Chapter 874: Chapter 873: Cannot Lose, Must Not Lose_1
The spectator seats at the four arenas each had some people seated in them, including those who had won three consecutive matches but stayed to watch the battles, and the strongest victors, who had become the focal point of attention from all sides.
"The Asura Martial Emperor, he must be the victor from the western arena."
"That blood-covered person is the Iron Heart Emperor."
"What, the Great Sorrow Knife Emperor actually went into the slave area? Who is the master of the southern arena, is it Yuanheng Great Emperor, or..."
"Strange, where are the Yellow Jade Sword Emperor and Miao Haihuang? And who is the master of the eastern arena?"
The audience searched for the candidates they had in mind, and as expected, they indeed saw the Asura Martial Emperor and the Iron Heart Emperor. Their aura was still unrestrained, clearly indicating they had just gone through a fierce battle, obviously marking them as two of the arena masters without a doubt.
But the southern and eastern arenas were confusing because the hottest favorites, the Yellow Jade Sword Emperor and Miao Haihuang, were nowhere to be seen. And among the other Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors, it was difficult to differentiate their strengths—anyone could be the victor.
"Young Master Shi actually won three consecutive matches, impressive."
On the spectator seats of the western arena, Madam Xi looked at Shi Xiaole, first in astonishment, and then couldn’t help but burst out in admiration.
The intensity of the previous battles was unimaginable for those who had not experienced them. Even someone as powerful as her barely managed to win three consecutive matches. Maybe Shi Xiaole was very lucky, but it also proved from another perspective that his strength must have made substantial progress.
"Enough talk, let’s proceed to the next round of duels. The four arena masters will each fight for themselves, and the winners will move on to the next round."
The elders from Wuyuan Palace gathered together, and the elder from the eastern arena said.
No sooner had the voice faded than the Nine-Colored Palace Lamp in the sky lit up, simultaneously shining on two people.
Swoosh, swoosh.
Amidst the abruptly narrowing gazes, two figures landed in the arena, standing ten thousand meters apart.
"What, those two people?"
"How could it be them? Who is that swordsman in white, and who is that swordsman in green? He..."
It was like a torpedo had exploded in deep waters; looking at the two arena masters, everyone was stupefied.
Some eyed the youthful and handsome swordsman in green with white temples, vaguely guessing his identity, but they didn’t dare to believe it, nor did they dare to imagine it because the answer was too astonishing.
"Brother Shi!"
Bai Ruiting’s delicate body shook violently, and she exclaimed in disbelief, her gaze blank.
How could it be possible that Brother Shi was the ultimate victor of the eastern arena?
Initially, she saw him and thought he had won three consecutive matches, feeling happy for his newfound freedom. Little did she expect such a turn of events—it was too unbelievable, too bizarre.
Amongst such strong competition, with the skill level Shi Xiaole currently possessed, it theoretically should not have been possible for him to break through!
"How can this be?"
Zhang Xiaoting, An Rumei, Jiang Zhiyan, and other women were equally dumbfounded, more shocked than if they had been struck by lightning tenfold.
"Could it be that there are no experts in the eastern arena?"
As An Rumei’s gaze shifted, she confirmed that she saw Zhan Renxiong and several other Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors. Her heart felt as if it had been hammered hard, immensely shaken.
The fact that several Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors had all chosen to withdraw proved they had encountered insurmountable opponents, or opponents they were not confident against. In such a situation, how Shi Xiaole had become an arena master was utterly nonsensical!
Madam Xi took a deep breath, her body trembling.
She thought that Shi Xiaole must have hallucinated, which led to a misstep, but the elder from the eastern arena showed no sign of it and did not rush to expel him. Looking at Zhan Renxiong and the other Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors, they too seemed dazed, still not having recovered from the shock.
Could it be, could it really be that Shi Xiaole was the ultimate victor of the eastern arena?!
Yu Yourong’s mind buzzed with noise, and she could not hear anything around her. Her eyes were fixed only on the young man in green, standing like a jade tree facing the wind in the arena, while behind him were many onlookers with expressions of astonishment, shock, and even horror.
"How can it be him, I don’t believe it!"
Fu Shuijing’s smile froze, his face as ugly as it could be. Even if Zhang Xiangfeng had become the master of the eastern arena, he had not been this shocked.
Because Zhang Xiangfeng was already over sixty years old, and he believed he would not be weaker than the other man. But that Shi fellow, who was no older than himself, had he really reached this stage so soon?
Damn it!
But no matter, no matter what despicable means he used, the remaining two rounds would not be so easy to pass. As the saying goes, what goes to extremes is bound to reverse; heaven does not tolerate those who defy it!
As his fists writhed with blue veins, Fu Shuijing’s gloomy expression eased slightly.
"Great Sorrow Knife Emperor, you’ve become a slave?"
Seeing the swordsman in white and the swordsman in green, Iron Heart Emperor was also taken aback and communicated to the Great Sorrow Knife Emperor in the slave area.
"Don’t underestimate Zhang Xiangfeng; I am not his opponent, and neither are you, perhaps."
The Great Sorrow Knife Emperor responded indifferently.
"Oh?"
Iron Heart Emperor’s gaze intensified as he watched Zhang Xiangfeng make his way out of the southern arena.
If it wasn’t an illusion, he had actually detected admiration in the Great Sorrow Knife Emperor’s tone, something which even he had never inspired in that guy who seemed unaffected by anything; this was interesting indeed.
Upon observing Shi Xiaole again, the Iron Heart Emperor’s expression changed once more.
Because the opponent was actually an eight-layer Earth Immortal from the Divine Barrier Realm! With such an anomaly, there must be a demon at play. Could it be that the opponent possessed some peerless hidden weapon that even a Martial Emperor of the Void Origin Realm would dread?
The Asura Martial Emperor took in both opponents with a single glance. Indeed, the situation had taken an unexpected turn, but wasn’t it all the more interesting for that? To him, as long as he had enough strength, everyone was the same.
In the span of a short while, due to many people on the four main stages knowing each other, and after communicating through sound transmission, they were all aware of the events unfolding on each stage. Suddenly, the whole arena exploded with noise.
"Zhang Xiangfeng caused a moderate fracture alone and made the Great Sorrow Knife Emperor admit defeat?"
"You must be lying. How could the Azure-clothed Sword King possibly kill the Yellow Jade Sword Emperor with his own strength? Even if it were a battle among equals in the same realm, it’s impossible. This is a qualitative difference!"
People screamed, doubted, and were overwhelmingly shocked. Despite their verbal disbelief, they knew in their hearts that facts could not be twisted. As they felt an endless sense of unreality, they also experienced profound regret that they hadn’t witnessed the two kings’ battle for divinity in person.
Especially the Azure-clothed Sword King’s miraculous victory over the Yellow Jade Sword Emperor, it must have been absolutely splendid!
"They’re up against each other."
Strangers looked on with glee while acquaintances suffered impotently.
Yu Yourong had long considered Zhang Xiangfeng a close friend, and Shi Xiaole, he was the bearer of her unspeakable affection. Whether someone became a slave or was killed, any outcome would be a tragedy she didn’t wish to see!
Why does life have to toy with people so?
"Xiaole, I knew it was you."
On the stage, Zhang Xiangfeng looked towards Shi Xiaole from afar.
"Brother Zhang, you have so much confidence in me?"
What Shi Xiaole didn’t verbalize was that when he saw Zhang Xiangfeng on the southern stage, he had the same premonition of everything that was to come.
Frankly speaking, Zhang Xiangfeng was the most talented individual he had met within his range of vision to date, bar none!
"Just a very strange feeling, Xiaole, do you think you can defeat me?"
Zhang Xiangfeng grinned, yet his gaze lingered on a silhouette on the western stage, radiating a softness and determination that was profound.
"I’m not sure."
Shi Xiaole sighed.
Even if he went all out, he was still uncertain, and to make matters worse, facing Zhang Xiangfeng, it was in Shi Xiaole’s nature to be unable to fight with all his might. This inherent temperament of his was something even his willpower couldn’t overcome.
This was the first time he truly felt the breath of death, coming from the friendly face across from him.
"Xiaole, you appear gentle and indifferent on the outside and strong as ice within, but beneath the ice lies a kindness and compassion that even you can’t control. When facing a true acquaintance, these feelings involuntarily surface, putting you in peril. In this battle, you are bound to fail!"
Zhang Xiangfeng shook his head, but his words were like a flurry of swords, striking Shi Xiaole’s heart and leaving him feeling oppressed. Even his sword moves were heavily affected and couldn’t reach their normal state.
Shi Xiaole looked up at the sky.
He was uncertain if he could defeat the unfathomable Zhang Xiangfeng, who had means unknown to all. Even if he won, he would lose to the next opponent.
Between him and the Divine Fire Order stood two immense mountains he just couldn’t cross. Everyone had their limits, including Shi Xiaole. He had given his all, and in the face of harsh reality, he finally saw his own limits.
Was there any point in continuing to persist?
He couldn’t help Shi Xuanzhong, nor could he seize the opportunity of the Divine Fire Order. Instead, he would recklessly throw away his life, an unwise course of action indeed.
Shi Xiaole struggled to open his mouth. Just as he was about to concede defeat, he saw Zhang Xiangfeng across from him suddenly start to smile, "Xiaole, I guess I know what you’re about to say. Please don’t blame my selfishness and cruelty, but I must do this."
"Brother Zhang, I understand. This is the best outcome for both of us."
Shi Xiaole came to a realization.
"Xiaole, I admit defeat."
Zhang Xiangfeng suddenly declared with a smile.
Staring at the other person in sheer astonishment, Shi Xiaole’s gaze pierced through ten thousand meters, and it took him half a day to come back to his senses. Since entering the field, he had never been so dazed, and the words "I admit defeat" echoed incessantly in his ears.
"Remember, I’m not doing this for you. A swordsman must always advance bravely and fearlessly. But Zhang Xiangfeng has his fears. I’ve found my answer, and yet, I’ve also lost the reason to persist."
Zhang Xiangfeng’s smile was tender as he drifted towards the slave area on the western stage, next to Zhong Lingsui. He took the lady’s hand as if no one else was present, holding it very, very tightly.
"I said that no matter what happens, we won’t be separated."
Zhong Lingsui’s eyes were moist, tears incessantly rolling down her cheeks. This man was so proud that he would never bow his head, except when it concerned her. As far as she could remember, this was the first time he had ever conceded.
"You pointed out Xiaole’s weakness, but aren’t you the same? I know, your conceding isn’t just for me. It’s also to repay Xiaole for the life-saving grace he gave that day. How could you bring yourself to harm the man who saved your life?"
Gazing fondly at the profile of the man she loved, Zhong Lingsui thought to herself with a touch of pride.
"Brother Zhang."
Shi Xiaole lifted his head and closed his eyes, using his inner strength to dry the moisture in his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were like an ancient well, a still pond, his burning emotions deeply concealed within.
Previously it was Shi Xuanzhong, and Ling Yujie, and now Zhang Xiangfeng was added to the list. No matter for whom, in the coming life-and-death battle, he could not lose—he would not allow defeat!
