Clash Has Just Begun

So far, Liu Zhenhan's life had revolved around two things: killing and arson.

A seasoned warrior could gauge an opponent at a glance. The Shark Knight before him, with his calmly fluttering gills and a torso scarred by countless battles, was clearly a veteran of the seas.

Liu slowly shrugged off his feathered cloak, revealing bulging muscles and wolfskin trousers—a display of primal Beamon ferocity. Even Richard, the Shark Knight, couldn't help but envy the Pigman's physique. Who knew an ordinary Beamon could possess such raw power?

As Liu began chanting a battle hymn, Richard's expression hardened. He never underestimated foes. Years of life-or-death combat had taught him respect for every adversary.

Guoguo, Liu's rotund pet, waddled forward, comically tiny before the hulking Shark Knight. The onlookers sneered. If their elite knight couldn't crush this joke of a "magic beast," what honor remained?

Guoguo sucked in its chubby belly, preparing to attack. Richard responded with a low chant, summoning swirling water into a shimmering crescent shield—the Tidal Barrier.

"Clever little thing!" The mermaid princess perched on a reef couldn't hide her admiration. "Lulling him into complacency before striking the shield's weak point!"

Guoguo's frost orb shot out, piercing the half-formed barrier and exploding against Richard's chest in a puff of icy mist. The shield crystallized midair before shattering at the knight's feet.

"Next round!" Liu grinned as golden light enveloped him and Guoguo—a completed battle hymn's blessing.

Richard lunged, his webbed foot slamming down with crushing force. Yet Guoguo stood unharmed, even lifting the knight's leg with childish glee.

Every Shark Knight gaped. Richard—their champion—could pulverize coral with a stomp! How?

Before Richard could react, iron-strong arms locked around his neck from behind. Liu hoisted the 300-pound knight overhead like a ragdoll. Desperate, Richard summoned a water dragon—his true power unleashed.

Crack.

Liu's knee met Richard's spine with brutal precision. The half-formed dragon dissolved as the knight's body went limp, lifeless eyes staring at the moon.

Silence.

The Shark Knights trembled, bodies swelling with rage. Their pride couldn't accept this—a "weak" Beamon priest had slain their brother barehanded!

"What's wrong?" Liu taunted. "Too scared to fight one-on-one now? Typical sea rats—all bark, no bite!"

"Enough!" A new knight rose, trident gleaming. "I, Poseidon of the Demon Sharks, challenge—"

"Poseidon!" The mermaid princess cut him off, voice icy. "Have you forgotten our code? Even these land-dwellers understand honor!"

She turned to Liu, regal yet furious. "Why didn't you use your magic beast? You shame your god!"

Liu bowed mockingly. "Warrior God Kampa teaches us: Pets defend justice, not bullies."

The princess's lips whitened with rage. "You're lucky my Leviathan Guard isn't here. Next time—"

"Next time," Liu interrupted, feigning despair, "I'll bring my dragon pet. Let's make it a proper show!"

Snorts erupted. Everyone knew Beamon priests carried sacred Medusa Medallions to summon beasts instantly. This "dragon" claim was pure farce.

"Remember my name—Princess Aviere," she hissed. "I'll sacrifice you to Neptune himself!"

As her obsidian seahorse vanished into waves, Liu turned to Hailun, the fox-eared girl. "Can we trust their promise?"

Hailun sighed. "Aegean proverb: The sea folk keep lies like pearls."

Liu froze. The princess had said she'd let them go "one horse"—but her escape mount was literally a seahorse.

Under the jagged moon, realization struck.

"Holy shit!" Liu howled, eyes moon-wide. "She loopholed us!"