Chapter 137


    "vin has cheated!" the Earthbound Spirits'' Apprentices surrounded Tarner, their emotions running


    high. There had to be something amiss; Tarner''s strength was surely greater than vin''s. It was


    inconceivable that he''d be repelled with just two punches.


    Tarner was gasping for breath, his face deathly pale, with severe injuries to his right arm and chest


    cavity that had him sweating coldly in pain. His consciousness was somewhat hazy, and he looked


    a bit like he had been scared out of his wits.


    The atmosphere in the stands was abuzz as Apprentices from various Organizations began


    specting. No one could understand what had happened, but it was clear that vin had used


    some trickery. Yet, what kind of tactic could lead to Tarner''s instant defeat?


    Atop the main dais, Lord Doramon suddenly inquired, "I’d like to ask Commander Kashann, what


    kind of Combat Magic vin practices?"


    The Floral Enchantress Commander whispered, "What have you perceived, Lord Doramon?"


    "His fists! There was a dark aura about them!" Lord Doramon recalled earnestly.


    Bloodlore Commander Jarad slowly nodded. "That is killing intent, turned substantial! In my view,


    the Earthbound Spirits Protégé was struck by this killing intent, which agitated his soul."


    Oh? The various Organization Commanders were surprised. They hadn''t paid much attention


    before. How could one so young possess such a potent killing aura, and how could he solidify it into


    substance?


    The Cobalt Strike Commander had little knowledge of vin, but since vin had won, and won so


    spectacrly at that, he saw no reason to undermine his own standing, and he simply smiled. "I


    brought vin here for a reason, and I believe he will surprise you all. As for his Combat Magic,


    may I be excused from revealing it just yet?" He felt a blush rise to his cheeks at his own words.


    The other Organization Commanders didn''t dwell on it, but they began to pay closer attention to


    vin.


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    The Earthbound Spirits Commander remained calm, able to ept the oues of a few battles


    with equanimity.


    On thebat stage, the middle-aged warrior felt awkward; he hadn''t clearly seen what had


    urred and was hesitant to dere a winner or use anyone of foul y. Luckily, the old lord on


    the main dais gave him a slow nod, signaling to make the announcement.


    The warrior approached vin solemnly and dered loudly, "In this year''s The sh of Eight


    Orders, the first round ofbat, the first battle, victory goes to Cobalt Strike''s vin!"


    "Why? Give us an exnation!" the Earthbound Spirits'' Apprentices protested vehemently.


    "If you don''t even know how you were defeated, why do you still have the nerve to shout?" The


    warrior, a tough nut, coldly scolded them, and they were left red-faced and speechless.


    The crowd stirred again as the warrior made his judgment, and the Commanders acquiesced. Could


    it be that vin had not cheated? Or had he used a legitimate tactic?


    "The first round, the first battle, a surprise!"


    "What''s the story with thisd? If his defeat of the Earthbound Spirits the first time was a fluke, what


    about today?"


    "What tactics did he use to win?"


    "I have a feeling this kid''s pretty enigmatic."


    "No wonder Cobalt Strike was confident enough to bring a Stage VIII Apprentice here; they must be


    sure of themselves."


    The atmosphere was electric. Since the Commanders had approved, there couldn''t be any problem.


    Though it all felt quite odd, such apetition was thrilling. Nobody knew what the oue would


    be, when a reversal might ur, or when there would be a surprise.


    vin stepped down from thebat stage and nodded with a smile to Adirich and the others, "I''ve


    finished my part; now it''s your turn."


    Adirich and hispanions were dumbstruck, eyeing vin with a mix of awe and disbelief. Had


    he won? And so decisively?


    "What did you do to him?" Myke couldn''t help but ask.


    "Just doused his fire a bit." vin was still shaking his arm, the pain evident!


    "Commander promised that if you won a battle, you''d be no longer a servant. Congrattions in


    advance; we''ll drink to it tonight," Cedrick said, pping him heartily on the back before striding


    onto thebat stage.


    "ng!" The iron sword leaped into the air, suspended five meters above, its de''s aura fierce and


    resonating throughout the arena.


    "Cobalt Strike, Cedrick, seeks battle!" Cedrick called out, his eyes narrow and gleaming. His hair


    rose as if it had created its own wind. His expression was cold and detached, embodying the


    sharpness of the hovering sword above.


    "I will face you! Cobalt Strike, we are not done with you..." An Earthbound Spirits Apprentice was


    about to step forward when a member of the Hidden Essence leaped onto the Arena first. "The


    Hidden Essence, Lartel, epts the challenge."


    With a sh of light, the Iron de writhed in the air like a fierce dragon and swooped down on


    Lartel!


    Cedrick acted swiftly, not wasting any time. The atmosphere of the arena was charged; could this


    man really control his warde from a distance without even touching it?


    "I know you; you are Cedrick, of the Iron family," Lartel dered with confidence. Raising his arms,


    a green aura surged around him, swirling violently, lifting him into the air like a tornado reaching for


    the sky.