Chapter 99
The sheer power of that strike tore the ground apart, leaving the audience horrified. The sound of people gasping in shock filled the air.
“His Highness, the prince, wasn’t losing but was controlling a third sword in secret…”
“I remember, this was the technique that instantly killed that Celestial Realm monster before! Could that sword also be a sacred weapon?”
“To control three sacred weapons at once, the prince is truly terrifying…”
The last time people had witnessed this sword was on a recording stone. While they knew it was powerful, they hadn’t experienced it firsthand and thus couldn’t fully grasp its might. But today, many had the chance to watch it live, and they were left in awe.
As they saw the cracks spreading across the ground and the swirling dust, they finally understood the scale of its destructive force. A strike of this magnitude would kill anyone below the Celestial Realm without question.
The power of the prince could no longer be measured by ordinary standards.
“He didn’t even use this move yesterday,” Zhao Yunji muttered in disbelief.
“Of course not! This technique is far too terrifying. Brother Lin wouldn’t use it lightly, especially since he didn’t actually want to kill you,” Zhao Qingmeng teased, revealing the true nature of Lin Qi’an’s restraint.
It was clear now—Lin Qi’an had been holding back during their battle. He had feared hurting her, so he refrained from using his most devastating abilities. Zhao Yunji’s heart ached even more at this realization.
“Well struck…” Ran Yuwei muttered aloud.
She wouldn’t have felt the slightest remorse if Xiao Chen had died from that blow. In fact, it would have been a relief. In her eyes, Xiao Chen had already lost his mind. His aura earlier had even carried a chilling, sinister vibe, sending shivers down her spine.
Seeing this strike, even the Sword Emperor stood up, “What a fine sword!”
Those standing behind him couldn’t help but echo his praise. The Sword Emperor rarely spoke, so his praise for Lin Qi’an’s sword spoke volumes.
However, they didn’t realize that his compliment had a second meaning. Not only was Lin Qi’an’s skill commendable, but the sword itself was exceptional.
The Sword Emperor had seen the sword’s true identity—Thunder’s Judgement. It wasn’t a mere sacred weapon; it was an Emperor Weapon, once wielded by the Thunder Emperor himself.
Although it had lain dormant for many years, currently only able to display the power of a sacred weapon, once fully awakened, it would shake the world. No wonder Lin Qi’an had learned lightning-based techniques; he must have inherited the Thunder Emperor’s legacy. Quite the fortuitous opportunity!
“Mother, did Brother win?” Lin Hongyu asked excitedly.
“It seems not yet,” she replied.
Despite the terrifying power of Lin Qi’an’s strike, those two were no ordinary opponents. The lingering spiritual energy in the dissipating dust was clear evidence that they had survived.
What is a protagonist of fate, after all? They always manage to emerge unscathed from disaster.
Xiao Chen and Ye Yun were both alive, but only barely. They had poured every ounce of strength into surviving that sword strike and were now gravely injured, unable to continue fighting.
The combination of the sword bone’s technique and a sacred weapon had created a force strong enough to slay a Celestial Realm expert, something they simply couldn’t withstand. Both lay on the ground, bloodied and battered.
Xiao Chen spat out blood, a venomous glint in his eyes. “We can’t lose… How can we lose?”
He knew that if they lost now, everything would be over. He would spend the rest of his life under Lin Qi’an’s heel, never able to rise again. His boastful words would become the subject of mockery. Worse still, he would forever be despised by Senior Sister Ran.
A surge of dark thoughts flooded his mind.
“It’s time for you to come out…” Xiao Chen activated the Ten Thousand Beasts Diagram, summoning the power of the monstrous creature he had captured.
Lin Qi’an, standing composed in his pristine white robes, was well aware that defeating a protagonist of fate wasn’t easy. He had already prepared himself for a second round.
“Hiss!!”
Suddenly, a hoarse, guttural roar emanated from the center of the swirling dust, like a sound from the deepest depths of the abyss, sending chills through everyone. Even Lin Qi’an felt a sense of foreboding…
*Boom!*
The smoke and dust exploded outward, vanishing entirely. The scene within was finally revealed, and the spectators erupted in screams of terror.
“What… what is that thing?”
“It’s horrifying! Just looking at it makes me feel uneasy!”
“Is this some kind of normal cultivation technique… No, it can’t be.”
In the center of the battlefield, Ye Yun lay unconscious on the ground, while Xiao Chen slowly emerged from the crater, but his appearance had changed drastically.
His limbs and body were now entwined with countless dry, withered roots, and his entire form was covered in writhing red eyes. There were even eyes on his back, legs, and chest!
Each of these bloodshot eyes squirmed and scanned their surroundings, causing those who looked upon them to feel an instinctive chill down their spines.
“This aura… it’s utterly evil!”
“I feel sick, I’m going to vomit…”
Even Lin Qi’an frowned deeply. From the very beginning, he had controlled the flow of the battle, but now, something unexpected had occurred. When had Xiao Chen gained this malevolent power?
Wait… could it be that during my time in the Thunder Emperor’s trial realm, Xiao Chen obtained this? A bad suspicion crept into Lin Qi’an’s mind. Could this be the extremely evil beast that the Thunder Emperor had sealed away? Had Xiao Chen used the Ten Thousand Beasts Diagram to claim it?
The thought had barely formed when Xiao Chen sprang into action. The ground shattered beneath his feet, leaving behind only a blur of afterimages as he shot forward like a cannonball, moving at a speed too fast to follow!
Xiao Chen’s speed was unbelievable, even surpassing sword techniques. In an instant, he had closed the distance between him and Lin Qi’an.
“Retreat, Your Highness!” The Saint overseeing the Grand Hunt rushed forward, pulling Lin Qi’an back, but it was still a moment too late. A shallow wound appeared on Lin Qi’an’s arm.
“Lin Qi’an, you’re dead!” Xiao Chen laughed maniacally. “You’ve been poisoned by demonic venom. Even the gods can’t save you, hahaha!”
Demonic Poison. That one word sent shockwaves through the crowd, their pupils shrinking in horror. Only now did everyone realize the unsettling aura surrounding Xiao Chen—it was the aura of a demon!
“Demon… he’s become a demon!”
“This is terrifying. How could a normal person turn into a demon?”
“Kill him! Kill him now! Demons cannot be allowed to live!”
【Ding! Xiao Chen has been possessed by a demon. Luck value -300.】
Destiny’s Child: Xiao Chen fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Secret Treasure: Ancient Beast Taming FluteLuck: 100 (White)Luck Core: Ten Thousand Beasts ScriptureCurrent Kill Rewards: Ghost Eye Evil Wood Root, Gu Eagle Iron Claws, Immortal Ape Heart Blood, Ancient Shura Eyes
【Tip: The Luck Core can be seized.】
Lin Qi’an saw the system prompt, but despite the warning of demonic venom, he didn’t feel any discomfort. It was likely due to the protective effects of the Myriad Poison Pill he had previously consumed, which provided immunity from one poison.
While Lin Qi’an remained unaffected, the crowd, unaware of this, was filled with dread. Many believed that Lin Qi’an had been poisoned, and their hearts raced in fear. Xiao Chen had become a demon, and merely being near him was enough to make people feel uncomfortable.
Ran Yuwei’s heart trembled. What concerned her most was that Lin Qi’an had been poisoned. His safety was the priority. Without hesitation, she ran toward him. Zhao Qingmeng, Su Xue Ni, and several others followed suit, rushing toward Lin Qi’an.
“Hurry and take the prince to detoxify him!” the Saint overseeing the hunt shouted.
Then, with a single palm strike, he attacked Xiao Chen, his aura towering like a mountain. Xiao Chen’s body shattered under the force, his flesh scattering across the ground, leaving behind only twisted, withered roots.
The power of a Saint’s palm strike was overwhelming!
On the other side, Lin Qi’an was quickly surrounded—not just by his maids, but also by many physicians from Tianjian City. Zhao Qingmeng, being small, couldn’t push her way through and was left anxiously standing outside the crowd.
“Make way for me!” The Pill Emperor strode through the crowd, his brows furrowed with worry. He quickly took Lin Qi’an’s pulse.
“Strange… His pulse is stable? Could it be that the poison hasn’t activated yet?” Without hesitation, the Pill Emperor pulled out several porcelain bottles from his storage ring.
“Here, take these—Nine-Turn Golden Pill, Disaster-Averting Immortal Pill, Clear Heart Spirit Pill—take them all to preemptively prevent the demonic poison from acting up!”
“When we return, I’ll personally craft the highest-grade detoxification pill for you. Don’t worry.”
The crowd around them was stunned. The pills the Pill Emperor had taken out were the kind of life-saving elixirs that most people could only dream of obtaining. Yet, here he was, handing them out like candy!
“There’s no need to be so dramatic…” Lin Qi’an’s mouth twitched as he looked at the collection of pills.
“It’s absolutely necessary! Demonic poison is not to be underestimated. If it flares up, not even a deity can save you. Take them now! I’ll be off to prepare more.” The Pill Emperor turned and flew off immediately.
Lin Qi’an quietly stored the divine pills in his ring. It wasn’t that he needed them, but they were too valuable to pass up.
At that moment, his maids finally reached him.
“Your Highness, are you alright?”
“Do you feel any discomfort?”
“Let me help you back…” Su Xueni, Zi Lianyou, and Ran Yuwei looked pale with worry, and there were even tears welling up in their eyes.
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious.”
Their conversation didn’t escape the Sword Emperor, Lin Weixuan, who reassured his wife and daughter, “Qi’an is fine. With that old Pill Emperor around, even if he lost half his life, he’d be saved.”
Suddenly, a voice broke through the commotion, sending shockwaves through the crowd.
“The demon… he’s resurrecting!”