Chapter 1013 - 499: Unfinished Old Stories (Part 3)

Chapter 1013: Chapter 499: Unfinished Old Stories (Part 3)

In the Dueling Arena, after seizing an opening with her martial skills, Faneya shifted tactics. She maintained her distance, abandoned the idea of overpowering with single bouts of brute force, and instead launched a series of feral assaults. Alaphia evaded some of these, but had to address the rest, retreating step by step under the influence of the terrain.

"The tables have turned, the tables have turned!"

"A Blade Master who hasn’t trained is useless after all."

"Sand should have been switched out long ago; the weak do not deserve to be clan leader."

Faneya roared her attacks, yet even after a while couldn’t take down the blond young girl, as if she possessed immense resilience. Even under heavy pressure and at a disadvantage, her steady hand never wavered.

"Let’s disembark first," Farlonio said.

The brown-haired Douding led Li Ang and the three others from the dock to the ground, quickly heading to the audience stands of the Dueling Arena. There, people of the same race naturally recognized her, along with Li Ang and their disguised role as Alaphia’s retinue. A significant number of gazes focused on the group.

Upon reaching the edge of the stands, some of the attention also shifted to the four standing on the same side as Alaphia.

In the arena, the blond young girl caught sight of them from the corner of her eye.

"What?! Finally lost your spirit?!" A mere subtle shift in gaze was caught by Faneya, who immediately powered up, gripping the giant axe again with her injured arm.

The wound cut by Alaphia had mostly healed; the Weapon Race’s lineage was indeed dominant.

Li Ang’s eyes met Alaphia’s. He saw her expressionless gaze fixed on his Kaliya-disguised face for a few seconds, then her pupils constricted for a moment, as if realizing something.

Has she realized I’m not the real one? Li Ang wondered in surprise.

In the arena, seizing the opportunity, Faneya charged in, the giant axe crossing once more with the sword edge, the latter flaring with a silver glow. This was the state when Alaphia launched her attack.

Impossible, does she intend to counterattack from this angle and position?! Faneya’s eyes widened as the silver light engulfed her expression.

The giant axe fell into the metallic sand, and the black-haired Douding staggered backward with multiple blood wounds.

Alaphia panted heavily, standing for a few seconds facing the direction of the four on the stands, then stepped towards the center of the arena.

"Alaphia Alma wins. Faneya Bapnis loses." An old voice announced from the center of the stands, seemingly with reluctance.

With every step the blond young girl took, a bloody footprint was left on the sand.

"Did she finally abandon all defense?" Diao frowned, watching the blond Douding sway slightly due to the intense pain, speaking with sympathy.

"It must hurt awfully, being scratched by the sharp metallic sand, wounds likely filled with it," Lily added.

Li Ang remained silent.

Alaphia reached the center of the arena, with some rituals still to continue.

A band on the stands began to play with flutes, accompanied by drumbeats, as the bearded elder resumed speaking.

"The fifth round of the Martial Extreme Trial preliminaries ends. The sixth and final round will occur three days hence. Congratulations, Alaphia Alma, for successfully advancing to the sixth round trial."

The blond young girl bowed towards the stands.

"Then, with the announcement of the results concluded, there is another matter to convey to the entire race."

The elder continued, "Due to many participants raising objections, some rules of the Martial Extreme Trial need to be adjusted."

As these words fell, slight murmurs arose on the stands, though not fervent. Li Ang discerned from those around him that this seemed to be within their expectations?

"Previously, the dueling parties were to adhere to ancestral teachings, using weapons crafted by themselves, allowing only one helper. This indeed affected the trial participants’ pre-battle preparations."

"Ahem," the elder cleared his throat, "We are a race utilizing weapons as gods, not one specializing solely in crafting weapons. Letting designated professionals craft weapons allows trial participants to better prepare and demonstrate true strength."

"Therefore, after extensive discussion, it was decided that trial participants can have an artisan team to focus on crafting weapons, enabling them to adequately prepare for battle."

With these words, immediate commotion erupted on the stands, yet the astonished voices were not loud, giving the impression that many already knew this.

"This rule change seems tailored for those with weaker power, possibly targeting Alaphia as well?" Diao said.

"Certainly," Farlonio’s voice wavered, "Willing to help her, only this one here, though confident in craftsmanship. Meeting the Martial Extreme Trial standards for a Tier Seven Weapon with prescribed materials isn’t an issue, but achieving equivalent results of an entire team’s collaborative effort swiftly is a challenge. Besides, previously, we needed to work together to finish crafting before the next duel."

Falo also noted that since each duel opponent had different special moves and weapons, tailoring weapons for each competitor maximized victory chances.

In the arena, Alaphia, aware of yet another discrimination against her, pursed her lips, seemingly in an internal conflict.

"I object."

Ultimately, she chose to speak.

The blond young girl’s voice drew the full attention of the arena; she inhaled deeply, saying, "Changing rules mid-way, where does the sanctity of the Martial Extreme Trial lie? The elders’ preached ancient teachings include the adage ’adhere to rules and persist,’ yet now it’s not being followed?"

Her inquiry silenced the crowd, with the elders on the high platform expressionless, the leading one remaining silent briefly before responding, "Clinging to fixed rules cannot accommodate changing times. The past and present are different; adjusting rules is to better adapt to current circumstances."