Black Flame City No. 7 National Middle School was more bustling than ever before. Although it was summer vacation, the number of people flocking to the school today was several times higher than usual. The graduating class students, the younger students who rushed over after hearing the news, the boys and girls from other schools who were undergoing Survival Trial in Black Flame City with Zhang Tie, the trial students from other schools who came out of curiosity after hearing the news, and all sorts of other people, all flocked to the school in the afternoon.
The entire Seventh National Boys' Middle School in Black Flame City Celestial Person. Not only was the dueling field crowded, but even the corridors of the teaching building were packed with people.
Barry and his brothers from the Airplane Brotherhood arrived, as did the sixty-four brothers from the Divine Grace Society, which had formed in the mines. Pandora, Alice, Beverly, and nearly a thousand girls from the two girls' schools also came, along with teachers from several schools.
This duel was the first public duel in Black Flame City in recent decades, and also the first duel since Black Flame City was incorporated into the Norman Empire.
Duels always attract a lot of curious people, especially when they happen right next to you; nobody wants to miss it.
Because too many people had gathered at the school, the Black Flame City Military Control Committee dispatched several squads of soldiers to maintain order and prevent a riot after receiving the news.
Even the Military Control Committee of Black Flame City has no right to interfere with such a duel. Not only can it not interfere, but it must also ensure that such a duel is conducted in an open and fair manner.
The Andaman Alliance forbids duels, but in the Norman Empire, duels are considered a sacred and solemn affair, and all legal duels are protected by imperial law. For example, a duel of Lineage blood feud stemming from the rules of the Savage Trial is one that must not be interfered with.
From the school gate onwards, soldiers dressed in dark red uniforms and armor stood guard at various points throughout the school, weapons in hand, instantly making the duel serious and solemn.
Although many people had gathered at the school, no one was making a loud noise or disturbance. Most were quietly exchanging their opinions and expectations about the duel. The cause and consequences of the duel had already been revealed by Jia Naier and Sha Long, who had been terrified after Zhang Tie snapped Zu Haier's neck in the cafeteria that day. Thousands of people had heard their confessions— Zu Haier was the mastermind behind a despicable and insidious scheme against Zhang Tie. Zhang Tie killing Zu Haier was simply revenge, a reasonable revenge. What's wrong with eliminating someone who tried to kill you through despicable means?
Zu Haier's death was not worthy of sympathy, so much so that when Zu Haier's older Sode, appeared at the school, Sode was greeted with whispers and boos.
The only intriguing question is why Gelis, the most dazzling figure during the trial, disappeared. Many speculate that Gelis might have encountered Zhang Tie somewhere and been killed by Zhang Tie. Since Zhang Tie has never admitted to killing Gelis, this speculation remains unconfirmed. Furthermore, in many people's minds, Zhang Tie's strength is only at the level of a Level 2 Battle Soldier. How could he possibly defeat a third-tier Gelis? Some think of Zhang Tie's legendary and terrifying Flying Spear -throwing skill. Perhaps Zhang Tie killed Flying Spear with this Gelis. If Zhang Tie's Flying Spear -throwing skill is truly as powerful as the legends suggest, even as a Level 2 Battle Soldier, killing a third-tier Battle Soldier would be incredibly easy. A third-tier Battle Soldier, pierced by a falling Flying Spear, will still die. The strength and agility of a third-tier Battle Soldier are hardly anything to boast about in the face of such a projectile weapon.
But today's duel doesn't allow Zhang Tie to use Flying Spear or any projectile weapons. Zu Haier's brother is already a level four Battle Soldier. Can Zhang Tie possibly win a duel between a level four Battle Soldier and a level two, or at most level three, graduate who has just completed his trials?
When Sode appeared, everyone saw the dueling weapon he was carrying. Sode had chosen a modified standard-issue spear from Black Flame City. The spear was over two meters long, made entirely of steel, and its head and shaft were thicker and heavier than a regular standard-issue spear. The spear itself weighed over thirty kilograms. For a level four Battle Soldier to choose such a heavy polearm instead of a longsword in a duel with a graduate student, it seemed Sode was determined to be shameless to the end.
For a level 2 or even level 3 graduate, regardless of the weapon they choose, long or short, when facing a level 4 Battle Soldier who is superior in both rank and strength, using a polearm, the graduate will be tortured to death before even getting close to the level 4 Battle Soldier. This is the advantage of polearms: an inch longer, an inch stronger. In a duel between people with vastly different strengths, the advantage of polearms is decisive.
Many people saw through Sode's intentions, so when Sode stood on the high platform in the middle of the school playground with his long gun and arms crossed, the boos from the surroundings grew even louder.
The shamelessness and treachery of the two Zu Haier brothers are practically inherited from the same lineage.
Sode remained unmoved, a cold smile on his face, as he gazed at the sun in the sky, waiting for the time for the duel to begin.
In the Norman Empire, duels were generally scheduled for 2 PM, neither too early nor too late—this was a Norman Empire law. It was said that this was wisdom the Norman Empire learned from the East, because at this time the sun was at its highest, and the light and yang energy between heaven and earth were at their peak. Those who died at this time would not become vengeful spirits, and murderers would not be haunted by vengeful ghosts. Therefore, this time was most suitable for duels and executions.
Seeing Sode's confident demeanor, many people who cared about Zhang Tie became worried, such as the members of the Divine Grace Society who were unaware of Zhang Tie's current situation.
"Do you think Zhang Tie will be alright?" Porter asked Francis in a low voice below the platform occupied by the members of the Divine Grace Society. The " Torchbearer " had a face full of worry.
" The Enlightener will be fine. Don't forget, he's someone who has received the Great Blessing Art!" Francis whispered. The two were talking quietly among the brothers of the Divine Grace Society, not worried about being overheard. "I've heard that many brothers can already feel a trace of the Great Blessing Art's effects. What does it feel like?"
"I don't know if this is the effect of the Great Blessing Art, but many brothers have indeed felt increasingly relaxed recently, and often feel a surge of joy in their hearts for no reason. I've had this experience twice myself!" Porter answered softly.
"Then there's no mistake. We must have faith in the Enlightener!" The gardener's son from Black Flame City nodded vigorously, a strange light shining in his eyes. The Sacrificer —that was his title. He felt that this title brought him an unprecedented sense of sublimity. Others might not understand, but Francis could sense that after receiving this title, his life had slowly emerged from inferiority and narrow-mindedness. He could now view the misfortunes and hardships that occurred in his life with a different perspective, becoming more positive and more tolerant.
He had only been home for a few days after returning from the trial, but his family immediately noticed the changes in him. This time, no matter how much his father, who was an alcoholic, beat or scolded him, Francis never talked back or glared at his father. Instead, he silently endured it and did his best to do everything a son could for his family.
An unprecedented feeling arose in Francis's heart. He discovered that when a person resolves to become a " Sacrificer," no longer considering himself and prioritizing others above all else, a completely new and radiant self slowly begins to emerge within him. Just four nights ago, his father returned home late after drinking heavily. In the past, Francis Francis it, helped his father inside, cleaned up his father's vomit, washed his face, bathed him, gave him hangover soup, and brought him the prepared food. His father, in his drunken rage, slapped him, but Francis seemed oblivious, continuing to be that "pure son without any personal thoughts."
Finally, while washing his father's feet, his father looked at him and suddenly began to shed tears. From that day until today, his father is like a different person; he has never drunk a drop of alcohol again. Whenever he feels like drinking, he will take a small sip of vinegar to replace the alcohol. Francis's family has begun to change in just a few days. Francis attributes all of this to the effects of becoming a sacred " Sacrificer " in the sacred ritual he participated in. Francis feels he has grasped a sliver of the profound meaning of " Sacrificer "...
Sode on the dueling platform had repeatedly urged the teachers, who were acting as the duel's witnesses, to call Zhang Tie out. But Zhang Tie never appeared.
Just ten minutes before the duel was scheduled to begin, many people began to whisper among themselves, even thinking that Zhang Tie wouldn't dare to come today. Then, Zhang Tie arrived, and no one expected Zhang Tie to make his entrance in such a way...
Zhang Tie's arrival even caused a commotion at the school...
Zhang Tie, dressed in a dashing Norman Empire lieutenant's combat training uniform, appeared atop a wheeled armored vehicle at the school gate. Behind the vehicle followed dozens of military vehicles filled with soldiers from the 39th Division's Iron-Blood Battalion. These vehicles drove straight in from the school gate, stopping only in front of the dueling platform on the school's playground. Then, many people recognized the arrogant man sitting on the Norman Empire armored vehicle, wearing the insignia of the Norman Empire lieutenant—it was none other than the protagonist of today's duel— Zhang Tie!
Then everyone who had been watching was stunned, and the entire school fell silent instantly...