The Female CEO's Personal Bodyguard

Chapter 1501: Chapter 1501: I May Not Be Good at Alchemy, But I Excel at Killing

Faced with the aggressive Archie Cooke and Mia Malone, Carson Flores remained composed.

”The competition will speak for itself.”

Archie Cooke burst into laughter. ”Speak for itself? Do you actually think you stand a chance to compete on the same stage as me? You probably won’t even make it past the preliminaries...”

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Carson Flores didn’t bother to engage with Archie Cooke’s verbal attacks. There was a peculiar feeling as though his own stature was being lowered just by responding.

”Whatever you say.”

Carson Flores replied effortlessly, his tone like a gentle breeze, instantly giving Archie Cooke the frustrating feeling of landing a full-strength punch into thin air.

As Carson turned to leave, Archie shouted loudly, ”Since you’re so confident, how about a match?”

Carson turned his head slightly, smiled, ”Pure Yang Wood as the wager?”

Archie nodded. He had proposed the contest, of course, to secure the Pure Yang Wood, but humiliating Carson was also part of his intention.

”Exactly. If I win, the Pure Yang Wood is mine. If I lose, I’ll give you one million Immortal Spirit Stones—tenfold the wager. Dare to accept?”

Carson smiled faintly. ”Not daring, not betting.”

Archie was utterly stunned. He hadn’t expected Carson to refuse the proposal without hesitation. Moreover, Carson’s face remained relaxed, adorned with a smile, showing no trace of anger from being belittled.

Carson’s straightforward rejection, devoid of any sarcastic or bitter tone, left an odd impression on the onlookers.

Elegant and poised, neither servile nor overbearing!

Everyone was convinced Carson’s alchemy skills were undoubtedly inferior to Archie’s. After all, Archie was hailed as a prodigy of the Twin Dragon Sect, while Carson came from the White Crane Immortal Sect, which was not particularly known for its alchemy expertise. Was there even a need to compare?

Yet Archie’s relentless provocation, his mocking tone inches closer every step, resembled the demeanor of a petty figure basking in arrogance, while Carson remained calm and dignified, opting to rise above such trivialities.

No one felt Carson had been humiliated; instead, they found Archie outright detestable—using his strengths to bully another’s weaknesses, in public view no less. Could he not have some shame?

Sure, he might be talented, but his personality was undoubtedly disgusting!

Though no one outright said anything, the crowd’s gaze toward Archie began carrying hints of disdain.

Archie noticed the shift in perception, which only made him angrier. But in front of so many people, what could he do?

He couldn’t very well attack everyone, could he?

In a brazen show of defiance, Archie decided to double down and continue mocking. ”Are all White Crane Sect disciples this cowardly? Unable to even respond when mocked and humiliated?”

Carson’s eyes narrowed slightly, his smile fading, and his gaze turned cold and serious.

This clown really wanted to push his luck, huh?

Carson said icily, ”I may not excel at alchemy, but I do excel at killing. So how about it? Let’s have a duel—a life-and-death match. No retreat, no surrender. How does that sound?”

Carson’s words immediately stunned the surrounding crowd.

”Whoa, he just directly challenged him to a life-and-death duel. That’s hardcore!”

”Archie is great at alchemy, but his combat skills aren’t weak either. Do you think he’ll dare accept?”

”Looks like he’s provoked a ruthless character—might’ve kicked a steel plate here.”

”Archie is an outstanding first-generation disciple of Twin Dragon Sect. His combat power is certainly high; this guy might not be his match. Perhaps he’s trying to scare Archie off with this...”

All eyes were locked onto Archie, watching to see how he’d respond.

Archie was horrified. He hadn’t expected Carson’s counterattack to be so fierce!

The audacity to issue a life-and-death duel challenge outright!

This... was insane!

Archie kept his eyes fixed on Carson. ”What generation disciple are you in White Crane Immortal Sect?”

Carson sneered, ”Why? Cowardly already? Trying to size me up? If I belonged to the Sect Master’s generation, you’d just find an excuse to refuse. If I were a first or second-generation disciple, and you thought you could beat me, you’d accept, huh?”

Carson’s words pierced right into Archie’s inner thoughts, as they were precisely true.

”I can’t very well agree to a life-and-death duel without knowing who you are. That would be entirely irresponsible to my own life, wouldn’t it?”

Carson mocked, ”Yet you didn’t hesitate in challenging me to an alchemy match without knowing who I am. You clearly didn’t consider my feelings then, huh? What’s the matter? Daring to challenge others but not brave enough to accept their challenge—is this how Twin Dragon Sect disciples operate, picking on the weak and shying away from the strong?”

The crowd erupted into laughter.

Archie’s face flushed red. How could he have known Carson would strike back so ferociously, escalating from a simple alchemy match directly to a life-and-death duel?

This was far too extreme!

Asking Carson about his exact background was merely to gauge his approximate level of strength since he couldn’t sense Carson’s abilities. Clearly, Carson was deliberately hiding his true power.

Maybe it was weak, maybe it was formidable.

Without figuring that out, Archie didn’t dare agree recklessly!

Archie sneered, ”Won’t even reveal your identity? A sneaky, cowardly fellow—who would agree to a life-and-death duel with you?”

Seeing that he couldn’t trap Archie, Carson laughed coldly. ”So in the end, you’re just sizing people up based on their status, huh? Fine, I’m Bank Austin’s disciple, Carson Flores. I joined the sect seven or eight years ago. Currently, I am the Peak Master of Heavenly Sword Peak under White Crane Immortal Sect. Sect Master Lance Matthews is technically my junior. Is that clear enough? Now, life-and-death duel, do you dare accept?”

Archie’s pupils suddenly contracted—Bank Austin’s direct disciple!

The White Crane Sect’s youngest senior uncle!