When they were laughing at Ricky, Ashley explained to Ricky through their telepathic link. "Let me
introduce him to you. This young man is Doug Chen. He is the fourth competitor for the position of the
holy son.
"Oh, I see. Then, what about the three other powerful candidates? Where are they? Wouldn't they
come?" Ricky was a bit disappointed. The young man in front of him was not a prime candidate, and he
seemed a bit lackluster compared to the three other competitive candidates.
"If you defeat him, they will show up," Ashley replied.
"Is that so?" Ricky asked, his voice faint. "I don't think they know that I killed Lundy."
"Perhaps they do. However, I don't think it matters to them. Lundy's fame did not reach here. So they
have no idea what it means that you killed him," Ashley said. "And, I'm really curious, what makes you
think that you can defeat Doug?"
After a few moments of silence, Ricky turned to look at Doug.
"You must be joking," he responded to Doug's teasing words. Even though they made fun of him, he
wasn't upset.
Doug walked up to Ricky. He nodded to Ashley as a greeting. "If you want me to believe that you are
not coming here to seek refuge, then show me what you've got," Doug said with a dismissive sneer.
"What do you want me to do to prove my strength?" Ricky asked.
Sometimes, a show of power was enough to get him what he needed. He didn't want to back down
from Doug's challenge.
"It's very simple. Withstand three blows from me, and I will believe you," Doug replied. He wore a
defiant sneer on his face. It was clear that he did not believe Ricky was strong at all.
Ricky was a two-star lower spiritual emperor at his peak state, while Doug was a three-star lower
spiritual emperor. Doug believed that his capability in combat was at the average level among those at
his realm. He didn't think Ricky could stand a chance.
'Doug is a three-star lower spiritual emperor. Once he performs his Omnipotent Skills, his strength
could reach the average level among warriors at his level. Although Ricky is strong, he is no match
against Doug,' Ashley thought to herself.
"Oh?
Really? Are you serious that you would consider me to be powerful enough if I withstand three blows
from you?" Ricky asked, his voice serious.
"We've got so many witnesses here. Why do you think this is a trick?" Doug replied. "However, if you
fail my challenge, you would have to break off your engagement with Ashley.
It would not do her good to consort with weak men."
"So... What happens if I succeed?" Ricky asked.
"Ha! I don't think that's possible," Doug said with a smile.
"But what if I do?" Ricky insisted, looking Doug in the eye.
"If you make it, I will take you as my boss. You can ask me to do anything for you, and I will do it. Does
that suffice?" Doug asked, sneering.
"Not bad," Ricky replied, nodding. He gave Doug a small smirk.
"You are way too cocky!"
Doug said angrily as he saw the smirk on Ricky's face.
"Take this first blow!" As soon as Doug finished speaking, the Wood Rule suddenly appeared and filled
the air. He delivered a punch, and a dragon shadow came rushing toward Ricky.
"And this second blow!"
He rose into the air and stomped his feet down hard.
The Wood Rule gathered and formed a shadow of a mountain. The shadow rushed at Ricky in full
force.
Doug was clever. He didn't even give Ricky time to react as he performed two moves. By launching
them one after the other, he hoped to catch Ricky off guard.
Obviously, he was afraid that Ricky would have tricks up his sleeve to resist his blows.
Naturally, Ricky knew what Doug was up to. Smiling faintly, he rushed towards the shadows, facing
them head-on.
Just before Ricky touched the shadows, his arms suddenly burst into flames. He stretched out his arms
and thrust them towards the shadows, destroying them completely.
"T-this can't be! How is this possible?" Ashley and other disciples were shaken up by the scene
unfolding before their eyes. Their jaws almost dropped to the ground in astonishment.
Doug landed on the ground with a loud thud. The impact of Ricky's attack pushed him backwards.
Although he didn't say anything, the expression on his face gave him away.
He stared blankly at Ricky, shock written all over his face.
"Doug, I've already taken two of your blows. Take a hit from me, and then show me your third move. I
can't wait to see it!" Ricky said loudly. By that time, his entire body was covered in flames.
He took a step forward and drew out his Iron Justice Saber. The chaotic fire power appeared together
with his ten kinds of flames. He locked eyes with Doug, and waved his weapon at him.
Doug felt the scorching heat singe his skin. He couldn't go down. He gathered all of his strength at
once.
He knitted his hands together, and his pupils turned green. He looked menacing and terrifying, and he
sent a chill down everyone else's spines. Ricky, however, stayed calm and collected, watching Doug
closely.
"Come on. I hereby summon you—the Wood Rule to defend me!"
Suddenly, Doug released his defense. After Ricky had attacked him, he realized how powerful Ricky's
strike was.
"I can't believe that Doug chose to defend himself instead of attacking!" The disciples were so shocked,
and they could not believe their eyes.
At that moment, they realized just how terrifying this white-haired young man was.
'Doug had no choice but to defend himself. Only the three most competitive candidates can make him
do that. But this young man actually is making this happen!' they thought to themselves in shock.
Enormous power of the Wood Rule emerged, morphing into a bright, green light. The light began to
move, and it transformed into a dragon. The dragon let out a low growl and rested above Doug's head.
It would attack anyone who dared harm him.
Boom!
Ricky's burning flames came into contact the dragon. In an instant, the dragon was burnt to ashes.
The flaming light disappeared the instant it was about to touch Doug's head.
However, it wasn't because Doug had successfully defended himself. It was because Ricky had
withdrawn it.
The winner of this duel was clear. The entire space was dead silent.
Even Ashley was dumbfounded. Although she knew that Ricky had made big progress, what he just
accomplished went way beyond her wildest dreams. It was completely unexpected.
'Thanks to the half of the Blood Beast King, my strength has improved immensely,' Ricky thought to
himself excitedly.
"After some training, you will be able to make a breakthrough and become a three-star lower spiritual
emperor. At that time, you can beat most warriors who haven't become the middle spiritual emperors,"
the Dragon Intent Grass said.
"It might take a long time, but I believe that you will become a saint one day." It tone was filled with joy.
"My journey to becoming a saint will begin with the Five-element Sect. I'm looking forward to it," Ricky
replied, thrilled.
When Ricky came back to his senses,
Ashley and other disciples had also recovered from the shock.
The disciples stared at Ricky adoringly, amazed at his terrifying power. 'The white-haired Ricky is at par
with the three who are most likely to be the holy son. He is not someone that we can mock or not take
seriously,' they thought to themselves.
'Damn! This guy is powerful,' Ashley sneered inwardly.
The next moment, everyone fixed their eyes on Doug. He had been defeated, and they were wondering
what he was going to do next.
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