Chapter 100: The Agony of Rebirth

That was your last word left in the world? It really is like that!” With these words, Monkey Bro stamped his foot and vanished from the spot in an instant. The speed was so swift it needed no exaggeration to liken it to lightning. He pounced straight onto Feiyan from both front and back. Opening his canine-like maw, Monkey Bro bit down hard on Feiyan’s shoulder, blood exploding outward from the wound.

As if expecting Monkey Bro’s attack, Feiyan made no move to dodge. He stood there motionless. The ape that had closed in grabbed him and sank its fangs into his shoulder with crushing force. Those sharp teeth pierced clean through, blood spraying from the deep gash.

The burning pain in his shoulder forced Feiyan to open his eyes wide. He seized Monkey Bro’s arm resting on him and swung his right hand, which had been ready for some time. A spirit sword wrapped in black flames flashed out, slicing Monkey Bro’s body in half with effortless ease.

“Evil King—Flame Killing Sword!”

What the hell?!

Staring in disbelief at the shattered blade in Feiyan’s grip, Monkey Bro could not believe his eyes. What kind of weapon was that? How had it cut through his armor so easily? Was this a dream? This…?!

The truth always spoke louder than words. Before his body hit the ground, Monkey Bro finally saw the true nature of the weapon that had bisected him. It was a black-flame sword sheathed in living darkness. The fracture point glowed like a black blade extending from the break. Held in Feiyan’s hand, it had sliced through his tough outer shell in a single stroke. How… how could he possess such a secret weapon? It wasn’t a lie.

“Flame Killing Sword!” Bai Ying’s face showed genuine shock as he watched the fire-wrapped blade. This was no ordinary flaming sword. It fused demonic energy and flame into perfect compression, sharpening the blade until it could sever anything in one pass. The cutting power was terrifying. Feiyan’s combat instincts were even sharper than his own.

“That… that sword in Feiyan’s hand looks almost identical to my spirit sword,” Zhang Yang muttered, eyes wide with disbelief. The blade had bisected Monkey Bro as if he were paper. What kind of cutting force was that? Far beyond his own. This kid was dangerously unpredictable to hide such a weapon. But why hadn’t he used it sooner? And why the insult? Was he talking about him? How detestable! Zhang Yang snapped out of his daze and roared at the stage, “Hey, Feiyan! What the hell do you mean by ‘ugly’? Explain yourself right now!”

“Hmph! Is there anyone else?” Feiyan answered lazily, then winced as the motion tugged at his shoulder. He unwound the bandages wrapped around his arm and bound the wound tightly.

To be honest, his previous strike had won on luck. If he hadn’t used his body as bait, capturing Monkey Bro’s lightning-fast form would have been nearly impossible. The transformed ape moved far faster than he did, and once the secret weapon was revealed, he would be at a disadvantage. Sacrificing the shoulder for one fatal blow was the only way to end the fight quickly. It had been an incredibly risky gamble.

Even so, the wound was too deep for the demonic energy and flames to seal instantly. Feiyan used the bandages on his arm to slow the bleeding and prevent further damage. Once the wound was roughly bound, he glanced at the corpse beside him with contempt. Hurry up and toss it, I’m waiting here. Although injured, I can handle all of you. I alone am enough.

“Feiyan wins!” the announcer shouted. “What a spectacular comeback! In the final moment, Feiyan used a flame sword to slice through Monkey Bro’s body. Truly, he saved the day! What a thrilling desperate counterattack! Unfortunately, Monkey Bro could not continue after his fatal injury. The winner of this match is Qin Xiaochuan’s team!”

“Damn it! Just a little more!”

“That idiot was completely brainless!”

“Someone put that little dwarf down!”

“Total trash!”

“Pure waste!”

“Still so arrogant? Just like a garbage!”

“Go die, Feiyan! Still got the nerve to stand on that stage? Get down here!”

“Complete uselessness!”

“Refund my money! I bet on that fool and won! I’m so pissed!”

“Get down and die already! Stop standing there and getting yourself killed!”

“Go to hell, all you wastes!”

“Kill him!”

“Kill him!”

“Kill him!”

······

While the crowd roared and shouted insults from the stands, two mysterious guests entered through the arena entrance. One was Kong Lang, and behind him the long-haired, effeminate member of Si Kong’s team. They watched the fighters below.

“Qin Xiaochuan isn’t here,” the effeminate man said.

“He’s probably undergoing his final transformation,” Kong Lang replied flatly. “For greater power, he must be passing the ultimate test.”

The words seemed aimed at his companion—or perhaps at himself. Deep inside, Kong Lang felt a contradiction he could never voice. He wanted to kill Qin Xiaochuan and avenge the humiliation of their earlier lost gamble. Yet he also hoped Qin Xiaochuan would surpass him quickly, growing strong enough to become a worthy rival. Only by facing an equal could he finally satisfy the dream he had cherished for years.

Ever since his rebirth as a monster, few opponents had ever forced him to use his full strength. The thrill of battle was the only sensation that truly moved him.

But for Qin Xiaochuan, none of these voices reached him. The Spiritual Light Jade continued releasing its power in endless layers, expanding his meridians and strengthening his body. The only possible end was bursting from within.

The agony was unbearable. Qin Xiaochuan’s consciousness grew hazy. The pain had already made him feel as if his soul were leaving his body, fleeing far away to escape the torment. He knew he would die if he kept going. If he lost control and let the jade rampage unchecked, he would either become a cripple or explode like the old woman had warned.

No. I cannot give up! There are still so many things I must do! Zhang Yang, Bai Ying, Feiyan—the brothers who had fought beside him—were bleeding for him on the arena. His mother and Fan Fan were waiting for his return. Qin Xiaochuan forced his mind back into focus, shook his head hard, and sweat mixed with blood splattered against the wall, leaving a wet patch.

Lying beneath the rock, he drove his fist into the stone with all his might. The surge of demonic power and the strike’s force left a huge dent. The spiritual energy around his fist cracked the rock open like a palm-sized crater. Stones tumbled down and crashed onto the ground.

Pain was the only thing keeping him conscious. Concentrating again, he hammered the wall again and again. Each punch carved deeper. After many strikes, a deep cavity large enough to bury a body had been gouged out. Leaning against the broken stone, Qin Xiaochuan panted heavily.

The spiritual shield protected his fists from injury, but the blood vessels on the back of his hand burst one after another, spraying blood. The pain cleared his mind once more. Before he could react, unbearable stabbing agony slammed into his brain. The pain was like being pierced by thousands of needles, flooding his consciousness until escape was impossible.

Since I can’t escape, then come on. Feeling this life-worse-than-death torment, a stubborn resolve rose in his heart. What’s so scary? It’s only pain. I can endure it! They’re still waiting for me out there! Damn it, what’s this even about! It’s only pain. I can take it! I can take it! Come on! All of you, come! You stinking jade, how dare you torture me like this! Come on! I won’t lose! Stinking jade, rotten jade, trash jade—you still can’t kill me! Watch me absorb you, you stinking thing! Come on, keep coming! If you can’t finish me, I’ll eat you, you damn thing!