For many warriors in the Zenit Empire, a duel between Six-Star Class experts is a rare sight, a veritable grand event. Witnessing such a battle between powerful figures can have an unimaginable effect on their breakthroughs and improvements in strength. For King and officials from various countries, such a duel will inevitably attract important figures from the capital to watch, providing them with an excellent opportunity to make connections with these dignitaries whom they would never normally meet.
With more than five hours to go before the duel, the area around the Number One Sword-Testing Platform was already packed with people, extremely crowded. Everyone wanted to squeeze to the closest point to the testing platform to truly witness this heavyweight duel. So much so that by mid-morning, apart from the VIP seats prepared in advance for important figures next to the testing platform, everywhere else was teeming with people, so crowded that not even a pin could be squeezed in.
As time passed, the crowd began to stir.
Although neither of the duelists was present, the atmosphere was already suffocatingly tense. Within a kilometer of the Number One Sword-Testing Platform, a dense crowd of people had gathered, while a kilometer away, temporary wooden frames had been erected, covered with latecomers.
In the sea of people, only a narrow passage less than three meters wide remained.
The knights of the Seventh Knight Tower of the Imperial Knights' Hall, fully armed and wielding sharp weapons, separated the crowd, making it easier for the important figures who arrived later to enter the VIP seats near the sword-testing platform to watch the duel. Within the twenty-mile camp area, there were fifty sword-testing platforms, which were martial arts arenas set up in advance by the Imperial Military Department when planning the camp area. In case of conflict between any of the 250 vassal states or between warriors, private duels were not allowed, but they could challenge each other to a duel at the sword-testing platform, with no grudges even if it meant death.
Each testing platform is constructed from massive, solid stones, and has long been imbued with magical restrictions and barriers by high-ranking royal mages. Mysterious magical arrays are engraved on the stones, powered by a large number of magic stones. The power of the barriers and restrictions ensures that the sheer force of the clash between powerful warriors will not destroy the testing platforms. Especially the Number One Sword-Testing Platform, where two super-powerful warriors are about to duel, is rumored to have been personally protected by the Empire's Chief Magic Stone, Lord Capdevila. Beneath this city of magical arrays, it can withstand the full force of Seven-Star Class warrior or mage, making it exceptionally sturdy.
As the sun rose higher, the crowd waited anxiously.
Casinos and even large chambers of commerce in the capital have already set odds for this duel. As one of the top experts of the old empire, the Seventh Judgment Knight, Bloody Knight Krud, has gained the trust of more people and is far ahead of Sun Fei in the odds. For many noblemen, ladies, young ladies and gentlemen whose lives lack excitement, a life-or-death duel between Six-Star Class experts is obviously much more classy than those simple, Bloody gladiator fights. They place bets like crazy and then can't wait to come to the Number One Sword-Testing Platform to watch the battle.
Time passed both slowly and swiftly.
The sound of thundering hooves came from afar, snowflakes fluttered, and long banners waved. A large troop of people, their armor gleaming, knights looking imposing and wearing eagle helmets, was approaching from the direction of the capital. They were escorting several magical carriages toward the Number One Sword-Testing Platform.
"Ah, it's the Dean Family, one of the seven great noble groups of the empire. They control the Eagle Wing Legion, one of the empire's ten main battle legions. See that young man in the lead wearing an eagle helmet and silver armor? That's Dianka Zola, the first in line to the Dean Family's throne, a magical genius..."
Some people were amazed, causing a sensation.
The cavalry, clad in eagle helmets and silver armor, thundered through the passage, splashing up a large amount of muddy splattered from the melting snow. Yet, no one dared to express any dissatisfaction. The magical carriage, suspended in mid-air and pulled by fine horses, arrived at the First Sword-Testing Platform. Several heavily made-up noblewomen emerged from it and, under the protection of guards, went to the VIP seating area next to the Number One Sword-Testing Platform.
The appearance of the Dean Family heralded the arrival of the rarely seen imperial nobles. Soon, a series of rapid hoofbeats emerged from the distant gates of the capital, as proud knights galloped on horseback, and various magical beasts pulled magical carriages into view.
"Roar roar roar--"
Amidst a deafening roar, six bizarre beasts, each six meters tall and ten meters long, resembling tigers with four hooves, pulled three magical carriages made of gilded purple wood, shimmering with a warm red glow, through the crowd. The beasts' massive bodies exuded terrifying demonic power, and visible wind elemental blades swirled around them. Wherever they passed, gasps of alarm rippled through the crowd, and some timid individuals fled in terror, unable to look them in the eye.
"Look, that's the insignia of the Flo Family! My god, they're pulling their carriage with a level-five magical beast, Swift Tiger! That's terrifying... A beast like that is worth a fortune, and it's priceless!"
Those in the know exclaimed in astonishment that the level-five magical beast had given onlookers a tremendous shock.
Boom boom boom--!
The earth began to tremble, and in the distance, a row of even larger beasts appeared, as massive as small mountains. Each step they took caused an earthquake. Standing atop these colossal beasts were valiant knights in black iron armor and wearing masks, majestic and awe-inspiring. Guarding them were a young, beautiful, and proud woman and a burly Old Man in purple beard and iron armor, who arrived below the testing ground...
"This is the Big Family, one of the giants of the Imperial Military Department who controls the [ Giant Strength Legion ], one of the ten major legions of the Empire... These behemoths are the unique war beasts of the [ Giant Strength Legion ], possessing immense strength capable of crushing mountains and splitting rocks!"
"... Look! Do you see that stunningly beautiful woman, like an iceberg? It's Big-Beyonce, the only daughter of Chief Big. I've heard she's extremely favored by the old chief. People in the capital have said that whoever marries this iceberg beauty will gain all of the Big Family's wealth and power. She's the dream girl of countless men..."
"Really? Gods above, I wish I could marry her..."
"You? Don't even think about it. This ice-cold beauty is also a highly talented expert. She once boasted that if you want to be her man, you must first defeat her..."
Exclamations of surprise rang out from the crowd.
Amidst the surrounding discussions, more and more high-ranking nobles and important figures, whom these vassal states would never normally have the opportunity to meet, appeared in the VIP area next to the sword-testing platform. As these high-and-mighty faces appeared, many astute onlookers sensed something unusual. The fact that so many imperial superpowers had chosen to show themselves clearly indicated that the upcoming duel had transcended its original purpose.
"Whoosh--!"
Several streaks of light streaked across the sky, accompanied by sharp whistles.
Everyone felt a blur before their eyes, and suddenly, six figures appeared at the very front of the VIP area. These six figures were almost entirely shrouded in strange and powerful magical armor, and their bodies emanated a terrifying aura as inexhaustible as the ocean. Even those who knew nothing of martial arts could sense the terrifying power of these people. As soon as these six appeared, the magical beasts that had been roaring and howling below the VIP area immediately became like mice before a cat, obediently suppressing their aura and lying motionless on the ground.
"These are the Imperial Knights' Hall of Judgment Knight, top experts ranked alongside the Seventh Judgment Knight among the Ten Judgment Knight... My God, I never expected them to show up. Are they all here to support the Seventh Judgment Knight? It seems King of Chambord is in trouble!"
"Those are the Second Judgment Knight [ Slaughter Knight ], the Third Judgment Knight [ Giant Blade Knight of Punishment Knight ], the Fourth Judgment Knight [ Savage Knight Great Blade], the Sixth Judgment Knight Fifth Judgment Knight Radiant Knight ], the Seventh and Eighth Judgment Knight [ White Cloud Knight ]... Except for the First Judgment Knight [ Knight of God ], the Ninth Judgment Knight [ Shadow Knight ], and the Tenth Judgment Knight [ Sun Golden Knight ] who was defeated by King of Chambord, all ten Judgment Knight of the Empire have come... This is the first time in so many years that they have appeared before the people in such a concentrated manner!"
"Six masters at the Six-Star Class... Good heavens, am I seeing things?!"
"Ahhh, Lord Radiant Knight Paroski, my idol..."
The unexpected appearance of the six Judgment Knight instantly ignited the atmosphere of the entire arena. These six men commanded a force within the Imperial Knights' Hall, intimidating the 250 vassal states of the Zenit Empire. In the eyes of the warriors of these vassal states, they were practically like war gods, high above all others. Many low-ranking warriors of these vassal states would never even see these revered Judgment Knight in their entire lives. Unexpectedly, they saw six of them today. If we also count the Seventh Bloody Knight Krud, who was about to engage in gladiatorial combat, they would be able to see seven Imperial Judgment Knight today. Just thinking about this made everyone's blood boil.
In the VIP section, some powerful families and nobles were also secretly surprised. They had not expected that a seemingly ordinary duel would actually bring out these top experts who rarely appeared in front of the world!
Some are already wondering if they've overlooked something, that this duel holds other important significance.
Finally, the sun was directly overhead.
Suddenly, a sharp sound of air being torn apart rang out, and a streak of blood-red light shot out from the direction of the Imperial Knights' Hall. Wherever it passed, it was as if a sea of blood filled the sky, and Bloody that made one's soul tremble came. Everyone felt as if they were in a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, which was extremely terrifying.
As the crimson light dissipated, a tall, wild figure stood atop the Number One Sword-Testing Platform.
[ Bloody Knight ] Krude!
He is a top-tier expert, ranked seventh among the ten Judgment Knight of the Imperial Knights' Hall.
One of the duelists has finally appeared!
" King of Chambord, get over here and face your death!" Bloody, arrogant figure stood atop the towering sword-testing platform, laughing wildly, his tone chilling. "The time has come, why aren't you here? Are you afraid?"
Third update.
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