Soul Emperor Awakening

The swirling snowflakes caused the temperature in the area to drop sharply, but at this moment, no one cared about how cold it was. They were only focused on Lin Xuan’s current condition.

’Die! Just die!’

Rao Longtian roared in his heart. He wanted to see Lin Xuan dead or at least crippled. According to the terms of the wager, if Lin Xuan collapsed and couldn’t get back up, he would lose. To be precise, losing consciousness or being unable to move would constitute a loss.

Retreating or simply falling over didn’t count as a loss; as long as he could still move, he hadn’t lost.

’Brother Xuan, you have to be okay!’ Lin Xue prayed frantically in her heart. She hoped Lin Xuan could hold on. Injury was unavoidable, but she prayed he could at least endure it without any serious mishaps.

The surrounding Core Disciples held their breath, not daring to make a sound as they waited to see the final result. If Lin Xuan could withstand this, they wouldn’t need any more matches to know where he stood among the ranks of the Core Hall.

Being able to take three moves from a Spirit Pill Stage expert meant he could definitively rank in the middle of the Core Disciples. This was an absolutely joyous occasion for the Inner Hall Sect! For someone at the Spirit Refining Stage to achieve a mid-tier ranking... how could this be anything but great news? Once his Cultivation broke through in the future, his strength would soar.

Finally, the swirling snow dissipated, and a figure entered everyone’s line of sight. It was a body covered in blood, using a long rod to stay upright, refusing to fall. Blood trickled down the rod and pooled on the ground, spreading in a dark circle.

Lin Xuan was a man drenched in blood, yet he hadn’t retreated a single step. He had only moved forward, never back! Beneath his blood-streaked face, his eyes were firm and determined. Despite his grievous injuries, they shone with a Divine Light, like an unquenchable Flame burning eternally within them.

He had already completely withdrawn his Fifth Layer Soul. The Elemental Power in his body was stretched to its absolute limit; he was now running on sheer willpower. The sight stunned everyone. Lin Xuan had actually withstood the final attack, and he was still on his feet. It was a terrifying accomplishment.

His terrifying willpower earned him the genuine admiration of the crowd. Had any of them been in his place, they would have passed out long ago. How could they possibly have endured?

Especially now, as Lin Xuan’s aura grew fainter and fainter. Anyone else would have already collapsed, yet he was still standing.

"Third Elder... I’ve won this time, haven’t I...?" Lin Xuan’s voice was strained and quiet, but everyone present heard him clearly.

Lin Xue rushed over and threw her arms around Lin Xuan to support him, oblivious as his blood stained her clothes crimson. She couldn’t speak, only holding him tightly, desperate to keep him from falling. Tears streamed down her face, but she couldn’t form a single word.

Sobs choked her throat, rendering her speechless. The only way to express her feelings was through her slender arms clutching Lin Xuan. She would never let go again. Even if Qing Piaoxue herself ordered her to, she wouldn’t.

’She would rather leave the Core Hall than watch Lin Xuan be sent away. How could she ever give up on a man who would endure anything for her?’

Qing Piaoxue’s gaze flickered. Without a word, she began walking silently toward them. No one knew what was on her mind. Was she furious, or had she been won over?

"You did it," Qing Piaoxue’s tone had softened considerably. "I approve of you. But if you cross the line, you will face my most severe punishment, even if you are the Fifth Elder’s disciple!" The "line" she mentioned was, of course, physical intimacy, which she believed would ruin Lin Xue’s future.

Only by remaining a virgin could her Ice Yin Body reach its full potential. She could not engage in carnal relations until she reached the Late Stage of her Cultivation.

She then took a vial of Elixir Pills from her robes, pressed it into Lin Xue’s hand, and said coolly, "Have him take these. Your own Cultivation must not be delayed. Return to your training as soon as possible."

With that, she floated away, paying them no further mind. But it was enough. It was tantamount to her approval—she was allowing their relationship within the Core Hall, so long as they didn’t neglect their Cultivation or cross the line. This was the first time she had ever consented to such a thing, and only Lin Xuan possessed the courage to make it happen.

’Challenge an Elder? What Core Hall disciple would even dare to think of it?’

"Brother Xuan, you finally did it... You did it..." Lin Xue sobbed.

Lin Xuan’s grip loosened. The White Pupil Rod fell to the ground with a CLANG, and he collapsed backward. He was too tired, just so incredibly tired. It was the most grueling battle he had ever fought. He had anticipated this outcome, but his desire to become stronger had driven him forward.

"Yes... I did it..." Lin Xuan raised a trembling hand and caressed her cheek. "I don’t have to make you wait anymore. I kept my word."

After he spoke, his gaze lost focus. He finally fainted from excessive blood loss. After overexerting himself so massively, even a body forged from a Spiritual Artifact couldn’t hold up.

Lin Xue bit her lip, held Lin Xuan close, picked up the White Pupil Rod, and floated away, not lingering for another moment. She had to hurry back and treat Lin Xuan’s wounds. There wasn’t a second to waste!

With their departure, only the biting cold wind remained, sweeping through the area. The crowd exchanged glances. It was all over. There was nothing left to see.

Though there was nothing left to watch, the image of Lin Xuan’s unyielding will was seared into their minds. He was just too tenacious. ’If he continues to break through,’ they wondered, ’just how powerful will he become?’

Rao Longtian, on the other hand, was so furious he could have coughed up blood. Not only had Lin Xuan won Lin Xue, but he had also survived, and even Third Elder Qing Piaoxue had acknowledged their relationship. This was the first time in history that the Third Elder had ever allowed one of her female disciples to be with someone else!

’Now I’m the most miserable one left,’ he thought, dragging his injured body away. ’From now on, I’ll have to walk the other way whenever I see Lin Xuan.’ He couldn’t help but admit that Lin Xuan was simply too Heaven-Defying. If they were to fight, he felt he would surely lose. But he wouldn’t let Lin Xuan off so easily. Or rather, the Genius Sect would not allow Lin Xuan to rise so easily!

"Damn, that was incredible!" Zheng Hua rubbed his palms together, his eyes glinting. ’Befriending Lin Yunlong was definitely the right move. Only an idiot would make an enemy of that guy. The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion is going to be buzzing about this for a while. What a super genius! I wonder if he’ll be able to put the Genius Sect in their place one day. Now that’s something to look forward to...’

In a secluded corner some distance away, Qing Yiyi’s eyes glinted. She was a member of the Neutral Faction and had witnessed the entire event.

’So Lin Xue and Lin Xuan have been together for a while now, huh? If they’re a couple, it’s sure to cause a major shake-up in the Core Hall. I wonder how Cyan Cloud Peak will react...’ Qing Yiyi gradually disappeared around the corner.

This battle was destined to make Lin Xuan a target within the Core Hall.