The spiritual modelers and alchemists both rely on Spiritual Abilities to craft tools and magic potions. These are relatively safe and secure professions, similar to the master-apprentice system of the past, with each faction having its own heritage.

The armor that Simmons and Didia are wearing, even setting aside the effects, just the design alone makes Li Xin feel it's quite expensive, better than what he borrowed, indicating the young master is indeed well-off.

Simmons uses a greatsword, while Didia wields a spear. As they salute each other and lock eyes, their auras intensify, Spiritual Abilities burn. Though Simmons knows he's less powerful than himself, he still possesses a threatening capability. Didia doesn't relax in the slightest, pressing forward with his aura, a strong man's control over the rhythm!

Simmons is also aware of this and doesn't directly confront Didia, instead firmly holding his ground to prevent Didia from suppressing him. The confrontation between them feels like it solidifies the air at the base. Achilles and Li Xin are fine, but Celestia starts to feel it increasingly difficult to breathe, almost as if she's drowning. She tries to break free, but realizes it's already become quite challenging.

A glance from the corner of Achilles' eye catches Celestia's discomfort, and he shields her, forming a barrier. Celestia's breathing instantly eases, and she gives a grateful look to the Prince. Flirtatious yet meticulous to the details.

Upon returning her gaze to the battlefield, everything has changed. Though they haven't moved, Didia's presence envelops Simmons, showing an absolute suppression on the field, while Simmons, trapped within, remains composed but is entirely on the defensive.

Didia is somewhat surprised, expecting to at least pressure Simmons into making a mistake, but this kid defends flawlessly.

Swish...

A slight sound, Didia vanishes on the spot, spear thrusting towards Simmons, landing a decisive strike, Simmons' eyes widen, greatsword meeting the attack, boom...

No fancy probing, Didia immediately launches a full-on assault, with the silver spear in his hand attacking swiftly and fiercely. Simmons' greatsword shifts to a defensive stance, dodging and blocking, Didia's spear spins, clink clank clink...

Simmons continuously retreats, defusing the attacks. Didia leaps for an overhead strike, a loud crash forces Simmons back. Before Simmons can react, Didia's spear tip suddenly stabs towards his head like a venomous dragon. Simmons instantly leans back, avoiding a fatal blow, but this thrust becomes a whip, blocking Simmons' path. Simmons twists to evade, but Didia follows up with a kick to Simmons' midsection.

With a loud thud, Simmons is sent flying, his greatsword leaving a mark on the ground, hand supporting him as he lands.

Didia rests his spear on his shoulder, not chasing, with a slight frown, "You're worse than expected; the decline of the George Family makes sense."

Simmons dusts off the footprint on his shirt, his pupils turning blood red, "You're celebrating a bit too soon."

Didia smirks slightly, "It's right that you didn't enter the Knight Academy. With your skills, you wouldn't even make it into my team."

Simmons' expression briefly shows anger but it quickly subsides. With a loud shout, Spiritual Ability explodes, thud thud thud thud thud...

The greatsword strikes out, a downward slash. Didia's spear immediately presses down with a sweeping kick. Simmons dodges to lift, the greatsword swinging back. Didia rotates his spear like a staff to block, the silver spear thrusting again, making Simmons uncomfortable. The greatsword parries, clank clank clank...

Didia unleashes a triple spear attack, each strike exploding. Simmons blocks with all his might, knowing that continuing to defend spell certain defeat. In a risky move, he slides the spear, aligning himself almost in, but Didia anticipates it well, spinning his spear to face away. Simmons' heart pounds, suddenly accelerating at high speed, the greatsword becoming a streak of light slicing down, yet Didia seems to have expected it, his rotation with a scoop-like maneuver deflecting Simmons' greatsword, causing his hand to tremble, the greatsword nearly slipping, Didia's spear attacking once more.

"Looks like Simmons is in for a rough time. Didia is the best at using a spear among this generation. The Nasser Clan has accumulated combat techniques on the battlefield, seamlessly inherited by Didia, combining spear's dominance with nuanced skills. That maneuver just now was a deliberate ploy to lure Simmons' attack, risking his greatsword slipping if he missed," Achilles said.

He doesn't care about positions, whether it's the Nasser Clan or the George Family, they are all part of the Kingdom. The Nasser Clan may have issues now, but which family doesn't? He enjoys having fun, but he is still a prince.

"Our young master Simmons' strength lies in resilience and intelligence," Li Xin chuckled, "In pure combat techniques, the spear holds a slight advantage, but to win against Simmons requires a bit more seasoning."

"Oh, you think so highly of Simmons, shall we place a bet?" Achilles suggested.

"What should we bet? I have no money."

"Let's not mention worldly possessions, just bet on the outcome. You favor Simmons, I favor Didia. If I win, you owe me a favor; if you win, you can ask for a reasonable request," Achilles proposed.

Though Celestia is mischievous and has a unique personality, speaking so recklessly in front of the prince makes her uneasy. Listening to Li Xin and Prince Achilles chat like old friends, she feels detached from reality, sensing Li Xin's respect for the prince is merely verbal, indifferent inside, even less than his regard for Simmons. Yet the prince accepts it as natural. Even if they were once at the Secret Castle together, it's peculiar and stirs her curiosity, making her bolder.

"What if it's a draw?" Celestia suddenly asked.

Before Li Xin could respond, Achilles chuckled, "Of course it counts as my win, right, Avogadro? That's always been your style."

Li Xin shrugged, realizing pretentiousness comes with a price. Back then, he pretended a lot to survive at the Secret Castle.

"Sure, but I'll only do what I can."

"Don't worry, I know you well," Achilles laughed.

When first encountering Avogadro, his initial reaction was to bring him into the fold. If Avogadro could serve the Kingdom, it would be Moncalleta's blessing. However, he quickly realized Avogadro aligned with the Moon God, so that wasn't possible, but being friends was still worthwhile.

The Earth Mother Goddess Court and Moon God's Court, Moncalleta Kingdom and Li Long United Kingdom have always been allies, and this alliance has strengthened with Hex-Tech.

The duel becomes more intense as Simmons' attacks are neutralized completely by Didia. In terms of Spiritual Ability strength, they are almost equal. Simmons certainly hasn't been slacking off, but the spear has a technical edge over the greatsword. Consequently, Didia can make ten effective attacks for every one or two Simmons makes. Over time, this suppression becomes more evident—Simmons has already taken several hits. If not for his armor, he might have already fallen. Didia, however, hasn't sustained a single breach of defense. The silver spear falls on Simmons like a torrential downpour. Simmons' Divine Relic, the Shield of Honor, has already been invoked. Maintaining a Divine Relic has a time limit, suggesting Simmons is nearing his breaking point, the fight entering a countdown.

Didia doesn't rush in recklessly. Despite his dismissive comments, he can feel Simmons unexpectedly stronger, with a mindset more stable and solid than anticipated. He not only aims to win but to crush Simmons—not necessarily physically, but mentally or spiritually. Only this can regain his family's honor.

The spear sweeps horizontally, though blocked, Simmons' body is uncontrollably flung. Didia rushes in, spear thrusting like a rainbow, with Simmons gritting his teeth to block. A blitz of lightning follows—if not for the Divine Relic shield, this strike would be over. However, still the Thunder Power bombards him, paralyzing his body as he's flung out. Fearing Didia's pursuit, Simmons bites his tongue till it bleeds, the excruciating pain snapping his paralyzed body back to alertness, his Shield of Honor warding off Didia's attack once more.

Meanwhile, Didia is now airborne, Thunder Power surrounding him, and the spear entwined with lightning wholly synonymous with the unstoppable Nasser Clan on the battlefield. Moncalleta's eight pillars of strength. At this moment, Simmons has just shaken off the paralyzing trough of Thunder Power. This gap, from lacking the evolved abilities of a Divine Relic, prohibits effective resistance, enabling the opponent's full suppression without repercussion.

Boom...

Bounce Back!

Simmons uses his full effort to deploy it. Bounce Back is a combat skill refined from his Divine Relic, effectively deflecting opponents' attacks. However, against the augment of Thunder Power, its efficacy falters. Thunder Power partially seeps into his body, detonating within Simmons. Blood bursts forth from his nose, with blood streaming from his ears, eyes, and mouth, turning his condition exceedingly grim.

Celestia preps a spell, only to be swiftly dispelled by Achilles with a dismissive palm, "Do not interfere in the duel. This is a matter between men, a matter of both parties' dignity."

In battle, both shady and forthright methods can be employed. However, within the confines of a duel, the standards of decorum must be upheld. Achilles himself may not be one for stringent propriety, but the principles, those are sacrosanct.

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