However willing Angel might have been to part with it, Dox lacked the means to trade for it. His pockets were simply too bare.
Dox lowered his head dejectedly. Sure enough, Angel was not like Wai. Trying to mooch off Angel was basically impossible.
As Dox wallowed in his gloom, Wise Sovereign's voice came through:
"The next duel is about to begin. Both participants may enter the arena."
After his words fell, the venue went quiet. Even after quite a while, no one stepped onto the stage.
Wai should have been the one to go on their side, but he was currently in a state of utter distraction. The atmosphere around him was so oppressively bleak that anyone who came even slightly close would have their whole world turned black and white along with him.
The situation was different for Gray Merchant's group. All their other apprentices had already lost, so Demon Elephant was the only one who could go up this round. Yet for some reason, Demon Elephant did not move, as though he were hesitating over something.
Meanwhile, Gray Merchant and Wicked Woman were whispering to each other nearby. Gray Merchant looked slightly agitated, while Wicked Woman wore a cold expression. Judging by their faces, they appeared to be arguing. However, their conversation was also taking place through the Mind Tether, so no one knew what exactly they were disputing.
The arena stood empty, and the atmosphere was about to go cold.
At that moment, Wise Sovereign said flatly, "If no one enters the arena within the next thirty seconds, it will mean that you have all chosen to forfeit. The apprentices' duels will end here... with no winner."
Wise Sovereign's words were tantamount to a final ultimatum.
Angel glanced at Wai. Seeing that he still had no