Suddenly, a commotion arose from the crowd, and countless people rushed frantically toward a sword-testing platform in front. This scene was very similar to the scene of fanatical fans chasing after celebrities that Sun Fei had seen on TV in his previous life. Many people had their shoes trampled off, and several bards tried to rush to the front, but their clothes were pulled off as well. Some people were knocked to the ground and trampled half to death. In the midst of the chaos,
"Let's go see which guy dares to use the title of First Goddess. Hmm, the First Goddess is clearly my Angela!" Sun Fei held Angela's small hand tightly, and a faint power emanated from her, making it difficult for others to squeeze in. He laughed and teased his fiancée.
The two followed the chaotic crowd to the Number Fourteen Sword-Testing Platform ahead.
The area around the testing ground was already packed with people, so crowded that it was impossible to move. Judging from the crowd, there were more than three or four thousand people, far exceeding the number of people watching the Chambord City matches and some other first-class vassal state matches. Some young people who felt good about themselves even held up flowers and gifts to express their love, shouting Xindi's name loudly among the crowd.
Sun Fei released a little of his power to separate the surrounding crowd, preventing Angela from being pushed around.
The competition hadn't officially started, and the so-called "First Goddess" hadn't even appeared, yet the atmosphere among the audience was already incredibly heated. Amidst the clamor of the crowd around him, Sun Fei learned that the Bulan Kingdom was a third-tier vassal state of moderate strength under the Zenit Empire, and hadn't been favored by many. However, in yesterday's first match, they had unbelievably defeated a powerful second-tier vassal state. The stunningly beautiful Princess Xindi of the Bulan Kingdom, a woman, had even killed the top expert of the second-tier vassal state in a single move, shocking everyone.
As luck would have it, the Empire's foremost bard, Materazzi, happened to be passing by and witnessed the match. He immediately concluded that Princess Xindi possessed the strength to seize the top three spots in the final ranking of the Empire's top ten masters.
Materazzi's words instantly made the stunningly beautiful Princess Xindi of the Bulan Kingdom famous. Some even dubbed her the " First Goddess " of the 250 vassal states. Coupled with her undeniable beauty and captivating charm, she was immediately recognized as the dream Goddess by countless men, who showered her with adoration. Her popularity skyrocketed, and within a short time, she even surpassed the two Bulan Kingdom figures from the vassal states— King of Chambord, who hadn't made a move in the past two days, and the low-profile " One Sword "—to become the most popular contestant in this Martial Combat Competition.
"The Empire's top bard says this woman has the ability to challenge for a top-three spot in the Empire's ranking tournament?"
Upon hearing this, Sun Fei's heart stirred slightly.
During the duel between the top Judgment Knight of the Number One Sword-Testing Platform and the Knights' Hall, Materazzi, known as the Empire's First Bard, made an appearance. Although he remained low-key, Sun Fei knew that this extraordinary man was quite powerful. Moreover, since he was known as the Empire's First Bard, his ability to observe people and things was undoubtedly exceptional. Since Materazzi had made such a statement, it was clear that the princess of the Bulan Kingdom was indeed quite capable.
Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, Sun Fei gradually developed a sense of curiosity about this female warrior.
The competition began quickly. In the first few rounds, several male warriors from the Bulan Kingdom fought, winning two and losing three out of five matches. Their results were only average and they did not show anything special. Just as Sun Fei was getting a little impatient, a fiery red figure flashed through the air and appeared on the sword-testing platform.
First Goddess Xindi.
This is a female warrior with snow-white skin, a graceful figure, and a delicate, ethereal beauty, resembling Goddess. The way she slightly furrows her brows can captivate any man's heart.
She wore a fiery red magical armor that protected her full breasts and shoulders, while her slender waist, barely encircled by a hand, was exposed to the air, revealing a breathtaking glimpse of her fair skin. The light red armor skirt around her waist draped down to cover her pert buttocks and a third of her thighs. Her knees, delicate ankles, and small feet were protected by magically patterned armor that shimmered with a faint fiery red glow. Her long, slender legs and delicate calves were exposed to the cold air. Her equally fiery red hair was gently tied back with a white ribbon, cascading down her back like a waterfall, with only a few strands falling beside her flawless face. In her hand, she held a red staff about 1.4 to 1.5 meters long, with a bright red gem the size of a longan inlaid at the tip, shimmering with a dreamlike luster.
He was a magician!
Sun Fei was astonished; this was the first time he had ever seen a mage fight on the sword-testing platform.
Although mages have always been one of the dominant professions in the pinnacle of martial prowess on the Azeroth Continent, they are far fewer than warriors. This is because mages are considered a noble profession, highly skilled individuals cultivated with countless gold coins. The cost of training a mage is simply too great, even exceeding the cost of supplying a fully armed elite heavy cavalry squadron. Therefore, mages rarely participate in such duels. It is unexpected that a mere third-class vassal state Bulan Kingdom could cultivate such a powerful mage!
The magical armor worn by this beautiful woman was clearly an exceptionally powerful set of magical gear, shimmering with clusters of pale red magical flames. Waves of magical elements surged like the ebb and flow of the ocean, actually blocking Sun Fei's (a level 54 Barbarian) keen senses, preventing Sun Fei from discerning her true strength.
They are indeed a formidable opponent.
On the sword-testing platform, as if sensing Sun Fei's detection, Xindi suddenly turned around, her eyes flashing with a sharp light, and two faint red lights emanating from them. This was definitely a very profound magical detection technique. The red light swept across Sun Fei's body, and the powerful magical elemental surged like a sound wave, disappearing in an instant. However, the Magic Princess of the Bulan Kingdom shook her head in confusion, because she had not found anything at all and thought she had imagined it.
A smile crept across Sun Fei's lips, hidden beneath his cloak.
To see through the Barbarian's purely forceful stance and truly understand one's own strength, only an absolute master at the level of a mysterious strongman can do so. Furthermore, the power attributes of the seven classes in the Diablo World are very different from those in this world. There are neither fluctuations of Dou Qi nor surging magic power. The mystique of the seven powers is completely beyond the comprehension of ordinary masters in this world.
Sun Fei didn't watch any further and quickly left the Number Fourteen Sword-Testing Platform with Angela.
Because at this moment, His Majesty the King was completely certain that the judgment made by the Empire's First Bard Materazzi, was correct—this Magic Princess of the Bulan Kingdom, who was known as the First Goddess, did indeed have the strength to break into the top three of the Empire's ranking battles. Currently, in this kind of regional ranking competition, no one had the strength to pose a threat to her.
"I never expected that just strolling around with Angela would lead to encountering so many experts. It seems the Imperial Martial Combat Competition isn't as boring as I initially thought."
Sun Fei gradually found things to be getting interesting.
After wandering around the timetables of the various exhibition areas for a while, around noon, the two went to a relatively quiet restaurant in the camp for lunch.
Just as they settled down, suddenly, from the military Barracks of the four major imperial legions—[ Thunder God's Wrath ], [ Fire God's Whip ], [ Blizzard Legion ], and [ Giant Wood Legion ]—stationed three or four miles away outside the twenty-mile-long subordinate state-run area, almost simultaneously, earth-shattering horn sounds rang out. The melodious and profound horn sounds traversed the distance of space, resounding in everyone's ears, like rolling thunder crushing from afar, filling the entire world.
"That horn sound..." Sun Fei's expression changed. "This is a warning of the outbreak of all-out war. What's going on? Why is this horn sounding suddenly? Could it be... could it be that something has changed in the war on the border between the Empire and the Spartak Empire?"
The thunderous sound of bugles filled the air, and a desolate and tense atmosphere spread throughout the twenty-mile camp and the entire capital.
Sun Fei lost interest in enjoying the scenery and eating. He and Angela quickly ate something and went straight back to the Chambord camp.
Sure enough, after noon, a shocking piece of news spread throughout the capital and the entire Twenty Mile State-Owned District.
After a stalemate of half a month, the border war suddenly deteriorated. The Spartak Empire's army captured Razor Town on Zenit's southern border, overnight. The Night Snow Legion, one of the Empire's ten main battle legions, suffered a total annihilation of 20,000 elite soldiers, with no survivors. To make matters worse, the highly respected Marshal Zhang Bolun, known as the Empire's second-best general, felt he had failed the Emperor's trust after the fall of Razor Town. He chose to fight to Razor Town death with only a hundred or so personal guards, ultimately succumbing to the massive Spartak army and his fate remains unknown.
Overnight, the Spartak Empire suddenly surged forward, crushing the empire's southern front. Sixty thousand heavily armed soldiers advanced three hundred miles deep, and the three southern provinces of the Zenit Empire— Haisenwei, Red Province, and Sea Stone Bay— fell completely. The administrative systems of these three provinces were utterly destroyed, and tens of thousands of imperial nobles and officials were massacred. The flames of war had reached the heart of the empire, and countless defeated soldiers surged towards the capital. Without natural barriers or terrain to hinder the enemy, the imperial army was in chaos, with inconsistent commands and extremely slow responses. The military and administrative systems of the three provinces were unable to react effectively. The Spartak Empire's army was like a red-hot iron plunged into cheese, easily conquering vast swathes of Zenit territory.
For the Zenit Empire, the situation had deteriorated to its lowest point.
If this situation continues, as long as the Spartak Empire's army advances another three hundred miles, they will be able to reach the capital!
When news of the defeat at the front arrived, it caused an uproar.
First update.
The Lunar New Year is almost here! I wish everyone a safe journey home to be with their families and a happy Lunar New Year.
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