Chapter 14: Challenge Accepted

In a quiet meditation chamber beneath the coiled temples of the Nagarajin Clan stronghold, a tall figure sat cross-legged on a dark-scaled prayer mat. Silvery incense smoke curled through the air like mist dancing through a swamp. At the chamber's center was Virell, heir to one of the Void Serpent bloodlines.

Though in human form, his serpentine lineage was unmistakable—pale slate-gray skin, obsidian hair braided with jade beads, and slit pupils that gleamed with cold intelligence. Faint scale patterns traced his jawline and arms, shimmering subtly beneath the skin. His tongue flicked unnaturally every so often, tasting the spiritual flow of the air as he meditated.

The silence broke as a jade slip near him vibrated with a faint hum.

He opened one eye lazily, catching the glowing inscription.

Challenge: Malikai Doom – Affiliation: Doom Clan – Realm: Qi Condensation (Half-Step Core Formation)-Rank: Unranked

The jade slip cracked slightly in his grip.

"A half-step Core brat dares challenge me?" His voice hissed in disbelief. "These arrogant Asura demons… always believing they're born superior."

His forked tongue flicked again—but the slitted eyes narrowed, this time not in rage, but in thought.

Asuras were prideful, violent, and fierce. But they were not fools.

A nobody wouldn't dare. Not unless…

With a flick of his wrist, a projection rune activated in the air. "Bring me Broker Dalal. I want information on this Malikai Doom—everything you can dig up."

Moments later, a masked figure in a spider-silk cloak appeared in the projection, his multiple eyes gleaming from behind a veil. "You don't usually call me unless it's urgent."

"It is. Someone named Malikai Doom just challenged me in the Arena of Ascension."

The broker paused. Then chuckled softly. "Oh… him? That's the firstborn of Astaroth Doom, current head of the Doom Clan. His mother is Lilith, the Scarlet Enchantress."

Virell's expression stiffened.

"…Are you certain?"

The broker nodded slowly. "They didn't bother hiding it. Born under phenomena, rumored to be unusually gifted. He just began cultivating, but there's talk among holy land circles that he inherited a secret technique directly from Astaroth. They say it devours."

"…So it's that child," Virell muttered. The jade slip shook faintly in his hand again.

He took a long breath, his fury dampened by a bone-deep caution.

He had assumed this was some arrogant youth wanting to die in a blaze of ego. But this… this was the son of that monster.

No way he'd be allowed to die so easily. And no way he'd throw himself into a battle unless he had a card to play.

But the temptation was just as great. Trampling a royal Asura under his heel? That would send ripples through Bloodforge City.

His jaw tightened. "Send the confirmation. I'll accept the challenge."

Twelve hours before the duel.

Malikai sat in a secluded cultivation chamber within the Doom Clan's Bloodforge stronghold. Crimson qi flowed into his pores as he circulated the Asura Devouring Technique, each breath sharpening his focus.

A buzz from his jade slip broke the stillness.

Challenge Accepted: Virell of the Nagarajin Clan – Scheduled in 12 hours. Arena of Ascension. Match: Life or Death.

He opened his eyes slowly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"He is not spineless, as expected," he murmured.

Word spread like wildfire.

Within hours, Bloodforge City was ablaze with speculation and excitement. Tens of thousands of cultivators poured into the reception halls, forming lines that spanned entire city blocks. The Arena of Ascension's ticket stones sold out in minutes, and high seats were bid on by clan elders and wealthy patrons.

A half-step Core Asura versus a peak Core Formation Void Serpent?

Such a mismatch should have been dismissed outright… but the bloodline of Astaroth Doom made things unpredictable.

Even those with no interest in Asura affairs whispered eagerly: "Will the boy live or die?"

Deep within a special dimension known as the Bloodforge Realm, where rivers of molten blood and bone-tempering winds roared endlessly, Agiel Doom—ranked second in the city—stood chest-deep in a pool of molten hematite, his muscles glowing with internal energy.

A jade slip at his side lit up.

His eyes opened.

"Malikai…?" he muttered, reading the message. "Challenging little Virell already?"

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he crushed a blood crystal between his fingers.

"…Interesting. I'll watch."

Hours later.

The Arena of Ascension trembled with life. Millions were packed into seats—some with illusions cast for better views, others watching via projection screens hovering above the arena's center.

Malikai strode through the Arena's eastern gate with Iris at his side, calm and regal, his crimson eyes sharp and unfazed.

He wore black dueling robes edged in blood-red silk, the insignia of the Doom Clan glowing faintly on his back. His presence, though only at the half-step Core Formation stage, made many instinctively avert their gaze.

From the other side, Virell entered, accompanied by a team of Nagarajin geniuses who watched with mocking smiles. His pale, scale-marked face curled into a grin as he stepped into the ring.

"So… the little demon has come," Virell called out, arms spread mockingly. "Tell me, do you plan to die fast, or just embarrass yourself for a while first?"

Malikai stopped at the edge of the platform, unbothered.

"I hadn't decided yet," he said. "Guess we'l