Chapter 2723: Chapter 2724: The Wicked Woman
Seeing the result, the Wizard under the mask frowned slightly.
If they send out their participants first, it wonât be very advantageous for them, as the opponent can choose who to send out in response.
However, this thought only lingered for a second or two before disappearing. Although this is unfavorable to them, the restricted combat area is greatly beneficial for them, and itâs likely that the Honorable Judge did this to balance things out.
Thinking of this, the Wizard didnât dwell on these small matters and started pondering who should go up?
Should I go, or let the Witch go first?
On the opposite side, he only knew Dox, and Dox certainly wasnât the person he was looking for. Moreover, Doxâs reputation is well-known, and his bloodline is already exposed. The Wizardâs gemstone Earth Dragon bloodline naturally counters Dox, so if he goes against Dox, it should be fine.
But, if he goes up, will Dox go up?
He probably will... After all, Dox is a Pureblood Wizard supporting the McField Declaration, and he himself is a Blood Origin Wizard. Given his character, he might be the first to jump out.
If he can defeat Dox first, the other Wizards afterward would be easier to handle. The only variable is the nose on that stone slab on the other side, will he be a participant? Will he go up?
While the Wizard was thinking, a light barrier suddenly enveloped them from above.
At the same time, the voice of the black-robed Honorable Judge reached their ears: "You have up to three minutes to discuss. By the way, within this light barrier, external energy is completely isolated. You can discuss freely, but itâs best not to communicate verbally."
External energy being isolated means their communication within the Mind Ribbon will not be detected by others.
The Wizard looked up and thanked the Honorable Judge, then turned to look at the Witch, as his voice already echoed in the Mind Ribbon: "Iâll go up first."
The Witch floated in mid-air, not answering, but instead looked at the Wizard with a disdainful gaze, seemingly waiting for him to give a reason.
The Wizard pondered for a moment and laid out his analysis.
After listening, the Witch scoffed: "Your analysis is correct, but youâve only seen one side. You know Doxâs intel, why canât he know yours?"
The Wizard: "My identity shouldnât have been exposed."
The Witchâs half-exposed face showed a hint of contemptuous smile: "Indeed, the past you and the present you, even if the strength is similar, there is a great difference in essence."
The Wizard remained silent.
"Havenât you realized yet?"
The Wizard: "Realized what?"
The Witch: "Do you remember the situation outside when we stepped out of that suspended stair door?"
The Wizard recalled that when they stepped out of the suspended stair door, there was actually no one outside. They were puzzled at the time because the Mirror Bearer had said they were there, so how come they couldnât find them.
Then, the black-robed Honorable Judge appeared and presented them with a little test.
When recalling to this point, the Wizard vaguely understood the Witchâs point.
If the opponent wasnât aware of their arrival, why would they conceal themselves in advance? Why would the black-robed Honorable Judge present a test?
Moreover, with the black-robed Honorable Judgeâs strong capabilities, and the Mirror Bearer even willing to let him be the judge, why not let him deal with the target directly? The answer was becoming apparent.
Seeing the flash of realization in the Wizardâs eyes, the Witch then added: "Now you understand? This judge may not be on the same side as the Mirror Bearer. When we came out of the suspended stair door, it took him a while to show up, so maybe he was already in the same place with that group."
"Do you remember what he said when you introduced yourself? He knew who you were."
"Since he knows your identity, and he may not be on the same side as the Mirror Bearer, and might even have some connection with the other group, why would you think Dox doesnât know you have the gemstone Earth Dragon bloodline? Maybe heâs already shared your information."
The Witch said lightly: "Not just you, perhaps all our information has been shared."
The Wizard had nothing to say this time; the Witchâs words were not unreasonable. Although itâs speculation, the Witchâs intuition has always been sharp, and the doubts she raised are indeed unanswerable.
Survival in the Wizardsâ Realm, being too cautious isnât a mistake, being too optimistic is the sin.
Conceiving the worst-case scenario, if Dox really knows heâs the gemstone Earth Dragon bloodline, Dox definitely wonât go out. Then, his assumptions donât hold.
"If itâs not me, then itâs you. Do you want to go first?" The Wizard said deeply.
The Witch: "Once you activate your bloodline, your information will essentially be exposed. But Iâm different, the parts on my body yesterday are not the same as those today. Even the black-robed Honorable Judge canât predict what organ Iâve modified today."
"Regarding me, if they respond according to past information... Heh, empirical thinking can be fatal."
With that said, the Witch didnât state it directly, but the implication was clear.
The Wizard thought for a moment, and finally nodded: "You can go first. However, you need to be wary of that strange nose on the other side. It might be..."
The Witch waved her hand: "I understand, no need to say it. But compared to the nose on the stone slab, Iâm more concerned about the Wizard proficient in Illusion Techniques. I have a feeling he isnât a nobody."
After speaking these words in the Mind Ribbon, the Witch removed the bandage tied to the Wizardâs wrist and slowly floated forward, crossing the light barrier, reaching near the center of the arena.
The Wise Sovereign watched the Witch cross the light barrier and understood that she would be the first Wizard from the Wizardâs side to appear.
This wasnât too surprising; the Witchâs information was the least known, and as a modified Wizard, her rate of bloodline, limb, and organ replacement couldnât be precisely judged.
Therefore, everything about the Witch, including tactics, skills, capabilities, talents, and bloodline, was unknown.
No one knew which of the Witchâs capabilities might counter them. Thus, her appearance put more pressure on Angelâs side than the Wizardâs appearance would.
However, Angelâs side had already devised a strategy, with Angel facing the Wizard, and the Witchâs appearance meant Dox would naturally deal with her.
With the Witchâs entry, a symbolic light barrier appeared on Angelâs side for their discussion.
But there was no need for an exchange, and Dox directly stepped onto the field.
Watching Doxâs back, Vay opened his mouth and finally squeezed out, "Donât be like back then, getting played around by a Witch."
Dox had thought he was walking away coolly, but nearly tripped at Vayâs words.
Composing himself, Dox put on a nonchalant look: "Iâm no longer the person I was then, just wait and see."
Vay: "See you meet a miserable end?"
Dox responded grumpily: "Itâs a triumphant return!"
With that said, Dox had no mood for further arguing with Vay, and he strode toward the center area.
On the other side, the Gray Merchant saw Dox take the stage first and sighed slightly. It was now basically certain that Dox definitely knew his information.
Otherwise, given Doxâs aversion to Blood Origin Wizards, he would have waited for him to take the stage.
Now, with the Wicked Woman taking the stage and Dox already present, it means her speculation was correct. This black-robed judge really isnât necessarily on the same side as the Mirror Bearer.
However, even if theyâre not on the same side, the fact that he is willing to be the judge, and the Mirror Bearer agrees to it, is very intriguing.
Limited confrontation, but not complete opposition?
Is this some kind of survival law in the Underground Labyrinth?
While the Gray Merchant was speculating, Dox had already stood in the center of the field, lazily drawing the red sword from his waist. With a flash of red light, Dox twirled the sword gracefully before tilting it to point at the ground, then extended his other hand to beckon the Wicked Woman with his finger, thinking himself stylish.
The Wicked Woman, floating in the air, was not angered by Doxâs provocation but instead tutted twice: "The Red Sword, Dox... not quite as I imagined."
When the Wicked Woman mentioned Doxâs name, she deliberately paused.
Dox asked suspiciously: "What do you mean?"
Wicked Woman: "The Dox in my imagination is a gentleman who wouldnât fight women. But unexpectedly, the first to duel me would be you."
Dox scoffed a few times: "I am no gentleman. Youâre saying this just to make me go easy on you, arenât you? I wonât."
Finished speaking, Dox didnât wait for the Wise Sovereign to say start. He pointed the red sword, merging himself with it, turning into a red line darting towards the Wicked Woman.
Faced with the sudden red line, the Wicked Woman showed a hint of surprise in her eyes but didnât panic.
As the red line was about to reach the Wicked Woman, bandages began to emanate from her body with phantom-like speed, as if white tendrils, wrapping the red line securely.
As the red line was wrapped, Doxâs figure gradually appeared.
Dox shook lightly, trying to shatter the bandages binding his sword, but their resilience exceeded his expectations. Despite using great force, he only made them loosen slightly with no signs of breaking.
However, the loosening of the bandages allowed Dox to smoothly withdraw his sword.
Without hesitation, Dox blinked to reposition himself for a back attack.
Before he could act, a massive pressure descended from above.
Both Dox and the Wicked Woman were suppressed by the pressure, falling from the air. The source of the pressure was undoubtedly the Wise Sovereign above.
"Engaging before I announce the start constitutes a rule violation. This is your only warning. If it happens again, Iâll throw you directly off the arena."
After speaking, the overwhelming pressure gradually dissipated.
Dox and the Wicked Woman finally got a chance to breathe.
Dox flipped over, muttering as he returned to his original position. The Wicked Woman floated back into the air, a hint of gloom in her eyes.
Earlier it was just speculation that Dox and his group made a deal with the black-robed judge to gain their information. But now it seems the judge is indeed on the same side as the opponent.
Though it was a penalty, it didnât really punish them. In fact, the descending pressure cleared all the pheromones in the air.
This effectively disrupted a charm cast by the Wicked Woman.
Though she was grinding her teeth in anger, facing the Wise Sovereignâs formidable strength, she dared not utter a word.
All she could do was cast a vicious look towards Dox.
Dox felt the hostile gaze and turned to look but at that moment, the Wicked Woman withdrew the malice and instead giggled: "The judge was right to stop you; that behavior wasnât quite gentlemanly."
Dox irritably said: "Stop talking about gentlemen. I have nothing to do with that."
"Is that so?" The Wicked Woman suddenly smiled: "Six years ago, I attended a small tea party in the Manluo Plane, where I met a strange witch. Someone at the tea party asked a question: Which man in the Southern Domain Wizard World is the most gentlemanly? Guess who the witch mentioned?"
Dox suspiciously said: "From what youâre implying, that gentleman isnât me, is it?"
The Wicked Woman stated word by word: "Cor-rect~"
While Dox was shocked by this revelation, the Wise Sovereign had no interest in gossip, directly saying: "If you have the ability, talk while you fight. Now, I announce the battle begins."
As the Wise Sovereignâs voice fell, Dox immediately began his offensive.
As for the "gentleman" issue mentioned by the Wicked Woman, he was completely unconcerned. Securing victory in the battle came first.
However, the Wicked Woman continued talking while deftly evading: "Do you know why she called you the most gentlemanly male wizard in the Southern Domain?"
Dox didnât answer, his attacks growing fiercer.
But the Wicked Woman answered her own question: "Because she said you never fight women. Even if a woman stepped on you, you wouldnât draw your sword."
Doxâs movements paused suddenly, but soon, he became even faster than before.
Wicked Woman: "Oh, right. I seem to have forgotten to say, her name is... Yuna."
Dox sharply raised his head, his pupils contracting.
...
"Yuna?" Angel, standing at the edge of the field, repeated the name softly: "Is there such a wizard in the Southern Domain?"
Angel looked up, meeting Kaierâs gaze. Kaier, thinking Angel was asking him, hurriedly shook his head: "N-no, sir, I havenât heard of her either."
After Kaier spoke, he pulled in Vay, also an apprentice: "What do you say?"
Vay wore a subtle expression, hesitating for a while before saying: "Yuna, I know her."
Both Angel and Kaier were taken aback, looking at Vay.
Vay thought a moment: "Earlier when Dox took the stage, didnât I mention he shouldnât be made a fool like back then by a witch?"
Kaier nodded: "Yes, I remember. I wanted to ask at the time, just..." embarrassed to gossip.
Vay: "That witch was Yuna. Back then, she was an apprentice like us, and we ventured together for a while."
As Vay spoke, a look of reminiscence appeared in his eyes.
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