Chapter 1111: Life‑and‑Death Duel

"Chief, I ask you to abdicate."

Kelsaro's voice was soft, his expression calm, as if stating it was a matter of course.

The trolls in the square heard clearly, and silence fell instantly.

The overwhelming majority of trolls showed surprise; previously they would have thought it arrogant—Kelsaro was merely a high‑ranking holy warrior, still so young, with little contribution to the tribe, how could he dare force the chief to abdicate?

But now it was different.

The God has awakened and appointed Kelsaro as His Divine Chosen!

The trolls of the Scorching Sun Tribe have worshiped the Scorching Sun God for over thirty thousand years; in their minds, Anse is everything—without the God there is no self.

Especially today, with the tribe's harsh living conditions, the God is even more vital.

The Divine Chosen is the God's spokesperson and incarnation, holding a noble status above both chief and high priest; Kelsaro's request for the chief to abdicate and for him to assume the chiefship is clearly reasonable.

Even though Zula Zabu has been chief for several hundred years, wielding great prestige and leading the tribe against numerous foes, making huge contributions, his domineering ways have bred discontent among many trolls, who dare not voice it for fear of his strength.

If a different troll could become chief, that might be fine.

Many trolls mentally accepted this, but one troll would not—Zula Zabu.

Zula Zabu's dream of becoming the troll king had just shattered, and he was suddenly stunned by Kelsaro's words for a few seconds.

His mind cleared; he understood everything.

Zula Zabu first glanced at Tusuer, a faint cold smile on his face, then stepped forward two paces, looking down at Kelsaro with a dangerous glint in his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "What did you say? I didn't hear clearly, say it again?"

"Please abdicate, chief."

Kelsaro faced the threat unflinchingly, "You are my grandfather; because of that relationship, I don't want to make a scene."

"So you still know I'm your grandfather," Zula Zabu was unmoved, surveyed Kelsaro again from head to toe, and disdainfully said, "I've long seen your ambition, but it's like a spiny frog in the river trying to eat a hawk in the sky. Now you've luckily been favored by the God, becoming the Divine Chosen, and think you can force me to abdicate?"

Kelsaro gave no reply.

Zula Zabu added, "The Divine Decree only made you the Divine Chosen, not the chief. Did you think anyone can be chief?"

He turned, his gaze sweeping over the trolls in the square.

Then he spread his arms and shouted, "We are trolls, not mindless beasts. The Scorching Sun Tribe needs a strong and wise leader who can protect everyone, lead the clan against terrifying foes, possessing experience, wisdom, and strength—gained from centuries of battle and training—not a youngster whose tusks haven't even fully grown!"

Zula Zabu pointed at Kelsaro, "People of the tribe, perhaps he is fit to be a Divine Chosen, but not fit to be chief."

"If the God issues a Divine Decree appointing Kelsaro as chief, I will abdicate at once."

"But the God has not said so."

"The chief of the Scorching Sun Tribe can only be me," Zula Zabu declared resolutely, "I alone am qualified for this chiefship; no one else will do." As he spoke, he cast a pointed glance at High Priest Tusuer.

"The chief is right!"

"Support the chief!"

Zula Zabu's words were immediately backed by many trolls, especially the holy warriors of the Flame of the Scorching Sun, who led the cheers of support.

A protective troll shouted, "What kind of creature is Kelsaro? He's just lucky, favored by the God…" He was cut off by a neighboring troll; one may support the chief but not insult the Divine Chosen, as that disrespects the God.

Most troll citizens were swayed by Zula Zabu's words; upon reflection, they agreed that such an important position should not be given to a youngster.

The situation turned around instantly.

Kelsaro looked at the eyes that were both reverent and distrustful, then at Zula Zabu's smug grin, and smiled inwardly.

It must be said, the old ginger is indeed spicier; Zula Zabu's few words turned the unfavorable situation and seized the public opinion.

Yet that was exactly what he wanted.

As Zula Zabu said, with a single Divine Decree he would abdicate. The God has spoken; the Scorching Sun trolls would never oppose, and Zula Zabu would not dare defy.

But he did not do so.

First, because deities should not meddle in mortal affairs; Sheng Jilesi has just usurped Anse's identity, so he must act cautiously to avoid arousing believers' suspicion.

Second, he also needs a legitimate chance to become chief, to silence the trolls, and Zula Zabu is an excellent target to assert authority.

Zula Zabu's reaction hit the mark.

Tusuer, seeing Kelsaro remain silent, thought he was powerless to counter, and, a bit anxious, hurried, "Chief…"

But Kelsaro cut him off as soon as he began.

"Grandfather is right," Kelsaro's voice reached the trolls' ears, "Being chief requires experience, wisdom, and strength; I acknowledge that."

He paused, then smiled, "However, it's not necessary that I possess all these. Will Grandfather's experience and wisdom vanish once I become chief? The experience and wisdom of all of you can also aid me in leading the tribe; I will soon acquire them. Every troll was once young and grew step by step through battle."

"As for strength…"

Kelsaro's face showed confidence, "Great strength commands the masses; well said! On what grounds do you think my strength is inferior to yours?"

Zula Zabu's expression froze, then a pleased gleam rose in his eyes.

"You dare challenge me?"

He knew Kelsaro had mastered many Divine Techniques, more than himself, but so what?

Before today, Kelsaro was only a high‑ranking holy warrior who had been promoted for two years; his strength placed him beyond the hundredth rank in the tribe, and I could crush him with a single finger. Even with the God's blessing boosting his power, he still hadn't broken through to become a Scorching Sun Warrior.

I, however, have been a Scorching Sun Warrior for over four hundred years; in these twelve thousand years since the God's fall, I am the strongest chief of all ages!

Even considering Divine Techniques, Kelsaro only just attained them today and is unskilled; the gap between us in Divine Techniques is minimal.

A high‑ranking holy warrior daring to challenge me is courting death!

"Indeed!"

Without hesitation, Kelsaro shouted, "By the name of God as witness, I, Kelsaro, challenge Zula Zabu. Life or death, the victor becomes chief. Do you dare?"

"Fine," Zula Zabu immediately agreed.

His face could not hide his joy.

Kelsaro's ambition swelled, coveting the chief's seat, but as the Divine Chosen, he dared not strike him; even at night he slept uneasily, watching Kelsaro grow stronger day by day, eventually succeeding.

Now Kelsaro himself issued the challenge, and by killing him in the duel, the God could not hold him accountable.

It's over!

Tu Su Er couldn't even stop it in time and let out a helpless sigh.

The senior Holy Knights of the Scorching Sun Edge exchanged glances; some were pleased, some were worried, but they all agreed on one thing: the newly appointed Divine Chosen was foolish!

The troll populace also doubted Ke Er Sa Luo.

The Chieftain's great power had long won people's trust, and some trolls even believed the Chieftain could fend off certain weaker, temple‑less Loa spirits.

Zu La Za Bu shouted, "Open the Gulaback Arena!"

A little over an hour later.

The name "Gulaback" comes from the most glorious era of the Sun Tribe, when the southern continent was still unsealed, a troll king rose among the tribe, and a brief dynasty was founded.

The arena sits on the lowest platform of Sarta City, its structure circular; at its center lies a clearing nearly three hundred meters in diameter, dug ten meters down, its rim bounded by solid rock, surrounded by neatly stacked stone bleachers that rise tier by tier, and at the highest edge stand dozens of massive obelisks.

The whole arena can hold one hundred thousand troll spectators; it was now nearly full, and the crowd roared.

The trolls chattered, their discussion centered on the duel between the Chieftain and the Divine Chosen.

In the past, Gulaback often hosted duels and bloody spectacles, but most participants were ordinary Holy Knights, even captured troll slaves.

Senior Holy Knights rarely appeared in the arena, let alone the Chieftain.

Although many trolls worried the duel might affect the tribe's future, more trolls were filled with excitement.

The trolls' blood carries a blood‑thirsty, combative nature; even though they wield Holy Light and have highly evolved bodies, it cannot be changed.

Now!

A Holy Knight struck a massive gong placed aloft with all his might.

The moment of duel had arrived.

All the trolls couldn't help but stand, craning their necks toward the arena's entrance, as the iron fences at both ends rose and two figures stepped out.

On one side stood Chieftain Zu La Za Bu, on the other Ke Er Sa Luo.

Zu La Za Bu still wore his heavy, splendid armor, his whole body radiant with golden light; his towering frame cast a long shadow on the ground, a massive axe as big as a wheel gripped in his hand, and he stepped steadily toward the arena's center, his presence mountain‑like.

"The Chieftain will win!"

"The Chieftain will win..."

A burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the bleachers, led by the Chieftain's guard leader Zan Jin, a Sunblade Warrior ranked third in strength.

On the opposite side, Ke Er Sa Luo drew a glance from the trolls, who exchanged puzzled looks.

Ke Er Sa Luo had shed his damaged armor but put on no new one, instead wearing ordinary leather armor that offered no defense or special effect. His weapon remained the two-handed greatsword, a fine weapon but still far inferior to the Chieftain's "Shatterlight" battle axe.

The disparity in aura and appearance between the two sides was like night and day.

But it wasn't that nobody supported Ke Er Sa Luo.

His hunting companions, who had witnessed the captain's terrifying power in eliminating foes, had great confidence in Ke Er Sa Luo.

Even Ka Ge, sent to monitor Ke Er Sa Luo, did not report the truth to the Chieftain.

However, they were only a dozen‑plus, and their support was drowned in the cheers of tens of thousands of trolls, making no splash in the massive arena.

The two approached each other in the arena.

Zu La Za Bu squinted, studied Ke Er Sa Luo for a few seconds, then said, "Ke Er Sa Luo, regardless, you are my descendant. If later you beg for mercy and publicly declare you will never vie for the Chieftain's seat, I may spare your life."

Ke Er Sa Luo was somewhat surprised.

His Soul Eye sensed that Zu La Za Bu was speaking truthfully; he indeed intended to do so.

But on further thought he understood that Zu La Za Bu's leniency was not due to blood ties; he feared An Se.

In any case, killing the Chosen One of the gods is unwise; An Se might not flare up now, but who knows in the future, and among the trolls it would be a stain, detrimental to his continued role as Chieftain.

Ke Er Sa Luo said calmly, "Perhaps you are the one who should beg for mercy."

"Arrogant!"

Zu La Za Bu could not suppress his fury, "Did you really think I wouldn't dare kill you? To keep the Chieftain's seat, I will slay any opponent blocking my way!"

He fell silent, stepped back dozens of steps, and nodded toward the high platform outside the arena.

The Holy Knight brandished a wooden mallet and struck the massive gong.

Now!

When the first sound rang, Holy Light surged through Zu La Za Bu, and he swiftly infused himself with Divine Technique. Though he had possessed the Divine Technique for only an hour, that time was enough to experiment and grasp a few simple Divine Technique applications.

Light of Power, Divine Infusion, Holy Light Echo, Thorn Light Technique.

Zu La Za Bu was enveloped in intense radiance, his body glittering, making the trolls in the bleachers unable to stare directly.

The overwhelming majority of trolls were witnessing Divine Technique for the first time, feeling both excitement and envy.

"The Chieftain will win!"

The Holy Knights let out a series of shouts.

Now!

When the second gong sounded, the Gulaback Arena's rule—once three gongs have sounded, both sides may engage.

At this moment, Ke Er Sa Luo erupted with even brighter Holy Light; his body swelled to three meters tall, taller and bulkier than Zu La Za Bu opposite, muscles bulging with terrifying power. To the trolls' bewilderment, his leather armor also expanded without tearing, and his two-handed greatsword grew larger and longer, becoming a massive sword.

While the trolls were still puzzled, they saw a set of golden armor appear around Ke Er Sa Luo.

The armor was simple and rustic, fitting Ke Er Sa Luo's form perfectly; composed of many pieces of unknown material, it shimmered with strange divine runes, a style starkly different from the Sun Tribe craftsmen's armor.

Divine Techniques cascaded down one after another as Ke Er Sa Luo quickly infused himself.

His aura surged sharply, a pair of massive wings unfurled behind him, and his eyes spewed holy flame that seemed solid gold.

An extremely scorching heat radiated outward.

The giant sword in his hand ignited with the same searing flame, and the arena's temperature skyrocketed.

In a breath, Ke Er Sa Luo's power surged to a shocking level, and the Zu La Za Bu opposite instantly turned pale.

But he didn't have time to say a word.

Now!

At the instant the third gong sounded, Kelsaro disappeared.

(End of chapter)