Chapter 17: The Saint Son’s Challenge

“Smooth talker. Is that how you tricked her?”

Ye Ying sat across from Zhang Luan, taking a bite of bitter chocolate. She paid no mind to how much the treat clashed with her usual aloof demeanor.

“I merely wished to become the Saint Son. I didn’t trick her; on the contrary, I saved her life. Otherwise, she would have died long ago.”

Zhang Luan spread his hands. He spoke nothing but the truth, and whether Ye Ying believed him was none of his concern.

“You saved the Saintess, and for that, I thank you. But I do not agree with your desire to become the Saint Son.”

“Yet, the doctrine prohibits me from disagreeing. Only the Saintess can choose the Saint Son. I cannot change the fact that you have won her heart.”

“I only hope you treat her well.”

Zhang Luan raised an eyebrow but offered no reply. He had done nothing to win Nan Fenghua’s heart, nor did he care if he had.

Regardless, he was determined to become the Saint Son. Even if Nan Fenghua were unwilling, he possessed countless ways to secure her agreement.

Perhaps sensing Zhang Luan’s intentions, a shadow of gloom settled over Ye Ying’s face. She removed the barrier surrounding Nan Fenghua and spoke gently.

“Saintess, are you truly certain you wish for this man to become the Saint Son? You… understand the meaning of a Saint Son, do you not? Do not make a decision too quickly, or you alone will ultimately face disappointment.”

She placed her last hope in her Saintess having a sudden change of heart. Alas, Nan Fenghua did not grant her wish.

“Yes, Zhang Luan Ge saved me. What’s wrong with me letting him become the Saint Son? Besides, didn’t you say before that the temple hasn’t had a Saint Son in a very, very long time? This is perfect, isn’t it?”

Ye Ying ceased her struggle, nodding reluctantly. She quietly ate her chocolate. Since the Saintess had made her decision, Ye Ying would no longer argue against it. This was doctrine, and she would obey it strictly.

The arrival of the Saint Son quickly spread throughout Akamana City. People began to pray, hoping the Saint Son would lead them to greater happiness.

Everything unfolded so smoothly. In just over ten minutes, Zhang Luan had become the nominal Saint Son, enjoying the same treatment and authority as Nan Fenghua.

However, he directly canceled the elaborate anointing ceremony. Ye Ying said nothing further, as the doctrine indeed stated that the Saint Son possessed this authority.

As for whether the Akamana Goddess would mind having an additional Saint Son?

It didn’t matter. The Akamana Goddess, as the Goddess of Blessings, also held another title: The Most Tolerant Goddess. In essence, she was a goddess without a temper.

Sitting outside the grand hall, Zhang Luan beckoned a group of silver-armored warriors forward. These were the guardians of the Akamana Temple, freshly returned from battle against the Demonic Roar Papacy in the Ancient Forest.

Leading them was a seasoned, older warrior, followed by youths of seventeen or eighteen years. Their eyes burned with anger and dissatisfaction.

“You all don’t seem to be very convinced by me, do you?”

Zhang Luan watched the warriors with a smile. Had they not been in this sacred place, they might have already charged forward to strike him down.

Indeed, how could these men be convinced? They had fought tooth and nail on the front lines, only to return and inexplicably find a new Saint Son, and one who claimed to have saved the Saintess, no less?

What did that make their battles?

All for naught?

The leading old warrior remained silent, but the younger warriors lacked such patience.

“Yes, what are you? By what right do you become the Saint Son! I refuse to accept it!”

“Exactly! I don’t accept it either!”

Suddenly, the once tranquil area outside the hall erupted into a clamor.

The leading old warrior frowned, turning to bellow at them.

“Silence, all of you! His Highness the Saint Son is His Highness the Saint Son! What has the doctrine taught you! Begone!”

The young warriors gritted their teeth, unwilling to leave. They were unconvinced, utterly so. What made this young man a Saint Son, other than his handsome appearance?

“Unconvinced? That’s wonderful. I can beat you until you are convinced.”

At these words, the already furious young warriors completely lost their reason. They drew their weapons and charged towards Zhang Luan.

The old warrior also drew his sword, but he aimed it not at Zhang Luan, but at the charging youths.

“Begone! Do not disturb His Highness the Saint Son’s rest any longer!”

A powerful surge of energy instantly exploded, blowing the warriors far away. Only one young man remained, struggling to stand.

Zhang Luan clapped his hands, admiring the young man before him. This was Lin Jiu, the future Ghost Rakshasa and the last guardian of Akamana. He hadn’t expected to encounter him here in his youth, which suggested he had joined the Akamana Temple quite early.

The old warrior frowned, about to push the youth away, but a tremendous force stopped him. His eyes narrowed as he saw Zhang Luan’s hand gripping his shoulder tightly.

‘To possess such strength as an ability user,’ he thought, ‘this new Saint Son is not simple.’

Lin Jiu stared intently at Zhang Luan, his eyes brimming with fury. He had come to this temple to become a guardian, solely to see the Saintess. Yet, his Saintess had been taken by a man he had never seen before! How could he possibly accept this?

“Well done. Since you’re unconvinced, then let’s fight. I’ll beat you until you are convinced. How about it? Oh, and if you win against me, you can have this position of Saint Son. It’s said that this position can even lead to becoming the Saintess’s husband, you know?”

Lin Jiu’s eyes widened instantly. Zhang Luan’s words struck perfectly at his deepest desires. If he could defeat this man, he could become the Saint Son, he could become the Saintess’s husband! How could he possibly give up this opportunity!

“You promise?”

“Of course.”

“Then come on!”

The moment he aimed his longsword at Zhang Luan, the system’s voice echoed in his mind.

[D-rank mission triggered: [Duel] Mission objective: Defeat all challengers. Rewards will be granted based on completion.]

Zhang Luan drew his Azure Righteous Sword, using Sword Control to make it float in mid-air. Before anyone could even signal the start, Lin Jiu charged forward.

As Zhang Luan observed Lin Jiu, a set of information immediately appeared:

Name: Lin Jiu

Race: Human

Level: 13

HP: 8000

Energy: 1500

Class: Assault Ranger

Talent: None

Skills: [Fearless Charge], [Multi-Slash], [Mountain Collapse Strike]

Equipment: Standard Greatsword

“Fearless Charge!”

Zhang Luan dodged his attack, and the Azure Righteous Sword left a small cut on Lin Jiu’s body. However, the mere 10% suppression effect rendered Lin Jiu immobile. After a long moment, he struggled to get back up, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Although his strength was inferior to his instructor’s, he shouldn’t have been so easily pinned to the ground and unable to move by such a small wound, should he? It had to be that this man had used some despicable trick! It had to be!

Thinking this, his mood grew even more agitated. The thought of the Saintess becoming this kind of man’s wife in the future was unbearable. He let out a loud shout and charged again.

“Fearless Charge!”

Zhang Luan looked straight ahead, not dodging. A look of delight surfaced on Lin Jiu’s face as he raised his greatsword, intending to strike Zhang Luan fiercely.

His sword whistled as it descended towards Zhang Luan’s head. This fellow had murderous intent.

Just then, Zhang Luan moved forward, cleverly evading the attack. Immediately after, a cold glint flashed.

A piercing scream echoed through the area.

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