The duel between Sun Shihu and Zhao Kaishan had also reached its fiercest point.
Sun Shihu's attacks came in a furious barrage.
But Zhao Kaishan deflected each one with effortless skill, using a mere four ounces to move a thousand pounds.
"Zhao Kaishan, is that all you've got? Face me head-on if you've got the guts!"
Sun Shihu was so frustrated he could hardly keep his temper.
So all he could do was threaten him in a fit of rage.
Zhao Kaishan, however, continued doing things his own way.
Chen Guan, watching from the sidelines, began to see what was going on.
His previous fights had been just as forceful and direct as Sun Shihu's.
That was why, when he faced enemies whose realms surpassed his own,
he had been left struggling to keep up.
But Zhao Kaishan was doing this now to make him understand something.
There was more than one way to fight an enemy head-on; using a mere four ounces to move a thousand pounds could also win a battle.
And compared to Chen Guan's way, it took less time and effort.
"Thank you for your guidance, Sect Leader Zhao!"
Chen Guan clasped his hands respectfully and spoke.
Luo Guang, standing nearby, looked at him in surprise. He couldn't understand what Zhao Kaishan had taught him.
But Zhao Kaishan laughed heartily. "As long as you understand, that's all that matters. At least all the effort I went to this time wasn't wasted!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the horsetail whisk in his hand suddenly stiffened.
He began to actively fend off Sun Shihu's attacks.
The two traded blows, whipping up a fierce gale around them.
Chen Guan and Luo Guang could only retreat.
"So this is a duel between sect leaders? It's incredible!"
Luo Guang gaped at the sight.
Chen Guan said nothing, simply watching in silence.
He had learned a great deal from this duel.
Both men's realms had already surpassed the Blood Forging Realm. Who knew what heights they had reached!
"Zhao Kaishan, this move will take your life! Blazing Flame Roar!"
Sun Shihu didn't want to keep dragging things out.
He gathered all the inner force in his dantian at the place where his heart lay.
Flames instantly coiled around his body.
The heat warped the air around him.
Then he charged toward Zhao Kaishan like a ball of fire.
His fist came crashing down.
Chen Guan watched the attack in shock.
If he had to face it now, it would surely be the end of him.
Yet Zhao Kaishan watched the incoming fist with a smile.
He had no intention of dodging at all.
He simply watched as the fist slammed into his chest.
"Leader Zhao..."
The sight left Chen Guan and Luo Guang stunned.
They hurriedly started forward to help!
"Don't come over! This is my fate. You mustn't interfere!"
Zhao Kaishan endured the pain and stopped them.
Once Chen Guan and Luo Guang halted, they could only watch and wait to see what he would do.
"Zhao Kaishan, even at a time like this, you're still so calm! Today, I'll take your life!"
Sun Shihu spoke with triumphant confidence.
He was certain that this punch would kill Zhao Kaishan.
So he let his guard down.
The horsetail whisk in Zhao Kaishan's hand suddenly stiffened, becoming as rigid as a long sword.
He had taken Sun Shihu's attack just for this moment.
While Sun Shihu was off guard, he thrust the whisk straight into the place where his heart lay.
Sun Shihu stared at the sight in disbelief as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"You... How is this possible?"
Sun Shihu's voice trembled. The whisk had pierced right through his heart.
"I was waiting for this moment. I'm gravely wounded and no match for you. The only way to kill you was to take you down with me!"
Zhao Kaishan shook his head.
Though he was now facing death, he remained calm.
It was as though he had known this moment would come.
Then both men collapsed to the ground.
Their attacks had struck home, but each had just enough strength left for one last breath.
Chen Guan hurried forward at the sight! This was the opportunity the system had left him!
But Sun Shihu was also on the verge of death.
So Chen Guan kept that to himself.
"Leader Zhao, why go to such lengths? Together, we could surely have killed him!"
Chen Guan crouched beside Zhao Kaishan and shook his head regretfully.
Zhao Kaishan shook his head. "I had to avenge Phoenix Perch Sect myself. Now I can die without regrets!"
Chen Guan could finally understand Zhao Kaishan's thinking.
Under Zhao Kaishan's leadership, countless members of Phoenix Perch Sect had died or been wounded. He had no face to meet his disciples.
Dying alongside Sun Shihu was exactly what he wanted.
"Once I'm gone, Phoenix Perch Sect will have no sect leader. The other sects will surely interfere with the selection of a new one!"
"This is Phoenix Perch Sect's token of authority, the Phoenix Sword. Only the one who holds it can become sect leader!"
Zhao Kaishan was now on the verge of death.
He hurriedly pulled a long sword from behind him and placed it in Chen Guan's hands.
"Little brother, I've never asked anyone for anything in my life. But I can't stand by and watch Phoenix Perch Sect fall to ruin. I hope you'll take this sword back to the sect, protect it from the other sects' bullying, and choose a suitable new leader!"
Zhao Kaishan knew he didn't have long to live.
So he quickly entrusted Chen Guan with his last wishes.
Faced with Zhao Kaishan on the verge of death, Chen Guan couldn't refuse. Zhao Kaishan had probably planned this all along.
"Rest assured, Leader Zhao. I'll see your last wishes through. I won't let Phoenix Perch Sect fall!"
Chen Guan firmly took the sword and spoke with conviction.
After he agreed, Zhao Kaishan finally closed his eyes and breathed his last.
"Brother Chen, you can't agree to this! Phoenix Perch Sect has only a handful of disciples left. The other sects definitely won't pass up this opportunity! If you go there, you'll become a target for everyone!"
Luo Guang now understood that Zhao Kaishan had dumped a hopeless mess in Chen Guan's lap.
But Chen Guan didn't mind in the least. "Leader Zhao is a true hero. How could I refuse his last wish?"
Luo Guang shook his head at those words.
He still thought Chen Guan was being too impulsive.
Chen Guan said nothing. He drew the saber from Luo Guang's waist and went to Sun Shihu.
"Sun Shihu, stop pretending. I know you're not dead!"
At Chen Guan's words, Sun Shihu's eyes flew open.
He had used the Turtle Breathing Technique to feign death and escape, but Chen Guan had still seen through him.
"What are you going to do? Don't kill me! I'll give you all the treasures the Blazing Flame Sect has collected over the years!"
Sun Shihu's words piqued Chen Guan's interest. "Then tell me what treasures the Blazing Flame Sect has, and where they're hidden!"
"They're in the Blazing Flame Sect's treasure warehouse. Save me, and I'll take you there!"
Sun Shihu's eyes darted as he spoke.
But Chen Guan wasn't so easy to fool.
He raised his saber and said, "It doesn't matter. I can search the treasure warehouse myself. But you have to die!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he plunged the saber into Sun Shihu's heart, ending his life for good.
[Congratulations, Host! Quest complete. System Shop unlocked.]
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