114. A Fair Battle’s Unfair End

The residential cave carved out from the Mountain’s surface was already in ruins, battered by trembling earth, rumbling impacts, and the errant attacks of the Rank 3 Gu Masters the Demonic Duo dodged. The forest thinned around the battle, the splintered logs swept away by the raging gust generated from the impact of a Sky Griffin’s Phantom arrow. The snowy battleground sported overturned mud, blood, and gore, tucking away the corpses of the Rank 4—Golden Dragon, Ape Shield, and Crystal Shuttle Gu Worms. From Lo Jik’s altitude, the previous fight decorated the surroundings with several craters of varied sizes, the result of his Rank 5 Killer Move—The Last Arrow—being the most vicious-looking one.

The frigid atmosphere did not chill others’ hearts as much as the recollection of the previous attack. The sounds of Lo Jik’s wings gently flapping to maintain his altitude echoed in the perilous battlefield, seemingly overshadowing the pained groans of a few Tie Clansmen grazed by the impact and sent flying away.

Lo Jik didn’t speak and calmly took out a Primeval Stone. Like the spectators, Bai Ning Bing and Chen Jiu were also quiet. The former’s heart momentarily shuddered before he regained his calm and competitive intent, recalling the most recent Killer Move he devised.

Meanwhile, Chen Jiu did not have Primeval Essence and couldn’t invade the privacy of Lo Jik’s Aperture in ordinary times, forcing her to wonder how he managed to rouse the extraordinary amount of Primeval Essence needed to use that Killer Move.

As for absorbing the Primeval Stone?

It was merely a display, an illusion.

One… two… three…

Others watched Lo Jik recover his Primeval Essence as nobody interrupted him after what they witnessed and experienced.

How could they?

Lo Jik’s attack defied the defensive means of three Rank 5 Gu Masters of incredible renown.

Being awe-struck would be an understatement of the spectator’s current emotions.

Although lacking in Wisdom Path Gu Worms, Lo Jik had grown to understand and manipulate his peers at a pace similar to an artist projecting their whims and will onto a blank canvas. Lo Jik’s actions were ink and different shades of paint. His actions acted like a guiding hand, leaving imprints and marks on the canvas—his opponents. By painting the canvas full of his whims, crimes, and murder, Lo Jik sunk his claws into his opponent’s minds and hearts, clenching and staining their thoughts.

As the painter, Lo Jik witnessed every strain of color and shadows, masterfully predicting his opponent’s thoughts because they were sophisticated. Such level of manipulation would elude him had Tie Ba Xiu been the mindless brute sort. However, being a Strength Path expert did not debuff his mind since the gentle giant was more intelligent than others expected, or the Tie Clan Leader wouldn’t have chosen to saddle the man with the grave task of capturing the Little Giant King’s soul.

Ironically, Lo Jik would have faced a few challenges if Tie Ba Xiu was more of a numbskull.

‘Such a Long-Ranged means…’ Tie Ba Xiu’s chest clenched with a rare moment of anxiety, and as any wise man, he chose to rationalize Lo Jik’s existence, burdening the unknown Killer Move with possible limitations. One thing was evident, however—the intense Primeval Essence consumption that led to Lo Jik’s immediate need to recover it. It could also be assumed that the Little Giant King starved for the Essence due to his prior consumption, no matter how little it may be.

‘Lo Jik was always a terrifying expert in close-quarter combat, being the Strength Path Master he is. Adding such a long-range killer move would make him an unquestionable expert of a certain renown throughout the Southern Border!’ The Present Age Overlord’s thoughts flashed as he suppressed the indignation of being blamed for his Clansman’s death. Meticulous and thoughtful, Tie Ba Xiu controlled his emotions and leveled his gaze on the Little Giant King.

The Rank 5 Elders had yet to speak. Tie Ba Xiu knew why.

Lo Jik had directly challenged them all and emerged victorious in the short-lived skirmish. However, the trio had already confronted their earlier claims of not lowering themselves to tackle the Demonic Duo.

However, they lowered themselves to momentarily join the fray. The trio also got their faces smacked until they swelled and thickened, stinging their reputation and pride. Being fierce and quick-witted, they wouldn’t idly step into the murky waters after making a fool of themselves in front of an audience.

Gu Yue Lo Jik extended a challenge to Tie Ba Xiu, to which the latter demanded leverage.

Little Giant King merely fulfilled his demands…

And it stung.

Gu Yue Lo Jik could kill them all with enough time and precise calculations but chose to be lenient despite 20 Tie Clansmen ambushing him and Bai Ning Bing, of which three had already entered the Road of Death.

Tie Ba Xiu had no confidence in defending against that Killer Move, but evading it would be another matter. Similarly, Tie No Ting’s aura faltered, and he no longer spoke louder, already feeling threatened to breathe in Lo Jik’s vicinity. Glares sharpened around Lo Jik, and as time passed, everyone from the Tie Clan, the injured and healed, began to settle the commotion that spread across their hearts, revealing their courageous demeanor.

Courage did not mean a lack of fear.

Despite their fears, the sudden threat of death stimulated the Tie Clansmen’s intense desire to live their last breaths with honor and pride, for it was a badge and an illustrious accomplishment for their souls after their departure.

“I accept,” Tie Ba Xiu’s voice rumbled across the overturned mountain foot.

“Hmm,” Gu Yue Lo Jik’s smile turned appreciative. “Yet, how am I to believe the swine your clan reared won’t interfere? Those three wrinkled mud jostlers spoke mightily of not meddling in the ‘junior’s’ affairs, but I had to beat that lesson into them, didn’t I?”

The spectators drew in sharp breaths as Bai Ning Bing couldn’t contain his laughter.

Tie Mo Xie and Bai Qi narrowed their eyes, already feeling threatened by the brat and nurturing an intense desire to capture him. Yet, a quiet look from Tie Mu Bai pinned them in their spots, leaving them bristled and ashamed.

It was a sensitive moment.

So be it if the spectators only included other Demonic forces. Tie Mu Bai would have personally struck and captured them all.

However, there were many pairs of Righteous eyes in the distance crowd. Tie Mu Bai could not risk the ire of other Super Forces. So, attacking and capturing them all was a fool’s dream.

Already pinned to a spot by their earlier failure, the wizened trio couldn’t act.

Of course, the matter would be different if they succeeded in defending against Lo Jik’s arrow…

But they failed, the sensation of their Gu Worms dying still fresh in their minds, turning into a tidal wave of humiliation.

“Nobody shall interfere in our battle,” Tie Ba Xiu spoke calmly, raising the stakes. “And your demand of the Earth Overlord Gu was a mockery of the Tie Clan’s valor. A life for a life—and any direct or indirect interference will be deemed a failure. I will not resist your attacks and attempts at my life if I fail, and I shall not self-destruct my Gu Worms.”

Lo Jik’s glimmered with pretentious greed.

“Good,” he licked his lips, descending with a thought. “Then I won’t self-destruct my Gu Set either. The winner will enjoy everything the loser accomplished and accumulated.”

A rare smile appeared on Tie Ba Xiu’s stoic face as he nodded.

“That’s the glory of the Ancient Strength Path.”

So, the encirclement around the duo spread further apart as the Rank 3 Elites returned to Tie No Ting’s and Ruo Nan’s side. Bai Ning Bing also moved back, similarly cautious of the ring of Mutated White Apes around everyone. Before the match began, Lo Jik suddenly transferred the Rank 5 Blood River Python, Rank 5 Thousand Li Earthwolf Spider, and the Rank 4 Essence Cloud Elephant King to Bai Ning Bing, instantly inciting a verbal assault from the Tie Clan’s forces.

“Shameless! You just vowed to leave your Gu Set to Elder Xiu!”

“Hmph! What do you think you’re doing? You are violating the terms of the challenge!”

The other Elites criticized, yet they noticed that the once-vocal Tie No Ting had nothing to add, and Tie Ruo Nan frowned, too.

“No rules stop me from gifting Ning Bing a few Gu Worms for his survival.” Lo Jik laughed before gently holding the white-haired youth’s hand with an exceptionally tender expression that raised hundreds of alarms in the spectating Hu Mei Er. Even Bai Ning Bing had to control his disgust once he saw the disgusting look on Lo Jik’s features. The White-Haired devil would instead enjoy the most lecherous expression of the brunette asshat as he fucked the ground than… the sincere look of affection.

Eugh.

However, Bai Ning Bing tamed his instincts to vomit at Lo Jik’s face and then having it lick it clean since he realized the contemptuous bastard was upto no good… again.

“Stay safe,” Lo Jik whispered, gliding his hand from Bai Ning Bing’s fingers to his face, gently stroking his cheek.

‘Suck my dick!’ Bai Ning Bing shrilled internally! The way Lo Jik touched him only made the youth feel goosebumps and profound disgust fluttering in his stomach and heart… like butterflies.

Everyone revealed a strange expression after witnessing the exchange.

“I’m ready,” Lo Jik turned around, his gaze swiftly locating Tie Ba Xiu. “I always wanted to test the Present Age Overlord’s mettle.”

<<<>>>

The two pairs of eyes locked into a fierce, formless clash and released thick, stuffy killing intent from their beings as Lo Jik matched Tie Ba Xiu in stature, already using the Rank 4 Little Giant King Gu. Darkened locks fell over his shoulders, and ancient scars oozed thin streams of mist.

Lo Jik and Tie Ba Xiu had their objectives, which surprisingly had nothing to do with the stakes of the match. Lo Jik’s despicable intentions aside, Tie Ba Xiu wished to recover the fallen Tie Clansman’s honor and capture Lo Jik. The woman who died due to the Arrow Killer Move was not nameless, and Tie Ba Xiu intended to announce her name after capturing Lo Jik!

“Have you had enough?” Lo Jik uttered in a low voice, a mix of a rough snarl and a throaty rasp. He cocked his head, smirking at Ba Xiu’s confusion. “Did you absorb enough strength from the ground?”

The corners of the quiet opponent’s eyes tightened as Lo Jik continued with a short chuckle. “I’ll attack you with uppercuts to the face or chest with enough force to lift your body from the ground. I hope you have had the fortune to deal with this weakness of the Earth Overlord Gu.”

It wasn’t the first time Lo Jik revealed his intentions. The vast crater in the distance was the best display of his might as the cocky opponent rushed ahead, his steps releasing Draconic cries and Tiger roars—boasting a feline’s nimbleness and a dragon’s momentum!

Lo Jik’s fist met Tie Ba Xiu’s knuckle, their bodies momentarily pausing before the Little Giant King flew back, only for him to land on his feet as he laughed, suddenly erupting with four Beast Strength Phantoms!

The two Strength Path Experts turned into blurs of pure power and muscle, their fists echoing with scalp-numbing clashes that always sent the laughing Giant several steps back.

As Gu Yue Lo Jik’s fists bled, Tie Ba Xiu revealed a steady demeanor. Yet, the display of pure dominance wasn’t lost on others. The Earth Overlord Gu and the Tyrant Strength Gu ceaselessly sucked power from the Earth and pooled within Tie Ba Xiu. He had already entered the realm of Rank 5 in terms of physical might, outclassing Lo Jik’s current exertion of strength.

So, Lo Jik didn’t care about revealing his other Mutated Strength Path Phantoms aside from the Yin-Yang Panda—which pinned the crimes of attacking the Shang Clan’s reinforcements on Lo Jik.

So, he instantly pulled back. As he boasted before, Lo Jik tried several attacks to throw Tie Ba Xiu off balance and have his feet leave the ground. But the Present Age Overlord was well-trained to cover this weakness and deflected all these attempts with practiced martial arts.

A bow materialized in Lo Jik’s hand as Tie Ba Xiu’s gaze suddenly sharpened!

He pointed at Lo Jik, releasing a brilliant stream of yellow light that turned into a thin chain. Lo Jik’s expression sank, and he began avoiding the chain’s pursuit, utilizing the Rank 4 Dragon Travel Tiger Steps to perform sharp turns and feints to evade the chain.

Tie Ba Xiu revealed his exemplary control, manipulating the Rank 4 Desist Chain Gu to counter Lo Jik.

Rank 4 Desist Chain Gu was a Rule Path Gu targeting other Gu Worms of the same rank—an exceptional commodity that killed a Gu Worm once struck. Currently, Tie Ba Xiu used the precious one-time consumable Gu to threaten Lo Jik’s Bow Gu. The chain will seek the other Rank 4 Gu on his body if it touches him!

Tie Ba Xiu also moved, constantly closing the distance between them since the chain had limitations and couldn’t extend limitlessly.

*Roar*

*Roar*

*Roar*

*Roar*

Four roars echoed as the Mutated Beast Phantoms suddenly moved out of Lo Jik’s body, fusing with the formless strands of Strength Qi to turn corporeal as they attacked Tie Ba Xiu, instantly countering the former Rank 4 Desist Chain Gu.

It was Tie Ba Xiu’s turn to feel annoyed as he stopped using the Rank 4 Desist Chain Gu, fighting off the Beast Phantoms as Lo Jik began showering the former with a hail of arrows!

The arrows did not curl and divide into three, blaze at the tips, create whirlwinds, or zap with electricity. Those were the effects of the Three-Headed Underground Snake, Infernal Ape, Sky Griffin, and Lightning Dragon Elephant. Lo Jik could not use their phantoms to form the necessary arrows because they were already outside his body, keeping Tie Ba Xiu busy.

Instead, Lo Jik confirmed Tie Ba Xiu’s suspicions and revealed a fifth Mutated Beast Phantom—Fire Biao!

Unlike the Infernal Ape arrows boasting blazing tips, the Fire Biao arrows were feather-ended fletched arrows, leaving a trail of hot flames seared into the target instead of exploding, increasing their piercing damage.

Tie Ba Xiu instantly fell into a predicament since Lo Jik timed his arrows to cull the former’s attack. Even using the Defensive Gu did not put Tie Ba Xiu’s mind at ease since the threat of Lo Jik using the unnamed Killer Move remained fresh, forcing the Overlord to constantly avoid the attacks and retreat as the Beast Phantoms chased, attacking from every spot. The most annoying fact was that Tie Ba Xiu did not possess the unique means to kill the Beast Phantoms and destroy them for good.

Just breaking them apart would turn them into phantoms again, allowing Lo Jik to recover his strength.

<<<>>>

The once-passionate crowd soon felt numb as the two champions spent more time fisting each other than they cared for. Being experts in a path known for its low Primeval Essence consumption and durability, Gu Yue Lo Jik and Tie Ba Xiu did not go down after a punch or two.

No.

Aside from using the Strength Qi Gu to suppress Tie Ba Xiu from using the Desist Chain Gu, the duo relied on their bodies to batter each other. Their massive, bulky forms cut into the air, causing the wind to shrill and their surroundings to explode with mere impacts of their punches and kicks. Relentless and quiet, the crowd watched the two champions focused on beating the shit out of each other. There was no trash talk of any kind.

It would have been another matter if the battle lasted for a few minutes, but the duo possessed the Self-Reliance Gu. Their healing ability was nothing to scoff at, and they barely expended more than a fraction of their Essence to recover their bodies.

So, they punched and kicked.

They grappled and tossed each other around.

It soon became apparent that Tie Ba Xiu did not compare to Lo Jik in martial arts or the better display of their strength, for the Master soon began to suppress Tie Ba Xiu despite the Overlord’s better strength from the Earth Overlord Gu.

The wilds boasted no rules, allowing the duo to use their elbows, fingers, and body parts as a weapon and another’s weakness. Tie Ba Xiu knew of Lo Jik’s deceptive behavior and protected his nethers, neck, and eyes.

The skin peeled off their fists, revealing refined flesh underneath as such injuries drew their savagery, usually suppressed by cold will and a calm exterior.

Bruises littered their features again.

There were times when Lo Jik managed to knock Tie Ba Xiu off his feet, resetting the flow of the battle. However, the latter had several defensive Gu Worms from the Tie Clan, surviving every attempt at his life before recovering his momentum and using the superior strength to suppress Lo Jik.

From minutes, the battle raged for hours!

Lo Jik could not maintain his transformation for so long, forcing him to constantly activate and deactivate it.

The duo redefined the terms of being a Strength Path Gu Masters, forcing others to remain still despite the sun reaching overhead, announcing the arrival of noon. However, the sun’s warmth was welcomed in the new year’s chill.

Around this time, a change occurred.

Gu Yue Lo Jik’s expression experienced a shift as he began to rapidly fall back. His body deflated earlier than usual, and he fished a Primeval Stone from his Storage Gu.

“His Primeval Essence endurance gave out!”

“Sigh, it’s not an unreasonable outcome. Little Giant King already used that impressive Killer Move and the Strength Qi Gu is said to consume a lot of Primeval Essence, too.”

“While the Earth Overlord Gu is a Rank 5 Gu, it’s renowned for its minute Primeval Essence requirement. No wonder Tie Ba Xiu persisted until now!”

“These two are more dangerous than we ever expected… to think Little Giant King had reached such an unreasonable might. The Tie Clan made the correct decision of cutting his path short. Who knows what disaster he would have become for the Southern Border!”

Different emotions surfaced upon the spectators’ features as they conversed in whispers.

Tie Ba Xiu chased Lo Jik around, forcing the latter’s recovery rate to fall to an all-time low.

<<<>>>

Lo Jik appropriately wore a panicked expression as he dodged Tie Ba Xiu’s Rank 3 long-range attacks. His gaze was grim and ominous as he suddenly let out a vicious grin.

“Fight me fairly, Tie Ba Xiu! Or I will self-destruct all my Gu Worms and Soul!”

The change surprised others before the Tie Clansmen began hurling all the insults known to mankind under heaven. Didn’t they form verbal vows not to do that? Yet, why should a Demonic Expert like Lo Jik care about these matters?

Unmoved by the threat, Tie Ba Xiu’s chase turned more intense, his eyes gleaming with the momentum leading to one’s victory. Gritting his teeth, Lo Jik used his Rank 4 Movement Gu again, forced to deplete the precious Essence he ‘recovered.’

His eyes darted around before he chuckled coldly.

“You forced my hand, Present Age Overlord!”

Lo Jik flipped his hands and fished a corpse from his Storage Gu.

Despite being littered with frost burns, Tie Ba Xiu instantly recognized the naked corpse as the Leader of the Four Elders.

His momentum stalled as Lo Jik laughed, indifferent to the hateful glares around him.

“Did you think only your Tie Clan has the right to defile others’ corpses and burial sites?” Little Giant King’s gaze turned vicious. He may not be looking at Tie Ruo Nan, but her anger instantly fizzled as she recalled the Tie Clan digging out Shen Cui’s grave.

“Your fate is sealed,” Tie Ba Xiu’s charge hastened as he was instantly upon the shocked Lo Jik, who barely twisted his body and avoided the punch to the head.

“I will tear this corpse apart and feed it to the dogs, Tie Ba Xiu!” Lo Jik screeched with a hateful expression, his other hand barely holding onto a Primeval Stone.

He looked nothing like the valorous and proud Little Giant King others admired and feared.

Lo Jik’s deflated body barely evaded the quiet, cold Tie Ba Xiu. Using the Movement Gu became a matter of Life and Death since the former preserved every strand of his Essence.

Approval glinted in the eyes of the three wizened trios as Tie Bai Qi glanced at Tie No Ting, quietly relaying orders to evenly spread out the men. They planned to deal with Bai Ning Bing and were prepared to restrict the Steed Gu Worms Lo Jik from his arsenal.

‘Did Lo Jik know about his defeat?’ Tie Mu Bai thought. He couldn’t help but suspect Lo Jik’s motives once he gave Bai Ning Bing those three precious Gu.

‘Why would Lo Jik enter a battle knowing his defeat? Did he intend to use the corpse to force Tie Ba Xiu into submission? Or was he always confident in winning but left a lifeline for his partner, knowing certain accidents cannot be prevented?’

Tie Mu Bai recalled the earlier tender moment between the duo. The Old Clan Lord instantly saw through Bai Ning Bing’s cold exterior and found the youth no better than a young maiden confused with sincere emotions. The duo undoubtedly shared a profound relationship.

So, why?

Why couldn’t Tie Mu Bai overcome the nagging birthed from his trained instincts?

What was he missing?

What clue eluded him?

The battle between the duo Strength Path Champions reached its climax as Tie Ba Xiu appeared before Lo Jik.

“Sigh,” the latter shook his head, suddenly turning calm. “I was lying about feeding the corpse to the dogs. Here, you can have it.”

Lo Jik tossed the corpse to the shocked Ba Xiu’s speed. But how could the latter slow down?

Tie Ba Xiu’s body carried the man through the corpse… tearing it into a disemboweled mess!

“Gu Yue Lo Jik!” Tie Ba Xiu roared, truly furious!

First, Lo Jik used his name to kill another Tie Clansman. Now, he used the man’s body to ruin a proud Tie Clan Elder’s corpse?

Gu Yue Lo Jik played with Tie Ba Xiu from the very beginning!

“Relax,” the shirtless Lo Jik chuckled as the fist zoomed upon his face, lusting to crush his skull and mash his brain matter.

“I know my name just fine.”

A cold whisper bloomed beside Tie Mo Xie as Tie Ba Xiu’s massive fist pierced through an afterimage.

*Splat*

A pair of calloused hands flickered, clapping loudly with Mo Xie’s head between them, a move that encouraged Lo Jik’s grandfather-in-law to part with his wealth.

Discombobulate.

“You dare?!”

A resplendent golden glow accompanied Tie Mu Bai’s furious roar as Lo Jik’s wings bloomed, pulling his body and the corpse before he flapped and reappeared near Bai Ning Bing.

“Take her and leave. I’ll cover your back.”

Lo Jik laughed as a blood-red shadow flickered from Bai Ning Bing’s aperture before the latter took off with Mo Xie’s corpse on the Rank 5 Blood River Python Gu!

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