Btth: Xiao yan with killing system

The battle had escalated to unimaginable levels of intensity. The walls of the fortress cracked and shattered, dust and debris swirling around like a storm. Xiao Yan's body was covered in cuts and bruises, his energy reserves draining with each blow exchanged. The system's voice continued to speak in his mind, a constant reminder of his power and the price he was paying.

> "Warning: Host's physical and mental state critically compromised. System recalibrating. Life force absorption rate increasing."

But Xiao Yan barely heard the warning. His focus was on Tian Hao, the man standing before him, unyielding and powerful. Every movement, every strike from Tian Hao was filled with an ancient wisdom, a control that Xiao Yan could never match. Yet, something in Xiao Yan refused to back down. He was determined to defeat this man, to claim victory, and in doing so, prove that all the sacrifices, all the pain, had been worth it.

The air crackled with energy as Xiao Yan launched himself at Tian Hao once more, his fists glowing with violent Dou Qi. Tian Hao effortlessly dodged the attack, his expression now one of mild amusement. It was clear that Tian Hao was not struggling in this fight. He had long since gauged Xiao Yan's strength and found it lacking.

"You've improved, Xiao Yan," Tian Hao said, his voice calm but tinged with disappointment. "But you still lack control. You're trying to force everything, pushing yourself beyond your limits. That's not how true power is wielded."

Xiao Yan's chest tightened at the words. His mind raced, and the flickering images of his past—his family, his friends, his purpose—flashed before him. He had once fought to protect the people he loved, to bring justice to the world. Now, all he seemed to care about was power. Was it worth it? Was it worth losing everything for the sake of strength?

But the system spoke again, its cold, emotionless voice cutting through his thoughts.

> "Target locked: Tian Hao. Success probability: 80%. Power exceeding maximum output in 10 seconds."

Without thinking, Xiao Yan pushed forward, launching a massive surge of energy toward Tian Hao. The force was so strong that it shook the very air, creating a shockwave that reverberated throughout the fortress. Tian Hao, however, remained calm, raising his hand to meet the blast.

The collision of their powers sent a shockwave through the fortress, a blinding light flooding the room. When the dust finally settled, Xiao Yan stood panting, his body trembling from the effort. His vision swam, and he staggered, his knees buckling slightly.

Tian Hao stood across from him, untouched. His calm gaze met Xiao Yan's, and for a brief moment, there was something like pity in his eyes.

"You're not ready," Tian Hao said softly. "You've thrown away everything that once made you human, all for the sake of power. Do you even remember why you started this journey?"

Xiao Yan's breath hitched. The words dug deep into his soul, resonating with an undeniable truth. He had sacrificed so much for strength, but in doing so, he had lost something precious—his sense of self, his humanity. He had let the system dictate his every move, each battle taking him further away from who he had once been.

The system's voice broke the silence once more, but this time, it was different. There was an urgency, a sense of finality in its tone.

> "Life force absorption critical. System lockdown initiated."

Xiao Yan stumbled, feeling the weight of his body pressing down on him. His energy reserves had been depleted. His mind was clouded, and his thoughts felt sluggish. He had pushed himself too far, and now, the consequences were catching up with him. His body ached, and the familiar hunger for more power seemed farther away than ever.

Tian Hao stepped forward, his eyes cold but with a hint of regret. "This is where your path ends, Xiao Yan. Power isn't everything. And sometimes, the cost of it is more than one can bear."

Xiao Yan looked up, his vision blurry. He wanted to fight, to rise and continue. But he couldn't. The realization hit him like a tidal wave. He had been so focused on leveling up, on becoming stronger, that he had lost sight of everything else.

"I..." Xiao Yan's voice was barely a whisper. "I didn't... mean for it to be like this."

Tian Hao's expression softened, just for a moment. "You've been consumed by your ambition. But it's not too late. If you can find a way to balance your desire for power with who you are, you may still have a chance."

Xiao Yan closed his eyes, his body giving in to the exhaustion. His heart felt heavy, the weight of his actions finally crashing down on him. The system's voice was silent now, and for the first time in a long while, Xiao Yan felt... alone. The emptiness inside him was unbearable, and the realization that he had lost his way was more painful than any physical wound he had ever suffered.

The ground beneath him trembled once more, and he knew that the battle was over. But the war within himself had only just begun. He had to make a choice. Would he continue down this path of destruction, or would he find a way to reclaim the man he once was?

The answer seemed unclear, lost in the fog of his own mind. But deep down, Xiao Yan knew that the price of power was more than he could afford.

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