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*****
For five consecutive days, no one came forward to cause trouble for Li Muxuan.
This was understandable. So many years had passed that most of Li Muxuan's old enemies were either aged or dead.
Back then, his nickname had been "Evil Child," not because he was truly cruel or vicious, but because he loved to play tricks on others.
Aside from the incident that led to the destruction of the San Yi Sect, he had hardly ever killed anyone.
Even those he had once toyed with—if they were still alive—were now old men. Having lived through decades of ups and downs, most no longer cared about youthful grudges. Few were so petty as to travel all this way just for revenge over a prank from long ago.
During those five days, the number of people in the valley didn't dwindle—instead, more and more gathered.
Many newcomers weren't even here to witness Li Muxuan's withdrawal from Quanxing, but rather to catch a glimpse of George and the legendary Nine Dragons Chariot.
Most young people didn't know who Li Muxuan was, nor did they remember the San Yi Sect incident of years past.
But once they heard about the Nine Dragons pulling the chariot, and learned of Nassen Island, they rushed over as if injected with adrenaline.
Nearly all of the competitors from Dragon-Tiger Mountain's Luotian Grand Ceremony had arrived.
Both sides of the valley were now packed tightly with strangers and adepts alike. It was the largest gathering of extraordinary individuals in the country's history—even greater than the Luotian Grand Ceremony.
On the sixth day of the ritual, someone finally approached Li Muxuan.
It was Old Liu of Huaguang, whose wedding day had once been ruined by Li Muxuan—something he regarded as a disgrace beyond forgiveness.
Back then, he had demanded Li Muxuan lick his shoes in exchange for mercy. Yet when Li Muxuan was about to comply, Liu had kicked him away instead, never truly intending to humiliate him.
Now Liu revealed that he had contacted all those who once bore grudges against Li Muxuan.
Many of them had already died, and the ones still alive either no longer remembered those youthful disputes, or considered it too much of a waste of time to travel so far for such trivial matters.
In the end, he was the only one who came.
It was then that Li Muxuan realized all these years he had been tormenting himself—believing he had committed countless sins.
But in the long, colorful lives of others, those past incidents barely counted for anything.
On the seventh evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Lu Jin finally rose and walked over to Li Muxuan.
The ceremony of severing ties with Quanxing had reached its climax and conclusion.
Once Lu Jin confirmed that no one else intended to trouble Li Muxuan, he launched into combat with him. The two clashed fiercely, neither holding back.
Lu Jin did not use the Tongtian Talisman, relying solely on the "Threefold Reversal of Life." Li Muxuan also fought with everything he had, leaving no room for mercy.
"Li Muxuan truly is a genius…"
Watching their duel, George couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
Lu Jin's strength was expected—he had the guidance of the top master Zuo Ruotong and practiced the famed San Yi Sect technique, the Threefold Reversal of Life.
Li Muxuan, by contrast, had learned only the modest "Eightfold Reversal," under the tutelage of a third-rate teacher in the extraordinary world.
Yet through sheer talent, he had elevated this third-rate art to the level of a top master, fighting Lu Jin to a stalemate.
Had Li Muxuan truly joined the San Yi Sect back then, his achievements today might have been even greater.
The audience was captivated by their intense exchange, each silently thinking their trip had been worthwhile.
"It's over!"
After a full hour of battle, under deliberate provocation from Li Muxuan, Lu Jin finally let go of all restraint. Risking failure and even death, he broke through into the third level of the Threefold Reversal.
Upon entering this stage, Lu Jin's power surged. His body became nearly indestructible, and he decisively defeated Li Muxuan.
George could see it clearly—Li Muxuan's intention had been to use Lu Jin's hatred to push him into breaking through.
It was Li Muxuan's way of repaying an old debt.
But Lu Jin clearly felt no gratitude. Instead, he mercilessly beat Li Muxuan until he was on the brink of death, only stopping once he ordered someone to bring the hammer that signaled the end of the ceremony.
"Li Muxuan, I'll give you a chance. Promise me you'll never again have any ties with Quanxing—not even with that bastard Wugen Sheng.
If you agree, I'll personally strike the hammer for your severance today. In the future, if the San Yi Sect is rebuilt, you'll have a part in it."
Though Li Muxuan had started the chain of events, it was Wugen Sheng—the leader of Quanxing—who had ultimately broken Zuo Ruotong's Threefold Reversal, causing Zuo's death and the annihilation of the San Yi Sect.
And since Wugen Sheng had vanished afterward, with no trace to this day, it was possible he was still alive.
Lu Jin knew sparing Li Muxuan today meant sparing himself as well, allowing him to release his heart's burden. But only if Li Muxuan agreed to his terms.
Otherwise, he could never let it go.
Kneeling on the ground, blood dripping from his mouth, Li Muxuan lowered his head and rasped:
"My purpose in this ritual was to withdraw from Quanxing. Naturally, I won't be tied to them again.
But the Sect Master is different. He was the only one who poured his heart and soul into us—into us, the so-called scum of Quanxing.
In your eyes he's a great devil. But to us, he is a saint."
"But your so-called saint abandoned you and vanished!"
Lu Jin froze at his words, then roared furiously.
Li Muxuan nodded slightly in agreement.
"That is why I want to find him. If I survive this day, I will seek him out and serve at his side as his disciple.
Brother Lu, whether you accept it or not, this is my answer."
"Fine, fine, fine! Since that's your choice, then go to hell!"
Lu Jin's face darkened. His fingers curled into a claw as he struck viciously at Li Muxuan's temple, piercing it clean through.
Li Muxuan collapsed with a thud, lifeless.
Everyone present was stunned.
In their minds, Lu Jin, the flawless elder, would never truly kill Li Muxuan.
But reality proved otherwise.
"Brought it upon himself. Brought it upon himself. This way is better… now only Wugen Sheng remains. Only Wugen Sheng…"
Lu Jin stared at Li Muxuan's corpse, muttering to himself, his mind clearly shaken.
"Grandpa!"
Li Mumu, seeing Li Muxuan slain, let out a cry, his eyes blazing red as he tried to rush forward—only to be blocked by George.
"It's fine. He can still be saved."
In a blur, George appeared beside Li Muxuan's body, pressing his palm against the crown of his head.
Seeing George intervene seemed to agitate Lu Jin. With a furious roar, he lunged with a punch.
"Get away! Who said you could touch him?!"
But in the very next moment—despite having broken into the third stage of the Reversal, his strength perhaps approaching that of the Celestial Master—Lu Jin was swatted aside by George with a single casual motion, sent flying two miles away.
"Acting tough with them is one thing.
But acting tough with me? I'll cut you down."
(End of Chapter)