70 Winning the Second Challenge

Besides, all the factions now were in a mood to curry Kael's favor, so that he might be gracious and extend his knowledge and the way to activate the Artifice's functions to them, that they might benefit from it. No one was now in a mood of accusing Kael of cheating or whatsoever.

"Forget it, looks like Young Master Darth Wilkes has failed in a battle of wits. We can only hope for a draw now. Kael's spiritual energy got absorbed by the Prediction Orb, so there must be no way for him to feel out the spiritual density of the Prediction Orb… right?" The Cloverleigh City judge tried to comfort himself, however he wasn't sure about it now, seeing that Kael was able to pull off so many tricks and feats.

Darth Wilkes continued trembling, reeling from the provocative words that Kael had directed at him. To him, Kael was insinuating that he failed due to a lack of knowledge and was incompetent.

Wallie Dawson interjected in the awkward situation. "Alright, since we have seen Young Master Darth Wilkes' results, now we move on to test Kael's replica. Take down the Ice Artifice and put the Prediction Orb on the weighing scale."

No one objected to this arrangement. Darth Wilkes could only watch in suffering silence as the Ice Artifice was returned to Kael and the replica disintegrating in the hands of Wallie Dawson.

Next, the Prediction Orb was placed on the side of the weighing scale that was tending towards the earth.

Wallie Dawson then gingerly held the replica Prediction Orb in his hands and carefully placed it on the other side of the scale.

"I don't believe that you were able to feel out the spiritual density of the Prediction Orb…" Darth Wilkes spoke aloud. Now that his pride had been shattered, his calm demeanor had disappeared altogether as well. Hence he was trying to jab at Kael with his words.

The weighing scale started to shift in equilibrium. The scale was tending towards the replica, which probably meant that the replica had weight that was either the same or heavier than the original.

As the scale moved, the hearts of the concerned parties were placed on a tightrope as well.

A defining moment was about to happen. If the scale tipped way over to the other side, it meant that Kael and Darth Wilkes had come to a draw. If there was equilibrium, then…

The scale moved and tended towards equilibrium, placing both the Prediction Orb and the replica in perfect balance against each other.

The expected didn't happen; the scale didn't continue tipping. Instead, the weighing scale rested in perfect equilibrium.

Uproar! Some of the people in the crowd couldn't help but exclaim out aloud.

"Heavens! Didn't Kael's spiritual energy get absorbed by the Prediction Orb? How could he feel out the spiritual density of the object?!"

"I have no freaking clue as well. We have met a ghost alright. Only someone with supernatural power is able to complete a feat like this!"

"That's right. This Kael is truly a monster. From his knowledge to his abilities, he never fails to surprise people…"

Darth Wilkes ran forward like a madman when he saw the equilibrium. He wanted to destroy the replica and render the challenge null and void.

However, Wallie Dawson exuded his aura and pressured down on Darth Wilkes. As a Herald Rank Lower Phase cultivator, he was obviously unmatched with the Vice-Principal.

"Ahhhhhh! That can't be possible! He is using sorcery and trickery to win! Judges! You have to be fair to me! Be fair to me…" Darth Wilkes, seeing that he couldn't barge through Wallie Dawson, began to be hysterical and started sobbing profusely.

The judge from Cloverleigh City quickly pulled Darth Wilkes away under the guise of the crowd, withdrawing from the center of attention.

Wallie Dawson then addressed the crowd. "It is a draw to the first part of the challenge, however Kael managed to edge out Darth Wilkes in the second part of the challenge. I pronounce that Kael is the winner! Any objections?"

The remaining three judges shook their heads. At this juncture, there was no point opposing the final verdict. Representatives from other cities began formulating plans on how to rope in Kael to help them in their city management.

"Since there are no objections, then correspondingly Cloverleigh City has to provide cultivators as agreed to aid in the production of the hybrid cores." Wallie Dawson didn't fail to highlight the pertinent point of the challenge.

"No problem, but let me first tend to our Young Master. He is currently suffering from shock…" The judge from Cloverleigh City was attending to Darth Wilkes, who looked like he suffered from a Spirit Art that focused on mental attacks.

Wallie Dawson nodded. He then winked towards Kael and gave a thumbs up. Kael responded in kind by nodding slightly.

Everyone was curious why the replica was able to balance out with the original Prediction Orb, but no one was like Darth Wilkes who dared to venture forth to ask Kael questions, for they fear that doing so would offend Kael. Thus, the turn of events could only progress towards the third challenge without having this mystery solved.

Without waiting for Wallie Dawson to announce, Fred Palpatine walked out from the crowd. He was dressed in blue and had a skinny skeletal frame. However, the aura that he exuded was uncommon. One look and people knew that he was different.

Previously, Kael didn't bother to assess the trio of future City Lords carefully. However, now that Kael had the chance, he noticed the difference in bearing of this young man as well, and he praised his opponent inwardly. "Truly, unlike the previous two, he is befitting of being the future City Lord."

Fred Palpatine spoke out. "After seeing your performance in the first two challenges, I feel that this is pointless. After all, you have won the majority consensus of the five cities to produce the hybrid cores. Even if I win the next challenge, I will only be sidelining Hailford City and exposing it to the attacks of the demonic beast horde. That is something foolish and which I don't wish to see. As such, I represent Hailford City to concede the challenge and agree to sending cultivators for the production of the hybrid cores."

"That's some foresight that you have, Young Master Fred Palpatine. I take my leave then." Kael cupped his fists and was about to retreat.

"Wait. Though I've agreed to the proposition, it doesn't mean that I don't want to see what you are capable of. Still, play a game of Auto-Chess with me." Fred Palpatine said.