Chapter 10: Lu Xinran's Blood-curdling Defeat!

The dueling arena.

Lu Xinran stood on the platform, head lowered, trembling slightly.

Li Ran stood opposite her, his hands behind his back, at ease and carefree.

The two presented a stark contrast.

This commotion had caused quite a stir, attracting nearly all of the main peak's disciples.

A boisterous crowd gathered around the platform.

"What's going on?"

"the Holy Son is going to have a duel with his Junior Sister!"

"Cough, what did you say? Isn't this an ant trying to shake a giant tree?"

"Junior Sister Lu has angered the Holy Son. She's really in trouble this time."

"I warned her before, not to pester the Holy Son all the time, or she'd regret it for sure!"

"Junior Sister Lu has great talent. I hope the Holy Son will go easy and not ruin her foundation."

"With the Holy Son's cold character, I'm afraid Junior Sister Lu... sigh!"

Meanwhile, the female disciples who had a good relationship with Lu Xinran had gone to plead with the elders.

Anyone who provoked the Holy Son never had a good outcome.

Only the elders could possibly save Lu Xinran now!

Not far away, an enchanting figure gracefully descended, her phoenix-like gaze firmly locked onto Li Ran.

"Ran'er?"

...

On the platform.

Li Ran raised his index finger and said lightly, "The gap between our realms is immense, and I won't bully you. I won't utilize my cultivation or any spiritual tools, only this single finger."

"For the duration of an incense stick burning, you can use any means within your power to land a hit on me. If you manage to strike me, you win."

No cultivation, just a single finger?

This was blatant contempt!

"Am I really so far beneath his notice?" Lu Xinran felt a bit wronged.

"Are you ready?"

"I am!"

Lu Xinran slowly clenched her fist, determination flashing in her eyes.

Even though she knew she wasn't a match, she was going to give it her all to prove herself.

She had the right to stand by the Holy Son's side!

"Then let's begin."

Li Ran beckoned with his finger, relaxed and defenseless.

Lu Xinran exhaled, her Qi Refinement cultivation surging into motion.

"Instant, Shadow, Kill!"

She vanished with a "whoosh," reappearing behind Li Ran in an instant, her hands forming knife-like strikes aimed at his neck.

Hidden Gauze Sect's secret technique – Instant Shadow Kill!

Her figure transformed into a shadow, striking for a fatal blow!

However, the instant her hands swung forward, a slender finger pressed against her throat.

Lu Xinran's eyes widened.

"Why are you calling out so loudly, are you afraid others won't notice your attack? Try again," Li Ran retracted his finger, his tone casual.

"Hoo~"

Lu Xinran adjusted her mindset and transformed into a shadow once more, launching herself at Li Ran.

Yet, no matter from which angle she emerged, that finger appeared like a specter, always finding its way to exploit her vulnerabilities.

Bang!

With a single finger, Li Ran flicked her away. "Faster!"

Bang!

"Quicker, too slow!"

Bang!

"Still too slow! Is this your full strength?"

Bang!

Lu Xinran was sent flying, crashing heavily onto the platform.

She staggered to her feet, her clothes covered in dust, a trickle of blood flowing from the corner of her mouth. She looked utterly disheveled.

Pain shot from the points where she had been struck, as if her very bones were about to break.

Meanwhile, Li Ran stood with his hands behind his back, his white robes untouched by even a speck of dust.

The disciples in the audience covered their eyes.

It was a miserable sight.

Too miserable!

Was this the fate of those who offended the Holy Son?

"Lord Holy Son, please spare her!"

Elder Sun rushed over in haste.

Lu Xinran had high talent, second only to Li Ran within the Hidden Gauze Sect. She was his proudest disciple.

Her lower cultivation realm was due to her shorter time in practice.

"For the sake of my teachings, she mustn't come to harm!"

Elder Sun was about to ascend the platform when a terrifying pressure struck, forcing him back to the ground.

He turned around in shock, only to find Leng Wuyan standing behind him.

"Sect Master Leng!" Elder Sun hastily knelt on one knee.

An unseen force lifted him up, and Leng Wuyan calmly remarked, "Don't interfere, watch closely."

"But..."

Elder Sun wanted to say something, but ultimately held back.

"Even the Sect Master isn't intervening... Xinran, this time there's truly no one who can save you," Elder Sun sighed silently.

...

In the arena.

Li Ran shook his head dismissively. "Can't hold on anymore? There are only ten breaths left. You can choose to give up."

"Xinran, give up!"

"He's the Holy Son; losing to him isn't embarrassing!"

"Yeah, don't force yourself. You've reached your limit!"

The disciples below anxiously shouted.

With her cute appearance and gentle personality, Lu Xinran was quite popular among the disciples. Nobody wanted anything to happen to her.

"I haven't reached my limit yet. I still have a chance!"

Lu Xinran wiped the blood from her lips and looked determined. "Holy Son, I will make you acknowledge me!"

"Oh, then continue," Li Ran said nonchalantly.

"Okay."

Lu Xinran activated her technique to the utmost, her whole body becoming blurred, as if merging with her own shadow.

"Instant Prison · Shadow Kill!"

Her body burst open, turning into countless shadows that surged toward Li Ran.

Her true form was hidden within the shadows, making it almost impossible to lock onto her with divine sense.

The disciples below stared wide-eyed, shocked by the unexpectedly formidable combat strength of their usually silly junior sister.

"What you show me is nothing but a mere parlor trick."

Li Ran casually pointed, and a muffled grunt sounded in the air.

The fierce winds suddenly ceased, and Lu Xinran's body froze mid-air, Li Ran's finger resting on her forehead.

"Spurt!"

Lu Xinran spat out blood, like a kite with its string cut, crashing onto the arena as if lifeless.

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