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nThis time, Howard used pure magic attacks to defeat his opponent with a thunderous force.

nIt also served as proof that Howard, donning a magus robe, wasn’t using his attire to deceive others or conceal his true class.

nIndeed, the earlier battles had led many to believe that Howard was not a magus at all.

nWho would have thought that Howard would immediately turn the tables on them?

nHoward proved not only that he was a magus, but also one skilled in multiple branches of magical skills.

nThe combination of different elemental magic skills overwhelmed his enemies, leaving them no opportunity to retaliate.

nThus, when Howard’s statement echoed through the arena, there was a moment of complete silence.

nHowever, the allure of treasure can sway hearts, let alone a Supreme Treasure.

nSoon enough, another challenger ascended the platform to face Howard.

nUnfortunately for them, facing a level 50 awakened, Howard had the advantage in attributes.

nAfter all, members of other factions didn’t have access to low-level Supreme Artifacts.

nWithout equipment on par with Howard’s and lacking his fortunate opportunities, they couldn’t match his attributes.

nAnd in battle, besides combat skills, attributes play a significant role.

nThe next three challengers who stepped up were also successively defeated.

nHaving achieved five victories, Howard didn’t return to Rick and the others. Instead, he found a solitary spot to stand.

nPreviously, no one had explicitly pointed it out, so he had just stayed there.

nNow that he had fought in the arena, if he showed closeness to Rick and his group after stepping down, even if he won the Starry River Map fair and square, there might still be accusations of favoritism within the Alliance.

nIt was essential to maintain appearances.

nTime slowly passed by.

nSoon, nearly all the awakened in the arena had participated in battles.

nHowever, not everyone could endure five rounds of combat. 𝑖.𝑐ℴ𝑚

nIn the end, only about sixty individuals managed to advance to the next stage.

nEach of these sixty competitors came from notable forces.

nWhite Tiger City, Black Tortoise City, Baron Moss, Solomon Sacred Assembly, Brotherhood, and various other organizations, all just below the four top-tier forces or powerful families from major cities, were represented.

nAt this point, achieving five consecutive victories became significantly more challenging.

nYet, the rules were already set, and no awakened dared to object.

nAfter all, if they angered Glutton and ended up being devoured by him, to whom could they complain?

nEven the powers behind them would likely hesitate to confront a being who was clearly above level 90 for their sake.

nIf they knew that Glutton and his companions were not only close as brothers but also possessed strengths above level 95, they would be even more deferential.

nNo one wanted to provoke such a terrifying existence.

nThe battle continued, but this time the rule allowed those on the arena to personally choose their opponents.

nThe girl from Black Tortoise City was quickly selected.

nIn that instant, Howard heard Old Smokey’s voice in his ear: “Keep an eye on Little Yan for me. If she’s in danger of losing, intervene and save her. Don’t let her get hurt! I’ll make it worth your while afterward!”

nHearing this, Howard immediately became alert, setting aside any distractions.

nOf course, in his mind, he thought Old Smokey’s worries were a bit excessive.

nIt was just a duel among youngsters, watched by many, and everyone was aware of the formidable forces backing their opponents.

nNobody would dare to inflict a lethal blow. What was there to worry about?

nHowever, the promise of a reward from Old Smokey was tempting!

nSo, Howard agreed.

nAfter all, who would refuse benefits that come knocking at the door?

nThe girl from Black Tortoise City was named Yan Wu, a name format that immediately suggested a lineage connected to Crimson Dragon City.

nHoward could only speculate that Crimson Dragon City, Black Tortoise City, and White Tiger City might have been part of the same nation before joining the Alliance and splitting into three separate powers.

nEven so, the relationship between these three cities remained quite good.

nWith this in mind, Howard felt less opposed to protecting Yan Wu.

nAfter all, he was, in a way, the son-in-law of the Chan family from Crimson Dragon City.

nPerhaps White Tiger City and Black Tortoise City could become allies in the future!

nThe fight quickly commenced, and Howard watched intently, his eyes gradually brightening.

nIt had to be said, Yan Wu was quite strong.

nA Turtle Phantom emerged behind her, crushing the attacks of her opponents before they could even reach her.

nConversely, whenever Yan Wu approached someone, the Turtle Phantom exerted a pressure on the target, impairing their movement speed, and in some cases, rendering them completely immobile.

nThis effect was similar to a Gravity spell, but with a broader range and more pronounced impact.

nOf course, purely in terms of display, it couldn’t match Howard’s SS-level skill, Wrath of the Earth.

nBut it’s important to remember that the Turtle Phantom wasn’t just a skill – it was Yan Wu’s innate talent.

nOnce activated, it could be summoned continuously, only consuming MP.

nSeeing this, Howard couldn’t help but mutter, “With the Turtle Phantom’s effect, ordinary awakened stand no chance against her. She doesn’t seem to need my protection at all!”

nAnd indeed, just as Howard had anticipated, in several consecutive battles, Yan Wu used her Turtle Phantom to bulldoze her way through, pressing her enemies until their movements were restricted, and then striking decisively to knock them off the platform.

nAlthough her opponents were resentful, their defeat was irrefutable.

nAny further words would just be excuses, and unwilling to witness more, they left the arena in frustration.

nHowever, just as Yan Wu was about to clinch her fifth victory, a plainly dressed man suddenly appeared on the platform.

nIn that instant, Howard’s pupils contracted sharply – the man was using skills identical to his own!

nMoreover, the man was also a magus, brimming with MP.

nFor some reason, Howard sensed danger and even felt that Yan Wu might lose.

nYan Wu, however, didn’t think she was going to lose.

nAs the fight began, she once again summoned the Turtle Phantom.

nBut before she could use the Turtle Phantom to exert pressure on the man, he used a Blink skill to distance himself from her.

nThe Turtle Phantom’s effect was impressive, but its effective range was somewhat limited.

nIt had only worked previously because Yan Wu’s movement speed was fast enough to pressurize her opponents.

nThis time, facing an opponent who could use Blink, her innate ability found no ground to operate on.

nInstead, as the man kept his distance, he waved his wand and launched several fireballs.

nTurtles are generally associated with Hydro, and water and fire are two elements that counter each other.

nWhen fire is strong, it can evaporate water; when water is strong, it can extinguish fire.

nAt this moment, the man’s relentless casting of Pyro skills undoubtedly meant that fire had the upper hand.

nBefore long, the Turtle Phantom was scorched, and its entire figure dissipated.

nWith the Turtle Phantom broken, Yan Wu was mentally affected.

nShe couldn’t help but feel a tickle in her throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.

nHowever, the man showed no sign of stopping.

nHe continued to wave his wand, conjuring a fiery crimson tiger.

nWith a mighty roar echoing through the woods, the crimson tiger, entirely formed of flames, pounced towards Yan Wu like a tiger descending the mountain.

nAt that moment, Yan Wu, reeling from the backlash, couldn’t even speak, let alone dodge the skill.

nShe could only widen her eyes in horror as the fiery beast rapidly approached her.

nDespair started to set in her heart.

n“No, this is bad!”

nSeveral elders from the Black Tortoise City faction were the first to react, their expressions changing drastically.

nThey hurried forward, intending to intervene and disrupt the attack against Yan Wu.

nHowever, before they could reach her, Glutton let out a grunt.

nA powerful, invisible force swept out, instantly pressing the two elders back to their original positions.

nFortunately, Howard had already received instructions from Old Smokey to protect Yan Wu.

nThe elders were stopped because Glutton and the others had initially declared that no awakened above level 60 were allowed to intervene – not even to save someone!

nAllowing them to act now would set a precedent for other powerful individuals from various factions to intervene in future dangers.

nThis could lead to complete chaos.

nThis was precisely why Old Smokey had asked Howard to step in.

nPowerful fighters could not break the rules they themselves had set.

nAs Howard was already a participant under the rules, his intervention was permissible.

nWith a humming sound, just when Yan Wu thought she was about to be struck by the crimson tiger, a whooshing noise suddenly filled her ears.

nIn the next moment, she felt herself being swept up in a mid-waist embrace.

nA sense of warmth enveloped her, followed by a brilliant azure glow. Dozens of wind blades burst forth, ravaging in multiple directions!

nThis content is taken from 𝘳.𝑐𝘰

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