Chapter 1526 First Blood?
Davis looked at Sophie's stance against her opponent. Not deadly but ruthless enough to cast a humiliating wound against Brim Hisler. His lips curved, grinning as he knew that this was an overwhelming victory for his girl.
Ancestor Dian Alstreim was also deeply shocked. This kind of power... how did Sophie manage to attain it?
He didn't quite remember her being this powerful!
Casting a glance at Davis, he knew this was his work.
Previously, he didn't say anything to Davis's ambiguous statement of both belonging to the Alstreim Family but not being a part of it. Instead, he even acknowledged with a nod to that statement because when Davis needed to escape, the Alstreim Family could just say that he did not belong to them, playing word games with the Dragon Families.
How would they dare touch the Alstreim Family then?
Maybe they would inflict injury, but further than that, they wouldn't dare try anything as long as the Four Great Righteous Sects looked after them.
Davis's words were as silly as they could sound, but with each word, he could feel that there was an underlying intent that always carved the path forward to his next action.
Now, he could see that he wasn't merely playing with his women. He was actually strengthening them as much as he got stronger. He already knew he loved his women, but to concentrate on all of them?
He certainly didn't think it was possible, at least not for him, who only loved one woman in his life. However, this made him find a newfound respect for Davis.
'This brat... He's aiming for something more difficult than conquering the Fifty-Two Territories...'
Ancestor Dian Alstreim could only ruefully shake his head but he didn't dislike this kind of unpopular ambition. He only hoped that it didn't let him down.
"You... What kind of trickery is this?"
Top Disciple Brim Hisler hissed in pain, his eyes trembling in the realization of defeat and the humiliation of it.
"Trickery?" Sophie's melodious voice was frigid, "Trying to falsely frame me after losing the battle? Unfortunately for you, everyone witnessed that I defeated you fair and square. The flaming glaive that I conjured was through my own essence energy, enough to both break your weapon and burn your body into cinders."
"How could it be possible!?"
He screamed in reluctance while Sophie narrowed her brows.
"How miserable! Can't you see the glaive I'm holding?"
The glaive dispersed before she waved her hand and summoned the glaive again instantaneously, pointing it at him.
Almost everyone became wide-eyed at her actions.
Despite Brim Hisler being on the ground, he still had his Impeccable Domain active that suppressed Sophie Alstreim's meridians which would make her unable to conjure most of her energy out of her body as it would scramble her meridians.
However, she acted as if it didn't have much of an effect on her as she quickly conjured a flaming glaive, making them dumbfounded again.
Just who was this woman!? Was the Alstreim Family hiding such a gem in secrecy!?
"Did you see?" Sophie coldly continued, "It was not through some talisman or other treasures I've never heard of, much less illusions. Now, accept defeat, or I will stab you for the insulting words you let out of your mouth. However, don't worry, you won't die. Instead, I'll take my time stabbing you until you scream for mercy."
She removed her flaming glaive away from him as she took a few steps back, looking at him with a wide yet icy smile on her face.
In truth, she was completely pissed off with that comment that insulted not only her family but also her man. She felt that the kick to his face and splitting his left shoulder wasn't enough to let him know her anger.
Brim Hisler's black pupils trembled in rage and disbelief. His hands trembled while he tried to summon a weapon into his hands, but he felt like he had no winning chance as he had never suffered defeat like this, not even to other top disciples of the same level.
He was about to stand up, but then he abruptly saw the coldness seeping into her eyes, making him experience a sudden chill.
'This woman... she's trying to humiliate me more...'
As soon as this thought entered his head, his muscles relaxed, his expression appeared already defeated, both mentally and physically.
He had already sat up at this moment, holding his shoulder as his light energy began to heal his wounds.
Sophie stood there, just allowing it to happen as it wasn't her concern, but then he found out that he couldn't heal his burn injuries as quickly and as much as he thought he could!
His lips quivered as he looked at the ground.
"I... I admit defeat."
Sophie's expression froze.
Only after hearing this piece was she able to come out of her cruel intent to burn him more.
"If this weren't a contest, I would've killed you for the words you uttered against my family. You escaped death, didn't you?"
She coldly asked, looking at him with disdain.
Brim Hisler didn't dare to raise his head, but he could imagine the mocking expression on her face.
A heart demon abruptly encroached upon him, shackling his future advances unless he could truly accept this defeat!
Ancestor Kain Bloodlife's expression was full of rage, but he could only gnash his teeth, cursing both Brim Hisler for his ineptitude and Sophie for her abnormal power in his mind.
On the other hand, Grand Elder Krax Alstreim looked at his granddaughter who dominated the stage. He couldn't believe what he saw with his eyes.
Originally, he felt that Sophie would not hold on against a top disciple for a few attacks, much less win, but contrary to his expectations, she overwhelmed him as if she was fighting with an average Peak-Level Law Manifestation Stage Cultivator.
He couldn't believe the scene he was seeing, but with reality placed in front of him, he felt immensely proud. His gaze moved from Sophie to Davis, appearing to be even more proud.
His granddaughter's growth... Who other than Davis could be responsible for her current strength?
His mind trembled with this revelation!
Fortunately, he didn't interfere with this battle, nor did he plan to because, according to him, when a woman chose a man of her own volition, she chose that life for herself.
Sophie chose Davis, so he was in no way about to interfere with her personal life anymore. She belonged to Davis and tied her fate along with him. As long as she didn't face any life-threatening danger, then he didn't want to interfere in her new life.
Although she may not be married to Davis, he could see that she was a far cry from her previous self, and no stupid man would spend resources to strengthen a woman if he was not intent on taking her as his woman unless he had another motive or gratitude towards that said woman.
Davis possessed no gratitude towards his granddaughter, so he only wished that it wasn't some kind of devious and ulterior motive but genuine love he held for her.
While the crowd calmed down, Brim Hisler already left the battle platform with his head lowered.
"With Twilight Physician Hall's Top Disciple Brim Hisler admitting defeat, Sophie Alstreim has gained the victory, making the Alstreim Family win this challenge!"
Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim declared with a smirk on his face.
As he expected, Davis knew what he was doing.
Hearing the referee's voice, Sophie turned around and walked towards her man with an expectant smile on her face.
However...
"Halt!
A youthful voice and a thud echoed behind her.
She turned her body, looking at the newcomer. His head was full of black hair flowing down till his waist while he wore the robe of the Vital Tempering Sect. Not only was he handsome, but he radiated a manly charm about his bearing.
"I challenge you, Sophie Alstreim of the Alstreim Family!" These words came out of his mouth, causing Sophie's brows to raise.
"Woah!!!"
The crowd went into an uproar again, seemingly excited while Sophie scanned this person.
It was Gong Kim-Jin, the strongest top disciple of the Vital Tempering Sect who was said to have the best chances to win the Nine Western Territories Young Expert Competition.
She moved her gaze and saw that most of the top disciples and even the core disciples gathered had entered the Law Dominion Stage.
"I find it weird that you're all at Law Dominion Stage. How-"
"Didn't you hear?" Gong Kim-Jin appeared confused, "The rules of the Nine Western Territories Young Expert Competition somewhat changed and have been made official. Law Dominion Stage Cultivators are also allowed, but the age limit is a hundred and ten, so the sooner you increase your cultivation level, the better you can obtain a better spot in that tournament. Instead, I'm wondering why your family's Nora Alstreim is still in the Law Manifestation Stage. So it turns out you people didn't know..."
"Such a thing... is ridic-."
However, Sophie stopped and quickly recalled that she stayed in the Purple Guest Palace, either finding time to be romantic with Davis or practicing cultivation. She didn't bother with the outside world at all.
On the other hand, she knew that Nora Alstreim was with her family, so the competition mattered less to her these days.
"Doesn't this mean I have a valid chance of entering the top five... no, the top three?"
Suddenly realizing the implications, Sophie's rosy lips curved in amusement.