The two made no attempt to conceal their conversation, and everyone below heard it. Their reactions to the conversation varied.
The Emperor said, " Andrew's talent probably exceeds my expectations! At his rate of growth, it's not impossible for him to reach the rank of High Priest in the future! I must bind such a person to the Yulan Empire. In this way, my Yulan Empire will surely prosper forever!"
Bart and the Saint-level exclaimed, "What an arrogant brat! He actually thinks he can kill Baird with a single strike! Baird is at least a Saint-level Late-Stage, while you've only just entered the Saint-level. Hmph, what's so great about staying in the Saint-level for a few thousand years? You think you're so talented that you can break through to the Deity-level!"
Most of these people, like Baird, haven't made a breakthrough in thousands of years. Andrew's words were a sweeping generalization, offending them as well.
The spectators exclaimed, " Earl Lance is amazing! He became Saint-level expert in just thirteen years of cultivation. If I had even one percent of his talent, I'd be High-Level Warrior by now. Compared to him, Baird is far inferior. He's cultivated for thousands of years and still can't compare to Earl Lance... However, it would be difficult for Earl Lance to kill him with a single strike, after all, the opponent is Saint-level!"
Andrew's family was very proud when they heard his words. Only now did they realize how much Andrew had grown. Howard and Janice exchanged a glance and smiled happily, thinking to themselves: This is our son! In comparison, Ling'er and Han Yue felt even more joy and happiness.
Suddenly, Baru grinned widely. He recalled that when Andrew first visited the Keli Tribe, the two had a contest. He lost in the end, but wasn't by much. It wasn't until three years later, when he broke through to the High-Level Warrior level, that Andrew was able to overpower the Windwing Tiger King. After that, Andrew's strength improved faster and faster, leaving him far behind.
"Your talent is beyond my reach. However, I, Baru, have also sworn to become the strongest on the grasslands. Therefore, I will definitely follow in your footsteps! One day, I will surpass you, Andrew!"
The drunkard stopped drinking and stood up. He was eager to know what trump card Andrew had that could kill Baird with a single strike. The drunkard's strength had already reached the Peak Saint-level, but even he would have to use all his trump cards to kill Baird, who was in the Saint-level Late-Stage, in one blow.
"Good lad, how far have you gotten? I'm really looking forward to it!"
Andrew and Baird paid no attention to their other thoughts. Andrew was gently wiping the Godslaying Saber, while Baird slowly swung his spear.
"Are you ready?" Andrew asked softly.
Baird laughed loudly, " Andrew, I admit your talent. But today, you made the mistake that young people make most easily: arrogance. You don't have the ability to end the fight with one strike! Besides, you chose Kaobis City as the duel location; this is my home ground!"
Andrew laughed and said, "I specially chose this place for you. Otherwise, I'm afraid you wouldn't die in peace!"
"Arrogant!" Baird said, suddenly thrusting his spear forward. The spear disappeared completely into the darkness, and even Andrew could not see its trajectory.
Baird smiled smugly. This shot was the culmination of his year of training, incorporating his deepest understanding of Stealth Technique. The shot was fierce, the angle was tricky, and it left no trace, making it especially suitable for fighting in the dark.
"Hey, you've improved too. Good, that's for the best!"
Andrew was not alarmed but delighted, and went to meet it. Facing the unpredictable spear, he did not dodge. Suddenly, the Godslaying Saber was drawn, and a white light flashed in the darkness. The white light was extremely fast, faster than Lightning, and disappeared after a flash.
"What exactly happened?"
The spectators speculated wildly, and even the powerful Saint-level experts beside the emperor were discussing it.
"Teacher, what happened just now?"
The emperor suddenly asked a question to the empty space behind him.
In the open space, a figure dressed in a black robe appeared. This person was very strange; one second he wasn't there, but the next he appeared, as if he had always been there.
" Earl Lance has drawn his sword," the shadowy figure said after a moment of silence. "As for the outcome, I don't know either!"
"Even you don't know!" The emperor was moved. This man was the chief mage of the Yulan Empire's royal family, and also the disciple of the High Priest. He had already reached the Peak Saint-level.
" Andrew is back!" Meyer suddenly said.
Everyone quickly looked over, and sure enough, Andrew had flown back. His face was calm, neither sad nor happy, and he had no injuries whatsoever, just as he had when he left.
The emperor and the others asked in surprise, "How did he return so quickly? Is the duel over?"
Howard and the others immediately went to meet them, Ling'er's clear voice rang out. "Brother, did you win?"
Andrew smiled and nodded.
"Yay, that's great!" Ling'er jumped up, hugging Han Yue.
"He won!" The crowd still couldn't believe it. "He really killed Baird with a single blow!"
"Teacher, thank you for your help!" The emperor felt it necessary to confirm.
The black-robed Saint Magus vanished in a flash. A moment later, he reappeared carrying a corpse, which he tossed in front of the emperor's carriage. Everyone recognized him as Baird.
On the surface, Baird's body appeared intact, except for his bulging eyes, as if he had witnessed something extremely shocking. However, the Saint-level present were all seasoned veterans of battle and could immediately tell that Baird's internal organs had been completely shattered. The fact that his body remained intact was likely intentionally done by Andrew.
The scene calmed down immediately.
Finally, the Emperor cleared his throat and said, " Adonis, go and announce it: Andrew has won the duel, Baird is dead!" He knew that everyone was eagerly awaiting the outcome. As the Emperor, it was most appropriate for him to do this.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Although Andrew felt it was unnecessary, he still wanted to show respect to the emperor.
" Andrew, congratulations." The Emperor's attitude towards him had also changed. "Five years ago, I said that as long as you became Saint-level, you would be a Duke of the Yulan Empire. Today, right here, I fulfill my promise, Duke of Lance!"
Andrew understood, of course, that the other party wanted to win him over and keep him in the Yulan Empire. However, he did not refuse. After all, in the past five years, if it weren't for the protection of the Yulan Empire, given Baird's methods, he would definitely have harmed his family. Andrew would not forget this kindness.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Andrew thanked him again and agreed.
"Also, there is something else I need to trouble Your Majesty with."
The emperor is very pleased. He doesn't mind if you cause him trouble; he's just worried that you won't make any requests.
"Go ahead and say it."
Andrew pulled Han Yue closer and looked at her affectionately. " Yue'er and I have known each other for five years. Before, because of Baird's existence, I always had some reservations. Today, I would like to ask Your Majesty to help me propose marriage to Yue'er's family."
The Emperor laughed loudly, "I'm happy to help this loving couple. I will personally pay a visit to Duke Daina after returning to the capital."
The Duke of Daina? Andrew remembered that he seemed to have seen him before.
After Adonis announced the duel's outcome, nearly a million spectators erupted in cheers. They didn't care that they hadn't witnessed a spectacular fight; they were simply shocked that Andrew had actually killed Baird with a single blow.
" The Earl Lance has truly won; he has killed Baird man renowned for thousands of years, with a single blow!"
"Yes, he killed Saint-level being with a single strike. Don't you think Earl Lance has already become a legendary Deity-level?"
Even if it isn't, it's close enough.
"In my opinion, apart from the High Priest, no one on the entire continent is a match for Earl Lance!"
"It's a pity we can't see the duel. One strike slaying Saint-level being—one strike! What a devastating strike that was!"
Everyone was both excited and regretful, and lingered at the foot of the mountain for a long time, reluctant to leave.
However, Andrew and his group have already set off back to the capital.
A month later, with the Emperor acting as matchmaker, Andrew, as the Duke of Lance, proposed to Han Yue's father, the Duke of Daina.
Duke Daina was the fat man who echoed the emperor when Andrew first went to the palace.
" Andrew, is it alright if I call you that?" The portly Daina seemed very amiable and approachable.
Andrew quickly replied, "Of course, you're Yue'er's father, so it's most appropriate for you to call me that."
Duke Daina was quite pleased with himself. When he learned of the close relationship between Han Yue and Andrew, he sent people to investigate Andrew. At that time, Andrew was only an Eighth-level Warrior, but his displayed talent had already astonished Duke Daina. Because of this, Duke Daina did not interfere with their relationship, and even when Andrew offended Baird later, he did not stop him.
In retrospect, his decision back then was incredibly wise. This son-in-law is now not only the number one genius on the continent, but also arguably the strongest expert below the High Priest!
"I know you love Han Yue, and she loves you too. So, I don't object to your marriage," Duke Daina said. "However, I hope you can treat her the same way, never put her in danger, and never hurt her. Can you do that?"
Andrew patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry, even if it costs me a fortune, I will protect Yue'er!"
After a brief meeting, the couple set their wedding date for the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the eighteenth year of the Yulan Calendar.