Ch. 138 - Xu Zimo vs. Baili Xiao

The peacock’s tail feathers were especially long. When it spread its fan-like display, countless blue-black “eyes” seemed to appear among them, vivid, beautiful, and mysterious.

“This girl’s background might not be so simple,” murmured a few small-sect leaders in the audience. “I wonder what connection she has to the Peacock Ancestor.”

The Peacock Ancestor was a legendary genius from two eras ago, someone who had once vied against Grand Emperor Tian Qi for the Heaven’s Will of the age. She was one of the greatest figures in the Fairy Spirit Sect’s long history.

Looking at the massive peacock, Xu Zimo smiled and shook his head.

“The Nirvana Flame left behind by the Wind Ancestor did give you a second chance, a new body and a renewed qualification to compete for the Heaven’s Will. But unfortunately, this era no longer belongs to you.”

As Xu Zimo silently reflected, Xuanyuan Xuantian suddenly erupted in golden light. His entire body burned like a blazing sun, the sheer heat warping the space around him.

The peacock let out a sharp, uneasy cry, its eyes full of vigilance toward the fireball-like figure before it.

A colossal Golden Crow flew out from the flames, its massive wings covering half the sky. It hovered like a sovereign lord, gazing down arrogantly at the peacock.

“We really are a good match,” Xuanyuan Xuantian laughed. “Your True Fate is a peacock. Mine is a Golden Crow. What do you think of my bird?”

Seeing the Golden Crow descend, Fairy Ling’er’s expression shifted. Her gaze deepened as she raised her green soft sword, and the peacock screeched before soaring toward Xuanyuan Xuantian.

Xuanyuan Xuantian let out a loud laugh, soaring into the air. The Golden Crow behind him roared as well, its fiery claws slashing down with devastating force.

A gaping hole was torn into the peacock’s back. It cried out in agony as the Golden Crow’s blazing light grew more intense. It pierced through the peacock entirely and hurtled straight toward Fairy Ling’er.

Her face paled. She hurriedly slashed with her green sword to intercept it.

The massive Golden Crow exploded around her, releasing shockwaves that rippled outward, lifting her entire body off the ground.

Fairy Ling’er was thrown off the arena in a disheveled state. She quickly stood back up and looked at the platform, her eyes filled with a deep sense of helplessness.

She had once stood atop the heavens, battling the man called Heaven’s Revelation for the fate of the world. But she had lost.

She thought that in this second life, things would be different. Yet this generation’s monsters were even more terrifying than those of her time.

Fairy Ling’er gently shook her head. Her Dao Heart was steady, she wouldn’t be discouraged by a few losses. But in that moment, a sliver of doubt crept in.

Could she truly carry the weight of Heaven’s Will?

“All that is past is gone. The true heroes belong to this very moment.”

…

With the quarterfinals concluded, only four disciples remained: Xu Zimo, Baili Xiao, Chu Yang, and Xuanyuan Xuantian.

Below the arena, Xu Qingshan kept a calm expression, though a subtle smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

After all, in the grand tournament of the holy lands, two disciples from True Martial Sacred Ground had entered the final four. As sect master, this gave him no small measure of pride.

“Brother Qingshan,” said Luo Changhe, chuckling from the side, “we might just witness an internal duel for first place in your sect this year.”

If Baili Xiao and Xu Zimo both won their matches, they would face each other for the championship, an all-True Martial final.

“It’s hard to say,” Xu Qingshan replied modestly. “The remaining opponents are formidable as well.”

Since Baili Xiao had the shortest match time in the previous round, she had the right to choose her opponent.

She stood up and glanced at the three others still in contention.

Then she looked toward the Third Grand Elder, who was overseeing the tournament, and asked softly,

“Third Grand Elder, am I allowed to choose anyone as my opponent?”

“Of course,” the Third Grand Elder nodded.

“Good. Then I choose...” she paused, her gaze locking onto Xu Zimo, “...Xu Zimo.”

The arena instantly erupted in noise. The disciples were stunned. The tournament wasn’t even over, and now two members of the same sect were about to fight each other?

Xu Qingshan snorted and slammed his palm onto the armrest of his seat.

“Xiao’er, what are you doing?” Sixth Elder Xiao Ruoxuan, sitting nearby, asked with visible confusion.

“Is my choice not valid?” Baili Xiao ignored the crowd and looked calmly at the Third Grand Elder.

The Third Grand Elder was momentarily surprised but nodded with curiosity.

“It’s valid.”

Xu Zimo let out a chuckle and walked onto the stage. He now realized, Baili Xiao had used her Soaring Immortal Physique in the previous round to finish the fight quickly, just to get first pick.

As Xu Zimo stepped onto the platform, Baili Xiao glanced at Chu Yang and gave him a sweet smile. Then she turned toward Xu Zimo, her expression calm and unreadable.

Her thinking was simple. Compared to Xuanyuan Xuantian as Chu Yang’s opponent, she saw Xu Zimo as the bigger threat.

Xuanyuan Xuantian was strong, but his strength was out in the open.

Xu Zimo, on the other hand, was like a thick fog. No one knew what he truly was. And the unknown… was the most dangerous.

Moreover, Xu Zimo always had some kind of subtle hostility toward her and Chu Yang, something she never understood, especially since she had never offended him.

Baili Xiao’s plan was: If she could defeat Xu Zimo, great.

Even if she couldn’t win, she’d at least force him to reveal his full strength, helping Chu Yang prepare and defend against him.

She believed that with the Grand Empress’s legacy, her strength was no weaker than Xu Zimo’s, perhaps even greater.

A gentle breeze blew across the stage. The girl’s jet-black hair was tied back with a pink ribbon, her white dress fluttering elegantly in the wind.

Her skin was fairer than snow, her lips red, her teeth white. Her eyes sparkled like spring water, bright and crystal clear.

“You know… this move of yours is pretty disgusting,” Xu Zimo said with a faint smile. “The Sacred Ground gave you everything. And now you repay them with betrayal?”

“Afraid?” Baili Xiao drew her sword, her voice crisp and clear like a lark in the forest.

“Someone who’s died once already has nothing left to fear,” Xu Zimo shook his head, still smiling.

“I’ll take responsibility for my actions,” she replied calmly.

“Doesn’t matter to me,” Xu Zimo said, glancing toward Xu Qingshan below the platform.

“But you’re testing some people’s limits. The Grand Empress’s inheritance doesn’t give you license to do whatever you want.”

“None of your business what I do with my legacy.” Her white robes danced in the wind as her sword began to shine with dazzling brilliance.

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