Chapter 365
Rin instantly evaporated the water soaking his clothes and fixed his gaze on Nina.
At last, he understood why Keil was so protective of her.
After all, she had given the Mermaid Clan an extraordinarily gifted female cub.
Even so, he remained unconvinced.
The old fish actually claimed he couldn’t defeat her.
How ridiculous.
Owning two cities did not automatically make someone powerful. In Rin’s eyes, neither Barbarian City nor Whitesand City ranked among the strongest cities in the Beast World.
Still, the fact that a female had risen to become a city lord meant she must possess some genuine ability.
Looking directly at Nina, he said, “For Keil’s sake, I’m willing to let this matter go. However, I want to spar with you p>
His tone softened slightly.
“Don’t worry. I won’t use my full strength, and I won’t hurt you p>
He needed this fight.
Otherwise, his people might truly begin to think he feared her.
Naturally, he intended to hold back and avoid causing any real injury.
Setan hesitated before stepping forward.
“Grandfather, I really don’t think that’s necessary p>
His voice carried a trace of helplessness.
“Whatever needs to be discussed, we can talk about it after we return p>
The truth was simple––his grandfather couldn’t beat Nina.
If he lost in front of the entire city, his reputation would never recover.
Yian immediately rushed over as well.
“That’s right, Father. You really shouldn’t p>
He glanced nervously at Nina before continuing.
“You’re already at your age. Why are you insisting on fighting a young female p>
He desperately needed to repair the situation.
If Nina got hurt because of this fight, his troubles would only become worse.
Yuna hurried forward too, spreading her arms protectively in front of Nina.
“Father, you can’t bully her p>
She frowned.
“You’re so much older than she is. Why would you challenge a young female p>
Unlike Yian, her concern was genuine.
She knew exactly how powerful Rin was and worried Nina might be injured.
Nina blinked in surprise.
Weren’t these people supposed to dislike her?
Why were they suddenly defending her?
“Old lion, I’m advising you not to fight her either,” Keil called out lazily.
A grin tugged at his lips.
Otherwise, you’ll embarrass yourself beyond repair.
His warning only made Rin more stubborn.
Ignoring Setan and the others entirely, he waved them aside.
“All of you move.” His voice left no room for argument. “Today, I’m fighting her p>
There was simply no way he could accept the idea that a female was stronger than him.
He had to prove everyone wrong.
After pushing Yian and Yuna out of the way, he looked back at Nina.
“Well p>
“Are you willing to spar p>
“I’ll hold back. I won’t hurt you p>
Nina tilted her head.
“You really want to do this p>
“Of course p>
Rin crossed his arms confidently.
“I’ll only use half my strength. You, however, may fight with everything you’ve got p>
Nina paused for a moment before replying.
“Actually… you should probably use your full strength p>
She looked genuinely sincere.
“I’m worried I might accidentally hurt you p>
Since he was Setan’s grandfather, outright refusing would be awkward.
Besides, settling this through combat might make negotiations regarding the Blazing Flame Stone much easier afterward.
More importantly, she truly didn’t want to injure him too badly.
After all, he was Seven’s great-grandfather.
And as for her relationship with Setan p>
That knot was becoming increasingly difficult to untangle.
It was probably best not to make things too hostile.
Rin nearly choked.
“Fine. Whatever you want p>
What an arrogant female.
Even so, he resolved to exercise restraint.
His gaze drifted toward the hands Nina and Setan still held.
So the boy really did like her.
“Are we fighting here?” Nina asked.
Rin nodded.
“This place is fine p>
Setan sighed quietly.
He had tried.
If his grandfather refused to listen, there wasn’t much else he could do.
At Rin’s signal, the warriors of Blazing Flame City quickly cleared a massive area in the center of the battlefield.
Rin walked to the middle and waited.
Nina released Setan’s hand.
“I’ll be back in a moment p>
Reluctantly, Setan let go.
Then he lowered his voice.
“Nina… could you show a little mercy p>
His expression was earnest.
“Grandfather is getting old. His bones might not handle too much punishment p>
Nina nodded seriously.
“I will p>
Rin’s face darkened immediately.
What kind of nonsense was his grandson saying?
The warriors of Blazing Flame City were equally speechless.
Their former City Lord needed mercy?
From a female?
The very idea sounded absurd.
Yian and Yuna exchanged stunned looks.
Even now, they found it difficult to believe.
Although Keil insisted Nina was stronger than Rin, they had assumed he was exaggerating out of affection.
In their minds, Rin had always been an invincible figure.
Setan smiled gently.
“You should be careful too p>
Nearby, the children waved their tiny hands enthusiastically.
“Go, Mom p>
“Beat the bad guy p>
Odian and the others looked completely relaxed.
None of them appeared worried in the slightest.
Keil, meanwhile, looked as though he had purchased a front-row ticket to an excellent performance.
The old lion’s stubbornness was about to provide him with tremendous entertainment.
Yuna and the others silently cheered for Nina as well.
On the opposite side, the warriors of Blazing Flame City were overflowing with excitement.
Surely their former City Lord would put this arrogant female in her place and remind everyone of Blazing Flame City’s strength.
Nina stepped into the center of the field.
“Let’s begin p>
She wanted to finish quickly.
Setan still required treatment.
Rin nodded courteously.
“Very well p>
Then, with the confidence of a veteran warrior, he gestured toward her.
“You may make the first move p>
Nina didn’t waste time.
The moment the words left his mouth, enormous vines erupted forward and swept toward him.
Rin dodged effortlessly.
At the same time, flames burst from his body.
A sea of fire surged toward the vines.
A confident smile appeared on his face.
Fire naturally restrained wood.
Perhaps the battle would end in a single exchange.
The next second, his smile froze.
His flames failed to damage the vines at all.
Not even slightly.
The massive vines tore straight through the inferno and continued charging toward him.
Rin’s expression changed immediately.
This time, he stopped underestimating her.
The battle intensified.
Vines and flames collided repeatedly as the two exchanged attack after attack.
The crowd watched with bated breath.
After some time, Nina decided she had seen enough.
It was time to end the match.
Suddenly, countless vines erupted across the battlefield.
They spread through the air like an endless emerald ocean and descended upon Rin from every direction.
His pupils contracted.
He immediately shifted into a defensive stance.
Unfortunately, the attack was far stronger than he expected.
His defenses shattered one after another.
Before he could recover, a vine broke through completely and struck him head-on.
A loud crash echoed across the clearing.
Rin was launched backward.
His body flew through the air before slamming heavily into the ground.
Silence.
Rin slowly looked up at Nina.
Shock filled his eyes.
She was far stronger than him.
He knew she had held back.
Had she used her full strength, that final strike would have left him gravely injured.
After a long moment, he climbed to his feet.
The arrogance from earlier had completely vanished.
With a sigh, he admitted the truth.
“I lost p>
He had actually lost to a young female.
Around him, the warriors of Blazing Flame City stood frozen.
Their former City Lord had been defeated.
The realization left them horrified.
They stared at Nina as though looking at a monster.
Even Rin couldn’t beat her.
Just how powerful was she?
Meanwhile, Yuna and Maya looked ready to worship the ground Nina walked on.
Their Revered Beast was incredible.
Absolutely incredible.
The children erupted into cheers.
“Mom won p>
“Mom is the best p>
Amid the celebration, Nina calmly walked toward the elders.
The smile on her face was polite.
The pressure behind it was anything but.
“Well then p>
Her eyes swept across them.
“Shall we continue our discussion about the Blazing Flame Stone p>