Countering Death Hex

Following the thunderous challenge from Chang Peng, silence fell once more over the arena.

Shen Yuan rose from his stone seat with an unhurried grace, the usual calmness etched across his face, paired with a subtle, knowing smile. Then, in an instant, he vanished. To most of the Nirvana realm cultivators, it was as though he had teleported. But those at Elysian Realm and higher knew better, he had simply moved faster than their eyes or divine senses could track.

He reappeared on the stage like a phantom, facing Chang Peng across the battlefield.

Chang Peng's expression shifted slightly. He cupped his fists. "You might not know this, Shen Yuan, but your name still echoes through the world, even after vanishing for three hundred years."

Shen Yuan gave a soft chuckle. "Fame has never mattered to me. I've found my own path… of sorts."

Chang Peng smirked. "So it's true. You walk your path unaffected by what others think."

With a smirk and cold tone, Shen Yuan then spoke "Why would the words of others matter to me? They are just wind… ever shifting and meaningless. Curses or praises all are the same in the end, distractions and leashes people put on themselves. I simply don't wear leashes."

Hearing that the audience went silent, some seemed angry and some seemed to question their own life. The audience had turned to Shen Yuan with their resent.

"How could you say that, that is what makes us humans and gives us more worth."

"Tch… arrogance disguised as philosophy."

"We will see how long that pride lasts."

"We wear leashes cause we care. That's not wrong!"

Many more joined but none could country it, they tried to counter him and prove their point, but none could. They only scrambled to defend their fragile ways, like headless chickens.

Shen Yuan didn't even care about what they were saying and completely ignored them and looked at Chang Peng with a smirk.

Then Chang Peng spoke as his tone turned serious. "Seems like you got the public hate now, however don't underestimate my Death Hex."

"I don't," Shen Yuan said flatly. "But this fight… will be over quickly."

The crowd murmured even more at his declaration. Even Chang Peng's eyes narrowed slightly. He knew Shen Yuan meant that the Death Hex wouldn't be much effective.

"So be it," he said, voice cold. "Let's not waste time."

From beside, Steward Yan nodded, then cast a glance toward the cloud-draped pavilion where the World Lord sat watching. "Since the World Lord himself is interested," he said loudly, "I will not say much and you can start this match."

Shen Yuan and Chang Peng both offered respectful bows toward the high seat of the world lord before turning back to each other. The protective array around the arena flared to life again, sealing the battlefield in a translucent dome.

A tense stillness settled over the stage.

Shen Yuan stood motionless, his arms behind his back, his robes rippling only from the faint spiritual energy coming from Chang Peng. He seemed terrifyingly composed, like a blade sheathed in silence.

Chang Peng waited. Seconds turned to minutes. He frowned.

"Why aren't you making the first move?" he demanded.

Shen Yuan glanced at him, mildly amused. "Why should I? You're the challenger. You should make the first move."

"You forgot what happened to Zhou Feng?"

"I remember," Shen Yuan said softly. "But I'm not afraid. Start your Death Hex already."

Shock rippled through the stands.

"He's gone mad!"

"He's arrogant!"

"He will die for sure…"

Some cultivators sat forward, eyes sharp. Elders from several sects leaned in, whispering among themselves. Even Steward Yan looked ready to intervene, just in case.

Chang Peng clenched his jaw. "You'll regret this."

Black mist coalesced around his fingertip, thick with the stench of death and rot. It crackled with a dark light this time—purer, heavier than before.

"This is the full power of my Death Hex," he declared. "Even you won't survive."

He pointed and unleashed it.

The mist lanced forward like a vengeful ghost. Shen Yuan didn't flinch. He didn't even raise his defenses. The black mist pierced into his body without resistance.

Pain exploded through him.

His flesh began to rot, skin peeling, blood vessels tearing, the stench of decay rising from his body. Even his bones looked as though they would collapse. The crowd screamed. All of Shen Yuan's teammates leapt to their feet, her face pale. Steward Yan took a step forward.

"Fool!" Chang Peng spat. "This is your end!"

But Shen Yuan's eyes remained steady. He then closed them.

Inside, his divine sense flared awake.

He followed the invasion of the Death Hex inside of him like a shadow. It spread through his blood, his meridians, and his flesh, until it reached toward his spirit and soul.

"You think you can erase me?" he said quietly in his mind.

Around his spirit, deep in the mental space, a dark blue flame ignited, cold and consuming.

It was level 3 of the void fire!

The Death Hex shuddered as it approached the flame, and was instantly erased.

It tried to flee, scattering into dozens of threads, but Shen Yuan was already prepared.

"You're not going anywhere."

The Void Fire surrounded the last remnants of the hex, crashing inward like a divine punishment. The black mist trembled in agony before vanishing completely.

Outside, Shen Yuan's eyes snapped open. His body began to heal rapidly. Rotten flesh restored, bones reset, blood flowed as if nothing had happened.

And across from him, Chang Peng staggered.

His mouth opened to scream, but only blood came out. His skin turned ashen, the area around his neck becoming like dried parchment. The backlash had begun.

The audience erupted.

"He's… fine?!"

"No… he's more than fine, he's regenerating!"

"How…?!"

Only the top sect masters and the World Lord remained composed. They understood. Or at least, they could guess how Shen Yuan countered the Death Hex.

On stage, Shen Yuan walked slowly toward Chang Peng.

Chang Peng looked up, blood staining his lips. "What now?" he croaked. "You are going to kill me? Humiliate me?"

"No," Shen Yuan said. "I admire your courage. You gave everything to master the Death Hex. Even if your path is twisted, at least… it's yours."

Chang Peng's eyes widened. "Why do you care?"

"Because," Shen Yuan said, stepping close, "I have a way to help you. I can show you how to perfect the Death Hex… and bypass the side effects."

The words hit like a thunderclap.

"You're… serious?"

"I studied the technique with my divine sense. I know how it works now. And I know you only have about ten years left to live."

Chang Peng staggered back. "You… you can see the lifespan?"

Shen Yuan nodded. "And I don't want yours to end yet. Death is not your enemy, it's your key. Mine too… watching you… made me realize more about death than I understood before."

The arena fell utterly silent.

Chang Peng stared at him, then smiled—a weak, bitter smile that gradually softened.

"I surrender."

Gasps filled the arena. Shen Yuan didn't kill him? He offered to help him?

The array was deactivated as it slowly disappeared.

Steward Yan stepped back onto the stage with a faint smile, clearly moved.

"The winner of this duel, Shen Yuan of the Twin Soul Sect!"

The stands exploded in cheering. The other Twin Soul Sect members beamed with pride, shouting his name.

But not all were celebrating.

High above, the sect masters exchanged meaningful looks. Some saw danger in Shen Yuan. Others saw hope. But all now acknowledged his presence as something beyond normal.

Sect Master Xue Linghun said nothing, though the small smirk on his lips spoke volumes.

And beside him, the World Lord looked into the cloudy sky.

"Junior brother," he murmured, "you vastly surpassed me long ago. And now, you have such a great disciple… I am jealous."

His envoy hesitated. "World Lord… do you mean that person…?"

The World Lord gave a slow nod, saying nothing more.

Back on the stage, Chang Peng looked at Shen Yuan.

"What's the price?" he asked warily.

Shen Yuan stepped close, leaned in, and whispered something.

Chang Peng's eyes widened.

The winds seemed still.

"Give me two days," Chang Peng said quietly. "I'll give you my answer."

"I can wait," Shen Yuan replied.

Then, like a passing wind, he vanished, appearing back at the Twin Soul Sect's seating area, where his teammates rushed to welcome him.

Their eyes were filled with admiration and awe.

For them and for the world, Shen Yuan had become a true cultivator.

High above the World Lord beamed with interest in his mind. "He and a few others will make this enjoyable. Especially Shen Yuan… my junior brother chose you and now… I see why."