Chapter 379: Challenge
Ig followed the guiding Knight onto the white-stone paved arena. He raised his head, and the other seven participants all looked at him, but their gazes were mostly filled with contempt and indignation.
However, Ig could understand such looks. After all, all the enemies he had faced so far were Silver, even below Gold, and there were many weak Silvers who had gotten lucky or received a bye.
This made everyone present believe that Ig’s entry into the top eight, which would secure a core spot, was merely due to the “inside track” as the Patriarch’s son.
On the other hand, Blade had been overwhelmingly powerful since the elimination rounds, defeating several Gold-ranked opponents, including a strong contender who was widely expected to win the championship.
This had further enhanced Blade’s reputation in the eyes of the people, with many already considering this second son of Yagmein to be a martial arts genius in the family, second only to Miss Shiel.
Ig shifted his gaze slightly and looked towards the youth holding a straight silver sword, his golden hair shining like gold under the sunlight.
Blade noticed the young man’s gaze and slightly lifted his chin, making a provocative gesture towards him. Ig turned his gaze back, unbothered by the gesture.
Ig’s actions were seen by everyone present as a cowardly retreat. This made their contemptuous gazes even more unrestrained, and they even began to mock him openly.
However, the black-haired young man clearly didn’t have time to pay attention to these people. He held End in one hand, his azure blue eyes filled with contemplation,
“Blade… he’s so powerful against Gold, has he already promoted to Platinum?”
Ig thought to himself, his palm gripping the hilt of End. The Golden Dou Qi flowed quietly, without a ripple, yet he could clearly feel the power within it.
Just as Dofiraia had guessed, in his previous battles, he hadn’t used Dou Qi exceeding Silver. It was simply because their strength was too weak, not even as strong as the young man named Grayreer he had encountered in the first round. He hadn’t even needed to use ten percent of his strength against them.
As for why his draws were so good, not encountering anyone even slightly stronger… whether it was due to luck or a “rigged draw,” it didn’t make any difference to Ig.
His thoughts stopped there. Ig looked up, his slightly long, pitch-black hair falling along his face. His eyes, exposed to the sunlight, were like deep mountain lakes, with an azure blue hue that exuded a profound sternness.
In the arena, the draw for the top eight had been completed.
“Ig, your opponent is Rudy. Be prepared.”
The white-robed Elder in charge of the draw approached and handed him the blue slip he had drawn. Ig looked in the direction of the Elder, and a Greatsword Knight, exuding a powerful Gold aura, also walked over, revealing his pearly white teeth and smiling grimly:
“Young Master Ig, I truly don’t know what good fortune brought me to face you. But, rest assured, you are the Patriarch’s son after all, so I’ll spare some face for you…”
However, the Greatsword Knight’s voice abruptly stopped, and his face turned ashen. This was because he realized that Ig, opposite him, had completely ignored him, showing no intention of acknowledging him.
Ig looked up at the white-robed Elder approaching him, but shook his head, not taking the blue slip he offered. Instead, he said, “Elder, I don’t need this.”
The Elder was stunned for a moment, then his brow furrowed, and he reprimanded him:
“Ig, what are you doing! Do you think by choosing not to fight and concede, you’re not disgracing the Marquis’s name with your Silver rank!”
The Elder was about to say more, but when he saw the young man raise his eyes, for some reason, he felt a sense of foreboding and immediately reprimanded, “Ig, what do you think you’re doing? Even if you are the Patriarch’s son, it’s not a reason to act recklessly here!”
“Elder, this kind of boring competition is too much of a waste of time. I don’t want to delay it until tomorrow.”
Ig merely showed a faint smile on his face as he spoke.
“Wait!”
Ig ignored his voice and walked to the center of the arena amidst the Elder’s astonished gaze.
Just then, Blade, on the opposite side, raised his head, his condescending gaze falling on him.
“Blade, I’ve watched your fights. A long time ago, you were called the strongest among the younger generation of the entire family, besides Shiel.”
Ig suddenly spoke.
“Others’ praise cannot determine anything. As for Miss Shiel… Miss Shiel is indeed a heaven-blessed genius, but how can one know strength without trying?”
Blade’s face broke into a smile as he suddenly raised his gaze.
“What, Cousin Ig, are you suddenly thinking of currying favor with me at this moment? Do you want me to go easy on you… Oh, but that’s understandable, after all, the young ladies aren’t around you now, so knowing when to retreat is also a good quality.”
The youth’s mocking voice hung in the air, filled with deep humiliation for Ig.
Ig merely looked up, his azure blue pupils fixed on him.
“No. Blade, I just hope you can be stronger… At least, the title of ‘Family’s First’ should be rightfully earned.”
For some reason, Ig’s words caused a wave of panic to ripple through Blade’s heart.
As Blade was about to speak, the young man opposite him raised his cheek and strode into the arena, an indescribable aura pressing down on him, making it difficult to breathe.
Ig raised the sword in his hand. The sound of the wind stirred his long robe and black hair. His azure blue eyes were like hard stars. “Blade, I challenge you!”
Ig did not lower his voice. As the words left his mouth, the entire audience erupted in a clamor. Almost everyone exchanged glances, doubting if they had heard correctly.
Blade forced down the panic and unease in his heart. A look of contempt appeared on the handsome young man’s face. “With you? Ig, you are merely a Silver…”
What responded to him was Ig’s cold laugh. Almost simultaneously, like a surging tide, a golden aura poured out like a gushing river!
…
Ig’s actions stunned not only the audience and officials below but even Duke Cambell, dressed in luxurious robes on the high platform, almost knocked over the fruits and vegetables in front of him, his face filled with disbelief.
“What is that kid Ig trying to do!?”
The Golden aura that erupted from Ig’s body indeed surprised Duke Cambell, but it wasn’t enough to make him so emotionally agitated.
What truly puzzled the Duke was Ig’s act of challenging Blade.
Beside the Duke, Douglas rubbed his chin. A hint of interest flickered in his ruby-like pupils.
“Suddenly Gold rank, and challenging Blade… Interesting. Dale, let’s go.”
Douglas instructed the beautiful girl with light purple long hair beside him, then picked up his sword and robe, ready to leave.
“Lord Douglas. What do you intend to do?”
Duke Cambell’s voice made Douglas pause slightly. The red-haired youth turned back and saluted, a smile on his handsome face. “Your Grace, I naturally just wish for Young Master Ig’s desire to be realized sooner.”
