Battle

"What, a Mid-level God!"

Donald, Dennis, David, and George's expressions changed drastically. They found it hard to believe, but they carefully sensed Linley's aura. Sure enough, he was a Mid-level God!

"Only three hundred years to go from a Low-level God to a Mid-level God!"

The four men's faces were practically covered in disbelief, and they suspected Thomas was exaggerating.

"I can swear upon the Overgod that I speak the absolute truth!"

Thomas's words rang out with conviction.

This time, the four were deeply shaken. They looked at Linley with envy, jealousy, and astonishment.

Linley remained calm and composed, neither servile nor overbearing. He even gave off an easygoing, natural air.

That was perfectly normal. After all, none of the people present was actually his match!

Strength determined one's confidence!

The atmosphere fell silent. Everyone understood the purpose of coming here today!

After exchanging a glance with Thomas, Linley took the initiative to speak. "This time, our Tianlan Tribe needs to control seventy percent of the Blood Crystal mining sites!"

Previously, the three sides had kept one another in check, so the Tianlan Tribe had only received forty percent of the share. Now that they had gained a Mid-level God, their share had surged by thirty percent in one go!

As soon as he said this, the four God-level powerhouses from the Fire Snake Tribe and Magic Cloud Tribe darkened in the face. They all protested that this was too much and would drastically cut into their profits. It was simply unacceptable.

"At most, fifty-five percent!"

Donald protested unhappily.

Dennis nodded as well. His face gloomy, he said coldly, "Even if we're both Mid-level Gods, there are still differences between us!"

"Heh heh!"

Faced with this provocation, Linley merely smiled calmly and shrugged. Without the slightest fear, he took the initiative to continue, "Since that's the case, why don't we spar a little?"

"Good! Brother Linley, you're straightforward!"

Donald laughed loudly, a trace of delight flashing through his eyes.

In his view, no matter how talented Linley was—going from a Low-level God to a Mid-level God in three hundred years—he must have expended all his energy. There was no way he could have had time to develop any techniques. He was definitely a rookie who possessed only the realm and nothing else.

Perhaps after a few hundred more years, he could overtake those who came before him and make up for his lack of experience, but not now!

The advantages of time and accumulated foundation were on their side!

Thomas slightly furrowed his brows, but seeing that Linley was confident, he could not bring himself to dissuade him. He only hoped Linley would not be too arrogant.

"Not bad. You've got courage. I'll spar with you!"

Dennis volunteered, his smile carrying a hint of mockery.

Linley smiled freely, then suddenly said, "A simple spar would be too boring. Why don't we add some stakes? If I win, the Tianlan Tribe will take eighty percent of this distribution. If I lose, we'll take forty percent!"

Donald immediately objected. "No, that's too much!"

He was not a fool. Seeing how confident Linley was, what if Dennis really lost?

"You can come at me one at a time!"

Linley's simple sentence directly dispelled his concern.

Donald and Dennis's eyes lit up when they heard this. This could work!

Fighting them one after another meant he could not afford to lose a single match. Even if he got lucky and won the first, his divine power would surely be greatly depleted, and most of his trump cards would have been exposed.

This wager was absolutely advantageous for their side!

The two men were beaming with delight and agreed one after another. "Good! It's a deal!"

They secretly transmitted their voices, laughing at how the young man was still too impulsive and overly confident. This time, they would seize the opportunity to suppress the Tianlan Tribe's prestige.

"Brother Linley..."

Thomas's expression changed, and he secretly transmitted his voice to persuade Linley to change his mind.

"Don't worry, Thomas. I'm confident!"

Linley transmitted his voice to reassure him, brimming with powerful confidence.

"Sigh, forget it. Just do your best!"

Thomas reluctantly accepted the result, though his expression remained unpleasant. He felt that Linley had become a little carried away. He thought that letting the young man suffer a little here might be a good thing, lest he suffer an even greater setback in the future!

Linley and Dennis arrived at an open space covered in red rock and soil. Stone spikes resembling thorns surrounded the area, making it look like a natural dueling arena.

"We'll use the stone hitting the ground as the signal."

Donald cheerfully picked up a palm-sized stone and casually tossed it into the air. A few seconds later, a crisp clack rang out.

"Whoosh!"

Dennis's gray hair flew wildly as he rapidly charged forward. Like a ghost, he appeared before Linley, a black Mid-level Divine Artifact longsword gripped in his hand! The sharp blade gleamed with a cold radiance, containing the power of the Destruction Rule!

Thomas and the other two men's expressions changed. They exchanged bitter smiles and said, "This is bad. We forgot that Brother Linley has shallow experience and hasn't had time to nurture a Divine Artifact of his own. He's going to suffer now!"

However...

In the blink of an eye, Linley easily opened up some distance. He grabbed at the empty air with both hands, condensing two Lightning Flood Dragons that crossed and tore toward Dennis!

"How can he be this fast?!"

Dennis was utterly shocked and had no time to react effectively.

The Lightning Flood Dragon on the left bit down on the longsword, while the one on the right bit into Dennis's left arm at the shoulder!

Arcs of electricity flashed and crackled!

"Ah!"

Dennis had suffered a huge loss at the very start by underestimating his opponent. He cried out in agony and hurriedly twisted his wrist, slashing his sword toward the Lightning Flood Dragon. But he did not break free as smoothly as expected. After cutting only halfway through, he encountered tough resistance.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

"Try taking this move as well."

Linley smiled and raised his hand. Dark clouds filled the sky, and thick bolts of lightning rained down on Dennis one after another, like gleaming blades of the heavens, carrying a blazing and terrifying energy aura.

"This..."

Dennis actually sensed a trace of death descending upon him. He gritted his teeth and instinctively made a choice.

"Stop! I admit defeat!"

The next second, the blinding lightning bolts skimmed past him and blasted huge craters into the ground.

Linley smiled. "Are you convinced of my strength?"

He had still concealed part of his strength. Otherwise, if he unleashed himself at full power, he could easily have killed Dennis instantly.

The quality of their divine power and their Profound Mystery Fusion created a vast difference in their foundations. This was not something a Mid-level Divine Artifact could make up for.

The Lightning Element remaining on Dennis's body transformed into the most basic Lightning Element and dissipated. Still shaken, he panted heavily, his expression rather ugly.

Hearing Linley's words, Dennis nodded repeatedly. His tone was envious and bitter as he said, "I'm convinced—completely convinced. Linley, your strength is simply too powerful!"

The several God-level powerhouses outside the arena were all utterly shocked. Before this, no one had expected Linley to crush Dennis. After all, the gap in their experience and accumulated foundation was simply too great.

Linley turned his head and looked at one person with a faintly mocking smile. "Well, Donald? Are you still going to challenge me?"

If this fellow did not know what was good for him, Linley did not mind beating him until he submitted—or until he stopped breathing!

In a place like Hell, one absolutely could not afford to be softhearted! The status of the strong was carved out with blood!

"No, no, no! Don't joke around!"

Donald shook his head and waved his hands, forcing out a bitter smile. "My strength is about the same as Dennis's. He lost so miserably, so how could I fare any better? There's no need for me to keep looking for a beating."

Donald suddenly thought of something and could not help asking, "Linley, have you already fused a Mystery?"

Linley nodded and openly admitted, "That's right. I was fortunate enough to fuse two Mysteries!"

After receiving confirmation, the few men could not help breathing more rapidly. The way they looked at Linley also gained an extra trace of awe.