Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy: Path of Paradise.
Third Stage: Cinderella!
In that instant, Huai Shi exhaled a long breath, trying to expel the despair and helplessness from his chest, but it was futile.
For the first time, he felt this kind of helpless exhaustion, this utter powerlessness.
He was at a loss.
Previously, he might have been able to gain an advantage over Luo Xian with his superior physical fitness and various weapons. But now, her power had risen to an unattainable height. How could he possibly win against the terrifying skills she had fully inherited from Luo Lao?
There was absolutely no chance of winning. It was game over.
"Let's make a deal." Huai Shi tentatively raised his hand. "If I surrender, will I only lose half?"
"Sure," Luo Xian smiled and nodded obligingly. "But if the outcome changes from being torn into ten thousand pieces to merely five thousand, would that truly make a difference to you?"
Huai Shi sighed. Sensing the ferocious killing intent and darkness erupting from her like a volcano, he abandoned his last shred of hope.
"Don't give up, Lord Prince. This is the final battle," Luo Xian said consolingly. "As an idol, you should at least fulfill your fan's only wish before you die, right?"
"Are you that eager to see me die?" Huai Shi stepped back, a wry smile on his face. "I'll try my best."
CRACK!
The step beneath his heel cracked open. Huai Shi charged forward, sprinting straight ahead. He raised the Spear of Compassion high and thrust it directly at Luo Xian.
Luo Xian's smile remained unchanged; she merely tilted her head slightly.
But then, a roaring sound erupted.
Huai Shi's sleeve tore. As he exerted all his strength in that swing, it seemed as though several phantoms surged from his body. The Axe of Anger swung horizontally, and the Sword of Virtue pierced. The tip of the spear trembled and, amidst a sweet floral fragrance, suddenly bent, relentlessly chasing Luo Xian's face.
Sharp notes overlapped, evolving into a soul-shaking chord.
Amidst the clang of metal on metal, Luo Xian's eyes finally showed a hint of seriousness. She stomped her foot and snatched up a Longsword from the ground. Her hands moved; the long and short blades collided. Then, they split apart, emitting a crisp sound that shattered the chord.
Her movement was a blur. In that same instant, Huai Shi's three simultaneous strikes were unexpectedly blocked. Each one was parried.
The Dagger thrust out, aiming straight for Huai Shi's chest.
But immediately, from the shadow behind her, the Yin Soul in Red Gloves re-emerged. It held the Sacrificial Knife in a reverse grip, aiming for her back.
CRACK!
A shadowy Magic Mirror materialized beside Luo Xian, acting like a Shield to intercept the lethal blow.
In an instant, they darted past each other. A ghastly gash appeared across Huai Shi's chest, blood spurting out.
Luo Xian was unharmed.
But immediately, ignoring the gash on his chest, Huai Shi spun around, his poison-steeped Axe Blade slashing towards Luo Xian's back, cutting through a phantom.
As the mirror surface shattered, Luo Xian appeared ten steps away, watching him with interest.
Without needing her explanation, Huai Shi had a sudden realization. "Sleeping Beauty?"
Luo Xian turned her head to look at the life-sized Magic Mirror beside her and suddenly asked, "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?"
A face appeared on the Magic Mirror, saying fawningly, "Of course it's you, Your Highness."
It seemed to be some kind of enhancement.
In an instant, the Source Fluctuation around Luo Xian surged, until finally, it formed what looked like grey-black flames, making her blood-red dress stand out even more.
No, that dress must have been dyed red with Beast's Blood, right?
Huai Shi took a sharp breath, reached out, and placed his hand on a nearby tree stump. "Sorry, buddy, let me draw a bit more…"
A vast amount of life force surged from the underground root network. Huai Shi's chest wound closed, and the cracks in his bones and his muscle strains vanished instantly. A dark green hue also seeped from the burst capillaries on his face.
The support from his tree brethren was potent enough.
Under the transformation of the Stigma, Huai Shi disregarded the gradual fibrosis of his internal blood vessels. He continued to pour endless blood energy into the Mirror of Nothingness. This made the light in his eyes grow brighter and brighter, as if he had shoved a lightbulb into each socket.
Gradually, it became blinding.
At last, Luo Xian's true form was fully reflected in the Mirror of Nothingness.