Chapter 057: The Arrogant Doris

The value of a phantasmal artifact is something even a fool on the Holy Light Continent would know. Phantasmal artifacts are divided into defensive, offensive, and auxiliary types, with defensive artifacts being the rarest of all. The most advanced alchemist on the continent is only a master, such as Lei Hang’s mentor—Master Luo Hui of the Will Academy. The highest grade defensive artifact he has ever crafted is a mid-grade spiritual phantasmal artifact, with an extremely low success rate. This is already a remarkable achievement, and if such an artifact were ever sold on the market, it would fetch an astronomical price! The shield that just neutralized the attack behind Shen Duo and Feng Jun, if it truly were a phantasmal artifact, would at least be a low-grade defensive spiritual artifact.

Princess Doris was lost in her own imaginings, her eyes twisted with rage. As the esteemed princess of her nation, she did not possess a single suitable phantasmal artifact, while these two lowborns did—how dare they! Anger and jealousy clouded her judgment; since she had none, she resolved to take theirs. Such precious items would only be wasted on those two wretches.

Yet, what Princess Doris did not know was that neither of them had used a phantasmal artifact at all. The shield was merely a manifestation of Feng Jun’s spiritual energy, shaped into form. Because he wore a bracelet that concealed his true power, he appeared to be a mere one-star phantasmal mage. That formidable defense just now would surely lead not only Princess Doris, but others as well, to believe they possessed a defensive artifact.

Hearing the murmurs around her, Shen Duo grasped the situation. She wheeled around, her face cold and unyielding. Feng Jun cast a frosty glance at Princess Doris, standing unmoving, with no intention of acting—this woman was too weak; dealing with her would be a waste of spiritual energy.

Princess Doris glared at Shen Duo and Feng Jun. Shen Duo’s clear, resolute gaze exerted a pressure that made Doris inexplicably step back twice. Realizing her reaction, Doris clenched her fists and shouted in fury, “You two filthy peasants, hand over your defensive artifact! Perhaps if I’m in a good mood, I’ll spare your lives!”

How shameless, thought the watching mages, feeling contempt. Yet, most understood that in such a world, strength ruled, and if one had the power, they would do the same—though few would declare it so openly.

“These two young ones won’t escape,” someone sighed nearby. Princess Doris was arrogant, powerful, and well-connected, notorious for causing trouble in Shark City’s black market; many had suffered at her hands.

Some even advised them to surrender the artifact and save their lives, for Princess Doris was ruthless and would show no mercy.

Meanwhile, Dirk had already slipped away and was urgently reporting to the City Lord’s mansion with a spiritual message stone. Should a fight break out, the City Lord’s estate would be the first to suffer, and his own fate would be grim.

Shen Duo looked at Princess Doris and suddenly smiled. Not only did she not possess the artifact Doris demanded, but even if she did, she would never hand it over. “If you want it so badly, come and take it. If you can, it’s yours.”

“So you won’t yield to reason—don’t blame me for being ruthless!” Doris sneered. For a peasant to dare speak to her in such a way—he must be tired of living! Gathering pale blue spiritual energy in her hand, she transformed it into a barrage of light arrows, shooting them toward Shen Duo and Feng Jun. Where the arrows struck the stone pavement, cracks appeared instantly; the crowd shrieked, certain that Shen Duo and Feng Jun were doomed.

Defensive artifacts have a cooldown period—the higher the quality, the shorter the interval, and at certain grades, they can be used without limit. Typically, a low-grade spiritual artifact can only defend against one external attack within two days. If danger arises again, one must rely on oneself.

But as the light arrows reached them, the pale blue barrier reappeared, dissolving the attack effortlessly! Princess Doris had not signed a contract with any phantasmal beast, as she was preparing to capture the River-Turning Crocodile. That move had been her strongest, and her spiritual energy was already waning. Her eyes widened, but greed grew stronger within her—the defensive artifact had repelled two attacks in a single day, its quality unimaginable. She was determined to make it hers!

“What are you waiting for? Go!” Doris finally remembered her guards. Though not as strong as she, they were high-star phantasmal mages and had their own beasts. She refused to believe these peasants could withstand a third attack.

But Doris was far too naive; her character would be her undoing, never knowing how death would come for her.

Shen Duo, unwilling to waste more time, summoned Wingstride from her phantasmal beast space, communicating telepathically: “Wingstride, take care of them.” Doris’s strength did not warrant intervention from herself or Feng Jun.

Wingstride’s narrow wolf eyes squinted as if in response.

A white silver wolf landed gracefully, its posture elegant, radiating both the laziness and pride of its kind. Suddenly, Wingstride released its aura, and with a long howl, the guards’ beasts crouched on the ground, utterly losing their will to fight. This suppression among beasts was absolute, and Wingstride was far superior in rank. The beasts of the surrounding mages also bowed their heads in unison, submitting to strength.

Instantly, the little black market erupted—the girl with no apparent spiritual energy had summoned a high-ranking phantasmal beast! The shock was overwhelming.

Even Doris, slow as she was, sensed something was amiss. At that moment, Wingstride was in mimicry form, and without a special artifact, its true rank could not be discerned. The situation had escalated, but Doris still clung to her pitiful pride.

“Two people hiding behind a beast—what kind of heroes are you? If you have the guts, fight me one-on-one!” Doris was seething—so what if they had a beast? Once she captured the River-Turning Crocodile, she’d have it devour these wretches!

“Wingstride is my beast. If you can’t even defeat my beast, why should I fight you?” Shen Duo answered with no courtesy, intent on provoking Doris, who was far too immature to respond. Beast and mage fighting together was the natural order; Doris’s demand was nothing but unreasonable.

Hearing the discussion among the crowd, Doris shot them a venomous glare and finally threw caution to the wind, signaling her guards to attack together.

In an instant, spiritual energy flared as Doris and her two guards unleashed their best moves.

Wingstride’s red wolf eyes locked onto them, his body glowing with blue light. A massive, majestic iron-winged silver wolf appeared before the crowd. The street was too narrow for its bulk, so Wingstride hovered above, its imposing shadow covering everyone below. It gazed down at Doris with contempt, as if ready to crush her into dust with a swipe of its claws should she dare move.