C12 Lin Wu Died

"Come on."

Xiao Ling met Lin Wu's vicious taunt with a serene smile, unshaken, and declared, "Today, we settle our feud once and for all."

"It's either your death or my survival!"

With those words, Xiao Ling gripped the Edgeless Sword that had been slung across his back and aimed it at Lin Wu.

"This sword..."

Lin Wu gasped, his eyes widening with a hint of astonishment as he regarded the Edgeless Sword in Xiao Ling's grasp.

Unlike other swords, the Edgeless Sword didn't exude a sharp presence but rather the heavy, imposing aura of a great peak, pressing down on the spirit.

"Make your move."

Xiao Ling challenged, "Without striking, you stand no chance of victory!"

Lin Wu's expression darkened. He remained silent, solemnly drawing his own sword.

"A Rank One Profound Weapon, the Explosive Sword."

The disciples spectating from below were visibly taken aback upon seeing Lin Wu's weapon.

It was common knowledge that Lin Wu practiced the Explosive Sword Technique, and wielding the Explosive Sword in tandem with it could significantly amplify his combat prowess.

"Xiao Ling, I will employ every tactic I have to defeat you."

Lin Wu's intent to kill was palpable; he had shed any previous scorn and now regarded Xiao Ling as a formidable adversary.

"Enough talk."

With a sharp cry, Xiao Ling sprang into action, leaping forward with the Edgeless Sword and slashing viciously at Lin Wu.

Whoosh!

The Edgeless Sword cut through the air, unleashing a howling gale that seemed to split the atmosphere itself, the fierce wind stinging Lin Wu's face painfully.

"Explosive Sword Technique, Exploding Strike!"

Confronted with the oncoming Edgeless Sword, Lin Wu felt his breath catch. He swung the Explosive Sword with rapid force, igniting a series of relentless explosions and sending waves of explosive sword qi hurtling towards Xiao Ling.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

As the explosive sword qi collided with the Edgeless Sword, a tumultuous surge of Origin Energy erupted, the sound of continuous thunder reverberating, prompting the disciples nearby to cover their ears, their eyes filled with awe.

"The first strike of the Heavy Strike Sword Technique—shatter!"

Xiao Ling let out a low shout, funneling his elemental energy into the Edgeless Sword, amplifying its presence until it was as imposing as a mountain bearing down on Lin Wu.

Bang!

With a force that shattered all resistance, the Edgeless Sword obliterated the explosive sword qi, leaving Lin Wu's pupils contracted in shock.

Xiao Ling had, with an unyielding stance, crushed the explosive sword qi that Lin Wu prided himself on, striking a blow to Lin Wu's pride.

Clang!

Their weapons met in a flurry of clashes, sending sparks scattering in all directions.

The relentless exchange carved deep fissures into the martial stage floor, making onlookers' hearts skip a beat.

Lin Wu, through gritted teeth, cursed, "Damn it, how can this sword be so dominant..."

Each time he crossed swords with Xiao Ling, the formidable aura of the Edgeless Sword left Lin Wu's palms tingling with numbness, soon followed by a flow of blood.

Moreover, the collision with the Edgeless Sword had spiderwebbed his prized Erupting Sword with cracks, a sight that pained him deeply. It was a sword he had acquired at great expense, now marred beyond recognition by Xiao Ling's blade.

"Nine Destruction Reverse Sword!"

Lin Wu, having parried Xiao Ling's onslaught, retreated and quickly formed a sword seal. Channeling a surge of Yuan Qi into his Erupting Sword, he bellowed as a colossal yellow sword materialized overhead, which he then swung down with might at Xiao Ling.

The Nine Destruction Reverse Sword cut through the air, warping it and emitting a thunderous roar before hurtling towards Xiao Ling with the speed of lightning.

"Xiao Ling, you should take pride in pushing me to unleash the final move of the Explosive Sword Technique!" Lin Wu's laughter boomed as he looked skyward, his face alight with the thrill of impending victory. He cast a scornful look at Xiao Ling, as if envisioning his foe defeated and bleeding at his feet.

After executing the Nine Destruction Reverse Sword, Lin Wu's Explosive Sword couldn't withstand the strain and shattered into fragments, rendered useless.

Yet Lin Wu harbored no regrets. Having slain a prodigy like Xiao Ling, whose potential knew no bounds, he felt a deep sense of fulfillment.

"Unbelievable, it's the final form of the Explosive Sword Technique. I never imagined Senior Brother Lin Wu would achieve such mastery."

This revelation left many disciples in awe. The Explosive Sword Technique was renowned within the Holy Martial Institute as one of the most challenging to master. That Lin Wu had perfected it sent a thrill through the hearts of many.

"This sword has sealed the outcome."

Everyone inwardly exhaled, impressed that Xiao Ling had pushed Lin Wu to deploy his ultimate move.

"Hehe, this boundlessly talented genius is about to meet his end."

A few onlookers wore sneers, silent when Xiao Ling's remarkable talent had been on display, but now quick to mock as his defeat seemed imminent, spewing venom as if he owed them a debt.

"Can Ling withstand this attack?"

From a nearby pavilion, Jiang Ya clenched his fists in anticipation.

Lin Wu's accomplishment in perfecting the notoriously difficult Explosive Sword Technique was nothing short of spectacular.

The stoic elders, too, were gripped with tension, their gazes fixed on the dueling platform.

"Ling..."

Yun Xi, with her hands clasped and eyes shimmering with faith, watched Xiao Ling's determined face, convinced he would triumph over Lin Wu.

"The Heavy Strike Sword Technique."

Xiao Ling's voice rang out as he channeled his vital energy, pushing the Heavy Strike Sword Technique to its limits and unleashing all nine of its forms in succession.

*Boom!*

The Nine Destruction Reversal Sword, pulsing with immense Origin Qi, struck with thunderous force. The sky itself seemed to burst, and the resulting explosion clashed wildly with Xiao Ling's Heavy Strike Sword Technique.

Bang!

The impact of their swords sent a deep, ear-piercing roar through the air, as the unleashed sword qi surged outwards like a relentless flood.

Thunderous rumbling echoed as the berserk Yuan Qi violently assaulted the martial arts platform, fracturing the very foundation and sending chunks of stone flying.

Eyes from across the arena were riveted on the epicenter of the chaos, where a slender figure wielding the Edgeless Sword stood firm—Xiao Ling.

In the heat of battle, Xiao Ling parried a relentless barrage of explosive sword qi. Each retreat sent fissures spider-webbing across the ground, the shattered stone scattering in all directions.

"Lin Wu, you alone are not enough to halt my martial path!" Xiao Ling's voice boomed, feeling a surge of elemental energy coursing through his veins, converging back into his dantian.

*Boom!*

In that instant, the barrier to the Eight-star realm crumbled, catapulting him from the pinnacle of Seven-star to the ranks of Eight-star warriors.

With his newfound strength, Xiao Ling channeled a torrent of Yuan Qi into his Edgeless Sword.

Crack.

Amidst a sea of astonished onlookers, the Nine Destruction Reversal Sword emitted a harrowing crack, webbed with fissures, and then, under Lin Wu's horrified stare, it shattered—its fragments twinkling like stars before gently descending.

*Puff!*

The sword's explosion sent shockwaves rippling outwards, with Lin Wu caught squarely in their path. He was sent sprawling to the platform's surface, blood spewing from his lips, like a kite severed from its string.

"Did Xiao Ling win?!"

The disciples watched Lin Wu bleeding on the ground, then turned to Xiao Ling, whose face was etched with resolve. It was clear—Xiao Ling had triumphed in this duel of life and death.

"You've lost, Lin Wu," Xiao Ling declared.

"Impossible," Lin Wu retorted, struggling to his feet, his hair wild, blood staining his lips, his face contorted with denial. "I haven't lost. It's not over!"

With the crowd watching in shock, he produced a crimson pill from his pocket and swallowed it whole.

"The Mad Blood Pill!"

Sharp-eyed disciples gasped at the sight, recognizing the desperate move.

The Mad Blood Pill can ignite one's essence and blood to temporarily boost strength, but the side effects are severe, necessitating months of recuperation with various medicinal herbs.

Every disciple stared at Lin Wu in astonishment. He was clearly ready to go all out in his attempt to take down Xiao Ling.

Boom!

Lin Wu's aura climbed relentlessly until he stepped into the realm of a Martial Master, prompting a furrowed brow and a look of grave concern in Xiao Ling's eyes.

The life-and-death duel had no restrictions on pill usage, so Xiao Ling didn't interfere when Lin Wu produced the pill and swallowed it.

"Haha, such immense power! Is this what it feels like to be a Martial Master?"

Lin Wu's laughter boomed, his disheveled state only adding to his fearsome demeanor.

"Xiao Ling, I refuse to believe that I can't kill you this time!"

With a roar, Lin Wu's Martial Master aura burst forth. He stomped the ground, causing the floor to shatter, and leaped at Xiao Ling, launching a powerful punch.

"Vajra Fist!"

His fist glowed with a golden aura, razor-sharp, slicing through the air with a buzzing noise.

"Lin Wu, you think you're the only one with an ace up your sleeve?"

Xiao Ling inhaled sharply, channeling the Bloodthirsty Martial Skill. His eyes reddened, and his body shriveled to a skeletal horror.

Boom!

His aura surged after invoking the Bloodthirsty Martial Skill, and he ascended to the Martial Master realm amid the astonished stares of the disciples.

"This is a secret technique for enhancing one's cultivation level!"

Jiang Ya watched, astounded, thinking to himself, "Ling has gained tremendously from his journey to Demon Mountain, not only increasing his cultivation but also encountering some extraordinary fortune!"

Such secret techniques for cultivation enhancement were rare treasures in the Flame Yellow Empire.

"Flame Fist!"

Xiao Ling's arm blazed as he channeled flames and launched a ferocious attack at the oncoming Lin Wu.

Boom!

The Flame Fist, infused with wild, fiery energy, heated the air around it and collided with the Vajra Fist in a stunning display.

Bang!

As the Fiery Flame Fist clashed with the King Kong Fist, a deep, resonant sound burst forth, echoing like thunder and vibrating the senses of all who watched.

The crowd was fixated on the martial arts platform, witnessing the King Kong Fist crumble under the relentless onslaught of the Fiery Flame Fist. The wild inferno then engulfed Lin Wu, who bore an expression of unwillingness and bitterness.

He realized that in this duel of life and death, he had been utterly defeated by Xiao Ling, the very youth he had once scorned and belittled.

Bang!

Engulfed in flames, Lin Wu plummeted to the ground, quickly reduced to charred remains.

"We've won."

Gazing upon the lifeless Lin Wu, Xiao Ling allowed a slight smile to grace his lips before a wave of exhaustion overtook him, and he collapsed into unconsciousness on the ground.