old man slightly straightened his body, transforming into a lion awakening from slumber, radiating an unparalleled aura of strength that enveloped the entire arena! Even a fool should instinctively recognize the terrifying power hidden behind this seemingly ordinary judge.
A dead silence fell over the crowd. The audience was dumbfounded, rendered speechless by the overwhelming presence.
After silencing the rowdy crowd, the old man turned back to face the Zhuoyang brothers, a complex expression crossing his face, as if he wanted to ask something but was hesitant to lower his guard.
"I know this is a first-level scroll… but I hope you can tell me what it specifically contains."
"The content of the scroll is not something I am obligated to disclose," said Chongyang, stepping forward instead of Zhuoyang. "Before coming here, I memorized all the rules of the duels in the capital…"
"I know," the old man waved his hand dismissively. "This is a personal request. I hope you can tell me quietly. I won't disclose it to the other party."
What? Everyone's expressions turned a bit strange.
Zhuoyang felt confused. He looked at Chongyang, whose eyes seemed to say: You take the lead on this.
The old man noticed this look, realizing that when it came to the scroll and potions, it was this younger brother who held the authority on Zhuoyang's side.
Chongyang stared at the old man for a long time. To be honest, he felt a bit dissatisfied due to the old man's earlier favoritism towards Daoens. However, the old man's current attitude was relatively polite. Given the old man's true identity, he could have easily questioned them more forcefully.
In the end, Chongyang nodded to the old man, "Alright, let's talk privately."
Under the puzzled and bewildered gazes of the onlookers, Chongyang and the old man stepped aside to begin their hushed conversation.
The person most surprised and confused by this scene, apart from Chongyang, was the only one present who knew the old man's true identity: Flirian.
Regarding the duel between her two suitors, Flirian felt a mix of satisfaction and discomfort due to her feminine vanity. While a part of her enjoyed the rivalry, overall, she was unhappy. She didn't want either Daoens, a long-time colleague, or Zhuoyang, the one she was fond of, to be harmed. However, once men got into a dispute, it was beyond her ability to stop, even though she was the catalyst for their contention.
She came to witness the duel, unaware that her grandfather had also learned about it and had arranged to be the referee. Since her grandfather kept a relatively low profile within the association, many people knew his name, but few had actually seen him. This resulted in the situation where, apart from her as his granddaughter, no one recognized the true identity of the old man.
Flirian was well aware of her grandfather's character. Although he was discreet in his dealings, his pride was extremely high, and he rarely yielded to anyone. Flirian had heard him say that among the elders of the magic association, there were only four people he truly respected, all of whom were prominent figures who had appeared on the continental rankings more than once.
Yet now… Flirian found it hard to believe her eyes. The man who was so proud and had such high standards was showing a hint of "pleading" attitude towards Zhuoyang's side!?
It was the first time she had seen her grandfather behave like this in her entire life!
Why? The key must lie in the scroll that her grandfather had been examining for a long time. What hidden mysteries could that mere first-level scroll possess to make her grandfather this anxious?
Before long, the old man and Chongyang returned. Although everyone was curious about their conversation, the most important thing now was that the duel could finally begin.
The referee announced that Zhuoyang's scrolls and potions had passed inspection without any issues. This made Daoens' expression somewhat grim.
The two sides entered the arena, standing opposite each other with their wands raised.
"Unless you surrender, if your wand drops, your body falls, or you exit the arena… anyone who exceeds ten seconds will be considered defeated!" the old man declared. "Now… the duel… begins!"
"Wind Spirit Summon!"
Daoens initiated the duel by instantly casting a level-four magic, summoning a hawk that tore through the air, heading straight for Zhuoyang.
This was a standard tactic in a wizard duel—start with an instant spell attack. If the opponent was caught chanting a spell, they would be interrupted, hit by the magic, or forced to cast a defensive spell. The initial attacker would then hold the upper hand in the battle. It was indeed a case of "the early bird catches the worm."
Zhuoyang narrowed his eyes slightly, knowing this tactic well. He could choose to counter with an attacking spell to neutralize the opponent's magic, or if he had confidence in his defensive means, he could block the magic first and then look for an opportunity to strike back in the subsequent fight.
However, he chose neither option. Instead, he pulled out a potion from his pocket and gulped it down.
Drinking a potion while facing an enemy's attacking magic? Had this guy lost his mind? Many spectators suddenly looked at him with disdain, and even Daoens was surprised by such foolishness, a trace of contempt flashing in his eyes.
Only Chongyang, watching from the sidelines, had a slight smile on his face.
As Zhuoyang retreated while drinking the potion, the hawk was already rushing toward him. He tossed aside the empty vial and let out a hearty laugh, his spirit soaring!
"Is this the best you can do?" Zhuoyang swung his wand.
"Lightning Slash!"
A level-five melee combat spell! Zhuoyang's wand traced a brilliant purple arc through the air, striking the approaching hawk and smashing it to the ground, exploding into a cloud of smoke and vanishing.
"What!?"