Chapter 84: A Crushing Defeat
The shop owner was a middle-aged man. His eyes flicked, and he said, “Five hundred gold coins.”
“Five hundred gold coins?” It wasn’t that I thought it was too much money. I just felt this sword wasn’t worth that price. The style was novel, but it could only be used as decoration. The material itself wasn’t anything precious. Yet he dared to sell it so expensively. Did he think I was a sucker?
Mo Yue looked at me with hopeful eyes. She clearly really wanted it. I circulated Mad God Battle Energy, and a faint layer of golden light immediately appeared over the sword’s body. The shop owner stared blankly, then hurriedly said, “So you’re a true expert. In that case, I’ll charge you cost—four hundred gold coins.”
I looked at him coldly. “Too expensive. This sword isn’t worth that.”
The owner’s expression changed. “Sir, that’s not right. Look at the workmanship and material—every part is top grade. How could it not be worth it?”
I didn’t want to waste time arguing with this kind of profiteering merchant. I casually drew Mo Ming and set it on the counter. “Then tell me how much my sword is worth.”
The shop owner jolted. He reached for Mo Ming, strained, and still couldn’t lift it. Surprise immediately showed on his face. “What is your sword made of? Why is it so heavy?”
I gave a cold laugh. “My sword could buy your entire shop and still have plenty left over. I’ll take that stone sword. Give me the real cost price.” I had money, but I wasn’t going to throw it around—especially not in front of a profiteer.
The shop owner seemed to realize he’d run into a connoisseur. He hesitated, about to speak, when a pleasant voice suddenly came from outside. “I’ll buy this stone sword. I’ll pay five hundred gold coins.”
I frowned. Who was causing trouble? Anyone who knew even a little about weapons would know this sword wasn’t worth that price.
Mo Yue looked toward the door and suddenly covered her mouth in shock. “What a beautiful man.”
Hearing her say that, my curiosity rose as well. I turned my head—and I was stunned too.
A tall, slender man walked in. He was only a little shorter than me. He wore a snow-white scholar’s robe without a speck of dust. A wide belt cinched his waist, edged in gold thread, and in the middle of that belt was set a pale green piece of jade—exactly the turquoise that saved my life back then. It even looked larger than the three I originally had. A long sword hung at his side, its scabbard snow-white as well. From the hilt dangled a yellow tassel a chi long. It didn’t look like a killing weapon at all—more like an ornament. His shoulders were broad but not thick. Blue long hair spilled down his back. A white headband with writing tied his hair, and on that headband was another turquoise stone. His eyebrows curved slightly, carrying a trace of delicate softness. His skin was pale, his nose straight, his eyes bright. He looked at us with a half-smile that wasn’t quite a smile. If not for the Adam’s apple on his throat proving his identity, I might have thought he was a woman dressed as a man.
The man in white looked a little helplessly at Mo Yue. “Miss, the best word to describe a man isn’t ‘beautiful.’ I prefer hearing you say I’m handsome.”
While I was still shocked by his looks, he had already walked to my side. He lifted the stone sword from my hand with one move, tossed a white card to the shop owner, and said, “Five hundred gold coins. Take the money yourself.”
Mo Yue said unhappily, “We saw it first. Why are you snatching it?”
I watched the man in white without revealing anything, waiting to see how he answered. His outfit was absolutely not that of an ordinary rich man. I wanted to see what he was trying to do.
The man in white only smiled at Mo Yue. He handed the stone sword to the shop owner to be wrapped. At that moment, he also saw Mo Ming on the counter. A fierce light burst from his eyes. He picked Mo Ming up easily and said to the shop owner, “Is this one of your goods? I’ll buy it. Name your price.” As he spoke, he kept looking Mo Ming up and down. The delight in his eyes was obvious. After a moment, he seemed startled, but the flickering uncertainty in his gaze showed he couldn’t quite confirm something.
The shop owner said awkwardly, “Sorry. That isn’t from our shop. It belongs to that gentleman.”
Only then did the man in white move his gaze from Mo Ming to me and look me up and down. “This sword is yours, brother?”
I nodded. “That’s right. It’s mine.”
The man in white said, “Can you transfer it to me? Name any price you want. As long as you can say it, I can pay it.”
I snorted and snatched Mo Ming back from his hand, sheathing it behind my back. “Not for sale. And don’t fight me for that stone sword. I bought it first.”
The man in white smiled slightly and brought over the wrapped stone sword. “What a pity. What a pity—such a fine sword. Brother, let me give you a piece of advice. If it’s something a girl likes, why bother counting the price? If you can win a beauty’s smile, isn’t that more valuable than anything?” He turned to Mo Yue. “Beautiful miss, how about I give you this stone sword?”
My heart jolted. This man was willing to gift something he bought for five hundred gold coins to a complete stranger. Clearly, money to him was just a number.
Mo Yue shook her head. “I can’t accept it. Other than things my husband gives me, I won’t take gifts from anyone else.”
Her words warmed my heart. I said to the man in white, “If you’re willing to transfer it, I can buy it from you at the same price.”
The man in white smiled faintly. “I only give this sword away. I won’t sell it.” As he spoke, he held it out to Mo Yue again.
A surge of anger rose in me. Was he trying to steal Mo Yue from me? I subconsciously stepped forward, blocking between him and Mo Yue. “If you won’t sell it, then forget it. Yue’er, let’s go.”
Mo Yue didn’t need that sword at all costs. Even though this man in white was better-looking than me and extremely charming, she showed no attachment. She nodded obediently and followed me out.
Behind us, the man in white sighed. “What a pity, what a pity—such a fresh flower…”
I was about to flare up, but Mo Yue snapped first. She spun around and charged back to him, furious. “What did you say? You embroidered pillow—you’re nowhere near my husband. If you dare insult my husband again, I’ll—”
The man in white clearly hadn’t expected our feelings to be this deep. He froze for a moment, then said politely, “Sorry. I misspoke. But miss, don’t you want a man who can protect you? Can he do it?” After saying that, he looked at me with a provocative gaze.
Was he looking for trouble? With things already said this far, even a good-tempered person couldn’t endure it—let alone me, who was violent by nature. I stared at him coldly. “So you want to fight me for my beloved wife?”
The man in white lost that refined demeanor instantly. Two icy beams shot from his eyes as he stared back without yielding. “Yes. Do you have the guts to accept my challenge? If you lose, you leave this beautiful miss. If you win, this stone sword is yours.”
With anger surging, I blurted out, “Fine. I accept your challenge. You choose the place.”
Mo Yue’s eyes looked a little wronged. I immediately realized the slip in my wording and hurriedly corrected myself. “If I lose, you can kill me, but you absolutely can’t make me leave Mo Yue. But I will never lose.”
The man in white laughed loudly. “Since you’re that confident, then let’s go.” He left the shop first and headed out of Stru Fortress.
I snorted coldly, grabbed Mo Yue’s hand, and followed. The man in white didn’t seem to be walking fast, yet I had to work to keep up. In no time, we were already out the eastern gate of Stru City. After walking dozens more li, he finally stopped. Long-distance travel didn’t produce the slightest fatigue in him. I stared at him, startled. Thoughts spun quickly through my mind. Just who was this man in white? Not only did he have astonishing wealth, his martial ability also seemed very good.
I said blandly, “I haven’t asked yet—what’s your name? Do we start here?”
“Here is fine. Call me Laar.” He pointed casually. “This stone sword should be held by this beautiful miss for now.” With a flick of his hand, the stone sword drifted slowly toward Mo Yue. Mo Yue reached out and caught it, then said to me, “Husband, defeat him. I have absolute confidence in you.” After that, she jumped up and kissed me on the face, smiled sweetly, then drifted aside and watched quietly.
With Mo Yue’s encouragement, my spirit surged. I stood with my hands behind my back and said to Laar, “Come.”
Laar smiled slightly. “If I strike first, you won’t get a chance. You go first.”
I looked at him with contempt. Someone dared to be more arrogant than me, the inheritor of the Mad God. Fine. I would give this brat a lesson. My body shot forward. Golden light blazed over my whole body as I threw a fierce punch at him.
A strange glint flashed in Laar’s eyes. He didn’t move at all, letting the battle energy I released slam into him.
My heart jolted. Was he really just an embroidered pillow? But he didn’t seem like it. From his walking speed earlier, he should have real strength.
Even so, I worried about killing him and drew back two-tenths of the power. My right fist, wrapped in golden Mad God Battle Energy, struck his chest solidly with a heavy bang.
Laar didn’t move an inch. He looked at me with amused eyes. My fist was still pressed against his chest. That strike not only failed to push him back—it didn’t even tear or damage his clothes in the slightest. A chill exploded in my heart. I immediately revised my judgment of him. Just now, I used only three-tenths of my strength, but it was still not something ordinary people could endure. Even Tian Yun might not dare take it to the chest. Who was this young expert? I suddenly realized I could no longer see through him at all. A coldness crawled from my feet straight up to my chest.
I instinctively backed away a few steps and stared at him blankly.
Laar still wore that smiling expression, and under the sunlight, he looked ridiculously charming. He said warmly, “Come on. Continue. Let’s see if you can move me.”
I hated most when people looked down on me. I focused my mind on him and drove the Mad God Battle Energy inside my body. The golden glow around me flared violently. I clasped my hands before my chest and shouted, “Crazy Arrow Ascends to Heaven!” A golden, arrow-shaped battle energy shot out through my palms, compressing rapidly in midair as it tore toward his chest at terrifying speed.
Laar shouted, “Good move. Too bad—your skill still isn’t there.” He lifted his right hand. No glow erupted from his body at all. The golden arrow arrived in front of him in an instant. Laar smiled faintly, flicked his right hand, and simply grabbed the crazy arrow in his hand.
I desperately drove my will, trying to rip the crazy arrow free, but it didn’t budge at all. It was as if it had been cast into his hand—unable to move even a fraction.
Laar looked at me with the same calm expression. “This still isn’t enough. You’re too weak.” He clenched his right hand. With a soft pop, he crushed the crazy arrow into pieces, exploding it into light-rain across the air. Under the pull of the clash, it felt like someone slammed a giant hammer into my chest. I let out a muffled groan and staggered back a few steps.
Impossible. This was impossible.
From those first two exchanges, I discovered that this man in white, Laar, was actually stronger than Li Feng. How could that be? Judging from his age, he didn’t seem much older than me. Why did he have such terrifying strength? Being humiliated like this in front of Mo Yue, fury instantly erupted in me.
My body swelled suddenly, ripping my upper clothes apart. My hair and eyes turned red one after another. My aura surged. The scattered golden glow gathered across the surface of my skin. I glared at him viciously, telling myself that I absolutely could not lose. I couldn’t afford this disgrace.
Laar nodded. “Not bad. It’s about time you transformed. Mm. You do seem a bit stronger. Come—let me see whether your berserk strength can interest me more.”
I sprang upward, took a huge step forward, and stomped my left foot heavily into the ground. My body shot into the air. The ground where I stepped instantly cracked. My Mad God Battle Energy had already been driven to peak. A world-crushing, tyrannical aura poured off me. When my body rose to its highest point in midair, I roared, “Wild Meteor!” My body turned into a golden-red meteor and slammed straight down at Laar.
Laar looked at me flying in as if approving. “That’s more like it. Let me take one move from you.” He still didn’t attack. He stood in place and drew a circular arc with his right hand in front of him. A white light wall appeared. My Wild Meteor crashed into it with a thunderous boom.
Time seemed to stop in that instant.
I felt as though I had slammed into an incomparably soft wall. My originally overwhelming force, under the soft wall’s constant trembling, slowly dissipated. Behind the light wall was Laar’s hateful half-smile. He didn’t show the slightest strain. He simply watched me. My throat sweetened. With a wail, I spat out a mouthful of blood, and my body was bounced back.
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud—I retreated seven steps before stabilizing. My chest churned. It was as if I had suffered my own impact, making me feel disgusting and suffocated.
Mo Yue drifted over and held me. “Husband, how are you? Stop fighting him. He isn’t human.”
I flung my hand, pushing Mo Yue back two steps. Strange red light flickered in my eyes as I said in a low voice, “Get back. I can do it.”
As I spoke, I chanted, “Darkness gathers the soul; only through fall can there be freedom. Awaken—endless demonic power sleeping within my blood.” I had thought that aside from members of the Saint Dragon Knights Corps, no one could force me to use my strongest power. But now, facing this unknown enemy, I had no choice but to use my strongest transformation—Blood-Red Angel.
As the black six-pointed star formed beneath my feet, four red wings burst out from my back. My body floated under the beating of those wings.
Seeing that phenomenon, Laar’s eyes showed shock for the first time. “Th-This… what’s going on? Why do you carry that guy Lucifer’s aura? Impossible. Impossible. This…”
While he muttered to himself, I had already completed my energy buildup. The violent energy around my body twisted all the airflow. This Blood-Red Angel transformation seemed even stronger than when I fought Li Feng last time. I roared, “Mad God Battle Armor!” The golden Mad God armor appeared on me piece by piece, starting from the heart-protector mirror—heart-protector mirror, chest armor, shoulder armor, waist-guard—one after another. I finally forced out my full strength again.
“Laar, you forced me. Take my strongest move—Crazy Turning Reincarnation!” My whole body spun vertically like a cyclone, forming a golden-red giant windmill as I tore toward Laar.
Caution appeared in Laar’s eyes. White light mist rose across his whole body, and a white six-pointed star appeared beneath his feet. His lips moved in rapid chanting. He thrust out his hand, and a beam of white light shot out.
I had already erupted with all my energy. My golden-red body repeatedly collided with the white light. The pressure from that white light was immense, but under my all-out assault, it was forced to retreat step by step.
Laar’s eyes brightened sharply. Watching me close in, he said calmly, “I didn’t expect you to have this kind of ability. Looks like I truly underestimated you. Go.”
Golden light suddenly burst from his eyes. A complex golden symbol flashed between his brows and vanished. I felt an irresistible, overwhelming force slam into me. Crazy Turning Reincarnation could no longer be maintained. My body was blasted away violently.
The Mad God armor on my body flared with brilliant light, blocking most of the impact for me, but his attack power was too strong. I couldn’t hold it back—blood sprayed wildly from my mouth. My body shot upward, then fell straight down.
In that moment, everything around me seemed gray and dim. The strength I took pride in had been defeated just like that—defeated in the hands of an unknown man in white named Laar.
Mo Yue screamed and leapt high, catching me in her arms. Because I had pushed myself too hard, many capillaries in my skin had already burst. Blood seeped out and dyed Mo Yue’s clothes red. The grisly sight made her burst into tears. The jolt when we hit the ground made me spit another mouthful of blood. The meridians throughout my body had suffered severe internal shock.
Laar drifted over as if nothing had happened. He frowned as he looked at me.
Mo Yue shouted in grief and rage, “I’ll fight you!” She reached for the narrow sword, about to rush up.
I gathered the last of my strength and grabbed Mo Yue’s hand. “No, Yue’er. Don’t be reckless. You’re not his opponent. Laar, I lost. Do whatever you want to me, but I ask you to spare Mo Yue. Otherwise, even if I die, I’ll become a vicious ghost and I won’t let you go.”
Laar sighed. “I’m not afraid of ghosts. But I won’t kill you. I already know what I needed to know. What I find strange is why you carry the aura of the fallen angel Lucifer.”
Enduring the pain, I said, “What’s strange about that? Every Demon Race cultivator who trains in Heavenly Demon Art carries Lucifer’s aura. I cultivated Heavenly Demon Art.”
Laar looked as if he was thinking. “No wonder. No wonder. Sorry for injuring you. Originally, I only wanted to test your skill. I didn’t expect your strength to exceed my expectations, and I used too much force by accident. You have dark aura in your body, so I can’t heal you either. That stone sword will be given to you—consider it my apology.”
Mo Yue glared at him fiercely and shouted, “Stop pretending to be kind and smug here. Who wants that broken sword? If you won’t kill us, then get lost. Get lost!” Mo Yue flicked her right hand. The wrapped stone sword instantly turned to powder and flew toward Laar.
Laar sighed. The powder fell to the ground when it was still three chi in front of him. “I know you won’t listen to my explanation. It’s fortunate his injuries aren’t fatal. Take good care of him. Goodbye.”
I shouted, “Wait! Tell me—what is your relationship with Tian Yun?” When Laar countered my last strike, I sensed holy aura from him. That was something only light-element magic cultivators had, and on the continent, the strongest light magic user was Tian Yun. I could tell Laar’s strength was absolutely not below Tian Yun’s, and might even be higher. I couldn’t allow myself to lose like this without understanding. I had to ask the question in my heart.
Laar froze. “Tian Yun? Who’s that? I don’t know anyone like that.”
I frowned. “You don’t know Tian Yun? Then why is your light-element magic so powerful?”
Laar laughed loudly. “Light-element magic? That is…” He stopped. “Forget it. I can’t explain these things to you. I’m leaving. If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”
A flash of white light—Laar vanished into the air.
Watching him leave, a wave of dejection flooded me. So I was still this weak. Any random person could come out and defeat me with ease.
I stared blankly at where Laar disappeared, unmoving.
Mo Yue sobbed. “Husband, don’t scare me. What’s wrong? Say something.”
My dull gaze slowly turned toward Mo Yue. In a hoarse voice, I said, “Yue’er, I don’t have the ability to protect you. I…”
Mo Yue hugged my head. “No, husband. How can you blame yourself? Running into that guy—no one could resist him. Husband, don’t be like this. No matter how strong you are, Yue’er will always love you. Husband, don’t be like this.”
Two lines of tears slid down my cheeks, but the deadness in my gaze finally regained a bit of life. I suddenly realized that guy named Laar definitely wasn’t ordinary. On the Jin Yuan Continent, among people my age, almost no one could reach my current level. So why did such a bottomless monster appear? Something was wrong. From his speech and behavior just now, he seemed unfamiliar with everything here.
At that thought, my mind suddenly recalled the golden light in Laar’s eyes and the strange symbol between his brows when he took my last strike.
Could he be…
……
God Realm.
God King Sophia’s gentle voice drifted through the God King’s Hall. “Raphael, the task I assigned you—was it completed?”
“Yes, God King.” If Lei Xiang were here, he would definitely recognize that the handsome man in white before him was the same Laar who defeated him so easily. Only now, Laar had six additional pure white wings, and his hair had turned gold. He stood respectfully in the God King’s Hall, answering the God King’s question.
“Your actions weren’t discovered by the Netherworld, were they?”
Raphael said respectfully, “They shouldn’t have been. The Netherworld’s attention is focused on the exercise led by Army Angel Solent and our God Race army. And with your full concealment, I believe this operation wasn’t discovered by anyone, including our own people.”
God King Sophia said with satisfaction, “Good. I don’t want Hades finding any excuse to provoke war. After all, in the God–Netherworld newcomer battle three years from now, we hold an absolute advantage. Even if we fight, it should be after the contest ends. Raphael, tell me about your situation in the human world.”
Raphael pondered briefly. “God King, as you predicted, Theomandis’s power has indeed been inherited by a human. As for Theomandis himself, I’m afraid he has already…”
The God King’s emotions rippled slightly. She sighed. “Theomandis… you still didn’t give up. You left like that… sigh. Raphael, continue.”
“Yes. After searching for a period of time, I found the human who carried Theomandis’s aura, and I found a way to provoke him and fight him. Theomandis’s chosen inheritor is very good. The inheritance hasn’t been long, yet he has already begun to merge with Theomandis’s godhood, and can use a very small portion of Theomandis’s abilities. Though he is still very weak now, I believe it won’t take long before he fully merges with Theomandis’s inheritance. When that happens, a new Mad God will appear again. God King, should we take action?”
The God King didn’t answer for a long time. The God King’s Hall fell into silence.
After a long while, the God King sighed. “Forget it. In the end, we owe Theomandis. Don’t touch his inheritor. I also don’t want to leave Hades any leverage. Even if he obtains all of Theomandis’s power, so what? Gabriel’s ability was originally above Theomandis’s. There is nothing to fear.”
Raphael said, “But Your Majesty, I also found Lucifer’s aura on that inheritor. Do you think it could be—”
“Oh? Such a thing? Tell me.”
Raphael then repeated everything about his fight with Lei Xiang, and everything Lei Xiang said.
After hearing it, the God King said, “So that’s how it is. It’s fine. Lucifer only left part of his cultivation method in the human world back then—what they call the Demon Race cultivation method Heavenly Demon Art. That technique doesn’t have much power. Compared to the Mad God inheritance, it’s insignificant. Raphael, you only need to watch carefully and not let Theomandis’s inheritor get pulled over to the Netherworld. As for the rest, we’ll watch for now.”
Raphael’s expression shifted. He seemed to want to say more, but in the end, he didn’t. He said respectfully, “Yes, God King.”
God King Sophia said, “Also, keep a close eye on Gabriel. And don’t let him know about your trip down to the human world. If he learns that Theomandis has an inheritor, he may do something. You understand what I mean?”
“Yes. I understand. I will keep watch on him.”
“Mm. Call Solent and the others back. Our objective has been achieved. The Netherworld hasn’t had any major movements these days. That’s good—it saves me trouble. You may go. Handle what I told you. Tell Solent to keep close watch on the Netherworld’s movements.”
“Yes, God King.”
A flash of light—Raphael disappeared from the God King’s Hall. Everything returned to silence.
……
“Husband, you mean that person might be from the God Realm?”
I nodded. “I can almost be certain. Think about it—other than the God Realm and the Netherworld, where would such an expert come from? They must have found out I received Big Brother Theomandis’s inheritance, so they wanted to kill me to silence me. But why did he hold back at the end? Why did he just leave?”
Once I thought that Laar might be from the God Realm, the dejection in my heart instantly lifted. Losing to someone from the God Realm was nothing. We weren’t even on the same level. Hmph. God Realm—one day, I will go there. Gabriel, you bastard, wash your head clean and wait for me to take it. Big Brother Theomandis’s and Princess Feier Yunna’s vengeance—I will definitely repay it.
“Husband, husband, what’s wrong? Why are you spacing out?”
“Oh. I thought of something. Yue’er, take me and leave quickly. That battle might have already alarmed Stru Fortress. In my current state, I don’t want more trouble.”
The energy fluctuations from that fight had been too huge. The chances of Stru Fortress noticing were high. Mo Yue immediately transformed into a fallen angel, took me, and flew rapidly toward the Dragon God Empire’s interior. Only after reaching a secluded place did she stop, helping me sit on the ground.
Mo Yue cautiously looked around. “Husband, I’ll heal you.”
After regulating my breath, the surging blood and qi inside me had stabilized. The two energies were repairing my injured meridians nonstop. I gave a low, wicked laugh. “If you want to heal me, then…” As I spoke, I swept my gaze up and down Mo Yue’s full chest, grinning lewdly.