Chapter 122: Blood Spilled, Standing Firm to the Death

“That guy is so strong!”
“Amazing! Who is he?”
“You don’t know him? He’s Gao Shaoling!”
“So that’s Gao Shaoling. The top genius of the civil engineering academy truly lives up to his reputation. Looks like entering Luming Academy doesn’t mean you can’t compete for a position among the Eight Sages of Luming!”
“The legitimate heir of the Gao family is extraordinary, no less than that master from the Si family back in the day—a true peerless prodigy.”
“Shh, don’t flatter him too much, or you might bring trouble! That scholar Longtu up there is still watching. Same age, so it’s best not to call Gao Shaoling a peerless genius in front of him.”

The crowd, all praising Gao Shaoling, fell silent after sneaking a glance at Scholar Longtu, then shifted their conversation elsewhere. Indeed, Longtu looked about the same age as Gao Shaoling but was far more advanced in cultivation, making it inappropriate to lavish such titles on Gao Shaoling in his presence.

Still, Gao Shaoling was undeniably strong!

Shi Tiexin’s gaze also turned toward that secret realm, where a young man stood proudly. His height was average for this era, yet his bearing was graceful and distinguished.

A stable aura enveloped him; even the slight cracks on his energy fields quickly mended under the influence of his spiritual energy. He was unscathed, with not a single speck of dirt on his clothes, standing there composed and confident. Though only the semifinals had ended and the finals were yet to begin, he already exuded an air of assured victory and unmatched confidence.

The faint upward curl of his lips suggested he had already claimed the top spot in this provincial examination.

Just as Shi Tiexin and the entire audience focused on Gao Shaoling, a fierce, piercing roar suddenly erupted from the secret realm.

“Kill—!”

Like a tiger roaring through the forest, advancing without retreat, the shout jolted Shi Tiexin. As he turned his eyes back, he saw the short-statured figure suddenly launching into the most brutal and intense close combat.

Crackling sounds filled the air. The short figure had apparently caught the opponent off guard with a sudden stratagem, tipping the balance in his favor. But the man was no ordinary fighter; with both arms capable of offense, he launched rapid counterattacks, trying to turn the tide.

“Kill—!!”

The short figure roared again, abandoning the entangling snake-style boxing he was known for and resorting to outright tiger-style punches—fierce and unrelenting. More precisely, it was a blend of the snake’s ruthless precision and the tiger’s savage power. With only one arm, the short figure’s attacks became unstoppable.

Crack, crack. The two exchanged blows rapidly, their fierce close-quarters combat splattering blood in a grisly display that sent chills down the spine. Neither paid heed to any notions of gender or restraint; both took hits, and the short figure’s clothes were torn to shreds.

Yet the short figure fought with increasing ferocity.

“Kill—!!!”

With a third, hoarse roar, the short figure suddenly unleashed a full-power strike, a do-or-die move. The opponent, no weakling, responded with a loud yell, executing a cross lock to block the blow. In this moment, it was a contest of strength and ruthlessness.

A sharp sound—blood sprayed from the man’s throat.

Victory?

Shi Tiexin’s eyes widened, but it wasn’t so simple. The short figure’s venomous snake bite was caught midway and held shallowly by the man’s fingers. Although blood spouted from the man’s throat, his strength was undiminished. His face twisted with fury, his arms locked tight—if he strangled the short figure’s right arm, he would win!

Then, a crisp snap echoed.

To the shock of the man and the entire audience, the short figure forced a step forward and, with immense strength, deliberately broke her own right arm!

The next moment, her previously limp left arm snapped up like a spring! The move was as cold-blooded and resolute as the miraculous leg hook earlier.

With a spray of blood, the man’s neck erupted in a crimson mist. Though the short figure hadn’t broken his neck outright, she had sliced through a major artery on his neck.

Shi Tiexin couldn’t help but feel deep respect.

Though small in stature, the short figure possessed fierce fighting spirit and acute combat awareness.

The battle was far from over. The man, despite the blood spurting from his neck, gritted his teeth and counterattacked with ferocity, as if willing to die first. The short figure’s arm was locked tight and useless, forcing her to rely on legwork for close engagement.

The man’s legs were injured, and the short figure’s snake boxing wasn’t strong in leg techniques, but their boiling hatred and indomitable will moved everyone watching.

In a brief moment, both unleashed the rawest, most brutal techniques they could muster to inflict maximum damage.

Watching all this, Shi Tiexin was profoundly impressed.

Compared to these warriors, the slackers from Fengming High School’s timeline were truly weaklings. No, not just slackers—he himself would likely be finished in a few moves if he entered the fray.

He had fought countless battles since childhood and considered himself battle-hardened, but the Orphanage, the Star Engineering School—none had produced figures of this caliber: such supreme cultivation, martial arts, mindset, willpower, intelligence, and ruthlessness.

Coming here today and witnessing this had been an immense gain.

Thud—a body hit the ground.

Both fighters fell simultaneously.

Crack—the secret realm shattered, and one man exited. It was the man.

He fought to the very end, clutching the short figure’s arm so tightly that they fell together. Yet, after the short figure tore his artery, his strength and reflexes faltered. To have fought this far was a testament to his power.

Once outside, the man recovered quickly, even clear-headed. It wasn’t a fatal neck break, so he could stand unaided. He looked back at the short figure in the secret realm with a complex expression before nodding slightly, seemingly acknowledging her skill.

But the short figure’s condition was terrible.

She had not recovered. Her right arm was shattered; her left arm had long been broken. Multiple bones were fractured during the final desperate fight. Her clothes were tattered; a specially made undergarment spared her modesty, but her once-firm right chest had collapsed completely.

Were it not for the severe injuries, she wouldn’t have been dragged down by her opponent.

She spat a mouthful of fresh blood and struggled to lift her head toward the other side, where a calm, composed man stood, looking down at her.

The provincial exam’s progress showed no sign of slowing despite her brutal condition.

Gao Shaoling spoke.

“You are no match for me. Surrender.”

After all this, defeat was inevitable. She would still earn the divine golden light regardless. It was best to give up.

Yet, the short figure staggered to her feet, blood flowing freely, arms limp and powerless, barely able to stand. Her eyes locked fiercely onto her opponent, fierce as a tiger, ruthless as a serpent.

“Kill—!!!!”

With a wild roar, she charged at Gao Shaoling, blood splattering across the path.