Davis thought of the intricacies involved in the Transcendent Truth Eyes he learned so far.
It was a physique that is largely attributed to being a heaven-chosen ruler and receiving benefits in the form of an easy heavenly tribulation but also facing many dangers in the form of greed and desire stemming from living beings such as humans.
Perhaps, that is why they are born with an intelligence that is able to look at everything from an overall perspective.
Was it because they are terrifying from a young age that they don't get familial love and eventually stray away from feelings of affection, becoming cold and indifferent to a frightening degree?
However, he didn't allow Clara to become alone and always provided her warmth and affection despite the frightening intelligence for her young age that even shook their parents. Was that why she seemed different than the records on previous possessors of the Transcendent Truth Eyes, knowing to place trust and remain affectionate to others, starting from him?
It kind of made sense.
Otherwise, would she have even considered sacrificing her innocence to save him? Wasn't it more likely that she would've thrown him away after using him like a true, cold-hearted ruler would do?
All these thoughts caused Davis to inwardly heave a huge sigh, not knowing what to think about her. She was his little sister, and he would have to let go one day. However, she was so precious that he was unwilling to let go, not to mention that he had to return the debt he owed to her first before thinking about anything else.
He could only stop thinking about this matter because he didn't want to have these complicated feelings ruining his time with his family.
Soon, he saw the battle below on the battle stage coming to an end. However, he narrowed his eyes as he saw friendly fire.
"What is this? Betraying your teammate is allowed?"
"Mhm. There is a time limit of ten minutes to the battle. If the battle ends after reaching the time limit, the team with the lesser domain size will become disqualified. However, if one person out of the four is eliminated before the time limit could be reached, then the other teammate of the one who got eliminated will pass to the next round when the time limit ends."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Oh, so this kind of rule allows one to backstab at the last moment, giving them the chance to continue."
Hearing Clara's explanation, Davis nodded his head.
"It's not like all of them choose their partners. Some are only together because they're the only ones who were left after everyone else was taken. However, this case is also different, and not everyone is going to understand..."
Davis panned his gaze of the crowd and noticed that the majority of them were disgusted with that person's actions.
On the other hand, Davis had no problem because the two of them were from Soul Palace, having Peak-Level Supreme Soul Stage, whose prowess was two levels higher. Although they were weaker, they had the speed to escape the powerful attacks of Supreme Domain Experts and could maneuver to whittle down their energy but time wasn't on their side, so he mused one of them sacrificed themselves to get the other one to continue with the competition as he could see little to no resentment in the party who was backstabbed.
They had probably talked about this beforehand because giving up most likely wouldn't allow the other teammate to pass ahead. The eliminated must be ousted by their own teammate for that to happen, or so they mused.
"Honestly, the rules are viler, but I guess this also helps us see a person's true character even if it were not for this battle. We would've been able to see more drama if they randomly teamed up the participants."
Evelynn appeared beside him and spoke out her thoughts.
"But it wouldn't be as emotional as betraying the teammate you chose."
"True."
Davis chuckled before Evelynn nodded.
The first battle of the second round was then announced finished, leaving thirty-one people to still participate before the next participants were called out.
"Sophie Alstreim and Niera Alstreim. Hayou Azureclaw and Islenn Quars. Please come to the battle stage."
After Honorable Elder Julian Kruse's voice resounded, Davis and the others turned to look at Sophie and Niera.
Sophie straight away flew into Davis's arms as though wanting to receive his strength, but in truth, she just wanted to use this opportunity to hug him.
Davis smiled at this woman who had been waiting for him to marry her for such a long time. He caressed her silky blonde hair, wanting to reciprocate her love as he kissed her forehead.
"Go have fun..."
"Mhm~"
Sophie happily hummed in his embrace.
"Just a single Perfect Domain Expert. Not a problem to us~"
Niera confidently uttered as she came closer and brushed her hair with elegance and confidence. However, she was too shy to embrace him in public and blushed when he separated from Sophie and kissed her forehead as well.
"Yes, your flames will become only more powerful from here on out."
Hearing his compliment, Niera felt energized more than she should.
"Hayou Azureclaw has a five-kilometer domain like you two." Clara's stern voice suddenly resounded, causing them to turn to look at her, "Although it is unlikely that he would be able to win against the two of your destructive prowess, it is likelier that he would stay on the offense and lastly eliminate his teammate to continue on ahead if he couldn't defeat you, so don't give him that chance."
Sophie and Niera raised their brows at Clara before they nodded.
"Mhm, we'll be careful."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThey then took off to the battle stage before landing on it, staring at Hayou Azureclaw and the other guy they didn't even see as a threat.
Hayou Azureclaw reached his hand out towards them before he clenched his fist, accentuating the sharp claws he wore as a gauntlet.
"Unfortunately, I hoped to face Mu Bing of the Mystic Ice Sect as I was unable to break her defense, but this is good too. Let's see whose destructive prowess is higher, two strong ladies of the Alstreim Family."
Sophie and Niera didn't reply, but Honorable Elder Julian Kruse saw that they were eager to battle. He raised his hand and dropped.
"Let the battle begin!"
The barrier covering the edge of the battle stage instantly encompassed the entirety of the battle stage to protect the crowd from their undulations that exploded, seemingly enough to suppress Peak-Level Law Dominion Stage Experts into fainting.
Niera shot towards Hayou Azureclaw as her domain appeared while Sophie's domain also appeared. One was in the front, and one was behind, their fiery domains intersecting and supporting each other's to a fine state as they had similar Fire Laws stemming from the practice of cultivating the Alstreim Family Inferno Flameburst Manual, and it remained the same even after they interchanged it for new manuals, the Grand Skyfire Hammer Canon and the Destructive Golden Flame Canon.
Multitudes of armaments and wisps of crimson flames emerged with blazing intensity, seemingly capable of destroying a King Grade City to oblivion.
"Cover me!"
Hayou Azureclaw bellowed at his teammate before his eyes narrowed to a frightening as he struck out with both his hands, the sharp blades of his claws tearing apart the face of the void.
"Sky Cleaving Claw Strike!"
*Boom!~*
The blazing armaments and flames were cleaved into many pieces!
Both the attacks that were launched at each other struck, causing a resounding explosion that made them stay where they were as it tried to send them flying from the impact.