"How shameless can that old orangutan get!"
"It was already enough for him to unleash his Martial Soul True Body—yet he even pulled out his eighth spirit ability?"
Niu Gao shook his head with an exasperated snort. Titan's stubbornness was too much, even for him.
But then—the atmosphere shifted.
As the two combatants pressed against each other, something inside Lu Yuan suddenly stirred. The black flames around his sword shuddered violently, running not just along the blade but pouring down into his very hands. His long sword felt alive, and the fire crawling into his flesh was so hot it was freezing.
Within a breath's time, the flames coiled up his arms, wrapping around his whole body. His eyes darkened, the black overtaking all color until they burned with a wicked, unfamiliar aura.
The granite platform below him cracked audibly from the pressure.
Everyone else froze in shock.
"What… what in the world is happening?" Bai He muttered hoarsely.
"Don't look at me," Niu Gao replied with an ugly face. "How should I know? This kid's power is… evil."
The two exchanged glances. Both saw the same unsettled fear reflected in each other's expression.
The fight was no longer simple.
Zhu Zhuqing's Concern
A sharp meow split the tense air. In an instant, Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Soul burst forth—the lithe silhouette of her Hell Civet dove forward, her speed cutting clean lines into the atmosphere.
She didn't care why Lu Yuan's power suddenly warped. She only knew one thing: she had to protect him.
But a figure blurred in her path.
"Child, fall back!" Bai He's strange body technique flashed like a phantom, intercepting her before she reached the platform.
"Move!" Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were sharp as blades. Cold light flashed in her gaze, the determination unmistakable.
"You'll only add chaos. Can't you see?" Bai He's voice was stern. "Yes, Titan may be harsh, but even if he wanted revenge for his grandson, he would never truly try to take Lu Yuan's life. Rushing in will ruin everything."
Zhu Zhuqing's fists clenched—but after a long pause, she gritted her teeth and halted, eyes locked on Lu Yuan's black-flamed figure.
Uncontrollable Power
Meanwhile, Titan's feeling of unease deepened. This situation was wrong—terribly wrong.
He wanted to withdraw his spirit ability, to end the clash before something worse unfolded. But he couldn't.
It felt as though some invisible whirlpool was dragging at his strength, anchoring him in place. Every time he tried to ease off, Lu Yuan's body sucked him back in, refusing to let go.
"What the hell is happening, old orangutan?" Niu Gao roared from the sidelines. His voice barely hid his panic. "If you break my soul fighting stage, don't think I'll forgive you!"
Even Titan wanted to yell back that it wasn't his fault. This kid… this kid was pulling him in like a bottomless pit.
The granite floor groaned under their locked powers. Jagged cracks spread like cobwebs in every direction. Dust trickled down.
And then—
"Fifth Soul Ability—Break!"
A sharp voice cut through the chaos.
Boom!
An enormous, black-glinting spear shimmered into existence, stabbing down between Lu Yuan and Titan. Its length stretched nearly eight feet, humming with a killing aura so heavy it seemed to silence the entire arena.
The sudden suppression snapped their deadlock. Both combatants staggered back several steps, severed from each other by that dark spear.
Yang Wudi exhaled heavily, his chest rising and falling.
The Red Pill
When the smoke cleared, all eyes returned to Lu Yuan. He stood still in the center of the arena, black flames rippling off his body in thick sheets. His aura was not human—it was bestial, feral, like a demon unleashed.
Zhu Zhuqing's heart pounded as she sprinted forward.
But Yang Wudi's expression hardened. "Don't touch him!" he growled sharply, stepping in her path.
Zhu Zhuqing bristled immediately.
"Calm." With deliberate slowness, Yang Wudi pulled out a small medicine vial. From it, he withdrew a crimson pill glowing faintly with medicinal power.
He gently placed it under Lu Yuan's nose. With a small pinch, the pill dissolved into red mist, flowing into his lungs.
Lu Yuan's shoulders jolted violently. Then, slowly, the wild flames ebbed, receding back into the long sword that hummed faintly at his side.
His eyes cleared, black fading into their normal shade. He blinked several times, confusion marking his features. "Me? What's everyone looking at? What could possibly be wrong with me?"
Zhu Zhuqing exhaled softly, relief shimmering behind her cool eyes.
Across the platform, Titan swiped sweat from his brow. He hadn't felt genuine terror in decades—but whatever had just surged from Lu Yuan's body had chilled him to the bone. If Yang Wudi hadn't interfered, even he wasn't sure what would've happened.
"Hahahaha!" Titan suddenly laughed, striding forward to clap Yang Wudi on the shoulder. "Old goat, you saved both of us today!"
Yang Wudi only grunted.
Titan turned toward Lu Yuan, his voice booming. "Lu Yuan! Forget about that nonsense earlier—whatever grudge existed between you and mine, it's over now. Done! From today onward, you're my guest. And I'll prove it—let's drink!"
Lu Yuan's eyes sparkled the moment he heard the word drink. "Now that's more like it! Don't hold back—I can handle as much as you can pour!"
Three Rounds of Wine
The clans gathered together that evening. Food and wine filled the tables, spilling into laughter and high spirits.
They drank until faces flushed red, jokes turned sloppy, and the world tilted warmly sideways. By the time the moon was high, most had stumbled off to their rooms, too drunk to stand straight.
Secrets in Yang Wudi's Room
But in one room, two men stayed awake.
"Old goat," Bai He muttered, squinting at Yang Wudi, "what was that mysterious medicine you used earlier? You old fox, you never mentioned having something like that."
Instead of answering, Yang Wudi's expression turned grave. His tone was steady, deliberate. "Old White Bird… tell me honestly. What's the relationship between Lu Yuan and your granddaughter Xiangxiang?"
Bai He blinked, startled.
Yang Wudi leaned closer. "You saw it today too. If I hadn't acted in time, Titan might not even be alive right now. That boy is dangerous."
Bai He's face softened slightly at the mention of Bai Chenxiang. "Xiangxiang likes the boy. And from what I see, Lu Yuan doesn't dislike her either." His smile crept across his lips, filled with a grandfather's private joy. "If they really end up together, our Min Clan's future will be secure."
"Secure?!" Yang Wudi snapped. His voice had an edge of steel no laughter could dull. "You must be blind, old bird. Didn't you see it? That black energy wasn't his power. He wasn't controlling it—the sword was controlling him! You're gambling with your granddaughter's life!"
Bai He frowned, displeasure tightening his forehead.
"Yes, I saw the flames," he admitted. "But are you certain it was the sword?"
Yang Wudi exhaled sharply, his old eyes darker than wine. "I've studied medicine and read more ancient records than I can count. Those kinds of weapons… they're made with blood sacrifices, forged with living souls. Things like that are cursed. The sword behind Lu Yuan is no ordinary spirit tool—it's an evil blade!"
Bai He's drinking haze was gone now; he was completely sober.
Yang Wudi pressed harder. "Can't you see? The sword oozes malice. It's feeding on him. He may think he's wielding it, but in the end, it will devour him! And when it does… anyone close to him will be dragged down as well. Do you want your clan to perish, old bird?"
But Bai He only shook his head slowly. "Old goat, I appreciate your concern. Truly. But Lu Yuan once saved my clan when no one else would. Even if what you say is true, I cannot turn my back on him now. Xiangxiang's heart is her own—and as for me, I repay kindness with loyalty."
"You're risking everything!" Yang Wudi's voice boomed in frustration, but Bai He remained unmoved.
A moment later, Bai He suddenly extended his hand.
"…What are you doing?" Yang Wudi asked, frowning at the gesture.
"Give me some of that refreshing medicine," Bai He said calmly. "Since it helps him, I need to have some in case of emergencies."
Yang Wudi blinked at him, then burst into a bitter laugh. "Hah… In all our decades of brotherhood, when have you ever been this shameless? Fine. Take it all."
He tossed Bai He two vials, shaking his head.
This old white bird had never been cheap before. Clearly, Lu Yuan's influence was spreading already.
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