Chapter 277: Clash of Princes
Upon the grand stage, an air of nobility and arrogance pervades as four pairs of individuals come into view. Each exudes a distinct aura, representing their unique talents and lineage.
First among the princes stands Rendon Fexir, accompanied by his aide, Elon. Rendon, a paragon of the Fexir Empire, wields a formidable black spear with an unwavering confidence radiating from him.
By his side, Elon, a prodigious genius hailing from one of the Fexir vassals, brings his own exceptional abilities to the fore.
The second prince, Reiz Fexir, contrasts with an air of aloofness, donning casual attire while his verdant sword hangs nonchalantly at his hip. Reiz, considered the epitome of talent within the royal family, belies his three-year age gap with his elder brother by attaining equal prowess in cultivation.
Known as a sword prodigy, he remains unmatched, effortlessly defeating those of his equal standing. Accompanying Reiz is the enigmatic Garen, a thin and brilliant young man hailing from another realm akin to the Illois World.
Renowned for his mastery of formations, Garen's clan specializes in studying and exploiting their intricacies in combat.
The third prince, Regal, emanates an aura of brute strength and an untamed fighting style. He excels in hand-to-hand combat, reigning supreme among his siblings.
Regal's physique bears traces of the demonic Ape Beast bloodline, which he acquired in a fortuitous encounter. Enduring its unwieldy power, his body underwent a remarkable metamorphosis. Assisting him is Yara, a woman draped in white garments, her gaze icy and unwavering.
A genius in harnessing the power of ice, Yara's intellect and strategic acumen make her an ideal partner for Regal's fierce approach.
The fourth prince, Renjel, appears deceptively innocent and exceedingly youthful. At a mere 19 years of age, his power matches that of his youngest brother, Ryan.
Though his abilities may seem ordinary, Renjel's prodigal nature draws ire and resentment from many. Accompanying him is the mysterious Auren, a man with ebony locks and dark eyes, whose origins and background remain shrouded in secrecy, leaving others to wonder about his true nature and purpose.
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The grandeur of the royal members was on full display, with the emperor and other esteemed members seated in a lofty position, commanding respect from all who gathered.
The emperor's keen eyes swept across the stage, instantly noticing the absence of his youngest son. Though he seldom concerned himself with the affairs of his children, he desired them to be reliable and responsible.
Turning to his trusted minister, the emperor inquired, "Where is Ryan?"
Bowing respectfully, the minister replied, "I have heard that he is fetching his companion."
Satisfied with the response, the emperor nodded, and it didn't take long before a shimmering portal materialized on the stage, revealing Ryan as the first to step through. Behind him, a strikingly handsome man followed, accompanied by a middle-aged figure.
As the emperor's gaze fell upon the middle-aged man, his eyes narrowed in surprise. He hadn't expected his youngest son to be accompanied by such a formidable powerhouse.
Though he recognized the man, they had never interacted much, leaving the emperor curious about his true capabilities. What intrigued him, even more, was the enigmatic aura exuded by the handsome man.
The emperor couldn't discern his cultivation level, prompting him to ponder whether the man possessed a rare technique or carried a precious treasure.
The notion that this young man might be stronger than himself didn't cross his mind, for the youngest person to have reached the rank of Imperial Saint King was a hundred years old, and the emperor could gauge the young man's age through his astute observation.
Wasting no time on idle chatter, the emperor commanded the committee to commence the proceedings.
The other princes and their respective companions turned their attention towards Dave, scanning him with furrowed brows, yet unable to discern his true strength.
Dave reciprocated their scrutiny, swiftly assessing each prince and their companions. He recognized the formidable power exuded by the first prince, but it was the second prince who piqued his wariness.
If Dave's intuition was correct, the second prince had likely reached the pinnacle of the Sword Emperor realm, possessing an unknown power coursing within him.
Shifting his gaze to the third prince, Dave detected the presence of a bloodline, albeit an inferior one. Utilizing his demonic heritage, he knew he could easily suppress the third prince without engaging in combat.
The fourth prince, however, intrigued Dave the most. Sensing the concealed killing intent emanating from Auren, he realized that he alone could perceive it due to his own bloodline. If his instincts were accurate, Auren was not only a demon but a powerful one, cunningly concealing his true nature within the body of a youth.
Dave hadn't anticipated the myriad of secrets harbored by the princes of this world, and this demon companion presented a unique challenge.
Sensing that Auren possessed a superior bloodline, Dave yearned to uncover his true lineage, which might only be revealed through witnessing his skills.
Nevertheless, he harbored no fear, for he had Ronin, a loyal companion who could be summoned at will, and a plethora of trump cards at his disposal.
Furthermore, Gabriella had grown stronger alongside Dave, her holy skills capable of suppressing even the most formidable demons.
As they scanned their surroundings, assessing their potential opponents, a formidable middle-aged man made his entrance onto the stage, gracefully hovering in the air.
"Greetings, esteemed participants. I am General Troly, and it is my duty to acquaint you with the rules," he declared, commanding attention from all present.
"Each one of you shall enter a secret domain crafted by His Majesty, wherein you and your respective companions will be teleported to different locations. Your objective is to collect as many tokens as possible over the course of three days. The participant with the highest number of tokens shall emerge victorious and be crowned the rightful heir to the throne."
General Troly continued, "You are permitted to unleash the full extent of your powers within the domain. However, it is crucial to note that should the domain sense that your life is in imminent peril, it will instantly expel you to safety outside its boundaries."
Upon hearing this announcement, the onlookers erupted in cheer, their anticipation for the tournament now reaching its zenith. The outcome of this contest would determine the future ruler of their realm.
With a signal from General Troly, the emperor acknowledged the readiness of the participants. A wave of the emperor's hand granted them access to his meticulously crafted domain, ensuring their safety throughout the trials that lay ahead.
Having familiarized themselves with the rules, the contenders stepped into the portals created by the emperor, vanishing from the stage in an instant.
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