Chapter 2258: Live True to Yourself

“Strange!”

Instead of answering Zhang Xuan’s question, Little Yellow frowned, his eyes filled with disbelief.

“What’s strange?” Zhang Xuan was puzzled.

“Since it’s a fight to the death, both of them should be using all their strength, fighting until one falls, but why…” Little Yellow seemed to find it hard to believe: “Are they both holding back?”

“Perhaps they are just testing each other’s methods right now… then they’ll look for an opportunity!” Zhang Xuan said. Any competition is like this: first, they probe each other’s strength, and once they understand their opponent’s capabilities, they use their strongest techniques to deliver a decisive blow. Although he didn’t want to see them fight to the death, this involved the battle for destiny, and the match had already begun, so there was no stopping it.

The ground continued to shake, cracks constantly appearing. Mountains turned to dust under the impact of the force, drifting in the air. Fortunately, they weren’t in the God Realm; otherwise, such tremors could cause a massive city like Ghost Soul Imperial City to sink on the spot, trapping countless deities.

“Can your strength stop their fight?” Zhang Xuan asked.

“I can’t…” Little Yellow shook his head. “Though my strength has improved somewhat after my rebirth, I’m still immeasurably far behind them both! Both Divine Venerable Lingxi and Emperor Tianzong are truly peak existences in the God Realm, unparalleled by other emperors…”

Zhang Xuan sighed. Although he had known this outcome deep down, he still hoped for a miracle. Now, it seemed miracles truly weren’t that easy to come by. Even if Little Yellow’s strength were comparable to theirs, let alone weaker, what good would it do? Their battle was unstoppable; rushing in would only invite disaster.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Streaks of sword light appeared in the sky as Luo Ruoxi, suspended in the air, drew her weapon. Her swordsmanship was elegant and magnificent, carrying a familiar resonance. Zhang Xuan frowned upon seeing it. It was surprisingly similar to what the young man from the Sword Pavilion had displayed, yet it seemed freer, more natural, filled with spirit and grace. He turned to look at the old man, who appeared expressionless, as if he hadn’t noticed.

“Perhaps Luo Ruoxi also received guidance from the person at the Sword Pavilion…” A thought struck him. He didn’t have a precise understanding of the Sword Pavilion expert’s true strength due to his own lower cultivation, but at the same level, he was no match for him. Based on that alone, the expert might be no weaker than Luo Ruoxi or Master Confucius. Luo Ruoxi had learned his sword techniques and integrated them into her own soul, thus developing her current moves.

Observing closely, Luo Ruoxi’s swordsmanship embodied protection, yet also a yearning for freedom. It was as if she was bound by something, unable to release her true self. “If she were completely free… perhaps it would be even more profound…” a thought flickered in his mind. In terms of cultivation, his strength was nothing compared to the two fighting, but his insights and discernment regarding swordsmanship were no less than theirs. His comprehension of sword arts that surpassed the Heavenly Way was proof enough. In Luo Ruoxi’s swordplay, protection accounted for nearly ninety percent, with no flaws whatsoever. However, deep within her heart, she yearned for unbridled freedom. The contradiction between these two, though greatly suppressed, could easily magnify in a fight of their caliber, ultimately becoming a fatal trigger. If he could see it, Master Confucius surely could too.

His heart filled with tension, he looked towards the Master of Ten Thousand Generations, and then saw him also draw his weapon. It was a staff. Though short like a sword, with a slight press, space would shatter into a black hole. Master Confucius had discerned the flaws and vulnerabilities in the girl’s swordsmanship. Staff strike after staff strike, like a torrential downpour, made it impossible to resist or defend. “What formidable staff work…” Zhang Xuan was stunned. As the Master of Ten Thousand Generations, Master Confucius possessed exceptional martial prowess, yet later generations mostly benefited from his understanding of cultivation and the Master Teacher system. Thus, in the hearts of all his successors, he was considered exceptionally refined and elegant. Zhang Xuan had always thought that even in battle, he would maintain his graceful demeanor. Seeing this scene, he realized he had been overthinking it… The staff let out whistling winds; each strike seemed to contain a world, making it irresistible… It was a completely violent output. Completely different from his impression.

“That’s right,” he thought. “How could mere elegance defeat the Spirit Race?” Recalling Master Confucius’s many deeds throughout his journey, Zhang Xuan gradually understood. This wasn’t mere savagery; it was power evolved for the sake of all beings, for equality among all, for everyone to become like dragons. On the Master Teacher Continent, he single-handedly entered the Spirit Race territory to strengthen humanity, causing chaos and slaying countless opponents… In the Heavens, he established the Tongshēn Hall, eliminated numerous powerhouses, and advanced civilization by a significant margin… From any perspective, Master Confucius was formidable. But he was also selfless. Teaching students according to their aptitude, providing education for all… He himself was a walking contradiction. Fierce when he needed to be fierce, yet benevolent like a gentle breeze and nourishing rain when compassionate, making people wish to immediately kneel and become his disciple. Evidently, his staff techniques also matched this state of mind. They appeared like a torrential downpour, but in reality, they carried an intention of profound compassion. Often, a move that would be fatal if continued was forcibly altered by him.

“This is also a flaw…” He shook his head. Luo Ruoxi yearned for freedom, and Master Confucius felt compassion for all. They weren’t mortal enemies, unable to strike a killing blow… Simply put, these were major taboos in a fight to the death. Yet, these feelings had permeated their very bones; attempting to change them now would only make it more dangerous.

“What about me?” Having discerned the core issues in both their techniques, Zhang Xuan fell into deep thought. His comprehension of the “Heavenly Way of Affection,” with its endless tenderness, had previously been filled with reluctance to part with Luo Ruoxi and a sense of regret. Thus, his swordsmanship was incredibly subtle and rich with emotion. However, under the guidance of the person from the Sword Pavilion, his mindset had changed. Valuing emotions was right, but loved ones needed not only tenderness but also protection! Just like a man who is only an obedient good husband and father but cannot earn money to support his family would similarly be unable to maintain a harmonious and lasting household.

“Although this is a battle for the Heavenly Way, if my strength had reached the Emperor realm right now, I would be qualified to find a way to resolve this situation, instead of just watching them, knowing one must die…” “If I possessed the power to protect the God Realm, they wouldn’t need to do this…” These thoughts flowed through his mind. Witnessing their life-or-death struggle was a tremendous torment for him. But his strength was insufficient; he couldn’t stop them and could only watch helplessly… He wanted to protect, but he couldn’t.

“I am not suited for protection…” At this moment, he finally understood that the sword art from the Sword Pavilion expert was not suitable for him. Having been reborn once, he disliked his destiny being controlled by others. Throughout his journey from the Master Teacher Continent, he had never retreated from any challenge, protecting those he wished to protect from harm… but he had never thought of protecting the entire world. At his core, his desire wasn’t to protect, but rather… to live true to himself.