The fight was unexpected even for Lin Feng's father.
As he watched from the stands, a strange silence settled in his chest. He couldn't believe it That was his daughter out there. For a moment, all the arrogance and pride drained from his face. His mind began to wander.
He remembered how he'd treated her all these years not as a daughter, but as a tool. Something to be sharpened, used, pointed at enemies. He never asked her what she wanted. He never listened. When problems came, he solved them with punishment, not peace. With commands, not care.
Now, looking at Alex that strange, awkward sect master with terrible naming sense and disciples who danced with slimes he saw something that hurt more than any slap to the face. He saw a father figure.
Alex didn't lead with fear. He didn't threaten his disciples if they lost. He lifted them up. He encouraged them. He protected them when they were scared, and he even joked with them like a weirdo uncle with too much free time. Yue'er was on his side now too. Even she was drawn to that strange, ridiculous warmth.
Lin Feng's father felt like he was losing everything. His authority. His reputation. Even his own daughter was looking for comfort elsewhere. He thought back to how hard he had worked to find opportunities for her how she had been stuck at the Qi Gathering stage, no matter how much he pushed. He'd blamed her, punished her, scolded her in front of others. All he wanted was for her to grow but he never realized he was crushing her under the weight of his expectations. He had broken her trust. And maybe just maybe he was the reason she stayed stuck.
The anger inside him faded. For the first time in years, he sat quietly. No growling orders. No clenched fists. Just a quiet thought that refused to leave his mind Maybe I should've cared for them. Not just ordered them. Maybe I should've helped them up when they fell, instead of kicking them harder for falling. He watched Alex again. He's a good master, the old man muttered.
And for the first time in his life he meant it. The following matches flowed by like a river over stones some smooth, some rough, none stopping for long. There were wins and losses, cheers and groans.
Even Lin Feng lost a match. To a guy with pink hair and a flute. He would never talk about it again.
But now it was time. The final match. Two versus two. Black Something Sect versus the sect of Lin Feng's father the Thunderclap Sect.
Everything led to this.
Xiao Xiao stood beside Lin Feng, bouncing in place. Her slime, Dou Dou, jiggled with determination.
Across from them stood Yue'er and Lin Feng's ex-fiancée.
This was going to be awkward.
Yue'er stepped onto the stage, her fingers twitching around the hilt of her blade. She thought back to how she used to beat up her little sister when they trained. Back then, it was playful just enough to win, just enough to teach. She expected today to be the same.
But something in her heart felt different. Distant. Like her fists weren't her own anymore. On the other side, Xiao Xiao tilted her head, confused. Lin Feng why are we fighting Big Sister? Is she a bad person too? Lin Feng kept her gaze sharp but didn't answer. Xiao Xiao squinted. Also, that boy over there is staring at you like you're a dumpling.
Lin Feng choked. What? Who
The crowd exploded in cheers as Xiao Xiao bounced onto the stage with her slime wobbling behind her. YUM YUM BOOM! Wiggle wably wably! Strike! Boom boom yum bite! Cute dancer alert! The seductive girl is here too!
Yue'er narrowed her eyes. She drew her blade. Lin Feng stepped forward beside Xiao Xiao, tense. Across from them stood Yue'er and her icy silence. The announcer raised his hand.
Begin!
Everything happened at once. Yue'er lunged toward Lin Feng with a flash of red steel. Lin Feng barely blocked it in time, her arms shuddering from the impact. Still too soft, Yue'er muttered coldly.
Meanwhile, Xiao Xiao shouted, dou dou, go!" The slime launched forward, wobbling wildly and slapping Lin Feng's ex-fiancée in the face with a sticky splat. Boom boom blast she danced to her rhythm.The crowd roared with laughter. The ex-fiancée shouted, You little and dashed after Xiao Xiao.
But Yue'er didn't stop. Her attacks were relentless. Each strike forced Lin Feng further back. Yue'er, stop! Lin Feng shouted. Why are we doing this!? Just talk to me!
But Yue'er's eyes were vacant. Unfeeling. Not hers anymore. Then Xiao Xiao screamed.
Lin Feng turned in time to see her fall, blood on her side. Dou dou squealed, shielding her small body. No Lin Feng cried, rushing to her.
She looked up at Yue'er, trembling. What's wrong with you!? Why are you
But Yue'er didn't answer.
She wasn't Yue'er anymore. The elder she came from had given her somethingsome medicine, some mind-breaking drug to erase mercy. To turn love into murder.
Lin Feng's father stood up from the elder seats, eyes wide.
He moved. Too fast for the others to stop him. Too late for Alex, who watched helplessly, unable to move without the system's permission. Yue'er swung again.
Father appeared between them in a flash, blocking her blade with his bare hand, blood spraying from his palm. Yue'er gasped, dropped her weapon and collapsed. She didn't get up. Lin Feng knelt beside her, shaking.
Yue'er? Sister? Wake up! Alex's system buzzed too late in his mind:
Life Signature Weak Critical Condition Detected
Revival Item: 'Phoenix Mind Pill' Cost: 900 Battle Points Item necessary to preserve soul. Confirm purchase? His hands clenched.
All the points he had earned for battle techniques, now burned for someone else. But he knew what he had to do. He confirmed the purchase. And prayed it wasn't too late.