Chapter 123
"However, it is too late. Even if you kneel down to beg me now!" Bram's voice rang cold and final, like an unyielding decree forged in steel.
The absolute certainty in his tone carried a deadly promise, shocking the hall into momentary silence.
"Is the Sixth Prince out of his mind?" one elder among the Azure Origin Dao Sect barked incredulously, his voice thick with disbelief mingled with anger.
"Pee and take good care of yourself. Do you want to take my life?" Bram retorted with razor-sharp sarcasm, his expression nothing but disdain.
"Idiots are talking about dreams," Ethan replied lightly, his dull, unreadable expression dismissing Bram's threats outright. His gaze was cold and level, revealing the depth of a mind that did not buy into empty bluster.
Ethan considered Bram a mere ant—small, weak, and unworthy of his respect.
If anyone was to be arrogant, it would be him. Twice as arrogant, three times as arrogant.
Hearing Ethan's defiance, Bram's previously amused eyes turned icy.
This was the first time someone had dared speak to him with such impudence. It was as if this young man did not understand the heights Bram had reached or the meaning of death in this world.
"Hahaha, do you know how ridiculous it is to say this from your mouth? It's pathetic to see a dying person so stubborn and arrogant!" Bram scoffed, amusement twisting into disdain.
Ethan sneered, dismissing Bram's words and instead locking his cold gaze on Lyralei. "As long as I and the Master of Sword Peak are sent away, Azure Origin Dao Sect can be preserved. Why doesn't the Sect Master make a decisive choice?" His voice held an underlying edge—a challenge wrapped in reason.
Lyralei's delicate brow furrowed slightly, an ugly tension etching her flawless features. This Ethan's words were loaded with insinuations, suggesting there was more behind the bravado.
She wanted to show strength, to display her own attitude.
"I'm not that confused yet," she declared with heavy seriousness, her eyes sharpening as she regarded Bram. "Sixth Prince, you can't take any of these people today. Go back where you came from!"
Her tone was frigid, leaving any room for negotiation shattered.
Bram blinked in surprise, not expecting Lyralei's outright refusal. Even a lowly nobody required protection in the face of harsh reality. His audacity was blindsiding.
"Lyralei, don't ruin the future of the entire Azure Origin Dao Sect because of your blind decision," Bram warned, his voice thickening with intimidation.
One of the Peak Masters abruptly stood, sneering coldly. "Stop talking nonsense. Though your Vernal Dawn Dynasty is powerful, our Azure Origin Dao Sect is no weakling. Fight if you desire!"
"A pack of reckless youth, ignorant of life and death!" Mr. Willow snorted disdainfully as he rose, his presence radiating overwhelming power.
The spiritual pressure he unleashed was suffocating: that of a seasoned Mahayana realm expert, surpassing Lyralei's own cultivation. His clone hovered beside him, less potent but still formidable at the third turn of the Mahayana realm.
At Bram's sides, two puppets stood tall—unique constructs with the terrifying strength of the Mahayana realm.
The Vernal Dawn royal family's might was manifest—one prince backed by unparalleled power and resources.
"Lyralei, reconsider your position carefully. I have four Mahayana Realm experts here. If you misjudge, the Azure Origin Dao Sect will meet its doom!" Bram cautioned, a dark humor playing on his lips.
Ethan interrupted sharply before Lyralei could respond.
"Is this your method? You can only borrow others' power, yet you have the audacity to mock me and laugh out loud!"
Bram's eyes widened in disbelief, his grip tightening painfully on the armrest, leaning forward as rage ignited. "What did you say?!"
"I heard you passed the Spiritual Path Trial, obtaining a high-level inheritance. I'm guessing that's because of the puppets surrounding you?" Ethan's smile was cold and cutting.
"Ridiculous!" Bram's irritation flared. To him, strength was earned through talent and personal effort, not puppets or tricks. For an ant like Ethan to insult him was intolerable.
Nearby, Mr. Willow advised Bram in a calm voice, "Your Highness, calm yourself. This one is deliberately provoking you, seeking to make you lose control and make mistakes."
Bram exhaled deeply, suppressing the mounting fury. With a strategist's cool, he sent a message, asking, "How confident are you about capturing the Master of Sword Peak and Ethan?"
"The Lyralei refuses to accept our advice. Our persecution scheme has failed. Aside from her, there's a first-turn Mahayana Realm cultivator and two cultivators who have just reached the Mahayana Realm in this hall. They are strong cultivators at the peak of the Tribulation Transcendence realm," Mr. Willow reported gravely.
"If they truly fight to the death, we might not reap the rewards. Plus, this is their home turf—the Azure Origin Dao Sect. Other elders hiding in seclusion may arise to cause problems."
Bram's eyes darkened behind his composed mask. "A miscalculation—Lyralei is unafraid and intends to break the trap."
His mind flickered over a new plan, a sinister smile curling his lips. "However, a woman can think later. Ethan will die today!"
His eyes gleamed with ruthless intent.
Shifting gears, Bram's tone became smooth, almost affable. "I don't seek an outright conflict with the Azure Origin Dao Sect. I want to avoid harming sect harmony. How about a game?"
Lyralei's brow lifted warily. "What game?"
Though prepared to face Bram's challenge, avoiding battle was preferable.
The sect was declining in Skyreach Territory, and losing any of their core pillars today could be devastating.
Bram turned slowly to Ethan. "You doubt my strength. I'm willing to show you. If you can survive ten moves against me, I'll spare your life and leave today."
A dangerous offer, to say the least.
"But if you cannot endure my ten moves, you have to kneel and call me Master, allowing me to do as I please. Additionally, I will choose either the Saint or the Master of Sword Peak to take away!" His fingers pointed at Althea and Han Yue softly.
Bram knew Ethan couldn't be his match; surviving even ten moves was near impossible. But by tying the fate of the sect's two pillars to Ethan's survival, he placed unbearable pressure on the young cultivator.
If Ethan accepted, defeat would bring not only personal humiliation but bring disgrace upon the sect by losing one of their geniuses.
If he refused, he'd be shamed and cast out, mocked for humiliation beyond measure.
Ethan's expression shifted slightly—there was a flicker of calculation beneath placid calm.
Bram's ploy was clever, setting the stakes high and forcing a painful decision.
But he chose poorly.
Ethan craved a fight.
A duel was exactly what he wanted.
"What, are you scared?" Bram taunted challengingly.
A/N:
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