An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2354

start,” Oron announced, cutting through the chatter of the crowd.

“Hmph! You got lucky this time.” Kendricks shot a glare at Azalea before sheathing his Demonblade and stepping out of the battle ring.

Even though he had won, he felt no excitement. Beating a woman he saw as vulnerable didn’t give him any pride, especially since she had managed to injure him.

Since becoming famous, he had never felt so ashamed. While the Divine Talismans had helped him, he couldn’t ignore the fact that he had been outmatched and humiliated. The missed opportunity to strike back only added to his frustration. He promised himself that if he faced any of the Mystic Arts Order disciples again, he would show no mercy.

“Contestant number five is the winner of this match,” Oron declared to the crowd.

The spectators responded with enthusiastic applause. Both Azalea’s impressive performance and Kendricks’s strength deserved recognition. Many previous matches had been brutal, where just one mistake could lead to serious consequences.

It was rare to see someone as wise as Azalea, who understood when she was outmatched and chose to surrender quickly. Her quick thinking had saved her life.

“Grand Sorceress, I’m sorry for disappointing you by not winning,” Azalea said as she returned to her seat, acknowledging her mistake.

“What matters is that you’re safe. Winning or losing doesn’t really matter,” Abigail replied with a warm smile.

She added, “Kendricks is ranked eighth on the Legendary List, so it’s understandable that you couldn’t defeat him. I was actually worried you might try to fight to the end, which would have been unwise. You did well and even managed to injure him, so it’s not a total loss.”

To Abigail, Azalea’s safety was far more important than winning. While she hoped Azalea would reach the top eight, it wasn’t a major concern if she didn’t. After all, winning and losing were just parts of the competition, and they couldn’t be forced.

“The sixth match is about to begin,” Oron continued, drawing everyone’s attention back to the arena.

“Please welcome contestant number six and contestant number eleven to the battle ring!” Oron’s voice echoed through the venue.

“Finally, it’s my turn!”

Suddenly, laughter filled the air, and a figure in green soared into the sky. After hovering for a moment, the figure disappeared and reappeared in the center of the battle ring.

Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd at this strange display.

“What just happened? Was that the Spectral Sprint technique?” someone asked.

“I have no idea. It was too fast to see,” another replied.

“If I’m right, it’s a technique that shortens the distance between steps and allows the user to flicker within a certain range. Their movements are hard to predict,” a knowledgeable voice chimed in.

The spectators buzzed with excitement. This tournament was showcasing incredible talents and amazing techniques, with the outcome of each match uncertain until the very end.

“Where’s my opponent? Come out and fight!” the man in the green robe called out, standing confidently in the middle of the ring. His hair flowed in the still air, and his robes fluttered, giving him an impressive presence.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” a deep voice boomed in response.

Then, a man in white leaped into the air. He covered 300 feet in just a few light steps and landed gracefully in the battle ring. It was Dalen Shade.

“I’m Dalen Shade, a disciple of the Shadow Citadel.” He held a folding fan and bowed courteously to his opponent.

His refined manners and striking looks drew gasps of admiration from many female spectators. While he might not have been the strongest contestant, his charm certainly made him stand out.

Even Alicia, who was known for her beauty, couldn’t help but notice him.

couldn’t possibly believe that.”

Dalen felt a rush of determination. He stood tall and replied, “I may not be at your level, but I won’t back down without trying.”

“Very well,” Jude said, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Let’s see what you’re made of.”

As the two faced each other, the crowd held its breath. Dalen could feel their eyes on him, and he knew this was his moment to prove himself.

The tension in the air was palpable. Dalen took a deep breath, focusing on the task ahead. He knew he had to give it everything he had.

“Here I come!” Dalen shouted, charging at Jude with all his strength.

Jude watched him approach, calm and collected. He sidestepped effortlessly, making Dalen stumble past him. The crowd gasped at Jude’s skill, but Dalen quickly regained his balance and turned to face his opponent again.

“Not bad,” Jude said with a smirk. “But you’ll need more than that to impress me.”

Dalen gritted his teeth, refusing to be discouraged. He thought about the stories he had heard about Jude’s incredible abilities. He couldn’t let fear hold him back. He had to keep trying.

“Let’s see if you can keep up!” Dalen yelled, launching another attack.

The crowd was buzzing with excitement. They were eager to see how this match would unfold. Would Dalen manage to surprise the legendary Jude Leigh? Or would Jude’s skills prove too much for him?

As the battle continued, Dalen felt the energy of the crowd pushing him forward. No matter the outcome, he was determined to fight with everything he had.

He didn’t see why being on the Legendary List mattered. To him, regular geniuses were nothing compared to those on that list. He thought Dalen was just asking for embarrassment.