Chapter 14: A Battle of Wits and Strength
The next day.
Royal Martial Arts Arena.
At the center of the Royal Martial Arts Arena was a circular battle platform nearly 100 meters in diameter, surrounded by spectator stands for onlookers.
Today was destined to be one of the busiest days the Star Luo Empire had seen in recent years. Since the secluded sect of the Haotian Clan withdrew from public life, the Star Luo Empire had adopted a policy of quiet recovery. But today, the two imperial princes would be fighting a duel over a marriage contract, and this news immediately sent both the Dai family and the Zhu family into a frenzy.
The White Tiger family revered the White Tiger Martial Soul. The two imperial princes, representing the peak of their family's martial soul power, would demonstrate the might of top-tier beast martial souls in this duel.
Countless descendants of the Dai family and Zhu family gathered here. On the high platform sat the five elders of the council, representing the Elder's Assembly, and the current Zhu family Empress. But the central seat, which should have been occupied by the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, was empty. The Emperor had not come. After all, this was merely a duel between the third and fourth princes, not a final competition for the throne, so there was no need to summon him.
In addition to the two families' descendants, there were also many influential forces from outside the royal family, such as the ever-present Pope Ferdinand from the Spirit Hall.
In the arena, a golden figure stood proudly.
He wore lavish clothing, his golden shoulder-length hair fluttering in the wind, his arrogant eyes gleaming with pride. He stood tall, exuding confidence, like a spear on the platform, his handsome features stirring the hearts of many young girls.
"This is the third prince, Dai Mubai? You White Tiger family truly has good bloodlines; even your appearance is impressive," commented Pope Ferdinand lazily, his plump figure and aristocratic air evident as he half-closed his eyes and yawned while sitting in his chair.
Upon hearing the Pope praise her second son, the Empress only gave a light laugh, not saying much, as if indifferent. Elder Five, however, snorted coldly, looking annoyed.
Every time there was an issue in the royal family, Pope Ferdinand would stick his nose in, showing up uninvited like a persistent pest. The White Tiger family was quite irritated by him, but they had no choice but to tolerate him as he represented the Spirit Hall, and it wouldn't do to send him away.
As a mere spectator, the Pope never really commented on the events at hand, so the family did not mind his presence too much. They always greeted him with smiles, but Elder Five always felt there was something secretive behind the Pope's smile that made him uneasy.
With a smile, Pope Ferdinand asked, "The opponent in the duel is the fourth prince, but I haven't heard of a fourth prince in the empire."
"The fourth prince just recently awakened," answered Elder Five.
"Oh? He recently awakened and already obtained his first spirit ring? That means he's a natural-born full soul power!" Pope Ferdinand turned to look at the Empress, his eyes gleaming with sharp insight.
Elder Five shot a furious glance at Pope Ferdinand. He had tried to keep the news of Dai Yao's full soul power a secret, but it had been exposed by the Pope.
"Er..." He hesitated, but under the cold stare of the Empress, he gritted his teeth and admitted, "Yes, he is a natural-born full soul power."
"Hmph!" The Empress coldly snorted, deeply displeased with Elder Five. What angered her more was that Dai Mubai had been present during Dai Yao's spirit awakening, but he had failed to report such an important matter to her.
"Mubai, Mubai, I know you care more about Vis, and it's normal for you to misunderstand me. But how could you not tell me such an important piece of news? If you win this duel, I suppose it's fine, but if you lose..." She said, her voice trailing off ominously.
The arena was packed with spectators, but on the other side of the platform, there was still no sign of the fourth prince. The crowd began to grow restless.
"Where's the fourth prince? Is he too scared to show up?"
"The fourth prince just awakened his soul ring, there's no way he can defeat the third prince. If he's wise, he'll surrender."
On the battle platform, Dai Mubai looked at the empty side with a contemptuous expression. "How boring. He must have been so frightened, he doesn't dare show up." He turned to Elder Five on the stands and called out, "Elder, it seems like he's not coming. Just announce the victory already."
At that moment, the crowd suddenly erupted into noise, all eyes turning toward the commotion.
"The fourth prince has arrived!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the crowd parted to form a path, and a figure slowly walked toward the platform.
The figure was somewhat slender and not as striking as Dai Mubai. His hair was dull and lifeless, resembling dry grass. The gazes from the crowd were filled with doubt, surprise, and disdain, but these looks seemed to have no effect on the small figure.
He stood tall, his face gaunt, but with a confident smile. Meeting Dai Mubai's contemptuous gaze, he exhaled, then leaped lightly onto the battle platform.
"Impressive resolve, this kid," Elder Five thought to himself.
After Dai Yao awakened his martial soul, Elder Five had made an effort to understand his background. A person with such firm convictions, unaffected by others' opinions, was a quality every strong person must possess.
Though he had prepared for Dai Yao's defeat, even if the prince was reduced to a cripple by the other royal sons, he was determined to make Dai Yao marry several women from the Zhu family, have many children, and continue his martial soul lineage.
Standing alone on the battle platform, Dai Yao was the center of everyone's attention, but no one believed in him. His figure seemed a little lonely and desolate.
A mocking gaze swept over him, and Dai Mubai sneered, "I thought you'd be too afraid to show up."
"If it were the first or second prince, I might not have dared show up. But since it's you, Dai Mubai, why would I be afraid?" Dai Yao retorted with a sharp response.
"Quite the big mouth, huh? Well, let's see if your strength is as tough as your words!" Hearing Dai Yao's reply, Dai Mubai smirked coldly. Even without the Empress's direct orders, he was determined to teach Dai Yao a lesson.
As soon as both contestants were on the platform, a referee-like figure immediately announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, please remain silent and do not disrupt the duel."
"Neither party is allowed to use any blades or hidden weapons. Anyone who falls off the battle platform will lose. Anyone who voluntarily surrenders will lose. Do either of you have any objections?"
"No." Both contestants' eyes locked in a fierce stare as they spoke in unison.
"The duel begins!"
The once noisy stands instantly quieted, and all eyes turned to the battle platform.
The moment the announcement ended, Dai Mubai bent his knees, his muscles bulging as his arms tightened. His shirt stretched tightly across his chest. With a loud crack, the stone tiles beneath his feet shattered. Like a sharp sword, he shot toward Dai Yao with unstoppable force.
The distance of several hundred meters was quickly closed.
"You won't even use your martial soul? Are you really underestimating me?" Dai Yao thought to himself.
As he watched the towering figure of Dai Mubai charging toward him, despite the remaining distance, he could already feel the overwhelming power contained in Dai Mubai's punch.
"Since you're not using your martial soul, neither will I. This is the perfect opportunity to test my physical strength!" With the enhancement of his soul ring beyond the limits and the modification by the Qinglian, Dai Yao was confident that his body strength would not be inferior to Dai Mubai's.
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.