"H-how could it be possible?" Aethon mumbled in disbelief, his fiery amber eyes widening in shock. "His physical might is easily at the True Sage Realm. How did he survive the Heavenly Tribulation?"
Everyone in the tower shared the sa confused thoughts as Aethon. Defeating a cultivator one or two levels above oneself was not rare in Vyoman. However, defeating multiple opponents of higher realms with a single punch was sothing they had never witnessed before.
All of them wanted to know just one thing.
"Who is this Lucifer Morningstar?"
---
"T-the Flabanes are eliminated," Javier announced, his eyes wide and mouth agape. "The Thunderbanes have won the Battle of Inner Court Disciples this year!"
The audience, montarily dazed after witnessing the attack unleashed by Lucifer, erupted into cheers upon hearing the announcent. Every being in the Western Continent had heard the heroic tales of the Thunderbanes and the might they had displayed in the war against the demons. The residents of Hundred Sky Mountains, from where the Thunderbanes had originated, desired nothing more than for warriors of this sect to rise again and spread their glory throughout Vyoman.
Now that this once far-fetched dream no longer seed so distant, adrenaline surged through their bodies as they chanted the Thunderbanes’ na with all their might.
Once the crowd settled, Aurelion rose from his seat and stepped to the edge of the tower.
"Lucifer Morningstar, as the winner of the competition, do you wish for a reward?" Aurelion asked, his voice cold and expression unreadable.
"Your Majesty, I have rely participated in one round," Lucifer replied with a slight bow. "The Inner Court Disciples of our sect are the ones who should be rewarded."
"They will be rewarded for their performance," Aurelion replied. "Do you wish to ask for sothing?"
Lucifer considered the offer briefly before speaking. "From what I have heard, any heir can be challenged in the Battle of Heirs. Therefore, I would like to challenge Ignis El Flabane as my opponent."
The Sect Masters in the high towers chuckled at Lucifer’s seemingly foolish words, and it was obvious that he heard them. However, he did not react to their mocking laughter and simply waited for Aurelion’s response.
"In the Battle of Heirs, only an heir of one sect may challenge another," Aurelion stated. "Are you the heir of the Thunderbane Sect?"
"No, I am not," Lucifer replied, shaking his head.
"In that case, you cannot—"
"But I am the proxy of the Snow Goddess," Lucifer interrupted, cutting Aurelion off as he retrieved a white jade token from his ring.
Aurelion’s brows furrowed as he imdiately recognized the token in Lucifer’s hand.
"Why is your token in his possession?" he asked, turning toward Nyria. Whenever it concerned her, his cold and expressionless face visibly softened.
"I cannot fight. He will fight in my place."
Nyria’s seemingly irresponsible statent only caused Aurelion to frown further.
"Why him? He is not a Snowbane," Aurelion pressed.
"Because he offended ."
Silence followed.
Aurelion imdiately understood. Lucifer must have done sothing to displease Nyria, and she was punishing him in her usual indirect and cold manner.
Turning back to Lucifer, Aurelion declared, "You may participate in the Battle of Heirs as Princess Nyria’s proxy. I also grant your request to face Ignis as your first opponent."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty," Lucifer replied with a bow as Aurelion returned to his seat.
Aethon was visibly displeased by Aurelion’s decision. How could he agree to Lucifer’s demand when the man he sought to fight was none other than Ignis, his son? The Flabanes did not serve him, so he had no authority over them. Instead of agreeing so readily, he should have sought Aethon’s permission.
Sensing the reason for Aethon’s displeasure, Aurelion turned to him and said, "I did not ask for your opinion because I am certain you would not retreat from a challenge. However, if you wish, I can deny him now."
"You need not do so, King Aurelion. Ignis will accept the challenge," Aethon replied, muttering inwardly, "Shrewd bastard."
The heirs of each sect were seated in the tower opposite the one where Aurelion and the other leaders sat.
When Ignis’s na was called, a man clad in a black robe stepped forward from the opposing tower and stood at its edge. His amber eyes glowed like a blazing sun, while his face was concealed behind a devil mask adorned with two long tusks.
"You must think yourself a prodigy after defeating the Inner Court Disciples of my sect," Ignis’s heavy voice rumbled from behind the mask. "You will regret your decision to challenge ."
In an instant, Ignis’s body transford into a fireball and shot toward the stage, where he reappeared.
Without waiting for Javier’s announcent, Ignis conjured nurous blue fla fireballs above his head and launched them at Lucifer. Their number and size exceeded even the combined assault Magnus and his teammates had unleashed earlier.
A thunderous explosion resounded as the fireballs rained upon the stage where Lucifer stood. It was as though stars were crashing down upon the earth.
Lucifer attempted to block as many fireballs as he could. However, their sheer number and the precision with which each one targeted him proved overwhelming, especially without his sight.
Several fireballs struck his limbs and back, scorching his robe and leaving visible burns on his skin.
When the assault ceased and the smoke cleared, Lucifer stood revealed with his upper body bare and only minor injuries.
"Lord Ignis, I have not given the order to begin the fight," Javier said from above, displeasure evident in his tone.
"It does not concern ," Ignis retorted. "This outsider was the one who first dared to harm the disciples of my sect and then challenged . I am rely responding as the heir of the Flabane Sect should."
Ignis had already been deeply offended by the humiliation Lucifer inflicted upon his sect. Now, seeing him survive the surprise attack with only minor injuries, an attack intended to take his life, only fueled his anger further.
Ignis had made his decision.
Lucifer Morningstar would not leave this stage alive.
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