Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1481: Chapter 208: Hidden Dragon Lies Dormant

At this moment, Da Zhe didn’t know who Arex was, not even a sense of familiarity—as until now, his only interaction with Arex was upon the Duel Platform in the Void Lost Paradise.

Watching the Duel Platform where Sha Ying and Arex were prepared to duel, Da Zhe instinctively felt that Arex seemed to have a higher chance of winning… but in fact, based on the discussions among the spectators on the floating stones surrounding the platform, it seemed as though they favored Sha Ying more.

“Most of those are folks from the Magic Series sub-world,” Master Musashi commented noncommittally, “They always believe that magic is the most powerful force among all categories, and also the only way closest to the ultimate.”

Da Zhe curiously asked, “Then what about you? Master Musashi, what do you think… do you also believe that your Sword Dao is the strongest?”

Unexpectedly, Musashi shook his head and said, “If I grew up in a Magic Series sub-world, I would also prefer to learn the power of magic.”

“Hmm?”

Master Musashi shrugged and said, “Don’t you think it’s much more comfortable to stand and cast instead of rushing up and slashing wildly? Moreover, Mage’s skin is generally better, unlike Samurai, whose skin is rough.”

“…Master Musashi?”

“Men should also live exquisitely,” Master Musashi said earnestly, “I see you have a natural capital, delicate and tender skin, be sure not to develop towards a Rough Man.”

Hearing this, Da Zhe stepped back a little… At this moment, from a distant floating stone, suddenly appeared a man in an ancient Big Red Robe, fair-skinned and beardless, with a flirtatious look—yes, it was a man because Da Zhe saw his Adam’s apple!

This flirtatious man in the Big Red Robe was smiling as he looked at Master Musashi.

“I’m going to say hello upfront, wait here for me,” Master Musashi said directly at this moment, “The duel will start soon, don’t leave the viewing platform when there’s no reason… Most Transcendents have irreconcilable personalities, don’t affect others’ duels, or you’ll get talked about later.”

“Master Musashi, have fun,” Da Zhe nodded… stepping back a bit more.

Master Musashi casually stepped on a few floating stones and easily reached the floating stone of the flirtatious man in the Big Red Robe. Vaguely, it seemed he heard Master Musashi call the man by his name, “Longyang…”

Da Zhe listened carefully but found that he could no longer hear Master Musashi and the Big Red Robe man’s conversation… It seemed to be isolated. But seeing their soft murmuring conversation, Da Zhe couldn’t help but shiver, promptly focusing back on the duel on the platform, and attentively listening to the idle chat among the spectators around.

“This new guy has guts, hasn’t been here long, though he was appreciated by the Throne, taken as a student, and awarded the Throne Emblem, it would actually be better to cultivate for a while… too eager to prove himself still.”

“As if you weren’t eager to prove yourself before… Before we entered the dimensional rift, which one of us wasn’t a force to reckon with in our own world? But what is the rift after all? It induces a sense of disillusionment upon arrival, being eager to prove oneself at this time isn’t very natural and normal? Moreover, seeing clearly now, then facing your own state and adjusting your mindset is a better thing.”

“Indeed, besides also being a student of the Qichadi Qiansha Throne… But compared to this one, another newly taken student by the Qichadi Qiansha Throne is clearly more steady, still in seclusion… not sure about his strength either.”

“Oh… you are talking about that Lai something, right?”

“Lai Caisheng… It seems to be that name, marked on the residence star chart.”

“Quite mysterious indeed, has been here for a while, but hasn’t shown up… whereas this Arex is a bit more lively.”

“Shh… they’ve started, don’t make noise.”

… After hearing the spectators’ gossip that resembled NPC dialogs from a third-rate Xiao Bai novel, Da Zhe also shifted more attention onto the dueling pair.

But, Lai Caisheng?

This Lai Caisheng, isn’t he the young Clothed Daoist who compromised the entire Shenzhou Dao and Yaoworld in the Mount Tai incident… unexpectedly became a student of the Throne in such a short time.

Qichadi Qiansha Throne… what a mouthful of a name?

Da Zhe shook his head, looking at Sha Ying and Arex on the Duel Platform, frowning gradually—Not just him, many spectators had similar reactions at this moment.

Because the duel had already started for some time, yet Sha Ying and Arex made no move at all—they stood still from the start to now.

Suddenly, Sha Ying moved, swinging his large hand, an overwhelming number of magic attacks covered the duel platform comprehensively… The power of such magic attacks even made Da Zhe secretly tongue-tied.

Master Musashi seemed to have a point, such stand-and-cast output is indeed comfortable!

But no matter how Sha Ying continued attacking, those incredibly powerful magic attacks couldn’t hit Arex… Arex also moved at this time.

He slightly smiled, and then stepped towards Sha Ying in a straight line—magically, Sha Ying’s controlled magical attacks seemed to completely ignore Arex, such powerful attacks kept missing… despite being a straight-line distance!

“Could it be… Sha Ying is deliberately going easy on him?”

“Bribery! It must be a sham deal!! Deny fake matches!!”

No matter how dissatisfied some discussions were, Sha Ying still couldn’t hit… Additionally, his face gradually showed a look of terror, while Arex finally approached Sha Ying.

At this moment, Sha Ying suddenly stopped, his whole body with hands naturally drooping, head hanging… Arex suddenly snapped his fingers.

Sha Ying’s body slightly trembled, and then he sat down weakly on the ground… Unexpectedly all sweaty, panting constantly… a trace of terror still lingering in his eyes.

“Did you have a good dream?” Arex suddenly bowed towards Sha Ying, “Thank you for the guidance, Senior Sha Ying.”

“What are you saying? I haven’t even…” Sha Ying’s words abruptly stopped… from Arex’s sleeve, a long thin sword was straightly pointed at his throat at this time.

“I lost…” Sha Ying opened his mouth, finally sighed helplessly.

Simultaneously, a light beam suddenly fell into Arex’s hand from the Duel Platform… two Throne Emblems had appeared in his palm.

Apparently, before the duel started, both parties wagered their Throne Emblems, and the victorious side was able to take them all.

“Thank you for the hospitality, Senior Sha Ying.” Arex removed his high top hat at this time, bowed to Sha Ying before turning to leave—Arex activated the transport to his residence, then disappeared from the Duel Platform space.

The crowd had yet to understand Arex’s last words, but Sha Ying seemed to have figured something out, immediately getting up, ignoring those who were familiar among the Transcendents from the Magic Series sub-world as he left the platform indiscriminately, head down hurriedly activating the transport, leaving the Duel Platform… very bewildering.

They thought it was because Sha Ying was struck by a setback, unwilling to communicate with others at this time.

“Looking at the form of the [Sand Hawk], Arex may not be as simple as we imagined…he might be someone extremely adept at illusion techniques…Hmm, no wonder he’s someone the [Throne of Qichadi Qiansha] favors.”

“That’s right, newcomers are originally monsters, it’s quite normal…But now that we know Arex is skilled in illusions, we just need to prepare more counters against them.”

——You guys didn’t say that before…

In Da Zhe’s mind, the disdainful expression the maid had when mentioning the Transcendents appeared once again…It seems there might be some basis for it?

At this moment, watching everyone still actively discussing, Da Zhe felt a bit bored, but saw that Master Musashi and the enchanting man in the big red robe had vanished…he looked around but couldn’t find them.

Da Zhe furrowed his brow, thought for a moment, then retraced his steps—after Master Musashi opened the Light Gate to this place from the Palace of Eternal Night, he hadn’t closed it.

…

The spectators in the space of the Duel Platform had gradually left…On a floating stone, two figures descended: Master Musashi and the enchanting man in the big red robe.

At this moment, Master Musashi walked over and picked up a pebble in front of the Light Gate on the floating stone. It had some simple carvings on it that roughly read: I went back first.

This was a simple drawing Da Zhe carved on the stone before leaving…probably worried about the language barrier or something.

“This kid is quite meticulous.” The enchanting man in the big red robe smiled tenderly at this moment, “Hmm, attentive boys are always endearing. Musashi, you really are insincere, insisting on blocking me.”

Master Musashi said directly, unfriendly tone, “Enough, Lord Longyang, I don’t want the newcomers to think our organization is full of gay guys. You know what kind of person you are.”

The man in the big red robe…Lord Longyang smiled softly at this moment, “Among so many people, only Musashi fails to win my favor…my patience is also limited.”

Musashi simply shook his head, unexpectedly pulled out something, and threw it to Lord Longyang—it was indeed a [Throne] emblem.

Master Musashi said with an expressionless face, “After you knock the Hunnic King into the sub-world, making him forever unable to rise again, this thing will be yours.”

“Ah, such generosity, offering a [Throne] emblem just like that.” Lord Longyang played with the [Throne] emblem in his hand, but wasn’t in a hurry to put it away, “But… do you expect me to make a move with just a single emblem?”

Musashi said calmly, “Attila also has an emblem, including mine…it’s enough for you to collect 8 emblems to initiate the [Throne] battle.”

“But I’d be risking breaking the rules set by the [Thrones].”

Master Musashi looked directly at Lord Longyang and said, “Once you become a [Throne], naturally it won’t be considered breaking the rules…if not, just return the emblem to me; there are others willing to make a move.”

“So, Musashi is really hard to please for this king.” Lord Longyang shook his head, looking mournfully into the distance, as if talking to himself, “I suddenly kind of miss that brother I met last time.”

“Oh, then I genuinely feel sorrow from the bottom of my heart for the brother you mentioned.” Musashi stretched out, lay directly on the floating stone, scratching his butt, and looked at Lord Longyang, “Don’t disturb my nap for no reason…it’s quiet here. I’ll be waiting for your news here.”

“Why doesn’t Musashi go back to the Palace of Eternal Night to guard the gate?” Lord Longyang asked, surprised.

Musashi yawned, “There was a brawl among the members in the Palace of Eternal Night, and as the guard, I couldn’t stop it in time because I had to clean the Duel Platform… sorry about that?”

“Then this king… will just move around a bit.” Lord Longyang smiled softly and walked into the closed gate.

This moment, he heard Master Musashi lazily say from behind, “Don’t tear down the Palace of Eternal Night… it’s a hassle to clean up.”

Lord Longyang glanced back, chuckled softly, “You really are a cunning man… but that’s also part of Musashi’s charm, isn’t it?”

“Scram!”

Musashi waved his hand, and a sword light slashed from his palm, also cutting open the Light Gate…of course, Lord Longyang had already disappeared into the Light Gate moments before.

Master Musashi shook his head, digging his nose leisurely, “…Sword Qi truly is a good skill, even without magic, I can still deal substantial damage standing still, much better than a busted oar.”

Who knows what mischief he got up to with an oar.

…

“Brother Qiang? Brother Qiang…Fish Ball Qiang?”

Returning to the Palace of Eternal Night, Da Zhe felt a bit bored and remembered Fish Ball Qiang, who was still in the stone hut, so he went over—this plaza outside the Palace of Eternal Night was much more expansive than the circular platform of the Duel Platform.

However, the stone hut was empty at this moment.

Da Zhe entered the stone hut, only to see a small knife fallen on the ground and the interior slightly disordered yet he did not see Fish Ball Qiang.

“Could he have run out?” Da Zhe picked up the small knife on the ground, furrowing his brow in confusion, and then noticed a mark on the ground resembling a claw, which was slowly repairing itself.

Recall that Musashi had mentioned that the plaza of the Palace of Eternal Night has the ability to automatically repair itself—this claw mark couldn’t have been made long ago… but what was Fish Ball Qiang doing damaging the floor of the stone hut?

He suddenly froze, remembering the inexplicable strangeness he felt the second time he met Hunnic King Attila, and suddenly, a thought came to him, so he dashed into the Palace of Eternal Night, heading directly to the Beastfighting Arena.

That purple and white Bullhead Beetle-like Void Primordial Demon, could it be…

——That’s right, I’ve become stronger! But not strong enough! I have to become even stronger!

——I want to be the most dazzling guy in the whole village…no wait, the entire city!

——I want my fish ball stalls all over the world!

——So, I think you’re a good person; there must be a good part in you.

…Please, nothing should happen.