Ling YunXiao chased Verion, who had mischievously flicked him. "Verion!!! Come here, you brat! I'll pay you back tenfold!" His face flushed red with irritation at his younger brother, though a bit of laughter hid behind his anger.
They chased each other, darting into the palace and running through the grand hallways. Until Verion saw Ye HunXiao in the hallway ahead, speaking seriously with their father, Van Xiao. Panicking, Verion chose a shortcut and crashed into Ye HunXiao, causing her to stumble and nearly fall. Van Xiao stopped in his tracks, glancing sharply and flatly at Verion, who had recklessly run into his sister.
Ye HunXiao turned around, feeling Verion clinging onto her back as if hugging her from behind. "Verion?! Wh-why did you bump into me? What's going on?"
Verion held her tightly. "Sister Ye, save me from Brother Ling! He wants revenge!"
Behind them, Ling YunXiao slowed down, walking casually toward Verion with a fake annoyed face, though still looking cheeky.
Ye HunXiao sighed heavily. "Aishh... you two!" Verion released his grip. Ye HunXiao stood up, looking at Ling YunXiao. "Brother Ling! You're already this grown, worthy to lead a battalion, but still act like a child! Can't you be a bit more dignified?"
Ling YunXiao pouted, then grumbled inwardly: "Tch, if Ye HunXiao weren't here, I'd have already sent you flying and plastered you against that wall! How embarrassing!"
Van Xiao had been watching all along. Seeing Ye HunXiao scolding Ling reminded him of his wife, Li Yun, who often scolded him too whenever he teased her younger brother in the past. Van Xiao approached Verion, who was still hiding behind Ye HunXiao, then flicked Verion's forehead with his fingertip.
"OUCH! Father, why did you flick—" Verion whined while rubbing his now red forehead.
Van Xiao ignored the whining. His voice turned serious, cold, and commanding. "The three of you will participate in the Throne Duel Tournament between the Emperor Fall Kingdom and the Mystic Sky Kingdom today."
All three of them were immediately shocked, their noisy energy vanishing, replaced by silent horror.
Ye HunXiao was the first to react. "TODAY?! So suddenly, Father?!"
Ling YunXiao protested right away. "Father! Why didn't you tell us earlier so we could prepare our minds and refine our techniques?! This is too sudden!"
Verion panicked, thinking to himself: "Today?! A royal duel contest?! I've never even fought for real! Even in my previous life, I only... ah, forget it! This is insane! Father's setting me up!"
Van Xiao ignored their reactions. "Quickly, get ready. There's no time to protest. We'll leave with your mother. I'll be waiting in the royal carriage. Not one of you should be a minute late."
The three immediately responded in unison, erasing any trace of complaint. "Yes, Father! We'll get ready right away!"
Birds flew freely through the sky, symbolizing rare peace... The sun shone brightly, symbolizing glory hard-earned... Nature symbolized fragile prosperity... But what is the symbol of oneself? Perhaps only an endless struggle...
"The strong protect the weak, the weak safeguard the strong. It is the law of nature—unwritten, yet absolute."
The Prince Who Walks Ahead
Ling YunXiao, Ye HunXiao, and Verion were already dressed in their royal battle attire. The grand terrace doors opened slowly, radiating elegance, strength, and determination. Footsteps echoed—each step carried a sense of nobility.
It was the three of them! Ling YunXiao walked on the left, Ye HunXiao on the right. And who walked in front? It was Verion! They strode toward the palace gates, which opened slowly as if giving full honor to the royal heirs.
Every step symbolized captivating charm, high honor, priceless humanity, rare perfection, and immeasurable courage.
The palace gates opened wide, revealing Van Xiao and Li Yun, waiting in front while watching their three children. Li Yun smiled warmly and proudly, while Van Xiao kept a straight face, hiding his emotions.
Van Xiao: "Get in. We don't have time for any lateness drama."
They entered the royal vehicle—the Sea Dragon Pegasus, a legendary creature ridden like a horse, yet winged, flying fast like Pegasus, and emanating the mighty aura of a sea dragon.
Inside, they sat facing each other.
Verion broke the tense silence. "Father, aren't we being escorted by soldiers? Isn't this an inter-kingdom journey?"
Ling YunXiao scoffed. "Oh, Verion! Are you trying to teach a fish how to swim? That's basically an insult to Father!"
Ye HunXiao shook her head. "Who would even dare challenge Father and Mother? That's a death wish! Besides, Father surely wants us to focus. My strength and Brother Ling's aren't to be underestimated, you know, Verion."
Verion fell silent, turning his gaze to the window, staring at the sky outside. His eyes began to emit a mysterious glow.
The Fallen Heaven Kingdom
They had arrived at the Mystic Sky Kingdom. They were greeted grandly by knights, generals, and soldiers. The first to step out was Van Xiao, followed by Li Yun, Ling YunXiao, Ye HunXiao, and lastly, Verion.
When Verion stepped out last, he surprised the crowd of Mystic Sky citizens watching. They fell silent for a moment, then erupted in cheers. The knights and soldiers bowed their heads, clenching their fists at head level in salute. "Salute! Welcome to our Kingdom!" they shouted in unison, voices trembling with power.
Eight generals opened the way, doing the same as the soldiers and knights.
At the center of the grand welcome stood the king of Mystic Sky, Luois Colombus (whose height equaled Van Xiao's), along with his wife and four children: the eldest son Matthias (three years older than Ling YunXiao), second daughter Weyuo Shi (one year older than Ye HunXiao), third son Leo (same age as Verion), and youngest daughter Nie Fi (four years younger than Verion).
Luois Colombus and his family approached the Emperor Fall Royal Family, bowing their heads. "Welcome. We warmly receive your visit, Van Xiao," said Luois with a tone of deep respect.
Van Xiao replied flatly, "No need for formality or excess. A greeting alone suffices. We are rivals, not strangers. Formalities are unnecessary."
Luois Colombus shook his head. "No, Lord Van Xiao. You are a living legend of humankind. I cannot not show respect."
Verion's eyes widened in awe at the beauty of the Mystic Sky Kingdom. Surrounded by mountain ranges that served as natural fortresses, with mist floating in clear skies, perfect warm weather, waterfalls cascading between cliffs, crystal-clear azure waters, and lush, fertile greenery—this was paradise on earth.
It was said that Mystic Sky was the most prosperous and peaceful of all kingdoms—a heaven fallen to earth—while Emperor Fall was the mightiest, a den of countless lions and wolves, with a few dragons among them.
The two royal families walked side by side amidst thunderous cheers. "KING! KING! KING!" The crowd roared. Both families were breathtakingly beautiful and handsome, driving the people into hysterical excitement.
Verion, walking at the back, glanced to his left and saw Leo.
Leo (whispering with a smirk of mockery): "Why are you even here? Couldn't you have begged your father not to make you join this contest? Or are you here to give me an easy victory? Thanks a lot, haha."
Verion stared back. A cold white glow seeped from his left eye, like a primordial beast thirsting for blood and eyeing an arrogant prey.
Duel Arena: Heir of Light vs The Nameless Prince of Nature
They walked onward... until they reached a massive grand arena. Van Xiao and Luois sat in the central balcony above the arena, their wives beside them. The whole arena was filled with spectators. The generals occupied the upper left and right balconies, and in front sat soldiers and knights.
The eight generals activated a Seven-Star Barrier, a powerful shield protecting the spectators from the unleashed energies. Then, they announced:"The Throne Duel Tournament begins! The first duelists may now step forward!"
Ling YunXiao entered simultaneously with Matthias.
Matthias (extending his hand): "Greetings. For you, for me. May we both enjoy an honorable battle."
Ling YunXiao shook his hand. "Greetings," (thinking inwardly: "This guy talks weirdly... but his eyes are full of resolve.")
Their faces turned serious, focus radiating with intensity.
They prepared their fists—energies began to gather—and leapt toward each other to strike. Ling summoned Yin-Yang Energy, coating his right fist, merging light and darkness. Matthias used Indicate Neon, coating both hands, radiating sharp neon light. When their punches collided, a sonic boom erupted.
Both were thrown backward but quickly landed. Ling summoned his Archangel Spell, drawing the Archangel Sword, glowing gold. Matthias bit his thumb, blood dripping, and forged the Darkness Blade using his blood. They leapt at each other again, shattering the ground beneath their feet. Their swords clashed in lightning-fast zigzag patterns, sparks flying wildly. Some stray slashes exploded against the barrier.
They fought for 20 minutes at supersonic speed—only flashes could be seen. Each clash generated shockwaves.
Ling (laughing mid-swing): "Haha! I'm impressed by your speed, Matthias! You're really matching me! Try blocking this one!"
Ling leapt high, unleashing Spatial Tracer Light—his sword dissolved into liquid energy, multiplying into countless glowing blades circling behind him.
Matthias activated Ashura Hexabold—six golden Ashura arms emerged from his back, each hand shaped like a sword. He stabbed his own chest with his blade! Dark energy erupted from the wound, forming sharp creeping roots behind him.
Spectators screamed: "He's insane!" "What's he doing?!" "Why stab himself?!"
Matthias slowly pulled out his sword; the creeping roots transferred into his weapon, fusing with his blood energy. His sword transformed—twice as large, terrifying, and blood-red.
Ling continued multiplying blades, filling the sky. Matthias shouted, "Don't lose focus!" and leapt at Ling with immense force. The ground cracked beneath him. Ling faltered slightly, still creating blades. Matthias deflected them all with his Ashura arms. Ling bit his thumb, using his blood to form the Divine Path Radiance Shield, a golden hexagonal 3D cube barrier around him.
Matthias slashed his blood-red sword, sending a huge energy wave at Ling. The hexagonal shields shattered rapidly; the slash hit the cube shield and began to erode it. Cracks spread until it shattered completely. A massive explosion followed! Ling was thrown violently into the arena wall.
Matthias landed gracefully after his strike. The crowd roared in awe and panic.
Ling emerged from the smoke, coughing blood. "You're dangerous... I underestimated you."
Matthias: "Whose fault is that? In battle, one second of carelessness means death."
Ling used Manifestation of Light, shaping his fingers like pistols aimed at Matthias, pretending to take a photo. He flicked his thumbs—instantly, a golden cube trapped Matthias.
Matthias tried breaking free with his Ashura arms and sword, but it was useless. "What?! What kind of cage is this?! It's indestructible!"
Ling (grinning): "Hahaha! How does it feel to be a bird trapped in a golden cage, Prince Matthias?" He then formed a triangle with his palms toward Matthias—inside the cube, sharp beams of light bombarded Matthias like electric shocks. "Damn it!" Matthias blocked blow after blow, but cuts appeared on his arms, face, and legs.
Ling raised his right hand toward the sky; a giant golden hand appeared beneath the cube. Then he lifted his left hand, summoning another two on the sides. The hands began pressing inward, slowly but intensely.
The audience grew tense. "Now it's reversed!" "Come on, Prince Ling! Show the might of Emperor Fall!"
Matthias: "I have to find a way! The cube's shrinking—air, gravity, even sound feels like it's vanishing!" He held the cube apart with all eight hands. "I'll risk it all with this! Success or failure, it doesn't matter!"
He bit his tongue, drew a blood sigil—the Phoenix Star of David—marking each cube face.
Matthias: "Explode!"
A massive explosion shattered the cube and Ling's golden hands into light fragments.
Ling: "Hmm? He survived? Did he use a steel-melting spell to break through that?"
Suddenly, Matthias dashed at him at lightning speed. Ling barely dodged, then counterpunched Matthias's face, sending him flying into the wall. Ling jumped, attempting a finishing blow, but Matthias blocked with his right hand, then struck Ling's liver with his left. Ling crashed into the ground. The crowd went wild: "What a battle!" "Who'll win?!"
Both rose shakily, exhausted and battered. Matthias's Ashura arms vanished. Their swords shattered.
Matthias (panting): "Now... this will decide the winner."
Ling (smiling tiredly): "You're brilliant, Matthias. Honestly, you're my best opponent today."
Ling unleashed Void Compression—three ancient Brahmana Rings formed around his hands and back, spinning rapidly, generating white plasma energy that concentrated into a dense sphere.
Matthias forged his sword again, stabbed himself once more, splitting it into four blades shaped like an X, coated with his energy. He launched them toward Ling's plasma blast.
The two massive energies collided—repelling, unstable. But Ling's plasma was far greater—1,000 to 10,000 ratio. Matthias's swords disintegrated, and the plasma engulfed him. He cast Behemoth Shield, but the explosion that followed was colossal—the biggest yet!
Ling was thrown into another wall, covered in dust. The explosion cratered the ground beneath Matthias like a meteor impact. Matthias lay within it, smiling faintly.
Ling rose with his last strength, trembling but standing.
The eight generals' voices boomed:"THE WINNER IS LING YUNXIAO OF EMPEROR FALL!"
The crowd erupted: "How?!", "WUHU!! PRINCE LING!" "PRINCE LING!"
Ye HunXiao jumped happily, hugging Verion. "Brother Ling won!! Yay!"
Verion (trying to breathe): "Uh, please... not too tight, Sis. I can't breathe," he said weakly.
Van Xiao and Luois exchanged glances, then laughed proudly. Li Yun smiled warmly, while Luois's wife looked worried, calling healers for Matthias.
The generals announced again:"THE FIRST BATTLE IS OVER! NOW, THE SECOND DUEL BEGINS!"
The arena was restored from destruction caused by the first fight.
The next battle would be Ye HunXiao vs Weyuo Shi.