Lin Fan's heart pounded as he looked at Bibi Dong, who stood before him—proud, cold, and yet unmistakably conflicted. He could sense the growing tension among the spectators; disciples from major sects whispered in hushed tones, eyes fixed on the final showdown.
At this point, there was no turning back. If Bibi Dong failed to eliminate both him and Tang Huo'er, the Spirit Hall would undoubtedly punish her, and worse, her pregnancy would be exposed.
If I want to save her, I have to risk everything.
Lin Fan inhaled sharply, his gaze steady as he turned toward Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong stood silent for a moment before biting her lip. Then, with an icy expression, she turned abruptly and said, "What exactly are you planning? This is the final arena. Only one of us is destined to survive." She clenched her fists. "Take this fight seriously."
Before Lin Fan could respond, Bibi Dong suddenly lashed out.
"Wait—" Lin Fan started, but he didn't dodge in time.
Bibi Dong's palm struck his shoulder with unexpected force. The impact sent him skidding back several meters before he collapsed onto the ground, coughing violently. A metallic taste filled his mouth, and moments later, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Bibi Dong's breath hitched, her violet eyes widening in surprise.
"Why didn't you fight back?" she demanded, her voice trembling. "Don't think I don't know. You're strong enough to challenge me! If you use your full strength, you can defeat me—you can kill me! Not only would you survive, but you'd also gain the highest glory. So why… why won't you fight?"
Her voice cracked slightly, betraying the emotions she tried to suppress.
Lin Fan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled faintly. "Even if I know I might die by your hand, I would never hurt you." He met her gaze without hesitation. "You are the woman I love. You are carrying my child. If I raised my weapon against you, I'd be no better than a monster." His voice softened. "Even if it means dying, I won't lay a single finger on you."
Bibi Dong's hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms.
"Fool." She shook her head, stepping back. "What's the point of throwing your life away? You could have lived if you had just stayed away from this match. My fate was sealed long before you arrived." Her voice quivered. "But you… you could have walked away…"
Lin Fan took a step toward her. "No. I'm not here to die—I'm here to change your fate." His tone was firm, resolute. "Bibi Dong, are you willing to trust me? To be with me?" His gaze darkened with determination. "I swear, I will protect you. Anyone who dares to harm you will regret it."
Before Bibi Dong could respond, a cold voice echoed from outside the barrier.
"Bibi Dong! Execute the order immediately. This is your last chance," Qian Xunji commanded. His voice was laced with warning. "If you don't, you will lose everything."
Lin Fan's expression darkened as he glanced at the edge of the arena. Outside the golden restriction, Qian Xunji, Ju Douluo, and several elders of the Spirit Hall stood, watching intently.
But before Qian Xunji could act, another voice roared from the opposite side.
"Qian Xunji, you dare interfere!"
Lin Fan turned to see Tang Hao leading several figures from the Haotian Sect, their eyes filled with urgency.
"Lin Fan! Get out of there, now!" Tang Hao called out. "We forfeit this match! Your senior sister and the others are in danger—we need to leave!"
Tang Yiran, standing beside him, echoed the plea. "Xiao Fan, step out of the ring. We'll handle the rest!"
Despite the chaos outside, Lin Fan's focus remained solely on Bibi Dong.
She, too, seemed deaf to the shouting around them. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she whispered, "Silly… of course, I'm willing."
Before Lin Fan could react, she stepped forward and pressed a soft, lingering kiss against his cheek.
His heart stopped for a moment.
But before he could hold her, Bibi Dong quickly reached into her sleeve, pressing something into his hand before shoving him back with unexpected force.
Lin Fan stumbled backward.
"I've already given you the blood of the Spider King. It can cure your senior sisters' poison," Bibi Dong said, her voice trembling. "Go back to them. I don't have a future anymore. Rather than let our child suffer, I will take them with me."
Purple wings unfurled from her back, and she soared toward the sky above the ring, an ethereal mark glowing on her forehead.
Lin Fan's mind reeled.
"No! What the hell are you doing?" He activated Ruthless Charge, lunging after her.
A system notification suddenly rang in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, Master. Your confession has been accepted. The Lover System has been activated. To unlock your Lover Martial Soul Fusion, you must pass the first trial of the God of Love.]
"What kind of test is this?!" Lin Fan growled internally. "Give me my last lottery draw right now!"
But before he could react further, Qian Xunji made his move.
"You useless brat… I should have erased you from existence long ago!" Qian Xunji snarled, his six-winged angel martial spirit blazing with divine golden light.
A radiant Angel Holy Sword materialized in his hands, aimed straight at Lin Fan's back. The sword hummed with a terrifying aura—capable of piercing through souls, annihilating them completely.
Lin Fan's body stiffened.
He had used all three of his movement skills—there was no time to dodge.
Am I going to die here?
Bibi Dong's eyes widened in horror.
"No!" she cried.
At the last second, she turned and threw herself in front of Lin Fan, shielding him with her body.
The golden holy sword struck—but in that instant, an immense burst of purple light erupted from them, blinding the entire arena.
Qian Xunji was forced back, his face contorting in shock.
"What… what is this power?"
Lin Fan felt a surge of energy flooding his veins—Bibi Dong's soul power intertwined with his own.
A system message rang out:
[Ding! Congratulations, Master and Bibi Dong, for passing the first trial of the God of Love. Your fusion technique—Death Purple Flame Hades—has been awakened!]
As the light faded, a colossal ten-meter-tall figure emerged. Cloaked in burning purple flames, it possessed six sharp, gleaming bone spurs along its arms.
Lin Fan stared in awe.
"This… This is like Susanoo…"
A massive black battle axe materialized in the entity's hands, its weight reassuring in his grasp.
Bibi Dong, floating beside him, looked equally shocked. The poison that had been coursing through her veins was now gone, purified by the fusion energy.
Lin Fan turned toward Qian Xunji, his golden eyes gleaming with renewed power.
"Now," he murmured, gripping the battle axe tightly.
"It's your turn to despair."
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