"Lynn, you..."
The others couldn't see Lynn's move, but it was different for Vivian, who stood right beside Lynn; she saw nothing.
Her hand was still linked with Lynn's, as if he hadn't moved at all.
But all of Mary's guards were knocked out cold, and even Mary himself was drenched in sweat and gasping for air. Lynn must have made a move just now.
"Saint Tier... Another Saint Tier! What's with young people these days? Each one is more monstrous than the last!"
At this moment, the entire banquet hall was silent enough to hear a pin drop, making Marquis Jones' mutterings particularly clear.
"Ha~~ Another young Saint Tier expert, this new generation is truly remarkable!"
"No wonder he's so confident, turns out he really has the power, it's not just a bluff."
"Vivian clearly has good taste; where did she happen to find this promising young talent, they are quite a match!"
With Lynn casually showcasing 5% of his prowess, the banquet hall was flooded with praise.
Everyone wanted to make a good impression on such a young Saint Tier expert, even if he had just been disrespectful to Lajian Wilson.
The rivalry between these two young Saint Tiers was none of their concern. Anyone capable of attending the banquet had some strength, and if the Wilson clan were to hold a grudge because they praised Lajian's rival, their growth would be stunted.
"Hey, everyone's praising me, aren't you going to say something?"
Having dealt with the bothersome lot, Lynn naturally turned to the one holding the gun, treating the pawns gently, but the mastermind deserved some punishment.
"Boring!"
Lajian Wilson cast a glance at Mary and her ten subordinates who were being rushed to the chapel for treatment, and coldly uttered two words.
He often displayed this disdain towards opponents, but this time, he couldn't afford to underestimate his adversary.
"If it's boring, come and play! I'll find some fun for you!"
Lynn wasn't the type to scream in rage over mockery, but he wouldn't easily let off those who schemed against him.
If he had only been 80% certain before that this man was behind the treachery, the hint of panic and unease in Lajian's disdain proved it was 100% true.
Then, as Lynn spoke, he reluctantly released Vivian's hand, soared upward, and leapt to the second floor, grabbing the shocked Lajian Wilson and throwing him down.
With Lajian Wilson's level 500 strength, a drop from one floor wouldn't harm him. He quickly adjusted himself mid-air and landed steadily.
But before he could glare angrily at Lynn, he saw a knee magnified before his eyes, and everything went black. When he came to, he found himself crouched on the ground in a kowtow posture.
"You, an Initial Saint, dare provoke me? Who gave you the courage of a lion?"
Lynn's voice came from above, and as Lajian Wilson looked up, Lynn casually picked up a basin of soup, pouring it over his head.
Under Lynn's restraint, Lajian Wilson couldn't move, helplessly watching as the dense soup covered his face and filled his mouth and nose, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.
"Have the guts to fight me honorably! Sneak attacks are no sign of true skill!"
Lajian Wilson shouted angrily, but it was powerless fury, his desperate struggles under Lynn's grip were as feeble as a little girl's tantrum.
"Are you sure you're willing to face me honorably in combat? Or once I release you, you'd be running and yelling for daddy and grandpa to save you?"
Although unnecessary, Lynn didn't mind defeating his potential rival openly. As for the notion of being confronted by elders thereafter, he cared little; if it came to it, he'd deal with young and old alike...
"You think of me, Lajian Wilson, as what kind of person? Unless you're a Demon Race warrior, I'd never team up to face opponents!"
Lajian Wilson was not trash; he had the pride of a Saint Tier expert. Even if he feared Lynn might beat him, he wouldn't scream for help in public. As for his grandfather, though alive, he was too old and weak to battle.
"Fine! Then stand up, I'll seriously teach you a lesson in humility."
With that, Lynn released his grip on Lajian Wilson, granting him freedom. Logically, Lajian maintained some dignity, only instructing someone to bring him a towel to wipe his face but showing no sign of escape.
"Lajian Wilson, a Saint Tier expert who just broke through to level 500, do you dare to introduce yourself?"
After quickly wiping his face clean, Lajian Wilson made a polite gesture by offering a white glove to Lynn, rather than throwing it directly as he normally would, perhaps out of shame for losing before fighting.
Lynn casually accepted the white glove, signaling acceptance of Lajian Wilson's challenge, and spoke nonchalantly.
"Lynn, if events unfold as expected, my level should be over 900. Given the vast difference, you can request that I fight with one hand or two tied; I wouldn't mind."
Upon Lynn's utterances, guests first fell into stunned silence, then some couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahaha... Over 900! Even the Saint Emperor of Light is only level 750, who does he think he is, the Saint Emperor of the entire Divine Protection Continent?"
"I thought it was going to be a serious duel, turns out it's more a comedic show. His joking ability is heftier than his real skill..."
"Everyone shut up! You're disrupting my admiration of a 900-level demigod's flair!"
Though their laughter wasn't overly disrespectful, nobody took Lynn's words seriously. Since recorded history on Divine Protection Continent, only three 900-level demigods had arisen, with the most recent passing away five centuries ago.
Due to fierce battles against the Demon Race, stars on Divine Protection Continent had fallen, geniuses dwindled, and previously formidable 800-level warriors perished, leaving the strongest, the Pope of Light, at only level 750.
Fortunately, a decisive victory a year ago inflicted even greater losses on the Demon Race, resulting in the Demon Dragon Emperor's death and all Seven Great Demon Kings being left behind. Rumor says the Demon Emperor's position in the Demon Realm is now vacant, and the newly appointed Seven Great Demon Kings are mere high-level Saint Tier at 700, weaker than some Demon Race Dukes and Generals who invaded Divine Protection Continent yet escaped.
In summary, the Demon Race's overall power still surpasses Divine Protection Continent's, and what truly holds them back now isn't the allied forces led by the Saint Emperor of Light but the potential reoccurrence of divine forces.
It's said that a million Divine Generals were sent down by the gods during the battle a year ago, leading to the Demon Race's downfall, since relying solely on the strength of Divine Protection Continent would never suffice against the powerful Demon Race.