Outer Sect Martial Arena, on the platform.
Nate Moore bowed slightly, his tone calm: "Senior Brother Huang, please go easy on me."
Below the stage.
An Inner Sect disciple said, "I bet Nate Moore can't last three moves against Junior Brother Huang."
I bet Junior Brother Huang can beat him in one move. The gap is too big—Nate Moore is just asking to be humiliated!
You're too polite, Junior Brother Nate. Please.
Leon Huang wore a gentle smile.
Swish!
Nate Moore suddenly drew the longsword from his back. Instantly, a chilling aura spread out, faintly enveloping the entire platform.
Instinctively, Leon Huang's gaze landed on the black longsword in Nate's hand. Compared to before, the sword's chilling aura was even stronger—could it be a weapon that grows with its user?
Careful, Senior Brother Huang!
As soon as he finished speaking, Nate Moore swung his sword at Leon Huang.
With one strike, the chilling aura covering the platform instantly grew several times stronger, as if the air itself was about to freeze.
Leon Huang, bearing the brunt of the attack, felt as Nate Moore's sword slashed out, an evil will surged straight toward him, crashing into his mind and trying to devour his soul.
Hmph!
Leon Huang snorted lightly. In his Spirit-Lake Mind Sea, the tiny sword trembled, sending out ripples of golden light that instantly annihilated the evil will invading his sea of consciousness.
At the same time, Nate Moore's sword was only three centimeters from his throat—one slight push forward would have killed him.
Seeing this, everyone below the stage widened their eyes in disbelief. None of them expected Nate Moore to be this strong.
Clang!
With a crisp impact, Leon Huang flicked his longsword upward, knocking Nate Moore's sword aside.
He stared at Nate Moore, his eyes growing cold: 'You want to kill me?'
If that evil will had invaded anyone else, they'd have fallen for it and been killed by a sword to the throat. He couldn't understand why, after helping Nate Moore so many times, the other still wanted to kill him.
A trace of disappointment flashed in Nate Moore's eyes—he clearly regretted not killing Leon Huang with one blow. But he said: 'Don't misunderstand, Senior Brother Huang. It's just that your strength is too great, I can't hold back. I have no intention to kill you!'
Faced with Nate Moore's excuse, Leon Huang felt deeply disappointed. The once simple youth had grown crafty and ruthless.
True, he'd stolen Nate Moore's opportunity, but he'd also cured his sister and saved him from Victor Wu. He figured he owed Nate nothing. Now that Nate wanted to kill him, there was no reason to hold back.
Boom!
A surge of sword intent erupted from within, and Leon Huang once again merged with the world around him. The chilling aura could no longer affect him at all.
His longsword slashed out like lightning.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
In an instant, Leon Huang slashed out nine times in a row. Each strike was exquisite, each one packed with immense power.
But Nate Moore managed to block the attack, though he was forced back to the edge of the platform.
For the tenth strike, Leon Huang slashed out once more.
Seeing this, a violent look flashed in Nate Moore's eyes. But in the end, he suppressed it, stepped off the platform, and glared at Leon Huang with deep resentment.
Zane Zong announced at just the right moment: 'Leon Huang wins! He earns nine points and takes first place in the Inner Sect Grand Tournament!'
Immediately, cheers erupted from below the platform.
Leon Huang gave Nate Moore a deep look. When he unleashed the tenth sword, he'd clearly sensed a violent aura inside Nate, ready to erupt—but Nate suppressed it, meaning he was still holding back.
In the matches that followed, Nate Moore outperformed the others, earning eight points and taking second place in the Inner Sect Grand Tournament.
Yoon Zhengyang took third, and Harriet Gu came in fourth.
As for Darren Duanmu, he was actually defeated by the last person to advance, dropping to tenth place.
With the tournament over, it was time to present the prizes in front of everyone.
First prize for the top ten: three Breakthrough Pills, one hundred thousand taels of silver, and a first-grade spirit weapon.
Rewards for the top three are doubled.
As Zane Zong was presenting the awards to the Inner Sect's top ten, Skyler Sikong's figure quietly appeared on the Martial Arena Plaza.
His lips moved slightly. Zane Zong, in the middle of awarding prizes, paused for a moment, then quickly regained composure.
When the awards were finished, Zane Zong suddenly said, "Leon Huang, Nate Moore, Yoon Zhengyang, you three come with me!"
"Yes!"
The three quickly replied.
Led by Zane Zong, the three arrived at a rather elegant courtyard.
A young man in purple robes was standing there.
"Skyler, I've brought them. I'll take my leave now!" Zane Zong said politely.
"Thank you, General Steward Zane." Skyler Sikong nodded, then turned his gaze to the three, his eyes scrutinizing.
Purple robes—he must be a Core Disciple.
Leon Huang felt puzzled, unsure why this Core Disciple wanted to see them.
"In the past two days, two Inner Sect disciples have died. You all know about this, right?" Skyler Sikong asked.
The three nodded calmly.
"I suspect the culprit is hiding within the Inner Sect!" Skyler continued, his words carrying a deeper meaning.
"What do you mean, Senior Brother Skyler? Are you suspecting us?" Yoon Zhengyang protested. He'd been in the sect for years and knew Skyler Sikong well.
"No, to be precise, I'm suspicious of these two!" Skyler's gaze fell playfully on Leon Huang and Nate Moore. "You've heard how those two Inner Sect disciples died—their flesh and blood were drained. After checking the sect records, I suspect someone has inherited the Devouring Demon Lord's legacy and used the Devouring Art to consume their blood and flesh."
Then, Skyler Sikong recounted the story of the Devouring Demon Lord to the three.
"I can't believe such a terrifying demonic art exists in this world!" Yoon Zhengyang couldn't help but exclaim after hearing the story.
Leon Huang said, "The Devouring Demon Lord had backbone, at least—he chose death over surrender!"
"Hmph, a fiend like that deserved to die!" Nate Moore snorted coldly.
This chapter isn't over yet ^.^, please click next page to keep reading!
"Alright. I've already reported this to the Sect Master and requested a special treasure. All you have to do is infuse it with your true qi—if nothing happens, it means you haven't practiced the Devouring Demon Lord's art. If it reacts, it means you've inherited the legacy."
As he spoke, Skyler Sikong produced a transparent bead. "Who wants to go first?"
"I'll go first!"
Yoon Zhengyang stepped forward, took the bead, and infused it with his true qi. The bead didn't react at all, proving his innocence.
"Your turn!"
Nate Moore didn't move, but Leon Huang, with a playful look, stepped up, took the bead from Yoon Zhengyang, and infused his true qi.
Still no reaction.
"Your turn!" Skyler Sikong's gaze landed sharply on Nate Moore.
A twisted, feral look suddenly appeared on Nate Moore's face as he glared at Skyler Sikong. "Didn't expect you'd find out so fast. That's right, I did inherit the Devouring Demon Lord's legacy. So, how do you plan to deal with me?"
"You'll probably be executed on the spot!" Skyler's eyes grew even sharper.
"Ha, fine! Very well!" Nate Moore let out a bleak, wild laugh. After laughing, he looked at Leon Huang. "Leon, my sister doesn't know I practiced the Devouring Art, so she's innocent. Can you look after her for me?"
"Of course!"
"Thank you!" Nate Moore said gratefully. Suddenly, black light erupted from his body, swallowing him whole.
Skyler Sikong's face changed dramatically. He reached out to grab Nate Moore, but caught only empty air—Nate was gone. Skyler's face turned extremely ugly.