The Dawn of the New World

A gust of cold air blew through the grounds carrying the bloody mist along with it. Hao Xuan's chest heaved up and down in excruciating pain as he tried to keep his footing.

There was a numbing pain in his left heart as if there was something trying to break out, not to mention the rest of his body which felt like it was about to fall apart at any moment. Still, he couldn't let it show. Appearances needed to be kept at such a crucial time.

He looked to the stands and shouted.

"Is that good enough for you?"

Dai Zhi, finally brought back from his stupor walked forward. His expression contorted from anger while his voice full of fury echoed in the entire colosseum.

"I ordered you to stop. Why didn't you?!"

"I couldn't. I said beforehand, I won't be able to hold back in the heat of the moment."

"You SHOULD have! Even if it cost your pathetic little life you should have stopped yourself before it was too late!"

Dai Zhi's forefingers twirled in the air and the space around Hao Xuan started to constrict. It felt like two invisible walls were trying to squish him in between.

He finally couldn't take it anymore and threw all decorum to the wind.

"Dai Zhi, are you breaking Lord Inquisitor's promise?!" he reminded him.

Dai Zhi instantly froze in his place before slowly looking back towards the man in question.

The Abysswalker was still sitting on his throne casually watching the scene unfold. He waved his hand lazily and Hao Xuan suddenly appeared back within the domed hall.

"The child is right, I did give him my word. There is nothing for you to worry about. No one blames you for the 'outcome' of the battle," he met Dai Zhi's gaze as he said the last few words and both him and Hao Xuan realized the meaning behind those words.

He couldn't be condemned for the outcome of the battle but there can be any number of other things that could be blamed on him, anything Dai Zhi could cook up would be sufficient, the ball was entirely in his court.

Dai Zhi's lips arched into a cheerful smile while Hao Xuan remained expressionless.

'Sons of bitches, all of you,' he cursed inwardly while looking around. For some reason he looked directly towards Princess Ceni who still had tears in her eyes. But she quickly looked away and tried to clean her face out of sight.

Hao Xuan looked towards these many faces one more time. He wanted to try a few more things but there was not going to be the chance for that from how the situation was unfolding.

To everyone's surprise Hao Xuan suddenly laughed out loud while clapping.

"Now that the formalities are out of the way, I would like to congratulate the happy couple!"

His smile was so sincere that even the ones that wanted him dead were surprised. It sounded like he really meant it. And Hao Xuan didn't give them enough time to ponder the meaning of it for too long either.

He stepped forward, still oozing blood from various places. Being so close to him they could feel his unsteady blood flow and almost non-existent spiritual energy. Right now he wasn't really a threat to anyone.

Dai Zhi raised his hand to stop him but the Abysswalker gestured for him not to interfere. He was curious and wanted to see what Hao Xuan was trying to do.

To someone like him it was all just a game, a form of entertainment.

Under the careful scrupulous gazes of the entire domed hall Hao Xuan slowly walked up to where Tian Zheng was sitting and extended his hand.

"Congratulations brother."

He sounded more honest than anyone else so far like he was truly happy for him.

'Is he trying to get on their good sides?'

'What a coward. At least die like a man with some dignity.'

'Pfft, what can you expect from a low-born?'

Hushed whispers of his intentions echoed in the hall.

Tian Zheng looked towards Dai Zhi for confirmation who nodded in return. If Hao Xuan tried anything he would kill him instantly. All his attention was focused on him.

Tian Zheng didn't say anything but still reluctantly offered his hand in exchange as well. Hao Xuan grabbed it, his smile widening to extraordinary levels.

'Plunder!'

Hao Xuan used an ability that he had almost completely forgotten about, the ability to steal other people's luck. (CH 532/533)

The moment he thought of the word a sudden feeling of fullness crept into his body. It felt like a hunger that he didn't even know he had was satisfied in its entirety.

Tian Zheng felt the change inside him as well. It was unlike he had ever felt before and it vanished as soon as it appeared.

"What did you do?!" he asked in a low voice.

He wanted to attack him but he wasn't even sure what he did to him. It was a simple feeling of loss.

Hao Xuan chuckled, "Just some well wishes, brother. No need to be so nervous."

"Who the hell is nervous- Oi!"

Before he was finished talking Hao Xuan had already moved to the other side. He was standing in front of Princess Ceni bowing lightly with one hand extended. A kiss on the ring to show his loyalty and support.

Her troubled gaze met Hao Xuan's. Just like everyone else she was also in the dark. Was he really congratulating her?

'How could you be so mean?' she thought to herself but the very next moment his voice ran inside her head.

'Take my hand, quick!' he ordered.

"Huh?"

Taken aback, her body moved of its own volition. Even now she trusted him despite him not giving her any reason to.

Dai Zhi's brow furrowed as he saw her reach out. An uneasy feeling suddenly took root in his heart and he shouted "STOP!"

Princess Ceni's body froze on the spot. Hao Xuan sighed. She was mere inches away so naturally he reached out and grabbed her hand before meeting Dai Zhi's gaze.

"I will see you very soon, fuck boy."

And by the time he was finished talking both Hao Xuan and Ceni had disappeared from the hall.