Chapter 144: Better to Die Than Be Defeated

Shenzai Guo watched with a pounding heart. As a member of the Divine Dragon Clan, she knew better than anyone how greatly the "Dragon Blood Surge" drained its user. This power, forged from the very blood coursing within one's veins, was wielded for defense or attack. Yet once the blood ran dry, death was a very real possibility.

The audience at the scene stood on tiptoe, feeling the scorching waves of flame brush against their cheeks. The overwhelming force sent chills trembling through their bodies.

Above the entire arena, a massive, roiling fireball enveloped the space. The sky overhead and the surrounding buildings glowed a deep crimson.

Suddenly, the flames surged with renewed ferocity, rippling outward. The glass windows of the nearby lounges shattered with explosive bursts, shards scattering everywhere. Even the host on the platform flinched in shock, hastily covering his head to shield himself. A startled cry rose from the crowd.

“The Shadow Barrier!”

Ling Xiao Lei, watching the battle intently, reacted fastest. Raising his staff above his head, a shimmering barrier instantly wrapped around the spectator stands, catching every falling shard of glass.

Fortunately, no one was hurt. The spectators quickly straightened their clothes and returned to their seats, their gazes softening considerably as they looked at the dark-skinned dark elf girl who had saved them.

On the battlefield, the flames still roared fiercely, undiminished in might. The Dragon Clan warrior was pushed backward by successive waves of searing fire. Kneeling on one knee within the fiery orb, his twin swords held before him trembled and hissed, powerless to repel the assault. The dragon blood covering his body thinned visibly, many areas charred and torn, flesh lacerated. Yet the fierce fighting spirit in his eyes remained undiminished.

“Surrender!” Yi Xin commanded.

“No!” the Dragon Clan warrior gritted his teeth, refusing to yield.

Veins burst across his forehead, crimson streams running down his face, staining it a vivid scarlet. “Don’t compare me to those weak dragons before! We of the Divine Dragon Clan would rather die than admit defeat!”

“Hmph, then don’t blame me,” Yi Xin said, preparing to unleash an explosive blast of flame.

Shenzai Guo could no longer contain herself. She sprang to her feet and ran to the edge of the arena, shouting loudly, “Brother Yi Xin, stop!”

Yi Xin immediately ceased his action and turned back.

“He’s already severely injured and can’t last much longer. Don’t strike anymore!”

Though uncertain of her intent, Yi Xin saw the anxiety in her face and hesitated no further. With a wave of his staff, the raging flames dissipated.

As the thick smoke cleared, all saw the combatant inside the fireball—wounded and battered. This was a contest, not a true battle. Since his strength was spent, there was no need to strike a killing blow.

The Dragon Clan warrior was too weak to stand, using his twin swords to support himself. His comrades swiftly helped him offstage and declared his surrender on his behalf.

The host announced, “The first match goes to the Sacred City Magic Academy’s Yi Xin!”

Yi Xin approached the arena’s edge, where Shenzai Guo quickly explained the dangers of Dragon Blood Surge.

“Our people from the Divine Dragon Clan are a bit stubborn. Even when our blood is almost gone, we refuse to give up.”

Yi Xin sighed. “Sigh, then what’s the use of saying ‘die undefeated’? I really don’t know how he’s stayed alive this long.”

Before leaving the stage, the Dragon Clan warrior cast a faint yet grateful glance at the young Dragon Clan girl.

With Yi Xin’s victory secured, he remained on the battlefield, awaiting the next challenger.

He scanned the arena, noticing that all the glass windows on the second floor were shattered. A chill ran down his spine. He smiled awkwardly and whispered, “Maybe... I went a bit too far?”

The crowd, already familiar with his impulsive nature, regarded him with somber expressions.

Hei Yu teased, “So you weren’t holding back on me after all...”

That previous move had consumed only half of Yi Xin’s mana; he still stood steady in the arena. The astonishing power of his technique was partly thanks to Bai Shengye’s enhancement potion.

Thankfully, the spectators bore no resentment. Rather, their excitement grew. To them, such battle intensity was exactly what made the contest thrilling.

At that moment, the opposing team's second fighter silently stepped onto the stage.

“Keep an eye on that poison master. He’s out now!” Bai Shengye warned.

Yi Xin adjusted his stance and refocused on the opponent ahead.

Recalling the previous agreement with Bai Shengye, Yi Xin’s role was to force the poison master to reveal his toxic skills, buying Bai Shengye time to prepare antidotes. Ideally, they needed to hold out until the third round.

“Be careful!” Hei Yu called from below, aware of Yi Xin’s vulnerability to poisons.

Meanwhile, Yun Lan watched nervously from the second-floor lounge, eyes fixed on the match below.

Yi Xin signaled a confident “no problem” behind him before locking his gaze on his opponent.

The poison master wore a mask, his cold eyes radiating a sinister green miasma. Standing still and composed, rows of ant-sized venomous insects slipped silently from the massive cocoon behind him, crawling up his back, thighs, and heels onto the arena floor. Up close, the ground was teeming with them; from afar, they appeared motionless.

“The second match begins!” the host declared.

From a distance, Yi Xin hurled several fireballs toward the poison master, both to provoke an attack and to remain alert.

They knew little about this foe and placed all their hopes on Bai Shengye, who vigilantly monitored the poison master’s moves while searching his medical kit for various antidotes.

Occasionally, Bai Shengye glanced up to find Wu Zhen of the Wu clan also watching him intently. It seemed their presence was no longer a secret.

Under Yi Xin’s assault, the poison master darted swiftly around the arena. Though it seemed evasive, he was actually spreading his poisonous insects and laying traps.

He flicked out thin, hair-like poison needles while secretly tossing fist-sized, translucent eggs coated in sticky mucus toward the arena’s edges. Each egg contained a dark core and clung to the sides of the arena, hidden from Yi Xin and his teammates due to the size of the battleground.

Yi Xin wielded his staff to cast flames, blocking the nearly invisible poison needles. Suddenly, he sensed the swarming insects beneath his feet drawing near.

“I can’t give him too much time. If he gains the upper hand, it won’t end well for me.”

With clear resolve, Yi Xin let the fire blaze a path, incinerating every crawling and flying venomous insect in his way as he surged forward.

“Wildfire! — Meteor Fall!”

Yi Xin unleashed two consecutive spells relentlessly. Flames chased the poison master from behind, while fireballs rained down before him, exploding upon impact and forcing the adversary into a desperate retreat.