Chapter 23: Memories Are All Deceitful

The next moment, Thick Brows stood frozen on the spot.

Several of his vital points were spurting blood—armor had been no protection at all! If Xiang Nan hadn’t held back, if the sword had gone even half an inch deeper, he’d have died on the spot.

“Get down! Get down! Get down!” Amidst the jeers of the crowd, Thick Brows covered his face with his hand and was carried off the stage.

Below the stands, everyone’s blood was running hot. That last strike had been godlike! Many rubbed their eyes, hardly believing what they’d seen.

“My heavens! Did any of you see how Nan did that with his sword?”

“It was way too fast! There’s no way to see it with the naked eye!”

“Nan is really merciful! Every blow stops just short!”

“No wonder he dared to go up first—not a madman, just incredibly skilled and fearless!”

On the stage, mechanical voices kept echoing in Xiang Nan’s mind.

[Ding! Hit the opponent, Cross Petal Sword Skill +10]

Ever since he’d eaten the Illusory Sky Spirit Fruit, his skill points had started increasing tenfold!

Just then, someone in the crowd shouted,

“Who threw that sword onto the stage just now? That was wild!”

Gu Shaoqing, his nose almost crooked with anger, stepped out boldly.

“It was me! So what? Got a problem?”

The man fell silent at once. The Gu family was one of the four chief stewards of the Eagle League, and the strongest by far—no one dared cross them.

On the arena, Xiang Nan tossed aside his sword and sneered, “Gu Shaoqing, can we cut the nonsense? If you’re man enough, get up here and fight me yourself. Think your people can wear me down? Don’t you know I get stronger the longer I fight?”

He wasn’t lying. Every successful strike brought him ten more skill points. The longer the battle dragged on, the more it benefited him. He just couldn’t stand Gu Shaoqing’s stalling—if we’re going to fight, let’s get it over with! He had to go sell medicine after this contest, after all.

At Xiang Nan’s shout, the crowd erupted.

“Gu Shaoqing! Up you go! Gu Shaoqing! Up you go!”

“Nan, for the win! Nan, for the win!”

Gu Shaoqing was practically fuming. He’d originally wanted to tire Xiang Nan out, but things had escalated too quickly. If he didn’t step up now, he’d lose all face.

But at worst, Xiang Nan was only at the first stage. Gu Shaoqing himself was a second-stage, six-star cultivator. Winning across such a gap in rank? Not that easy!

He wasn’t afraid. Brandishing his solid gold spear, he swaggered up onto the stage.

But last night’s kick from Xiang Nan had been vicious; even after a night, Gu Shaoqing’s face was still swollen like a pig’s head. No matter how resplendent his golden armor or how proud his stride, the crowd gasped at the sight of his face and whispered among themselves.

“Is that really the Eagle League’s number one heir, Gu Shaoqing?”

“Whoa, did he eat too much instant noodles last night? Look at that swelling!”

“Yeah right, instant noodles—clearly someone gave him a beating!”

“I heard he stirred up public outrage on Walking Street and got mobbed! Brutal!”

“Look at that! I shouldn’t laugh, but I can’t help it!”

“Out of respect for the Gu family, I swear I won’t laugh—unless I can’t hold it in!”

Up in the VIP box, Gu Yun frowned as soon as he saw his son’s swollen face. Of all times to look like a pig, it had to be now! There was still an award ceremony and commemorative photos after the contest, and he’d already lined up several reporters with articles ready to go: “The Gu family’s heir takes command of the Eagle League, revives its glory!” So imposing! And now the accompanying photo would be of… a pig-headed face?

In the shadows beneath an ancient tree, Su Yao was struggling not to laugh herself sick. Three years without seeing Gu Shaoqing, and he’d ballooned like this. She’d once swooned over his looks, but he was truly ruined now. An eyesore! Memories really are deceiving.

Meanwhile, on the stage, Gu Shaoqing’s swagger faltered with every step. His eyes burned with fury as he looked at Xiang Nan. Damn it! If it hadn’t been for last night’s trick, would he be making a fool of himself now? He used to get cheers and swoons from all the girls every time he appeared—never this kind of humiliation! He swore he’d make sure Xiang Nan didn’t walk off the stage in one piece.

The wind howled, swirling fallen leaves around them.

“Prepare to die!”

With a thought, Gu Shaoqing raised his golden spear; his whole body became one with the weapon, shooting toward Xiang Nan like an arrow.

The air split with a sharp whistle, murderous intent filling the space. The strange mood vanished at once, replaced by a tense chill. Everyone held their breath, watching with nerves or excitement.

Gu Shaoqing was a master of the spear; no one in the Eagle League could rival him in that art.

Yet no one expected him to open with a killing move. He was clearly aiming to end Xiang Nan’s life.

Xu Jiya’s face went ghostly pale, her heart pounding in her throat. Gu Shaoqing was a second-stage, six-star master; a full-force attack from him was more than even some third-stage fighters could withstand. Could Xiang Nan, with only first-stage strength, really…?

Regret already gnawed at her for letting Xiang Nan enter this contest.

Perched in the ancient tree, Su Yao straightened, eyes fixed on the arena. Gu Shaoqing might have lost his looks, but his years of training hadn’t gone to waste. That thrust—strength, accuracy, momentum—it had it all. If the young man in jeans and a white tee on stage didn’t have serious ability, that spear would punch right through him.

A pity, a real pity.

Yet on the arena, Xiang Nan stood tall and unmoved, like an ancient pine, his face calm. Only his eyes shone colder and sharper.

Let the storm rage, let the killing aura press in.

The icy spear tip cut through the air, stirring the wind so fiercely that even the skin on Xiang Nan’s face warped under the pressure.

And in the instant before the spear struck his body—

No one saw how Xiang Nan moved.

Gu Shaoqing, a streak of golden light, charged at Xiang Nan, the deadly spear tip aimed squarely at his chest.

Suddenly, a flicker—and Xiang Nan’s whole form slipped aside like a phantom.

So fast! He dodged perfectly.

Gu Shaoqing didn’t even graze the edge of Xiang Nan’s clothes. He shot past, only managing to halt fifty meters later.

The golden spear struck the ground, flipping up a chunk of earth and leaving a crater. Sand and stones sprayed everywhere.

Gu Shaoqing turned, weapon at the ready, only to see Xiang Nan still standing calmly where he’d begun, a soft smile at the corner of his lips.

The crowd was already jeering.

“Gu Shaoqing’s aim isn’t great, huh?”

“All thunder and no rain—wait, not even a drop!”

“Seriously? Nan didn’t even seem to move, talk about nerves of steel!”

“I think he dodged, but I couldn’t see how.”

“Only Nan could handle that. If it were me, I’d have wet myself already.”