Chapter 403: Curse Kill

"Reign of Nine Heavens ()" Search for the latest chapter!

Xifeng Holy Sanctuary had long been the sacred ground for Exorcist Sages, yet it was never inherited by descendants of the Exorcist Sage's lineage. Instead, it was managed by officially appointed headmasters until recent decades when stewardship passed to the Zhao family.

"In this era of peace, relying solely on exorcism can no longer maintain Xifeng Holy Sanctuary's standing among the top ten. Shifting toward a comprehensive sanctuary emphasizing martial arts and witchcraft is the inevitable trend. Yet we must strike a balance to avoid backlash," the white-bearded elder remarked calmly. "Xifeng was founded by the Exorcist Sage and gained renown through its exorcism arts. Ditching this legacy would lump us in with Rose in the public eye. With such talent available, we should elevate them to set the record straight. If Zhao Ziyue is truly capable, this kid won't steal his spotlight."

"Well said, Brother Changsheng."

Fu Changsheng, one of the nine elders of the Holy Sanctuary's Council, was younger brother to Fu Changkong, vice president of the Blade Parliament. The Fu family, one of the original Eight Sage lineages, held tremendous sway. With both brothers now in leadership, their dual influence in both the Blade Parliament and Holy Sanctuary placed them among the Blade Alliance's most powerful families in its heyday.

Notably, the conservative and reformist factions concerned the Blade Parliament alone - reflecting the alliance's political stance toward the Nine Gods Empire. The Holy Sanctuary remained officially neutral in this divide, and people like Karida were acting on their own. While nominally just an educational institution, the Fu family quietly influenced many within it, often indirectly bolstering the Blade Alliance's conservative faction.

Zhao Feiyuan felt a pang of caution. Why would someone of Fu Changsheng's stature care about some unknown Zhao junior? His words were a thinly veiled warning to pick the right side. Even a whiff of 'reform' leanings would draw the Fu family's ire.

The Fus were a genuine powerhouse in the Blade Alliance, their disciples everywhere - completely dwarfing local heavyweights like the Zhao family.

Smiling, Zhao Feiyuan responded: "With Brother Changsheng's guidance, this is Ziliang's big break. After years in seclusion, following this clash with Rose, it's time to bring him into the limelight."

In the arena, Wu Di's forehead glistened with sweat. Two failed transformation attempts boded ill. Ever the stubborn one, he prepared for a third try when Zhao Ziliang casually raised his hand. "Kill!"

The flaming unicorn rhino's eyes flashed. With a piercing shriek, its body erupted in flames as it surged forward on fiery vapors.

Flame Rhino Charge!

BOOM!

Like a fiery projectile, the beast hurtled toward Wu Di with terrifying speed.

The sheer force, even from meters away, stole Wu Di's breath. The wind pressure alone was crushing. As a charge specialist himself, Wu Di knew his limitations - his only shot was to fight fire with fire. Showing hesitation now meant certain defeat.

Transformation was impossible at this point. He stomped his right foot back. Though his bloodline power couldn't complete the shift, his awakened power still let him push through.

Timing his move perfectly, he thrust both hands forward.

CRACK!

His calloused palms seized the rhino's horn. Flames licked at his arms, making his fur crackle and filling the air with the stench of burning flesh - as if gripping white-hot iron. Yet his grip never wavered.

BOOM!

Colliding forces generated a shockwave of fire. Against all odds, Wu Di halted the charging beast.

"ROAR!"

Wu Di roared, veins popping as his muscles corded. His massive feet dug into the strange metal floor - ordinary stone would've shattered under that strain.

"He's holding!" Winnie's eyes lit up. Though unable to transform, Wu Di remained formidable after surviving her and Black Wukai's brutal training. His fire resistance and raw strength might yet prevail if he could withstand the spirit beast...

Then green light flashed in Zhao Ziliang's palm.

Greater Weakness Hex!

An exorcist's true power lay not in direct combat, but in debilitating curses.

A nauseating green aura wreathed Wu Di as emerald particles seeped into his skin. Sweat poured down his face as his supporting leg trembled.

In a battle of brute force, the smallest slip spelled doom.

His stance faltered, sending him reeling backward as his body lost balance and his defenses crumbled.

Boom!

The clashing flames suddenly surged through, catapulting Wu Di skyward, tumbling head over heels seven or eight times.

He crashed down teeth-first, only to see the flame rhino wheeling back for another charge. This time, he had nothing left to meet it head-on. As he tried to endure his waist injury and leap aside—hoping to strike at the Spirit Beastmaster directly—Zhao Ziliang's banishing arts never relented. The moment Wu Di landed, two thick thorned vines erupted from the ground.

Snap!

The vines seized his wrists and yanked them apart, leaving him dangling spread-eagle in midair.

Boom!

The flame rhino's horn struck him square in the gut. Despite Wu Di's formidable defenses, the impact was too much—the horn punched clean through his abdomen, instantly staining his clothes and lower body crimson.

It was hopeless. His transformation was suppressed, his strength was shackled, and he faced both a master exorcist and a Tiger Peak Spirit Beast simultaneously. Outmatched in power, technique, and experience, this was beyond any warrior fresh to real combat.

"Kill him! Slaughter that beastman!"

"Don't let Rose turn the tide! Finish it!"

The stands erupted, every eye alight with bloodlust yet flickering with tension.

Rose's four consecutive 3-0 victories had already strained belief, wrapping them in such mystique that opponents feared they'd produce some earth-shaking reversal or hidden trump card just when victory seemed certain—forcing constant vigilance.

Zhao Ziliang remained vigilant, far too seasoned to toy with prey. His fingers flicked, unleashing multiple banishing arts simultaneously.

Swoosh swoosh swoosh—

The flame rhino's fires blazed brighter, empowered. It savagely whipped its head, hurling Wu Di skyward as fearsome power coalesced along its horn.

"Kill." Zhao Ziliang's indifferent wave matched his emotionless eyes.

The horn's energy erupted instantly—a flaming lance thrusting toward Wu Di's helpless, limp form.

Boom!

The lethal strike seemed to lance toward the heavens, its shrieking aftermath echoing through the arena. Yet strangely, no bloody rain fell.

'Buzz buzz buzz—'

Squinting upward, the crowd saw a white ice bee circling with Wu Di's bloodied, unconscious form.

"That's Wang Feng's ice bee! Cheating bastards!"

"What's Rose playing at? This is blatant interference!"

Wu Di hadn't yielded or died—sideline interference violated the rules. The spectators erupted, Fantecy and Kela exchanging worried glances.

"Disqualify them!" someone roared, drowned out by the outcry.

"Wang Feng! Explain this!"

The ice bee had already delivered Wu Di to Mapeier's bandaging hands. Though gutted, his tenacious vitality and Wang Feng's healing draught had stabilized him—unconscious but alive, albeit severely bloodied.

"What's all this damned noise?" Wang Feng's soul-amplified voice boomed through the coliseum. "Is this an honorable duel between Holy Sanctuary disciples or some back-alley blood feud? I'm the captain—we concede this round. If not 3-0, then 3-1. That explanation enough for you?"

The stands fell deathly silent, spectators gaping at one another.

"Bullshit!" Someone in the stands snapped back instantly.

"Keep fighting! Beat these bastards to death! Trying to back down when things get tough? No way!"

"Rose scum, today we'll make sure you all leave here in body bags!"

Zhao Feiyuan raised a hand, and the jeers gradually subsided. "Wang Feng, young people should be humble. Holy Sanctuary disciples go all out in sparring—that's the greatest respect. If your skills fall short, train harder. If you fear death, you're no Holy Sanctuary disciple."

His words drew thunderous applause, instantly drowning out Rose's side.

Wang Feng was itching to clap back—damn it, the old coot was trying to outwit him—but Winnie yanked him back. "Enough, we've made our point. He's still a dean, and this is Xifeng, not Rose."

Wang Feng shrugged. "Since he put it that way, no need to pull punches next time."

Seeing Wang Feng retreat, Zhao Feiyuan smiled faintly. "First match to Xifeng Holy Sanctuary. Both sides, prepare for the next round."

They gave up! Rose actually surrendered! The once-unstoppable Rose, which had overturned every critical moment, cast a shadow over all Holy Sanctuaries, and swept four straight 3-0 victories—had surrendered!

No miraculous comeback this time. Superior strength spoke for itself. Against Xifeng, one of the Top Ten, Rose's undefeated streak shattered, their aura of invincibility torn away in a clean first-match loss.

What undefeated myth? What last-minute reversal? Turns out the earlier Holy Sanctuaries were just weak. The Top Ten were different.

"A damn beastman dares to act tough in Xifeng? Get the hell out of here!"

"Rose morons, wake the hell up and see—this is one of the Top Ten! You're done!"

"Next round, wipe the floor with them!"

After a brief silence, the stands erupted in cheers. On the high platform, Fu Changsheng smirked. Rose's myth had ended. With this victory, the Lei family would exit the stage, and their rune technology would fall to the Fu family.

Hawkland and Li Sitan, those rune masters close to the Lei family, might not immediately switch sides, but that hardly mattered. Research was their bread and butter—they'd never stay idle. With time and persuasion, they'd serve the Alliance again—which meant serving the Fu family.

Then there was Wang Feng.

The Fu family valued talent. They'd only targeted him because he'd made himself a target. But once Rose fell, this young rune inventor might be worth recruiting. Rumor painted him as cowardly, greedy, a drunk and a womanizer...

Fu Changsheng's gaze drifted to Wang Feng below, taking in his carefree smirk despite the loss. He liked men with vices—they were transparent, controllable.

………………

The decisive first match got the crowd fired up.

Zhao Ziyue promptly announced Xifeng's next fighter: "Mortrel!"

A lean, silent man with a forgettable face stepped forward—hooked nose, sunken eyes, a gloomy figure. A Xifeng veteran who'd fought in three Heroic Tournaments, now head of their Exorcism Division.

Rose knew his profile: another exorcist, but an unusual one—a curse master.

"Screw that, whatever he calls himself!" Ah Xi's eyes burned. "I'll rip him apart! He's mine!"

Wu Di's injuries were severe. Delirious, he'd babbled about 700-odd coins in his bag—saved from Rose scholarships. When Ah Xi had needed betting money, Wu Di had lied about having none. Now, guilt-ridden, he muttered about leaving it to his "best brother" if he died...

"Get in line." Winnie yanked Fan Tianshi back like a ragdoll and hopped up. "This one's mine!"

Fan Tianshi froze. He could overpower her physically, but didn't dare resist... Wang Feng patted his shoulder. "Do as she says. You're outmatched here."

Curses were potent exorcism tools, but required specific conditions—spiritual energy, ritual components. The stronger the curse, the stricter the requirements. But once cast, they were near-impossible to break. Fan Tianshi was out of his depth. Worse, yesterday's "hospitality" might've been a setup.

"You mean..." Fantasy was stunned. Damn, could it be...? They said Xifeng Holy Sanctuary wouldn't resort to underhanded tricks, but isn't this pretty damn slick? But curses shouldn't discriminate based on the enemy's strength, right? Can Winnie handle this?

"Just watch."

Rose members understood Rose's ways, but the spectators around the arena might not.

Seeing the arrangements for the second match between Xifeng and Rose, everyone was dumbfounded, their eyes filled with confusion.

Frankly, curses had always been regarded as a trump card for assassination, but were uniquely unsuited for arena battles. After all, they required too many prerequisites and lengthy setup time. In the arena, your opponent simply wouldn't give you that much opportunity to cast. A curse caster who couldn't cast was like a Spirit Beastmaster without a Spirit Beast—practically no different from an ordinary person.

So when Xifeng initially sent out Mortrel, everyone thought it was just a tactical retreat, conceding this round. But who would've guessed Rose would immediately counter with their star player, Winnie Lee...? If they knew the opponent was planning a tactical retreat, shouldn't they have sent out the weakest or a mid-tier fighter? This was throwing their best against the opponent's weakest. Everyone was baffled, completely unable to make sense of either side's strategy.

Of course, the only certainty was that Winnie Lee was definitely going to win. Whether it was her second-tier Blue Flame, her evolved Rage Bear, or those impossible-to-predict fire needles, dealing with Mortrel would be over in an instant.

A faint smirk curled at the corner of Winnie's lips, but soon, that smile froze on her face.

Her expression rapidly shifted—first to shock, then focus, followed by anger, until her face flushed red and even her body began to tremble slightly!

Now everyone could see it—she was under a curse!