Challenge

Andre and Derrick had barely spoken for a moment when Robert and Stefan arrived before them.

Though the latter had always been mocked by the people of the Byron Empire, he was still a level-nine powerhouse. The worldly and seasoned Andre politely greeted him.

At the same time, he introduced both sides to each other.

Aside from the renowned Stefan, Robert was also from the Beni Empire. He was likewise a level-nine warrior who cultivated earth-element battle qi, though his weapon was a greenish-brown war blade. He was no longer young either and appeared to be somewhat older than Andre.

"So your name is Leian!"

The moment Andre finished speaking, Robert cried out.

Since appearing, he had kept his eyes fixed on Leian. His tone was calm, but his gaze held a strong sense of scrutiny.

Leian frowned slightly. He easily saw through Robert's thoughts. The man was simply dissatisfied that Leian had received the Goddess Token.

However, before Leian could speak, Robert suddenly withdrew his gaze and spoke again in a cold voice:

"Leian, I, Robert, formally challenge you. Do you dare accept?"

The moment those words were spoken, Derrick and Andre's expressions changed. Then Derrick sneered mockingly.

"The people of the Beni Empire really are as shameless as ever!"

Hearing Derrick's utterly merciless ridicule, Robert's face instantly darkened. Stefan replied coldly as well:

"Derrick, watch your mouth. Don't think that just because you're part of the Byron royal family, I wouldn't dare teach you a lesson!"

"What? Was I wrong?"

Derrick continued sneering. After speaking, he turned and explained the matter to Leian.

It turned out that any citizen of the Youquan Continent could take the initiative to challenge a holder of a Goddess Token. The holder could choose to accept or refuse.

But if they accepted the challenge and lost, the Goddess Token would belong to the challenger. That meant they would lose the right to compete for the position of Goddess's Named Disciple.

Of course, such challenges could only be issued between people of the same level.

Moreover, over the years, an unwritten rule had formed: the challenger could not be too much older than the token holder, generally no more than thirty years.

Derrick had heard of Robert before. Though he did not know Robert's exact age, the man was certainly no younger than Andre, and Andre was already ninety-eight this year.

By that calculation, Robert was at least sixty years older than Leian.

He was so much older, yet shamelessly issued a challenge. No wonder Derrick could not help but ridicule him so harshly.

As Derrick finished speaking, Robert gave a cold laugh and said unhurriedly:

"You said it yourself. It is an unwritten rule. If I remember correctly, the Goddess has never placed any age restrictions on challengers!"

"You!"

Derrick had never expected Robert to be so brazenly shameless. He was left speechless, able only to glare furiously at him.

On the Youquan Continent, anyone above level eight, whether warrior or mage, was generally respectfully called a "powerhouse." Powerhouses usually defended their dignity and pride.

The reputation of "bullying the young with age" had never sounded good. That was precisely why the unwritten rule concerning age existed.

Robert, an old veteran level-nine warrior, had completely cast aside the pride of a "powerhouse" for the sake of the Goddess Token. It was truly contemptible.

Stefan, who had come with him, was probably somewhat embarrassed as well. After Derrick exposed that unwritten rule, he stood to the side with a cold face and said nothing more.

As for Leian, the one involved, he could not describe his feelings at all. To be honest, he did not particularly value the Goddess Token. Even if a friend had asked for it, he would have been willing to give it away.

But not valuing the token did not mean he did not value his pride. He might not have wanted to rise to fame by stepping on others, but he was even less willing to become someone else's stepping stone.

As it happened, the matter of receiving the Goddess Token would probably not remain secret. With those challenge rules in place, he would inevitably be disturbed by others in the future.

In the past, Leian would have gladly accepted challenges from powerhouses of every kind. But now, he only wanted to enter seclusion and cultivate the Destruction Rule he had comprehended.

To avoid endless trouble in the future, the best method was to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys. Since Robert had chosen to run into him at this moment, Leian felt he would be letting him down if he did not accept.

With that thought, Leian said calmly:

"On January first next year, I'll wait for you in Maple Leaf City."

Robert's goal was the Goddess Token. Seeing that Leian had accepted his challenge, he forcefully suppressed the wild joy in his heart and chuckled.

"You've got some courage. Fine. On January first next year, I'll come find you in Maple Leaf City."

After speaking, as though afraid Leian might regret it, Robert turned and left, giving Leian and the others no chance to say another word.

Seeing this, Stefan sighed softly. He quickly offered a farewell and turned to leave as well, though he deliberately avoided Robert's direction.

Once the two figures had completely disappeared into the forest, Derrick turned to look at Leian, seeming as though he wanted to speak but hesitated.

Although he had said before Andre that Leian was his brother, he knew very well that their friendship had not reached that point. He had no right to interfere with Leian's decision.

But in his eyes, Leian was indeed a genius. Still, Robert had been a level-nine warrior for decades and possessed incomparably rich combat experience. It would not be easy for Leian to win.

Andre had much the same thought. However, he did not show much concern. Instead, he asked half-jokingly:

"Leian, are you confident?"

Leian smiled without answering directly. In the same joking tone, he replied, "If you're interested, come watch the match that day and you'll find out."

Seeing this, the two of them felt too embarrassed to press further.

Andre had now lost all interest in continuing his training. Hearing that Leian and Derrick were planning to return to the imperial capital, he left the Youquan Mountain Range with them.

The imperial capital, Maple Leaf City!

By the time Leian stepped into this majestic city again, it was already the depths of winter.

When he had left two years ago, no one knew him. Yet when he returned two years later, people occasionally whispered about him behind his back.

Leian was not surprised. Two years ago, many people had witnessed his feat of slaying a Green-Eyed Horned Tiger with a single sword strike outside the Youquan Mountain Range. The reputation of a young warrior powerhouse would naturally spread through those people.

Moreover, he was certain that after January first next year, his reputation would become even more resounding.

"So I'm going to become famous across the continent too?"

On the main road leading toward the western district of the imperial capital, Leian thought with faint self-mockery.

He had been away from home for two years and did not miss it much. He was merely curious what expressions Barry and his wife would wear when they learned that their son had become so powerful.

However, just as Leian was guessing at his parents' reaction, he did not know that Barry and his wife had already prepared a huge surprise for him.