Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

In the past, the sincerity and power of this vow of eternal love would have been enough to shake Shanis's defenses once again.

Saying these things right after having just gained a huge advantage sounds like an attempt to cover up one's offense.

Being forcibly kissed, and then hearing these boastful words that sounded like a cover-up after the kiss, filled Shanis with shame and anger.

Immediately afterwards, his chest visibly swelled up.

She stared at Cohen with her beautiful golden eyes, her gaze as if she wanted to devour him.

However, Cohen showed no fear at all towards her "cannibalistic" gaze. Instead, it was as if the suppressed flames of desire were completely ignited by Shanis's stunningly beautiful appearance, which was made even more vivid by anger.

His intense gaze swept over her stunning face and her puffed-up chest, and he made a move to hug her again.

Shanis's rising anger and embarrassment were abruptly interrupted by Cohen's escalating actions.

Her Majesty the Empress was startled and retreated hastily, clutching her chest tightly with both hands, her eyes filled with anger and rage.
"If you keep messing around, I'll call for help!"

Cohen was only trying to scare Shanis. A smile appeared on his face, and he resumed his polite demeanor, saying softly:
"Alright, Your Majesty, I was just joking to lighten the mood."

Stop worrying about Prince Heinz. I'll always be there for you!

Shanis kept a straight face, pretending not to hear Cohen's words.

Cohen shook his head slightly and said:
"If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."

"Tomorrow is the Legends Group competition; I need to go back and give a few instructions to some of the players from Effie."

"Go, go, go!"

Seeing that Shanis was still glaring at him warily with her arms crossed, Cohen's smile deepened.

He bowed slightly and slowly left Shanis's palace.

The heavy palace gates slowly closed behind Cohen.

Only when Cohen's footsteps completely disappeared at the end of the corridor outside the door did Shanis's extremely tense heartstrings finally relax.

In the deathly silent palace, only her own slightly disordered and rapid breathing echoed.

Shanis touched her lips, then touched her chest, which Cohen had messed up.

A complex mix of emotions—shame, anger, and a strange flutter—wrapped around my heart like vines.

She shook her head violently, gritted her teeth, and muttered to the empty palace:

"You bastard, how dare you disobey me! Next time I'll secretly record it and send it to Adel... Pah! Pah! Pah! How could there possibly be a next time!"

……

After Cohen left, the burning passion in his heart was hard to suppress.

The supreme yet tender forbidden taste he had just experienced with the Empress lingered in his mind.

His burning desire, which he had been forcibly suppressing, desperately needed an outlet.

Cohen quickly returned to the state guesthouse and, after a brief search, discovered that all the girls except for Sister Bei had gone out shopping.

What a coincidence!

He went straight to Belmody's door, and without knocking, pushed the door open and went in.

Inside, Belmody, dressed in a silk nightgown that accentuated her curves, was lounging in a recliner reading a book.

The soft lighting accentuated the alluring profile of a mature and charming woman.

She noticed Cohen as he walked toward her room.

After Cohen entered, Belmody raised her purple eyes, a hint of helplessness flashing in them:

"It's broad daylight, can you please control yourself? Melanie and the others might be back anytime soon."

Clearly, she had already discerned Cohen's intentions from his murderous gaze and burning breath.

"It's okay, they usually spend the whole day shopping!"

Cohen gave Belmody no chance to refuse.

"boom!"

The door was slammed shut behind him.

The heavy floor-length curtains concealed the storm inside.

In the darkness, accompanied by beautiful music, Cohen experienced the ultimate feeling of "entering the legend"...

……

After a period of silence, the most anticipated match of the Noble Martial Arts Festival, the only one without age restrictions, and also a competition symbolizing the pinnacle of extraordinary individuals on the continent, the Legendary Group match, officially began.

It can be said that this year's Noble Martial Arts Festival, from the very beginning of the Bronze Rank, has been filled with shock, surprise, reversal and legend.

First up is the Bronze group.

The Kingdom of Ceylon, this behemoth bearing the dazzling halo of "the strongest kingdom," brazenly colluded with demons to attempt to murder a contestant on the highest stage of the Noble Martial Arts Festival.

And the person he murdered was none other than one of their own Ceylon Kingdom's contestants, an orphan from the legitimate royal family of Ceylon, which had been extinct for over a hundred years.

However, things took an unexpected turn.

Just like in a female-centric novel, this orphaned girl who embarked on the path of restoring her country alone did not turn to ashes in the flames of murder.

Instead, on the subsequent bronze arena, an unparalleled brilliance erupted, suffocating the entire continent.

Those chosen ones from the five great empires and ancient kingdoms all fell before her.

Ultimately, she seized the supreme throne, symbolizing "invincibility at the Bronze rank" and one that had never been touched by a woman, with undeniable strength.

The subsequent Silver and Gold group matches shook the entire continent.

From the northwestern frontier, a small country called Eifine, whose existence is so scarce that even many atlases are reluctant to mark it.

King Cohen Corleone boldly stepped into this arena of gladiatorial combat between empires and powerful nations.

The Noble Martial Arts Festival became the stage for this young emperor to declare his will to the entire continent.

Wherever he went, there was no resistance, only crushing defeat!
There was no protracted struggle, only a complete victory!
No opponent, no matter how illustrious the empire or how prestigious the family, could withstand Cohen's every breath.

In the end, just like ten years ago, his queen, the most beautiful woman on the continent, and the youngest legend on the continent, Adele, won the title of "Strongest Silver" with a completely crushing victory.

Next came the Gold Group competition, which shook even the world of gods.

Having just achieved the title of "Strongest Silver," Cohen Corleone, to the astonishment of the world, broke through to the Gold rank and, with the strength of the seventh rank, went against the ninth rank and half-step legend all the way.

It has written an epic tale of trampling on conventions and disregarding rules.

Ultimately, to everyone's astonishment, he and another representative from Effie successfully returned to the finals and won the "Strongest Gold" title.

He became the first player in the history of the continent to win two championships in the Noble Martial Arts Festival.

Cohen Corleone, the king of a small country from the Northwest Continent, has etched an unparalleled legend on the eternal monument of the Noble Martial Arts Festival.

Without a doubt, Effin and Cohen Corleone will forever exist as legends of the Noble Martial Arts Festival.

Now, let's begin the final Legends Group matches.

Inside and outside the venue, whether it was the royal family and nobles on the mountaintop, the ordinary people packed in the square, or the high-ranking officials from various countries who were casting their gazes here through the "Mirror of the Sky," everyone held their breath.

Because the battles to come will no longer be a stage for young talents, but a contest between those who stand at the pinnacle of human power.

In the main plane continent, saints are like walking natural disasters, so their power is strictly limited and they cannot easily manifest in the world.

The legendary rank is the most direct and intimidating symbol of a nation's power at the top of its pyramid.

The Legends Group is essentially a showcase of the highest combat power among all nations.

Unlike the Silver, Bronze, and Gold levels, the Legendary level is the true test of a nation's peak strength and foundation.

A collision of this magnitude could never happen in Constantine on the Prime Material Plane.

In a clash between domains, the mere aftershocks of the dissipated power are enough to reduce an impregnable fortress to dust and a bustling metropolis to ruins.

Therefore, the arena for the competition was set up in the "Final Gladiator Arena," which Cohen had used not long ago.

Its almost infinitely vast and sturdy barrier, capable of bearing the power of saints, is the only safe space that can accommodate legendary clashes.

The main venue of the Martial Arts Festival will display the competition in real time through the "Mirror of the Sky".

When the light of the "Mirror of the Sky" illuminated the main venue, reflecting the ancient and desolate scene of the "Final Arena".

A tall figure, shrouded in a dark blue mage's robe, stood on the high platform in the center of the arena.

He is the chief referee for this Legendary Group.

He is also Cohen's father-in-law, Angus Angelon's old classmate, Windsordler's teacher, and the Holy Archmage Victor.

His status and strength are the most powerful endorsement of the significance of this event.

Victor's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly pierced through the limitations of time and space, resounding in every corner through the Mirror of the Sky:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the legendary-level competition is not simply a contest of skills and magic, but a clash of rules and domains."

I hope that you will all uphold the spirit of the contract, verify what you have learned with strength, and forge victory with wisdom!

The Legends Group competition is now underway!

Unlike the complicated competition formats of the previous groups, the rules for the Legends Group are simple and straightforward.

Single-elimination!

Because only about fifty people ultimately made it onto the Legends Group competition roster.

Therefore, there is no need for complicated group stages and round-robin tournaments.

These fifty-odd people, each with their own name, life story, and deeds, are enough to be sung in their respective countries; they are walking legends themselves.

Under Viktor's direction, the drawing of lots began.

Although the pairings are random, there are clearly underlying principles at play.

While maintaining suspense in the duel, we must avoid an overwhelming situation of unequal strength too early.

This avoids matchups between high-ranking Legendary players and low-ranking Legendary players.

On the screen of light, runes made of magic flowed and eventually settled into battle schedules that made countless people hold their breath in suspense.

Cohen immediately spotted several of the contestants from Effie on the screen.

The most intriguing of these is Belmody's opponent, who comes from one of the five great empires. One of them is from the Eastern Empire, a transcendent being who is also at the mid-level of the legendary realm.

The other representatives, including Prince Hauge, were all facing opponents from outside the five great empires.

The Legends Group plays one match at a time.

Five to ten sessions are conducted each day according to the schedule.

Cohen estimated that, based on the ranking system, Bayonetta should be able to appear on the first day.

Victor's powerful voice rang out again, announcing the name of the first duelist:

"First battle, the Western Empire, 'Hand of the Holy Flame' Joseph Agatos!"

The name on one side of the light screen lit up, and sacred runes representing faith and piety shone brightly.

The area in the stands belonging to the Western Regions Empire erupted in devout and fervent cheers.

"A battle against the Northern Empire, 'Shadow Sword Saint' Tagus Zoo!"

The direction of the Northern Empire's domain camp was met with a deep, resonant response, like the beating of a giant drum.

As Viktor announced, the sub-dimensional space of the "Final Arena" began to distort, like a giant canvas slowly unfolding.

The boundless emerald green replaced the cold rocks, and the vast grasslands unfolded in an instant.

The knee-high, lush grass stretched to the horizon, beyond sight.

The sky was a clear, deep blue, with wisps of clouds drifting by, and the world was filled with a primitive, vast, and vibrant atmosphere.

The "Final Arena" can change its terrain on its own. This time, it has changed to a grassland scene, which is fair to both sides.

In the center of the grassland.

Joseph Agatos stood on one side.

Dressed in a bright red robe symbolizing nobility and holiness, he remained motionless in the gentle breeze of the grassland.

This high priest in red robes at the headquarters of the Church of Light, and the soul mentor of the Western Regions Empire's royal family, represents the pinnacle of faith and magic in the Western Regions Empire.

He carried no visible weapons, his hands hung naturally at his sides, his face was peaceful, and he exuded a tranquil, warm, yet infinitely vast aura.

With each step he took, a deep prayer uttered from his lips.

Immediately afterwards, a semi-transparent golden field with a radius of over one kilometer suddenly unfolded around him.

The legendary realm "Holy Flame"!
As the domain expanded, a fiery altar formed from pure holy light floated behind Joseph.

It is the embodiment of his legend, the "Sacred Fire Altar"!
The sacred fire altar is not a physical object, yet it is heavier than a mountain.

The base of the altar is inscribed with sacred texts that resemble burning flames, and at the top, an inextinguishable golden-white sacred flame burns fiercely, radiating a powerful force that dispels all darkness and purifies all defilement.

This is the source of Joseph's power and the core of his rules; the legendary rule he comprehended is called "Purification".

Beneath the sacred fire altar, Joseph's own light-based divine magic was amplified, his casting speed was greatly increased, and his mana recovery speed was terrifying.

As Joseph prayed fervently, countless tiny phantoms of angels danced around the altar and Joseph himself, forming an absolute defensive barrier.

Any hostile attack that approaches will be automatically countered and weakened by these angelic phantoms formed from pure holy light.

the other side.

As Tagus Zoo's figure unfolded within the realm of holy light, it also merged into a flowing shadow.

His attire was extremely simple, consisting of only a close-fitting dark gray outfit without any decorations.

The weapon is a longsword with an extremely peculiar design, named Shadow Cloak.

The sword has a strange matte finish, without any reflection, as if it could even absorb light.

The hilt of the sword is engraved with ancient frost runes from the Northern Regions, yet it does not feel cold at all; instead, it gives people a sense of desolation.

Tagus's extraordinary profession, like his legendary title, is "Shadow Sword Saint".

Faced with the overwhelming holy light, Tagus made no unnecessary movements. He leaned forward slightly, accompanied by an extremely faint sound, like a sharp weapon slicing through silk.

The space around Tagus seemed to melt away in that instant.

The entire space became illusory and distorted.

It resembles a mass of liquid metal that constantly changes shape after being heated to a high temperature.

Tagus stood there, yet it seemed as if he were in another dimension, a phantom bubble that overlapped with yet was separated from the real world.

The legendary realm of Tagus, "Boundless Illusion"!
At the same time, dozens of huge, indistinct stone tablets emerged from the depths of the grassland, silently circling Tagus like ghosts.

Each stone tablet bears a different sword technique mark.

The flow of the stele forest itself constitutes an extremely complex spatial labyrinth. Tagus's figure can appear and disappear between any of the flowing boundary markers, or even in the shadowy layers inside the boundary markers, as if he had countless clones.

The legendary rule that Tagus comprehended was called "Alternation of Reality and Illusion".

Here, the concept of space is subverted, solidity and fluidity are interchanged, and reality and illusion are intertwined.

A foothold can become a trap, and a seemingly illusory shadow can unleash the immense physical force of a collapsing mountain.

The legendary domains created by the two legendary ranks completely covered the vast grassland that had been transformed from the "Final Arena".

The confrontation between the Holy Land of Light and the Flowing Shadows thrilled all the viewers.

It is very rare to see two legendary ranks engaging in a duel within their respective legendary domains.

"God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light!"

Joseph's low shout was like a divine pronouncement; he raised his left hand, and the fire altar behind him blazed with light.

A beam of golden-white holy flame, condensed to its fullest extent, instantly traversed the distance and shot towards the core of the Tagus Domain.

However, this holy light, which was enough to purify any transcendent being below the legendary rank, seemed to enter a quagmire of time and space when it shot into the "Boundless Illusion".

A terrifying scene was presented to millions of people through the "Mirror of the Sky":

The holy flame pillar, powerful enough to pierce through the stars, now seemed to have been given a viscous, gelatinous substance, its tip firmly gripped and twisted by countless fine gray energy tentacles.

It was forcibly stretched into a thin, long, and dim golden band of light.

The concepts of reality and illusion seem to be reversed in Tagus's realm.

The terrifying power contained in the beam of light was forcibly disintegrated in this process.

At the same time, Tagus's figure also merged into the boundary marker, disappearing without a trace.

The entire "Boundless Illusion" domain instantly transformed into a writhing, flowing sea of ​​gray shadows.

Inside, only countless churning shadowy boundary markers, seemingly possessing independent life, silently roamed.

Every shadow could harbor murderous intent; a dangerous atmosphere permeated the entire area, and Joseph instantly lost sight of all his targets.

Silently, a massive boundary marker bearing the inscription "Chongshan Sword Seal" appeared like a ghost less than five meters to Joseph's left.

Immediately afterwards, the stone tablet transformed into a giant rock fist, carrying an extreme weight capable of crushing space, and slammed straight into Joseph's ribs.

Too fast, too bizarre!
The various sword techniques require no casting animation at all, and are entirely composed of floating stone tablets.

Joseph's pupils contracted slightly, and his body suddenly burst forth with dazzling golden light. A crystal-clear, diamond-shaped light screen appeared beside him.

It withstood Tagus's surprise attack.

The shift from offense to defense happened in an instant. Joseph's right hand had already been withdrawn to his chest without anyone noticing. After chanting a few incantations, the golden holy flames erupted like a raging torrent.

Enveloped in the power to purify everything, they went upstream along the stone tablet and found Tagus hiding in its shadow.

Tagus's expression changed slightly. His figure, just before the explosion hit him, mysteriously merged into the flowing shadow of the boundary marker, narrowly avoiding Joseph's counterattack.

The two sides entered a heated phase.

Tagus appeared and disappeared unpredictably, his attacks as swift and fierce as a storm, each strike precise and deadly, attempting to tear apart Joseph's defenses with extreme speed.

Joseph was as steady as a rock, and his territory was as impregnable as a fortress.

The purifying aura was constantly weakening Tagus's power. He was not passively defending; every defense was accompanied by a counterattack from the holy flames.

This forced Tagus to refrain from easily entering the vicinity of his sacred flame altar.

Both sides are using their own understanding of the "rules" to fight against each other.

The battle continued, seemingly intense, but the difference in strength was already becoming apparent in the subtle details. Tagus's seemingly fierce attacks were each greatly weakened by Joseph's purifying holy flames.

Even his elusive movement technique was of limited effectiveness against Joseph's divine magic, which could lock onto the essence of the soul.

More importantly, maintaining such a high frequency and high consumption of space jumps and boundary marker flows is extremely taxing on Tagus himself.

Joseph's domain "Holy Flame" and legendary artifact "Holy Fire Altar" can continuously draw power from the dimension of faith, giving him a far greater ability to sustain combat than his opponent.

After yet another unsuccessful attack, Tagus's aura showed a barely perceptible slowing for the first time.

At this moment!

Joseph's eyes flashed with holy light, and he suddenly clasped his hands together as if he were holding up the burning altar in the void.

The purifying flames at the core of the domain surged violently, and countless holy light runes poured out of the altar like a swarm of bees, not to attack Tagus, but to rapidly condense in front of Joseph.

Before long, an enormous holy emblem, the Seal of Divine Punishment, composed entirely of burning golden-white holy flames, instantly took shape.

The emblem is adorned with complex sacred spell arrays, radiating an aura of absolute suppression and judgment over darkness and shadow.

It wasn't aimed at Tagus, but rather, like a mountain, carrying a terrifying pressure capable of purifying the eight wastelands, it slammed down fiercely into Tagus's domain, onto that ever-flowing forest of gray boundary markers.

The grassland experienced a tremendous tremor the moment the emblem was decapitated.

Centered on the point where the emblem landed, a dazzling shockwave of holy flames exploded outwards in a ring, instantly freezing all the flowing boundary markers that touched the shockwave.

The entire "Boundless Illusion" domain emitted a mournful cry of unbearable strain, and Tagus's figure was forcibly shaken out from the shattered, flowing shadow gaps.

With the territory breached, the outcome is already decided.

Even in a situation where it's not a life-or-death battle, the relative strengths of the two sides are already apparent.

Tagus forced himself to steady himself and took a deep look at Joseph, who was suspended in the holy flames like an embodiment of light.

He nodded slightly, his figure blurring into a blur as he left the spot, signifying his surrender. (End of Chapter)