"The Demon Race has challenged Xu Jingming of the Human Race to a duel!"
"Xu Jingming? The human who became a Dominator in less than fifty years?"
"That's right! I heard Black Bull Dominator challenged him first, with a wager of 100 Origin Coins! We have to watch. We can't miss this!"
"Is Black Bull trying to fleece another newcomer? Xu Jingming's no ordinary newcomer, though. This should be good!"
"..."
Not long after Xu Jingming accepted the invitation, news of his duel with Black Bull Dominator swept across the Origin Great World like a whirlwind. The Divine Thoughts of countless Dominator Rank powerhouses buzzed through the virtual network.
Clearly, the duel had drawn far more attention than usual.
Xu Jingming noticed how quickly the news was spreading.
"Master, word's spreading even faster than expected!"
Vera floated excitedly in midair, her little hands swiping across a screen.
"Black Bull Dominator must be fanning the flames. He wants the entire temple to know he's challenging you!"
"Let him."
Xu Jingming waved a hand. "The more people who show up, the better. It'll give us a bigger audience for our performance."
"Brilliant as always, Master!"
Vera giggled, a sly gleam in her eyes.
"Make it convincing later. Fight him to a standstill, then scrape out a narrow win at the end!
"That'll make everyone watching itch to challenge you. They'll line up to hand over their Origin Coins!"
"Don't worry. I know what to do."
Put on a show?
Xu Jingming had every confidence in himself.
Half a Stellar Day later, in the Central Battle Hall of the Origin Great World.
The enormous ring-shaped arena could hold millions of spectators.
At its center stood a silver platform ten thousand kilometers across.
Tier upon tier of densely packed seats surrounded it.
Xu