124: Chapter 124 The Winner Takes All

On his face, pale as paper from forcing his secret technique, there was not a trace of relief at having survived, only an unfathomable exhaustion.

He looked at his brothers lying in pools of blood, gasping their last breaths, and for the first time, a hint of undisguised fragility and self-reproach flickered in his deep eyes.

He had won, but the victory was too tragic.

If not for Limitless Sword's earth-shattering strike at the final moment, everyone, including himself, would likely have become the final dinner for this Level 6 Beast King.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his roiling Qi and blood, and with heavy footsteps, walked to each person's side one by one.

He didn't speak, but silently took out the small vial made of warm jade containing the Spirit Spring Essence, and carefully fed this divine object—enough to drive all external forces mad—drop by drop into everyone's mouth.

A warm and vast vitality, like the gentlest spring rain, nourished their nearly withered bodies and Souls.

The terrifying wound on Big Fool's chest healed at a speed visible to the naked eye, Yue Changkong's pale face gradually regained its flush, and even Xu Changqing and Gong Qianxue, who had overexerted their Mental Energy, felt a cool sensation rush into their minds, dispelling that nauseating dizziness.

However, everyone's heart remained as heavy as iron.

They all understood that this was only temporary.

Although the Spirit Spring Essence was miraculous and could sustain their lives and heal their injuries, the exhaustion and depletion that had seeped into their bones could not be recovered in a day.

They had already lost the strength to fight again.

"Brother Gao, we..." Xu Changqing struggled to stand up, asking with a hoarse voice, "What should we do now?"

Yes, what should they do?

Lin Fan looked up towards the chaotic jungle outside the basin, then looked to the other side at Ji Xuan, who, despite having his entire team wiped out, was still alive and staring fixedly at them with a resentful gaze.

He knew that this bloody hunt was far from over.

Just then, the three melodious bell tolls representing the end of the second round finally rang out through the entire Ten Thousand Beast Garden like the sounds of heaven.

"It's over..." Gong Qianxue murmured to herself, her nerves, which had been stretched to the limit, finally relaxing as she collapsed onto the ground.

However, there was no relaxation in Lin Fan's heart.

He understood Ji Xuan's vengeful nature too well, and he was all too clear about Prince Ying's unscrupulous style of doing things.

They would never let him off so easily.

Sure enough, another change occurred.

A golden imperial decree seemed to appear out of thin air, slowly unfurling above the Chengtian Plaza.

Eunuch Wei's feminine and sharp voice, bolstered by vigorous Internal Energy, rolled like thunder, spreading to every corner of the Divine Capital and echoing clearly in the ears of every survivor in the Ten Thousand Beast Garden.

"The Emperor has an edict!"

"The second round of the Martial Arts Exam, [Ten Thousand Beast Hunt], was bloody and tragic, far exceeding expectations."

"However, a Martial Artist must seek survival in adversity and erupt in desperate situations! True gold must be tempered by fire; a national warrior must be peerless!"

"I am very gratified!"

"To reward the bloodiness of all candidates who feared not life nor death and fought bravely, I have decided to change the rules of the final round!"

Once these words were spoken, everyone—whether the nobles on the viewing platform, the hundreds of thousands of commoners in the square, or the survivors in the Ten Thousand Beast Garden—was stunned.

Change the rules? At a time like this?

Eunuch Wei ignored everyone's astonishment and continued to read in his unique, emotionless tone.

"The final battle will be held in one hour at the 'Zhenyue Platform' in the center of Chengtian Plaza!"

"The final eight surviving candidates will engage in a 'Limitless Defense Trial'!"

"The person with the lowest ranking from the previous round will take the stage first and challenge anyone ranked above them!"

"The winner stays on the stage and becomes the new champion! The loser is eliminated!"

"The others may take turns challenging! Until, in the end, only one person can stand on the stage, with no one daring to challenge again, or no one able to challenge again!"

"This person shall be the only one of this year's Martial Arts Exam—"

"Martial Champion!"

Boom!

These words exploded in everyone's minds like a true Nine Heavens thunderbolt!

Limitless Defense Trial!

Winner takes all!

This was no longer a simple competition; it was the most cruel, most bloody gauntlet!

It tested not only instantaneous explosive power and strength, but also bottomless endurance, recovery, and... the wit to calculate human hearts in desperate situations!

"It's over..." The blood instantly drained from Xu Changqing's face.

He knew better than anyone what this rule meant for their team, which had just experienced a life-and-death battle and was already completely exhausted.

It meant despair!

Although Ji Xuan had also suffered heavy losses, he himself had not sustained fatal injuries, and he had gathered a group of top experts like Limitless Sword and Mo Wuxin around him.

As for Lin Fan's side, apart from Lin Fan himself who could barely stand, everyone else, including Big Fool and Yue Changkong, had completely lost their ability to fight!

This was simply not a fair duel!

This was a death trap of a revenge stage, tailor-made for Lin Fan by Prince Ying and Ji Xuan within the rules!

On the viewing platform, for the first time, a trace of undisguised anger and worry appeared on Lin Zhengde's face, which had always been as calm as an ancient well.

He turned his head sharply to look at the expressionless Emperor on the dragon throne, his lips moving, but in the end, he said nothing.

He knew this was an open conspiracy.

It was yet another cold reprimand and balancing act by the Emperor against them, these "chess pieces."

Prince Ying Ji Lie finally revealed a cruel and triumphant smile like a winner.

He seemed to have already seen the miserable sight of Lin Fan, exhausted by the gauntlet, collapsing to the ground, only to be ruthlessly trampled underfoot by his son Ji Xuan, like crushing an ant!

One hour passed in the blink of an eye.

When Lin Fan and the others were "invited" back to Chengtian Plaza by the guards and stood under the enormous "Zhenyue Platform" carved from a single piece of basalt, they immediately became the focus of the entire crowd.

However, in those hundreds of thousands of gazes, there was no longer the shock and admiration from before; there was more sympathy, pity, and... schadenfreude.

Everyone could see that this team, which had created a miracle in the second round, was now at the end of its rope.

Lin Fan's face was as pale as a sheet of paper; although his posture remained upright, his slightly trembling fingertips exposed his current weakness.

Big Fool and Yue Changkong needed to support each other just to barely stand.

"Big Brother, I... I can still fight!" Big Fool gritted his teeth, his honest face full of stubbornness.

"Brother Lin, I..." Yue Changkong also wanted to say something, but was stopped by a look from Lin Fan.

"Your mission is already complete." Lin Fan's voice was not loud, but carried an unquestionable calmness.

"Leave the rest to me."

He turned around, alone, facing that cold and enormous stage, facing the opponents on the other side, led by Ji Xuan, each with powerful Auras and cold eyes.

His back, under the afterglow of the setting sun, was stretched very long, appearing so lonely, so desolate.

Yet, also, so... resolute!

"Dong!"

The final bell rang.

The Gold-Armored Commander walked onto the stage expressionlessly, his voice resounding throughout the venue: "The final battle, the Limitless Defense Trial, begins now!"

"According to the previous round's ranking, the eighth-ranked candidate, 'Soul-Severing Blade' Wang Meng, will take the stage first and choose your opponent!"

A burly man holding a ghost-head broadsword heard this, took a deep breath, and walked onto the stage.

He scanned the surroundings, his gaze sweeping rapidly over Ji Xuan, Limitless Sword, and others, and finally, with a trace of reluctance and helplessness, landed on Lin Fan.

Everyone knew that challenging this weakest "first place" was the safest and wisest choice at the moment.

However, just as he was about to speak, a hoarse, grating, and cackling laugh filled with endless greed and resentment rang out first.

"Hehehehe... Wang Meng, is it? Get down!"

A blood-colored figure appeared on the stage without warning, like a ghost.

It was none other than the "blood hand butcher" Mo Wuxin, who had been heavily injured by Limitless Sword in the Ten Thousand Beast Garden and should have lost his ability to fight!

At this moment, although his face was still pale, the terrifying sword wound on his chest had eerily healed by more than half!

The evil Aura radiating from him was even thicker and more unstable than before!

He stuck out his crimson tongue and licked his dry, cracked lips, his snake-like eyes locked firmly onto Lin Fan.

"Lin Fan... you damned rat, you've made me search so hard!"

"In the Ten Thousand Beast Garden, being ambushed by that sword-user was my carelessness. Now, there is no one else here who can help you!"

He spread his arms, as if embracing the whole world, or perhaps displaying his masterpiece.

"I am going to suck you, this so-called 'Prodigy', into a dried husk, drop by drop, in front of the whole world!"

"I want everyone to see just how... delicious your essence blood, which makes me drool, really is!"

He stomped his foot violently, ignoring the rules, and directly attacked the eighth-ranked candidate Wang Meng, forcing him to jump off the stage in a sorry state.

"I, Mo Wuxin! First, I challenge you, Lin Fan!" He pointed at Lin Fan, issuing the most resentful and arrogant challenge declaration!

The whole venue was in an uproar!

No one expected that the first person to take the stage would actually be this madman!

On the viewing platform, Lin Zhengde's face sank instantly.

He knew that the "Blood Demon Disintegration Method" that Mo Wuxin cultivated was extremely bizarre and especially good at dealing with exhausted people; with Lin Fan's current state, facing him was practically a nine-to-one chance of death!

On Ji Xuan's face, a cruel smile appeared.

He wished nothing more than for Mo Wuxin to go up first and wear Lin Fan half to death, so he could come and reap the rewards.

Lin Fan looked at Mo Wuxin, who was acting like a madman on the stage, his deep eyes showing not a single ripple.

He just calmly said to Wulu, who was supporting him from behind, "Help me up."

"Big Brother!" Wulu's eyes were full of bloodshot veins.

"Up." Lin Fan's voice was unquestionable.

Wulu gritted his teeth and finally supported Lin Fan, step by step, onto the enormous Zhenyue Platform.

The moment Lin Fan stepped onto the arena, he was barely able to stand steadily. His body swayed slightly, as if a gust of wind could knock him over at any moment.

That appearance of extreme weakness caused hundreds of thousands of spectators below the stage to let out sighs of pity.

"Hehehe... It seems you can't even stand steadily anymore!" The smile on Mo Wuxin's face grew increasingly sinister. "This is good; it saves me some trouble!"

Before the words even faded, he moved!

"Blood Demon Disintegration!"

Amidst a teeth-grinding "hissing" sound, his body suddenly transformed into a massive, overwhelming cloud of blood-colored mist!

That blood mist was even thicker and more massive than when he was at the Ten Thousand Beast Garden, covering almost half of the arena! A pungent, nauseating stench instantly filled the air.

From within the blood mist, Mo Wuxin's voice seemed to come from all directions, filled with mockery and cruelty.

"Lin Fan, feel despair! Within this blood mist, I am a god! You cannot see me, you cannot touch me, but I can tear open your throat and drain your blood from any angle you would never expect!"

"Hiss!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a sharp blood spike, coalesced from the blood mist, formed silently behind Lin Fan and thrust straight at his heart!

As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Lin Fan's body rolled to the side in an extremely strained posture, narrowly dodging the attack.

"Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!"

Immediately after, dozens more blood spikes shot out madly from all directions—from the ground of the arena, from the air—completely sealing off all of Lin Fan's escape routes!

The hearts of the people below the stage were in their throats!

They saw Lin Fan like a lamb surrounded by dozens of vicious wolves, struggling clumsily and in a sorry state amidst the airtight attacks. Several times he was nearly pierced by the blood spikes, and his clothes were already torn in many places.

"It's over..." On the viewing platform, a minister closed his eyes, unable to bear watching.

"Hmph, mere brute courage is ultimately unfit for the big stage." Prince Ying Ji Lie lifted his teacup, his face full of disdain.

However, just at the moment when everyone thought Lin Fan was doomed to lose and was about to be swallowed by the sky-filling blood mist.

That Lin Fan, who had been dodging clumsily, suddenly stopped.

He no longer dodged, nor did he defend.

He just stood quietly in the center of the arena, letting the sky-filling blood mist completely envelop him.

Then, he slowly closed his eyes.

"Hmm? Have you given up?" From within the blood mist came Mo Wuxin's puzzled yet smug voice. "That's right, in the face of absolute strength, any struggle is futile! Then, let me enjoy your final..."

His words came to an abrupt halt.

Because he saw that Lin Fan, with his eyes closed, had the corners of his mouth slowly curl into a... cold, mocking arc.

"I found you."

Lin Fan gently spat out those three words.

The next moment, his eyes, which had been tightly closed, suddenly snapped open!

Boom!!!

A brilliant divine light, indescribable in words, seemingly capable of perceiving all Origin in the world and seeing through all delusions, erupted from his pupils!

【Eye of Delusion Breaking】, fully activated!

Within those eyes flickering with strange runes, the sky-filling, seemingly flawless blood-colored mist before him was instantly deconstructed and pierced through!

It was no longer simple mist!

It was a massive network woven from countless fine, invisible threads of blood-colored energy!

These threads appeared chaotic, yet they flowed and operated according to a certain specific pattern.

And in the very center of this massive network, there was an energy core about the size of a fist, with a light many times brighter than anywhere else!

That was the Foundation of Mo Wuxin's evil technique, and also where his true body was hidden!

"So, it's here." A knowing smile appeared on Lin Fan's face.

He no longer paid attention to the blood-colored tentacles attacking from all directions, which had become incomparably slow in his eyes.

He moved.

In the eyes of everyone, who were shocked beyond measure, his body, which had been extremely weak, suddenly erupted with a terrifying power, condensed to the extreme, that was completely different from before!

He did not use any fancy movement techniques; it was just the simplest, most direct step forward!

"Boom!" The hard basalt arena cracked instantly under his feet!

His figure, like a cannonball fired from a chamber, or like a black lightning bolt tearing through the darkness, ignored all attacks and charged straight toward the center of the blood mist, which appeared empty.

"What?!" From within the blood mist came Mo Wuxin's terrified scream!

He could not fathom how the opponent had instantly and precisely locked onto the location of his true body!

He wanted to escape, to merge his true body back into the blood mist and change position. But it was already too late!

Lin Fan's speed was too fast!

It was fast enough to exceed sound, fast enough to exceed thought!

In Mo Wuxin's pupils, filled with fear and disbelief, a cold, pitch-black blade Aura carrying the force to split mountains and cleave cliffs rapidly magnified in his vision!

"No!!!" He let out the final, shrill, and unwilling scream of his life.

Lin Fan's figure passed straight through that massive blood mist.

He slowly sheathed his blade, turned around, and stood still.

And behind him, that blood-colored mist, which had once been arrogant and covered half the arena, made a slight "puff" sound, like a popped balloon, and suddenly dissipated.

Mo Wuxin's figure reappeared on the arena. He maintained that attacking posture, standing stiffly in place, motionless.

A faint line of blood slowly, slowly appeared from the center of his forehead, then spread all the way down, passing over his nose bridge, his lips, his neck, his chest...

"Puchi!" The next moment, in the deathly silence of the entire venue, Mo Wuxin's arrogant Blood Demon true body was split neatly into two halves from the middle, like a work of art perfectly cut by the sharpest blade!

Scalding blood, mixed with broken internal organs, splattered all over the arena with a "splat."

One force conquers ten techniques!

In the face of absolute strength and speed, all schemes are mere delusions!

Lin Fan didn't even look at the two halves of the corpse again; he just used his sleeve to gently wipe away the non-existent blood from his three-pointed, double-edged blade.

Then, he cast his cold gaze toward the area below the stage, at Ji Xuan, who was already pale with fright and trembling all over.

"Next." His calm voice, like a death god's verdict, resounded throughout the pin-drop silent Chengtian Square.

That cold "Next" echoed for a long time over the deathly silent Chengtian Square, like a death warrant from the Nine Nether Hell.

Everyone's eyes, subconsciously, as if pulled by invisible threads, focused in unison on the dragon blood heir below the stage—Ji Xuan, whose face was pale as a ghost and whose body was trembling violently from extreme fear and rage.

The challenge was still continuing.

According to the rules, the next person to step onto the stage should have been the seventh-ranked examinee. But Lin Fan's gaze, filled with endless contempt and provocation, had already unreservedly passed over everyone and was fixed firmly on Ji Xuan.

He was using the most direct, most arrogant way to issue the most naked challenge to this arrogant dragon blood heir!

"You... you..." Ji Xuan pointed at the figure standing on the arena holding the blade, looking like a god of slaughter, his lips trembling, but he couldn't say a word.

He was afraid.

Yes, he, the dignified dragon blood heir, the son of Prince Ying, felt for the first time, from the bottom of his heart, the emotion known as "fear."

He knew Mo Wuxin's strength better than anyone. That bizarre Blood Demon Disintegration Technique would have taken some effort even for himself at his peak, with the outcome being a fifty-fifty chance.

Yet Lin Fan, this prey who should have been exhausted and ready for slaughter in his eyes, had actually... actually used only one move!

One move, and he had cleanly and neatly split that notorious blood hand butcher in two!

This strength, this dominance, had completely shattered his arrogant self-esteem and completely shaken his rock-solid self-confidence!

He dared not go up!

He could not guarantee whether, after going up, he would become the second corpse to be cleaved open in public!

Just in this awkward and oppressive atmosphere, where everyone was holding their breath, waiting for Ji Xuan to react, a white figure moved.

He was dressed in white, whiter than snow, spotless, holding an ancient longsword wrapped in plain brocade in his arms.

He didn't look at anyone, just walked with steady and firm steps, one step at a time, slowly ascending the Zhenyue Platform, which was stained with blood and flesh.

It was none other than the "shadowless sword," Limitless Sword.

His appearance instantly broke the deadlock on the field and attracted everyone's attention.

"It's Limitless Sword!"

"That sword fanatic from the Heavenly Sword Pavilion! What is he doing? Is he going to challenge Lin Fan too?"

"He must be crazy! Lin Fan just killed Mo Wuxin and his momentum is at its peak; isn't he asking for trouble by going up now?"

Discussions arose everywhere. However, Limitless Sword turned a deaf ear to everything around him.

He walked to the center of the arena and stood still three zhang away from Lin Fan.

Then, in front of hundreds of thousands of people, he slowly and solemnly performed an ancient and standard swordsman salute toward Lin Fan.

He held the longsword in his arms horizontally across his chest, grasped the hilt with his right hand, placed his left hand in a sword finger gesture, lightly pressed it against the sword body, and bowed slightly.

"Heavenly Sword Pavilion, Limitless Sword, greets Brother Lin."

His voice was cold as always, without the slightest emotional fluctuation, yet it carried a respect for the strong that came from the bottom of his bones.