Chapter 370: This Life's Infamy

Chapter 370: This Life's Infamy

A single sentence, spoken with conviction, resonated through the air.

Inside and outside the arena, countless eyes were fixed on Lu Ran, his body covered in knife wounds, as whispers and discussions filled the air.

"It's really Lu Ran! Oh my, he's alive!"

"Lu Tianjiao is so pitiful, covered in knife wounds, and Senior Sister Deng has become a bloody mess."

"What's the relationship between Lu Tianjiao and Senior Sister Deng? Are they a couple?"

"The two of them look so miserable; they really seem like a pair of star-crossed lovers."

"Nonsense! Ran Dog's girlfriend is Jiang Goddess!"

Amidst the whispers, Deng Yutang trembled with excitement.

Brother Lu has indeed taken action!

I knew it!

Brother Lu wouldn't just stand by and watch his sister die.

Although Deng Yuxiang was currently covered in blood and her life was hanging by a thread, with Lu Ran by her side, Deng Yutang believed that his sister was still alive!

Deng Yutang's trust in Lu Ran was almost blind.

Beside him, Bai Man Ni also felt a sense of relief, but she dared not show her joy and excitement, keeping it hidden in her heart.

At this moment, the atmosphere inside and outside the martial arena was incredibly solemn.

Lu Ran had rescued Deng Yuxiang, but what now?

This was the Northern Wind Sect's Northwind City, with the statue of the Divine Incarnation standing tall in the city.

Lu Ran had broken the rules right under the nose of the Divine Incarnation!

What would Lu Ran do next? As this thought crossed Bai Man Ni's mind, her expression turned grave.

"Well done, the Great Xia's Tianjiao."

Suddenly, a hoarse voice echoed from high above.

Liao Wushuang stood in the air, her eyes cold, with a hint of hidden resentment in her words: "You dare to cause trouble in our Northwind City, disrupting the duel and disregarding the rules!

Well done!

Well done, the Great Xia's Tianjiao!"

As her words fell, the entire arena fell silent.

Even the whispers ceased, as everyone watched the unfolding situation with bated breath.

Undeniably, many in the audience held a deep admiration for Lu Ran.

As the top Tianjiao of Great Xia, Lu Ran had amassed a significant fan base.

As a knife wielder, Lu Ran was an idol to many Northern Wind disciples, a goal they strived to reach.

Some even worshipped Lu Ran to the point of fanaticism.

If this had happened elsewhere, many would have already spoken up for Lu Ran.

Right and wrong were secondary.

The fanatical supporters were biased towards the person, not the matter at hand.

But this was Northwind City!

The majority of the spectators were Northern Wind disciples, and they could see the Divine Incarnation with just a glance upwards.

Liao Wushuang, a renowned warrior and prominent figure in the Northern Wind Sect, had just made her stance clear.

"Indeed, Lu Ran broke the rules first."

Lu Ran spoke, openly admitting his mistake.

He looked up at Liao Wushuang and continued, "Senior Sister Deng Yuxiang and I are from the same hometown, Yuxiang City.

When I first became a believer, I was reckless and naive, unaware of my own insignificance.

Senior Sister Deng Yuxiang took me on missions, guided me, and protected my life."

Lu Ran paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, "Senior Sister Deng Yuxiang has helped me countless times.

She is my comrade-in-arms, my mentor, and once saved my life by slaying a rouge on a rainy night.

I couldn't just stand by and watch her die before my eyes.

I broke the rules.

I admit my mistake and accept the punishment."

The warm winter sun shone down on Northwind City.

Above and below, countless people surrounded the spacious martial arena, the sunlight falling on the center, illuminating a pair of bloody figures.

The scene was somewhat tragic yet beautiful.

The Northern Wind disciples listening to Lu Ran's words couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.

"You admit your mistake and accept the punishment?" Liao Wushuang's face darkened, her words squeezed through clenched teeth.

Gnashing her teeth!

A talented young disciple like Deng Yuxiang was destined for greatness.

How could Liao Wushuang rest easy if Deng Yuxiang survived? Especially now that the Great Xia's Tianjiao had revealed their connection, determined to save Deng Yuxiang's life.

"I admit it!" Lu Ran nodded firmly.

Then, he raised the broken blade in his hand, "My sister has lost, and her knife is broken.

She is no longer qualified to compete for the Divine Armament Domain with Senior Liao's Divine Weapon.

But can you spare her life, considering she is a fellow human and a fellow disciple?"

In fact, even if Deng Yuxiang were to cultivate another Divine Weapon, its domain might not overlap with Liao Wushuang's.

But 'might not' meant 'could'. So, even with the Night Slash Great Saber shattered and its spirit dispersed, Liao Wushuang refused to let go.

To uproot the weed,

you must eradicate its roots! Liao Wushuang's voice was icy cold, "The Great Xia's Tianjiao, the pillar of the nation!

How will you be punished?

This incident started with Deng Yuxiang, so the punishment should be on her!"

Lu Ran glared at Liao Wushuang, tightening his grip on the bloody figure in his arms.

Sister,

She really wants to wipe them out.

It's true; who couldn't see Liao Wushuang's murderous intent?

"Cough, cough." Deng Yuxiang's gaze was vacant, as if her soul had left her body, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

Ever since the Night Slash Great Saber shattered, she seemed to be just an empty shell.

Lu Ran knew he couldn't delay treating her injuries any longer.

He scanned the snow-covered forest ahead and shouted, "The Immortal Sheep Sect's Falling Immortal Mountain Master Lu Ran, pays respects to the Northwind City Lord!"

As his words fell, whispers and discussions erupted inside and outside the arena.

"What immortal mountain?"

"Falling Immortal Mountain, the main mountain of the Immortal Sheep Sect, the place where the Divine Incarnation resides!"

"The Falling Immortal Mountain Master? So, Lu Ran is..."

"Holy shit! The Falling Immortal Mountain Master, Lu Ran, is on the same level as our Northwind City Lord?"

"Of course! Why else would Lu Ran demand to speak with our City Lord?"

"The Immortal Sheep Sect's Human World Sect Leader seems a bit lacking, doesn't it?"

"That's not right. No matter how small the Immortal Sheep Sect is, Lu Ran was appointed by the Divine Incarnation as the sect leader, making him equal in status to our City Lord."

High in the air, Liao Wushuang's expression changed.

Everyone knew that Lu Ran was the first Tianjiao of Great Xia.

If he, with this identity, was conversing with the crowd, he was still at the level of "Great Xia."

But at this moment, Lu Ran directly revealed his identity as the master of Luoxian Mountain.

This was an exchange between the Deity faction and the Northwind Sect.

"Grandpa?" Hu Jiaojiao pleaded, looking at the old man beside her.

The old man glanced at his granddaughter, showing no reaction, and his figure slowly rose into the air.

He wore a white robe, the hem of his garment fluttering in the wind, exuding an awe-inspiring aura.

As the old man slowly descended into the arena, a powerful voice resonated: "Northwind City Lord, Hu Cheng."

Lu Ran bowed respectfully: "City Lord Hu, I apologize for my rudeness."

Hu Cheng looked at Lu Ran's tattered clothes and his body covered in sword wounds, blood still flowing, and nodded slightly.

Since entering the arena, Lu Ran had only defended and not attacked.

At this moment, he showed himself in such a state, and his attitude was evident.

Lu Ran continued, "Your disciple, Deng Yuxiang, owes me a life debt. I wish to spare her life.

I will bear all consequences, and I implore City Lord Hu to grant my request!"

Hu Cheng's aged face was full of wrinkles, and he looked at Lu Ran expressionlessly.

After a long while, under the gaze of the crowd, Hu Cheng slowly spoke, "Mountain Lord Lu, you jest.

As the Human World Sect Leader of the Immortal Sheep Sect, we have no right to punish you.

But today, Mountain Lord Lu has caused quite a stir in our city, interfering with the competition and causing disturbances..."

"City Lord Hu!" Suddenly, Liao Wushuang's voice echoed from high above.

Listen to the words, and listen to the tone.

No matter what Hu Cheng said afterward, the first two sentences had already determined the outcome.

Liao Wushuang realized the direction the situation was heading, and she didn't want Hu Cheng to continue.

Liao Wushuang shouted, "The Life and Death Pact was signed in front of the Deity!

This battle is unfair to me!"

Hu Cheng frowned slightly, his expression unreadable.

The Northwind City Lord, with his lofty status and authority beyond ordinary people's imagination, was naturally awe-inspiring.

But when he was communicating with the leaders of other sects, he was interrupted by a disciple from his own sect. Liao Wushuang was indeed anxious.

In fact, if you think about it carefully, Liao Wushuang's insistence on killing Deng Yuxiang and her determination to achieve her goal is a questionable choice.

If Deng Yuxiang didn't die, her future Divine Armament, which was still uncertain.

Taking a step back, it was also uncertain whether the Divine Armament domains of both sides would clash again.

Taking another step back, even if the Divine Armament domains clashed again, and even if the future Deng Yuxiang won, there was still a possibility that Liao Wushuang would spare her life.

The consequences along this line of thought were progressive.

But if Deng Yuxiang was forced to die here, Liao Wushuang would have eliminated the potential crisis that Deng Yuxiang might bring.

But Liao Wushuang's hatred for Lu Ran would be deeply rooted!

One was an unknown, potential threat.

The other was a certain, inevitable hatred.

Which one should she choose?

When Lu Ran mentioned the "life debt," as long as Liao Wushuang changed her attitude and said, "Since that's the case, let's just drop it."

She could even offer a great favor in return!

Lu Ran broke the rules for Deng Yuxiang's life.

On this basis, he accepted this favor, and in the future, Liao Wushuang wouldn't have to worry about the matter of the Divine Armament domain anymore.

But Liao Wushuang was anxious.

To be precise, her mindset had exploded!

Her unique upbringing had shaped her unique personality.

Compared to anger, resentment, and other emotions, Liao Wushuang's heart was filled with jealousy at this moment!

An endless flame of envy!

Why?

Why was Deng Yuxiang so talented that she could achieve so much at the age of twenty-two?

Why was I of average talent, practicing for half my life, still living in fear and constantly worrying about the younger generation?

Why could Deng Yuxiang have someone like Lu Ran by her side?

He was the first Tianjiao, revered by the world, and the Human World Sect Leader, high above everyone else!

Lu Ran was in the wrong!

Lu Ran had broken the rules!

He was willing to reveal his identity as the Sect Leader and apologize to the Northwind City Lord, pleading for Deng Yuxiang's life.

To Hu Cheng and the Northwind Sect, Lu Ran was apologizing.

But to Liao Wushuang, wasn't Lu Ran using his identity to pressure her?

Lu Ran, a "perfect" person in the eyes of the world, would have any flaw magnified infinitely.

A lifetime of gossip and criticism!

The higher you stand, the harder you fall!

He was willing to face punishment and bear the consequences, even if it meant his reputation was ruined.

Even if it meant risking the wrath of the Deity, he wanted to protect Deng Yuxiang!

Liao Wushuang was truly furious.

Why was her life like this, with nothing in her life?

From childhood to adulthood, she had nothing!

Why?

"Huff~"

High in the air, Liao Wushuang plummeted into the snowy ground.

As everyone wondered, they saw Liao Wushuang kneeling on the ground, looking up at the Deity: "Northwind Deity!"

Hu Cheng's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes sank.

Liao Wushuang shouted, "Disciple Liao Wushuang!

A year ago, I signed a Life and Death Pact in front of your divine statue!

Today's battle was unfair to me, and I implore the Northwind Deity to stand up for me!"

Extreme emotions led to extreme choices.

After her words, both inside and outside the arena, gasps of astonishment filled the air.

1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds...

The world fell silent.

Liao Wushuang knelt with her head lowered, speaking softly, "Since I joined the Northwind Sect, I have been loyal and devout."

The surroundings remained quiet, except for the sound of the cold wind blowing.

Liao Wushuang's head lowered even further, "For nearly thirty years, I have fought in the Demon Cavern, dedicating myself to the sect and expanding its influence."

"Huff!"

High above, a powerful surge of divine energy erupted.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end