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At this moment, Black Flood Dragon appeared particularly calm. When his blade was caught by Xu Zimo, he did not struggle for control, instead, he abandoned the weapon entirely and swiftly retreated.
Xu Zimo did not pursue. He simply watched him quietly.
Black Flood Dragon steadied himself, his gaze sharpening. He had great confidence in his speed and his knife technique, but from that single exchange, he already sensed the strength of his opponent.
Men like him, who lived on the edge of life and death, often found that every battle ended one of two ways: either they killed, or they were killed.
Without hesitation, Black Flood Dragon pulled out another short blade. With a sharp clang, the two knives crossed in his hands, and a surge of deadly energy split through the air.
Xu Zimo seemed indifferent. He extended his right hand and crushed the ining knife energy with his bare fingers.
Under cover of that shattered blade light, Black Flood Dragonâs figure vanished again.
The next moment, seven or eight figures of Black Flood Dragon appeared all around Xu Zimo.
âItâs a clone technique?â someone muttered.
âNo,â another voice said, shaking his head. âAll eight have the same aura. They feel like one being, no difference in strength. You canât tell which is real or fake.â
Xu Zimo looked around at the encircling figures and let out a faint laugh. His hands moved like lightning, blocking and countering every strike with ease.
The sound of repeated impacts echoed, bang, bang, bang!, as the figures were blown away one by one.
But just as the last shadow dissipated, a massive dragon-like creature suddenly surged upward.
A black-scaled flood dragon roared, its four clawed limbs tearing through the air, striking toward Xu Zimo.
Black Flood Dragon, his name matched his nature.
He was no human, nor was he of the Fire God Race. He belonged to the Ghost Jiao race, a monstrous lineage born of darkness.
The enormous dragon head bellowed in fury, its jaws wide open as it tried to swallow Xu Zimo whole.
Xu Zimo stood unmoving, seemingly frozen in place. In an instant, he was engulfed.
On the arena, Xu Zimoâs figure had vanished. Only the coiling, shadowy form of the Ghost Jiao remained, its monstrous aura filling the air like smoke.
âThe winner of this match, Black Flood DragonâŠâ
The referee hadnât even finished the sentence when the flood dragon suddenly let out a horrific scream, rolling in agony. Its immense body thrashed violently, shaking the entire platform.
âWhatâs happening?â someone gasped.
After several moments of chaotic struggle, the creature collapsed, pletely still. Blood pooled beneath its massive frame.
Then, a flash of blade light tore through its chest.
Xu Zimo emerged from within, drenched in blood, pulling out the beastâs torn organs, among them, a glowing gallbladder.
âThe dragonâs gall,â someone whispered. âA powerful tonic.â
Xu Zimo glanced toward the stunned referee. âWell? What are you waiting for?â
The referee quickly stammered, âWinner of this round, Xu Zimo!â
Xu Zimo stepped down from the arena and tossed the pile of organs in front of the disciples of the Celestial Mortal Holy Lands.
âUse these to make a tonic broth. Your Holy Lord is still weak, he needs nourishment.â
âThank you!â the disciples said hurriedly, bowing.
âYou let him swallow you on purpose, didnât you?â Shangguan Xian said with a faint smile. âAnd you even remembered to take the dragonâs gall to heal Holy Lord Zhang.â
Xu Zimo waved a hand dismissively. âJust a small thing. Anyway, weâve got another round today, donât we?â
âThatâs right,â Shangguan Xian nodded. âHalf the petitors were eliminated yesterday, so todayâs matches will be more frequent. After today, only a quarter will remain.â
âThe sooner it ends, the better,â Xu Zimo said calmly.
Since they had time before their next match, they found an inn nearby and ordered a meal.
A table full of exquisite dishes was soon laid out.
Xu Zimo looked across the table. âYouâve met Bian Shishi before,â he said to Shangguan Xian. âDo you know where she is now?â
Shangguan Xian shook her head with a small laugh. âSheâs always the one finding me. I could never find her first.â
Her tone turned teasing. âWhat exactly is your relationship with her anyway? She seems to care about you. Iâve known her a long time, and Iâve never seen her care for anyone.â
âOur relationship?â Xu Zimo thought for a moment, then smiled faintly. âLetâs just say weâre⊠old acquaintances. Familiar strangers might be a better term.â
After chatting for a bit, Xu Zimo turned toward Liu Huohuo.
âAnd you? What are your plans? Your fatherâs a protector in the Chaos Fire God Realm. You canât just wander around with us forever.â
âI donât want to go back,â Liu Huohuo said, shaking her head. âIf I return, heâll just force me to marry that freak, Luo Ji.â
She crossed her arms. âIâll stick with you for now. If you think Iâm in the way, this lady will go off on her own.â
Xu Zimo chuckled. âHow about this, once the petition ends, if you really donât want to go home, stay with Holy Lord Zhang at the Celestial Mortal Holy Lands for a while.â
âIâm afraid Iâll bring trouble to them,â Liu Huohuo hesitated. âIf Luo Ji es after me, Iâd drag their sect into danger.â
Xu Zimo smiled lightly. âDonât worry. Before I leave, Iâll help you one last time.â
âWhat do you mean?â she asked, startled.
âIâll kill Luo Ji,â Xu Zimo said simply.
âYou canât!â Liu Huohuo said quickly. âDoing that will anger Phoenix Fire City! Youâre already enemies with Stone Flame City, donât provoke another one! Even Fire Bane City wonât be able to protect you.â
She still believed Xu Zimoâs backing came from Fire Bane City.
Xu Zimo didnât bother to explain. He just smiled and said nothing.
After the meal, Zhang Hengzhi finally woke up. Supported by his disciples, he came to thank Xu Zimo personally.
âHoly Lord Zhang, you should rest,â Shangguan Xian said gently.
âItâs fine,â Zhang Hengzhi shook his head. âI want to see the rest of the petition. Itâs a rare grand event, missing it would be a pity. My life was saved; I wonât fret over a few wounds.â
Seeing his determination, no one pressed further.
By the afternoon, they judged it was about time and headed back toward the arena.
âWhat if we donât run into that Spectral Prince?â Shangguan Xian asked uncertainly.
âOh, weâll meet him,â Xu Zimo said with confidence.
âHow can you be so sure?â she asked.
âThink about it,â he said. âIf someone could manipulate the pairings to pit Spectral Prince against Holy Lord Zhang, do you think theyâll let me go untouched? Zhang Hengzhi was just collateral damage. Iâm the real target.â
Shangguan Xianâs eyes widened slightly. His logic was sound, and soon proven right.
When they arrived, the new battle list had already been posted.
There, written clearly for all to see: âXu Zimo vs. Spectral Prince.â
âWell,â Shangguan Xian said with a small smile, âyou called it perfectly.â
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