Chapter 22 – Severing Bai He's Arms, Reduced to a Cripple
The moment Yue Guan's words fell, his aura surged violently.
The Chrysanthemum Martial Soul erupted into existence—a colossal golden flower blooming midair. Dazzling golden light swept outward like a tidal wave, flooding the entire sky in a brilliant, radiant glow.
Beside him, Gui Mei unleashed his Martial Soul True Body.
His form blurred, dissolving into a shadowy, ethereal silhouette. A thick miasma of death spread outward, engulfing the entire Speed Clan in suffocating dread.
The young soul masters below trembled uncontrollably under the crushing pressure, their faces pale as death.
"Grandfather!"
A delicate voice broke through the tension.
A small girl stood amidst the crowd—fair-skinned, with refined features and a slender frame. It was Bai Chenxiang, Bai He's granddaughter.
She stared up at the sky, eyes wide with terror, her little body shaking uncontrollably.
"Take Xiang'er and leave, now!"
Bai He barked the order without even glancing back. His gaze never left the two figures hovering above.
Gui Mei knew well that the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng was the Speed Clan's most precious heirloom. Bai He would never surrender it willingly. If pushed too far, he might even choose to perish together with his enemies.
But killing him outright wasn't the goal—sometimes, a fate worse than death was more effective.
Gui Mei's eerie voice echoed coldly across the air:
"Old White Bird, there's no need to panic. Your clan is weak and poor—hardly worth my effort. You claim to be the fastest soul master in the world. So tell me, do you dare gamble with me?"
Bai He's brows furrowed.
"What kind of gamble?"
"Speed," Gui Mei replied calmly. "If you can avoid my attack for thirty seconds, you win. I'll pay you ten thousand gold soul coins. But if you lose… you'll hand over the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng."
A flicker of surprise flashed across Bai He's eyes.
Ten thousand gold soul coins—that was an astronomical sum for the destitute Speed Clan.
But soon, anger replaced surprise.
A wager of thirty seconds? As the world's fastest soul master, Gui Mei's offer was practically an insult!
Though he knew Gui Mei was fast, Bai He's confidence in his speed was absolute.
He clenched his fists, eyes burning with determination.
"Fine. I accept."
Gui Mei's voice turned razor-sharp.
"Once I strike, mercy is off the table. If you're hit, you'll either die or be crippled. There's still time to reconsider. Hand over the ginseng now, and I'll spare your clan."
"Hmph! You underestimate me, Gui Mei. I, Bai He, keep my word. Let's begin!"
With a cold snort, Bai He vanished.
His body shot into the sky like an arrow released from the bowstring, leaving behind only a faint afterimage.
Almost simultaneously, Gui Mei's ghostly form blurred and disappeared as well—the only thing left was a chilling wisp of deathly aura.
Everyone below held their breath, eyes straining to follow the fight in the sky.
The two figures weaved through the air at impossible speeds, afterimages crossing and vanishing faster than the eye could follow.
Gui Mei's gaze gleamed with killing intent.
The Hundred-Thousand-Year Left Arm Bone and Hundred-Thousand-Year Left Leg Bone activated at once.
Soul power roared through his body as his Instant Shadow Step burst forth.
So fast!
Bai He's heart trembled in shock.
He pushed his speed to the absolute limit, doing everything to dodge within the thirty-second window.
But just as he focused all his energy on evasion, a blinding pain exploded across his back.
A force like lightning slashed through him—his body lost balance instantly, spinning uncontrollably as he plummeted toward the ground.
Boom!
A heavy crash resounded, kicking up clouds of dust.
"Ahhh—!"
Bai He screamed in agony, his voice filled with despair.
He looked down—and horror dawned on him.
His Twin Wings of the Needle-Tailed Swift—his source of flight and speed—had been severed cleanly!
Gui Mei's attack had been too fast to perceive.
During his instantaneous movement, a Nether Soul-Slaying Blade had formed in his left hand, unleashing a slash so sharp it was thinner than a cicada's wing.
That invisible blade severed Bai He's arms and wings in a single, fluid motion—so swift that even those watching from below saw nothing but a flicker of shadow.
Now, blood poured endlessly from the stumps of his arms. His proud wings—once a symbol of unmatched speed—were gone forever.
Bai He had fallen from the sky, not as the fastest man alive, but as a crippled soul master stripped of everything.
"Grandfather!!"
Bai Chenxiang's terrified cry pierced through the heavy silence.
"Clan Leader!"
Bai Chenxiang and the members of the clan hurried forward, surrounding Bai He in panic. Their faces were filled with terror and disbelief.
"H-how is this possible?! I… lost?!"
Bai He's face turned deathly pale, his eyes wide with shock.
He had always taken pride in his unparalleled speed—yet within half a minute, he had been utterly defeated by Gui Mei.
And now, his arms were gone. Like a bird whose wings had been cut off, he could no longer soar into the skies. His Martial Soul, the Needle-Tailed Swift, could no longer attach to him.
He was finished—a cripple for life.
Yue Guan smiled faintly, his gaze falling upon Bai He.
"Old White Bird, you've lost. Now hand over the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng."
"No! Why are you being so cruel to my grandfather?!"
Bai Chenxiang, trembling with fear and anger, stepped forward. Her small face was flushed red, her teary eyes filled with defiance as she glared at the two figures in the air.
"Xiangxiang, fall back! Bring me the box!"
Bai He shouted, his voice trembling as he tried to suppress the agony tearing through his body.
"Grandfather!"
Bai Chenxiang's eyes filled with tears. She shook her head, refusing to leave his side.
"Do you want the entire clan to die with me? Go! Now!"
Bai He's voice grew sharp and commanding, filled with both authority and desperation.
He knew he had lost. There was no other choice but to surrender the clan's sacred treasure in exchange for their survival.
Bai Chenxiang bit her lip hard, tears rolling down her cheeks. Determination flickered in her eyes as she turned and ran inside.
Moments later, she returned, holding an intricately carved wooden box in her small hands. Her face was streaked with tears.
"This is what you wanted. Please… don't hurt my clan anymore."
Bai He looked at the box with deep sorrow and reluctance, but he still forced himself to speak.
"Take it."
Yue Guan's eyes gleamed with excitement. He raised a hand and, with a surge of soul power, pulled the box into his grasp.
With almost reverent care, he opened it.
A wave of dazzling crimson light burst forth.
Inside lay a blood-red ginseng, its surface covered with vein-like ridges that intertwined into the shape of a five-clawed dragon soaring through the heavens.
Yue Guan's eyes widened in awe and joy.
"Old Ghost, it really is the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng!"
Suspended in midair, Gui Mei's cold gaze swept over Bai He.
"Old White Bird, your arms are gone—you're already a cripple. I'll spare your life today. But if you ever stand against me again, I'll wipe out your entire clan."
As his icy words faded, Gui Mei and Yue Guan exchanged a glance. Their figures blurred and vanished into the sky, disappearing without a trace.
Bai He stared blankly upward, dazed, before tears of pain and regret began to fall.
"My arms… I… I can never fly again…"
"Grandfather…"
Bai Chenxiang threw herself into his arms, crying bitterly.
Grandfather and granddaughter held each other, their sobs echoing through the ruined courtyard.
Around them, the members of the Speed Clan wept in silence, grief and despair spreading through the air like a suffocating fog.
Losing their leader's wings was more than just a wound to their pride—it was the destruction of their very future.
The clan that once soared freely beneath the heavens could now only crawl upon the earth.
After leaving the Speed Clan, Gui Mei and Yue Guan flew toward Gengxin City.
Yue Guan was in high spirits, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips.
"Old Ghost, that Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng truly is a peerless treasure. Hahaha~"
Gui Mei's tone was calm but serious.
"Keep it safe. When the time comes, it'll be invaluable."
Just as he finished speaking, both of them suddenly stiffened.
An overwhelming soul power fluctuation erupted ahead of them—vast, crushing, and unmistakably belonging to a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse.
Someone was coming.
—
End of Chapter