“Elder Derick, there’s no need to say more,” Gilberto waved his hand. “Mr. Bloomer, since you have profound knowledge in the art of formations, I would love to see it in action. Would you be interested in a friendly match?”
Although Gilberto smiled, his tone carried a hint of provocation.
“Of course, I don’t mind,” Leo replied with a smile and a nod.
Seeing Leo agree, a barely noticeable cold smile appeared on Gilberto’s lips. He then said, “Our Runecarver Sect excels in the Talisman Path. I will use the Talisman Path to compete against Mr. Bloomer’s formation skills. It should be quite exciting.”
Gilberto turned his gaze to Gracie on the main stage. “Ms. Wright, may we borrow your duel platform?”
“Of course,” Gracie glanced at both Leo and Gilberto. Since both parties agreed to the match, she had no reason to object.
The sky outside the grand hall was clear, with white clouds high above.
At the peak of Sunset Peak, there was a large training square.
In the center of the training square stood a grand duel platform, each side measuring a hundred feet.
Gracie, Willow, and several elders of Falling Blossom Palace led Leo, Mike, and Gilberto from Runecarver Sect, along with two elders-one fat and one thin-to the platform.
The disciples of Falling Blossom Palace, who were originally training in the square, gathered around upon seeing this.
“That young man in purple seems to be the Young Lord of Runecarver Sect.”
“The one in white looks unfamiliar. Which sect is he from?”
“What are they here for?”
“Isn’t it obvious? They’re here for a duel.”
Falling Blossom Palace was predominantly female, and the chatter among the disciples was incessant.
Gilberto gave Leo a meaningful look before turning his gaze to Elder Derick. “Elder Derick, please use the Talisman Path to test Mr. Bloomer’s formation skills. Remember to give Mr. Bloomer some time to set up his formation and do not harm him.”
In front of everyone from Falling Blossom Palace, Gilberto deliberately acted as if he was concerned for Leo.
Leo’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he thought to himself: Gilberto is quite the show-off.
Leo remained calm despite Gilberto’s condescending tone.
Gilberto’s disdainful attitude made Mike’s face darken with anger. However, since Leo did not react, he had to hold back.
“Yes, Young Lord,” Elder Derick glanced at Leo and responded.
With a swift movement, Derick stood on one side of the spacious duel platform.
Leo did not move but remained standing still without even glancing at Derick on the platform.
“Mr. Bloomer, if you’re afraid, just say so. I won’t make things difficult for you,” Elder Derick sneered from the platform.
In Derick’s eyes, a small-town lord was no match for absolute power and could only submit.
Leo seemed not to hear Derick’s words and looked at Gilberto instead.
“What is it, Mr. Bloomer? Are you afraid to step onto the platform?” Gilberto smiled smugly.
Leo shook his head and smiled. “Young Lord Benson, if you wish to see my skills, why send a subordinate? Is this subordinate much stronger than you? If so, I don’t mind taking him on.”
Leo’s words made Gilberto frown. “Mr. Bloomer, are you suggesting you want to challenge me directly?”
“If Young Lord Benson is afraid, just say so. I won’t make things difficult for you and will reluctantly spar with your subordinate,” Leo said with a smile.
Leo’s words brought an excited look to Mike’s face.
As expected of the lord, what a brilliant move.
Derick’s face turned grim upon hearing himself referred to as a “subordinate.”
As an elder of Runecarver Sect, Derick enjoyed high status and respect within the sect. Although he usually followed the Young Lord, he was treated with great courtesy. No one had ever dared call him a “subordinate.”
Moreover, Derick understood Leo’s implication-that he was not qualified to face him.
Gilberto laughed exaggeratedly. “Haha, Mr. Bloomer is indeed an interesting person.”
Gilberto had considered teaching Leo a lesson himself but felt that Leo was beneath him. So he let Elder Derick go first.
“Boy, there’s always someone better out there. You truly lack self-awareness to challenge the Young Lord directly!” Elder Derick criticized Leo harshly.
Gilberto raised his right hand with a smile. “No need for more words, Elder Derick. Come down. Since he wants to spar with me, I’ll grant his wish.”
“Yes, Young Lord!” Derick nodded and stepped down from the platform.
Derick shot a cold glance at Leo and thought: You fool, you’ll regret this later.
Although Derick felt insulted by Leo’s words, this was not the place to act out.
“Please,” Gilberto said confidently, gesturing for Leo to step onto the platform.
Leo nodded slightly and swiftly moved onto the platform.
Gilberto’s figure also disappeared from where he stood.
On the platform, they stood on opposite sides.
“The show is about to start. I wonder who will win,” murmured the disciples of Falling Blossom Palace as they prepared to watch the spectacle.
Gracie and Willow were not optimistic about Leo’s chances.
Although Leo had previously killed four Spirit Saint-level experts from Bloodsoul Sect single-handedly, Gilberto was the only son of Runecarver Sect’s leader and had been trained with all available resources.
It was rumored that Gilberto had reached mid-stage Spirit Saint level six months ago and mastered Runecarver Sect’s formidable Talisman Path techniques…
If anyone had confidence in Leo, it was Mike. He knew that his lord would surely win!
Seraphina remained expressionless but lingered her gaze on Leo for a moment longer.
“Mr. Bloomer, please set up your formation,” Gilberto said politely with another gesture.
Leo shook his head with a smile. “No need.”
“No need?” Gilberto’s expression stiffened.
Setting up formations usually required preparation time.
Leo’s expression softened. “Since Young Lord Benson excels in the Talisman Path and I happen to know a bit about it too, why don’t we compete using Talisman Path against Talisman Path?”
The entire audience was stunned by his words.