"Brother Lin, I am also deeply honored that you will be personally taking the stage..."
"Although I received your grace yesterday, I truly cannot hold back today on the dueling stage."
"After all, wouldn't that be seen as looking down upon you?"
"Therefore, if swords and blades are blind and I were to injure my esteemed Lord Lin Ran, please allow me to apologize in advance."
Wiggins spoke with utmost sincerity.
Lin Ran smiled and then asked:
"So, are your formations still the same as last time, letting those small fries go first as cannon fodder?"
"And then, to create a semblance of a narrow victory by fighting to the last moment?"
"Such tricks won't fool me!"
Wiggins was taken aback. He hadn't expected Lin Ran to be so direct, even impolitely inquiring about their battle formations in advance.
Honestly, even if he intended to maintain their original strategy, it was still considered confidential information for the team. Was he supposed to just tell Lin Ran?
After a moment of thought, Wiggins made up his mind and humbly replied:
"Replying to Lord Lin Ran, that is indeed what we were planning..."
"If Lord Lin Ran feels there is any impropriety in this, please feel free to tell us at any time."
"To compensate for your greatness yesterday, we are willing to make the greatest concessions."
"That's right, that is precisely the strategy and tactics we had envisioned..."
"If Lord Lin Ran wishes for us to change our approach, you can suggest it at your earliest convenience."
"As long as it's not an excessive suggestion, we will listen carefully!"
Wiggins ultimately decided that since he had chosen humility from the start, he might as well see it through to the end.
This way, both in and out of character, he could cultivate a favorable reputation.
At the same time, it would build momentum for his unexpected comeback victory against Lin Ran.
As for defeat...
Wiggins, supremely confident in his abilities, had not even considered such a possibility.
Would I be defeated? What a joke!
They had no idea how terrifying he was, combining necromancy with alchemy!
As long as Lin Ran couldn't unleash that so-called secret technique again, he would be completely at Wiggins' mercy.
Their conversation was not deliberately hushed, so everyone present could hear it clearly.
Upon hearing it, almost all the participants and spectators were stunned.
What in the world were these two up to?
How was one inexplicably advising the other on battle formations, and the other was readily accepting?
It was utterly bizarre! It was as if they were old friends...
Yet, their conversation had a slight hint of unfamiliarity, not like they had known each other before.
Lin Ran, after hearing Wiggins' words, smiled even more brightly:
"Since you are so confident, I certainly cannot refuse such kindness..."
"Then... you go first, esteemed Necromancer and Alchemist, Mr. Wiggins from Nightfall?"
"After all, aren't your teammates merely your puppets?"
Lin Ran's last two sentences were spoken using a formation of illusion, audible only to Wiggins himself.
Upon hearing this, Wiggins' expression changed drastically. His previously triumphant smile instantly turned cold and frosty.
What kind of joke was this?!
His carefully laid plans had actually been seen through?!
How long had he maintained this identity of Turing...
And today, it was so easily exposed by a stranger!
Fortunately, Lin Ran had used some power to seal the information tightly...
Otherwise, given his notorious reputation, he would have been torn to shreds on the spot.
Facing so many people in the arena, Wiggins couldn't guarantee his escape.
After all, even the strongest could fall against overwhelming odds. Facing other formidable opponents, Wiggins was not arrogant enough to be reckless.
Damn it!
Wiggins gritted his teeth and stared intently at Lin Ran:
"How did you find out?"
"Do you also have a false identity within Nightfall?"
"And what exactly do you want by bringing this up now?"
It was evident that Lin Ran's strategy of undermining him had completely shattered Wiggins' composure and disrupted his rhythm.
However, Wiggins was ultimately an old fox who had weathered many storms and quickly regained his composure.
Since Lin Ran hadn't exposed him publicly, it meant there was room for negotiation.
Perhaps Lin Ran, who possessed powerful secret techniques, was on the same path, having a hidden true identity within Nightfall.
Unfortunately, with his limited knowledge, he couldn't find anyone similar to Lin Ran.
This guy was indeed well-hidden!
Lin Ran, observing Wiggins' flickering expression, guessed his thoughts and let out a sinister laugh.
Wiggins would never have imagined that the reason Lin Ran wasn't exposing him immediately was because he was a massive, mobile treasure trove, akin to a mountain of riches!
According to You Feng's memories, Wiggins, an old geezer who had prolonged his life through questionable means for countless years, had amassed astonishing wealth.
And as long as he possessed the Eternal Kaleidoscope, he wasn't afraid that this old scoundrel wouldn't talk!
Wake up, old man, it's time to drop some loot!
"What I want, naturally, is your life!"
"For a scumbag like you who has harmed countless human compatriots, everyone wishes to kill you..."
"And you still dare to negotiate terms with me? Arrogant!"
Wiggins was so taken aback by Lin Ran's words that he almost choked, his eyes narrowing in exasperation.
"Youngsters these days are truly arrogant!"
"When I was young and roamed the entire Blue Star Continent, I never met anyone who dared to speak to me like this..."
"Since you're so eager to depart, I shall have to send you on your way."
"And your body will be mine to keep..."
"I promise, I will refine you into my greatest creation ever!"
"In fact, I've already thought of a song to serve as your entrance theme!"
"How is that, aren't I quite considerate?"
Wiggins' gaze towards Lin Ran finally became openly greedy. He licked his lips excitedly and let out a cackling laugh.
As the oldest alchemist and necromancer on Blue Star, Wiggins could clearly sense the terrifying life force within Lin Ran, comparable to a World Tree...
For him, who was already nearing his end, this was a powerful tonic sent down by the heavens!
The onlookers, though unaware of their whispered exchange, nodded in satisfaction upon sensing the immense battle intent from both sides.
For them, the more spectacular the match, the better!