The entire arena fell silent!
You could hear a pin drop!
Everyone was stunned by this sudden, world-shaking reversal that overturned all expectations!
Eyes widened, mouths gaped open, yet no one could make a sound!
Lu Xiaoluo stood with her sword drawn, her robes fluttering in the breeze, her gaze clear and calm like a lake reflecting the Kunlun snow peaks. She looked at the "elder brother" before her—his face pale as paper, cold sweat pouring down, utterly wretched—and spoke, her voice not loud but clearly enunciating each word into Xu Yujun's ears.
"Out of consideration for that meager blood relation between us..."
"I spare your life."
...
"The winner—Xianling Holy Land, Lu Xiaoluo!"
As the presiding elder's resonant voice fell, announcing the outcome of this tumultuous duel with its shocking final reversal, the entire arena instantly erupted!
"Lu Xiaoluo!!"
"Junior Sister Lu! Too amazing!"
"We won! We actually won! This is incredible!"
Mountainous waves of cheers, shouts, and exclamations of amazement swept across the entire venue like a tsunami! Countless gazes converged on that slender figure standing with sword in hand atop the stage, filled with excitement, admiration, and fervor!
Lu Xiaoluo's name rang through the clouds—at this moment, she became the most dazzling focal point of the entire arena.
Upon hearing the verdict, Lu Xiaoluo's face showed no wild ecstasy of victory, only a slight sigh of relief. She cast a complex look at the frozen Xu Yujun opposite her.
Her wrist flipped, and the Mountain Guarding Sword emitted a low hum as the blade tip moved away from Xu Yujun's throat.
She didn't spare another glance at the soul-devastated, pale-faced "elder brother." Instead, she turned, preparing to descend the stage toward those senior brothers and sisters who were enthusiastically cheering for her.
However—
Just as she turned, her back to Xu Yujun, her guard slightly lowered in that split second!
Disaster struck!
"Why—!!!"
A shriek filled with endless venom, unwillingness, and madness, like the roar of a wounded beast, suddenly exploded behind her!
Xu Yujun, who had already lost, whose aura was withered and weak, suddenly had his eyes turn blood red. All the shock, terror, and fear on his face transformed into twisted jealousy and maddened hatred!
He completely disregarded the tournament rules, disregarded his own severe injuries, and like a moth diving into flame, he frantically burned the last remnant of spiritual power in his body. His figure became a mournful blur as he charged with a sword, determined to take them both down, viciously stabbing toward Lu Xiaoluo's completely defenseless back!
"Despicable!"
"Stop!"
"Xiaoluo, watch out!"
This sudden, utterly reprehensible sneak attack cut off the cheering in the arena, replaced by countless shouts of shock and anger! On the high platform, Xiao Chen, Han Yu, and others' expressions drastically changed as their figures instantly shot forward, rushing toward the stage!
But everything happened too fast, too suddenly! The distance was too close, the killing intent too resolute!
Just as that sword tip,凝聚着 Xu Yujun's final madness and hatred, was about to touch Lu Xiaoluo's garments—
"Weng—!!!"
At this critical juncture!
The Mountain Guarding Sword in Lu Xiaoluo's hand, which had already been sheathed by a third, suddenly erupted with unprecedented brilliant radiance and a heaven-shaking dragon's roar! A vast, ancient, majestic will thunderously awakened!
It seemed to possess its own life and spirituality, completely without Lu Xiaoluo's control. It flew from her hand of its own accord, transforming into a protective streak of light, moving at a speed beyond thought, blocking from behind at the very last instant!
"Qiang—!"
A piercing clash of metal against metal!
The Mountain Guarding Sword precisely deflected Xu Yujun's sneak attack that he had been certain would succeed!
However, its sword momentum did not stop! That majestic protective sword intent, the moment it repelled the sneak attack, transformed into a fury like a dragon's reversed scale had been touched, carrying an ice-cold killing intent!
A flash of sword light!
"Puchi—!"
The dull sound of a sharp weapon piercing flesh clearly rang out across the deathly silent stage.
The Mountain Guarding Sword's cold blade had already pierced through Xu Yujun's chest on its own! Entering from the back, emerging from the front!
Xu Yujun's charging figure suddenly froze, all the madness and hatred solidified on his face. He lowered his head, looking in disbelief at the familiar blood-stained sword tip emerging from his own chest—that sword which should have belonged to his father.
Pain spread throughout his body, his life force rapidly draining away.
He lifted his head, his blood-red eyes staring dead at Lu Xiaoluo, who had frantically turned back at the sound, her face filled with shock and disbelief. Yet his gaze seemed to pierce through her, looking at some non-existent figure in the void beyond, his eyes filled with endless grievance, unwillingness, and overwhelming resentment.
Using his final strength, he uttered a hoarse, blood-choked question:
"Why..."
"Father..."
"Is she your daughter... and am I... not your son?!"
"Why... everything... is hers... even the sword..."
His words unfinished, blood had already surged from his mouth. The light in his eyes rapidly dimmed, and with that resentment and unwillingness that would never be resolved in death, his body slowly toppled forward, heavily crashing onto the cold stage, his life force completely extinguished.
Everyone was struck speechless by this reversal, this sneak attack, and this ultimately tragic ending, all happening in the span of lightning and sparks.
The Mountain Guarding Sword emitted a low mournful cry. Light flowed across its blade, shaking off the blood drops, and it flew back on its own into the hand of the dazed Lu Xiaoluo, settling meekly as if the scene of autonomous protection and decisive counter-kill had never occurred.
Lu Xiaoluo gripped the still-warm sword hilt, gazing at the rapidly cooling corpse on the stage, her expression complex and indescribable.
A victory, ultimately concluded in such a tragic and abrupt manner.
[
Dear Readers,
I am currently posting two chapters every day along with bonus releases and early access to new novels. The workload is steady, and I am putting in the effort to keep the schedule consistent for everyone.
Right now, the financial situation is not great. Patreon support is what keeps this translation work sustainable. If you have been following the stories and want to help, joining a tier makes a direct difference.
Here is what membership offers:
$3 per month
10 chapters in advance of other platforms for all works, plus 8 chapters per week for each fiction
$7 per month
15 chapters in advance ahead of other platforms, plus 8 chapters per week for each fiction
$10 per month
Now get 30 advanced chapters instantly for the same price as the old 20-chapter tier. That is 56 chapters per month for each fic, and I work on 3 fics simultaneously. You can do the math on how much you are getting to read. This tier also includes access to character images.
Important note: Subscribing through the Apple App adds an extra 30 percent fee because of Apple and Patreon policy. Subscribe through your browser to avoid the extra charge. Apple also processes payments very late, around 2 to 3 months, which makes it much harder to receive money quickly after you subscribe.
If you can support, it would genuinely help continue the daily releases and early access content. If you cannot, reading and sharing the work is also appreciated.
Thank you for your time.
Patreon: patreon.com/Alex_Cruise
]