Chapter 325: Fierce Battle

"Three thousand gold coins, I bet on Luoning to win!"

"I'm backing Kalada, his speed is faster!"

"How could a commoner win against us nobles? I'm betting on Luoning, he isn't allowed to lose!"

"Hahaha, a noble's strength doesn't necessarily have to be reflected in every single duel. I favor Kalada's ability!"

His Majesty the King did not open a betting pool, but this did not prevent the nobles in the spectator stands from gambling privately.

At this moment, it was already the final championship match, and it was difficult to judge who was stronger or weaker between the two opponents.

Betting at this time was the most appropriate; who could win the wager depended entirely on whose judgment was better.

Luoning listened to these voices, secretly regretting that these were all small betting circles of three or five people; it was difficult for him to participate, otherwise, he could have won quite a few gold coins.

While everyone was placing their bets, his opponent walked onto the martial arts arena.

Kalada was also very polite toward Luoning, just as he was toward other nobles: "I have heard of your story, and I have also watched your previous match; you are a powerful opponent!"

Luoning returned the courtesy and praised with a smile: "This is also what I wanted to say to you. However, I hope that in the battle later, you will give it your all."

He wanted to recruit Kalada under his command, so naturally, he had to show the side of himself that was worth following.

And to conquer the other party through strength, it must be done under the condition that both sides are giving their all.

For the sake of victory in this battle, Luoning had already consumed all the Attribute Points he had accumulated over this recent period, and now his Knight Rank had reached Golden Grade (1196/2500).

Approaching the mid-Golden level, even without the assistance of Magic, he had the confidence to defeat Kalada.

"I will!" Kalada said in a deep voice.

Woo~

A low sound of the Horn rang out, and the final officially began.

Kalada was still the same as before, with Lightning surrounding his body, attacking rapidly.

Only when one is in the midst of battle can one clearly feel the opponent's speed.

"Thunderous Swiftness is truly worthy of being the Battle Technique with the greatest increase in speed!"

Luoning exclaimed in admiration, as the Yanliu Sword and the opponent's knight sword collided head-on for the first time.

Hm?

Kalada's expression changed slightly; he had not expected that the two would be evenly matched in this collision.

One must know that he had not used his full strength in any of the matches in the Martial Arts Tournament today, including this one.

"Bring out some real skill, Kalada."

Luoning pressed his longsword forward, the immense force compelling the other party to retreat.

Seeing this scene, wild cheers erupted from the nobles in the stands.

Especially those nobles who had bet on Luoning to win, they had already started shouting Luoning's name.

"You are stronger than I imagined!"

Kalada gritted his teeth and began to exert force, wanting to overpower the other party in strength.

"Knight Mixi just said the same thing."

Luoning maintained the posture of pressing his longsword down, "I heard you want to join the Royal Knights, but couldn't get in because you lacked a recommendation; why not switch to another noble? My Wubei Territory needs talent like you!"

Probably no one would have thought that Luoning would recruit talent in the middle of a duel.

This was purely because Luoning was worried that after it ended, someone would offer an olive branch to the other party before him.

His voice was drowned out by the cheers, but Kalada right in front of him heard it clearly.

"You want to recruit me?"

His voice revealed surprise, yet it was also mixed with bitterness and helplessness, "I'm afraid you aren't qualified enough."

Luoning frowned slightly; he had not expected the other party, who had always been humble, to say such an impolite thing.

Looking down on him, a small Count of Wubei Territory?

"Whether I am qualified or not, wait until you win against me before saying that."

Luoning stopped struggling for leverage and slashed with his longsword, forcing the other party to retreat, while at the same time, the Battle Qi on his body circulated rapidly, and brilliant flames emerged on the Yanliu Sword.

Whoosh!

A dense cloud of fire swept across, bringing the scent of gunpowder to this battle.

Kalada's pupils constricted; he felt the power of this strike.

"Thunder Battle Armor!"

He let out a low shout, and purple Lightning Battle Qi surrounded his body, turning into a wall of Thunder light, while he braced himself against Luoning's fire cloud.

Boom!

The collision of fire and lightning erupted with dazzling light and intense shockwaves, causing the martial arts arena to tremble slightly.

The audience gasped repeatedly; this was going to be for real!

Today's Martial Arts Tournament was primarily about sword technique duels, with Battle Technique collisions as a supplement; he hadn't expected Luoning and Kalada to use Battle Techniques after only one exchange.

Swish!

Kalada did not hold back his speed, his entire body turning into an afterimage as he circled behind Luoning and launched a powerful attack.

Luoning's heart was solemn; he was confident he could win, but he had never underestimated his opponent.

He turned around quickly, the flames on the Yanliu Sword extinguished, and instead, wind began to flow.

"Storm Blade."

In an instant, more than a dozen Wind Blades slashed toward the opponent, emitting sharp, piercing sounds as they cut through the air.

Kalada also felt the difference in Luoning; the latter used Battle Techniques faster than ordinary people.

He quickly pulled back to retreat, and the Thunder on his longsword surged.

"Wild Thunder Flash!"

With a single sword strike, crackling thunder tore through the space, colliding with over a dozen Wind Blades in the air, once again erupting with dazzling light and a massive shockwave.

A fierce wind swept across the entire spectator stand; while people let out exclamations, they also grew more interested in this match.

This no longer felt like a friendly match; if not controlled well, it could potentially cause serious injury or even death.

"Filimeng, have the Light Healers stand ready."

King Bruno said to the guard Knight beside him.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

His gaze fell upon the two people in the middle of the fight.

He knew of this young Knight, Kalada; to be precise, he had once wanted to recruit the other party into the Royal Knights.

It was only due to the earnest request of an old minister that he ultimately did not make that decision.

However, as long as Kalada could become a Golden Knight before the age of twenty-eight, he would absorb him then, and he believed his Minister of Finance, Lude Kaokesi, would have nothing more to say.

Kalada still had over two years, but judging from this battle, the other party was already approaching Silver Peak strength, so time was more than sufficient.

It was this Luoning, however, who could tangle with Kalada for so long without relying on Explosive Flame Slash, which surprised him somewhat.

"Father, will Luoning get hurt?" Blanche asked, unable to help her worry.

Bruno laughed: "In a sparring match, who can guarantee they will never be injured?"

Hearing this, the worry in Blanche's heart grew a little deeper.

While they spoke, Luoning and Kalada exchanged blows several more times.

At this moment, Luoning was already immersed in the battle; he could feel that he had become one with the Yanliu Sword, and every attack was filled with power.

And Kalada was the same.

His Thunder Battle Qi erupted continuously, colliding with Luoning's wind and fire Battle Technique, and the roaring on the entire arena never ceased.

But Kalada was not having an easy time.

At the beginning, he could still contend with Luoning head-on, but as the battle continued, the power and Battle Technique potency the other party displayed had increased significantly, making it difficult for him to cope.

Even the speed he prided himself on did not reach a level where the other party could not keep up.

Another collision of impact forced the two apart, and Kalada breathed heavily. He moved his sword-wielding hand; the intense collision had caused a wound at the web of his thumb, from which blood flowed.

He looked at Luoning with a grave expression; he had not expected that even using his full strength, he would be gradually suppressed.

He had heard that Luoning was only eighteen; how could he be this strong?

Luoning's breathing was also somewhat heavy; he had not experienced such a hearty battle in Along time.

"Very good!"

Luoning praised loudly, his eyes flashing with excitement: "Your strength makes me very satisfied, Kalada. Can you consider my previous proposal now?"

Previous proposal?

The audience looked confused; they had not heard the two say anything.

However, they were already deeply shocked by this brilliant duel.

"This guy, how is he so strong?"

On the stands, Fakunduo, Harrington, and others who had grudges with Luoning did not look very good.

Back then, the few of them had joined forces to push Luoning back, and they had thought the other party's strength was just so-so, but looking at it now, could their combined moves that day really have suppressed Luoning?

A struggle and hesitation flashed across Kalada's face, but he still did not answer Luoning's question directly, instead taking Along breath and saying solemnly:

"The next move is my most powerful one. If I still cannot defeat you, then I will concede this duel."

Luoning replied in a deep voice, "Then, come!"

Kalada slowly exhaled; his long sword pointed toward the sky, and the Thunder Battle Qi on his body surged out, rapidly condensing and compressing in the air above the sword tip to form a small thunder ball.

But soon, this thunder ball expanded rapidly, turning into a massive thunder sphere one meter in diameter in the blink of an eye, with imposing power!

"Impossible!"

Many knowledgeable Knights in the arena exclaimed, their tones filled with shock.

"This is the Level 6 Battle Technique 'Thunder Flash'; he is only Silver Grade, how can he master it beyond his level?"

Luoning's eyes could not help but reveal a grave look.

Lulansi possessed the thunder attribute, so the Battle Technique manuals he gave to Luoning included this one.

Thunder Flash was not only a Level 6 Battle Technique, but among Level 6 techniques, it was the kind that was difficult to master and consumed a large amount of Battle Qi.

Let alone a Silver Knight, even some Golden Knights found it difficult to master.

"This guy... has he reached the Golden Grade, or did he master this Battle Technique beyond his level?"