Chapter 81: Duel to the Death

When Feng Hanxiao saw Nie Xingyuan appear, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. At that moment, Feng Chen’s voice sounded at her side, “You’re only worried about your friend—aren’t you worried about yourself?”

She looked up at him, her smile radiant and full of joy as she replied, “That’s because you’re here, Father!”

Feng Chen shook his head helplessly and gently rubbed the crown of her head. “Silly girl.”

Nie Xingyuan approached Ji Jiuxuan, his eyes filled with apology. He had never expected such a thing to happen—a girl everyone had carefully protected was injured. He felt deeply troubled. “Ah Jiu, don’t worry. The truth will never be hidden. Trust your uncle.”

Though Nie Xingyuan spoke with conviction, Wang Yumiao, who stood nearby, paid no heed. She was certain no one had any evidence, for the only witness was dead, and all proof had vanished with the disappearance of the Moonwhite Rabbit.

“I trust you, Uncle,” Ji Jiuxuan nodded seriously, turning her gaze to the person Feng Hanxiao had just accused—Wang Yumiao.

She had seen Wang Yumiao before in the Spirit Beast Garden. She was Elder Xunji’s disciple, and Ji Jiuxuan knew from the start that Wang Yumiao was vindictive and would retaliate at the slightest slight. Yet, she had never imagined today’s incident would occur.

She trusted Feng Hanxiao; if Hanxiao said Wang Yumiao was the murderer, then it could not be wrong.

Facing Wang Yumiao’s mocking smile, Ji Jiuxuan found it particularly offensive.

“This is the truth. We saw it with our own eyes; there’s nothing false about it,” the disciple surnamed Wang declared arrogantly, clearly unafraid of Nie Xingyuan.

“I didn’t see anything myself. When we arrived, the spirit beast was already dead. I’ll wait for the investigation results before making any judgments,” a disciple from Wang Lingfeng quickly distanced himself.

Wang Qingchang was notoriously cunning. If not for being assigned patrol duties with him by the Discipline Hall, he would never have chosen to associate with him.

The others hurriedly set their positions straight as well, leaving only Wang Qingchang as the sole witness.

“It was Wang Yumiao who killed the Moonwhite Rabbit. I tried to stop her, but Brother Wang arrived and blocked me, even helping Wang Yumiao cover up,” Feng Hanxiao explained urgently, afraid no one would believe her.

She spoke quickly, and, fearing disbelief, declared, “I can swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao. Everything I just said is absolutely true. If I lied, let the Heavenly Dao punish me.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a pattern of oath appeared on Feng Hanxiao’s body, glowing before settling quietly.

After the oath, nothing happened to her. Everyone instinctively looked at Wang Qingchang.

Feng Chen glanced at his daughter and smiled silently. She truly was both silly and adorable.

With her father present, Feng Hanxiao was utterly fearless. She lifted her chin at Wang Qingchang and Wang Yumiao, mocking, “I dared to swear to the Heavenly Dao. Do you dare?”

Feng Hanxiao was truly fierce; even if something were absolutely certain, few would readily swear such an oath, for it could affect their future advancement. Yet she did so without hesitation.

Seeing Feng Hanxiao was now out of danger, Ji Jiuxuan turned icy eyes to Wang Yumiao. “I challenge you to a duel—a battle to the death.”

If you dared to kill the Moonwhite Rabbit and harm Feng Hanxiao, you must be prepared to die.

Everyone was shocked; unless absolutely necessary, disciples rarely initiated duels to the death.

Nie Xingyuan’s heart surged with emotion, but he did not speak to stop her.

Wang Yumiao was surprised, but her eyes shone with delight. If she could kill Ji Jiuxuan, her master would be pleased.

“Fine! If you die, you deserve it.” She wished for such an opportunity and ignored the Discipline Hall disciples—the matter of the Moonwhite Rabbit was unresolved, and she was still a suspect.

Ji Jiuxuan did not bother to correct her, knowing she was marked for death anyway.

As for Wang Qingchang, Ji Jiuxuan trusted her young uncle would handle him.

Main Peak—Arena.

Feng Hanxiao anxiously clutched Ji Jiuxuan’s hand, worried. “Xuanxuan, why did you agree to a duel to the death? It’s so dangerous!”

In her view, people like Wang Yumiao could be dealt with in many ways—acting in secret would save much trouble.

Ji Jiuxuan understood this logic as well.

But once someone like Wang Yumiao had set her sights on you, there was no escaping.

Rather than waiting for her to grow stronger and fight you to the death later, it was better to kill her now.

Though Ji Jiuxuan was at the eighth stage of Qi Refining and Wang Yumiao at the ninth, her spiritual power was not inferior.

“To end all future trouble,” Ji Jiuxuan looked earnestly at Feng Hanxiao. “Hanxiao, if she could so callously harm the Moonwhite Rabbit and even try to drag you down, our relationship can never be good.”

She did not tell Hanxiao that with Wang Xunji involved, Wang Yumiao would do even worse things.

Judging by their actions, Ji Jiuxuan needed to finish Wang Yumiao before Wang Xunji could intervene, to eliminate future threats.

A life-and-death duel between Qi Refining disciples drew crowds of spectators.

Zhou Guangsheng and Qi Shuoyuan arrived after hearing the news. Even Meng Jiao, who had been ordered to remain in closed cultivation, came.

Seeing Ji Jiuxuan, Meng Jiao hugged her, heart aching. “Ah Jiu, don’t cry.”

She patted Ji Jiuxuan’s back and whispered, “Ah Jiu, don’t worry—kill her. I’ll handle everything that comes after.”

Killing Wang Yumiao meant facing Wang Xunji from Wang Yingfeng and the Wang family, a powerful clan in the cultivation world.

But Meng Jiao’s family feared neither; besides, their teacher and sect leader were there.

Moreover, the cultivation world had a rule: Both parties must consent to a life-and-death duel, and the kin of the deceased may not seek revenge against the victor.

“Thank you, Senior Sister. I’m not afraid,” Ji Jiuxuan’s eyes shone with resolve as she met the gazes of her teacher and grandfather.

She did not know what to say.

“Since you’ve decided, you must strive to be the one who survives. Your grandfather once told you—seek benefit and avoid harm, but never fear when faced with trouble,” Qi Shuoyuan looked at her earnestly. Though surprised by Ji Jiuxuan’s challenge, he would not stop her. He never interfered with the children’s decisions.

What is decided must be done, and the consequences are yours to bear.

“Go on,” Zhou Guangsheng said nothing, but his attitude spoke volumes.

Wang Yumiao now stood on the arena platform. Wang Xunji and many others from Wang Yingfeng had also arrived.

Wang Xunji appeared utterly unconcerned about her disciple’s safety and even addressed Qi Shuoyuan, “Sect Leader, it was your niece who proposed this duel, so there’s no blame on us or Wang Yumiao.”

Did the Wang family have an ancestor protecting them? Otherwise, why were they so arrogant?

Qi Shuoyuan wore his usual polite smile and ignored Wang Xunji entirely.

Standing on the platform, he solemnly addressed Ji Jiuxuan and Wang Yumiao, “If you both willingly participate in a duel to the death, swear as the rules require. Once the oath is made, only the death of one party will lift the barrier—no one can intervene.”

Wang Yumiao glanced at Ji Jiuxuan with mockery. “Heaven and Earth as witness, I, Wang Yumiao, true disciple of Wang Yingfeng, willingly challenge Ji Jiuxuan to a duel to the death today. Life and death are fate; I will bear no resentment whether I live or die.”

A circle of Heavenly Dao light formed around Wang Yumiao. Ji Jiuxuan looked to her grandfather, her eyes unwavering.

“Heaven and Earth as witness, I, Ji Jiuxuan of the Main Peak, willingly challenge Wang Yumiao to a duel to the death today. Life and death are fate; I will bear no resentment whether I live or die.”

When the Heavenly Dao light appeared around Ji Jiuxuan, a protective barrier enveloped the entire arena. Such a shield only appeared for duels to the death—preventing outsiders from interfering, and restricting those within.

Unless one party dies, the barrier cannot be lifted.

Wang Yumiao stopped pretending. “This is your own doing.”

Thank you Xiyang for the monthly ticket. Thank you!~

(End of chapter)