The arena fell silent.
The Orc spectators, including King Kamush on the raised platform, could hardly believe their eyes.
Tanzgolu Shadowblade, the strongest warrior of the Shadowblade Clan, had won four times in the Ring of Glory and defended his title as Sword Saint for nine years. Now a human girl had broken his blade in a one-on-one duel and held a sword to his throat.
Given the Shadowblade Sword Saint's Life Value, even a strike to the throat from Li Shuyi would not kill him instantly. But he had already lost any chance of turning the fight around.
The beloved blade he had used since he came of age was broken. Without a sword, the Shadowblade Sword Saint's strength would fall by nearly half! And even with one, he stood little chance. Both of Li Shuyi's passive abilities had reached their full stacks; her strength and agility were no worse than his, while her Battle Specialties and momentum gave her the edge.
"Why?" the Shadowblade Sword Saint finally asked, his voice strained.
"Hm?" Li Shuyi looked at him curiously, unsure what he meant.
"Why did you stop?" the Shadowblade Sword Saint demanded. "Are you looking down on me, human woman?"
"You've lost," Li Shuyi said.
"I have not!" the Shadowblade Sword Saint roared. He seized the edge of Li Shuyi's Crimson Firmament Sword. Blood seeped from his hand and dripped to the ground. "In the Ring of Glory... only death has the right to decide the victor!"
As he spoke, the Shadowblade Sword Saint suddenly dragged the Crimson Firmament Sword across his own throat, cutting it deep. Blood sprayed out, and his Life Value plunged.
But he had a deep reserve of Life Value. Though the cut was a Vital Strike, it was not enough to kill him outright.