"Goddamn it…"
At that moment, Hun Feng had a single phrase running through his mind: "Goddamn it all."
His expression was sour and unpleasant.
He couldn't figure out what Hun Yu was trying to prove.Was he implying that Hun Feng was someone easy to bully?
Watching the rapidly forming phantom finger overhead, Hun Feng had no choice—he was being forced to use his divine-grade bloodline.
Otherwise, with the meager Dou Qi remaining in his body, he wouldn't be able to fully cast his Sky-Seizing Palm, much less withstand Hun Yu's desperate Heaven-Crushing Finger.
Hun Yu was clearly gambling it all, forcing Hun Feng to do the same.
If Hun Feng didn't fight with everything he had—he would die.
There was no way around it. Hun Yu was risking it all, and now, so must Hun Feng.
Even if he were to somehow win in the end, it was likely he'd be too injured to continue in the tournament.
As Hun Yu had said himself:"If I can't have it, neither can you."
Both of them had activated their divine bloodlines. No matter who emerged victorious, neither would be in any condition to fight again.
High in the arena stands, Hun Dun, the appointed referee, frowned.
He looked toward the center seat where Hun Tiandi sat.
This was something that could not be decided on his own.By tradition, elders had no right to interfere in battles between younger clan members.If they did, the nature of the fight would change entirely.
Hun Tiandi gazed at the two youths clashing so recklessly, his eyes briefly flashing with a strange emotion before returning to calm.
Noticing Hun Dun's glance, Hun Tiandi gave a subtle nod.
That single nod was enough:Intervene.
After all, no matter who won or lost, a mutual destruction between Hun Yu and Hun Feng would benefit no one—least of all Hun Tiandi himself.
And more importantly—if both were crippled, what room would remain for Hun Xiu's moment to shine?
So no matter what, these two could not destroy each other here.
From below, Hun Xiu watched the desperate clash unfolding above.
He muttered to himself:"These two are insane."
"Looks like if you can end a fight in one move, don't waste time with two. If fists can solve it, don't waste time talking."
The other elders remained silent, though they too were filled with thoughts.Out of respect for Hun Tiandi—and the presence of Gu Yuan—they didn't speak.
They trusted that the clan leader would handle it.
Elsewhere, Hun Huan'er watched the escalating conflict, a faint smile curling on her lips.
If the two strongest contenders destroyed each other—she would be the one to benefit.
Originally, she hadn't even had a chance at second place.But now?
If Hun Yu and Hun Feng both collapsed, her opportunity had come.
"Yes, fight! Keep going! Once you're both done for, Lord Void's flame will belong to me, Hun Huan'er!"
She could barely contain her excitement and mentally cheered them on.
Above the stage, the battle had reached the brink.The two were about to unleash their final moves.
Having received Hun Tiandi's command, Hun Dun finally stepped forward.
He raised a hand—an invisible and overwhelming force swept forth.
The phantom finger and the massive palmprint—both meticulously gathered and compressed by Hun Yu and Hun Feng—were instantly dissolved.
Even the fierce aura surrounding them began to fade away.
"Elder!" the two said simultaneously, startled.
Hun Dun's expression was calm.
"The outcome has been decided.""This is a family competition, not a life-or-death match. A contest of skill—nothing more."
"There's no need to go this far."
Then he turned and declared:
"The winner—Hun Feng."
"Thank you, Elder," Hun Feng said respectfully, cupping his fist with a relaxed smile.
Thank goodness Elder Hun Dun intervened—otherwise, even if he had won, he would've been too crippled to continue.
He would've lost all hope of obtaining Lord Void's sub-flame.
Hun Dun ignored Hun Feng and instead turned to the bruised and breathless Hun Yu.
"Hun Yu, are you satisfied with my decision?"
"I wouldn't dare object," Hun Yu answered quietly, bowing.
Hierarchy in the Hun Clan was strict—he wouldn't dream of arguing with an elder.
"Good."
Hun Dun then turned to address the rest of the younger generation.
"Let this be the last time anyone uses their divine bloodline in a competition like this.""I don't want to see it happen again."
"Understood." × (from all)
The rest of the day passed in a flurry of matches.
"Hun Dan—wins."
"Hun Qiu—wins."
"Hun Huan'er—wins."
…
By nightfall, under a bright moon and scattered stars, the first day of the clan competition concluded.
Out of the total 50 matches scheduled, 25 had been completed and 25 participants had advanced.
The rest would continue the following day.
In Hun Yu's courtyard…
Hun Yu stood beneath a large tree.
It wasn't just any tree—it was the one he had planted with his mother before she left.Over the years, it had grown tall and strong.
Now, Hun Yu stood beneath its shade, lost in thought.
"Were you trying to prove something today?"
A voice sounded behind him—quiet and sudden.
Hun Tiandi had arrived, without a sound.
"Fath—"
Hun Yu turned around, startled and about to speak, but quickly forced his words down.
Instead, he bowed respectfully.
"Clan leader, what brings you here?"
"What brings me?"Hun Tiandi's voice was ice-cold.
Then—his aura erupted violently.
CRACK!
Hun Yu couldn't withstand the pressure. His knees buckled and he dropped to the ground.
Head bowed, he dared not look up.
He didn't need to see his father's face to know—Hun Tiandi was furious.
Hun Tiandi's voice rumbled coldly:
"You know very well—I do not tolerate chaos within the clan.""You younger ones can have your rivalries, but there is no need to stake your lives on them."
"If you want to prove you're stronger than Hun Feng—train harder."
His aura intensified again.
SPLURT!
Blood sprayed from Hun Yu's mouth.
The crushing force pressed him against the ground like a dead dog, unable to move.
He struggled, trying to rise, but the pressure locked his limbs in place.
Hun Tiandi looked down at him with no emotion.
"This is your punishment for today. Think hard on it."
With those final words, he vanished—just as suddenly as he had appeared.
Left alone, Hun Yu clenched his fists, wiping the blood from his mouth.
Gritting his teeth, he looked into the silent courtyard.
"I'll prove it to you… I'm not weaker than Hun Feng."