Orion's heart swelled with joy and pride as he watched Lily accept the fire dragon and bask in the adulation of the crowd.
It was a moment of triumph, a culmination of her unwavering spirit and relentless dedication.
But amidst the jubilation, a faint unease stirred within Orion. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.
His instincts, honed through years of training, warned him of an impending disturbance.
As if on cue, a hulking figure emerged from the shadows, drawing the attention of both Orion and Lily.
The man stood tall, his striking red hair and regal demeanour marking him as none other than King Realm himself.
The sudden appearance of King Realm near Lily was unexpected, and Orion couldn't help but wonder what the king's motives were.
The crowd, initially caught off guard by King Realm's arrival, fell into a hushed silence. All eyes were fixed on the powerful figure who commanded respect with every step he took.
Lily, her grip on the fire dragon tightening, regarded King Realm with a mix of curiosity and caution.
She understood the weight of his presence and the potential significance of this encounter.
A flicker of anger then crossed King Realm's face, his brows furrowing. "How dare you hurt my son?" he exclaimed, his voice laced with venomous accusation.
Before King Realm could unleash his wrath upon Lily, Orion swiftly moved toward the arena, placing himself between them.
His stance was protective, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.
"How dare you want to hurt my little sister?" Orion's voice thundered with righteous anger, his words aimed directly at King Realm.
The arena fell into a tense stillness, the air heavy with anticipation.
The spectators, who had been captivated by the tournament's fierce battles, now found themselves witnessing a clash of a different kind.
The King Realm cultivator's surprise was evident as his strike was stopped, his eyes narrowing in recognition.
He looked at the man who stood before him, unwavering and resolute and spoke with a mixture of acknowledgement and respect.
"So, you are a King Realm cultivator," the red-haired King Realm cultivator said, his voice carrying a hint of admiration for the man who had thwarted his aggression.
Orion met his gaze, and his expression hardened. He had honed his skills as a King Realm cultivator, trained tirelessly to protect those he cared about, and his loyalty to Lily ran deep.
"You really dared to touch my sister," Orion replied, his tone conveying a potent blend of determination and warning.
He stood firm, radiating a formidable aura that spoke of his own prowess as a cultivator.
The weight of Orion's words hung in the air, charging the arena with tension.
The spectators held their breath, keenly aware that they were witnessing a clash between two mighty forces.
The red-haired King Realm, though momentarily taken aback by Orion's audacity, regained his composure.
"I am Drake Ignatius, the head of the Ignatius family," he declared, his voice resonating with authority. "Your sister had seriously injured my son in the final of the tournament. I will avenge him."
Orion's gaze hardened, his resolve unyielding. "Your son is the one who is too weak and too arrogant," he retorted, his words laced with a mocking edge.
Drake's face twisted with anger, his voice rising in fury. "How dare you mock my son?" he bellowed, his voice reverberating through the arena.
The tension between them escalated, and both cultivators, sensing the potential destruction their clash could cause, made a mutual decision.
They ascended into the air, their movements fluid and graceful, and swiftly departed to a secluded location away from the city. They understood the consequences of their battle and the need to protect innocent lives.
Lily watched anxiously as Orion and Drake vanished into the distance. Her concern for her brother was palpable, but she held onto her unwavering faith in his abilities.
Deep down, she believed that Orion had the strength and resilience to face any challenge that came his way.
As the two cultivators disappeared from sight, a tense silence settled over the arena. The spectators exchanged whispers, their eyes reflecting a mix of worry and anticipation.
Outside the city, in a secluded clearing, Orion and Drake stood face to face. The air crackled with an electric energy, their auras pulsating with raw power.
Orion's eyes bore into Drake's, his gaze unyielding. "Your son underestimated Lily's strength and paid the price. Mockery is the only response he deserves."
Drake's face twisted with rage, his voice seething with indignation. "You will regret these words, young warrior. I will make sure you understand the consequences of crossing the Ignatius family."
A gust of wind blew through the clearing, swirling leaves around them. The clash between Orion and Drake seemed imminent, the air thick with tension.
Just as the tension reached its peak, Orion's mind raced for a solution. In a moment of inspiration, he turned to the system that had guided him before.
"System, show me his information sheet," Orion commanded, his voice filled with determination.
In response, a holographic image materialized in front of him, revealing the detailed information sheet of Drake, the head of the Ignatius family.
---
[Name: Orion]
[Race: Human]
[Realm: King Realm]
[Talent: Flame King]
[Tier: S]
[Beasts: Blazing Fire Dragon]
[Stats]
[Constitution: A]
[Physique: A]
[Agility: B]
[Magic: B]
---
Orion's gaze fixated on the information sheet, absorbing every detail.
The holographic display presented a comprehensive overview of Drake's strengths, abilities, and combat style.
Orion couldn't deny that Drake possessed immense power, but he remained undeterred. Confidence emanated from his every pore as he evaluated the information before him.
He knew that defeating Drake wouldn't be an easy task, but he believed in his own skills.
A faint smile played on Orion's lips. He understood that victory would require more than just brute force.
As he absorbed the information, Orion's mind worked in overdrive, formulating a strategy.
He visualized the possibilities, envisioning how he could outmaneuver and outsmart his opponent.