Chapter 37: Adversity

At the peak of Cold Mountain, the gale howled, and over a thousand people held their breath, watching this earth‑shaking duel. The disciples of the Spirit Divine Hall have always known that Lord Xi Li Xi Ya's divine skill is unrivaled, roaming the world with few opponents; now seeing that a nameless footsoldier from Luo Fu Gu De Villa can fight him so fiercely, they involuntarily inhaled a breath of cold air, their fear of Luo Fu Gu De Villa increasing. Meanwhile, the villa's people, seeing Si La Ke and Xi Li Xi Ya clash for hundreds of moves without gaining the upper hand, grew secretly anxious. Xi Li Xi Ya's reputation is well known; if Si La Ke slips even once, he will be wounded by the opponent, and if Luo Fu Gu De Villa loses its first battle, the road ahead will become extremely difficult.

Among the onlookers, the most nervous was the Viscount Luo Fu Gu De himself. He should be known to have spent the previous days scouring ancient texts, not only discovering the Blood Demon Array but also uncovering a secret that uses one's own power as a medium to catalyze another's potential, causing their magical strength to surge. This spell is called the "Blood Mediation" technique in the book; the Viscount Luo Fu Gu De, using his own great magical power, unleashed this ancient transmission upon Si La Ke, La Bi Ke and several other villa elites. Though his own magical power was somewhat weakened, those few's strength advanced by leaps and bounds. Among them, Si La Ke progressed the fastest. He had originally been a swordsman ignorant of spells, yet after receiving the Viscount's bestowed power and a little cultivation, he advanced a day's worth in a single day; within a few months, with the Viscount's aid, he reached a level close to that of a Human Emperor, and combined with his already refined swordsmanship and intellect, he became a generation‑defining master. However, the effect of this spell depends entirely on the caster's power and the recipient's innate talent. Si La Ke's reaching this realm is already his limit; even a slight further advance is unattainable. Yet even so, across the world, few can match him. La Bi Ke already possessed a solid magical foundation, and after the boost he attained senior "Human Master" strength. As for Xie Fei Er De, Rui Ge and others, their achievements, though not as striking as Si La Ke's, are still rare, and ordinary Spirit Divine Hall disciples could not stand against them.

The Viscount Luo Fu Gu De sacrifices his own magical power to nurture Si La Ke and the others mainly for the invited duel with the Spirit Divine Hall on Cold Mountain's peak. The Spirit Divine Hall has always been numerous and powerful; besides Ming Guang, the seven sub‑hall masters are all formidable, and their disciples are mostly senior mages of Human Master rank, far beyond ordinary swordsmen. Although Luo Fu Gu De Villa has many members, aside from the Viscount himself there is no one else capable of matching the Spirit Divine Hall, so a clash would leave the Viscount fighting alone against a crowd. Though the Viscount's strength is astonishing, a single man cannot fend off four opponents. If, besides him, there are a few hard‑handed fighters like Si La Ke and La Bi Ke, the chaotic melee will not cripple the villa too much.

His painstaking preparations have finally borne fruit. With Xi Li Xi Ya's ability, he still could not subdue Si La Ke after several hundred moves, showing that his efforts were not in vain. On the other hand, if Si La Ke, the villa's elite, dies at Xi Li Xi Ya's hands, the villa's morale will plummet, and his final showdown with the Spirit Divine Hall masters will also suffer. If Si La Ke wins, the Spirit Divine Hall disciples will be routed; with Si La Ke, La Bi Ke and others assisting, the final battle gains several chances of victory. This is the decisive battle for Luo Fu Gu De Villa's millennial hegemony; it must be won, never lost!

Si La Ke is a master of swordsmanship; now endowed with great magic, he, like Viscount Luo Fu Gu De, infuses his magic into each sword strike, each swing thunderous, capable of cleaving mountains and cracking stone. Xi Li Xi Ya's staff, having lost an arm, is greatly weakened, so he avoids direct blade contact and instead blocks Si La Ke's attacks with spell shields, striking from a distance with magical light. His eyes are sharp; he has long realized that Si La Ke's power stems from sword technique, favoring close‑range rapid attacks, so Xi Li Xi Ya adopts a strategy of exploiting strengths and avoiding weaknesses, not matching speed but using indomitable spells. Si La Ke, a novice at magic, lacks refined control and cannot wield sword in one hand while firing a beam from the other like the Viscount; now kept several steps away by Xi Li Xi Ya's spell barrier, his superb swordplay cannot be employed.

Once trapped in a pure spell duel, Si La Ke's chances drop sharply. Yet his vigor remains, unlike Xi Li Xi Ya who bears a grievous, unhealed wound that hampers his power. The two exchange over a hundred moves; Xi Li Xi Ya feels his magical energy waning, his light dimming, and he silently laments. Meanwhile Si La Ke gradually closes the distance, his sword aura swelling, each slash targeting Xi Li Xi Ya's vital points, slowly gaining the upper hand.

At this point, the spectators largely see Si La Ke turning the tide; Luo Fu Gu De Villa's people cheer loudly, while the Spirit Divine Hall's disciples wear gloomy, ash‑colored hearts. Ba Fa Li Ya watches the two combatants, instinctively clenching his fists, ready to fire a magical beam to rescue Xi Li Xi Ya. Yet Ming Guang slightly turns his head and shakes his head at Ba Fa Li Ya. Ba Fa Li Ya recalls that Xi Li Xi Ya is proud and that others intervening to save his life would break the duel's rules and disgrace Xi Li Xi Ya. Though anxious, he sees no other option. Since Luo Fu Gu De Villa has become this strong, today the seven Spirit Divine Hall masters may all meet their end on Cold Mountain's peak!

Suddenly, Si La Ke lets out a long howl, as if spotting a flaw in Xi Li Xi Ya's spell, leaps high, raises both swords, and brings them down in a thunderous slash! Xi Li Xi Ya sidesteps, but the sword comes too fast, and the magical power gathered within it causes the blade's aura to swell more than double!

Seeing he cannot resist, Xi Li Xi Ya raises his staff, forcing himself to absorb Si La Ke's strike. In an instant a crisp crack sounds; the staff is split in two by the unstoppable sword aura, and Xi Li Xi Ya's figure falls backward. Amid the crowd's gasps, Si La Ke prepares to swing again, ready to end his rival's life, when he suddenly feels a chill in his abdomen as a pure black light pierces him!

It turns out Xi Li Xi Ya, aware his power was draining, realized continuing the fight would lead only to defeat. With no choice, he fought fiercely for over a hundred moves, then deliberately exposed a weakness to lure Si La Ke into a thunderous blow, withdrew his defensive power, and at the moment his staff shattered he gathered the remaining energy in his fingers and unleashed a full‑force "Dark Arrow". He had originally focused on transformation spells and was far less adept with the Dark Arrow than Ming Guang and others, but this all‑out strike was no small matter. Si La Ke's protective barrier, though strong, was lowered after he presumed victory and left himself undefended; having practiced magic only a short time, his control over barriers was still imperfect. The sudden Dark Arrow shattered his barrier and pierced his body!

Si La Ke let out a muffled groan and collapsed. La Bi Ke rushed from the crowd, temporarily sealing Si La Ke's wound with magic and carried him back among Luo Fu Gu De Villa's people. The Spirit Divine Hall disciples erupted in cheers, their praises unending. Yet Xi Li Xi Ya only gave a grim smile, staggered a few steps toward his formation, then spat a mouthful of fresh blood and fell backward. He had fought Xi Li Xi Ya for hundreds of moves despite his grievous wound, his strength nearly exhausted; the final feigned weakness landed, but his sword aura also wounded him, leaving him victorious yet unable to even stand. Ba Fa Li Ya felt both shock and joy; as he moved forward, a towering figure in a green cloak seized Xi Li Xi Ya, hoisted him onto his back, and instantly returned to the stage. "Ge Te." Ba Fa Li Ya's heart leapt. The previously quarrelling Spirit Divine Hall masters finally united in the face of a great enemy at the gates of the city.

"Ming Guang, this round means Luo Fu Gu De Villa has lost," the Viscount Luo Fu Gu De said, slightly frowning, and raised his voice. "No need for humility; let's call this round a draw." Ming Guang's face showed no joy. After all, although it seemed the Spirit Divine Hall won, Xi Li Xi Ya had clearly lost combat ability, and Luo Fu Gu De Villa still did not know how many more Si La Ke‑type masters might suddenly appear. "Then, for the next round, it should be the Viscount himself who steps onto the field, right?"

"Ming Guang, why such haste?" the Viscount Luo Fu Gu De laughed. "You and I have sparred several times before, always evenly matched; another bout would likely bring no new variables. So here's the plan: Lord Xi Li Xi Ya's divine skill is unrivaled, defeating my subordinate would be expected, but I have another subordinate who is a friend of Si La Ke; should Si La Ke fall, his heart will surely burn with resentment. La Bi Ke, step forward."

"Yes, Viscount," La Bi Ke replied, taking large strides out of the villa's ranks.

"La Bi Ke, you have practiced magic for decades and have achieved some success; today, fortunate to meet the Spirit Divine Hall's masters, is a blessing from your past life. If you can learn from these master mages, even death would not be in vain, right?"

"Naturally." La Bi Ke said respectfully. "If I could spar with the Spirit Divine Hall's masters, I would not regret a hundred deaths."

"Viscount, you speak heavily." Ming Guang said lightly. "Earlier, Sir Si La Ke's magical swordsmanship was already top‑tier, even Xi Li Xi Ya could not match him. This La Bi Ke, I presume, is also a villa elite? I wonder which hall master you intend to name for the duel?"

"Ming Guang, I have a wish. I have always admired Lord Ge Te's dual mastery of magic and swordsmanship; he is truly a first‑class talent of the Spirit Divine Hall. If I could spar with Lord Ge Te, even death would satisfy me." La Bi Ke declared loudly. "I only wonder, Lord Ge Te, would you accept a challenge from an unknown like me?" This was an outright provocation; many hot‑tempered Spirit Divine Hall disciples immediately cursed, but then recalled that Si La Ke had once challenged Xi Li Xi Ya as an unknown and nearly defeated him; this La Bi Ke, though unimpressive in looks, must possess extraordinary cultivation. Since he dared to challenge Ge Te, he must believe he can win. With that thought, the irritable ones fell silent.

Ming Guang felt both shock and anger. The Viscount Luo Fu Gu De had invited battle twice, first Xi Li Xi Ya, then Ge Te, both targeting Spirit Divine Hall figures already weakened. Clearly he aimed to eliminate each hall master one by one. Yet the Viscount seemed prepared; the challengers were all unknowns, and the hall masters' continental stature makes it impossible to refuse such summons. Thus, the Spirit Divine Hall's strength is gradually worn down through each duel. With each of the seven hall masters that falls, the Viscount's odds in the final showdown increase. Though aware of the opponent's scheme, Ming Guang has no counter.

Looking at the current situation, if Ge Te steps forward, even if he does not lose, he will end up like Xi Li Xi Ya—heavily wounded and unable to fight further. Consequently, only he, Ba Fa Li Ya, Sa Ke Sen, Hei Sen and Mei Ke Lun remain able to face the Viscount. None of these five excels in swordsmanship; against the Viscount's sword advantage, they will be cut down one by one. If Ge Te were still alive, though his magical power had been drained, his superb swordsmanship and strength could still entangle the Viscount, allowing them to fire spells at leisure. Now that final sliver of hope is gone.

Ba Fa Li Ya, Hei Sen and Sa Ke Sen exchanged glances, their faces showing helplessness. These Spirit Divine Hall masters also realized the severity of the situation and prepared for a death‑defying stand. Ming Guang's hands remained crossed behind his back, his gaze meeting the Viscount's, his mind racing through countless thoughts. If, in the final battle, they still cannot overcome the Viscount, then only that method remains. Though risky, there is no better idea.

In the brief hesitation, Ge Te had already raised his great sword and floated down onto the field. "Ge Te!" Ming Guang instinctively called. Among the Spirit Divine Hall's masters, his friendship with Ge Te is the strongest. While Ao Er Deng and others do not obey his command, Ge Te fully supports him; seeing Ge Te step forward now, his hardened heart cannot help but stir. "Ming Guang, I'll sneak ahead and fight this unknown, saving strength for the duel with the Viscount later. You won't blame me, will you?" Ge Te chuckled, his stern face bearing a faint sorrow. "What are you saying." Ming Guang forced his inner turmoil down. "Finish this man quickly; in the final showdown, every member of the Spirit Divine Hall bears responsibility, none can escape." "Spirit Divine Hall, what about you, the Grand Hall?" Ge Te laughed. "Ming Guang, don't try to run away."

Ming Guang was momentarily speechless; amid Ge Te's booming laugh, he already drew his sword onto the field. La Bi Ke, seeing his composure, felt a chill and gripped his staff tightly, daring no more carelessness.

In an instant, the winds changed, and another great battle was about to erupt.