611 Vaan's Astonishment

The Blood Exchange Duel had become an awkward tradition in the history of the Great Ratholos Empire. Although it was a flawed law, the previous emperors didn't remove it, perhaps due to their pride.

As such, the Blood Exchange Duel had an awkward period where it existed, but no one dared to use it.

It was only during the last fifty years that the Blood Exchange Duel had deviated from its original purpose and became standardized for betting duels instead. Although it was still a duel of life or death, it was not as serious as when it was first introduced.

After all, fists and swords had no eyes.

No one could guarantee an accident wouldn't happen during an intense spar, especially with lucrative wagers involved. Warriors would go all-out to defeat their opponents and claim their prizes. As such, accidental deaths were unavoidable.

Furthermore, no one would be held responsible for the death of another in a Blood Exchange Duel since it was something both parties had agreed to before dueling.

Even the current emperor would turn a blind eye to most cases of the Blood Exchange Duels as long as it didn't get out of hand and disturbed him.

Vaan personally found the existence of the Blood Exchange Duel quite meaningless and impractical. Simply said, it was a mess. It depended too much on good faith.

However, who was he to judge how another country did things?

Although it seemed to be working fine in the Great Ratholos Empire now, Vaan was certain it would never work in another country. In fact, if it were introduced in another country, that country would likely fall into chaos and disorder.

"Under the imperial law, a Blood Exchange Duel cannot be refused… Haha," Vaan chuckled with derision before saying, "Perhaps an ignorant person might believe you, but I am not one of them."

"I can't refuse you? But I can still report you! Doesn't that also count as refusing you? Do you want to see who will be disadvantaged in court when I accuse you of exploiting people with the Blood Exchange Duel?" Vaan added thuggishly.

Bakram was immediately startled by Vaan's words.

He felt like he might have come off too strongly and gave the other person the wrong idea regarding the Blood Exchange Duel.

"T-This Little Brother… I'm not trying to fight you to the death, okay? No need to go that far. I can see that you are an unparalleled genius, so I just wanted to test your strength. Look, I've even prepared something amazing to wager. If you can beat me, you can have it," Bakram hurriedly said.

After he quickly took out the small sandalwood pillbox and showed the brown pill inside, it immediately grabbed Vaan's attention.

An incredible scent of life emanated from the brown pill, but it slowly dissipated as the brown pill was exposed to the outside. The sandalwood pillbox's interior was coated in a crystalline texture capable of preventing the pill's vital aura from dissipating.

"This is a Rank 4 Body Reformation Pill, capable of raising a Rank 4 Body Refiner's cultivation by a minor stage. It is priceless in the empire and has no supply. Only a few people can get their hands on it," Bakram felt pained in his heart as he introduced the heaven-

defying pill.

Such a priceless treasure was in his hand, but it didn't belong to him. If the young man couldn't defeat him, he had to return the pill to his lord.

"A Rank 4 Body Reformation Pill, huh?" Vaan muttered thoughtfully.

Bakram had only revealed the pill for a short instant before closing the pillbox to conserve its potency. However, Vaan perfectly recalled its shape and smell in his mind.

The incredible scent of life that emanated from the pill resembled divine energy. But at the same time, the scent of life also differed from divine energy; it was weaker.

'This is spirit energy…?!' Vaan realized with astonishment.

This didn't mean the Rank 4 Body Reformation Pill contained spirit energy within it. However, it did reveal the herbal ingredients used in its alchemic concoction were nurtured with spirit energy.

What did this mean?

There was actually a place in the Great Ratholos Empire with spirit energy! Moreover, the pill creator definitely knew how to prevent the spirit energy from disappearing!

Vaan became interested in studying the Rank 4 Body Reformation Pill, but he was even more interested in learning more about the pill creator behind it.

Nevertheless, it wasn't hard for Vaan to figure out that Duke Zaahir had sent Bakram to test him. A mere guard was highly unlikely to possess the means to own such an invaluable pill.

As such, the one who actually interested him wasn't Bakram but the duke.

'I did plan to catch the attention of a big figure, but… to think I would also receive such an incredible gift,' Vaan mused intriguingly.

Since the Rank 4 Body Reformation Pill was delivered to his doorstep, Vaan had zero intention of letting it slip back into Duke Zaahir's hands.

"That's an interesting wager you have there. However, even if I agree to fight you, I have nothing to match its value," Vaan casually said.

"And you don't need to." Bakram shook his head and seriously said, "You only need to fight me with everything you have – that is all I require. If you beat me, the pill is yours. If you can't, then you can forget about it."

"Fair enough. I accept your challenge," Vaan calmly agreed.

What else did he have to say? Since someone was trying so hard to gift him something incredibly precious, how could he refuse?

Meanwhile, Jihaad and the three brothers became super excited at once. They were about to witness an incredible battle between Rank 4 Body Refiners!

Without being told, they quickly retreated a safe distance to watch the fight.

"Come at me. I'll let you have the first three moves," Bakram generously gestured and said, "That's the least I can do. Otherwise, people will say I am bullying young people."

Vaan glanced at Bakram weirdly before asking, "Are you sure?"

"Definitely," Bakram replied without hesitation before his gaze flickered with slight disdain, thinking to himself, 'Do you think three moves is too little or too much?'

He might have introduced himself as a Mid-level Rank 4 Body Refiner, but he didn't specify he was only a slight step away from being a High-level Rank 4 Body Refiner. That was why he was chosen. The duke was confident in his ability.

Vaan shrugged and no longer dilly-dallied.

Afterward, the fight quickly started.

…