Game’s Dogma

“Level 23 Paladin skill, Unhinged Shield Spirit: Paralyses two nearest enemies within range.”

While the skill could paralyse the enemy, it wasn’t particularly useful because of its range. Handsome Scholar displayed precognition that rivalled Firefly and timed the skill perfectly to strike her during her advance. The invisible wave spread from the ground, freezing her right within range.

Handsome Scholar seized the opening and charged in. The ensuing battle was decided from that moment; despite having superb precognition, Firefly’s combat techniques were far from that of Handsome Scholar who had trained in the army.

Her combat style leaned more on defending and counter-attacking. She heavily invested in Consecrate because it suited her style of striking the enemy by surprise. But now, Handsome Scholar wasn’t giving her the chance to shine by engaging in melee combat.

Tower shields were clearly better in team fights due to their larger area, but it was somewhat bulky in a duel. Contrarily, Handsome Scholar’s round shield was way more flexible and could be used in all sorts of manoeuvres.

Firefly sidestepped and retreated, clearly under a lot of pressure. She felt like a tiny yacht in a raging ocean that could tumble and sink at any moment. Handsome Scholar advanced one step every time she took a step back, almost like they were having a synchronised dance. Firefly’s attempts at casting skills were all interrupted by either a shield bash or basic attack.

Handsome Scholar’s tactic was to strike the enemy’s weakness with his strength. Apart from Mask, he had never lost to anyone in melee combat.

Suddenly, Handsome Scholar ceased attacking. Firefly retreated five steps back before she noticed the suffocating pressure on her was already gone. She focused her mind and saw Handsome Scholar greeting her.

“I admit defeat,” he said, then turned around and left for Empyreal Alliance’s seats.

“You… Stand right there!” Firefly flushed red in rage. “What’s the meaning of this? Pitying me?”

Handsome Scholar shook his head. “There’s no bad blood between us. It’s just a friendly spar, does victory and defeat really matter? From the moment you invited me, you’re already focusing too much on something that didn’t matter. You won’t make it far with that mindset. I truly hope to see your growth, not with me as your goal but rather, yourself. Your greatest enemy is none other than yourself.”

Firefly shuddered and stood immobilised on the spot. After a long stare at Handsome Scholar, she returned to her seat as well.

Handsome Scholar glanced at Mask who sat calmly in his seat—he had learnt those words he just said to Firefly from that masked man.

“Thank you, alliance master.” Ko Chun walked over to Drako Yau with a sly look as he rubbed his hands.

“Hey! Don’t be unreasonable! Scholly clearly won, he only conceded because he’s a gentleman!” Idyllic Poet growled.

“Ohoho,” Ko Chun said with his eyes squinted, “I don’t care about such things. I’m a gambler, and the result is all that matters. Perhaps Miss Idyllic Poet wants to bet on something else? Like who lands the first hit? How many blows will it take to end the fight?”

“It’s fine,” Drako Yau interrupted them. He transferred a bunch of gold coins to Danting and told him to pay Ko Chun. “Let’s move on to the next bet.”

“Splendid! Alliance master is a man of his word!” Ko Chun gave Drako Yau a thumbs up. He chortled merrily, though the reason was quite obvious.

After the battle between Handsome Scholar and Firefly, some players didn’t dare to volunteer. The level of technique displayed was far too high for them, like a delicate appetiser that seized the focus. Whoever stepped forth afterwards would only be mocked by the crowd.

“Hmph!” A person suddenly shot up from his seat like he just unsheathed himself. A wooden sword hung on his back. He walked towards the sparring area and declared, “Danting, fight me! I will teach you what it means to betray Empyreal Spire!”

The players all glanced at one another. Danting was already under Mask’s wing when he got famous enough to be recognised. Rather, he kept too low of a profile in Empyreal Spire, so much that Chau Yu was the only one who knew his true strength. They’d naturally be surprised to hear Tripurity, a member of Empyreal Spire, call Danting a traitor. Tripurity had no reason to lie either; he was a powerful player with a hidden class as well as the second-in-command of Empyreal Spire.

Compared to Tripurity, Danting’s reputation was child’s play. He never made himself known on purpose, so not many had heard of his feats despite knowing his name. It also had to do with Fatty the Castellan who kept dragging him into the mysterious duels.

Danting looked at Drako Yau eagerly like a child asking his parents for toys.

“Go, it’s about time the world knows who you are,” Drako Yau said.

Sir Duen and Sir Hui both straightened themselves in their seats. They could tell Danting and Tripurity were no weaklings. Apart from the paladins’ duel, this was going to be a battle worth watching as well.

“Ko Chun, what are the rates time?” Mask appeared unbothered by the 300,000 coins he had just lost. “A million on Danting.”

Every gasped. A million!

How confident must he be to place such a huge bet without even knowing the odds; his charisma was simply intoxicating. Danting had a decent win-streak in the Arena and killed Moonless Night in the previous City War, but those feats were nothing when compared to Tripurity who currently ranked fourth in Ranked Arena Battles. He was also the great general of Empyreal Spire who had led countless expeditions and battles, not to mention his hidden class Taoist, which was outstanding in both duels and team battles.

Frankly, Danting was just an ant overshadowed by Tripurity’s achievements and reputation, yet Mask decisively placed a huge bet on him. Confusion arose among the crowd; did Mask bet on his subordinate as mental support?

“No, let’s not bet this time.” Ko Chun shook his head.

What? The gambling addict isn’t going to take bets?

Even Goemon and Judge Chui were bewildered, which was a sight to behold. Not that it mattered to Ko Chun as he replied, “I don’t bet on things I’m not confident at.”

The crowd jeered at him while Drako Yau was deep in thought beneath his mask.

Looks like this guy isn’t as simple as he appears to be. 

Inheritance—Divine Dragon Subduing Style

Description: A legendary style passed down by Kiu Fung of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, written by the legendary author Gum Yung (or Jin Yong).

Skill type: Divine Dragon Subduing Style is divided into three inheritances, namely: Dragon Subduing Arts, Traceless Soaring Dragon, Dragon Capturing Hand.

Dragon Subduing Arts: Consume internal powers to deliver a dragon subduing palm strike. A lift of an arm or a kick of a leg can all be triggers to forming a Dragon Subduing Chi. It contains devastating power, but if the successor isn’t skilful enough, the successor will only turn out mediocre.

Traceless Soaring Dragon: The core footwork of the Divine Dragon Subduing Style which mainly focuses on short-range movements. Its essence is “Soar like a dragon, land tracelessly like the wind”.

Dragon Capturing Hand: An exceedingly rare art that is considered lost. Legends have it that when cultivated to its zenith, the practitioner can fire off dragon-shaped auras to seize items or take away lives from thousands of miles away. It is Kiu Fung’s most treasured art apart from the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms.

Requirements: Has the “Starter” class.

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