CHAPTER 453: ETHAN’S FOOLPROOF PLAN (3)

The moment the Green Corpse Emperor used the Twin Origin Life Card, Ethan became excited as he himself issued a challenge for an official duel with the Green Corpse Emperor.

That’s right!

Although the Green Corpse Emperor needed to wait for a year after Ethan’s rejection of his first challenge, Ethan had no such restrictions since he had yet to issue his first challenge to the Green Corpse Emperor.

As for the reason why Ethan confidently issued the challenge, it was simple because his foolproof plan was successfully executed as the Green Corpse Emperor was marked by his Special Talent: Gift of Eternal Pursuit.

[Special Talent: Gift of Eternal Pursuit]

[Effects:]

[1) You can track anyone who receives your gifts... limited to only three cultivators at once.]

[2) Those who are marked by you, if they use the gifts you gave them, their battle prowess will be suppressed by 50 percent when they fight against you.]

Although it had been a while since he received this talent, Ethan didn’t get an opportunity to use it.

What’s more... he nearly forgot about the effects of the Special Talent.

Under this talent, there are two effects, where the first one is used to track someone, no matter where they hide.

In Ethan’s current situation, it was useless as the enemy was powerful enough to easily kill him.

However, the second effect was what Ethan was after, and it was also the reason why Ethan let the Green Corpse Emperor use the Twin Origin Life Card to replicate the Crown of Resurrection.

’Although it cost me a High-level Life Card, as long as I defeat the Green Corpse Emperor, it will be totally worth it.’

This was the reason behind Ethan’s generosity in giving away a High-level Life Card.

’Now, when the Green Corpse Emperor fights me in the official duel, half of his battle prowess will be suppressed, and using my other trump cards, I could easily win against him.’

Ethan chuckled as he patiently waited for the Green Corpse Emperor to accept his challenge for the Official Duel.

"What?"

On the other hand, the Green Corpse Emperor was thoroughly shocked to hear Ethan’s words.

Originally, the Green Corpse Emperor was expecting to see Ethan curse him for getting fooled and initiate another transaction to extend their official duel, under the right oath this time.

But, he had not, in his wildest dreams, thought that the human would dare to issue the challenge.

’Damn it... what’s happening?’

’How can he issue a challenge with his pitiful strength?’

’Don’t tell me he has done something to my crown?’

’Is he bluffing? No... there is no way he could bluff by directly issuing a challenge for an official duel.’

...

One after another, thoughts appeared in the Green Corpse Emperor’s head as he was not ready for the situation.

"What’s the matter, Rotten Emperor? Are you scared to accept my challenge?"

Seeing that there was no reply from the other side, Ethan taunted the Green Corpse Emperor to accept the official duel.

’Damn it!’

Hearing those words, the Green Corpse Emperor’s decaying eyes twitched violently.

’I am the Green Corpse Emperor who invaded dozens of realms, if not hundreds. There is no way I could lose to this human, right?’

But even with that thought echoing in his mind, a gnawing unease spread through his rotten soul.

The way Ethan spoke and issued the challenge was so calm, so confident.

It wasn’t the voice of a desperate man trying to bluff his way out of death.

It sounded like a predator’s voice... who had just cornered his prey.

’No matter what kind of dirty trick that human uses... with his pitiful strength, he could never defeat me!’

The Green Corpse Emperor inhaled deeply, green mists spiralling from his cracked nostrils as he composed himself. Then—

"I decline the challenge."

That’s right!

Without hesitation, without a single flicker of doubt in his undead heart, the Green Corpse Emperor rejected the official duel.

The reason was not out of fear of Ethan’s strength, but because he couldn’t see through Ethan’s game.

He was not a fool to accept the official duel when he was having doubts regarding what the human had planned.

Like Ethan, who declined his challenge in the past, the Green Corpse Emperor could do the same... obviously for the first challenge.

After one year, when Ethan issues another challenge, the Green Corpse Emperor won’t have any chance to reject it.

’I don’t know what gave that brat such courage... but whatever kind of trick he planned, no matter how perfect it is, it won’t last forever. Just give it time... all deceptions fade.’

In the end, the Green Corpse Emperor came to this conclusion, and without further ado, he ended the communication challenge with Ethan.

...

On the other end—

’....’

Ethan was speechless when he heard the Green Corpse Emperor’s words: "I decline the challenge."

’He... declined?’

He stood still for a moment with a stunned expression reflecting on his face.

The silence around him pressed down like a weight.

’I didn’t expect him to be a scaredy cat.’

His foolproof plan, flawless from start to finish, had worked like a charm.

Every step, every action, every bait had gone according to design.

Except for the Green Corpse Emperor rejecting his challenge for the Official Duel.

He never expected the Green Corpse Emperor to run.

Sure, Ethan had accounted for a 10% chance of rejection. But deep inside, he thought that the prideful Green Corpse Emperor would never back down.

In the end, he could not help but chuckle bitterly at the new side of the Green Corpse Emperor... a scaredy cat.

"Tch... a corpse with a crown, but no backbone."

Nevertheless, Ethan was not at all disappointed about it.

’Regardless of whether he accepted the challenge or not... it doesn’t harm me.’

It was because Ethan had already gotten what he wanted, and there were only two outcomes now:

[1) The Green Corpse Emperor would eventually issue his second challenge for the Official Duel, giving Ethan another shot.]

[2) Or... Ethan would just wait out the one-year cooldown and issue his second challenge before striking.]

In short, sooner or later, the official duel between him and the Green Corpse Emperor would occur, and Ethan would become the sole owner of the Realm of Life and Death.

’Fine. Run now, coward... but next time, I’ll take both purple crowns and burn your bones to ash.’

As he turned, his cold eyes gleamed with a silent promise.

"Anyway, since my plan was perfectly executed, I can live peacefully."

For the last seven months, Ethan hadn’t had a single day of peace, thanks to the Official Duel with the Green Corpse Emperor.

However, now, he was fully confident in defeating the Green Corpse Emperor and thus, his heart was at peace as he returned to his daily life.

Unlike before, Ethan spent nearly 15 hours nurturing, which was more than four times his usual amount, because he had nothing to think about.

He had only one goal, and it was to nurture as many Emerald Lightning Life Grass as possible.

Time continued to pass, and in a flash, five months passed by.

’It is finally time.’

Ethan harvested a batch of Emerald Lightning Life Grass and muttered, ’I wonder whether this scaredy cat will issue the challenge or not?’

In the end, he could only shake his head in disappointment because the Green Corpse Emperor didn’t issue any challenge.

’It seems like I should take the initiative and issue the official challenge for the duel.’