Spirit's Awakening: The Path of Lightning and Water-Chapter 336: Mineral Rights Duel

Eno leaned closer to the communication orb, his brow furrowing. "What kind of solution?" he asked.

Dorian’s sigh laced with frustration crackled faintly through the communication device, "The nobles have decided to host a duel to settle the matter. Both the Lightning Sect and the Steel Snake Sect will need to send a representative each to compete. The winner secures their mining rights to the Quarry, including all contracts currently in limbo, for the next 50 years."

A beat of silence followed.

"A duel," Rlyis said, her voice dripping with disbelief. "Of course, the nobles would turn this into a spectacle to make up for the lost daily revenue. I bet it was the Steel Snake’s plan too. Let me guess—they’re selling tickets and making a fortune on gambling?"

"Exactly," Dorian replied bitterly. "The Quarry’s business already has a massive draw on attention from nearby kingdoms and sects for the minerals and ores alone. The nobles are capitalizing on the chaos of the situation and turning it into hype to host the matches at Starpoint Arena. They’re framing it as a grand event, a celebration of martial prowess with the prize being the return of business as usual. But in reality? It’s all about lining their coffers and who knows what we’ll have to do to renegotiate contracts on the other end."

Eno let out a dry laugh, rubbing his temple. "I should’ve seen this coming. Those snakes always find a way to profit off chaos. Who’s representing the Steel Snake Sect? Have they already fought any matches yet?"

"Joryk Vrel," Dorian uttered with the name carrying a weight to it. "From what we’ve seen so far, he’s their champion in these matters. A Spirit Transcendent, peak level nine, with a defensive technique that’s practically impenetrable. He’s undefeated in the arena for the 12 matches we’ve had take place already."

Rlyis groaned audibly, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Joryk Vrel? They’re sending a walking fortress. This fits his usual pattern as well as I remember him from a showcase match between the Veridian Continent and Southern Continent about 500 years ago. Even at that time, His [Metal Spikes] technique was a death trap for anyone who even attempted to get too close."

She turned and explained to Lassim, "He roots himself in place, hardens his body into something stronger than any mana-forged steel, and launches spikes at anything that moves. He’s slow, typically unmoving from his starting spot, but good luck getting through that armor."

Lassim’s eyes narrowed, "So, they’re betting on his defense to wear down opponents? At least it’s simple and straightforward. I’d expected a bit more trickery or something more flashy, but I guess a likely guaranteed win is good enough."

Dorian nodded. "The Steel Snake Sect has played this perfectly. It just goes to show how well they’ve planned this take over. They’ve even turned the duel into a sure win for themselves—or at least, they think so."

His gaze shifted to Eno and Rlyis. "The question is, who are you sending? I hope it’s one of you. You’re both seasoned enough to stand a chance against someone like Joryk, and your cultivation levels should be quite similar, no?"

Eno straightened, a mischievous glint in his eye as he jerked a thumb toward Lassim. "Him. Lassim’s our champion."

The silence that followed was almost comical. Dorian stared at Lassim, his expression frozen between disbelief and outright confusion. "Him? You just said he’s your apprentice though?"

"Well, technically our current boss, but yes," Eno corrected with a smirk.

Dorian laughed, a short, incredulous bark. "You’re joking. Please tell me you’re joking. Joryk is a peak Spirit Transcendent. Lassim doesn’t even look old enough to have completed the Spirit Growth stage, let alone survive against someone like Joryk."

Rlyis, who had been rubbing her temples moments before, doubled over with laughter, bracing herself against the pedestal. "Spirit Growth? Oh, Dorian, you poor, clueless man. You have no idea what you’re saying."

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Dorian’s expression grew more skeptical, his sharp eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Lassim. "What am I missing here?"

Still chuckling, Eno clapped a hand on Lassim’s shoulder, nearly knocking him off balance. "Lassim here isn’t just some rookie, Dorian. He’s Spirit Ascension stage eight."

Dorian blinked, his disbelief etched into every line of his face. "Stage eight? In how many years?"

"I think my 17th birthday should be coming up in about six months from now, give or take?" Lassim said simply while looking up and trying to remember when his birthday was.

The weight of those words crashed into the conversation like a tidal wave. Dorian gaped, his mouth opening and closing without sound. Finally, he managed, "You’re only 16 years old? That’s... That’s impossible. Even prodigies take nearly a thousand years to progress up to Spirit Ascension."

Eno’s grin widened. "Welcome to our world, old friend. Lassim here doesn’t play by the same rules as the rest of us mortals."

Rlyis, still laughing, waved a hand dismissively. "Oh man, you’re in for a treat, and he’s actually from your continent too. You might remember hearing of a dual elemental Lightning and Water Spirit Warrior youth that came from the Aurora Kingdom?"

Dorian’s eyes widened, his expression shifting from the skepticism of the suggestion to genuine surprise. "The Aurora Kingdom? You’re talking about that Rohese and Vanthar boy? Even the Myriad Spirit Sect couldn’t convince him to join and then he disappeared causing both families and somehow the Aetheria kingdom to do an insane search across the continent for what… 5 years? They were practically flipping over every rock during that time. I figured they’d found your body once they called off that fancy flying ship of theirs. Who’d have thought that you were instead alive?"

Lassim tilted his head slightly, a flicker of embarrassment causing the lightning bolts that consistently jutted from his eyes to turn erratic for a moment. "That would be me, though I don’t remember causing much of an uproar. I was just...uh, focused on my cultivation."

Dorian let out a low whistle, leaning back with a stunned look. "Focused? You disrupted half the political landscape of the continent for years, child. And now, you’re here as a personal disciple of the Sect Master of the Lightning Sect?"

Dorian rubbed his temples again, clearly struggling to reconcile the suggestion with the composed young man standing before him. "This is... a lot to process. Even if that’s all well and true, Joryk is a seasoned veteran with decades of experience and still over an entire stage above you in power. Your speed of cultivation might be impressive, but breaking through Joryk’s defense and overcoming the sheer difference in power will be impossible."

Dorian leaned back, his gaze flicking from Lassim to Eno and Rlyis as if waiting for them to change their minds.

When they didn’t, he leaned forward again, his tone laced with disbelief. "Are you two seriously entrusting this to him? Joryk has earned his position as their anchor in all of their "contract duels". He’s a peak Spirit Transcendent, seasoned in real combat, even more so in duel formats, with a technique that could chew up and spit out even a weak Spirit Mystic stage level 1 spirit warrior. Lassim might have two elements and be a bit special, but that won’t cover the distance between stages at all!"

Rlyis tried to stifle a laugh bubbling up again, but failed. "Oh, Dorian, your concern for Lassim’s performance is unnecessary. I’d tell you more, but I think it’d be funnier to just let you see in person; like we have."

Eno also shook his head and chuckled, "Dorian, my old friend, you’re in for a treat."

"A treat?" Dorian repeated, his tone sharp. "I’m not questioning Lassim’s talent or potential, but you’re putting him up against a man who could turn him into a pincushion before he gets within striking distance. Are you not serious at all about the contract for the Astrium Veinstone we’ve signed? If you’re trying to get out of the contract we can just end things here."

Rlyis straightened, turning more serious, "Because you’ve never seen Lassim fight, Dorian. You’re thinking like a man who’s spent his entire career measuring strength by cultivation levels and decades of experience. And that’s where you’re wrong. Lassim doesn’t play by those rules. This child is ridiculously overpowered and blessed. We’re absolutely certain he’ll win and we’re also completely serious about needing the veinstone."

Dorian’s skeptical glare deepened. "I’ll need more than vague reassurances to believe that this... boy can take down Joryk Vrel."

Eno’s grin turned mischievous as he looked straight at the communication orb and gestured toward Lassim. "Tell you what, Dorian. When Lassim wipes the floor with your so-called walking fortress, you’ll owe us a favor."

"A favor?" Dorian echoed warily.

"That’s right," Eno said, crossing his arms. "Double the Astrium Veinstone in the contract. No haggling, no excuses."

Rlyis chimed in, her grin matching Eno’s. "Consider it compensation for putting the Lightning Sect Master’s Personal Disciple through this ridiculous spectacle in the first place."

Dorian opened his mouth, then closed it again, visibly struggling to find a counterargument. Finally, he sighed and rubbed his temples. "You two are either geniuses or lunatics. Fine. If Lassim wins—if—I’ll do everything in my power to secure double the amount of Astrium Veinstone. But I’ll be honest, I’m not holding my breath."

"Fair enough," Eno said with a shrug. Then, as if struck by inspiration, his grin widened. "Actually, we’re old friends, right? While we’re at it, Dorian, you trust me right?"

Dorian raised an eyebrow with suspicion etched across his face. "What are you suggesting?"

"Bet on Lassim," Eno said simply, "Go all-in on the Nobel’s gambling system with everything you have. The odds are going to be stacked so high against him that when he wins, you’ll rake in a fortune. Use him as a champion not just for our contract, but for all those other deals you’ve got all held up too. You’ll clean house and add some pain back towards the kingdom’s greed.."

Rlyis chuckled, leaning her weight on the pedestal to get closer to the communication orb. "And just think of the publicity. Duskvale Mining, backed by the Lightning Sect’s champion, a Spirit Ascension stage, dual element spirit warrior, takes down the Steel Snakes’ prized fortress. Your company’s name will be everywhere."

Dorian’s face twisted once more, becoming anxious. "You’re serious? You want me to stake everything on this?"

Eno shrugged. "Not just everything. Everything you can afford and then some. When Lassim wins—and he will—you’ll thank us. Trust me on this."

Lassim, who had been standing silently, stepped forward. "Dorian, if I lose, I’ll be a disgrace to my Sect and my Master. But I won’t lose. If you have faith, bet what you’re willing. The result will speak for itself."

The sheer confidence in Lassim’s tone silenced the room as Eno and Rlyis looked at him as if he spoke the word of the Gods, an absolute truth.

Dorian looked at the trio for a long moment before shaking his head in disbelief. "You’re all insane. Completely, utterly insane. But fine—Eno—we’ve been friends for so long and gathering up a champion for all my other contracts has been a headache and half. I’ll do it. I’ll also place some side bets, and I’ll use Lassim’s name to negotiate what I can. But if this blows up in my face, I’m holding you and the Lightning Sect—in its entirety—all responsible."

"Fair enough," Eno said with a smirk. "Just make sure you’ve got that extra Astrium Veinstone ready when Lassim wins. Oh, and don’t forget to save a seat for yourself in the arena—front row. You’ll want to watch this live."

Dorian leaned back with a resigned sigh. "I hope you know what you’re doing. For all our sake. My company might just go under if we don’t win any of our contracts or rights back."

Eno clapped Lassim on the back with a laugh. "Don’t worry, old friend. Lassim’s going to surprise you—and everyone else at that arena."