Chapter 497: The Tempest After the Duel

“How could he die! How could he die!?”

“Committee Member Lu…dead!!!?”

“My God! How is this even possible!!!”

“Committee Member! Committee Member!”

Either he was overwhelmed with grief, or it was simply too hard to accept.

Of course, it might also have been his breakdown and the huge gamble he took on himself.

After a brief, eerie silence, the stands erupted with a chorus of grief and questioning from scores of Third-Stage fighters and Lu Tianming’s subordinates, all crying out in despair.

Among them, the Youth responsible for orchestrating the entire plan was hit the hardest.

He staggered to his feet, his face ashen as he stared up at the stage. In the very next moment, he spat a huge mouthful of blood—as if his very life force were attacking his heart—and then his eyes rolled back as he collapsed.

Just seconds earlier, he had been sneering and jeering with the high-ups around him, mocking Yenir’s overconfidence.

Yet in those same seconds, the seemingly invincible Committee Member Lu was instantly reduced to nothing by Yenir.

The shock was too immense for him to bear; that he managed to hold on this long only proved his unyielding will.

It was no surprise.

Knowing how many resources Lu Tianming had poured into this fight, how could his trusted confidant not be up to speed?

With Lu Tianming dead, it was as if his greatest shield had been obliterated. Moreover, his entire fortune—and half the funds for rearming the Third Army—vanished along with him.

If nothing else, once this death duel smokescreen settles, another military earthquake is sure to follow.

“How on earth was that done!? Is this even Third-Stage Mid-level!?”

“What kind of ability is this! Could someone really rely solely on innate talent to ignore rank!?”

“This is too fake… damn, this is just too fake!!”

“A monster, truly a monster! What level of skill is that!? And what degree of power does he possess!?”

“We really underestimated Committee Member Yenir! With that kind of innate talent, in all my years I’ve never seen anything like it!”

….

A mixture of awe and disbelief filled the air.

On the stands, a group of neutral Third-Stage fighters and various representatives couldn’t help but exclaim in astonishment.

Compared to those who lost their bets, their thoughts were refreshingly straightforward.

The shock was almost indescribable.

Nothing speaks louder than the brutality of battle.

An over-level instant kill on a super powerhouse of the same rank! Such a feat is unheard of anywhere in the world!

Even veteran representatives who once thought the higher-ups were overly fixated on Yenir suddenly realized that a brand-new record had been shattered.

More calculating minds couldn’t help but wonder what spectacle would unfold if Yenir reached Third-Stage Advanced!?

Was it yet another cross-level fight? Unbeatable even among equals!?

And what about Peak Third-Stage!? If he keeps this momentum, wouldn’t he be capable of single-handedly dominating the entire world!?

They had clearly seen that Yenir’s strength was rapidly approaching the advanced echelon! At this rate…

Damn it! Is this kid a freak!?

Below in the stands, Fang Hao, who had only just regained his senses, stared mouth agape at Yenir on the stage—as if Yenir had nonchalantly taken down a mere chicken. His shock was as immense as everyone else’s.

For pity’s sake, just half an hour ago, he had been fretting that Yenir might collapse on stage, sprinting thousands of miles without even a moment’s pause to catch his breath.

But not only had Yenir acted, even now Fang Hao couldn’t grasp how the kid managed to instantly dispatch Lu Tianming.

He admitted to himself that even if he had attacked, he probably wouldn’t have managed such a devastating effect.

Looking at the pool of shredded flesh on the stage, he even wondered if Yenir had done it on purpose… Honestly, it was just way too gruesome.

Up on the stands, Zhao Hongtu stood frozen like a statue, his eyes dazedly fixed on the figure of the Youth on stage, the echo of an incredibly confident declaration playing over in his mind.

One sword…

One sword was all it took…

It really was just one sword!!

Although in the end Lu Tianming’s death was as agonizing as if he’d been executed a hundred times over, paired with Yenir’s ultra-cool technique, no one could help but think it all looked like it was done in a single strike!

But that was Lu Tianming… after all, he was a Third-Stage Advanced!

For the kid to instantly finish off Lu Tianming, could it be that he was already on his level!?

“Uncle, has Brother won? Can we go home now?”

Hiding behind Zhao Hongtu, Ye Xiaoan timidly whispered her question.

She couldn’t quite understand what had happened; all she saw was a burst of silver light exploding like fireworks, and then that bad guy vanished without a trace.

Well, she did see that pool of shredded flesh on stage. Never having witnessed someone die in such a manner, she couldn’t quite tell if it was the act of a villain.

Won!?

Instinctively, she lowered her head.

Zhao Hongtu’s expression turned strange—he sat there, mouth agape, unable to offer an answer.

Forget about winning.

In this death duel, Yenir completely annihilated his opponent! He clearly remembered how, before the fight, the kid had confidently bet everything on himself!

“Wait a minute!?”

“Doesn’t that mean…”

Almost before he realized it, Zhao Hongtu suddenly thought of something, his breathing growing rapid!

“Damn, it seems he even bet on Yenir winning!”

“And what about Fang Hao!? How much did Fang Hao wager!? With Yenir so self-assured, he must have bet on himself to win!”

Though at his level he cared little about money, those terrifying odds still made his heart skip a beat.

This kid probably won tens of billions!?

Before Zhao Hongtu could process it further, a panicked shout rang out in his ears.

“Quick! Go notify the Prime Minister and the others!”

“Go! Immediately notify Lord Lu Haishan!”

Two urgent orders rang out in rapid succession. In an instant, the expressions on the faces of the surrounding crowd changed; even those who had been marveling at Yenir’s performance were suddenly struck with fear.

Damn! They had almost forgotten the most important matter!

In their awe over Yenir’s display, these people had completely lost sight of who had actually died!

It was true that Yenir had won, but Lu Tianming was dead! An executive committee member had fallen right before their eyes, and the enemy still boasted a massive force behind them!

No one had expected Lu Tianming to fall; in that moment, they realized that this incident was as catastrophic for the Capital and the Military as if the sky had fallen.

Not to mention the reaction of the top officials in the Capital once they received the news; as for the group backing Lu Tianming, they definitely wouldn’t let it go easily!

Though it was called a Death Duel, everyone knew that the higher-ups did not allow deaths!

Realizing this, Zhao Hongtu’s face darkened as he watched the military representatives hurry off to notify the Prime Minister and others, his heart gripped by anxiety.

Lowering his gaze to the little Ye Xiaoan by his side, he could only sigh and shake his head.

“Troublesome Girl, looks like we’re going to have to wait here for a while…”

He let out a bitter laugh.

Amid this unforeseen, cataclysmic turn of events, it was clear that the turmoil was just beginning.

Lu Tianming, Executive Committee Member and Director of the Army General Staff of the Third Army, had died on the Death Duel platform…

For someone of his stature, his death was nothing short of a super earthquake!

……….

“So I still can’t leave, can I?”

Frowning slightly, Yenir looked at Fang Hao—whose face was etched with bitterness—as he softly asked,

“Lu Tianming is dead. There’s no point in me staying here any longer.”

He could clearly see that many in the crowd, once they’d regained their senses, now glared at him with intense hostility.

Out there, several commanders who had bet on Lu Tianming were practically wishing for his death.

This battle not only shocked the entire Huaxia Battle Zone but also managed to offend far too many people.

But it didn’t matter; all Yenir wanted now was to go back and settle his affairs—while pocketing billions in the process!

If they were unhappy, so be it. If they lost everything, so what!? Anyone who disagrees should come and challenge him!

“Right, Yenir…”

“The higher-ups will definitely send someone over. For now, we might not be able to leave.”

“But don’t worry, there won’t be any problems!”

With that, Fang Hao took a deep breath and decisively stood by his side, as if to guard him.

Yenir’s terrifying potential and combat prowess were worth far more to him than Lu Tianming ever was—by at least tenfold. No matter what, he had to protect the kid.

Of course, he believed that the top officials would understand the gravity of the situation! The only worry was the people backing Lu Tianming…

But with one deceased committee member and one living…

The future peak!

Even a fool would know which one to choose!