Ch. 1411 - The Path of Killing Leads Nowhere

As the battle ended, the spectators around the arena broke into discussion.

Some marveled at Xiao Anshan’s strength.

Others admired his restraint, though he could have easily killed the Young Fire God, he chose to spare him.

Xiao Anshan showed no pride in victory. He simply clasped his hands in a polite salute to the crowd and stepped down calmly.

The second match began: Shangguan Xian versus Wang Yong.

As the announcement sounded, Shangguan Xian gave a slight nod toward Xu Zimo and the others, then walked up to the platform with composed grace.

Wang Yong’s name was obscure, few seemed to know who he was.

Shangguan Xian, however, was well-known.

She came from the Divine Crow God Realm, and even within that powerful territory, her name was recognized far and wide.

As she stepped onto the stage, a wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“She’s from the Shangguan Heavenly Clan, isn’t she?”

“Why would someone from the Divine Crow God Realm come compete here in the Chaos Fire God Realm?”

“I’ve heard a few rumors,” one man said. “Not sure if they’re true.”

“Let’s hear them.”

“They say Shangguan Xian’s talent is remarkable, in most clans, she’d be considered a prodigy. But unfortunately, she was born into the Shangguan Heavenly Clan.”

“What’s wrong with that? From what I know, the Shangguan Heavenly Clan is the top family of the Divine Crow God Realm. Talent, resources, power, sounds ideal to me.”

“You don’t get it. Shangguan Xian has an older sister named Shangguan Wan’er, and she’s the real genius. Since childhood, she’s overshadowed Xian in everything. It’s said that whenever the clan has any opportunities or resources, they all go to Wan’er. The whole Shangguan Heavenly Clan treats her as the future Saint Sovereign.”

“So that’s why. No wonder Shangguan Xian came here, she must be trying to leave her family’s shadow and carve her own path.”

The audience buzzed with gossip.

Xu Zimo and Zhang Hengzhi, who had spent some time traveling with Shangguan Xian, realized this was the first they’d heard about her past.

She rarely spoke of herself, and they had never pried.

“Miss Shangguan’s life hasn’t been easy,” Zhang Hengzhi said, half-believing the rumors and sighing softly.

“In this world,” Xu Zimo replied calmly, “just living is already difficult.”

His gaze returned to the arena.

There, Shangguan Xian and Wang Yong were already facing each other.

Flames of immortal energy burned around her body.

Every movement she made carried tremendous power, her strikes shattered the air itself.

With a light step, she launched into the air, her kick landing squarely on Wang Yong’s head.

She completely dominated him.

After a few quick exchanges, her right hand burst with flame, and Wang Yong’s body was sent flying across the stage.

That final strike could have killed him, but she pulled her strength back at the last instant, sparing his life and only leaving him gravely injured.

“The winner, Shangguan Xian!” the referee announced.

Meanwhile, in the Chaos Fire God Realm, the red-robed officials were watching the matches through projected images.

One of them said, “This Shangguan Xian is worth cultivating.”

“But isn’t she from the Divine Crow God Realm? Could that be a problem?” another asked.

In the Inferno Crucible Heaven, only the Radiant Court stood above the rest. The others, though all part of the Fire God Race, had rivalries and grudges among themselves.

None wished to appear weaker than another.

The Fire God Race was far from united, if it had been, the Water Beasts wouldn’t still be ravaging their lands after all these years.

Back when the Departure Fire God Realm was destroyed, if the other God Realms had lent aid, how could it have fallen so easily to the beasts?

“For now, let’s keep her under observation,” one elder said. “If there’s no issue, we can consider training her later.”

“She’s impressive,” another added, “but still a step below Xiao Anshan. In my opinion, this tournament’s champion will definitely be him.”

The others laughed in agreement.

Their hopes for Xiao Anshan were high, and his recent progress had indeed justified their confidence.

After descending from the platform, Shangguan Xian returned to the group.

Several more matches followed, but Xu Zimo and Zhang Hengzhi’s turns hadn’t come yet.

As Shangguan Xian rejoined them, Zhang Hengzhi couldn’t resist asking about the rumors.

Shangguan Xian smiled lightly, unfazed. “They’re mostly true. I do have an elder sister, Shangguan Wan’er. Ever since we were young, she’s always been ahead of me in everything. No matter how much I improved, I could never catch up.”

“You came to the Chaos Fire God Realm to prove yourself, to surpass her?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Something like that,” Shangguan Xian replied with a small laugh. “Honestly, I was tired of life in the Divine Crow God Realm. I came here to clear my mind.”

“I believe you’ll surpass your sister one day,” Zhang Hengzhi said sincerely.

“Enough, Holy Lord Zhang. I know myself better than anyone,” Shangguan Xian smiled. “Now, it’s your turn to fight.”

Zhang Hengzhi turned, the referee was already calling his name.

He laughed and stepped toward the arena.

“Zhang Hengzhi versus Spectral Prince.”

“Why did you spare Wang Yong?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Why should I kill him?” Shangguan Xian countered.

“On the arena, every fight is to the death,” Xu Zimo replied evenly. “But of course, that’s your choice.”

“From the moment I met you,” Shangguan Xian said softly, “I could tell, you carry a heavy killing aura. You kill without hesitation, like when you slew Ba Xia.”

“The path I walk is one paved with blood,” Xu Zimo said.

“The path of killing leads nowhere,” Shangguan Xian sighed. “If you keep walking it, you’ll only destroy yourself.”

“Destruction brings rebirth,” Xu Zimo smiled faintly. “And rebirth is just another path.”

“You know,” Shangguan Xian said, “when we first met, I actually wanted to recruit you, to have you fight by my side. Later, I realized how foolish that idea was. Last night, I met someone. I wasn’t going to hide it from you.”

“Bian Shishi?” Xu Zimo asked.

“You know?” Shangguan Xian was taken aback.

“Bian Wenzhou came, she must have followed,” Xu Zimo replied calmly. “She just doesn’t know how to face me yet, so she keeps running.”

“I’m her friend,” Shangguan Xian admitted. “She asked me to help, to persuade you to kill less. Sometimes killing isn’t necessary. Many things can be solved without it.”

“Don’t try to change me,” Xu Zimo said, shaking his head.

“Why not?” Shangguan Xian pressed.

“Look at the arena,” Xu Zimo said quietly. “Zhang Hengzhi’s about to die.”

Shangguan Xian froze.

She’d been so focused on talking to Xu Zimo that she hadn’t been watching the match.

When she looked up again, her expression changed drastically.

Zhang Hengzhi’s opponent was none other than Spectral Prince, ranked third on the Myriad Flames List, a top contender from the Spectral Valley and one of the tournament’s favorites to win it all.

“How could this be?” Shangguan Xian said in shock.

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