Chapter 84: Who is Victorious

“You’re the real wretch here!”

The word “wretch” seemed to flip a switch within Wang Yumiao, who roared back at Ji Jiuxuan, “I’m not a wretch! I’m not!”

“Master treats me so well, always encouraging me every day. The senior brothers treat me well, too. I’m not a wretch!” Her face, now twisted by the inner demon controlling her mind, was filled with obsession. “It’s true!”

Catching Ji Jiuxuan’s gaze, Wang Yumiao grew more agitated, her features contorted with malice. “You don’t believe me? The senior brothers really do treat me well. Look, it was they who helped me kill that foolish rabbit!”

Such a shocking revelation sent the crowd into another uproar. Everyone had already guessed at the nature of Wang Yumiao’s inner demon—her state of mind was perilously unstable.

Some even suspected that she was either treated differently by her master, or perhaps the senior brothers were actually unkind to her, or maybe she was simply too greedy and dissatisfied with her lot, which had led to such a severe inner demon.

But why was it that Ji Jiuxuan could trigger her inner demon so easily, with just a few words? Was it simply the life-and-death nature of their duel?

Getting Wang Yumiao to confess the truth had been Ji Jiuxuan’s goal from the start. Now that she had achieved it, she no longer held back.

Wang Yumiao, now demonized, saw her martial strength skyrocket.

Ji Jiuxuan glanced regretfully at the whip in her hand. She had intended to kill Wang Yumiao with it, just as she had slain Yue Bai, but now that seemed impossible.

If she didn’t switch to her sword, she might well lose her own life here.

The Child’s Sword appeared once more, wreathed in fiery red spiritual energy. The image of the Yin-Yang Fish manifested behind her, her sword technique brimming with murderous intent as she attacked Wang Yumiao.

The Yin-Yang Fish Sword Art was the deadliest of all her techniques, and in Ji Jiuxuan’s current state, her killing intent was at its peak.

The Soul-Devouring Whip lashed at her furiously, but with Shadowstep deployed and her swordplay at its sharpest, Wang Yumiao struggled to defend herself.

Wounds began to multiply across Wang Yumiao’s body, every one inflicted by Ji Jiuxuan’s sword.

Within the void of the ring, the spectral figure silently watched the battle, then looked toward the massive black dragon floating in the emptiness. “She’s too hesitant when she strikes.”

Ji Jiuxuan had come to the cultivation world from a peaceful modern age. Though she had been murdered in her past life, and had slain many spirit beasts in the ancient Fallen Forest before this, spirit beasts were not human.

She longed to kill Wang Yumiao, and she knew that in a duel to the death, it was kill or be killed—Wang Yumiao had to die.

Yet, each time her sword was poised for the finishing blow, her hand involuntarily faltered, and her enemy survived.

The audience believed Ji Jiuxuan was deliberately letting Wang Yumiao taste the despair of death. Covered in wounds, Wang Yumiao’s rage mounted, her aura inexplicably climbing, its force now rivaling the Foundation Establishment stage.

The black dragon’s huge coppery eyes glanced at the specter, then settled on Ji Jiuxuan outside.

“You want my help?” the dragon rumbled, its tone displeased. “If you agree to merge with me, I’ll lend my aid.”

The specter met the black dragon’s gaze coldly. “If she dies, you die too.”

“I don’t understand. If we fused, our power would be even greater—why do you refuse? You want to help her—wouldn’t it be easier if we merged?”

The black dragon was baffled by the specter’s decision. Ever since its birth and encounter with the specter, it had known it was but a fragment of this soul, sealed within the spirit beast egg. Now, despite their reunion, the specter still refused to merge!

“The time is not yet right.” Perhaps it was the original dragon soul slumbering within the black dragon, but the specter’s imposing presence still made the dragon uneasy.

“Very well, very well, I’ll help her.”

As Ji Jiuxuan’s sword tip aimed at Wang Yumiao, the slender dragon in her hand raised its head, its gaze chilling as it looked at Wang Yumiao, its body radiating golden light.

The massive black dragon’s phantom emerged behind Ji Jiuxuan, its tail swishing gently, channeling spiritual energy into the Child’s Sword.

A torrent of spiritual energy surged into the blade. With a sharp hiss, the sword pierced Wang Yumiao’s body. Her dantian was blasted apart by the overwhelming force.

Flames erupted from within her, blood dripped from the corner of her mouth, and with a thunderous crash, Wang Yumiao collapsed.

Her eyes stared wide at Ji Jiuxuan. In that instant, Wang Yumiao’s breath faded away, life extinguished.

The black dragon’s spirit dissipated; the small dragon fell back into slumber.

Ji Jiuxuan stood in a daze, staring at the blood trickling down her sword, her expression blank. “Yue Bai, I’ve avenged you.”

The barrier vanished, and silence fell over the arena.

Qi Shuoyuan came to Ji Jiuxuan’s side and swept her into his arms.

In that moment, he was no longer the sect leader or a mighty cultivator, but simply Grandpa to his little Ah Jiu. “Don’t be afraid, Ah Jiu. Grandpa’s here.”

At last, Ji Jiuxuan broke down and wept, sobbing uncontrollably. “Grandfather, Yue Bai is dead, the little white rabbit is dead…”

When Wang Yumiao died, her heart was seized with panic. She had taken a life with her own hands—the blood was vivid red, tinged with an unnatural blackness.

Qi Shuoyuan gently stroked her head, letting her weep on his shoulder.

He shot a glance at Nie Xingyuan. “Take care of the aftermath.”

Then he carried Ji Jiuxuan away.

The other elders departed. Wang Xunji strode onto the dueling stage, her fists clenched, hatred simmering in her heart. Why is it the stupid disciple who died, and not that wretched girl’s daughter?

Staring at Wang Yumiao’s mangled corpse, Wang Xunji produced a white cloth, wrapped the body, and left.

The disciples of Wang Ying Peak followed, none daring to act. This was a duel to the death; by the rules, vengeance was forbidden.

But that would hold true only on the surface.

By the time they returned to Xuanheng Hall, Ji Jiuxuan’s tears had dried. Sitting across from her grandfather, she felt, for the first time, a desire to confide.

“Ah Jiu, would you like to share your thoughts with Grandpa?” The little girl had lived in the sect all her life. The only death she’d witnessed was on the way back from the Beast-Taming Sect, but she had never killed with her own hands.

Yet the cultivation world was cruel—such things were unavoidable. In those moments, if you didn’t kill your enemy, your enemy would kill you.

“I wanted to avenge Yue Bai. I knew in that moment it was her or me, but even when I had the chance to kill her outright, I hesitated.”

Ji Jiuxuan’s emotions had not yet settled. She lowered her head, sorrow weighing her voice. “Grandfather, am I useless?”

She’d thought she’d steeled her heart in her past life, yet when faced with such a situation, she had still hesitated.

“But if you hadn’t killed her, you would have died, wouldn’t you?” Qi Shuoyuan clasped her hand, his heart aching. “Ah Jiu, you’re still young. I never wanted you to experience this world’s cruelty too soon, but to grow up, to survive in this world, you must adapt to its rules.”

He gazed into the distance, his voice soft and distant. “We do not seek trouble, but when trouble finds us, I hope you can be brave, Ah Jiu. Don’t let others bully you. Live well.”

Thank you, cyndi1982, for the reward. Thank you, Little Zhou, for the vote.

(End of chapter)