Chapter Fifty: Is He Kong Mo?

Deep within his heart, without the slightest hesitation, Xu Xing chose to lead Zi Yan to the Central Plains. Only in this way could she be healed; it was a man's duty, and more than that, a responsibility to his senior sister. Thinking of his sworn sister also being in the Central Plains, his heart could not help but feel a bit of longing—would he perhaps encounter her there?

“Have you made your decision, Xu Xing? This is what you must do. When you return, perhaps you will be able to lead Zi Yan up the Shu Mountains.” The elder spoke.

“Yes. Senior Sister Zi Yan ended up like this because of me; it’s all my fault, so I have no choice but to take responsibility!” Xu Xing replied. He walked to Zi Yan’s side and, wanting to try taking her hand, struggled within himself but ultimately gave up. Such a bold gesture was still beyond him—he remained a little shy.

At that moment, the sky, dyed as if by a beauty’s blush and as picturesque as a painting, was torn apart by a great rift. From within, a withered hand stretched out.

“Speak of the devil!” the elder cursed.

The hand at the edge of the sky pressed down upon everyone with overpowering might, forcing even the floating, white-haired elder to bow his head in defeat. The heavens trembled, the earth howled, and all present were swept into panic and fear.

“Whose hand is that on the horizon? Could it be the Ancestor of the Mo Family?”

The elder quickly drew upon his spiritual energy, and a faintly glowing circular teleportation array began to emerge.

Xu Xing looked up. The power of the man above was overwhelming; with one outstretched hand, he seemed capable of suppressing all beneath the heavens. Yet Xu Xing remained unafraid.

He had never done anything shameful to survive; everything he did was to protect himself and those he loved.

The white-haired elder, counted among the strongest, instantly moved before the rift, facing the newcomer.

“This is a son of Beihai Academy. Do you wish to challenge the very foundation of Beihai Academy?” the elder declared.

“He killed my descendants. I demand a life for a life. Not only him, but all his friends, family, and loved ones—I will annihilate them all!” The words were as cold as an iceberg’s blade, piercing deep into Xu Xing’s heart.

Some things cannot be avoided; it is better to face them head-on. Let him learn the truth for himself.

Xu Xing shouted toward the rift, “Hey, I don’t know who you are, but you should know—I’ve never done evil. All that has happened was caused by your descendants themselves. If you want a life, take mine! Don’t harm them!”

As he spoke, Xu Xing began to walk forward, but the elder grabbed him, his voice low and rough:

“Fool! Do you never consider the consequences? Do you know what will happen to my granddaughter without you?”

“Even if not me, can’t someone else take Zi Yan to the Central Plains? I am doing this to protect my friends, my family—including Zi Yan!” Xu Xing replied.

A mouthful of fresh blood burst from Xu Xing’s lips—a blow from the elder’s palm had struck him from behind.

In that instant, Xu Xing felt as if blades were slicing through every part of him, wild spiritual energy surging through his acupoints. Blood spilled and hovered in the air, which the elder then collected.

The hand from beyond the sky reached for Xu Xing; the Ancestor of the Mo Family paid no heed to the white-haired elder’s obstruction.

Fortunately, the elder blocked the giant hand, unleashing all his mystical powers. The clash of these mighty beings—each exchange of spells and divine arts—left all who witnessed it in awe and terror.

The ground beneath trembled violently, clouds were swept aside, and the very air was thick with a killing cold spiritual energy.

This earth-shattering battle rendered Xu Xing silent; above, the white-haired elder and the Ancestor of the Mo Family fought with all their strength.

Having been struck by the elder, Xu Xing initially thought the elder meant to take his life. Only after a few words did he understand everything.

Zi Yan had cared for him from the start, not out of mere affection, but because of the blood in his veins—a bloodline cursed, indescribable, as unattainable as stars to ordinary men.

“I am sorry, Elder,” Xu Xing murmured.

“It’s nothing. Even though Beihai Academy will shelter you, I still fear something may go wrong. Soon, you must leave,” the elder said, feeding Zi Yan the blood Xu Xing had just vomited.

This was Xu Xing’s mystery—his vital blood was pure beyond compare. Simply put, it could prolong life, cleanse a cultivator’s spirit root, and enhance their talents.

When Zi Yan was a child, her parents abandoned her because she constantly absorbed the spiritual energy of those around her—perhaps there were other reasons, too. The elder had raised her since then, but despite years of cultivation, Zi Yan remained at the Qi Refining stage.

Not until Xu Xing appeared, and she partook of his blood, did things finally improve.

With a thunderous crash, the white-haired elder was forced back. He could not defeat the Ancestor of the Mo Family, but managed to seal the rift with a barrier.

The Ancestor’s seething resentment swept over the field, pressing upon everyone with suffocating force. The giant corpse’s hand sought to emerge, to descend from the heavens.

“Wait! If you want Xu Xing, you’ll have to kill me first!”

A frail voice rang out from the square. All eyes turned to its source—it was Hang Ri, recognized by most present.

Hang Ri walked slowly to stand before Xu Xing, shielding him.

“Wait! If you want Xu Xing, you’ll have to kill me first.”

Another voice followed—this time, it was Su Mei.

One after another, Hang Ri, Su Mei, Zhou Yuan, and Jiang Kun spoke up, their voices stirring the fear in everyone’s hearts.

In that moment, the crowd united as one, shouting in unison:

“If you want Xu Xing, you’ll have to kill us first! We are Beihai Academy!”

Their voices, like a warm current, flowed through Xu Xing, filling him with strength.

Above, the red barrier left by the elder was slowly torn open by the giant hand.

Xu Xing no longer had any regrets. Even if he died here, he would live on forever in the hearts of others. Would that even count as death?

Even if he died, he could leave his vital blood for Zi Yan, spare his sister-in-law from further worry, and remain in the hearts of his friends.

Raising his head, he roared, “Come then, Ancestor of the Mo Family! Take my life—it has nothing to do with them!”

The barrier broke; the hands shot forward at incredible speed, reaching for Xu Xing.

At that moment, everyone gathered together, stepping before Xu Xing—everyone except a lone woman in the west: Mo Xi.

A thunderous boom resounded across the sky, as if an ancient god was splitting heaven and earth. An old man appeared.

His white robes were tattered, but his presence was strikingly familiar. With a gentle flick of his finger, the giant hand was repelled.

“Mo Kong, this is not a place for your insolence. Get out of here!” the old man ordered, his power and aura completely overwhelming the Ancestor of the Mo Family.

It was like the legendary One-Finger Zen; the force within was unmatched, instantly forcing the Ancestor’s hand back.

“Be gone, Mo He! If you dare try this again, I’ll cut off your hand and feed it to the dogs!”

The rift in the sky slowly mended itself. Mo He snorted coldly and departed.

“Kong Mo, just you wait!” he spat.

Xu Xing was stunned—this man in the sky, was that Kong Mo?

Hadn’t Kong Mo always claimed to be just an ordinary man?