God-Tier Extraction Talent: Reincarnated in a Game-like World! Chapter 543: Jack Arefield Vs Tianlan’s Representative

Gao Ren’s declaration momentarily silenced the room, the air thick with palpable tension. Across the hall, the various outsider groups exchanged uneasy glances. Olympus maintained a stoic silence, their members deep in thought, while the Holy Church remained impassive, observing with blank expressions. At the ChaosKnight table, a few members shifted restlessly, the atmosphere growing increasingly strained.

Meanwhile, over at the Broken Dawn table, Ragnarok99 slammed both hands onto the table’s surface, appearing ready to spring to his feet, his jaw clenched as his gaze fixed upon Gao Ren. A single glance from Sophie was enough to halt his movement. Though visibly displeased, he remained seated. Sophie, however, showed no intent of yielding, a fact evident to everyone present. Her sole objective was to fully comprehend the terms before any hasty actions were taken.

Her attention then shifted towards Liang. "What exactly does this ancient law stipulate? Must it be one representative, a single spar, or perhaps a group challenge?"

Liang paused for a beat before responding. "It shall be one-on-one combat. Each of the outsider groups will select a single representative. The Tianlan side will also designate one. The victor will retain possession of the token belonging to their respective group. Should the outsider representative lose, the token must be surrendered."

Ragnarok99’s knuckles tightened their grip on the table, but Sophie subtly restrained him from interjecting. Cassie observed Liang with intense focus, while Bunny’s expression hardened noticeably.

Before any of the assembled outsider groups could formulate a decision, a chair scraped at the Olympus table as Jack Arefield rose. His movements were unhurried and deliberate, uttered without a word, a smile, or any discernible effort to draw attention. He merely adjusted the glove on his right hand and directed his gaze toward Liang.

"Olympus shall take the first turn," Jack declared.

A ripple of reaction spread through the hall. Some Tianlan cultivators turned with evident interest, while others narrowed their eyes suspiciously. Aria, seated beside the Olympus contingent, observed Jack with an air of detached calm. Ares Dunhold, though remaining largely silent and still, exuded an aura that caused the Olympus members to sit noticeably straighter.

Liang briefly appraised Jack before giving a slight nod. "Agreed."

Gao Ren’s attention then swung towards the Longsword Guild table. From there, a man stood up almost immediately, as if he had been anticipating this very moment since their arrival. He was tall, with a lean face, and a longsword rested at his hip. His robes were immaculate, and his eyes held a certain pride that often irked many of the outsiders.

"I shall represent Tianlan for this initial round," he announced.

The leader of the Longsword Guild leaned back, a look of satisfaction on his face. "Proceed. Do not disgrace our name."

After a curt nod, the man strode towards the exit adjacent to the main hall.

The contest was relocated to a clearing situated just outside the dining hall. Attendants swiftly opened the side doors, and the assembled factions emerged in their respective groups. Nobody wished to miss the spectacle, and even the Holy Church members stepped out, their faces betraying no discernible emotion.

Gabriel, accompanied by ChaosKnight, trailed at the rear, maintaining a relaxed posture, his white mask obscuring his features. A few players cast cursory glances his way before quickly averting their eyes, recalling the oppressive aura he had emanated earlier.

The clearing offered ample space for a formal spar. Lamps illuminated its perimeter, and the biting chill of the night air seemed to intensify the profound silence.

Jack occupied one side of the clearing, while the Longsword Guild’s chosen representative positioned himself directly opposite.

Liang raised a hand. "Killing is forbidden. The match concludes when either competitor yields or is rendered unable to continue."

No objections were raised by either participant.

The Longsword representative initiated the engagement, drawing his blade, which emitted a subtle glow as spirit qi coalesced along its sharpened edge. From the opposing side, Jack reached behind him and produced his spear. At first glance, it appeared unremarkable, but the instant his mana surged, a golden luminescence enveloped the shaft and blade, coiling around it tightly as he adopted a defensive stance.

"Begin," Liang proclaimed.

The Longsword representative moved with swift precision, lunging his sword forward in a high-speed thrust that compelled Jack to sidestep while simultaneously maneuvering his spear. A sharp metallic clang echoed as their weapons met, yet Jack did not retreat extensively. Instead, he adjusted his footing and retaliated with a direct thrust aimed at the man’s shoulder.

The Tianlan fighter contorted to evade the strike and slashed upward, but the lower portion of Jack’s spear intercepted the blow. Nevertheless, the residual force propelled Jack back by half a step.

A few members of Olympus registered slight frowns.

"He possesses greater strength than anticipated," one murmured.

The Longsword representative pressed his assault, his blade flashing from various angles in an attempt to force Jack into a purely defensive posture. Jack, however, remained remarkably composed, utilizing the extended reach of his spear to maintain advantageous distance and parrying each incoming strike.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

By the conclusion of the third exchange, Jack found himself pushed back once more, prompting knowing smiles from several Tianlan cultivators.

"The Longsword Guild remains true to its reputation," an observer commented, while the Olympus group maintained their silence.

Jack’s expression remained unchanged. As the subsequent attack descended, he surged forward instead of retreating, catching the Longsword fighter entirely off guard. His spear slid along the length of the blade, deflecting it aside, before the golden tip sliced across the man’s sleeve, drawing a thin crimson line.

With an audible click of his tongue, the representative from Longsword adopted a new stance as potent spirit qi surged, causing his blade to gleam with increased intensity.

"Not bad," he commented before launching himself forward once more, his speed noticeably augmented. The descending strike bore a heavier force, yet Jack met it head-on. The ground beneath his feet fractured slightly under the impact, but he maintained his footing, altering his grip before forcefully driving the butt of his spear into the man's ribs.

A pained grunt escaped the Longsword fighter as he stumbled back a pace. He recovered swiftly, however, unleashing a swift kick aimed at Jack's knee. Jack reacted by stepping back just enough to evade the blow.

The duel remained evenly matched, though its conclusion arrived swiftly. On two separate occasions, Jack was compelled to defend with extreme caution, and once, the Longsword fighter narrowly missed his shoulder. The blade passed so close that it grazed a portion of his coat, causing a few members of Olympus to stiffen.

Then, the spear moved with blinding speed, golden light coalescing at its tip as Jack advanced. The Longsword fighter raised his sword to parry, but the trajectory shifted mid-swing. The spear impacted the side of the blade, deflecting it, and continued its relentless advance.

Bang!

The Longsword representative was sent reeling backward, colliding with the ground and landing on one knee. He attempted to rise, but the piercing tip of the spear halted mere inches from his throat.

Liang observed him. "Can you continue?"

The man gritted his teeth, his grip on his sword tightening before he slowly lowered his head.

"I concede defeat."

Jack retracted his spear.

The assembled outsider factions now regarded Olympus with a newfound respect. Without uttering a word, Jack returned to his designated seating area. Aria merely cast a fleeting glance at the tear on his coat before averting her gaze. Ares, meanwhile, made his move, but only to lift his drinking cup.

On the Tianlan side, no trace of embarrassment lingered; on the contrary, their curiosity was piqued. The leader of Longsword scrutinized Jack intently, as if an important confirmation had just been obtained.

Liang then turned his attention to the remaining outsider groups. "Next."

Before any other participant could volunteer, a representative from the Holy Church stepped forward. Clad in immaculate white robes adorned with intricate gold patterns, his expression was one of unyielding coldness.

"The Holy Church does not engage in challenges of this nature," he declared with unwavering finality.

Several cultivators from Tianlan exchanged perturbed glances.

"Our participation was sanctioned at the highest possible echelon," the priest continued, his voice resonating with authority. "We shall not bestow legitimacy upon this challenge by accepting it."

His pronouncement admitted no room for debate.

A few individuals among the Tianlan cultivators exhibited clear signs of displeasure, with one even taking a step forward before being restrained by a pull on his sleeve. The majority, however, remained silent, understanding that direct opposition to the Church presented a significantly different and more perilous undertaking.

Even within this arena, the Church commanded the presence of a Sacred Sovereign, a deterrent powerful enough to maintain their composure.

Gao Ren's brow furrowed, yet he remained silent.

The Longsword leader slowly shifted his gaze away from the Church delegation, his eyes sweeping past the table occupied by ChaosKnight before finally resting on the figure standing at the rear of the hall, masked and resolute: Gabriel.

A subtle, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips.

"And what of the masked individual? Do you intend to step forward, or will you choose to remain hidden behind another?"