Great Art of Uncarved Perfection and the Berserker State
"I, Andrew Han, challenge Sean Nan."
A clear and deep voice floated across the heavens and earth, light yet resonant. It was as if a million thunderbolts had exploded out of nowhere, rumbling through everyone's ears, hearts, and even the depths of their souls, causing a strange and indescribable commotion.
Indeed, the shock was eerily quiet—people instinctively refused to believe it.
Silence replaced everything.
The greatest sound is barely heard—perhaps this is what it means.
All across the arena, no one spoke, and no one moved in the slightest. Everyone seemed to become a living ancient statue.
This included, but was not limited to, Wu II—the Human powerhouse whose hair was said to be three thousand zhang long, a mark of extraordinary distinction—numerous Primordial Gate Famous Masters, Primordial-tier geniuses who had already secured comprehension slots, those watching from the sidelines, and the crowds in the Reserve-tier Cultivation City and Hengsha Star Gate viewing the virtual projection.
It was as if the heated scene had frozen, as if the heroic tableau had solidified, as if everyone thought they must have misheard.
......
Reserve-tier Cultivation City.
The people of the Chenriver Empire exchanged glances, quietly swallowing their dry saliva. "His Highness Andrew... did His Highness misspeak?"
"Uh, yeah, yeah, that can't be right. We must've misheard, haha." The youth at the front, a member of the White-Horn Human Clan, forced a nervous laugh, his whole body trembling. For His Highness Andrew to challenge Sean Nan was simply against all reason—it was courting humiliation. Anxiety burned in his chest.
Among the three strongest Starlight-tier geniuses, ranked by power, were Sean Nan, Morgan Voss, and Andrew Han.
So then—
Even if His Highness Andrew wanted to challenge someone, he should have chosen Morgan Voss first.
As for Prince Sean Nan of the South-Sage Ancient Kingdom, who stood above both Morgan Voss and Andrew Han—this was an unquestionable fact!
The other cultivation geniuses snapped back to their senses, all gasping in shock. Currents of excitement converged, nearly forming a storm. "Sean Nan is the strongest Starlight-tier in the Primordial Gate!"
......
Hengsha Star Gate.
The Standard-tier geniuses, who had thought the contest was nearly over and were watching absentmindedly, all turned their heads, stunned.
"What's going on?"
"Did I mishear, or did Andrew say it wrong?"
"A challenge so direct can't be mistaken. Even if Andrew regrets it, Sean Nan won't accept a retraction."
There is always someone stronger, always a higher mountain.
At least right now, Starlight-tier Sean Nan is absolutely not someone Andrew Han can match.
"Andrew." Lyra Qin, who had been sitting, suddenly stood up, her feelings a mix of nervousness and inexplicable anticipation, unable to describe it.
Her heart was pounding wildly. "Could Andrew have hidden strength? Yes, yes, maybe when he reached the second world of the Trial Tower, he was told he passed."
The scene shifts back to the center of the Primordial Gate.
High above, Wu II and the Famous Masters exchanged thoughtful glances. They neither looked down on Andrew nor praised him, only showing knowing smiles.
"It seems this kid still has hidden strength."
"But Sean Nan surely does too. To defeat Sean Nan, you'd need Primeval-tier genius. I'm looking forward to the next challenge."
"Maybe we need to reevaluate Andrew Han."
As the transmissions spread and undercurrents surged, the Primordial-tier geniuses who had already qualified for Nether-Fame Stele comprehension all stood at the edge of the platform, each showing subtle, hard-to-describe emotions.
Morgan Voss lowered his head, golden hair standing on end, his expression unreadable. "Interesting."
He murmured softly, seemingly indifferent, but who gave Andrew Han the courage to skip over him and challenge Sean Nan?
The truth is about to be revealed.
Because Sean Nan had already opened his eyes!
"Oh."
"Andrew Han, you want to challenge me." Sean Nan gazed at Andrew with an expressionless face, like an emperor above all, or a deity overlooking all beings. He took a step forward, arriving at the center of the Central Quota Platform, his gold and silver robes swirling with dazzling halos.
He stood before Andrew, hands clasped behind his back.
His luxurious gold and silver robes shimmered with starlight.
As the 3,086th prince of the South-Sage Ancient Kingdom, Sean Nan possessed his own pride.
When faced with a challenge, he never avoided or refused; he would only crush his opponent with overwhelming might, making everyone understand his pride and authority. Besides, Andrew Han had earned this qualification—he deserved Sean Nan's respect.
However.
Sean Nan was displeased, and more than a little annoyed.
Indeed, Andrew Han's abrupt challenge might make a solitary, arrogant person feel humiliated. But Sean Nan had been trained as a prince since childhood, his mental state stronger than Andrew's.
So the real reason was Morgan Voss.
"Andrew Han," Sean Nan said in a deep voice, "You should defeat Morgan Voss before challenging me. Otherwise, what does that make of Morgan Voss? Today, here, I will teach you what manners and etiquette are."
Standing at the center of the Central Quota Platform.
Andrew thought for a moment, then offered an apologetic cupped-fist salute to Morgan Voss nearby, before turning to meet Sean Nan's gaze.
Their eyes met, both men perfectly calm.
Andrew did not argue; there was no need for more words. Simple and direct was best.
His thinking was straightforward and pragmatic: find an opponent strong enough to withstand his Berserker State. Otherwise, if his foe collapsed in two or three exchanges—even with rescue, even without fear for his life—his dignity and reputation would suffer... In Berserker State, there was no reasoning, no regard for decorum.
"Can we begin now?" Andrew asked softly.
"Begin." Sean Nan nodded, lifting his left arm to indicate Andrew should strike first, fully displaying the bearing of a prince of an ancient kingdom.
"Let us battle!"