Chapter 398: A Protagonist’s Unexpected End
"Sure, you need to fight two more times according to our prior agreement. However, there are issues here," Fang Yanxu pretended that he had to stop the game and buying time for Huang Hansheng to arrive.
"What do you want, then?"
Miaomiao scoffed as he had expected Fang Yanxu to be one of the cliché seniors, whose sole purpose was to antagonize a protagonist. But in this case, the immortal targeted him, who had stolen Xie Tian's role and fortuitous encounters.
In other words, Miaomiao might have to confront Fang Yanxu as a protagonist of his own story!
Fang Yanxu peered at Zhang Liao and Qu Yi, scorning them for their incompetency. He levitated to the sky and announced.
"Due to the number of the representatives of Yuan Shaoqing's side being drastically decreased because of casualties and the aftermath of the previous round, I'll give both sides a chance to substitute their members with other fighters. Both sides may sub-in no more than SEVEN cultivators with any cultivation base, and you can request help from outsiders."
The development was pleasantly surprising for Yuan Shaoqing. As his side had lost many members, he was at a disadvantage. Giving him a chance to add in extra manpower was helpful.
Still, the perk applied to both sides. It allowed Miaomiao's side to use the spider monster and Zhao Bao as their main fighters.
However, this gave Yuan Shaoqing a leeway to replace Zhang Liao, Qu Yi, and the dead fighters. He could ask Liu Xuande, Guan Yunchang, Zhang Yide, Huang Hansheng, or even Brocell to temporarily join his side!
He immediately sent his telepathic voice to Liu Xuande and Brocell, asking for their help first.
While Yuan Shaoqing was busy lobbying the other spectators, Fang Yanxu continued explaining the new rules.
"Secondly, the next two rounds will be a bit special. First of all, the leader of Siren City, Mao Miaomiao, is obliged to take part in the next matches due to our private agreement. Regardless of the match template or type, he will be the default fighter of Siren City for at least two rounds!"
Miaomiao snorted as he could see what Fang Yanxu had been scheming. By forcing him to fight in the next two rounds with the substitution rule, he might end up fighting Huang Hansheng or an 8th-stage cultivator next.
However, there was a loophole here. As Siren City won the previous round, they got to choose the match type. Thus, they could just simply pick a group match game and sub-in Dian Wei and Zhao Bao as new helpers.
In addition, Miaomiao could pick his opponents, so it would be stupid to challenge a stronger foe. He would rather face Yuan Shaoqing and end this war game for good.
Unfortunately, Fang Yanxu seemed to predict that. He added another rule.
"Because of the special restriction on Siren City's side, in the next two matches, I will pick an opponent for you, based on your age, your cultivation base, and your combat potential. Of course, I won't force you to fight an 8th-stage or a 9th-stage cultivator. It won't be fair and it will affect my reputation if I bully a junior."
"…"
Now, Miaomiao and Yuan Shaoqing were confused. If Fang Yanxu wouldn't force Miaomiao to fight a stronger opponent, what would he be plotting?
The answer was soon revealed as Huang Hansheng arrived with Lu Fengxian and Ling Tianlong in tow. The 9th-stage archer elder cupped his fist and bowed 90 degrees toward Fang Yanxu while he was holding the chain artifact.
"Huang Hansheng greets Your Excellency, Immortal Fang. I've come late due to a personal issue. I hope you can forgive me for not coming to welcome you earlier."
Fang Yanxu waved his hand, dismissing the formality, "Raise your head, mortal."
"Yes," Huang Hansheng raised his head and smiled. He secretly glanced at Miaomiao for a moment as he felt a familiar aura. However, he averted his eyes and focused on the immortal.
"Huang Hansheng," Fang Yanxu smirked and looked at the two prisoners behind him. "Are they your slaves?"
"… Yes. They are my war slaves."
"Good! Do you mind if I buy them off your hands?"
"W-What?"
Not only Huang Hansheng was shocked, but Miaomiao and the spectators were also stunned. They had no idea what Fang Yanxu had planned for both youths.
Fang Yanxu tossed a bag, filled with second-grade soul stones to the archer, "I hope these soul stones are enough to satisfy you. Is 500 2nd-grade soul stones enough?"
Huang Hansheng repeatedly nodded, "Y-Yes! YES! More than enough!"
"Good. Now, give me that chain of yours."
"OF course!"
Huang Hansheng handed the chain of slavery to the immortal and retreated to Yuan Shaoqing's side along with his colleagues and superior. He shared the soul stones with his family in glee, yet the world guardians didn't do anything to stop him.
Even though Huang Hansheng scored a big prize, the center of attention was still on the immortal. Now, everyone was curious what Fang Yanxu would do to the new slaves.
The immortal turned toward his new toys next, "Youngsters. I have an offer for both of you."
Lu Fengxian and Ling Tianlong observed the arena platform, the people, and representatives of both sides. It wasn't hard to guess what had happened here with the organized spectators and strong fighters, gathered in groups.
Ling Tianlong was interested in the arena, "Let me guess. You want me to fight someone?"
"Oh! You're smart!" Fang Yanxu laughed, "Indeed, I want both of you to take part in this game. However, as I'm a NEUTRAL REFEREE, I can't favor one side. Therefore, you can choose whoever you want to join."
"Hoh?"
Lu Fengxian smirked as he found Fang Yanxu's kindness obnoxious and pretentious. Even Ling Tianlong widened his eyes a bit.
"So, if I join Siren City, you won't complain, right?" Ling Tianlong probed for more information.
"Why should I? I want nothing but FAIRNESS! I simply want to spice the game a bit since the fights so far are too disappointing."
"Then, why me? I mean, why us?"
Fang Yanxu grinned and leaned closer to Ling Tianlong's ears. He sent a telepathic voice to the ex-immortal's mind.
'An immortal like you doesn't belong to this mortal world. I'm giving you a chance to restore your glory… as long as you can do me a favor.'
"…"
Ling Tianlong peered at Fang Yanxu and clicked his tongue.
He hated this type of person the most!
Conspiracy, backstabbing, scheming, and politics always corrupt their morals and principle. In the end, these cultivators would be degraded to heinous politicians, who would sacrifice or do anything for their personal gain.
"I don't think I can be useful for you, dear immortal."
Ling Tianlong flatted out rejected Fang Yanxu's bribe as he didn't want to bow his head to the guy, regardless of whether his identity was discovered or not.
'You'd better listen to me before you make the decision, Fellow Daoist Ling Tian!'
Ling Tian was Ling Tianlong's name in his previous life.
The protagonist turned to glare at Fang Yanxu as the former hadn't expected the latter to learn about his real name.
'Don't give me that look. You see, I'm cultivating karmic dao, so I can read your karma knots, sins, or heart devils. I can even tell that your biggest karma knot is tied between your soul and Kishin Douji's soul. '
"WHAT!?"
'What if I tell you that I can report my master, Samsara, about Kishin Douji's misdeeds? He has been running rampant in the Immortal Realms and the Divine Realms, am I right? We can mobilize our clan's best soldiers and Lord Samsara's vessels to start a crusade against the demons. Well, as long as I have enough evidence and witnesses, such as you and your testimony, I can make an appeal to the other HUMAN GODS, too.'
Now, Fang Yanxu got Ling Tianlong's interest.
"So, I do you a favor, you'll help me exact my revenge."
'You're smart! How about it? Can you kill this little bastard for me? I heard from those world guardians that you and Mao Miaomiao were enemies. You won't lose anything if you help me, right? You'll eventually kill this asshole anyway.'
"True…"
While Ling Tianlong had been conversing with Fang Yanxu, the former glanced at Lu Fengxian.
He paused for a moment, giving his rival a meaningful look.
As if Lu Fengxian had read their minds through their expressions, he sneered at them, "If you want my help, you need to prove your sincerity. Release me and let me restore my strength first. How can I help you when my dantian is empty?"
Hearing Lu Fengxian's remark, Fang Yanxu released both Lu Fengxian and Ling Tianlong from the chains.
However, the immortal hit their necks with his fingers, sending several drops of soul essence into their bodies.
Similar to Killer Queen's ability, Fang Yanxu could now kill both of them whenever he wanted to!
Lu Fengxian's face distorted in anger while Ling Tianlong only scoffed.
Upon being released, both ex-immortals fell to the arena. They barely managed to land on the arena platform as their life essence had been depleted.
Lu Fengxian staggered a few steps before he fell on his knees. On the other hand, Ling Tianlong managed to stand firm as his earth dragon bloodline restored some of his vitality.
Fang Yanxu didn't say anything to them afterward. However, Ling Tianlong immediately walked toward Yuan Shaoqing's side, gesturing that he wanted to be on the latter's side.
Meanwhile, Lu Fengxian gazed at Miaomiao and Wei Yuan. He didn't move from the spot.
But instead of calling them, Lu Fengxian turned to another girl, who wasn't even a part of the representatives.
"Ma Xingjuan, Miaomiao, come here for a second."
Everyone from Miaomiao's side turned toward the cousin of Ma Moxi.
Ma Xingjuan, who had been overshadowed by other sisters, was baffled. She never had a long conversation with Lu Fengxian or was even close to him.
She pointed at herself, wondering what this expert wanted with her, "Me?"
"Yes, you. Come here for a second."
"…"
Ma Xingjuan was reluctant to go out there and reveal her beauty to the public. But after Miaomiao and Ma Moxi gave her approval by nodding, she leaped to the ex-immortal and reached out her hand, planning to help Lu Fengxian up. Miaomiao was also next to her, standing guard against the other cultivators.
Betraying their expectation, Lu Fengxian grabbed Ma Xingjuan and Miaomiao's wrists. He injected all his remaining blood essence into them!
At the same time, Lu Fengxian spoke directly to their mind. His voice rang in Miaomiao and Ma Xingjuan's heads.
'My soul dantian has been bound by that immortal's soul essence, and I'm pretty much done for. Even if I can break free from his grasp, Samsara will probably track my soul to this world. Knowing him, he will definitely kill all of you since you are close to me.'
The tone of Lu Fengxian scared Miaomiao and Ma Xingjuan. He sounded like a dying man.
However, as he was a protagonist, this man had plenty of tricks to use to survive this ordeal.
'I'm tying my karma with both of you. I hope that when you have a baby, name him by using my name. Can you fulfill my last wish?'
Ma Xingjuan frowned as she didn't understand anything.
However, several black blood veins were visible under Miaomiao's skin on his face. He had guessed what this ex-immortal had been planning, and he was pissed.
Reincarnation?
And this bastard wanted to be his son in the next life!?
Lu Fengxian read Miaomiao's expression like a book. He laughed at his apostle.
'Miaomiao, you brat. It's your job to help your master as an apostle.'
Miaomiao clicked his tongue, "I know. Do I even have a choice? Am I your fucking plot armor or something?"
'What's plot armor? … Don't worry. It won't be for free. I'll give you the things that you always wanted.'
Lu Fengxian's blood essence inside their blood vessels rushed to their brains.
Suddenly, a flood of strange images, information, sceneries, and vision of various battlefields became a part of their memory.
The ex-immortal had imparted his experience to them!
Lu Fengxian laughed, 'With this, the relative karma between us has been sowed. I'll see you two in the next life, mom, dad. Oh, by the way, I probably won't have my old memory.'
"YOU!!"
Miaomiao wanted to scold Lu Fengxian for doing something absurd without consulting them. But after a split second, his body exploded from the inside, splashing blood, innards, and flesh all over Miaomiao and Ma Xingjuan.
Just like that, the OP protagonist, who was supposed to be invincible, was killed right in front of him!
…
The one who had killed Lu Fengxian was none other than Fang Yanxu, who had snapped his fingers and detonated the soul essence in Lu Fengxian's soul dantian.
The immortal gazed at everybody among the crowd and declared Lu Fengxian's sins.
"The person I killed just now was a criminal, who had wrongly possessed a mortal's body despite being a half-step god! His body and soul have been destroyed, and he will never be able to reincarnate ever again! I hope you mortals and immortals out there can learn this as an example that you must not possess and take over another physical body to escape from the Yama Court after you die!"
The execution was an example to scare the spectators. It was also an excuse to kill Miaomiao's strongest ally.
Now, without the ex-immortal, Fang Yanxu believed that Miaomiao would lose the strongest backer, and his side would be at a disadvantage.
Little did he know at the time, Lu Fengxian's blood essence in Miaomiao's body contained something else other than his memory.
…
[Ding]
[You have inherited Lu Fengxian's Damaged Heavenly Fate Crystal!]
[Your Luck Points have increased by 4,000!]
[Lu Fengxian's soul fragments have rested in your dantian.]
[Ding]
[The Devil is praising you for killing Lu Fengxian indirectly.]
[The Devil reminds you that you must gather enough Heavenly Fate Fragments and repair the Heavenly Fate Crystal to become stronger than protagonists!]
[Ding]
[Lu Fengxian's benefactor and ex-colleague, The Monkey King, is watching you.]
[The Monkey King has subscribed to your channel.]
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