Chapter 153: Challenge

"It can't be. I can count the high-ranking combatants on one hand: Beros, His Highness, Levimo, Lilith, Phileus, and so on. Even if he manages to defeat one, there's no way he can handle so many in succession. He'll definitely fall in a battle of attrition!"

Some demons whispered, "I feel like Wen Ying is up to something sinister. He always seems to push things towards the impossible."

Several betting houses in the capital grew in size as most demons placed their bets on Wen Ying not being able to retain his first place. They absolutely didn't believe that a weakling like a Mirror Demon could triumph over a group of renowned powerful demon races!

The ranking matches had the entire capital abuzz with excitement.

If it weren't for the fact that the Lucifer Demon Academy only allowed its students to spectate the matches, they would have rushed in to witness the entire process.

Many demons eagerly awaited the start of the ranking matches and the results. Meanwhile, Wen Ying leisurely placed his bets in all the known gambling houses in the capital, wagering that he would maintain his first position.

It wasn't exactly leisure for Wen Ying, who was still adjusting to his sudden leap in power. Aruda's accelerated growth had made him feel somewhat "unworthy" of his newfound strength, preventing him from fully showcasing his current abilities. Thus, Wen Ying spent all his time before the match adapting.

As the Blood Tree grew, his connection with it deepened. The summoned Blood Tree branches felt like additional limbs under his control.

The demons within the academy sharpened their blades, ready to topple him. In response, Wen Ying also honed his skills, preparing to show them what a Mirror Demon was truly capable of.

As Wen Ying adapted to his newfound power, he practiced his innate magic, noticing that the process of creating magical replica cards was significantly quicker and had a higher success rate. He also sensed an improvement in the effect of his Doppelganger Magic Mirror, but without any test subjects, he couldn't be sure.

Despite seemingly accomplishing much, only a day had passed.

With three days left for the ranking tournament, Wen Ying received a notification from the Lucifer Academy on the third day before the end, informing him that a demon had issued a challenge and requested a battle.

Arriving near the entrance of the Lucifer Academy, Wen Ying saw a sea of demons and momentarily thought he had wandered into the wrong place. After carefully examining the surrounding buildings, he confirmed that it was indeed his school.

Wen Ying descended and patted the shoulder of the demon in front of him, asking, "Big Brother, is there some event happening at the Lucifer Demon Academy today? Why are there so many demons gathered here?"

The turning demon replied, "I heard that the ranking tournament of the Lucifer Academy has started, and there's a demon challenging someone."

Wen Ying: ".... Even you can't enter, right?"

"Technically, yes, but most of us are here mainly to witness..." The demon big brother hadn't looked directly at Wen Ying while speaking, as the young demon only reached his chest. However, when he turned to face Wen Ying properly, he suddenly froze in surprise.

Confused, Wen Ying asked, "What's the matter?"

"That Mirror Demon is here!"

Wen Ying: "?"

The unified gaze of those around him made Wen Ying feel uneasy. He rubbed the goosebumps on the back of his hand. This kind of stare was as heavy as tangible pressure.

Without thinking, he took a step back. Suddenly, he suspected that there might be extremists among these demons, or perhaps some unlucky demons who had been trying to buy his magic cards but never got the character they wanted.

"One look and it's clear he's nothing special. No sense of authority."

"How strange. How did he manage to surpass all those outstanding demon offspring to get first place? Surely, the academy wouldn't favor him, right?"

"It can't be that bad. If there were any biases, those powerful demon offspring would have caused a ruckus long ago."

"Although I've seen him on magic cards, he's really small in person. I feel like I could knock him down with one punch."

"The main issue is his lack of presence! Which powerful demon doesn't exude a strong aura? This Mirror Demon doesn't seem to have any intimidating vibe at all."

Listening to the chattering demons around him, who seemed to forget he was standing there, the corner of Wen Ying's mouth twitched. They want authority, huh? He straightened his face, adopting a cold and stern tone. "I suspect there might be extremists among you. Conveniently, since you're here, just stay."

The noisy scene, akin to a bustling marketplace, quieted significantly. Some whispered to each other, while others exchanged glances.

Wen Ying had only spoken casually, but he keenly noticed a few demons in the crowd change color and secretly retreat into the throng. He muttered to himself about true radicals, then raised his hand. The silver-white branches of the Blood Tree sprang from his shadow, darting through the demonic mass directly towards the suspicious demons.

The appearance of Wen Ying's branches caused a commotion in the crowd. There were too many demons, and with any movement, they jostled one another. The more irritable ones started pushing and shoving.

The branches lifted the four of them into the air. The demons instinctively looked up, wondering if these were really radicals. They often heard news about them, but had never seen one alive.

"A radical?" a demon queried doubtfully.

"How dare you accuse me of being a radical!" one of the bound demons flushed with anger, "Don't think that just because you're a Mirror Demon, you can be so arrogant! If you want to fight, then let's go..." As he spoke, he struggled fiercely.

The other three bound demons also angrily protested and struggled.

The demons couldn't tell if it was true or not, but there was one thing they could judge: this Mirror Demon's magic seemed rather formidable. Despite their struggles for half a day, they couldn't loosen the magical branches binding them in the slightest.