"Seven people?" The Green-faced Ghost leaped up, descending directly from the roof of an ancient building, kicking up a swirl of dust.
Yuan Che drew his sword first, "Today, we shall let you truly witness the might of the Azure Dragon Sect!"
"Your Azure Dragon Sect is indeed formidable, having killed many of our delivery personnel. You must have accumulated quite a bit of Mandara genes, haven't you?" The Green-faced Ghost walked step by step towards the seven individuals.
Yuan Che replied, "That poison can turn people into ghosts, like a plague. Our Azure Dragon Sect has long since destroyed it completely!"
The Green-faced Ghost sneered, "Heh, you are not greedy. You people are so boring; you're neither greedy for wealth nor lust. What is the point of wielding swords and spears all day?"
Yuan Che's long sword trembled, and he roared, "For this day!"
The seven simultaneously launched their attacks, their momentum powerful. Coupled with Yuan Che's already immense abilities, the Green-faced Ghost dared not be careless. The ground beneath his feet immediately turned a strange shade of green!
"Careful! That's his released poison barrier!"
Yuan Che suddenly sprang upwards, and the other seven followed suit, instantly propelling themselves into the air, seemingly unbound by the laws of physics.
"What a remarkable movement technique," the Green-faced Ghost applauded. But in the next instant, emerald green droplets rained down from the sky. Among the seven, two had not yet reached the Foundation Establishment realm, and with their previous battle against Tang Feng and the members of the Dawn Sect, their true energy was already depleted. Their bodies were immediately covered by the green droplets, and pustules erupted all over them!
"Junior Brother!"
As Yuan Che prepared to rescue them, the Green-faced Ghost unexpectedly spoke again, "I advise you not to touch them. My viruses are contagious."
"Bastard!" Yuan Che furiously circulated his true energy, which surged like a mighty river. Seeing this, the Green-faced Ghost was disinclined to engage him head-on. After all, using true energy to activate supernatural abilities was the most effective and effortless way to fight, and he did not wish to put himself in a disadvantageous position.
On one side, the Azure Dragon Six were locked in a fierce battle with the Green-faced man. Meanwhile, far in the depths of the cave, Ren Yuanhao once again heard that ancient and distant voice.
"Hey, kid, you've already answered two of my questions. Now, I have one last question."
Ren Yuanhao's own absorption power had reached its limit. He felt the true energy within him gradually calm, with the fire-attribute true energy settling comfortably in his dantian. He felt as if he were in an extremely pleasant state.
"Senior, please ask."
"Have you ever considered that you might one day go against your original intentions?"
Ren Yuanhao hadn't thought about it. He was a bachelor for ten lifetimes, destined to have intricate relationships with women. Going against his intentions? Unless I die, he thought.
However, the ancient voice spoke again, "Have you ever considered the taste of betrayal?"
"Betrayal?" Ren Yuanhao's mind raced. Who would betray me? I'm just an ordinary person, with nothing worth betraying. The three girls? Ji Fu? These people were impossible, and besides—
At this thought, Ren Yuanhao felt a chill down his spine!
Could it be that the one who would betray him was his other personality? Another self?
The more he thought about it, the more he felt the gravity of the situation.
After a moment of thought, Ren Yuanhao said, "Betrayal, I've never considered such a thing. Even if it were to happen one day, I suppose it would be my destiny."
The ancient voice suddenly chuckled, "Youngster, there's no need to overthink. I merely wanted to see your reaction. Since you've mentioned destiny, can you tell this old man how you view destiny?"
Ren Yuanhao was about to blurt out some arrogant words like 'My fate is mine to control, not heaven's,' but he swallowed them back.
Sometimes, in certain circumstances, one has no choice but to accept fate, much like Ren Yuanhao's current state, where he had to suppress the fire-attribute true energy within him.
This, was destiny.
"Kid, this question is difficult, isn't it?"
Ren Yuanhao thought of his seven years of life expectancy and his current situation, and suddenly became cheerful. "The more you fear destiny, the more it will show you its power. The more you resist, the more it will fight back. And when you think you have finally escaped its constraints, a larger cage awaits you. A person's life is only a hundred years. Sometimes, thinking about it, it's better to live life the way you like rather than thinking so far ahead. What destiny, what heavenly mandate, these are just things to fool children."
"So, you don't believe in destiny?"
"What difference does it make whether I believe or not? If someone tells you you'll die tomorrow, should you be dejected? If it were me, I'd feast and drink heartily, doing the things I've always wanted to do but dared not. I'd make that last day count with my own flavor!"
The ancient voice suddenly became bold and stirring, "Kid, that sentence is what I love to hear the most! People are born with an open mind. If you understand the Dao in the morning, dying in the evening is acceptable. What fate, it's all just bullshit!"
"Yes, it's all just bullshit!"
Ren Yuanhao smiled openly. Then, he suddenly heard the ancient voice growing closer. A tearing pain suddenly erupted in his abdomen, and he instantly fainted into the dragon pool.
...
At this time, the battle outside was nearing its conclusion.
Mo Xinghe, relying on his Dragon Soaring Sword and his cultivation, could still match Fourth Brother Zheng Jun. However, Wu Liti, Yao Yusheng, Huang Yue, the six of them, including Yuan Che, were on the verge of defeat.
"Sect Leader Mo, your internal competition has depleted quite a bit of your disciples' strength. If they were all at their peak, it would be difficult for us to do anything to you."
Zheng Jun's almost burning fist collided with the Dragon Soaring Sword. As the two forces clashed, ice shards flew everywhere!
"You scoundrels, how dare you plot against us!"
Mo Xinghe, a man of deep cunning, had been outmaneuvered this time, and his mood was far from pleasant.
"No choice. You people are too powerful and have repeatedly obstructed our actions. You truly deserve to die. Oh, not to truly die, but to become fuel, fuel for our future ability users!"
"Dream on!"
Mo Xinghe was about to lift the seal on the Dragon Soaring Sword, preparing for a desperate fight. But at that moment, the other three kings had already captured Wu Liti, Yao Yusheng, Yuan Che, Tang Feng, and others. Zheng Jun roared, "Mo Xinghe, your four sects are already severely weakened. If you want to preserve the lives of these people, I advise you to put down your sword and surrender. Perhaps, I can grant you some face and spare your beloved disciples."
Mo Xinghe looked down coldly. He saw that almost all the elite disciples of the four major sects had been captured by the other three kings. The grand competition grounds were in ruins, and his heart sank.