C25 Life and Death Battle

"I'm sorry, I have no interest in your body."

The words, sharp and biting, reached Jiaang Xue's ears, igniting a deep sense of humiliation within her.

It was the most demeaning thing she had ever heard in her life. Yet, standing before Hua Hsing, she found herself paralyzed, lacking the courage to strike.

The 'trash' she once scorned had, unbeknownst to her, surpassed her.

Fury painted Jiaang Xue's face, her hands itching to dismember Hua Hsing, but her sense of reason restrained her.

So, Jiaang Xue swallowed her pride.

"Don't push me too far. If it comes to it, I'll stop interfering with whatever you want to do with my sister," she said, her voice steady, masking the storm within.

Disgust flickered across Hua Hsing's face, appalled by her shamelessness. With a scoff, he offered no reply and turned his back to her, walking away.

Watching his retreating figure, a vicious sneer twisted Jiaang Xue's features, and a chilling glint of murderous intent sparked in her eyes.

She felt the threat looming, unwilling to wait any longer. She resolved to eliminate Hua Hsing once and for all.

Only the dead can keep secrets forever.

"You will die by my hand," Jiaang Xue vowed with icy resolve.

As night descended, in a dimly lit room within a pavilion of the Inner Sect, they faced each other. His expression was enigmatic, while hers was seductively coy.

Time passed before Jiaang Xue finally broke the silence.

"Senior Brother Shangguan," she cooed softly.

"Why have you come to see me so late?" Baili Xing inquired.

Baili Xing, a top fifty disciple of the Inner Sect, had attained the Qi Refining Stage Level Five. Though just at the early phase of this level, he was recognized as a formidable presence within the sect.

Jiaang Xue sought out Baili Xing for a well-known reason: his notorious lechery. Renowned for his desire to chase after any beautiful woman, Baili Xing was an easy mark for her plans.

Baili Xing once pursued Bing Ling, only to be soundly thrashed for his efforts. Since that humbling experience, he had become much more circumspect in his behavior. However, upon laying eyes on Jiaang Xue, his lascivious nature was once again kindled.

Jiaang Xue had noticed this trait in Baili Xing, which is precisely why she sought him out. "Hua Hsing, the newcomer from the Outer Sect who's just joined the Inner Sect, has crossed me. I want him gone. Will you help me?" she asked directly.

"He's a new Inner Sect member?" Baili Xing inquired, a hint of confusion in his voice.

"He's only recently been admitted. If you assist me, Senior Brother Shangguan, I'm willing to offer anything in return," Jiaang Xue promised.

The words 'anything in return' elicited a sly grin from Baili Xing. "You jest, Junior Sister. Your concerns are mine to attend to," he declared without hesitation.

"Then I am in your debt, Senior Brother Shangguan," Jiaang Xue replied gratefully.

The very next morning, a bombshell dropped throughout the Inner Sect: Baili Xing had issued a challenge to the fledgling disciple, Hua Hsing. The news quickly became the talk of every disciple.

Standing outside Hua Hsing's pavilion, Baili Xing, clad in a grey robe, exuded a palpable aura of menace. "Isn't that Baili Xing?" someone murmured.

"Is he seriously going to challenge Hua Hsing? That's absurd. How could Hua Hsing possibly stand a chance against him?" another scoffed.

"With one at Qi Refining Stage Level Four and the other at Level Five, they're not even in the same league," a third disciple remarked.

Amidst the buzzing of the crowd, Baili Xing's voice cut through the air. "Hua Hsing, come out here now!" His bellow was thunderous.

Startled by the commotion, Hua Hsing frowned and emerged from his pavilion. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice deep and steady.

"So, you're Hua Hsing?" Baili Xing questioned, sizing up his opponent.

"I am Hua Hsing," declared Hua Hsing.

"I challenge you," Baili Xing said with a sneer. "Do you have the courage to accept?"

Before Hua Hsing could respond, his eyes caught sight of Jiaang Xue behind Baili Xing, her face a picture of allure. Her icy stare immediately clued Hua Hsing into the motive behind the challenge.

"You wish to challenge me?" Hua Hsing thought, harboring a surge of lethal intent towards Jiaang Xue.

"Do you dare accept my challenge?" Baili Xing raised his voice.

"With composure, Hua Hsing replied, "A duel to the death, choose your time."

Without another word, he turned and strode toward the pavilion.

It took a moment for Baili Xing to process Hua Hsing's departure and the challenge he had laid down. Stunned at first, he then burst into laughter, incredulous that Hua Hsing had actually suggested a fight to the death.

"You're on for a life-and-death duel? Very well, I accept," Baili Xing declared.

Behind him, Jiaang Xue's heart swelled with glee, seeing the perfect opportunity for Baili Xing to eliminate Hua Hsing.

"Three days from now, we meet at the stage of life and death," Baili Xing announced before turning to leave.

Word of the impending showdown between Baili Xing and Hua Hsing spread like wildfire throughout the Inner Sect. Many disciples doubted Hua Hsing's chances, labeling him reckless.

The Inner Sect buzzed with anticipation.

That very night, the Ninth Elder sought out Hua Hsing.

"I've reported the remnants of the Yellow Spring Sect to our leaders. They've dispatched several elders, but..." the Ninth Elder trailed off.

"But what?" inquired Hua Hsing.

"The Bloody Skeleton you spoke of has vanished without a trace," the Ninth Elder revealed slowly.

Hua Hsing nodded, unsurprised. It was logical; a wounded Bloody Skeleton wouldn't just wait around for its demise.

"Still, you must be vigilant," the Ninth Elder cautioned.

Hua Hsing regarded the Ninth Elder with a puzzled look.

"Having encountered the Bloody Skeleton, you've been marked by its essence. Should you cross paths with it again, the Bloody Skeleton will surely recognize you. Be careful," the Ninth Elder advised.

"Thank you for the reminder, Master," Hua Hsing acknowledged with a nod.

"By the way, I've heard you're set for a life-and-death duel with Baili Xing?" the Ninth Elder inquired abruptly.

"Yes," Hua Hsing confirmed with another nod.

"I respect your decision. Do you feel confident about it?" the Ninth Elder probed.

"About fifty percent," Hua Hsing admitted.

The Ninth Elder's face registered surprise upon hearing Hua Hsing's response; he hadn't anticipated such a level of confidence from his pupil.

In truth, Hua Hsing's confidence exceeded fifty percent, but he chose not to display excessive self-assurance in front of the Ninth Elder.

"You truly are a prodigy capable of mastering the Golden Light Sword Arts. Go forth and fight with courage—I've got your back."

With those words of encouragement, the Ninth Elder presented Hua Hsing with three pills before taking his leave.

Hua Hsing gazed at the trio of white pills in his hand, his expression one of delighted astonishment.

"Body Tempering Pills," he exclaimed joyfully, hardly believing that his master had gifted him such valuable items.

The Body Tempering Pills were of a middle-grade among mortal pills, a rather rare and precious type. The Ninth Elder had generously provided three at once.

"With these Body Tempering Pills, I'm confident I can advance even further," Hua Hsing declared.

Over the following three days, Hua Hsing dedicated his nights to rest and his days to intense cultivation within the Cultivation Room.

As the days progressed, the stash of Spirit Stones in Hua Hsing's possession dwindled rapidly. After using all three Body Tempering Pills across those days, his cultivation level had ascended to the late phase of Qi Refining Stage Level Four.

"Now, I am certain that I can overcome Baili Xing," Hua Hsing stated with newfound assurance.

The gains from those three days were substantial; despite depleting his supply of Body Tempering Pills, Hua Hsing's strength had significantly increased.

Throughout this period, Hua Hsing had remained in the Cultivation Room, a feat he would have once thought impossible. Thankfully, he still had an ample reserve of Spirit Stones.

Yet, during this intensive three-day training, he had expended nearly five thousand Spirit Stones.

On the dawn of the third day, Hua Hsing emerged from the Cultivation Room.

Nestled within the Inner Sect's garden was a pond, at its heart a pavilion.

Within the pavilion sat three men and a woman. Among them were Baili Xing and Jiaang Xue, flanked by two Inner Sect disciples on friendly terms with Baili Xing.

"These new disciples are increasingly audacious. He's actually got the nerve to challenge you," chuckled one disciple.

"And to a life-and-death duel, no less. He's certainly got guts," added another.

"He's just an ignorant fool. This fight will be his last," Baili Xing said with a cold laugh.

Jiaang Xue gave Baili Xing a flirtatious glance and cooed, "It's time. Shall we head to the Life and Death Platform?"

"Let's not rush. We'll make him wait a bit longer," Baili Xing replied with a smirk.

At the Inner Sect's Life and Death Platform, a throng of Inner Sect disciples had already assembled, eager to witness the showdown between Hua Hsing and Baili Xing.

"Look, Hua Hsing has arrived," someone called out.

Instantly, the crowd stirred, all eyes riveted on Hua Hsing as he ascended the platform, poised for Baili Xing's entrance.

"Hua Hsing's got some nerve showing up. If I were him, I'd have looked for the first chance to bolt."

"You're not wrong. Baili Xing's strength is formidable."

"Challenging Baili Xing is a death wish. There's only one way this can end for him."

Skepticism hung heavy among the disciples; Hua Hsing was a newcomer to the Inner Sect, whereas Baili Xing was a seasoned powerhouse.

As Hua Hsing stood waiting on the platform, a contingent from the Azure Edge Sword Sect made their entrance.

Their leader, a middle-aged man, wore a look of deep concern.

"At last, the Azure Edge Sword Sect has made it," he announced.

"Hua Hsing should be around here. Let's go," a warrior suggested to Chief Steward Zhang.

"When we meet Hua Hsing, remember to keep quiet. Simply tell him that the Patriarch has sent us to escort him home," Chief Steward Zhang instructed.