Chapter 1474: Half Won
Two hours of intense combat had left Lei Bao and Hou Yu severely weakened, a state that stemmed not only from the depletion of their internal Demon Power but also from their physical injuries.
Even before their confrontation with Yang Haoran, both had sustained considerable injuries, leading to a significant loss of internal power. However, at that point, their wounds and energy expenditure were still within acceptable limits, not enough to render them truly feeble.
But over the two hours of battling Yang Haoran, they had each suffered devastating blows. The severity of their current injuries far surpassed anything they had endured previously, and their Demon Power was almost entirely depleted, which was why they now appeared so utterly drained.
Yang Haoran's physical body had also taken a heavy toll. His pre-existing injuries had not yet healed, and this day's battle inevitably inflicted even greater damage upon him. As for his internal Spirit Power, it too was roughly seventy to eighty percent consumed.
At this moment, Yang Haoran's black robes were tattered and torn, and he cut a somewhat dishevelled figure. Yet, on his slightly pale face, an eternal, faint smile remained, a striking contrast to his ragged attire.
While Yang Haoran appeared somewhat worn, compared to Lei Bao and Hou Yu, his appearance was remarkably presentable.
Furthermore, Yang Haoran's injuries were less severe than theirs, and he possessed significantly more residual power within him. The fact that the two of them, fighting in tandem against Yang Haoran, still ended up in such a predicament was, of course, due to Yang Haoran's superior tactics and overall greater combat prowess.
Naturally, the considerable injuries they had sustained earlier, and the partial depletion of their Demon Power, also contributed to this outcome.
It wasn't just the two of them who knew they were defeated; even the onlookers on the periphery saw it with perfect clarity. After all, which side held the upper hand and whose power was superior was obvious at a glance.
The people of Half-Moon Island were, naturally, overjoyed and deeply proud. Yang Haoran, facing two Demon Saints alone, had not only avoided defeat but had firmly held the advantage, relentlessly suppressing them. As they watched the Demon Saints' condition deteriorate, their inner excitement and pride grew ever stronger. Especially now, with the two Demon Saints clearly on their last legs while Yang Haoran still possessed the strength to fight, how could they, as residents of Half-Moon Island and with Yang Haoran as their leader, not be happy or proud?
Conversely, the morale on the sea demon side was utterly dismal. They weren't blind; they, too, could see that their two great Demon Saints were on the verge of collapse. Once the Demon Saints fell, it would signify the defeat of their entire sea demon race. In this wagered battle, they would be the losing party. This didn't just concern the two Demon Saints; it was closely tied to their own fates as well, so their spirits naturally couldn't be lifted.
However, this wasn't an absolute. Not all sea demons were dispirited. A portion of them, though displaying gloomy expressions, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, even harboring a quiet joy in their hearts.
This was because, throughout Yang Haoran's battle with the two Demon Saints, they had secretly wished for Yang Haoran to win, rather than their own sea demon race's two great Demon Saints. If Yang Haoran emerged victorious, then according to the wager, they would all surrender and pledge allegiance to Half-Moon Island.
For these particular sea demons, submitting to Half-Moon Island was not only not a bad thing, but quite a good one. The first benefit was that their lives would be spared, for at that point, both sides would be "their own people. " As long as they weren't foolish enough to be the gun that strikes the bird that takes the lead and openly oppose Yang Haoran or Half-Moon Island, their lives should be safe.
Conversely, if the two Demon Saints won this wagered battle, they held a degree of trepidation about whether Yang Haoran would truly honor the agreement and let them leave. Even with Yang Haoran's public promise, the possibility of him breaking his word might be low, but it still prevented them from fully relaxing. If Yang Haoran were to indeed renege on the deal, enraged and intent on killing them, they certainly wouldn't be able to withstand Half-Moon Island's experts, and their only outcome would be a tragic death on Half-Moon Island.
When contrasted this way, in their eyes, it was undeniably safer for the two Demon Saints to lose this wagered battle to Yang Haoran. A greater chance of preserving their lives was just one benefit; another was that Half-Moon Island's formidable strength was clear for all to see. Surrendering to Half-Moon Island and becoming a part of it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, it's easier to enjoy the shade under a big tree. With such a powerful force backing them, various benefits were sure to follow, and they might even live far more comfortably than they ever had before.
It was precisely these two considerations that made these sea demons wish for the two Demon Saints, not Yang Haoran, to be defeated, and they eagerly anticipated this outcome. So, seeing the two Demon Saints nearing their collapse under Yang Haoran's relentless assault, they naturally felt a surge of secret delight. However, they dared not reveal their true feelings. If their inner emotions were exposed and discovered, even if they became part of Half-Moon Island, their fate would not be pleasant. Knowing this well, they, of course, wouldn't dare betray the slightest hint of their real sentiments.
If Hou Yu and Lei Bao knew that some of their subordinates had secretly been hoping for their swift defeat at Yang Haoran's hands, they would likely be so enraged they'd spit blood on the spot.
Nevertheless, even without knowing this, Lei Bao and Hou Yu were indeed spitting blood at this very moment. This blood-spitting, however, had nothing to do with their subordinates' desires for their early defeat, but rather because both of their bodies had once again suffered successive blows from Yang Haoran.
*Pffft! *
*Pffft! *
Large gouts of fresh blood spewed successively from Lei Bao's and Hou Yu's mouths. After being sent flying several hundred meters, they barely managed to steady their bodies.
At this moment, though Lei Bao and Hou Yu hadn't reverted to their human forms, their originally colossal bodies had shrunk considerably, no longer resembling towering mountains as they had before. This condition arose from the extreme severity of their injuries, coupled with the exhaustive depletion of their internal power.
Their bodies, meanwhile, were riddled with wounds, both large and small. Some were sealed, preventing blood loss, but others, too deep and wide, had not been sealed in time, or they simply lacked the power to seal them. Consequently, blood welled up and gushed forth, presenting a truly gruesome sight.
While Yang Haoran also appeared dishevelled, he was still in considerably better shape compared to the two Demon Saints. Observing their current miserable state, he knew the time was ripe; it was time to bring this wagered battle to a decisive conclusion.
However, just as Yang Haoran prepared to unleash his final move to decisively defeat the two Demon Saints, Hou Yu suddenly spoke up.
"No more fighting, I concede!"
Hou Yu's voice was exceedingly weak, each word emerging from his mouth soft and lacking power. Had one not witnessed it firsthand, it would be difficult to imagine a dignified Demon Saint becoming so enfeebled that even his speech betrayed a strong sense of illness.
Although Hou Yu's voice was very weak, Yang Haoran could discern a resolute tone. From this, it was clear that he truly no longer wished to continue fighting Yang Haoran. It wasn't that he didn't want the wagered battle to proceed, but rather because his spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak. If he were to continue, he feared for his life, and that was certainly not the outcome he desired. Losing only meant submitting to Yang Haoran; continuing meant a dead end. This wasn't a difficult choice; he wasn't tired of living, so of course he knew what to choose.
Hou Yu's voluntary concession did not elicit any surprise from Yang Haoran; it seemed he had long anticipated this situation and was therefore completely unfazed. It was Lei Bao, however, who had dealt with Hou Yu for countless years, who wore a look of utter disbelief upon hearing Hou Yu's admission of defeat.
"What did you say? You conceded? ! Do you think he can last much longer? He's an arrow at the end of its flight, just like us! We only need to hold on for a little while longer, and he's sure to lose. So quickly, use your final move! He absolutely cannot defeat us!"
Lei Bao was frantic because he understood one crucial point: if Hou Yu withdrew, it would be absolutely impossible for him to defeat Yang Haoran alone. Hence, his anxious urging of Hou Yu.
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