Chapter 1985: Top Eight
The next few battles were choosing the top eight, so the lots were reset.
Natalya was the first one to be chosen, which made Davis and many others dumbfounded. It seemed that she had good karmic luck, at least according to the words of the Karmic Guardian Emperor who publically praised her. After all, she was chosen for the lot the first two times.
Even the ordinary people were shocked, thinking that the lots were rigged or something.
The ones who were left were Davis, Natalya, Zestria, Ellia, Adlet Rayburn, Wayn Skycloud, Zura Ike, and one lucky fellow from a major power within a Large-Sized Territory. It seemed that he hailed from the Purple Haze Sect, a sect influential with Illusion Laws. However, in front of true geniuses, illusions tend to work less, so it was a surprise for him to have reached this point.
Nonetheless, everyone felt it was fated that his luck would run out very soon.
Natalya was not interested in him but turned to look at the Wind Dragon Queen. However, thinking that Zestria would want to battle with Zura Ike, she was about to shake her head again when a soul transmission fell in her head.
It seemed that Zestria didn"t want to face Zura Ike.
"Since it"s like that..."
Natalya challenged Zura Ike and fought with her. Needless to say, the battle was one-sided, coming to an end in a few seconds.
*Boom!~*
Ice shards exploded, and the impact sent a green-robed figure flying.
Zura Ike spat a mouthful of blood before standing up and cupping her hands.
"Thanks for showing mercy."
Without saying anything else, Zura Ike left the battle stage.
Natalya could only sigh, feeling that Zura Ike was a level-headed woman with bright prospects as her skills were tremendous from what she had previously seen so far but tied to the wrong man, not that she cared since Zura Ike herself seemed to be fine with it.
She wanted no women who didn"t retain her innocence to be approaching Davis anyway. Otherwise, it would be an insult to them since what they treasured and gave Davis would not be worth a spirit stone anymore.
The next lot had chosen Adlet Rayburn.
Without any surprises, Adlet Rayburn fought with the Purple Haze Sect"s disciple and won so easily, but the people thought that the latter"s luck was extremely worse because his dantian had been pierced, almost collapsing because he was hidden in his illusions while Adlet Rayburn still attacked with his rapid and endless swords, almost causing his downfall.
Nonetheless, the next lot was taken, and it was none other than Zestria.
Instantly, she pointed towards a hegemonic power as her eyes gleamed.
"Ellia, battle me!"
Ellia blinked, wondering why Zestria had challenged her.
"You do know that you"ll face the same fate as Zura Ike, right?"
Davis almost face-palmed, wondering why Zestria did that. The safe bet would be to challenge Wayn Skycloud, but it seems like she was fiery and tempered to be choosing a safe path. Still, he was not about to watch Zestria have a battle with Ellia for the same reasons as he blocked Natalya. He could at least believe Ellia but not Myria.
"It"s fine, Prince Davis."
Abruptly, a soul transmission fell in his mind, causing him to look at Ellia. He could see a genuine look in her graceful eyes.
"…"
Davis could only lament why he hadn"t managed to obtain a single lot.
Was his karmic luck so bad?
In the end, he stared at Ellia and gave a stern look as if to say not to allow Myria to do anything to Zestria. Even he felt foolish with his actions at this moment, but that gentle yet caring voice that called him Prince Davis was alone to shred enough of his wariness towards her that he allowed Zestria to leave.
Ellia also entered the battle stage.
The people were wondering why Davis and his people called Fairy Myria: Ellia, but they merely thought that it was the name she used while stealing Davis"s treasure. Since they didn"t know the specifics, they could only form theories, and some theories were atrocious and even spicy.
Soon, the barrier activated, and Honorable Elder Julian Kruse announced the start of the battle.
"Do you want to use your Starry Descent of the Fire Dragon?"
"No. I know I won"t win against you."
Ellia asked before Zestria shook her head, causing the former to widen her brows.
"Then why did you challenge me?"
"You"re stronger than us Dragon Queens who take pride in our bodily might for some reason. If you are daring, let"s have fun with only our fists."
"So you want me to lower my prowess?"
"Up to you."
Zestria shrugged, raising her two hands. Neither essence nor martial energy covered them, but pure bodily force.
*Whoos.h.!.+~*
She instantly rushed towards Ellia, her fist punching towards Ellia"s face.
Ellia didn"t evoke her energy. She merely twisted like a snake when she disappeared out of Zestria"s view.
Zestria felt her heart skip a beat as a hand grasped her wrist from the side. Before she knew it, one of her knees was kicked, and she was pinned down on the ground, her hands tied behind her back. The utter shock of the realization that she had been apprehended like it was nothing almost made her inwardly laugh in shame because she knew that Ellia almost used the same amount of strength she used, yet she was quickly subdued.
"Did sleeping with him feel good?"
Abruptly, a whisper tickled her ear.
"Wha-?"
Zestria"s cheeks instantly became crimson.
Ellia slightly moved back, noticing Davis"s soul sense encroach on them as she spoke to Zestria.
"Use soul transmission."
"Wait a second-!" Zestria panicked, "What are you even asking in this place?"
"I mean, you were the one who told this battle was for fun. Let"s have fun by communicating like two refined ladies. You must"ve at least heard about me, no?"
"…" Zestria clenched her teeth, not willing to speak.
"Silent, huh? Not that I care but tell me about him. Tell me what kind of person he is through your own words."
"What more I need to say when my name from that moment onwards is Zestria Davis?"
Zestria finally opened her mouth before she screamed.
"I admit defeat!"
Ellia smiled behind her veil and let go of Zestria.
Zestria instantly gained distance and looked at Ellia with clenched teeth as though she was going to avenge this humiliation later before she flew away.
It wasn"t like she didn"t know how dangerous Myria was but with this, she was glad she was able to prove herself useful to Davis. She had information that his Ellia was definitely present inside that body. After all, that haughty and cold Myria she had heard about from the others wouldn"t have such interests.
Ellia waved her hand at the leaving Zestria, not bothered if she was looking at her or not.
"See? She really is not soul controlled or brainwashed."
"I never asked for proof." Myria"s voice echoed blandly.
"I just wanted to let you know."
"…"
Zestria couldn"t even notice that Ellia had invaded her soul sea, but Davis noticed.
"Nothing happened, right?"
Davis captured Zestria"s cheeks as he sent his soul sense inside her soul sea once she arrived before him, causing her to become stiff.
Zestria felt strange. She could feel his worry but the most important point was that she felt full of himself. It was strangely addicting as she sensed him brush past each corner of her soul sea. If this was private, she might be making weird sounds too, but since she suppressed that urge, her cheeks became crimson underneath his warm touch.
Soon, Davis completed a full sweep scan of Zestria"s soul sea, and he found nothing of concern, allowing him to inwardly heave a sigh of relief.
"Davis! She really is there! Your Ellia really is there!"
Looking at Zestria jump excitedly while she sent him a soul transmission, explaining what she exchanged with Ellia, Davis swallowed the harsh words he wanted to say towards Zestria for her safety.
He heaved a breath and spoke.
"I know. There are only a few battles left, and one of them is certainly mine against Ellia."
Davis was convinced that if either he or Ellia had the chance to get picked by a lot, they would challenge each other without fail.
Only now did he recall that Ellia also hadn"t gotten a lot all this time.
Was her luck also bad?