[Vol. 6] Chapter 215: Cause and Effect in the Mortal World
What was supposed to be a closely matched duel between two extraordinary young women had instead turned into an unexpected spectacle. Curious onlookers had even placed bets on the outcome, trying to predict which of the two, [White Rainbow] or [Red Sleeves Hidden Sword], would emerge victorious.
After all, the two had already crossed paths during the preliminary rounds, ending their fight without a clear result. Most people believed the match had been a draw, with both holding back their full strength. It was widely assumed that if [Red Sleeves Hidden Sword] were to draw her blade, the result would still be uncertain.
But now, it seemed the outcome was already decided.
The audience, however, couldn’t understand how a close-combat specialist like Miss [White Rainbow] could suddenly exhibit such overwhelming power. Something akin to a force of nature. With invisible pressure alone, she had pushed her opponent to the brink, leaving [Red Sleeves Hidden Sword] bleeding from all seven orifices and barely able to stand.
What puzzled everyone even more was why [Red Sleeves Hidden Sword], the gray-haired girl named Hongyan, had yet to draw her sword or why she refused to surrender.
Human nature often leans toward supporting the underdog, and this time was no different.
“Come on, draw your sword and fight her!”
Someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, igniting a spark that spread like wildfire through the audience.
“Yeah, even if you can’t win, at least try!”
“[Red Sleeves Hidden Sword]! I bet on you to win, so don’t give up now!”
“Show [White Rainbow] what you’re made of! Is this all you’ve got after beating me?!”
Encouraged by the shouts, Hongyan’s unfocused, fear-stricken eyes began to regain a faint glimmer of determination. The crowd’s support seemed to stir her resolve. Violet, standing calmly on the other side, tilted her head with a strange expression as she glanced at the overwhelmingly one-sided audience.
“What’s going on? They’re making me sound like some kind of villain. Did all my fans ditch me or what?”
Turning her attention back to the pale-faced girl, Violet smiled gently.
“Well? Can you do it?”
…………………………
“I’m sorry… I can’t.”
In that moment, a hazy image flickered before Hongyan’s eyes, accompanied by a voice she had almost forgotten.
It was a memory from ten years ago. A blurry scene of her older brother saying goodbye to her after a heated argument with their father. He had decided to leave their home in the [Ancient Spirit Realm] and join an expedition to explore another world.
At the time, Hongyan, only ten years old, didn’t understand anything. She could only cry and beg him not to leave. But her brother had answered her with these words:
"I'm sorry, but I have to leave. The Saint has just passed, and the new ruler has only recently ascended to the throne. It’s the most chaotic time for the nation. Meanwhile, there’s a faction led by our father that’s determined to push me into power and overthrow the new sovereign."
"I don’t know why Father is so confident in his chances of success, but regardless of who ends up as the ruler, a struggle for the throne will inevitably plunge the country into chaos. Blood will flow across the land, and countless lives will be lost."
"As it stands, I am the only remaining male heir of direct lineage who meets the requirements to ascend the throne, aside from Yuan Feng, who has already fallen. As long as I remain here, Father will not give up on his ambitions for power. That’s why I must disappear to prevent this brewing civil war from escalating into a bloody catastrophe."
"Yan, from today onward, Yuan Xing is dead. All that remains is a wandering soul adrift in the distance. I know you can’t understand this now, nor can you accept it. I don’t expect your forgiveness. Take this sword... consider it the last keepsake your brother can leave you."
"We may never meet again in this lifetime. But one day, you’ll understand my reasons. When that time comes, if you can forgive me, I ask you to go to the mountain outside Kaiyuan City, raise a monument, and bury this sword there in my place. I’m an unworthy brother. I’m sorry."
"Don’t... don’t say sorry…"
The trembling girl was blinded by tears and blood, both streaming down her face and mingling into indistinguishable streaks. In the fleeting moments of what felt like life passing before her eyes, she suddenly remembered why she had chosen the path of the sword.
It was a simple thought, just few words long, but they roared in her heart with the weight of all her frustrations.
“I don’t need your pity!”
With that, her will burst forth, fed by the blood and tears she shed. It transformed into a fiery defiance, burning through the fear and the overwhelming pressure from the godlike force before her.
Draw the sword. Strike.
The blade sang as it was unsheathed, and its light was as pure and dazzling as a polished mirror.
The brilliance of the strike seemed as though it could cleave the heavens and earth in two.
“Shhhhkkk!!!”
With a single slash, the protective barrier surrounding the arena, a barrier said to withstand the full force of a practitioner in the [Eternal Life] level, was cut cleanly within the range of her sword. It fell apart as effortlessly as tofu sliced by a sharp blade.
The sword light shot diagonally into the sky, vanishing without a trace in the stunned silence of the arena.
“......”
The sudden gust of wind faded, and the dark aura surrounding Violet's black hair dissipated. The priestess casually wiped her cheek, where a faint bloodstain had appeared for just an instant. After a brief moment of surprise, her expression softened into one of amusement and satisfaction.
"Interesting. So interesting. To unleash a strike like that, you’ve already surpassed 99% of all swordsmen in the world, including that rather disappointing brother of yours. Congratulations!"
After all, it’s nearly impossible for a Mr. Dead Soul to reach the threshold of SP, or what’s called the [Void Energy], through pure talent and personal understanding. Yet Hongyan not only achieved this but also overcame her inner demons and delivered an attack that exceeded the damage limit endured by the [Feather Robe Graria], even managing to slightly reduce Violet's HP.
Though her HP was instantly restored thanks to an automatic recovery effect and that had only happened because Violet deliberately didn’t defend herself. Hongyan’s feat was still remarkable. Under the crushing pressure of her opponent’s aura, she had tapped into extraordinary strength, managing to unleash an attack equivalent to a Level 80 swordsman while being under Level 40 herself. Such a leap in power was extraordinary, making it no exaggeration to say she had surpassed 99% of the swordsmen from the [Ancient Spirit Realm].
After all, the essence of mastering the sword is mastering the heart.
The moment the oppressive aura disappeared, Hongyan’s body gave out, collapsing on the spot. Violet reached out and caught her with ease.
“Thank you… for your generous guidance, senior,” Hongyan murmured weakly.
“It’s your own achievement. I just… oh? Passed out already? That’s normal, I suppose.”
“Get some good rest. The benefits you’ve gained today might even rival ascending to Spirit Veil Immortal Island.”
Only then did the commentator’s slightly trembling voice announce, “The winner is... Violet! Violet is the winner!”
The announcement was followed by a surge of cheers from the audience, mixed with a few begrudging grumbles.
People naturally sympathize with the underdog, but they reserve their deepest respect and admiration for the truly strong. Both Hongyan’s visually stunning strike that shattered the arena’s barrier and Violet’s even more astonishing feat of taking the attack head-on without injury left the audience in awe.
And Violet already had a significant fanbase in Xingyuan City. With her undeniable momentum, it wouldn’t be surprising if she made headlines by the end of the night.
And that was with her holding back, deliberately suppressing her aura to prevent it from spreading further.
After handing the exhausted Hongyan over to the medical staff rushing to the scene, Violet turned and left the arena amidst the roaring cheers of the crowd. Even as she walked away, her mind lingered on the events that had just unfolded, deep in thought about what had transpired.
Hongyan unexpectedly tapping into a power resembling the [Void Energy] caught Violet slightly off guard. Though it only brushed the edges of what could truly be called “SP”, SP was still SP. This kind of power, rooted in the essence of the soul and source energy, was unmistakable to someone like Violet.
Perhaps it had something to do with the pressure she had just applied.
What Violet used against Hongyan wasn’t some special in-game ability. It was a unique pressure-based skill she had developed herself.
Ever since receiving a "gift" from the Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden’s incarnation at the [Heaven-Opening Sect] Ruins, Violet had noticed subtle changes in her previously inaccessible [Radiance] divinity.
To put it simply, if her prior authority to access the divine aspect was zero, it had now increased to around 10%. While still limited and fragmented, it was enough for her to release a faint divine aura. This produced effects similar to Xiao Guang's passive skill, a controlling presence that could suppress others, the "Dragon's Aura."
The effectiveness had just been demonstrated. Even a strong-willed individual like Hongyan, started bleeding from her eyes, ears, nose, and mouth with just 10% of this aura. She probably managed to awaken a hint of [Void Energy] power because she had felt that strong power before when things were really dangerous.
There was no doubt about it. This ability was a true divine power, completely independent of the game system.
Violet glanced upward at the open sky beyond the arena, her expression distant.
Unknowingly, she had come so far, endured so much…
Just as she was about to head into the interior to reunite with her companions waiting in the rest area.
A deafening explosion roared from the distance, shaking the ground as a thunderous noise erupted into the air!
"BOOOOOOM!!!"
The previously orderly arena descended into chaos as people began looking around, trying to locate the source of the loud explosion.
Violet, with her broader view, quickly realized that the sound hadn’t come from within the arena.
Somewhere in the city...
“What’s going on…?”
“No idea. Judging by the sound, it seems to be coming from the western part of the city. You don’t think something’s happened, do you?”
“Who’d dare cause trouble during the [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony]? Are they tired of living…?”
The crowd buzzed with speculation. The once-packed and lively arena grew tense, with murmurs spreading rapidly. Meanwhile, [Eastern Origin Guards] could be seen discreetly moving through hidden corners and corridors, clearly responding immediately to investigate the situation.
Violet quickened her pace, heading straight to the rest area where Xiao Kong and the others were waiting.
“Violet, something’s happened outside, hasn’t it?”
As soon as she entered, the cat-girl, who had also heard the massive explosion, hurried over to her. Violet wasted no time and nodded firmly.
“It’s unclear what’s happening, but an explosion like that at such a critical time can’t be a coincidence. Here’s the plan Xiao Kong, since your match is already over for today, let’s head over together and check it out immediately.”
“You mean… teleport us directly?”
“Exactly. It seems to be in the western part of the city.”
Violet turned to glance at the others who had gathered nearby, including Hen and Murong Yun, both of whom had mixed expressions.
“Hen, have you noticed anything unusual?”
The silver-haired girl silently shook her head.
“Alright. You two stay here for now and be ready to adapt if anything happens. If all goes well, we’ll be back soon.”
“Understood.”
“Miss Violet, could this be…?”
Shaking her head, Violet walked toward the spatial portal that the cat-girl had torn open and was now fine-tuning for precision.
“It’s hard to say at this point, but it’s always better to be prepared. Just stay alert and take care.”
“Let’s go check out the commotion!”
“Got it!”