The early morning mist had yet to dissipate, but all five thousand seats in the East City Beast Fighting Arena were already filled.
The ring-shaped structure, built from massive, dark cyan stones, resembled a slumbering ancient beast in the morning light.
Excited whispers, the crisp clinking of Magic Stone Bags, and countless prying gazes filled the air.
DONG... DONG... DONG...
The bells of the Time Trace Tower pierced through the mist, echoing three times.
An aged figure quietly materialized on the high platform in the center of the Beast Fighting Arena.
His grayish-white long robe stirred without a breeze, his face was gaunt, and his eye sockets were sunken.
But when he opened his eyes, the very air in the arena seemed to freeze for an instant.
A Level Three Great Wizard.
He simply stood there, unmoving, yet a spiritual suppression as vast as an abyss already enveloped the entire arena.
The clamor came to an abrupt halt.
"Today, the seventh-ranked heir, Adelle Justice, will undergo her combat assessment."
The Elder Wizard’s voice was calm, yet it reached every person’s ears with perfect clarity.
"The rules are as follows: she will face three Tier Two Late Stage Demons alone in a gauntlet-style battle, with a ten-minute interval between each match."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the VIP section.
"Honored Guest Elders may observe, but not interfere."
As his voice fell, he gave a light flick of his sleeve.
On the west side of the arena, runes lit up on three heavy metal gates simultaneously.
"The assessment... begins."
In the front row of the VIP section.
Her eldest brother, Edmund, sat upright. His dark blue long robe was immaculate, and he held a cup of clear tea from which steam gently wafted.
Beside him, his steward, Rodney, bowed slightly. Though his lips didn’t move, his voice transmitted precisely into Edmund’s ear.
"Everything has been arranged, Young Master."
A cold glint flashed in Rodney’s eyes.
"All three demons have been fed a special ’Bloodline Stimulant’. They’re... exceptionally sensitive to the Justice Clan bloodline."
He paused, lowering his voice even further.
"Especially the Shadow Demon Wolf. It was given an extra dose of powdered Bloodthirsty Grass root."
Edmund raised his teacup and took a light sip.
The tea was a bit hot, and he narrowed his eyes.
’It’ll be a miracle if she can even survive the first one.’
His gaze fell upon the center of the arena, a circular field covered in yellow sand.
His expression was indifferent, as if he were looking at a stone that needed to be cleared away.
On the other side of the VIP section.
Her second brother, Edwin, lounged against a soft cushion, a cold smirk playing on his lips.
He was dressed in a dark red battle robe with gold trim, and the Thunder Eagle on his shoulder restlessly turned its head.
"Adrian, how many rounds do you think our dear little Xiaoqi... can last?"
Edwin turned his head to look at the third-ranked heir, Adrian, seated beside him.
Adrian wore an ink-green long robe. His features were delicate and sinister, and his fingers were long and slender.
He was unhurriedly peeling a purple-skinned grape.
"You think too highly of her."
Adrian’s voice was soft, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.
"A Tier Two Late Stage Blazing Tooth Flame Bear could incinerate her with its first breath of fire."
He popped the grape into his mouth, chewing it slowly and deliberately as his gaze fell upon the arena floor.
"Then again... it’s better if she dies. Saves us the eyesore."
Edwin burst into a harsh laugh, causing several rows of nearby spectators to glance over at him.
In a corner, their fifth sister, Ashia, sat alone.
She was wearing a simple gray long robe today, her hands folded in her lap.
Her fingers tightened, and the gentle grace in her eyes was replaced by a deep, hidden anxiety.
She stared at the entrance to the preparation area, her lips pressed into a thin line.
At the edge of the preparation area, Delia stood with a grave expression, clad in form-fitting leather armor with a short blade at her waist.
Just moments ago, when the three demons were being herded into the arena.
Her keen Spiritual Power had detected something unusual.
There were abnormal energy fluctuations coming from the three demons.
’Residue from a Stimulating Potion...’
Delia gritted her teeth, her nails digging into her palms.
’Have they... given up on even keeping up appearances?’
In the stands, whispers spread like a rising tide.
"Is that the seventh-ranked heir? I heard she just got back from the East Coast."
"Level Two Middle Stage... not bad for her age, I suppose."
"The betting’s open! I’m betting she won’t last five minutes in the first match!"
"I’m in for twenty High Level Magic Stones!"
"I bet she’ll be paralyzed with fear before it even starts..."
...
Undisguised malice and excitement were mixed into the clamor.
The Honored Guest Elders’ section was located on the middle tier of the arena.
Ian sat near the front, the hood of his black long robe pulled down low.
He appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, but his Spiritual Power had already seeped silently into the ground beneath the arena.
Three seconds later, he found it.
Five meters beneath the arena floor, twelve fist-sized black Crystal Stones were buried.
The surfaces of the Crystal Stones were covered in twisted runes, and they were currently emitting a faint, almost invisible energy fluctuation.
This energy extended up from underground like invisible threads.
They connected precisely to the area beneath the three demons’ iron cages!
’A Hate or Fury Guiding Array...’ Ian sneered inwardly.
Using his recently advanced "Original Blood Origin Tracing" ability, he could tell this was a variation specifically designed to target the Justice bloodline.
As soon as Aidele entered the arena, the array would activate at full power.
The three demons’ fury towards her would be forcibly amplified to more than double its normal level.
And that was without even mentioning the stimulating potions inside the demons’ bodies.
He opened his eyes, and a silver glint flashed deep within his pupils before vanishing.
The corners of his mouth curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
’As expected... utterly shameless.’
Just then, Delia hurried to the edge of the Honored Guest Elders’ section. Averting the gazes of those around her, she shot Ian a meaningful look.
With a slight movement of his fingertips, Ian slipped a Dimensional Ring into his sleeve without a sound.
Inside were five hundred Magic Crystals, equivalent to fifty thousand High Level Magic Stones.
This was the bet Ian had sent Delia to place.
Betting that Aidele... would win all three matches.
Delia gave Ian a complicated look, her lips moving as if to say something.
In the end, she said nothing, turning and quickly walking away.
She didn’t understand where Ian had gotten so many Magic Crystals, or how he could be so daring.