C25 Life and Death Battle

"I'm sorry, I'm just not interested in you."

A jarring voice pierced through Jiaang Xue's ears, a wave of humiliation rising from deep within her. It was the most degrading thing she'd ever heard, but when faced with Hua Hsing, she found herself lacking the courage to retaliate. The person she once dismissed had quietly surpassed her.

Jiaang Xue's face burned with anger; she wished she could tear Hua Hsing to pieces, but her rational mind told her she couldn't. So, she chose to endure.

"Don't push it. Fine, I won't interfere with you and my sister anymore," Jiaang Xue said, calming herself.

Hua Hsing's face twisted with disgust. He couldn't believe she'd stoop so low as to say something like that. With a cold chuckle, he turned and walked away.

Watching him leave, Jiaang Xue's face contorted with rage, a glint of icy malice flashing in her eyes. At that moment, she felt threatened and knew she couldn't wait any longer. She wanted Hua Hsing gone for good. Only a dead man can keep a secret forever.

"I will make sure you die," Jiaang Xue said coldly.

As night fell, in a dim room within one of the Inner Sect's pavilions...

They exchanged glances, a strange look on his face, while hers held a hint of allure. After a long pause, Jiaang Xue spoke up.

“Brother Baili,” she said sweetly.

“It’s late. What brings you here?” Baili Xing asked.

Baili Xing was ranked among the top fifty in the Inner Sect. He had reached the fifth level of the Qi Refining Stage. Though only at the early stages of this level, he was still considered a formidable figure within the Inner Sect.

Jiaang Xue sought out Baili Xing because his reputation for being a ladies' man was well-known. If a woman was beautiful, Baili Xing would pursue her. He once tried to woo Bing Ling but ended up getting beaten badly, which made him more cautious afterward. However, upon seeing Jiaang Xue, his old desires resurfaced.

Jiaang Xue was aware of this trait and approached Baili Xing for that very reason.

“A new Inner Sect member, Hua Hsing, has offended me. I want him gone. Can you help me?” Jiaang Xue got straight to the point.

“A new Inner Sect member?” Baili Xing asked, puzzled.

“He just joined the Inner Sect. If you help me with this, I’m willing to offer anything,” Jiaang Xue replied.

Hearing the words “anything,” a sly smile crept across Baili Xing’s face.

"You're kidding, right? Your concerns are my concerns," Baili Xing assured.

"Then I owe you one, Brother Baili," Jiaang Xue replied.

Early the next morning, a bombshell announcement spread throughout the Inner Sect. Baili Xing was set to challenge the new disciple, Hua Hsing. The news reached every ear in the Inner Sect.

Outside Hua Hsing's quarters, Baili Xing stood silently in his gray robe, exuding a palpable intensity.

"Isn't that Baili Xing?"

"Is he really going to challenge Hua Hsing? That's absurd. Hua Hsing doesn't stand a chance against Baili Xing."

"One's at Qi Refining Stage Level Four, and the other's at Level Five. There's no comparison."

Amidst the murmurs of the disciples, Baili Xing spoke up.

"Hua Hsing, get out here!" Baili Xing shouted, his voice booming with anger.

Resting inside, Hua Hsing was startled by the commotion. He frowned slightly before stepping out.

"Who are you?" Hua Hsing asked in a low voice upon seeing Baili Xing.

"So, you're Hua Hsing?" Baili Xing questioned.

"Yes, that's me," Hua Hsing confirmed.

"I challenge you," Baili Xing sneered. "Do you dare accept?"

Just as Hua Hsing was about to respond, he noticed Jiaang Xue standing behind Baili Xing, her cold gaze instantly revealing the reason behind the challenge.

"Are you challenging me?" Hua Hsing felt a surge of murderous intent towards Jiaang Xue.

"Do you dare accept my challenge?" Baili Xing shouted.

Hua Hsing replied calmly, "A fight to the death. You pick the time."

After speaking, Hua Hsing turned and walked towards the pavilion. Baili Xing was momentarily stunned but then burst into laughter, surprised that Hua Hsing would propose a fight to the death.

"You dare face me in a fight to the death? Fine, I'll oblige," Baili Xing declared.

Behind Baili Xing, Jiaang Xue was secretly pleased. This fight to the death was the perfect opportunity for Baili Xing to eliminate Hua Hsing.

"Three days from now, we'll meet at the arena," Baili Xing said before turning to leave.

News of the impending fight between Hua Hsing and Baili Xing spread quickly. Many of the Inner Sect members doubted Hua Hsing, thinking he was being too reckless. The entire Inner Sect was abuzz with excitement.

That evening, the Ninth Elder sought out Hua Hsing.

"I've reported the remnants of the Yellow Spring Sect to the higher-ups. They've sent several elders, but..." the Ninth Elder began.

"But what?" Hua Hsing asked.

"The Bloody Skeleton you mentioned has vanished without a trace," the Ninth Elder said slowly.

Hua Hsing nodded, expecting this outcome. The Bloody Skeleton was clearly still injured and wouldn't just sit around waiting to be found.

"However, you need to be careful," the Ninth Elder advised.

Hua Hsing looked at the Ninth Elder with confusion.

"You've had contact with the Bloody Skeleton, so it likely left its mark on you. If you encounter it again, it will surely sense you. Stay vigilant," the Ninth Elder continued.

"Thank you for the warning, Master," Hua Hsing nodded.

"By the way, I heard you're going to have a life-and-death duel with Baili Xing?" the Ninth Elder suddenly asked.

Hua Hsing nodded, "Yes."

"I respect your decision. Do you feel confident?" the Ninth Elder inquired.

"About fifty percent," Hua Hsing replied.

The Ninth Elder was a bit surprised by Hua Hsing's confidence, not expecting him to be so sure.

In truth, Hua Hsing was more confident than he let on, but he didn't want to appear overly self-assured in front of the Ninth Elder.

"You truly are a genius to have mastered the Golden Light Sword Arts. Go into battle boldly; I've got your back," the Ninth Elder assured him. He then handed Hua Hsing three pills before leaving.

Hua Hsing looked at the three white pills in his hand, his face full of surprise and delight.

"Body Refining Pills," he exclaimed, not expecting his master to give him such valuable pills. These mid-grade pills were quite precious, and the Ninth Elder had given him three at once.

"I've got the Body Tempering Pill now, and I'm confident I can advance further," Hua Hsing said.

Over the next three days, Hua Hsing rested at night and trained in the practice room during the day. As time went on, the number of spirit stones in his pocket quickly dwindled. In just three days, he used up all three Body Tempering Pills, but now he had reached the late stage of Qi Refining Stage Level Four.

"I'm confident I can defeat Baili Xing now," Hua Hsing declared.

The past three days had been highly productive for Hua Hsing. Although he consumed three Body Tempering Pills, his strength improved significantly. He spent the entire time in the practice room, something he couldn't have imagined doing before. Fortunately, he still had plenty of spirit stones left.

Even so, he used nearly five thousand spirit stones during those three days. On the third day, Hua Hsing emerged from the practice room.

In the Inner Sect, there was a garden with a pond and a pavilion in the center. Inside the pavilion were three men and a woman. One of them was Baili Xing, another was Jiaang Xue, and the remaining two were Inner Sect disciples who were on good terms with Baili Xing.

"The new disciples are getting more and more audacious. He actually dared to challenge you," one of the disciples chuckled.

"And it's a fight to the death. You have to admit, he's got guts," another disciple added.

"He's just a clueless disciple. This will be his last battle," Baili Xing sneered.

Jiaang Xue, standing nearby, gave Baili Xing a flirtatious glance and said in a sweet voice, "It's time. Let's head to the arena."

"No rush. Let him wait a bit," Baili Xing replied with a smirk.

At the Inner Sect's arena, a crowd of disciples had already gathered to watch the showdown between Hua Hsing and Baili Xing.

"Look, Hua Hsing is here!" someone shouted.

The crowd stirred, and all eyes turned to Hua Hsing as he stepped onto the arena, waiting for Baili Xing to arrive.

"Hua Hsing actually showed up. If I were him, I'd have found a way to escape by now."

"You're right. Baili Xing is so powerful."

"Challenging Baili Xing is a death wish."

Many disciples doubted Hua Hsing's chances, considering he was new to the Inner Sect, while Baili Xing was a seasoned powerhouse.

As Hua Hsing waited on the arena, a group from the Azure Edge Sword Sect arrived. Leading them was a middle-aged man, his face full of urgency.

"Finally, the Azure Edge Sword Sect is here," the leader said.

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

"When you meet Hua Hsing later, don't say anything. Just tell him that the chief asked us to bring him home," Chief Steward Zhang instructed.