Chen Feng had intended to leave immediately, but when Jimmy and his group blocked the stairway, he paused, leveling a cold gaze at them.

“Thank you, Miss Judy!” Seeing Judy concede, Jimmy offered a polite nod, turned with those behind him, and started toward the stairs down.

“You can’t go!” Pass darted forward, blocking their path.

Jimmy spun around, fixing his stare on Judy. “Miss Judy, it seems your subordinates don’t listen to you very well!”

Judy’s delicate eyebrows knitted together. “Patti! What are you doing?”

“Miss, you urgently need the Wind Attribute Spirit Core…” Patti’s rough voice boomed anxiously!

Judy sighed, a hint of disappointment clouding her flawless, fair face, stirring a protective impulse in everyone around her!

Only two people present remained unaffected: Chen Feng, whose immunity to beauty was nearly absolute after cultivating the power of the Dark Chaos Vortex, and Jimmy.

The fact that Jimmy dared to contend with Judy for the Spirit Core proved her charms held no sway over him.

“Forget it. We’ll speak of it again another time,” Judy said slowly.

The knight accompanying Pass suddenly stepped forward, bowed deeply to Judy, and moved ahead of the others. “Miss! Please allow me to decide this matter myself!”

“Jerry, you…” Judy called out anxiously, but was met only by his resolute gaze!

Jerry was one of the protectors her father had brought along for her visit to the Frozen Demon Garden. He was firm, unwavering, and fiercely loyal; once he made a decision, few could change his mind. Judy knew from his look that his decision was final, and anything more she said would be futile. Deeply moved, she managed, “Be careful!”

Jerry nodded, walked up to Jimmy and the others, and straightened his imposing frame. “I challenge you to a duel under the ‘Knight’s Vow’! If I win, you give me this Spirit Core! If I lose, I voluntarily relinquish my knighthood!”

“Ah…” A collective gasp swept through the crowd.

Pass cried out instantly, “No…”

The Knight’s Vow was the most solemn form of dueling among knights, meaning a battle fought for honor. Jerry was staking his very status as a knight for a chance to duel them—a loyalty truly worthy of admiration!

“Fine, I accept!” Jimmy wasted no time. “Name the place!”

Jerry stood rooted, his full armor dazzling under the lights. “Right here!”

“Here?” Jimmy was slightly puzzled. “This is a trading area for goods. If we exert full force, we might cause losses to the merchants. I suggest we find another location!”

“If there are losses, I will cover them!” Jerry’s reply was swift and without hesitation.

In truth, he harbored a calculation: dueling outside would attract countless onlookers. A Rank Four Wind Spirit Core was already conspicuous enough; causing a major commotion across the city would endanger him and the Miss, as outsiders. He would never allow anything to happen to her!

Jimmy surveyed the surroundings. The twelfth floor, being dedicated to the sale of Spirit Cores and Demon Cores, naturally had less foot traffic. For some unknown reason today, only their two groups, a few shop supervisors, and one person draped entirely in a black robe and cowl were present in the entire hall.

This figure in the black robe and cowl was, of course, Chen Feng, who hadn't yet made his way downstairs.

The hall was spacious enough to allow a full engagement of fists and feet.

Jimmy’s gaze finally settled on Chen Feng. “My merchant friend, we are about to have a contest shortly. If we accidentally injure you when our battle qi spreads, it wouldn’t be good!”

Jimmy paused after speaking, but the implication was clear: this area was dangerous, and he should leave.

Dark, somber clothing in a trade area usually signified a merchant wary of being targeted, a specific style adopted for safety. Jimmy glanced at Chen Feng and naturally cataloged him as one of their number!

“You should go downstairs too! Their fight might accidentally harm you when the battle qi spreads,” Judy also offered kindly.

“No need!” Chen Feng’s tone was icy. He took a few steps back and settled down in front of a counter.

He had deduced the nature of the 'Knight's Vow' through the conversation, but since arriving in this other world, his life had consisted only of fighting or cultivating. He had never witnessed such a formal duel, and a spark of curiosity kept him there, wanting to observe. Moreover, while the Fist King techniques were powerful, they couldn't cover everything; many moves required self-learning. Observing the knights’ combat would also benefit his own cultivation.

“What an ignorant fool!” one of Jimmy’s men shouted from behind him.

It was indeed suicidal for a mere merchant to linger near a duel between knights. If they were far away, it would be one thing, but being in the same hall meant that stray blasts of battle qi during the fight would inevitably cause collateral damage.

Seeing Chen Feng ignore his suggestion, Jimmy's face flickered with displeasure, but the expression vanished instantly, restoring his former composure.

Judy, seeing him remain unmoved, slightly curved her beautiful eyebrows and said, “Since this gentleman refuses to leave, Pass, go and shield him from the scattering battle qi!”

When combat erupted, the best way to protect an ordinary merchant from the omnipresent shockwaves of battle qi was to physically intercept them.

Pass was deeply annoyed, but he dared not disobey his young lady’s order. He walked in front of Chen Feng, his eyes filled with hostility! Furthermore, he thought that given the young lady’s kindness, the man should at least offer a word of thanks. Yet, when he reached the figure, the man in black seemed not to notice him at all—no expression of gratitude, not even basic acknowledgment, as if… he simply didn’t regard Pass as worthy of notice!

When the Miss leaves, I will properly teach this ignorant fool a lesson. To think he expects me to act as his bodyguard; who does he think he is! Pass rationalized this thought, immediately balancing his internal scales. He then slightly shifted his body to the side, revealing half of himself!

This subtle shift meant his supposed protection was now merely a pretense. If Chen Feng truly lacked cultivation, he would still suffer damage from the stray qi!

Chen Feng was well aware of his petty trick but found it too childish to warrant attention. If he truly had an issue with someone, he would simply act; what impact did these minor gestures have on others?

If Pass knew Chen Feng’s thoughts at that moment, he would likely be drenched in sweat! The man he was planning to discipline considered his schemes mere child’s play… it was truly exasperating!

Jimmy then turned to Jerry. “I shall engage you in the Knight’s Vow duel!”

Before he could finish, a broad, stout man stepped out from behind him. “Young Master, why soil your hands with such a person? Let me, Marn, handle him!”

Jimmy glanced at the burly man named Marn and nodded. “Very well, but be careful. He is comparable to you, possessing the peak cultivation of a Rank Five Knight!”

Marn grinned broadly. “Young Master, rest assured, I will absolutely ensure he loses!”

He clenched both fists, his knuckles cracking like popping beans. Marn, resembling a bear wearing human skin, strode towards Jerry.