The legend of the Child of Light had long instilled fear in people''s hearts, and Wilbur''s special identity and strength only deepened their shock. Many believed that killing Wilbur would resolve the situation, ensuring that the legend of the Child of Light would not resurface. However, it now seemed that achieving this would be far more challenging than anticipated.


    Jeems led the group back to the resting area beneath the tform. One of his subordinates asked, "Mister Jeems, what should we do now? Mister Horst is dead. If the patriarch finds out, what will we do?"


    "The patriarch?" Jeems'' eyes suddenly lit up with excitement. "I almost forgot! The patriarch is supposed to exit seclusion today. Quickly, send someone to inform the patriarch. While we may fear Bale, the patriarch surely will not. As long as the patriarch arrives before the tournament ends, Wilbur is as good as dead!"


    After issuing these instructions, Jeems sent one of his men back to the March family as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, the second round of the challenge began. With more than half of the remaining neen participants belonging to the March family, several of them drew matching numbers during the lot drawing.


    In the past, when two March family cultivators faced each other on the tform, the weaker one would typically forfeit, allowing the stronger one to advance directly. As a result, the battles in the final rounds usually progressed quickly, often concluding by midday.


    However, today was different. Horst had been killed by Wilbur, and although Jalone, the patriarch of the March family, was scheduled to emerge from seclusion today, the exact timing was uncertain. It could be in the morning, or it could be in the afternoon.


    To buy time, Jeems instructed the March family cultivators not to fight seriously but also not to forfeit. Thus, after the first two matches concluded, the pace slowed noticeably in the third match.


    Two March family cultivators faced off on the tform, but instead of showing their true strength, they politely held back, and half an hour quickly passed.


    Bale nced at Jeems in the resting area, then coldly looked at the two March family cultivators. "Are you going to fight or not? If not, get off the tform and stop wasting time."


    Jeems retorted, "Lord Bale, that''s where you''re mistaken. Every cultivator can improve their cultivation and strength through sparring. You can''t use them of stalling just because their abilities are closely matched, making it hard to determine a winner. Every participant has the right to fight. Isn''t that so?"


    After speaking, Jeems stared at Bale. Seeing this, Bale could only turn his head away without saying more. Although Bale had intended to help Wilbur given his long-standing friendship with George, the situation was bing increasingly perilous.


    Horst''s death was certainly not a simple matter, and the March family''s influence spread throughout Walker Town. Now, even if he wanted to help Wilbur escape, he would likely be surrounded and attacked by the March family members the moment he left the tform area.


    Despite the March family''s considerable prestige, their members were known for training with concealed weapons, giving them a somewhat unsavory reputation. Bale worried that if things continued like this, Wilbur''s life would be in grave danger once Jalone arrived.


    With this in mind, Bale immediately sent someone to notify George toe to the square.


    The battle dragged on for an hour without a clear victor, and by then, the subordinate Jeems had sent out had returned. Jalone led the way, with the subordinate following behind, head lowered in apparent fear.


    Jalone, full of rage, angrily demanded, "Who killed my son? Today, I will kill him to avenge my son!"