The Agreed Duel

Lin Hai let out a soft sigh. His body transformed into a streak of golden-black light, soaring into the heavens.

High in the sky, under the watchful eyes of billions of people across the globe, a massive half-body projection of Lin Hai materialized directly opposite Ohma Zio.

As soon as Lin Hai appeared, he addressed his opponent in his usual calm, unperturbed tone, "Old Demon King, your premise is flawed."

Across from him, the Old Demon King’s expression softened slightly upon seeing Lin Hai finally step forward to confront him. Hearing those words, his heart filled with doubt, and he asked, "How is it flawed?"

At this moment, the entire world fell into a state of utter bewilderment.

Wasn't this the true form of Ohma Zio that had been circulating on the internet? Why had he appeared? And why was he talking to himself? What on earth was going on?

Furthermore, judging by his tone, he seemed to be the very person Ohma Zio wanted to challenge.

Billions of people grew increasingly perplexed.

What was actually happening? Why were there two of them? There had to be some hidden truth they were not privy to.

Grief and resentment welled up in everyone's hearts. Even if they were to perish as collateral damage, were they to die in total ignorance? To not even know the reason for their own demise was simply too miserable.

"This... How can there be two Ohma Zios?"

"I don't know. Are they playing a joke on us?"

"Right, I remember the introduction of Ohma Zio mentioned that a group of people traveled back in time to assassinate his fifty-years-ago self. Knowing this, Ohma Zio also traveled back."

"Let's say, if our era is indeed fifty years later, wouldn't two Ohma Zios appear in this time?"

"You... are a genius!"

"To actually think of that!"

"Now that you mention it, it does make sense."

"There are two Ohma Zios in this era."

"One is the Ohma Zio native to this world, and the other is the Ohma Zio who returned from fifty years in the future. Looking at the current situation, that seems to be the case."

"So, the reason we are going to die is because Ohma Zio is dissatisfied with his past self, so he's fighting himself, and the shockwaves of their battle will destroy the planet?"

"This truth... is still a bit mind-bending. I still don't fully grasp it."

"My head hurts. Forget it, let's just get it over with and destroy everything."

In the sky.

Faced with the Old Demon King's questioning, Lin Hai unhurriedly delivered his response.

"Old Demon King, the reason you sought me out for a duel is because the ranking placed you behind me, and you refuse to accept this placement, thus wishing to contest it with me, correct?"

Opposite him, the Old Demon King nodded. That was indeed his intention.

He was the Ohma Zio from fifty years in the future, yet he could not defeat his self from fifty years ago. Did that not imply that over the past fifty years, he had not only failed to progress but had actually regressed?

But the truth was, over those fifty years, he had faced countless challengers and endured indexable battles. His strength had multiplied countless times compared to his youth. How could he possibly be inferior to his past self?

Moreover, he wanted to use this opportunity to formally compete with Lin Hai and make him yield completely. When that time came, he could guide him onto the "righteous path."

"Indeed, that is exactly what I mean," the Old Demon King nodded.

Lin Hai slowly continued, "That is why I said you are wrong. Being ranked second does not necessarily mean you are below me."

The Old Demon King laughed aloud, his voice booming with anger, "Hahaha... Do you take me for a fool? On this planet, who else but you could stand above me? Even if your strength were inferior to mine, it would still be more than enough to make the list. Now, your name is nowhere to be found, and only the final top spot remains. If it isn't you, who else could it be?"

Everyone across the world nodded in agreement. As the past self of the Old Demon King fifty years ago, he naturally possessed the strength to enter the top fifty. With such power, his name should definitely be on the list. Now, his name was absent, leaving only the very last position. Aside from him, there could be no other candidate.

Lin Hai merely smiled faintly and replied, "I assume you only started paying attention to the ranking when it reached the final few spots, correct?"

The Old Demon King frowned and sneered, "Precisely."

"Then that explains it. There is something you might not know: the ranking list seems to only calculate the combat power on this planet at a specific point in time. This has caused some people's strength to be affected, leaving them off the list, or resulting in inaccurate placements."

"If you do not believe me, you can observe this world, and you will see if what I say is true."

The Old Demon King furrowed his brows. As an omniscient and omnipotent existence, all information on the planet could be gathered into his mind with a single thought.

A moment later, a look of realization dawned upon his face.

"It seems... that is indeed the case."

As soon as these words were uttered, they stirred up another tempest in the hearts of billions. It turned out this ranking list was not entirely accurate, as it only recorded combat power at a single moment. Some who should have been ranked high were placed at the bottom, while some weaker individuals made the list. So this was the reason.

Seeing that his opponent understood, Lin Hai continued, "As for me, I have been in another world for the past few days, only returning to this world recently. Therefore, I believe that when the ranking list was compiling its data, it failed to register me. Since it could not register me, I naturally would not appear on the list."

"Thus, your claim that I am ranked above you is fundamentally invalid."

Hearing Lin Hai's explanation, the Old Demon King fell into contemplation. However, he was currently suspended in the sky before the entire world, with billions of people watching him from below. If he simply walked away like this, he would likely become a laughingstock. Even though he was the ultimate overlord of time and space, he felt a bit awkward about leaving directly.

"This... you are only speaking of a possibility..."

Just as the Old Demon King was hesitating over what to say, Lin Hai spoke up first, "Old Demon King, how about we do this?"

"Wait a little longer, until tomorrow when the first-place ranking is announced. If it is not me, then there is no need for us to fight."

"If it is indeed me, we can determine who is superior then. What do you say?"

"Let us make an agreement. If you lose, you must listen to me and return to your future timeline."

"If I lose, I will submit to your every arrangement."

The Old Demon King rejoiced inwardly. This was exactly what he wanted to hear from Lin Hai. In his mind, his victory was absolute, so this promise from his opponent was practically an agreement to "return to the righteous path."

He immediately agreed, "Very well, I shall wait until tomorrow."

With that, the Old Demon King departed, and Lin Hai subsequently vanished from the sky. The heavens, which had been filled with wrathful flames, once again restored their original azure hue.

Beneath the sky, billions of humans stood utterly dumbfounded.

The first-place ranking of this list could actually decide their fate. Going from mere bystanders to active participants, this feeling was truly unsettling.