Chapter 16: The 3v3 Arena Duel, Part 1

Rhea looked at Cynthia with a relaxed expression, dismissing the concern lightly. “I broke it fighting Loka, but it healed long ago.”

Rhea’s calmness stirred an indescribable bitterness within Cynthia. After her death, it seemed her subordinates hadn’t fared well.

Azathoth had lost control over his emotions. Whenever overwhelmed, he would instantly erupt into violent rampages. After multiple outbursts, his fate was invariably death.

As for Rhea, she had lost most of her Abyssal clan’s source of power—the horn.

“That must have hurt back then, Rhea,” Cynthia said softly.

“No pain at all. Losing the king—that was the real pain.” Rhea blinked and flashed a grin at Cynthia.

“Still as slick-tongued as ever after all these years. Truly a frivolous woman,” sneered the overlooked Azathoth.

Rhea bounced up with a smirk. “Slick-tongued? Frivolous? Azathoth, who do you think you are? Just a brainless fool with a pretty face!”

“Are you trying to pick a fight!?”

“Bring it on! Who’s afraid of you!”

Cynthia watched the two as they began to scuffle, her eyes reflecting a complex mixture of emotions.

The hostility between Rhea and Azathoth felt almost tangible, yet it strangely maintained a delicate balance—just like before.

“That’s enough.” Her voice was quiet but authoritative, halting their movements simultaneously.

Rhea was the first to step back, curling her lip. “For the king’s sake, I won’t bother with a fool like you.”

Azathoth snorted coldly. Though the raging fire in his golden slit pupils slowly dimmed, the tension in his jaw betrayed lingering anger.

“The king…”

Azathoth was about to complain to Cynthia, but before he could speak, the tunnel trembled violently. A rift tore open at the top.

Immediately, Azathoth shielded Cynthia, while Rhea quickly assessed the situation. “It’s not an earthquake! It’s an attack!”

A guttural roar echoed through the tunnel, and the ceiling was violently ripped apart.

Lin Yan’s voice came through: “We only want the Eternal Holy Grail. Hand it over, and we won’t trouble you. We can even offer some tools and points in return.”

“The Eternal Holy Grail belongs to my king. If you want to snatch it, you’ll have to go through my shield first!” Rhea declared.

She placed her right hand on her chest, and with a thunderous crash, a massive black shield slammed onto the ground, cracking the stone beneath.

“Ungrateful fools!”

The voice of the black-haired elf rang out as countless arrows rained from above.

Rhea raised her shield high, firmly protecting Cynthia.

---

“Haha! You’re pathetic, Gerald.”

A hearty laugh shook the ground as a colossal dragon’s head appeared behind Lin Yan and the black-haired elf, Gerald.

“Cut the nonsense, Herde. Did you deal with those annoying mechanical enforcers?” Gerald lowered his bow and glanced sideways at the dragon Herde in his true form.

“Of course. I’m not some idiot who disobeys orders,” Herde boasted proudly.

Lin Yan raised a hand to stop their bickering and asked Cynthia, “Name your terms, as long as we get the Eternal Holy Grail.”

“Sounds like the Holy Grail is quite important…” Cynthia’s eyes gleamed with a cunning smile.

“To you, it may be a legendary item, but to us, it’s crucial. Will you hand it over?”

“Of course… not.”

No sooner had Cynthia spoken than Herde roared, unleashing a torrent of dragon breath. Rhea slammed her shield into the ground, successfully diverting the scorching flames.

“What is that? A legendary item?” Herde transformed into a red-haired youth, staring fixedly at Rhea’s shield.

Rhea waved the shield with pride. “This shield was forged from Abyssal black iron by my king. Its defense is absolute. No one but the king can break it.”

“Enough boasting!” Gerald drew his bow to full draw, releasing an arrow that flew forth with the force of an army.

“Attention! Eligible combatants! The God of Destruction, Mars, has noticed your conflict. The special trial arena—the God of Destruction’s Coliseum—is now open. The victor may select an item from the Destruction Treasury.”

Suddenly, the oracle issued a proclamation. The expected teleportation beam never appeared; the six remained where they were.

At the same time, six livestream channels activated.

“The broadcast has begun. Eligible combatants, we look forward to your spectacular performance.”

Lin Yan’s brow furrowed upon receiving the livestream alert. The oracle’s announcement and the sudden broadcast disrupted their plans.

An open arena meant every move would be exposed to countless spectators. Their plundering would be restrained, and their team’s reputation risked.

“The livestream has started,” Gerald muttered with contempt. He clearly disliked being watched.

“Noted,” Lin Yan said gravely, scanning the virtual cameras visible only to combatants. “The situation has changed.”

Herde seemed excited, cracking his knuckles. “The coliseum? Sounds thrilling! Winning means a stroll through Mars’ treasury? Worth it!”

Above the tunnel ruins, the atmosphere was equally tense.

Azathoth’s golden slit pupils scanned the invisible cameras. His violent temper was forcibly suppressed, replaced by cold vigilance.

He loathed the feeling of being watched, which only stirred his uncontrollable emotions further.

Rhea, on the other hand, grinned carelessly toward the probable camera and even waved her massive shield, clearly enjoying the spotlight.

“Hey, viewers! Watch closely! See how Lady Rhea teaches these fools a lesson!”

Only Cynthia’s eyes flickered with puzzlement.

---

Livestream? What’s that? Why didn’t Azathoth tell her?

But now was not the time to dwell on it. Gently pushing aside Azathoth’s arm shielding her, Cynthia stepped forward and faced Lin Yan from a distance.

“It seems our dispute has found a new stage and a judge,” Cynthia said calmly, as if discussing the weather.

Lin Yan took a deep breath, realizing that a forceful snatch was no longer wise, especially under the spotlight.

He tried one last negotiation. “The Eternal Holy Grail is vital to us. Perhaps we can wager it in the coliseum?”

“A wager?” Cynthia raised an eyebrow, her smile growing sly.

“Sure. But if you lose? Besides surrendering the grail, what else can you offer? Remember, you attacked me unprovoked and frightened me,” she said, feigning frailty as she tapped her chest.

Azathoth and Rhea both twitched their mouths silently. Your expression hardly looks frightened, Your Majesty.

Lin Yan suppressed an urge to roll his eyes. “What do you want?”

“Hmm…” Cynthia pretended to think, tapping her chin. “If I win, the three of you… serve me as my subordinates for a while. Obey my commands.”

“You’re dreaming!” Gerald immediately rejected coldly.

Herde shouted in disbelief, “Wow! You little girl have quite the nerve!”

Lin Yan’s face darkened. “That’s impossible.”

“Then there’s no deal,” Cynthia shrugged helplessly.

“Fine. Then duel it is. Winner takes all. The grail is in my hands anyway—I’m in no rush.”

“Wow, you’ve changed! So fierce, Lin Yan!”

“Go Lin Yan, crush them!”

“Opening bets! Who’s gonna win?”

“Rhea’s shield is so cool!”

“A newbie stumbled in. Is this the world of the strong?”

“Herde, transform! Burn them with your dragon breath!”

The livestream’s comment section exploded with frantic messages.