Going to great lengths was just to have a life-and-death duel to the death. This was Chen Yue's real purpose.

  He had only met Wolf once, but just that one time was enough to make Chen Yue feel a chill down his spine.

  On that day when he registered in Venia's room in the Emerald Tower, Wolf's gaze as sharp as a blade made Chen Yue understand that he had made an enemy, an enemy purely because of his own excellence.

  However, precisely because of this, Chen Yue gave up the idea of resolving the feud with Wolf. For someone like him who could have murderous intent out of jealousy, unless Chen Yue remained ordinary for the rest of his life, he would always have to be careful of hidden conspiracies. Since both of them were under Venia, there would surely be more disputes in the future.

  On that day, Aina had also reminded him that Wolf was no ordinary person. And after Chen Yue returned from Crescent Island and the rumor that he was invincible among his peers spread, Wolf should have been the one facing the greatest impact and doubts. However, he hadn't come to challenge Chen Yue for a long time. This forbearance undoubtedly deepened Chen Yue's fear of him.

  Wolf was like a hidden venomous snake. It would be okay if he didn't launch an attack. But if he did, he must be fully prepared and able to deliver a fatal blow. Otherwise, how could he have held the position of the top student?

  Although he was no match for West, that was due to the difference in rank. If the two were really put on the same level, West would probably lose without a doubt.

  And the fact that he showed up at the Aoke Academy made Chen Yue sense a hint of danger. You should know that in an apostle's life-and-death duel, followers could be brought along.

  Very dangerous. This was Chen Yue's evaluation of Wolf.

  However, this threat was finally about to pass.

  Stretching out his right hand and reaching into the blood-stained pattern of the sword and the knife, Chen Yue narrowed his eyes slightly.

  "The life-and-death duel contract has been triggered. Let's begin. You can also choose a follower to join." Chen Yue said calmly, while also continuing to maintain his psychological advantage of pressing forward step by step.

  At the moment when the blood-stained pattern of the sword and the knife was formed, a look of horror flashed in Wolf's eyes. He finally regained his sanity from his rage. However, it was already too late.

  Once this pattern was formed, there was no room for retreat. If he didn't take the initiative to reach into the pattern to form the contract, not only would it be forcibly established, but as the hesitant party, he would also lose some rights.

  And this pattern would only last for one minute. In such a short time, it was impossible for him to find a powerful follower even if he wanted to.

  "Omar is my follower." Although he knew clearly that he had fallen into the other party's control and was being led by the nose, Wolf could only bite the bullet. After all, unlike Chen Yue, he didn't have outstanding combat capabilities on his own.

  He also reached into the pattern and said in a low voice, "Omar, follow my lead. Don't worry. We won't lose."

  Although he finally became the follower he had dreamed of at the last moment, Omar's heart was bitter and there was no trace of sweet joy.

  However, he was also a person of some caliber. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he couldn't bring himself to be a deserter. So he could only put on a pale face and reach his hand into the pattern.

  "Thus, the contract is formed." The corners of Chen Yue's mouth curled up slightly. He had finally forced Wolf into his own plan. With their current strength, one being a first-rank apostle and the other a third-rank fighter, he was fully confident that he could kill them on his own.

  "The contract is formed." Wolf said with a gloomy face.

  As soon as the words fell, the blood-stained sword and knife immediately emitted a strong light. However, at this last moment, a delicate hand suddenly reached into the pattern.

  Facing Chen Yue's astonished gaze, Ling Zhu'er smiled charmingly: "Don't forget, I'm also your follower and have the qualification to participate."

  The smile on the corner of Chen Yue's mouth suddenly froze. He had a feeling of being caught in his own trap...

  Four patterns of swords and knives flew out and disappeared into the chests of Chen Yue, Ling Zhu'er, Wolf, and Omar. At the same time, an emotionless voice suddenly rang out in the minds of the four people.

  "The contract is established. Type: Life-and-death duel. Participants: Four people. Duel time: Tomorrow."

  ...

  It was the first time Chen Yue had heard this mechanical voice. It wasn't something like the God of Contracts or anything messy. It was similar to the computer-synthesized voice on Earth. Although there was no technology in this world, the combination of magic and machinery had also produced effects no weaker than those of technology. This advanced magical civilization was in the hands of the Apostle Association, and only apostles could enjoy it.

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  The apostle's badge was not just a simple symbol of identity. As the crystallization of magical civilization, it had many auxiliary functions. It was naturally no problem to make a small contract. Of course, it also had limitations. To use its functions, one had to be within a radius of a hundred miles around the Apostle Association. Beyond this range, it would only have the functions of proving identity and rank. Therefore, in the Capital of Freedom, apostles were quite safe.

  Even if Chen Yue assassinated Wolf secretly, as long as it was within the Capital of Freedom, it would be detected. And Wolf basically wouldn't go beyond the scope of the Capital of Freedom. So, the only way to get rid of him was through a life-and-death duel.

  At this moment, the duel contract between them had been recorded and would be supervised and executed tomorrow. Unless one of the parties died before the duel, there would be no delay.

  Worried that Wolf might play dirty tricks before the match, especially since Ling Zhu'er had unexpectedly joined the life-and-death duel, Chen Yue no longer had any intention of staying. After Wolf and Omar left with resentment, he also took the two girls and left the Aoke Academy and returned to his residence in the Apostle Association.

  From this moment on, until the life-and-death duel was over, the Aoke Academy was no longer safe.

  The two girls had no objections to Chen Yue's arrangement. Fortunately, the house inside the association was big enough. Not to mention accommodating three people, even three more people wouldn't be a problem.

  Ling Yue'er naturally wouldn't be polite to Chen Yue. She quickly chose her own room and also helped the rather quiet Ling Zhu'er choose one. Then she pulled her sister and started to question Chen Yue, asking him why he was so late in coming to find them and why he pretended not to recognize them when he came.

  Some questions were really hard to answer, so Chen Yue had to take out the gift he bought in the trade market in the Fourth District, trying to divert Ling Yue'er's attention.

  It was a sachet woven from fragrant path grass, with some spices inside. The fragrance that wafted out after being purified by the fragrant path grass was very pleasant. Although it couldn't be said to be very precious, it was very popular among young girls.

  Ling Yue'er really liked it very much. What made her even happier was that it was the first gift Chen Yue had given her. Her heart was sweeter than honey.

  After looking at it enviously for a while, Ling Zhu'er's nervous mood gradually relaxed. For her, everything that had happened tonight was really too eventful. She still felt a bit unreal until now. First, she was invited by two apostles one after another, making her the focus of the scene. Now she was standing inside the legendary and mysterious Apostle Association. This was something she had never dared to think about before.

  She looked at Chen Yue, who was smiling silently beside her. All of this was brought by him.

  She had already figured it out. Wolf's invitation for her to become a follower was undoubtedly with ulterior motives regarding her and her sister. While Chen Yue was trying to stand up for Ling Yue'er, bought gifts to please her sister, and when his eyes occasionally swept over her, he looked at her like an ordinary person. All of this made her put aside her last worry.

  The feelings between him and her sister were undoubtedly sincere.

  Thinking of this, Ling Zhu'er also relaxed and started chatting and laughing with Ling Yue'er.

  Watching the two lolis running in and out, excitedly planning and arranging their rooms, Chen Yue couldn't help but have a strange feeling.

  Weren't they worried about tomorrow's duel at all?

  As if noticing Chen Yue's depression, Ling Yue'er skipped over, took Chen Yue's hand and shook it, saying, "Brother Chen Yue, are you worried about my sister's strength? My sister is a second-rank fighter. She won't be worse than that Omar. Besides, I believe that you, Brother Chen Yue, will definitely protect my sister." The girl's thoughts weren't that complicated. In her heart, Chen Yue was invincible. God knows where her confidence came from.

  A second-rank fighter at the age of 16? Chen Yue was really surprised and couldn't help but glance at Ling Zhu'er, who seemed a bit reserved when they talked about her.

  Seeing Chen Yue looking over, Ling Zhu'er nodded seriously.

  This talent was definitely no worse than that Omar's. No, it should be even stronger. However, it wouldn't be of much help in tomorrow's duel. Whether it was Wolf or Omar, their strength was currently above hers.

  "Lord Chen Yue, please forgive my presumptuousness. But as your follower, if I didn't participate in your life-and-death duel, it would be an insult to me." After thinking for a while, Ling Zhu'er felt it necessary to explain her behavior.

  Chen Yue smiled bitterly. He didn't really need a follower. When apostles recruited followers, one reason was that it was a symbol of status, and the other was that they could serve as bodyguards when they were at a low rank. But for Chen Yue, these didn't mean much. His melee combat ability was far superior to Ling Zhu'er's. By then, he really didn't know who would protect whom.

  The reason why he said those words in the restaurant was just to break Wolf's pride. To achieve this goal, he didn't even recognize Ling Yue'er and her sister at first. But it would be inappropriate to explain this at this time.

  Speaking of which, Chen Yue quite admired Ling Zhu'er. Facing the temptation of becoming a follower, she was able to refuse after careful consideration. This wasn't something ordinary people could do.

  If Ling Zhu'er had refused simply and neatly, Chen Yue wouldn't have paid much attention. Because being able to refuse so neatly either meant being ignorant or having no interest in this position at all. Ling Zhu'er was neither of these. The position of a follower was full of temptation for her. That's what made her strong will even more precious. Only people like her were qualified to keep moving forward.

  If Chen Yue really wanted to recruit a follower, then undoubtedly, Ling Zhu'er's will had already met the requirements.

  "Let's give it a try first. If she's really qualified, I won't be stingy with a follower position." Thoughts turning in his mind, Chen Yue made a decision.

  ...