Chapter 11: The Challenge
A challenge?
The entire colosseum’s eighty thousand spectators buzzed with murmurs at the words of ‘Hedson’ the Rock Sword Saint, and some even cursed under their breath.
Linley and Olivier—these two were undoubtedly the most brilliant talents on the entire Yulan continent. For some warriors, witnessing a decisive battle between two such peerless geniuses would be a dream fulfilled even in death.
But just as the fight reached its most intense and climactic moment, this ‘Hedson’ the Rock Sword Saint had to barge in!
How could they not be furious?
Yet, the one stopping the fight was ‘Hedson,’ the number one Saint-level powerhouse!
“It’s for the best that this battle ends here,” said Steward Hiri, his forehead covered in sweat.
It wasn’t just Steward Hiri; Hillman, Wharton, and the others were all worried about Linley. Olivier’s performance was in no way inferior to Linley’s. And that Blackstone Sword looked incredibly sinister.
Linley’s ‘Profound Truths of the Earth’ was formidable.
But could Olivier’s attacks, derived from his insights into the laws of darkness, necessarily be weaker than Linley’s ‘Profound Truths of the Earth’? Hadn’t they heard Olivier say it himself? Once the Blackstone Sword was unleashed, even he couldn’t control it.
*******
The entire colosseum fell into a hush as the Rock Sword Saint ‘Hedson’ suddenly intervened, abruptly halting the great battle. Linley and Olivier stood suspended in midair, facing each other in a standoff. Hedson positioned himself between them.
Three Saint-level powerhouses: two were peerless geniuses, and one was hailed as the number one Saint-level powerhouse.
“Cease fire?” Olivier glanced at Hedson.
Linley also looked at Hedson.
“This Hedson’s strength is truly astonishing. The move he just displayed was no simple battle qi. It must be a defensive technique derived from his insights into the laws of the earth.”
Linley could fully sense the layered impact of those earthy yellow waves.
“But he might not be able to withstand my ‘Profound Truths of the Earth’ attack,” Linley remained confident in his ultimate move.
In truth, both Linley and Olivier had been in a state of building momentum when they charged at each other.
At their level—the peak of the Saint realm—they wouldn’t waste any energy. Whether it was Linley’s ‘Profound Truths of the Earth’ or Olivier’s attack, the power only erupted at the very last moment when it struck the opponent.
Many who were hit by the ‘Profound Truths of the Earth’ would feel nothing at first when the Black Heavy Sword touched their bodies. But then, suddenly—
They would feel wave after wave of vibrational force directly impacting their internal organs.
Earlier, when Hedson used a single move to separate Linley and Olivier, it was because neither had used their ultimate techniques against him. Otherwise, even if he could block them, it wouldn’t have been so easy.
…
“Haha, Olivier, Linley.” Emperor Johann stood up at this moment. Under the gaze of eighty thousand people, he stepped down from the judges’ platform and announced loudly, “Olivier, Linley, the great battle you two have fought today has already opened our eyes wide. Since you have no mortal enmity, there’s no need to fight to the death.”
Emperor Johann didn’t want Linley or Olivier to die.
If both geniuses lived, the O’Brien Empire’s influence across the entire Yulan continent would only grow stronger.
Linley and Olivier exchanged a glance.
“Very well,” Olivier nodded and said with a faint smile, “After Brother Linley withstood my ‘Lightning Sword,’ I no longer wished to fight. But this matter… I was also at fault.” Olivier looked at Linley.
“Brother Linley’s strength far exceeds my expectations. I didn’t realize the swordsmanship he displayed at the start was just a facade,” Olivier said with a smile to Linley. “I admit, Brother Linley’s strength is no less than mine.”
Clearly, Olivier was extending an olive branch to Linley, even addressing him as ‘Brother Linley.’
The Blackstone Sword technique was terrifyingly powerful, and Linley’s Black Heavy Sword technique was equally fearsome. If these two geniuses were to fight to the death today, it would truly be a tragic waste.
Since Olivier had said this much, Linley wouldn’t hold a grudge.
After all, he had just entered the O’Brien Empire and didn’t want to make too many enemies.
“Let this battle end here,” Linley’s indifferent voice echoed through the colosseum. The eighty thousand spectators understood that this peerless duel would not continue.
But then…
Thunderous applause swept through the colosseum. All the spectators cheered and shouted in excitement. Even ending here, this battle was enough to thrill them.
“Olivier! Olivier! Olivier!”…
“Linley! Linley! Linley! Linley!”…
The roaring cheers, like crashing waves, pounded against everyone’s eardrums. Everyone shouted and cheered for their idols.
In that moment, they forgot that this fight was originally meant for Wharton and Bloomer.
Clearly—
Though Wharton and Bloomer were geniuses, in every aspect, they fell far short of their older brothers. The overwhelming, terrifying strength of Linley and Olivier had completely captivated everyone present.
*******
The Rock Sword Saint ‘Hedson’ was relieved to see the two cease fighting. At that moment, Linley flew straight down.
The cheers in the colosseum continued unabated. From this moment on, in many people’s hearts, Linley had risen to the same status as Olivier. Adding Linley’s achievements in sculpture and his younger age, he might even deserve the title of ‘genius’ more than Olivier.
“Big brother—” Wharton, sitting in his seat, said excitedly as he saw Linley fly down.
“Milord,” Barker and his five brothers also greeted him. Jenny and the sisters Rebecca and Nina breathed sighs of relief and rushed over excitedly.
Linley reverted to his human form and draped a robe over himself.
“Milord, if the fight had continued, that Olivier definitely wouldn’t have been your match. I don’t believe he could withstand the attack of the ‘Profound Truths of the Earth,’” Gates muttered indignantly.
Barker and the others knew the power of Linley’s ‘Profound Truths of the Earth’ and believed Linley would win.
Linley shook his head.
“Don’t underestimate Olivier. Being able to create such a unique and terrifying Blackstone Sword technique means its power must be astonishing. You must understand, I can comprehend profound truths, but can’t others? Remember, the elemental laws are as vast as the ocean. What I’ve comprehended is just a single drop of water within it.”
Barker and the others nodded thoughtfully.
But then, a voice rang out from above the colosseum—“Mr. Hedson, do you remember that battle between us six years ago?”
Linley immediately looked up. The speaker was the genius Sword Saint ‘Olivier.’ Olivier’s eyes blazed with intensity as he stared at the Rock Sword Saint ‘Hedson,’ who was about to fly down.
Hedson stopped and turned to look at Olivier, nodding. “Six years ago, on the night of the full moon, that battle? Of course I remember. Your speed left a deep impression on me.”
Olivier looked at Hedson solemnly. “I traveled through various kingdoms and won every battle against other empire’s powerhouses, but I only lost to you. Six years… a full six years. In that time, the Blackstone Sword I created was specifically designed to counter you.”
The colosseum fell silent.
It seemed there was a significant grudge between these two Saint-level powerhouses.
“Oh? Designed to counter me?” Hedson said with a faint smile. “Do you think your Blackstone Sword can break through my defense?”
Hedson, known as the ‘Rock Sword Saint,’ was most famous for his terrifying defensive power. Many peak Saint-level powerhouses couldn’t even breach his defense.
Olivier recalled that battle six years ago—absolute humiliation!
No matter how he attacked Hedson, he couldn’t harm him in the slightest. Instead, he would be injured by the recoil. And Hedson’s speed was no slower than his.
Torture!
Though Olivier was a peak Saint-level powerhouse, against Hedson, he was utterly dominated. It felt like they weren’t even on the same level. The title of number one Saint-level powerhouse was no lie.
“Whether I can break it or not, why not find out? Mr. Hedson, today I formally challenge you in this colosseum. If you accept, we’ll fight outside the city in three months,” Olivier said.
After his battle with Linley today, Olivier had expended a significant amount of battle qi. He was no longer at his peak.
“A challenge?”
Hedson raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile on his face.
But the entire colosseum erupted into uproar. The genius Sword Saint ‘Olivier’ was actually challenging the Rock Sword Saint ‘Hedson’! Many people’s faces flushed with excitement.
Everyone turned to look at the Rock Sword Saint ‘Hedson.’
“Alright, I accept,” Hedson nodded with a smile. “In three months, I’ll be sure to witness the power of the Blackstone Sword you’ve spent these six years creating.”
“I won’t disappoint you,” Olivier said with absolute confidence on his face.
Hedson’s smile grew even brighter.
Six years ago, Olivier had been utterly dominated without any resistance. He must have known how terrifying Hedson’s defense was. Yet Olivier was still this confident. Either he was an idiot, or he truly had something to rely on.
“Won’t disappoint me? I hope so,” Hedson said, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
It had been a long time since he’d encountered an opponent who could threaten him.
…
The Rock Sword Saint ‘Hedson’ casually took three steps and reached the judges’ platform. Olivier, meanwhile, flew over to his younger brother’s side.
The colosseum immediately buzzed with chatter.
Linley’s sudden appearance, his easy defeat of Kenyon, his draw with Olivier, and Olivier’s declaration of war against the Rock Sword Saint ‘Hedson’—this series of events had everyone incredibly excited.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the silver-haired old man stepped forward again, “I was about to announce the match results, but then Lord Olivier appeared.”
The silver-haired old man’s face was full of smiles. “Today has been the most thrilling day of my life. The battle between Lord Olivier and Lord Linley is something I believe none of you will ever forget. Just look at the colosseum’s arena, and those flagpoles on the stands.”
The earlier battle had turned the already damaged arena into a pockmarked mess. Most of the flagpoles on the surrounding stands were broken, and many people’s clothes had been blown into every corner. It was a complete mess.
But this mess made the eighty thousand spectators laugh.
“Haha, enough talk. Everyone knows the result of the match between Wharton and Bloomer—Bloomer won by a narrow margin,” the silver-haired old man said, smiling as he looked at Emperor Johann. “His Majesty has a few words to say. Please welcome His Majesty.”
With that, the silver-haired old man stepped down from the arena.
Emperor Johann stood up. Only part of the colosseum’s audience looked at him; the others were still focused on Saint-level powerhouses like Linley, Olivier, and Hedson.
“Today has been an exciting day for me as well. Whether it was the battle between Wharton and Bloomer, or the fight between their older brothers, Linley and Olivier, it’s all been thrilling beyond words.”
Emperor Johann’s face showed a smile. “As you all know, Wharton and Bloomer both proposed to my seventh princess. Seeing these two talented young men today, I have made my decision… I decree that on the fifteenth of March, I will announce in the Martial Arts Hall who will marry my seventh princess.”