Chapter 147: The Semifinals


    Seeing the three Savage Lords at a loss for words, the Purple Demon chuckled.


    "Gentlemen, you may not know this, but the demon realm''s seals are not limited to the Savage Forest. This is just the Northern Alliance. Other continents have their own seal points as well. While they may not be as advanced as ours, they are also working to break through the demon realm''s barriers."


    The three Savage Lords exchanged horrified glances.


    "So, you need not worry. As long as the elves, dragons, and the Floating City remain unaware, it won''t be long before the demon realm becomes the dominant force in the human world. By the time they realize what''s happening, it will already be too late."


    The carriage continued to rumble along the road.


    Suddenly, a team of fast horses pulling another carriage approached from behind.


    The three Savage Lords felt an overwhelming aura approaching, causing them to tense up. They wondered whether the newcomer was friend or foe. The Purple Demon, however, remained calm, still admiring the scenery.


    The curtain of the approaching carriage was pulled aside, and a black figure leaped out, landing inside the Purple Demon''s carriage.


    The three Lords saw a blur of movement, and suddenly, a man clad entirely in black stood before them. His face and body were completely concealed.


    "Your arrival is early, Palace Master," the Purple Demon said, turning to face the newcomer.


    The black-clad man chuckled. "Not early at all. You gentlemen arrived before me."


    His voice was aged, clearly belonging to an elderly man.


    The Purple Demon bent down, picked up a delicate gem-encrusted wine glass, and poured a measure of fine wine into it. He handed the glass to the black-clad man.


    The man smiled and declined with a wave of his hand. His eyes swept over the three Savage Lords.


    The Purple Demon sighed regretfully. "One should enjoy life''s pleasures while one can. Isn''t that what living is all about? But since the Palace Master declines, I won''t insist. Our success in infiltrating the Monte Empire owes much to your assistance."


    The black-clad man chuckled softly. "No need for such formalities, Lord Purple Demon. As long as you fulfill your promise once our goals are achieved, I will be more than satisfied."


    The Purple Demon took a graceful sip of wine and nodded. "As the saying goes, the dead cannot return to life—but that applies only to humans. For us demons, death is reversible. Rest assured, Palace Master, I will keep my word."


    The black-clad man nodded. "In that case, I shall take my leave. Enjoy the scenery, gentlemen."


    With that, the black-clad man vanished as quickly as he had appeared.


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    The three Savage Lords exchanged uneasy glances. The ability to disappear so effortlessly before their eyes indicated a level of power far beyond their comprehension. It was clear that the demon army''s invasion was meticulously planned.


    ---


    **Two days later, the semifinals began.**


    After the draw, the matchups were decided:


    - **First match:** The green-robed elder vs. Gamori.


    - **Second match:** Han Ming vs. Shang Que.


    The Tri-Nation Tournament had reached its climax, and the arena was packed to the brim. The usual capacity of 200,000 spectators had swelled to nearly 300,000, with people crammed into every corner, sweating and jostling but still eagerly anticipating the matches.


    Queen Vivian and Lord Miron, who were scheduled to attend, were unable to come due to unforeseen circumstances.


    By noon, the first semifinal match began.


    Nearly 90% of the former tournament participants had stayed in Fila City to witness the spectacle.


    Han Ming, Kulo, and Quirk sat in a corner, quietly observing the arena.


    Gamori, his eyes still closed, and the mysterious green-robed elder stepped onto the stage.


    The crowd erupted in thunderous applause.


    "Watch these two closely. If you defeat Shang Que tomorrow, you''ll face one of them," Kulo whispered into Han Ming''s ear.


    Her breath tickled his ear, making him blush and fidget. He scratched his ear awkwardly.


    Kulo giggled. "I love it when you act like this."


    "Are both contestants ready?" the referee asked.


    Both nodded.


    "I declare the first semifinal match officially begun!"


    With the referee''s announcement, the crowd''s excitement reached a fever pitch.


    Gamori and the green-robed elder exchanged nods and began their duel.


    The green-robed elder took the first step, slowly advancing toward Gamori.


    Gamori remained still, his eyes closed, waiting patiently.


    When the elder was just three steps away, he extended his right hand, moving so slowly that it seemed almost motionless.


    Gamori took half a step back and swung his palm toward the elder''s arm.


    The elder''s cloudy eyes gleamed, and his body vanished.


    The audience gasped.


    "Where did the old man go?"


    Han Ming narrowed his eyes, focusing intently on a specific spot in the arena.


    "He noticed it too," Han Ming murmured, watching Gamori.


    Gamori stood still, his hands hanging loosely at his sides, his eyes still closed.


    Just as the crowd began to grow restless, Gamori moved.


    He spun sharply, his right hand darting out like a striking snake toward empty air.


    At the same time, a shadow flickered where Gamori''s hand was aimed. Just as his fingers were about to grasp the elder''s neck, the elder smirked.


    Gamori''s left hand shot backward, and another shadow appeared where his hand was headed.


    Both shadows nearly had their necks seized but vanished in an instant.


    "Incredible speed! This match isn''t about strength or even speed alone—it''s about predicting each other''s moves," Han Ming observed, nodding slightly.


    He wondered if he could match such skill if he were in their place.


    On the stage, shadows flickered continuously, but Gamori never left his spot.


    He repeatedly thrust out his hands, his fingers clawing at the air. No matter how the shadows moved, he always seemed to anticipate their next move, aiming precisely for their necks.


    Yet, each time he was about to succeed, the shadows slipped away.


    The match was eerily quiet. To most spectators, it looked as though Gamori was alone on the stage, occasionally reaching out with one hand or the other.


    The green-robed elder seemed to have disappeared entirely. To the untrained eye, he was invisible.


    What was supposed to be an intense match had turned into something baffling for many in the audience.


    Only the seasoned fighters understood the deadly precision and danger of this silent battle.


    To the experts, the shadows on the stage multiplied, and Gamori''s movements became more frequent.


    Finally, even the audience could see it.


    On the stage, besides Gamori, there were now five figures—all of them the green-robed elder.


    "This is the result of extreme speed—illusions. The green-robed elder is holding back. Gamori is in trouble," Han Ming said softly, watching the five identical figures.


    Kulo nodded. "The outcome depends on whether the elder decides to reveal his true strength."


    The five figures closed in on Gamori.


    Gamori lowered his head slightly and thrust out an arm toward one of the elders.


    His hand passed through the figure, which dissolved like mist.


    "Which one is real? Which ones are fake?" Quirk scratched his head, confused.


    Han Ming chuckled. "They''re all real."