Batian Martial Soul

Chapter 14568: Fighting for Resources

Ling Xiao grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. He casually twirled a withered branch in his hand, making a simple sword flourish. Although the movement was slow, it was precisely aimed at the tailbone of the wild beast, the very spot that had previously severely injured it!

The wild beast let out a low growl and subconsciously took two steps back, not daring to go forward.

Only then did it realize that none of its "companions" had come with it, and it was alone to face this cunning, ruthless human who specialized in attacking the lower body... Instinctive fear eventually overwhelmed its mad killing intent.

The man and the beast stared at each other for a few moments. The beast let out a low growl of resentment, then turned and scurried into the forest with its tail between its legs, disappearing without a trace.

Ling Xiao finally let out a long breath, feeling completely exhausted. He slid down to the ground, leaning against the tree trunk, sweat dripping down his face and soaking the soil beneath him.

He shook his head and smiled bitterly. Having lost his demonic energy and divine weapons, his combat power had decreased by more than a hundred times.

If only he had been able to muster even a sliver of energy or unleash his martial spirit, he wouldn't be in such a sorry state.

But it was precisely this state of "having nothing" that gave him a deeper understanding of the essence of "martial arts".

Pure martial arts may be about cutting through all illusions and obstacles by relying solely on martial skills and inner conviction, without relying on external things.

As the senior in white said, he was still far from achieving the kind of return to simplicity that Grandpa Hong Qi had shown.

However, the direction is now clear, and the demonic heart is no longer confused.

That's enough.

After meditating and restoring some of his strength, Ling Xiao got up, determined his direction, and headed towards the place he had agreed upon with Su Miao.

Not far ahead, a dark figure emerged from behind a boulder; it was Su Miao.

She looked Ling Xiao up and down. His robes were tattered and he was covered in dust, but his eyes were clear and bright, showing no sign of dejection. Instead, they revealed a sharpness that had been tempered by hardship.

"How did you escape?"

Su Miao's tone remained indifferent, yet she couldn't hide a hint of curiosity.

Surrounded by hundreds of wild beasts, she thought Ling Xiao was doomed.

Ling Xiao smiled and said it casually.

"It's just a small trick, not worth mentioning."

Su Miao stared at him for a few seconds, and seeing that he was unwilling to say more, she stopped asking and instead said...

"Are you in such a hurry to get to the 'Aperture of Life and Death'?"

Ling Xiao nodded, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes.

"With the external situation uncertain and powerful enemies surrounding us, I cannot stay here any longer."

The threat from the Sanctuary hung like a sword of Damocles over his head; he had to improve his combat strength as soon as possible and leave this Death Arena of the Dead.

"follow me."

Su Miao turned and led the way, her steps light yet cautious.

The two traveled quickly and returned to the lonely village.

Su Miao led him straight to the center of the village, where they saw an ancient array made of unknown blue crystals embedded in the ground. The complex patterns resembled a star map and emitted subtle spatial fluctuations, feeling cool to the touch.

"Teleportation array?"

A look of surprise flashed in Ling Xiao's eyes.

"It can be considered one of the nodes that maintain the trials here."

Su Miao explained.

“Similar villages are scattered throughout the arena, and each village has a key point in the formation.”

“Every ten days, the array core will automatically receive ‘supplies’ from the outside, including a small amount of healing medicine, a ‘Deathmatch Token’, and ten ‘Source Crystals’.”

She paused and added.

"Only by having control of the village's core can one obtain these resources regularly, especially the 'Deathmatch Token,' which is the only token to enter the arena of life and death, and none of them can be missing."

Ling Xiao suddenly realized.

"So this village... is a strategically vital location?"

No wonder Su Miao was so wary of him at first; every inch of resources here could mean life or death.

"good."

Su Miao nodded, her expression solemn.

"I picked up the last supply three days ago."

"In another hour, the new supplies will be delivered."

"At that time, other trial participants will inevitably come to snatch it."

She looked at Ling Xiao, her gaze sharp.

"You help me guard this supply."

"As a reward, the 'Deathmatch Order' in the supply is yours, and I will also give you three Source Crystals, enough for your first time betting on stage."

"how?"

"it is good!"

Ling Xiao agreed without hesitation.

This is exactly what he needs most right now, and there is no reason for him to hesitate.

Su Miao's expression grew increasingly solemn, and her tone became icy.

"Don't be careless."

"No one here is an easy character when it comes to surviving and competing for resources."

"You may be a prodigy in the outside world, possessing extraordinary cultivation, but here, everyone is brought back to the same starting line. What matters is the purest martial arts skills, the most tenacious will, and the most ruthless survival wisdom."

"Underestimating anyone can cost you your life."

"Will this place... truly be a place of death?"

Ling Xiao confirmed in a deep voice.

"The Death Arena of Absolute Spirits lives up to its name."

Su Miao's voice was devoid of any warmth.

"All the harm and death here is real."

"The formation only prohibits extraordinary power, not killing."

"To die here is to truly be annihilated, with no chance of a second chance."

Ling Xiao took a deep breath, slowly clenched his fist, and the last trace of hope in his eyes faded, leaving only extreme sharpness and determination.

"understood."

The two said no more and each seized advantageous positions on either side of the formation's core. Ling Xiao leaned against the blue crystal, his gaze sweeping across every shadow in the village like a hawk; Su Miao, on the other hand, pressed herself against the dilapidated earthen wall, her aura completely concealed, like a cheetah poised to pounce.

In the tense silence, only the night wind swirling withered leaves across the ground, making a soft, rustling sound, adding to the somber atmosphere.

Time passed in the silent standoff.

Half an hour later, clear footsteps echoed from the village entrance, their heavy thuds echoing on the gravel, carrying a domineering sense of oppression, unhurried yet terrifying at every step.

A shirtless young man walked slowly towards them, his muscles clearly defined and gleaming with a bronze sheen, each step causing the ground to tremble slightly.

He carried a heavy, dark-colored cleaver on his shoulder. The blade was as black as ink, but the edge was polished to a gleaming shine, with faint traces of dark red blood visible, exuding a bloodthirsty ferocity.

The young man's gaze swept over Ling Xiao first, with a somewhat condescending scrutiny, then landed on Su Miao. He grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth, and uttered a single word, rough as sand.

"roll."

Su Miao gave Ling Xiao a wink, her lips moving silently.

"I'll handle this; you keep an eye on the key points of the formation!"

Before she finished speaking, she shot out like an arrow, crouching low, her speed leaving a trail of afterimages in the air, heading straight for the young man's vital center!

The young man grinned maliciously, neither dodging nor avoiding, his arm muscles bulging, and when he swung his giant sword, it brought with it a shrill whistle, seemingly carrying the force of wind and thunder, and he slashed at the head with the power to split mountains and shatter rocks!

The clash of pure power and speed reveals his terrifying control over his physical body.

boom!

The force of the fist collided with the energy of the sword, and the shockwave exploded, sending fallen leaves and pebbles flying everywhere!

Su Miao swayed slightly, her blood churning from the immense force, but she used the recoil to instantly spring back, her toes leaving a shallow indentation in the ground as she touched the ground. She then followed like a shadow, her body blurring as she charged forward again, her fists like a whirlwind, targeting the young man's elbows, knees, and sides—his vulnerable spots—with lightning speed and deadly precision. (End of Chapter)