Thriller Paradise

At the same time, two shadows floated above the barrens. The players naturally would not see these creatures from a higher dimension. Even the system could not capture them.

"Can you please explain to me this situation, Mr. Referee?" War studied the two below them and asked in his growling voice. Simon who floated beside him did not answer but moved his eyes to War.

"Why are you… looking at me like that… Are you going to fight me?" War's expression shifted.

"What do you want me to explain?" Simon spoke and that caused War to sigh in relief. War answered, "Of course, to explain this change in Wang Tanzhi."

Simon's voice was still as cutting as frost. "Who knows… perhaps some kind of 'shackles' have been broken…"

"So, you think I will buy that kind of nonsense… Humph… Fine. I'll ignore what's happening to him but we have to discuss the main issue…" War continued, "Based on the rules of the gamble, we cannot bet on the direct descendent of Wang Family and Gu Family. They are, in other words, outsiders. But Seven Kills, he is…"

"Seeing your chess piece about to get beaten by an outsider, you came to complain to the referee?" Simon interrupted.

"If you do not wish to maintain the balance…" War said, "Then I can do it for you."

"Hah…" Simon laughed. He rarely did so. This was not a good sign. "Since the start of this bet, I have already killed many people in the name of the referee, ranging from angels to devils at the crossroad." He paused for a moment, "Do you wish to become the first sacrifice from the 'Pantheon'?"

War was silent for a few seconds like he was gauging something before saying, "Watch your words, demon. I do not answer to you." His voice suddenly took on a strange rhythm like it was another thing speaking inside that humanoid shell. "I am the source of your bloodlust… As powerful as you are, you will never truly exterminate a 'knight'."

"Do you know how many existences that call themselves 'immortal' I have vanquished so far?" Simon replied darkly.

"Of course I do… You are the stopgap for 'permanence', the crusher of 'life'." War said, "But I stand by my point."

"You can do that of course," Simon said, "As long as you do not cross the line…"

War said darkly. "You mean… for me to sit watching Seven Kills being eliminated by this 'outsider'?"

Simon sighed and moved his gaze back to the ground below him. "A loss may turn out to be a gain, misfortune may be actual luck."

"Oh?" War was startled. "Do you mean there is something in the final…"

"Risks and reward are always proportional." Simon interrupted the man again. "This Tournament for the Best… is not as simple as you think."

…

This is strange… What is that arrogant and war-hungry expression on the young man? Seven Kills studied Xiao Tan several meters away. In my memory, Brother Wang is not someone who will act like that…

"There's internal bleeding, huh…" Xiao Tan spoke to himself. "The Life Points dropped to 29 percent already…" He stood up, picked up the thorns, and said coldly, "Let's end this in a minute."

"Oh? Haha…" Seven Kills laughed as he replied. "I really don't know where you get this newfound confidence… But sure, give that a try."

Xiao Tan stopped talking. He took one step forward and leaped into the sky. He arced across the sky toward his enemy.

My speed is still slower than him, but his strength is stronger than before. Seven Kills assessed the situation. Using Soul's Eye, I can increase the speed and power of his punch to 3 times its normal status… Other than that, I have far more fighting experience than he does… He calmed down. This match is over… he is just bluffing!

Seven Kills looked at Xiao Tan that leaped at him and said in a low groan. "Humph… You are just a punching bag that is flying at me using this kind of normal forward leap!" He raised his fist, holding nothing back.

Xiao Tan's body that was dropping suddenly changed directly and rolled upward. Seven Kills scoffed. "Do you think you can evade my attack that way?" His fist changed direction and turned into an uppercut. Even though his fist couldn't touch Xiao Tan, the aura propelled forward like a cannonball. And it hit… another illusion.

At that moment, the man in the air split into two. The shadow moved upward while the real body turned around and came downward. Xiao Tan used 3 skills in 2 seconds, combining Ephemeral Shade and the Mantra to create this assassination moment. The thorns sang as it thrust forward. Seven Kills' reflexes were fast. He used his already raised right hand to block the incoming thorn that aimed at his neck.

Clang… and sparks flew. Then, there was the sound of bone breaking…

"How is that… possible…" Seven Kills' metallic braces did not break but the force from the thrust shattered his forearm.

"What is this power…" Seven Kills was confounded, and he wavered. His ribs are already broken; a normal attack won't be so powerful… but this… it has to be a skill! In that case, a skill will have cooldown and it cannot be used continuously… Ergh!

Clink! Clang!

Xiao Tan weaved both of his hands around and continued his assault. The two blades danced in the air, creating an illusion of a wall of blades. His movement was awe-inspiring. In that moment, it appeared like there were two assassins attacking Seven Kills. One was holding the thorns and the other the claw. They attacked their victim from both sides. Seven Kills was caught out in the open. He could not tend to his broken right arm. He resisted the pain and struck out both fists as he tried to retreat…

Their weapons met and the collision of aura exploded. In less than 10 seconds, Seven Kills found himself cornered. He was shocked. What is going on! This is not a normal fighting skill… Is this the legendary dual-fighting style? And what about his sudden increase in strength that has not decreased?

Xiao Tan looked as ease, like he was doing something that couldn't be simpler… Seeing as he had his opponent cornered, he leaned his upper body forward and slid two steps forward; the muscle in his left hand tightened as his right hand gave a wide slash. The combination of skills aimed to kill.

At this point, Seven Kills knew he had to give it his all. He gave up the defense and twisted his body around into a leap, picking the wind as he twirled. The fists borrowed the wind and he used all of his Stamina Points to activate his ultimate, Shadow Wave Break.

Xiao Tan though used a rather strange movement… as he arched his back and kicked against the surface of the stone with his toes, he chased after the shadow and used a movement that mimicked a swallow turning in the air and used both Reverse Spinning Slash and Shadow Soul Impel.

The collision of the ultimate caused the gales to slash at everything. The invisible force was gathering and exploding simultaneously. Like a ravaging storm, it left many cuts on the surrounding rocks. Several seconds later, the dust settled, and the battle ended… The only sound was the drop of blood splatting against the rocks.

Seven Kills knelt to the ground on one knee, his body covered in blood. He gritted his teeth as he tried to stand up but as he tried to gather strength. The wounds on his body burst open and blood sprayed out like mist. Looking from above, it looked like a blood flower blooming in the dry desert.

Waves of pain swallowed Seven Kills and soon the last breath left him.

The spirit, mind, and body had left… The match was decided.

Xiao Tan stood before the man. When Seven Kill's blood landed on his face, he did not even flinch. Since the moment of his awakening, other than the Life Points loss from internal bleeding, he did not receive any damage from his opponent. When he fought Seven Kills, his every attack was faster, stronger, and more accurate than his opponent. The two blades in his arms sliced through Seven Kills' bones and nerves while Seven Kills' attacks… Either missed or were blocked.

"See, told you it will take less than a minute." Xiao Tan put away the blades and ended the match with this comment.

At that moment, Seven Kills dissolved into a white light and was teleported away.

The audience who was watching the livestream was shocked beyond words. Only one person mumbled with his pair of dead fisheyes. "It seems like… something highly annoying has happened…"