"As expected, a beauty is still a beauty. Even when you're angry, you're this stunning."
"Miss Shivelle, I truly feel sorry about you losing two of your summons."
"But who told you to insist on killing me? Women with venomous hearts rarely end well. You should be careful about that."
"A pretty face alone won't win love. Give it enough time, and you'll just become… an old woman."
Old woman.
The moment those three words came out—
The four Ninth-Rank Emperors in the distance all had black lines across their foreheads.
"Damn… has this kid lost his mind?"
"On the entire island, no one dares call Shivelle an old woman. Not even the first and second leaders."
"That phrase is a taboo here. Absolute taboo. This brat just stepped on a landmine."
"I don't believe Shivelle won't kill him after this."
The Ninth-Rank spectators began whispering again. Their opinions differed—but the conclusion was the same.
Zhao Xuan had touched the greatest taboo in Shivelle's heart.
Today, no matter who came, this kid was doomed.
"Zhao Xuan! You're digging your own grave! How dare you call Shivelle an old woman!"
"You can die for all I care—but don't drag my precious son down with you! He's my only heir!"
"Do you know how much effort I put into raising him?!"
Addison shouted until his throat almost tore.
He was truly panicking now.
No matter how Zhao Xuan courted death, his son's safety had to be guaranteed.
"Oh? If Old Master Addison is this nervous… then what I'm about to face must be terrifying."
"…Terrifying? 'No one survives' would be more accurate."
"You're on your own now, kid."
"Looks like my bombs won't even be needed on you. What a pity."
The bomb-fruit user shook his head. The crow and the stone man nodded along.
They no longer had any intention of attacking Zhao Xuan.
Clearly, what was about to happen would be beyond them.
At this moment, Zhao Xuan still had no idea what exactly had enraged Shivelle this much.
His clueless expression only made her angrier.
Her robes fluttered without wind.
Her long hair rose strand by strand, like a furious golden lion.
"Bastard! And you still don't realize your mistake!"
"Today, no matter the price, I will take your life!"
Summon — Ancient Soul!
The dimensional gate opened once more. Violent winds swept through the battlefield.
The other Ninth-Rank Emperors retreated immediately. Addison hurriedly carried his son farther away.
Then—
From the dimensional gate, a dark purple figure slowly emerged.
"What is this…? The pressure is intense."
Ancient Soul: The strongest entity a summoning-fruit user can call forth. After fusing with the host, it grants a full 300% amplification across all attributes, along with a specific elemental ability.
Drawback: Each use severely drains the user's vitality, affecting lifespan and the ability to maintain youth and appearance.
"Oh… 300% amplification. That's really something."
"So it affects appearance and lifespan. No wonder she rarely uses this power. No wonder the others were so shocked."
Suddenly, Zhao Xuan realized something troubling.
If the Ancient Soul granted elemental abilities—
Wouldn't his lightning power from the Azure Dragon Fruit be countered?
The system's answer made his expression grow serious.
"If she gets earth-element… I'll be in big trouble."
Not necessarily. The elemental attribute granted by Ancient Soul is random. With your luck, it shouldn't be that bad.
But there is a chance she gets something even stronger. For example—light or darkness.
Some things really shouldn't be said out loud.
Because the more you fear something—
The more likely it is to happen.
Zhao Xuan feared she would get an overpowered element.
And that was exactly what happened.
He watched as the Ancient Soul fused into Shivelle's body.
Black currents swirled around her slender figure.
Then—
Black flames ignited in her hands.
Her eyes turned completely dark purple.
"Darkness… and flame…"
"Damn it. This isn't how luck is supposed to work. These two top-tier elements are even worse than earth."
Black fire filled the sky.
Even the Ninth-Rank Emperors were shaken.
"She actually drew Black Flame… That's absurd luck."
"Last time I sparred with her, she only had pure darkness. That alone almost defeated me."
"Now she has dual attributes. Even the first and second leaders might not beat her."
"If things get bad, I might really have to beg for that kid's life… only then can my son survive."
Addison had only one thought in his mind now—saving his son.
But the problem was—
With Shivelle in this completely enraged state, would she still listen to reason?
To save his son, Addison would have to go against his own comrades.
And the price… would be enormous.
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