Dual Cultivation Chapter 1139: Fighting Yun Xiao Hong

"S-Sect Leader?! Why have you come here?"

Upon recognizing her, the sect elders jumped to their feet to offer a formal greeting.

"You react as though my presence is forbidden. When nearly the entire Sect has gathered, is it truly so shocking to find me among them?" Sect Leader Qing replied with a calm expression.

"T-That isn't what I meant… It is simply that you have never attended such an event before…" one elder stammered, frantically searching for an explanation.

"You mean to say you have never noticed me here. However, I have certainly witnessed many things."

The elders furrowed their brows at her cryptic remark. Most had dedicated thousands of years to the Sect, yet none could recall a single time the Sect Leader had graced a deathmatch with her presence.

They were unaware that Sect Leader Qing was referring to a period long before their time—back when Su Yang first walked these grounds as a disciple. In those days, his participation in deathmatches was so frequent he nearly decimated the entire rank of Core Disciples.

"Disciple Fei, what is your prediction for this duel? Senior apprentice-brother Yun has held his Core Disciple status for much longer, but I saw Senior apprentice-brother Xiao’s fight against Shao Jianjun. He ended it without even moving," a disciple remarked.

Disciple Fei and her roommate were both in the crowd watching the arena.

"I recall you claiming it was some sort of deception rather than Sword Will," Disciple Fei noted.

"T-That was then! My opinion has shifted since that day!" her roommate replied hastily.

Squinting at Su Yang, Disciple Fei added, "Regardless of whether it was true Sword Will or a trick, the truth will be revealed today."

"I don't see Disciple Lin anywhere. How can she be missing when her partner is facing such a significant event?" another disciple questioned, noting Lin Xinyi's absence.

"She is likely off mourning his inevitable demise already."

"Hahaha! That is likely! I plan to court her myself later. Even if her Pure Yin Essence is gone, she remains a top-tier beauty and is highly desired."

Time slipped away quickly, and the moment for the deathmatch finally arrived.

"Senior apprentice-brother Yun is here!"

Every eye in the arena shifted toward Yun Xiao Hong, who entered the stadium with his partner walking beside him.

"Ensure he suffers a painful death for having the audacity to challenge you," his partner whispered.

Yun Xiao Hong gave her a kiss and replied confidently, "Naturally."

He glanced toward Su Yang, who remained in a state of Cultivation on the stage, and sneered coldly, "You won't be able to maintain that tough act for much longer."

Yun Xiao Hong stepped onto the platform, taking his position opposite Su Yang.

Having sat still for six hours, Su Yang finally opened his eyes and stood up with composure.

Shortly after, the judge climbed onto the stage and announced loudly, "A long time has passed since two Core Disciples engaged in the Life or Death arena. Now that you both stand here, your ranks and status within the sect are meaningless. From this moment forward, only one shall leave this place alive. If you have final words, speak them now."

"Do you have any final words for your partner before you perish?" Yun Xiao Hong taunted Su Yang.

"There is no need for that, as I will be speaking with her later—after I finish disposing of some trash here."

"Is that so? Try not to regret those words when you wake up in hell!" Yun Xiao Hong bellowed, drawing his Empyrean-grade sword, which was a full rank above Su Yang’s Divine-grade weapon.

Su Yang looked at the blade and smirked, "It seems I will be getting an upgrade for my sword after this is over."

Veins throbbed on Yun Xiao Hong’s forehead as he barked at the judge, "Can we start this fight already?!"

The judge shook his head and replied, "Because the Sect Leader is in attendance, she shall be the one to signal the start."

Sect Leader Qing spoke up, "I have nothing to add. You may commence whenever you are ready."

The moment she finished speaking, Yun Xiao Hong lunged at Su Yang.

"DIE, YOU ARROGANT BASTARD!" he screamed, swinging his blade with fury.

As Yun Xiao Hong closed in, Su Yang’s sword moved with elegant precision, parrying the strike with ease.

Immediately, Su Yang launched a counterattack, performing a sword technique that was as beautiful as it was lethal.

Disciple Fei’s eyes widened in sheer shock as she realized what she was seeing.

'That is my family’s secret sword technique! How could he possibly know it?!' she screamed in her mind.

After several more clashes, Yun Xiao Hong sneered.

"What is the matter? Why haven't you used your Sword Will yet?" Yun Xiao Hong mocked him. "Oh, I understand, it's because you can't—"

His words were cut short by a sudden, agonizing pain in his lower body. His sight grew hazy, the world spun, and he collapsed onto the stone floor.

As he lay there, Yun Xiao Hong’s weak gaze shifted upward—only to see a pair of legs standing in front of him. However, as his eyes moved higher, there was nothing. No body, no head—just two solitary legs standing there.

It took several seconds for Yun Xiao Hong to process the sight. When the realization hit, his face turned pale with horror, and a piercing scream of agony erupted from his throat, filling the arena.

"W-What on earth just happened?!"

The audience sat in a stunned silence, their expressions frozen. No one could explain the scene. One moment Yun Xiao Hong was fine; the next, he was on the ground with his legs severed as cleanly as if an invisible blade had passed through them.

"I'm sorry, what were you saying just now?" Su Yang asked tonelessly, standing over Yun Xiao Hong with an overwhelming aura.