Chapter 338: The Death of the World Protagonist |
At the Martial Arena of the Academy, there was dead silence.
Dead… dead?
The Heir of Prince Rui, Qin Xuanxiao, had died—just like that—inside the Academy of the Imperial Capital of Moon Country!?
Tens of thousands stared wide-eyed, their gazes fixed on the platform, filled with disbelief.
They saw that the Nation-Suppressing Sword in Chu Huaixu’s hand had already pierced into the stone tiles of the platform, causing the surrounding area to collapse slightly.
The noble heir, clad in luxurious purple robes, had been nailed firmly onto the platform by that long sword.
Terrifying sword qi had pierced through his heart, even blasting open a massive hole in his chest—dead beyond any doubt!
Chu Huaixu’s legs were slightly bent, both hands gripping the sword hilt.
After such an earth-shaking, brutal battle, the blazing golden flames within his ink-black eyes began to slowly extinguish.
Light snow still fell from the sky.
Snowflakes landed upon his shoulders.
The cold winter wind of the Imperial Capital whipped his loose hair into wild disarray!
The tens of thousands present would likely never forget this scene for the rest of their lives.
Under the shroud of ten thousand swords, this young man holding a sword resembled a god of slaughter descended upon the mortal world.
At this moment, he looked forward—and many people subconsciously averted their eyes, not daring to meet his gaze!
What should have been a Champion’s Duel between the number one prodigy of the Eastern Continent and the number one prodigy of the Western Continent…
Had ended up like this!
Yet for someone who always repaid grievances without fail, he only felt that the pent-up anger in his heart had finally been released—at least in part.
The 【Heart Sword】, which resonated with his will, had shed its usual languid state. Within the Nation-Suppressing Sword, it caused the blade to tremble slightly, emitting a joyful Sword Cry!
Due to its exceedingly high rank, it even triggered the ten thousand spiritual swords surrounding Chu Huaixu to tremble faintly, each releasing a Sword Cry!
Ten thousand swords sang in unison—like a grand celebration!
This Dao Gate true disciple, drenched in blood, had stepped upon the priceless body of the heir and ascended to his rightful position—
The Xuanhuang Champion of the Third Realm!
Only after the chaotic flow of qi within his body settled did Chu Huaixu slowly rise and pull out the Nation-Suppressing Sword.
When the sword was violently withdrawn, blood naturally splattered everywhere!
Seeing the royal blood scatter, the citizens of Moon Country felt their hearts tremble.
The young man in a black-gold robe lowered his gaze and coldly glanced at the corpse on the ground.
A corpse… of a World Protagonist!
Even he did not know where the original plot of 《Borrowed Sword》 would turn now that a World Protagonist had died.
Every World Protagonist carried immense karma.
Everything that should have belonged to him—his story, his moments of glory, all the threads tied to him—had now vanished into nothingness!
The karma involved here… was far too great.
But so what?
“Kill him, and he’s killed!”
To Chu Huaixu, he had long since reached the point where more burdens meant nothing.
“Qin Xuanxiao, go in peace.”
“Your karma—I’ll bear it!”
Moreover, he had long realized that the world was cruel and realistic.
There were never any destined protagonists—
Whoever won… was the protagonist!
And today—
I am the winner!
On the high platform, the expressions of the Moon Country’s major cultivators grew increasingly ugly.
Today, not only had the dignified heir perished, but four strands of Emperor-level Divine Sense had also been destroyed!
Furthermore, their public confrontation with the Four Great Sects had ended in defeat—because the Sword Sovereign had stepped into the Ninth Realm and activated 【Myriad Swords Converge】.
This slap was not merely on their faces, nor just on the Moon Emperor’s face—
It was a humiliation to the entire nation!
Yet the young man on the platform held a sword named 【Nation-Suppressing】.
Behind him still loomed the Phantom of the Violet Moon.
As if he were the one truly destined by heaven within this nation!
Since the matter was concluded, the middle-aged scholar formed a sword seal and said, “Go!”
Ten thousand swords instantly turned into streaks of light, returning to their owners.
The sword cultivators present watched as their swords shot back into their scabbards with a “whoosh,” unable to suppress the shock and longing in their hearts.
“Myriad Swords Converge… so this is Myriad Swords Converge?”
Talents like Han Shuangjiang and Xu Ziqing even felt faint insights stirring within them.
If they digested this properly, they might achieve a breakthrough!
But another World Protagonist, Lin Zixuan, was not faring well at all.
Previously, during the Dao Gate Champion’s Duel, when Qin Xuanxiao had been severely injured, she had already suffered backlash.
Now, with her “elder brother” killed, the backlash she endured became even more severe!
Moreover, the 【Spirit Seed】 within her body was annihilated instantly.
The pain was unbearable.
The petite girl let out a miserable scream and fainted on the spot—once again, brought down by Chu Huaixu.
To outsiders unaware of the truth, it seemed that the future consort had simply fainted from witnessing the heir’s brutal death.
Yet her master sat there like someone who had lost their mind, muttering to herself and ignoring her only disciple.
In the end, the Female State Preceptor sighed softly, took out a pill, and with a flick of her jade-like hand, sent it flying into Lin Zixuan’s mouth.
After doing so, she fixed her gaze firmly on Chu Huaixu.
“Can I gain another period of freedom?” Lin Qingci thought.
She knew clearly that with the destruction of the main soul, the Emperor-level Divine Sense within her had suffered severe backlash.
This time, the slumber would not be short.
Her controlled life… had gained breathing room twice because of him.
“This child actually has the means to destroy Divine Sense?”
She knew she herself could not achieve this—not even Xiahou Yue, the Guardian of the Nation.
Which meant… Chu Huaixu could also sever the Divine Sense within her!
“However…”
She glanced sideways at the Moon Emperor.
As long as he remained under the control of the Ancestor Emperor, anything she did was meaningless.
If he gave the order, she could be killed instantly.
Yet for some reason, the expression on His Majesty’s face seemed… off.
But as the saying went: the emperor’s heart is like the sea—unfathomable.
She could not judge it for now.
She turned her gaze back to Chu Huaixu.
The snow fell heavier and heavier.
Below the platform, voices rose in heated discussion:
“Such audacity! He really killed the heir! Can this even be resolved?”
“Is he not afraid of death? Not afraid of angering His Majesty?”
“Shh! Stop talking! It was a Death Duel Pact—didn’t the Guardians try to stop it? And still failed! Isn’t this humiliating enough?”
“When this spreads across the Xuanhuang Realm, Mirror Country will laugh at us for years!”
From Moon Country’s perspective—
Their Nation-Suppressing Sword had been summoned by an outsider, who then slew their greatest prodigy!
But from Mirror Country’s perspective—
Chu Huaixu was a peerless genius who feared no authority, while the Sword Sovereign was unmatched, stepping into the Ninth Realm and holding off all Moon Country cultivators!
To them, this was a glorious feat!
As for your heir?
What does that have to do with us?
We even think you’re shameless for violating the Death Duel Pact!
Among the crowd, the Dao Gate disciples were the most spirited.
Next came the Sword Sect.
Mo Qingmei stared blankly at the young man on the platform.
“He… he really did it?”
“Chu Huaixu really did it!”
“He… he killed the heir!”
Her eyes reddened again as she recalled the promise he had made before the battle.
But suddenly—
He had said this was only the “first explanation.”
Which meant there would be a second… even a third?
What else… was he going to do!?
On the platform, heavy snow fell relentlessly.
Chu Huaixu still held the Nation-Suppressing Sword, with no intention of returning it.
Nor did he step down.
Qin Xuanxiao’s mutilated corpse had already been taken away.
But even if preserved, it could no longer serve as a perfect Vessel.
Moreover, only two strands of Divine Sense remained, and the main soul had been destroyed.
Whether possession could even succeed was now uncertain.
Snow settled on Chu Huaixu’s shoulders.
A trace of impatience appeared on his face.
He looked at the two Moon Country judges and asked in confusion:
“Why hasn’t the result been announced yet?”
The two judges: “…”
You killed him!
And even if they followed procedure, who dared risk angering the emperor?
The Female State Preceptor spoke:
“Your Majesty, you must personally present the Xuanhuang Champion Token.”
The Moon Emperor’s face darkened.
He slowly stood.
Though humiliated, the final dignity must be preserved.
He hesitated—
Then looked at Chu Huaixu again.
“I have many grandsons.”
Qin Xuanxiao… had always been destined to die.
He had been chosen as a Vessel since birth.
The Moon Emperor raised his head, looking at the falling snow.
“I am unwilling!”
“I am unwilling!!”
Determination flashed in his eyes.
This token—must be given by me!
“The victor of the Eastern and Western Continents’ Grand Competition is Chu Huaixu of the Dao Gate!”
“Chu Huaixu, step forward and receive the Xuanhuang Champion Token!”
Chu Huaixu replied, “Yes.”
Before stepping forward, he withdrew the 【Heart Sword】 from the Nation-Suppressing Sword.
Once the sword spirit returned, it let out a clear Sword Cry.
He opened his right hand, and the sword was drawn back toward the Imperial Capital Grand Formation.
Yet before leaving, it circled him twice—reluctantly.
Even after flying high, it lingered briefly before departing.
This sight made the Moon Country cultivators’ eyelids twitch.
Chu Huaixu then walked step by step to the high platform.
Receiving praise from Jiang Zhi, the Sword Sovereign, and Heavenly Net.
Finally, he stood before the Moon Emperor.
Without a word, the emperor handed him the token.
This time, Chu Huaixu bowed properly:
“Chu Huaixu thanks Your Majesty!”
Then he personally fastened the Xuanhuang Champion Token to himself.
Below—
Silence.
Then suddenly—
The Dao Gate disciples erupted:
“Congratulations to True Disciple Chu on claiming the championship again!”
“Congratulations to the Xuanhuang Champion!!”
Then the Sword Sect.
Then others.
Cheers erupted like thunder.
A smile appeared on Chu Huaixu’s face.
Because at that moment—
A system notification sounded in his ear:
“【Ding! Congratulations! The main quest—Eastern and Western Continents’ Grand Competition—has been completed. Final rewards are now claimable!】”
One million Experience Points.
One Heaven-grade Treasure Chest.
One Spirit Embryo Attribute Point.
All obtained!
Standing on the high platform, he looked down at the tens of thousands below.
Joy, anger, hatred, excitement—countless expressions of life.
And he stood above them all.
Since stepping onto the path of cultivation, he had walked step by step to reach this point.
From a 【False Spirit Embryo】 despised by all—
To now.
“Finally… a Top-grade Spirit Embryo?” he thought.
