The yellow century soul ring suddenly lit up.
Soul skill: Wind Piercing Thrust!
Drawn from the hundred-year soul beast Windstorm Eagle, it was a high-speed, charging skill.
Surrounded by a cyan wind, Xu Chi maintained a forward-thrusting stance. The sword's tip gleamed sharply, like a bolt of lightning tearing through space.
In the blink of an eye, he crossed several meters and lunged at Fang Ling with his sword.
This type of attack, seemingly retreating, then suddenly charging, was notoriously difficult to defend against.
Many had died from such unexpected strikes.
It was also the origin of his nickname: "Blazing Heart of the Thorn."
Fang Ling was particularly wary of this move, just as his own nickname, "Throat-Slashing Ling," came from his own deadly combat style.
Xu Chi's name revealed his combat habits well.
Just like the host had said: thrusting!
This sudden retreat set off strong alarms in Fang Ling's heart.
The abrupt flash of yellow light confirmed his suspicion, Xu Chi was preparing a powerful strike.
The moment Xu Chi launched his charge, Fang Ling didn't think, he instinctively dodged to the side.
The sharp whistle of the wind was piercing to the ears.
The sound, like countless blades slicing the air, carried an icy chill.
Xu Chi was extremely shocked. The Wind Piercing Thrust, which had never failed him before and often delivered instant victory, had only grazed the opponent's skin.
"What a fast reaction!"
Clicking his tongue in astonishment, Xu Chi pulled back his sword and, riding the residual wind from his soul skill, stabbed again at Fang Ling's heart.
This time, Fang Ling couldn't dodge completely. Though he blocked with his scythe, the rushed reaction wasn't strong enough.
A deep gash opened at his ribs near his heart.
"Damn it!" Lin Tianyang, watching the tense and thrilling battle, suddenly tensed.
He slapped his thigh hard.
Fang Ling's reactions were fast, but he lacked strength. Once they got back, he'd make sure Fang Ling ate well and underwent strength training!
If he survived…
"Little Fang Ling!" Shu Manyun cried out in disbelief, her eyes wide as she saw him fall into disadvantage.
"Blazing Heart of the Thorn! Kill! Attack!"
"Throat-Slashing Ling is going to die!"
"He's going to die!" the audience erupted.
Thirteen consecutive victories, and now he was going to be defeated by someone with ten in a row, the city lord's youngest son was about to kill a genius from War King Academy.
A truly thrilling battle.
Fang Ling, who had been stabbed, looked pale.
The black-gold sword had pierced his lung. The searing pain and difficulty breathing rushed to his brain.
Blood dripped from his chest. A strong metallic scent surged up his windpipe.
Yet he didn't falter in pain. In that instant, his eyes grew even more ferocious.
That was the closest he had come to death.
A little more and his heart would've been pierced.
But his opponent's follow-through gave him a brief window of opportunity.
The scythe vanished from his right hand and appeared in his left, continuing to block the attack.
He stomped forward with all his might, pushing the sword in deeper while hooking the opponent's blade with the scythe and forcing it outward.
With adrenaline pumping, he ignored the unbearable pain of the sword cutting through his body.
"Savage!" the crowd gasped in shock.
"Hiss!" Lin Tianyang clutched his chest instinctively, his heart aching.
Everyone saw Fang Ling in mid-air, twist his body and deliver a powerful side kick.
That all-out strike landed on Xu Chi's temple.
Thud!
Fang Ling landed holding his chest and almost collapsed from the pain.
Meanwhile, Xu Chi was sent flying several meters, smashing hard into the ground.
The kick nearly shattered his skull and almost knocked him out cold.
Though he didn't lose consciousness, a massive swelling formed on his head, and his skull cracked. His brain undoubtedly suffered a concussion.
His vision blurred, hearing faltered, and all his senses dulled drastically.
Xu Chi tried to regain control of his scattered consciousness, but everything just spun around him.
Fang Ling pressed his hand to his bleeding chest to avoid further blood loss, held his breath, and quickly advanced.
Brain injuries didn't heal easily.
For most, it was as good as a death sentence.
It was the perfect opportunity, while Xu Chi was still recovering, to end the battle.
"Kill!" he shouted, misleading his opponent as he staggered and changed direction.
It was safer to approach from behind.
Xu Chi was still struggling. He slashed blindly in the direction of the sound with his black-gold sword.
But his impaired senses only allowed him to guess the direction vaguely.
Fang Ling's misdirection worked perfectly.
The sword struck nothing.
But the scythe found its mark.
A slash to the throat.
Blazing Heart of the Thorn, dead.
Victory was his. The opponent was dead. No more surprises.
Without waiting for the host to declare the winner, Fang Ling immediately ran toward his master and mistress.
His injury was severe, his lung was slashed, and he was bleeding heavily. He needed treatment right away.
Lin Tianyang quickly rushed forward, scooped him up, and carried him to the rest area.
A specialized healing soul master from the Soul Arena followed immediately. They stopped the bleeding with soul skills, washed the wound, and began stitching it.
A drainage tube was inserted into Fang Ling's chest to vent air.
Mistress Shu Manyun alternated between her first and third soul rings to prevent infection and speed up healing.
Their combined efforts managed to save Fang Ling without any lasting damage.
"My duty here is done."
"I'll leave the rest to you."
The healing soul master packed up, nodded to Shu Manyun and Lin Tianyang, and left the private rest room amid their grateful thanks.
After a long rest, at least two hours, Fang Ling finally opened his eyes on the bed.
Seeing his master and mistress's worried faces, he forced a smile and said, "Mistress, Master, in the end… I still won."
"But little Fang Ling, you almost died!" Shu Manyun wanted to scold him, but ended up speechless, genuinely concerned.
This life-and-death match was different from all others. It was far too dangerous.
If Fang Ling had been even a bit slower and got his heart pierced, he'd be dead.
"I'm sorry, Mistress. I made you and Master worry."
Fang Ling forced a smile and suddenly spoke with strength: "I was born stubborn and resilient. I've endured countless trials, there's no way I'd fall here!"
Then he quickly weakened again.
Mistress Shu Manyun clenched her fists, eyes brimming with tears.
Fang Ling tried to lift his hand to wipe her tears, but he had no strength.
So he chose another way to comfort her.
"I have a feeling… after a few more days of training, I'll break through. I'll be level 15!"
He'd gained some experience before, and this battle gave him more.
Just a few more days and he could level up.
Lin Tianyang, still blaming him inside, paused when he heard this and changed his tone:
"Fang Ling, you made a mistake during the fight. The scythe is wide, it can block the sword tip. Your reaction was fast enough to place the scythe in front of the black-gold sword."
"I know that martial soul well. It's sturdy but not sharp. It could've blocked it."
"Remember, if you lack strength, you need a different fighting style. Never use your weakness to challenge an opponent's strength."
Fang Ling stared wide-eyed, replayed it in his mind, and realized it was true.
"Never use your weakness to challenge an opponent's strength."
He repeated it and nodded.
"Master, I've learned my lesson."
"Good. Once you recover, we'll review the match and start more intensive training."
Fang Ling tried to sit up, but found his arms and body were powerless, like he had just recovered from a serious illness.
Shu Manyun tapped his forehead and said, exasperated, "Don't move. You lost a lot of blood. Your face is pale. You need rest."
"Tianyang, carry little Fang Ling. We're heading back to the academy."
Lin Tianyang responded. One arm behind Fang Ling's back, the other under his knees, he carried him gently.
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