Infinite Evolution System Made Me Too OP!

Chapter 428: Approaching the Crescendo

From the stands, Elder Shun chuckled lightly, addressing Lord Yen in a hushed tone meant for Lady Ming to overhear. "Such spirit, such ferocity. They fight as though they have something to prove."

"Perhaps they do," Lord Yen replied, his eyes flickering toward Ming Chao once more, subtly hoping for even the slightest acknowledgment from her. "A testament, perhaps, to Lady Ming's guidance."

But Lady Ming's expression did not waver. Her gaze remained steady on the fight below, her voice cutting through the other elders' fawning remarks. "Victory is not about spirit. It is about precision, efficiency, and the ability to adapt. Anything less is unworthy of my academy."

'Though there is something unusual about that Azmodeus kid… Something isn't right about him… I can't seem to pinpoint what that something is, though…'

Back on the arena floor, the battle had reached a critical point. The warrior with the hammer, his frustration mounting, charged at Anna with a reckless abandon. His muscles strained as he swung, his attacks losing their initial precision as he relied more on brute force. Anna's movements became a graceful blur, her confidence growing as she anticipated his every move.

"Is that all you've got?" she taunted, a playful glint in her eyes.

With a roar, he lunged again, but this time, Anna dodged to the side and struck him with a well-aimed punch to his midsection. The force of her blow sent him stumbling back, clutching his stomach in pain.

Meanwhile, Azmodeus had disarmed his opponent completely. The dagger-wielding woman, now defenseless, glared at him, frustration etched into her features. Azmodeus tilted his head, his gaze steady and calm as he said, "Yield. There's no need to draw this out."

The woman hesitated, but something in Azmodeus's gaze made her reconsider. She dropped to one knee, signaling her surrender. The crowd erupted into cheers, and the overseer's voice rang out, cold and unyielding. Discover exclusive content at m,v l'-NovelBin.net

"Battle concluded! Winner: Duo #69!"

In the VIP stands, Lord Han chuckled, leaning closer to Lady Ming with a smile. "An impressive display, wouldn't you say, Lady Ming? This one may truly have potential."

Lady Ming's gaze did not waver as she watched Azmodeus and Anna return to the participant section. Her tone was cool, dismissive. "Potential is fleeting if not tempered by discipline and purpose."

Lord Yen, undeterred, ventured a bolder compliment. "Perhaps, Lady Ming, under your tutelage, he could refine that potential into something… worthy."

Her gaze flicked toward him, but her eyes remained unreadable, as if assessing him for his underlying intentions. "Potential means nothing if it's wasted on arrogance."

The implication hung in the air, silencing any further attempts at flattery. Lord Yen and the other elders exchanged subtle, slightly chastened glances, realizing that Lady Ming's respect would not be won so easily.

As Azmodeus and Anna rejoined Zara and Nova, they were met with an onslaught of cheers and playful teasing. "You two made that look easy!" Zara laughed, giving Anna a playful punch to the arm. "Are you sure you're not hiding some secret powers, Anna?"

Anna laughed, rolling her eyes. "Just a little bit of practice, that's all. Maybe you should try it sometime!"

Azmodeus smirked, his gaze shifting back toward the VIP stands. He could feel the cold, calculating gaze of Lady Ming on him even from this distance, and a slight keenness ran through him. She was watching, assessing, and although her face revealed nothing, he sensed that his performance had piqued her interest.

Zara noticed his gaze and elbowed him playfully. "Already looking for the next fight, Az? You're more intense than I thought."

He chuckled, shrugging lightly. "Just… keeping an eye on things."

Meanwhile, in the VIP stands, Lady Ming finally leaned back in her seat, her cold expression softening into something resembling mild satisfaction. But it was gone in a flash, replaced by her usual icy calm as she dismissed the elders' idle remarks and refocused on the tournament.

Below, in the arena, the next pair of duos prepared to take the stage, yet an unmistakable feeling lingered in the air: a sense that the real game had just begun.

As the next set of competitors took their positions in the arena, Azmodeus and Anna found a quiet spot to observe, their excitement tempered but still vibrant beneath the surface. The murmurs of the crowd had yet to die down; whispers of their victory spread quickly, and a few glances flicked their way, some filled with admiration, others with thinly veiled jealousy. Anna caught one of these envious stares from a group of seasoned fighters and smirked, leaning slightly toward Azmodeus.

"Seems we've made some friends already," she murmured with a mischievous grin.

Azmodeus chuckled, unbothered. "They're welcome to their opinions. The strong don't waste time proving themselves to everyone else."

She raised an eyebrow. "That's… unexpectedly wise of you."

"Surprised?" he replied, a hint of teasing in his tone.

"Maybe a little," she admitted, though there was genuine respect in her gaze. "I didn't expect the guy who told someone to 'yield' mid-battle to be so… philosophical."

Meanwhile, in the VIP stands, Lady Ming continued watching the arena, though her thoughts drifted to Azmodeus's last move. There had been a calculated calm in his actions, a methodical precision she found both curious and strangely unsettling. It was not simply skill but restraint—a kind of self-control that made her wonder where he had learned it. Few young warriors possessed such poise in the heat of battle.

Lord Han, sensing her intrigue, leaned in. "It seems Azmodeus has piqued your interest, Lady Ming. Rarely do you watch so intently."

She turned her gaze on him, her face revealing nothing. "Interest is fleeting," she replied evenly. "Potential, as I said, is wasted on arrogance. But perhaps… he has a chance to prove himself."

Below, the battle between the next duos had intensified, their strikes echoing through the arena. Yet, Azmodeus and Anna's victory cast a shadow over the new fight; the crowd's attention shifted repeatedly back to them, as though expecting another show. Anna noticed and, feigning nonchalance, leaned back, allowing the smallest, playful smirk to break her composure.

Zara, sitting beside them, rolled her eyes. "Great, now we're the standard everyone else has to measure up to. No pressure or anything."

Nova laughed quietly, nudging Zara. "Come on, admit it~ You're enjoying the attention too~!"

Azmodeus, who had fallen silent, kept his gaze steady on the arena floor, his mind returning to Lady Ming. He could still feel her calculating eyes on him, as if measuring his worth, weighing his potential. He found himself uncharacteristically drawn to the challenge, a curiosity unfurling in him—a desire to prove something to this woman who would surely be left in his dust before long. Though her strength was well into the Immortal God Realm, likely at the very peak of said realm, there was no doubt in his mind that he would surpass her. The only question was—when?

Anna, noticing his shift in focus, nudged him gently. "Hey, don't get too lost in thought. We've got our last round—the finals, going up against Assfol—coming soon."

Azmodeus nodded, his expression set with quiet determination. "I know. And when it comes, I intend to leave no doubts. This competition shall be won, and it will be done in the best possible way possible. What comes after, however, will be the truly interesting part…"