After Angela's ruthless and domineering display, a couple of people who deemed Kailen Darkhaven's circle of friends weak links readjusted their mindsets quickly.

Various combat duels occurred across the vast stadium, the air thick with drifting dust and roaring cheers.

After this, a figure could be seen approaching Kailen.

A slow, deliberate approach… footsteps echoing lightly across the arena floor.

"Black Flask Darkhaven. How about I limit my strength to the rank 1 beginner stage ascendant level so that we can exchange a few pointers in combat. I have observed your battle style for a while now, through various videos, and I can't help but want to experience it for myself. If possible, could you avoid using your capabilities as a Black Flask, so that we can have a battle solely combat oriented."

The fellow had an extremely fanatic gaze in his eyes, like a starving beast who had just found its prey.

It was as if he was eagerly anticipating having a showdown with Kailen.

"This fellow is a battle maniac."

Kailen mused inwardly to himself.

He could tell from just the look in the guy's eyes.

Also, this fellow was one of the ones that came to the banquet with Elder Calma Smith.

Just as several individuals in the crowd—still unaware of Kailen's rapid rise in strength—were wondering what Kailen Darkhaven would do, he said something that made everyone shocked.

"It's not a problem sir. I can take you on just fine. No need to limit your strength."

The moment Kailen said that, he didn't veil his strength anymore.

He unveiled his aura completely.

Rank 5 supreme stage ascendant level.

A shockwave rippled out like a silent thunderclap.

"What, this guy is a monster!"

"He actually decided to just up cross levels from the rank 1 beginner stage ascendant level to the rank 5 supreme stage ascendant level directly?"

"What actually happened in the academy energy vault?"

"Terrifying, absolutely terrifying!"

The crowd was completely taken aback.

Elder Calma Smith widened her eyes lightly in surprise.

Kailen Darkhaven… as expected.

This kid was not normal.

There was definitely a very dangerous powerhouse backing him.

But even if he was now a rank 5 supreme stage ascendant level lifeform, how was he going to defeat a rank 3 beginner stage galactic level lifeform?

This was a question on not just her mind, but even that of his own companions.

Everyone was eager to find out.

Kailen and the fellow—a towering Treant with bark-like skin that gleamed under the arena lights—stood at the opposite end of each other on the battlefield.

A Treant who was a battle maniac huh… what an unusual Treant.

Kailen thought.

Treants were usually the peaceful kind.

Well, that was just a general notion.

Everyone observed them with curiosity and anticipation, the stadium falling into a heavy silence.

Kailen activated his shadow armored form.

All his shadow creatures covered him completely, forming a shifting dark exoskeleton.

Before they could comment on their surprise, he activated his Asura Enlightenment Physique.

A layer of crimson skin pulsing with strength covered his body.

His eyes and hair turned crimson, and a crimson horn was nestled on his forehead.

Unlike the last time in the society, where he had unrestrained bloodlust, Kailen held back his bloodlust this time—barely.

Then came the elemental energy lightning and affinity lightning.

They sizzled around Kailen seamlessly, like snakes dancing in the dark.

Then several vines hovered around him.

Followed with the infinite alchemy flames.

The aura of a rank 3 beginner stage galactic level lifeform surged violently.

He was still a rank 5 supreme stage ascendant level lifeform, but the threat radiating from him was something that only a rank 3 beginner stage galactic level lifeform would make one feel instinctively.

"This kid, who would have thought that in such an extremely short time, he'd surpass all of us."

Jackson sighed.

Old Ha, Bianca, Cyco, and Nuel agreed.

Kailen was just too monstrous.

Arrie, Lian Yu and the others also sighed.

Anytime one would think they had seen enough of his surprises to get used to what he was capable of, he'd go off and do something extremely incredulous again!

How was this possible?

Everyone at the stadium was shocked.

From Ross Kadmen, to Kailen's friends, to every other person.

There was only one word ringing in their minds.

Incredulous!

This was not meant to be possible.

No one was meant to skip ranks like this.

Unless they were a Black Flask.

Yes, in that respect, it was possible for Kailen.

But in this situation, where the two of them had agreed on a battle in which Kailen wouldn't use his capabilities as a Black Flask, this was not meant to be possible.

Several individuals had already enabled the recording features of their virtual universe accounts.

Kailen Darkhaven would make the front cover of virtual universe news outlets after this banquet, whether he won this battle or not.

The fact that he had been able to bulldoze through a major awakened rank and even skip two subranks, when he was a rank 5 supreme stage ascendant level lifeform, was something that would shake the news forums and the whole empire.

At this point, everyone had even forgotten about his insane breakthrough of moving from the rank 1 beginner stage ascendant level to the rank 5 supreme stage ascendant level straightaway.

They could not be blamed for this, because the terrifying feat of his they were currently observing was more monstrous compared to that!

The Treant buried his shock.

He was more eager to fight Kailen Darkhaven than he was before.

"Randell Smith, adopted son of Calma Smith, pleased to have this duel with you."

"Kailen Darkhaven, pleased to have this duel with you."

The Treant nodded after exchanging these short words with Kailen, and decided to make a move.

Several streams of water made their appearance around him and shimmered with azure luminescence under the moonlight.

Then, an azure battle suit that pulsed with what Kailen perceived to be runes appeared around his figure.

"I don't have any evil intentions for battling Kailen Darkhaven. I'm more curious about experiencing his method of combat. But if I'm fortunate enough to win this battle, my fame will soar."

Randell mused inwardly to himself.

As for Kailen, he knew that this battle suit was inscribed with runes meant to increase Randell's combat power to the peak of the rank 3 beginner stage galactic level.

"Interesting." He mused to himself.

Randell didn't stand on ceremony. A couple of streams of water snaked and hovered around and across him.

A wooden staff also shimmering with runes appeared in his hands.

Then he disappeared from where he stood.