At the edge of Chenriver Palace, the square pattern of light slowly rotated, shimmering with clear tracks—while only Dustin Huang from Tianyu Palace dared to speak arrogantly, looking down on all of Chenriver Palace.
Dustin Huang single-handedly defeated four challengers with overwhelming force.
He then openly declared a Life-and-Death Duel, his contemptuous gaze and wild arrogance stabbing into people's hearts like needles and awns.
Utterly domineering!
Completely unrestrained!
Witnessing this scene, everyone in Chenriver Palace—and all those watching the synchronized feed—wore ugly expressions, some iron-blue, some flushed red, some so furious that lightning and fire seemed to flash in their eyes.
Could it be that in this vast Chenriver Palace, there is truly no one left to stand up?
Is it true that without Sen, victory is impossible?
At this moment, as dark clouds weighed on every heart, Victor Shaw—the top genius of Chenriver Palace's First Ladder—stepped forward. Battle intent surged around him like flowing water as he rose and flew toward the glowing pattern.
Boom!
Victor Shaw took a single step, and raging waters surged like a furious ocean!
He, a Commonline Human, was the strongest beneath Sen—ranked second on the Chenriver Tower—now stepping up to accept this Life-and-Death Duel without hesitation.
"Why would I hesitate?"
"I will fight you in a Life-and-Death Duel!"
Victor Shaw's powerful voice echoed in all directions.
His deep voice carried waves of energy, like a tsunami crashing through the vacuum. The eyes of everyone in Chenriver Palace shone with hope and respect.
Even those separated by countless light-years—the Emperor, two Void Rift–tier beings, and the many Stellar Palace and peak Starlight elites privileged to witness this event—all breathed a long sigh of relief.
"Victor Shaw has stepped up. This battle is no longer in doubt."
"Yes, I've heard of him before. Not as strong as Sen, but still extremely powerful."
On the network channel, voices chimed in one after another.
Even those of high status and lofty cultivation felt a thread of tension now, as if standing on the edge of a cliff—after all, this was the collision between Chenriver Palace and Tianyu Palace!
To lose, to be defeated—such outcomes could be understood.
But they absolutely could not lose so thoroughly as to suffer a crushing defeat.
Everyone knew that Bella York had not yet entered the fray.
If Dustin Huang of Tianyu Palace were allowed to sweep through all of Chenriver Palace single-handedly, it would be an indelible humiliation—a collapse of dignity. If this continued, Chenriver Palace would inevitably decline.
Such a situation was truly the most terrifying!
Everyone frowned, holding their breath and watching closely.
Not only these elites—even the cultivation geniuses spectating at Chenriver Palace all stood up, craning their necks with anticipation as Victor Shaw strode atop the raging sea, charging into the glowing pattern.
"Victor Shaw will definitely win."
"This is a Life-and-Death Duel—victory means survival, defeat means death. Too bad we aren’t even qualified to participate in the exchange battle."
The cultivation geniuses felt complicated emotions, a fire burning in their chests, about to explode and ignite.
Losing the exchange battle could be tolerated.
But the Life-and-Death Duel must be won!
For Dustin Huang to brazenly call for a Life-and-Death Duel at Chenriver Palace’s entrance was a humiliation comparable to national disgrace. Only killing him could quell their anger... This was about sovereignty and dignity; no one could remain calm.
No words, no formalities—Victor Shaw went straight into the Life-and-Death Duel!
Boom!
Victor Shaw commanded thousands of starlights, manifesting a vast ocean that crashed against Dustin Huang. Their collision split instantly, as Victor Shaw’s wild assault battered Dustin’s million rays of light.
Boom! Boom!
Victor Shaw’s expression was icy. His palms suddenly grabbed two streams of water, as if drawing endless vapor from the vacuum, condensing them into two sky-piercing, earth-shaking whirlpool waves. He struck from both sides, cleaving into Dustin Huang’s million rays of light.
Those million rays trembled, and Dustin Huang’s expression gradually grew serious.