Unexpected Turn

In this Ancient Forest that had witnessed countless ages of change, Tang Hao's and Blade's ultimate attacks collided, as though tearing open a Rift of Time.

With the center of the battlefield as its focal point, trees within several miles were shoved outward as if by invisible hands, toppling in every direction. Those thick trunks snapped like fragile straw beneath the lingering shockwaves of the explosion, sending wood chips flying everywhere.

Smoke and dust billowed across the battlefield as if the end of the world had arrived. Shattered leaves and broken branches whirled through the air like sprites ravaged by a storm, stripped of all direction. Sunlight lost its former majesty here, blocked by the thick smoke and dust, leaving the entire battlefield dark and terrifying.

The residual force of the blast surged like tides. After an unknown amount of time, the deafening explosion gradually weakened, yet the echoes reverberating through the forest still made one's heart tremble.

At that moment, Blade steadied himself and lightly wiped away the trace of blood at the corner of his mouth. He slowly descended from the air like a God of War descending upon the world. He opened his palm, and the crimson orb of light pulsed within it, as though it contained boundless power. The fragments of Shizun's Sword seemed to answer a summons, gathering and reforming into a complete blade. Though cracks still ran across the sword, it continued to emit chilling Cold Light.

Blade's gaze was cold as ice, his face devoid of the slightest ripple, as immutable as an ancient iceberg. With steady, unhurried steps, he walked toward Tang Hao, who stood amid the smoke on the opposite side. Every step seemed to land upon the heart, making his resolve and mockery palpable. He intended to taunt an opponent equal to himself from the stance of a victor, gaining greater glory and Portrayal Progress from this battle.

"Heh, are you still hiding? You disappoint me beyond measure." Blade's voice was like the frigid North Wind, piercing through the smoke and dust of the battlefield as it coldly carried toward Tang Hao.

His steps were steady, each one seeming to mock his opponent's cowardice. A disdainful smile hung at Blade's lips, while dissatisfaction and contempt for Tang Hao showed in his eyes.

Yet second by second, time passed, and no response came from the smoke ahead. Blade's brows unconsciously furrowed slightly as a trace of doubt rose within him.

Just as Blade was about to mock him again, the System's voice suddenly rang out in his mind, mechanical and cold, without the slightest hint of emotion.

Ding! Tang Hao mistakenly believed the host truly had a powerful background and had summoned reinforcements, so he has fled! Portrayal Progress increased by 1%!

Ding! During this battle, Tang Hao's perception was repeatedly overturned by the host, leaving him utterly terrified! Portrayal Progress increased by 5%!!!

Current Portrayal Progress: 17.78%!!

Notice: It has been detected that the Side Effect in the host's body has exceeded the critical threshold of system suppression. The host must immediately stop using power and rest to recover! Otherwise, bear the consequences yourself!

The system's warning made an almost imperceptible twitch flash across Blade's face. He gritted his teeth and did his best to maintain his expressionless coldness. The reminder was like a bucket of cold water over his head. Blade, whose killing intent had been blazing moments ago, suddenly felt intense pain surge through him from every direction like a tide, instantly flooding his entire body.

His body seemed to be protesting. The symptoms of the Konjac Jelly began acting up at this critical moment, making his fingers twitch uncontrollably as fine cold sweat seeped across his forehead. Blade knew that if he did not follow the system's instructions, he might face even more severe consequences.

"Cough, cough." Blade's voice trembled slightly. Accompanied by a weak fit of coughing, he leaned forward a little, as if desperately suppressing the turmoil within his body.

He swiftly sheathed Shizun's Sword. Though his movements were quick, they revealed a faint, barely noticeable tremor. One hand tightly covered his forehead, as though resisting the sudden dizziness, while the other weakly braced itself against a nearby tree that had been half-destroyed in the battle. The rough texture of the bark traveled through his palm and into his nerves, giving him a faint sense of reality.

The Side Effect of the Konjac Jelly came crashing over him like a tide. Blade felt as though his head had been struck by a heavy hammer, wave after wave of dizziness making it difficult for him to remain standing. He silently cursed. Sure enough, his Portrayal Progress was still too low. Although dealing with a Titled Douluo was no problem, before the Side Effect of this Abundance Power was completely eliminated at one hundred percent, he still had a long way to go before he could truly become invincible in this world.

At that moment, in order to clear his head a little, Blade slowly sat down with his back against a broken tree trunk. His body seemed to blend into the shattered battlefield. He took out Shizun's Sword again and held it tightly in his arms, gently resting his cheek against the icy blade. The coldness of the sword seemed to help him regain a little clarity.

Blade closed his eyes and tried to shift his attention. His thoughts returned to the system's earlier notification as he began considering why Tang Hao had suddenly fled. Did Tang Hao really think he had a powerful background and had summoned reinforcements? In this world, he clearly had nothing. Where could he possibly have gotten such a background?

Blade sneered inwardly. He himself was his strongest foundation. His power and his will were the basis upon which he stood in this world. He needed no outside aid, because he himself was the strongest support and the sharpest Blade!

Blade's mind was a complete mess from the Side Effect of the Konjac Jelly. His tightly shut eyes had been seeking a trace of peace, but they suddenly snapped open. The blood-red color in them deepened, like Burning Flames. This was an obvious sign that the Side Effect of the Konjac Jelly was worsening.

His instincts were sharper than ever. He could sense subtle disturbances in the air around him—the approach of human Auras. It was not just one person, but a group. Their Auras were unfamiliar and powerful. Though weaker than a Titled Douluo, they were clearly a group of Strong Persons not to be underestimated.

Blade instantly understood why Tang Hao had chosen to flee. Tang Hao had already sensed the movement around them. He had merely assumed they were Blade's people. Already injured and having fought Blade, Tang Hao naturally chose to stay far away.

Blade had no time to think further. He knew he could not remain here and wait for those people to arrive. He swiftly got to his feet, his steps light yet firm. He had to avoid them. If the Konjac Jelly acted up now, the consequences would be unthinkable.

He knew that once he lost control, he would become a merciless killing machine. No matter how many people came, he could cut them all down beneath his sword.

This was not the outcome Blade wanted. He did not wish to see innocent slaughter take place.

Immediately afterward, Blade carefully moved through the shadows of the forest, doing his best to make no sound with every step.

His figure soon vanished among the dense trees, leaving behind only the devastated battlefield ravaged by the battle.