Apollo had long known that Arke intended to kill Bel, and even as she lay battered, coughing up black blood, he didn't intervene. He had already given his warning and decided he would only step in if he felt like it.
As Bel was thrown outside the stage, crashing into the barrier, Apollo glanced toward the floating platform and saw Mathias watching the battle intently. His face betrayed no emotion, and the people beside him said little. But with one look, the Beggar could tell that some of them were enjoying the show.
"Is he just going to stand there?" Apollo muttered. His daughter was in grave danger—surely, he must have noticed something was wrong, right? And sure enough, before the white-robed men could reach Bel, the Core Creation Cultivator became a blur.
Apollo was stunned. When he looked down, Mathias was already standing beside his daughter. He's too fast! Apollo hadn't even seen him move! He hadn't even blinked, and Mathias was gone!
The power of Core Creation… the thought made Apollo clench his fist, excitement sparking in his eyes. Shaking his head, he refocused on what was happening below.
Mathias stood next to his daughter, and suddenly released a pressure so intense that Apollo felt his knees weaken. The audience went silent, as if someone had pressed a mute button.
The pressure gripped Apollo's throat, making him frown. He tried to calm himself, hoping it would ease the pressure, but it remained the same. With a sigh, he decided to just endure the heaviness weighing on him and observe.
Seeing Mathias disappear from his spot and reappear in front of the already kneeling Arke, Apollo raised an eyebrow. "Seems like he's been caught."
Now, the question was whether they would protect Arke. Mathias raised his hand, and particles gathered before it, coalescing into a bright, small ball. That's when another blur appeared, and a newcomer arrived on the two-football-field platform.
"Oh, he's here. So they've decided to protect him," Apollo muttered. "This is getting interesting."
"I advise you not to do that," Holst said, glancing briefly at Arke before fixing his gaze on the Core Creation Cultivator. Bowing his head, he continued, "Bel is injured, but she's still alive. Their strength disparity is small, and it's inevitable that one of them would gravely injure the other. Furthermore, the Referee asked if Bel wanted to concede, but she chose to continue the fight."
"Oh? You think I'm a fool?" Mathias replied, a cold smile forming on his face, his eyes burning brighter. "There's poison inside her body. A poison so potent, it could kill even a Core Creation Cultivator like me within hours if left untreated."
"There's poison?" Holst tilted his head slightly, appearing 'confused.' "But it doesn't matter. The fight is over, and Arke didn't break any rules. Bel is still alive—we should send her to the Healer Room to administer an antidote for the poison. Surely, they must have one for a Poison Body."
"Poison Body? A mere Poison Body can do that?" Mathias's voice grew lower and heavier with each passing second. "I doubt the Healer Room has an antidote for this."
"If that's what you believe…" Holst shook his head. "Then there's nothing more we can do."
Mathias pointed his hand at the butler, the small ball of light spinning rapidly. "Why are you the one speaking to me?"
"It was the Mayor's order," Holst said.
The Core Creation Cultivator turned to the floating platform and saw Mayor Klown glaring at them, his face dark with anger. That f*cking pig, Mathias thought. He was furious, his mind in turmoil. Normally calm and collected, the sight of his daughter suffering from a potent poison that didn't come from a Poison Body had shattered his composure. All he wanted now was to crush these people.
"Mayor? Hahaha!" Mathias laughed bitterly. "Do you think I'll let a Mayor dictate what I can do?"
Holst frowned, his smile vanishing. Murmurs rippled through the floating platform as the noble families whispered among themselves.
"He's lost it. He's openly disrespecting the mayor in front of everyone."
"Yeah, but Bel's alive, and the fight was fair. Arke's poison is part of his cultivation. It would be unfair if he couldn't use it."
The whispers were divided—some supported Mathias, while others were against him.
Nathan glanced at those claiming the fight had been fair and square, disgust flashing in his eyes. Fools, he thought. Mathias wouldn't act unless something was seriously wrong. Clearly, Mathias had sensed something off, and it was likely related to the poison. If that was true, the matter needed investigation.
But when it came to a Poison Body cultivator, using poison wasn't considered cheating—that was their strength. According to the rules, killing an opponent was strictly prohibited. However, the Host had stated that fights between participants with minimal strength disparity could lead to grave injuries, and even death. If a death was proven accidental, the fight could continue.
The current situation was tricky. Bel was still alive, but if she died after the round ended, it wouldn't be Arke's fault—unless it was proven he intentionally tried to kill her.
As the Mayor listened to Mathias's blatant disrespect, his face flushed red with rage. How dare he?! I'm the Mayor, the one who runs this city! You live under me! You're not from one of the Martial Schools to talk like that!
He glanced at the Headmasters, who had remained silent. Although most of the participants were from the Martial Schools, this event was a joint one, which was why the rewards included the top martial students having access to the city's own Cultivation Library.
Klown had a say in what was happening.
"Master Axton, Master Popo, Master Elmo," Klown called out to the three main Headmasters. "Please, tell Mathias to stop this madness."
Master Axton, the Headmaster of the Great Serpent Cultivation School, glanced at Klown, then turned back to the platform. He said nothing, simply watching.
At that moment, Mathias aimed his hand back at the kneeling Arke. "Any last words?"
"Stop it," Holst said, but his only response was the sound of the glowing ball of light spinning faster in Mathias's hand, growing brighter.
"I... I..." Arke stammered, unable to find words. Desperately, he turned to Holst with pleading eyes. Please, save me!
Holst looked away, but Arke noticed the faintest hint of a smile on the butler's face before it vanished.
As the tension reached its peak and Mathias prepared to turn the student before him into ashes, someone sent him a thought transfer. It was the second time someone had tried to interfere, and his frustration flared, but when he heard the voice, he calmed slightly.
'Calm down, Mathias.'
The Core Creation Cultivator looked back toward the floating platform and saw Master Axton staring at him intently.