"Winner: Dou Zhao of Chu!"
The Heavenly Valiant Blade came crashing down, and Yu Xi's voice rang out at just the right moment.
Gentle, clear light flowed over Gan Chang'an's body, protecting his body and soul and nourishing his life force.
At that moment, Dou Zhao still held the Heavenly Valiant Blade, and the blade was still embedded in Gan Chang'an's forehead.
Blood poured down like a waterfall.
Red and white had already blurred Gan Chang'an's face.
But the blade could go no farther.
Instead, inch by inch, it began to slide back out.
It wasn't that Yu Xi couldn't have forced the blade out more easily. Rather, on one hand, he had to preserve Gan Chang'an's life and prevent his injuries from worsening, while on the other, he had to protect Dou Zhao, making sure his "intervention" didn't harm him.
Such was the impartiality expected of the host of the Yellow River Assembly's main competition.
Feeling the force's firm, irresistible pressure, Dou Zhao realized there was no way he could split Gan Chang'an in two. So he raised a hand, pulled out the Heavenly Valiant Blade, and gave it a light shake.
The red and white matter clinging to the blade flew off.
Though he hadn't killed his opponent, he had still won.
For the people of Chu, a life-and-death struggle against Qin was probably more important than competing for the championship.
The peerless prodigy Gan Chang'an, famed throughout Qin, was now dazed and unconscious, his body mangled and broken. Half his head had been cleaved open! Only Yu Xi's protection had saved him from death.
Meanwhile, Dou Zhao stood tall on the Martial Practice Platform, holding the Heavenly Valiant Blade in a reverse grip. Facing the stands where the people of Chu had gathered, he spread both arms