The First Legal Duel

Many restrictive rules were gradually being refined.

To avoid mutual vendettas, to prevent further tragedies, and to put a stop to the machinations of hidden manipulators, a new regulation was introduced: if a conflict arose between alliances, no more than three alliances could engage in a melee. Only with the consent of ten or more alliances could the two factions involved use force to settle the matter.

This effectively prevented large-scale coalition warfare.

For personal conflicts that required combat to resolve, the rules were less stringent. As long as three alliances agreed, the two parties could settle it by force.

On the surface, limiting the growth of alliances seemed to prevent the emergence of an uncrowned king. However, the current situation was rife with flaws. Conflicts would arise from time to time, and they had now been legalized.

In the end, those who had managed to enter Dragon Island were representatives of various factions, all outstanding young men and women, each proud and arrogant. This kind of regulation was exactly what they welcomed—it restrained the larger powers while allowing them to display their exceptional prowess through legal combat.

In just a few short days, undercurrents surged beneath the surface of Dragon Island. Dozens of alliances were quickly formed, and very few remained unaffiliated. Of course, there were always exceptions. Rumors spoke of individuals of unfathomable strength who had already ventured deep into the island.

Xiao Chen emerged from a hidden cliffside and entered a spirit valley blanketed in blooming flowers. Here, exotic blossoms flourished, rare grasses carpeted the ground, green bamboos stood verdant, and there were cascading waterfalls, jade-like streams, and small, clear lakes. Truly a place of scenic beauty.

The little snow-white beast lay lazily and helplessly among the flowers and grass. For days, the little creature had been vexed, its mouth watering daily at the aroma of Xiao Chen's roasting meat, yet unable to partake. Having drunk so much Life Nectar, its small belly was round and swollen, and even a month later, it had digested little. Faced with such delicious food, it could only sigh longingly.

Seeing it constantly drooling, Xiao Chen found it immensely amusing. During this period of cultivation, he had given it a name: Keke. He had first thought to call it 'Hehe,' because when it was happy, it would laugh 'hehe' without ceasing. In the end, he settled on a phonetically similar name.

In recent days, the three skeletons had made considerable breakthroughs in their cultivation, thanks to the Life Dew Crystal the little beast had tossed to them. At first, Xiao Chen had been somewhat worried when he saw them absorbing that crystal, as they were creatures of darkness, and he feared the clash of opposing energy attributes.

But through observation, he realized there was no need for concern. They were not the undead spirits of common conception. Their soul-flame was undying and, in essence, no different from a human soul—in fact, their spiritual power was far greater than that of ordinary people.

A single Life Dew Crystal, no larger than a finger joint, contained unimaginably pure primal energy, nearly matching a Dragon Crystal in potency. That single crystal had allowed the three skeletons to cross a great chasm on their path of cultivation.

Originally, they had only just entered the Mortal-Shedding realm, and their state was extremely unstable—sometimes, after a fierce battle, they would even fall from this realm. Now, they had directly reached the Second Heaven of Mortal-Shedding. Their white frames had grown much more lustrous and crystalline, taking on the luster of fine jade.

More importantly, a strange transformation had occurred: on the forehead bones of the three skeletons, a brand resembling a lotus flower had appeared, capable of radiating dazzling divine light.

Vaguely, Xiao Chen felt that the formation of that brand was immensely beneficial to the three skeletons. Perhaps most of the essence of the Life Dew Crystal had been concentrated there.

One could say they had become true experts, now able to stand alongside Xiao Chen against powerful enemies.

Xiao Chen had not yet learned of the changes that had taken place outside in the past few days. He decided to go out and have a look, but this time he would not bring the three skeletons—they were far too conspicuous.

Moving alone through the dense ancient forest, he returned to familiar territory and soon noticed many anomalies.

Before long, Xiao Chen finally learned of recent events. The formation of alliances and the enactment of survival regulations made him keenly aware of their benefits and drawbacks. On the surface, restraints had been placed on Dragon Island, but conflict seemed to have been completely legalized!

Even though he tried to move stealthily, there were too many practitioners in this area. Before long, his presence was discovered. His portrait had once been drawn on that beast-hide banner, and some had seen it. Even more had heard of him—he was the one who had burned half of Treefolk Valley with a merciless fire. Xiao Chen was now something of a celebrity.

Since he had already been found, Xiao Chen decided he might as well stop hiding and began walking openly through the mountain forest. Since combat had been legalized, and he could not casually provoke or seek revenge, he rather looked forward to Zhao Lin'er personally coming to him for a legal duel.

Soon, someone approached him, but it was not Zhao Lin'er. Some wanted to recruit him into an alliance. Xiao Chen politely declined. After that, people came from time to time. Several alliances extended olive branches to him, but each time, he courteously refused. He did not want to be bound by any alliance.

Finally, as he neared the area where the Serpent-Elephant Dragon roamed, Xiao Chen was forced to stop. Someone was blocking his way with ill intent—it was the barbarian youth Kaio.

"What a coincidence, meeting again," Xiao Chen said with a faint smile.

Kaio's face was as dark as a storm cloud. The battle that day had been a humiliation for him. He had just learned that Xiao Chen was in this area and had immediately come to confront him. Although he had been utterly defeated in their last encounter, the ancient beast-soul within him had gradually been fusing with his body. Despite his frustration and chagrin, this fusion had also brought him a growing sense of confidence. He was eager to fight Xiao Chen again and wash away the shame of his defeat.

Today was a rare opportunity!

"This time, I will tear you apart!" Kaio growled lowly. His three-meter-tall frame cast a terrifying shadow among the trees.

"I heard that combat has been legalized. Should we find witnesses?" Xiao Chen was undaunted, his demeanor even somewhat relaxed.

"Of course!" Although Kaio possessed an innate bestial nature, he dared not act recklessly on his own. The various regulations had just been enacted, and he had no desire to be the first to break them. Doing so might give some schemer the chance to make an example of him, inviting lethal trouble.

There were many practitioners in this area, and the news spread instantly. Soon, the founders of three alliances appeared and unanimously agreed to allow this duel to proceed. However, the battleground needed to be changed; this area was too close to the Serpent-Elephant Dragon. To avoid disturbing the savage beast, they had to move farther away.

The news spread like wildfire. After all, this was the first legal fight to occur since the emergence of alliances and the enactment of various restrictive rules. It drew extraordinary attention. Before long, over a hundred people had gathered at the newly designated battleground, representatives from over a dozen alliances, with still more on their way.