Aaron wasted no time at all, he practically vanished from where he stood, his blade aimed at Feng Zhiming’s neck.

However before it could make contact he was immobilized.

“That’s not very honorable.” The voice came from Kura who had appeared out from under the shade of a tree.

Aaron, infuriated, shouted at her, "Don't lecture me about honor, wench! You told me I had to kill him!"

“You will have your chance, in a proper duel.” Feng Zhiming interjected while rubbing his neck. He could feel the heat inching towards him.

He turned his gaze to Kura before nodding.

At his command the remaining survivors of the forest emerged from the shadows.

Krimin, Anissa, Daiyu, Orion, Ellia and Lyra all looked around in confusion.

Anissa quickly walked over to Feng Zhiming, her blade had vanished from her hand, after all it wasn’t an actual physical weapon.

“Well done.” Feng Zhiming patted her shoulder as he spoke.

At every step she had managed to meet if not exceed his expectations, a subordinate like this was worth nurturing.

Anissa nodded, a small smile gracing her face, clearly pleased with his praise.

Feng Zhiming leaned in, speaking directly into her mind, leaving Anissa surprised for a moment before understanding his message.

Daiyu and Orion came to the aid of Grand Elder Claris, offering their shoulders for his support.

Krimin now back to normal from his beastial state shot a hateful glare at Anissa, but grudgingly followed Daiyu to the elder, forced to comply as the shadow women had intervened in their battle.

In that moment, Daiyu cast a fleeting glance at Feng Zhiming, feeling a deep sense of helplessness at the sight of the incapacitated Holy Knight. She questioned her own ability to do anything.

Daiyu's voice was laced with venom as she spoke.

"Feng Zhiming, I wish death upon you. A horrible and painful death."

In response, Feng Zhiming looked at her, tilting his head ever so slightly.

"Do I know you?" he inquired, his tone nonchalant.

Given his familiarity with death threats, he was quite unbothered. But he couldn't recall why this woman specifically wanted to kill him.

Daiyu's frown deepened at his response. "You will," she muttered through clenched teeth, her contempt evident.

Ellia and Lyra initially observed the scene with confusion, but upon seeing Madam Hua's serious condition, they rushed over to her.

Madam Hua leaned on Ellia, visibly weakened.

Lyra took advantage of the situation to confront Feng Zhiming, her voice firm.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Feng Zhiming casually shrugged his shoulders, showing no inclination to provide an explanation. Why would he? He had nothing to explain and he did not owe her anything.

Lyra's anger intensified as she shouted, "You bastard, have you been playing us from the start!?"

As Lyra was preparing to continue to berate Feng Zhiming, Kura abruptly cut in with her announcement.

"Silence! You are all now spectators."

Instantly, all non-combatants were relocated to the sidelines, they had no chance to protest or resist. After all they were faced with the might of a Dao Lord.

Now, the focus was solely on the showdown between Feng Zhiming and Aaron.

With a smirk, Feng Zhiming observed Aaron's battered state.

“Holy knight, you look quite beat up. Trials of your Maiden I presume.” Feng Zhiming chuckled as he spoke.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

In response, Aaron declared, "Enjoy yourself all you can. I'll treat it as the ramblings of a dead man."

Seeing this, Feng Zhiming responded with a smirk of his own.

"It's humorous you fail to see the irony in your words." he said ominously.

Kura materialized between the two warriors, setting forth the restrictions for their impending battle.

She turned her attention to Aaron, her tone firm.

"Absolutely no interference from anyone outside of this arena," she declared. "All techniques, weapons, and abilities are permissible."

Aaron wanted nothing more than to cut her down, he could barely stand to look at the tainted filth before him, but alas he had to abide by her words.

Feng Zhiming had three major problems in this battle, speed, strength and defense. In a fight against an Ethereal Core cultivator he was completely outclassed.

Omen of Death would be ineffective, Aaron exceeded his cultivation base too much to be affected. The power of suggestion was out of the window.

All his other techniques could slightly improve his physical attributes and healing, but not enough to close the gap.

His Art of Demonic resurgence had allowed him to survive an attack that would otherwise be fatal when he had been wearing the mask of Arius. But he was no fool, if he took even one attack from Aaron he would die there was no way around that.

He was one strike away from death.

Yet despite all that he looked indifferent to the battle, as if he had already won.

No one in the audience could understand his confidence, other than Anissa. At this point she had absolute faith in Feng Zhiming. No matter the situation or odds she believed he would emerge victorious.

Feng Zhiming broke the silence, locking eyes with Aaron.

"I would like to propose a few more things," he declared.

Everyone in the audience leaned in, intrigued by the unexpected proposition, wondering how he planned to emerge victorious. Even Kura was unaware of his plans and was curious.

"In your religion, there should be a sense of decorum," he suggested. "As a junior two major realms below you, I humbly request permission to launch the initial attack."

Aaron paused, for a moment contemplating the significance of the request. It was indeed customary within his faith to allow the weaker combatant the first strike, especially in a duel.

However, he also realized that Feng Zhiming was cunningly manipulating him, testing the strength of his devotion.

Feng Zhiming's words hung in the air, a clear taunt meant to test Aaron's religious conviction. He waved his hand dismissively, taunting, "Let's start. It's obvious you're just a poser, pretending to be devout."

Aaron knew that Feng Zhiming's request was a calculated attempt to provoke him into accepting the terms. As a Holy Knight, his faith demanded adherence to specific teachings, including respecting duel traditions. His Divinity only empowered him when he had complete faith.

Reluctantly, Aaron agreed to allow Feng Zhiming to strike first, but added a condition.

“I don't know how you learned of this but I will allow you to have the first strike.” he spoke reluctantly. “If we're following decorum then we must follow it completely. I’m beaten to such an extent I hope you can allow me to recover before we start.”

Aaron had expected Feng Zhiming to reject instantly, his chances of defeating Feng Zhiming were ninety nine percent in his current state. But if he was allowed to recover that chance would reach one hundred percent.

Despite Aaron's expectation that Feng Zhiming would quickly reject the condition, he was caught off guard by his swift agreement. A single word of assent left his lips, and he stretched his arms, preparing for the imminent duel.

“Agreed.”

“What?” Aaron asked dumbfounded.

“Sir Holy Knight! H-” Daiyu attempted to say something.

Before she could finish her warning Kura had isolated her in a sound barrier made of Divine Sense.

“I believe I said no outside interference.” She spoke in a heavy and commanding tone.

Daiyu gritted her teeth, she could only watch in silence.

Aaron was increasingly growing cautious. Why would Feng Zhiming readily agree to such a disadvantageous term? What hidden strategy did he have in mind?

However he didn’t want him to change his mind and grabbed the medallion that hung around his neck before beginning to pray.

“You’ve passed the point of no return, Feng Zhiming. I hope you will not disappoint.” Kura spoke directly into his head.

Feng Zhiming didn’t respond. Naturally if he was engaging in battle he had absolute faith in his victory.

Aaron's body suddenly became enveloped in a golden light, and when the glow subsided, he appeared as if reborn. Wounds, both visible and hidden, had been completely healed,

He looked the same as when he had arrived at the Heart.

Elder Pyari observed the upcoming battle taking place before her eyes.

“A waste of a handsome face. Alas better he dies then me.” She thought as she looked at Feng Zhiming.

Aaron raised his sword and pointed it at Feng Zhiming. Power seeping out of his very being, it was as if the sun had descended to the ground.

He was the same man that had nearly killed four extremely powerful Heavenly Eye cultivators just a moment ago. Even if they were suppressed to the Ethereal Core stage it was an enormous feat.

One had to understand that a Heavenly Eye cultivator had immense experience in battle alongside with their deep understanding of combat.

Any one of the elders he had fought could annihilate even fifty Ethereal core cultivators with little effort, after all they had been besting even fourth order demon beasts which were beyond their suppressed cultivation.

And Aaron had completely defeated those elders while fighting four of them simultaneously.

His strength was undeniable.

"Come, take your first strike," declared Aaron. His eyes shimmered with a golden light, reflecting his faith.

"First and the last hopefully." Feng Zhiming responded in an amused tone, preparing for the impending battle.