Universe Infinite Canteen

Chu Qianyuan's gaze shifted slightly, "The death of our master..."

Yuan Xiaoyun shook his head, "I am not such a beast. Although those people urged me to kill our master, my life was given by him, and I would never harm him. Indeed, his death was a flare-up of his old illness."

Hearing this, Chu Qianyuan's expression softened slightly.

Yuan Xiaoyun continued, "This time I used the Lotus Bowl to cause trouble for the Heavenly Dragon Sect. On one hand, I wanted to eliminate a powerful enemy for the Beggars' Sect, and on the other, I wanted to take the opportunity to get rid of everyone involved in the incident from that year.

"Because I want to live openly and honorably, like you, a true man should stand tall and upright. How can he be controlled by others?"

As he spoke, Yuan Xiaoyun puffed out his chest and gripped the strange weapon in his hand tightly, his eyes steadfast.
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"Elder brother, if you intend to stop me, then I will have to kick you aside as well. After I deal with our younger brother, we brothers can then see who is superior!"

After Yuan Xiaoyun finished speaking, he unleashed another Mirrored Lotus and his strange weapon jabbed quickly toward Ma Lu's Qi residence acupoint.

Ma Lu countered with his sword, but after a dull clang, his sword was knocked aside. Yuan Xiaoyun's strange weapon deviated slightly but still managed to stab a hole in Ma Lu's chest, causing him intense pain.

Not only were all 14 points of his parry gone, but his last 9 Health Points were also reduced to zero.

However, although he staggered a few steps, he did not fall.

A look of astonishment appeared on Yuan Xiaoyun's face as he watched Ma Lu's health bar rise from 0 to 106, 30 points more than his current health.

Seeing the three-digit health figure, a hint of panic finally appeared in Yuan Xiaoyun's eyes.

No, if you're going to hide health, how can the visible health be less than the hidden?

And given how Ma Lu looked like he was in unbearable pain just now, Yuan Xiaoyun truly thought he was about to die.

He had never imagined that such a great martial artist, who had not suffered much injury before, would have such a low tolerance for pain.

Chu Qianyuan also thought Ma Lu was going to be harmed by Yuan Xiaoyun. Outraged but restricted by the rules of the game, he could only watch helplessly the tragic conflict among fellow disciples unfold.

Little did he know, the situation would turn around in a blink of an eye.

Yuan Xiaoyun hadn't yet played all his cards, but the remaining cards were ones he dared not, and could not, play.

Now that Ma Lu held the Heaven and Human Sensing, if Yuan Xiaoyun played any moves related to Unity of Heaven and Man, it would be a path to his own destruction, guaranteed to trigger a negative effect.

Although Yuan Xiaoyun had a premonition that delaying till the next round would more likely spell doom for him, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and end his turn.

Ma Lu, having been stabbed all over, finally got a chance to fight back.

Moreover, in his attempt to kill Ma Lu swiftly this round, Yuan Xiaoyun had exhausted his True Qi, not even managing to play the Body Protection Card.

Although his Health Points had increased by 20 to 96, just as Yuan Xiaoyun himself feared, before Ma Lu's formidable explosive power, a triple-digit health bar was as good as a single-digit one.

Ma Lu used his Lightfoot Card for accelerated card drawing, pulling 5 cards in one breath.

At last, he found the card he needed.

Then, without looking at his cards, he just snatched the middle one and threw it, his entire form soon soaring into the air like a giant bird.

—Golden Crow Westward!

Both Yuan Xiaoyun and Chu Qianyuan recognized this move almost simultaneously—it was the Sixth Form of the Innate Pure Yang Palm, and with Ma Lu's 8th Level cultivation, its power reached an astounding 109 points.

Yuan Xiaoyun could not withstand such a terrifying strike. Despite his full effort to dodge to the side, he was still struck by the palm on his left chest.

With a snap, Yuan Xiaoyun's left chest was completely smashed by the palm.

He spat out a mouthful of blood and toppled straight backwards, his once considerable life instantaneously reduced to zero.

Meanwhile, Ma Lu's body had also left the game.

He had won!

Ma Lu had wanted to make a celebratory gesture, but he winced in pain when he moved his wound.

Chu Qianyuan had already flashed to his side and took out an elixir.

"Younger apprentice brother, quickly take this healing pill," he said.

Afterward, he moved to Yuan Xiaoyun's side, who was already breathing faintly and seemed on the verge of death.

However, seeing Chu Qianyuan, he still managed to lift his head with effort.

"Elder apprentice brother, I hate it so much. If only I weren't Ren Tongtian's son, I could live under the sun like you," he said.

After speaking these last words, Yuan Xiaoyun glared with wide eyes and then fell silent forever.

Chu Qianyuan looked saddened.

He thought back to that night many years ago when Master had hurriedly returned with an infant in his arms.

Curious, he had approached and tried to touch the baby.

But Master had hurried inside to find Mistress, and the next day, he had been called into the house and informed that he had a new younger apprentice brother.

Chu Qianyuan was very happy, but Master's gaze at the infant seemed complex.

Master had then instructed him, if anyone asked, to say this was the child of a Yuan surname farmer from the west of the city whose family had been killed by bandits. He had taken the child in out of pity.

Master added, "Qianyuan, as the elder apprentice brother, you must protect your younger brother." After a pause, he continued, "Also keep an eye on him, so he doesn't stray onto the evil path."

"Master, what is the evil path?" Chu Qianyuan asked with curiosity.

"You will know in time," replied Master.

"What if my brother strays onto the evil path?"

"Kill him," Master said.

The memories from over twenty years ago emerged in his mind, but Chu Qianyuan did not dwell in remembrance for long. He soon turned his head toward a nearby alley, warily saying,

"Who goes there?"

"Protector Chu, Young Master Ma, there's no need for worry; I am not your enemy," said a voice.

As the voice spoke, a figure also emerged from the alley.

Ma Lu exclaimed softly while Chu Qianyuan said, "Younger brother, you know this person too?"

"Elder brother, you've met him too?"

Chu Qianyuan grunted, "A few days ago, I drank with Mr. Han at Drunken Goose Tower."

Ma Lu said, "I met him on the road to Yuchang County; this fellow is quite untrustworthy, never speaking a true word. Brother, you'd best be cautious."

Han Guangzhong appeared very innocent, "Young Master Ma, when have I ever deceived you?"

"Ha, you still have the nerve to ask, knowing where the Lotus Bowl was early on and not telling me. You just enjoyed watching us being kept in the dark and played for fools, right?" Ma Lu said, annoyed.

Han Guangzhong said, "It wasn't my intention to play you. I just wanted to leverage your strength to draw out the mastermind behind this.

"As for why I didn't come myself, mainly it's because my identity is a bit inconvenient. Even if I caught the person, you wouldn't believe me," he explained.