When it came to Lin Xuan and the Slaughter Sword Martial Spirit, Hu Liena's impression couldn't be deeper.
After all, in the Continental Elite Tournament, she had been defeated at Lin Xuan's hands. Though more than a year had passed, the humiliation still lingered in her heart.
"How is this possible? How could he also have the Slaughter Sword Martial Spirit? Even if they're uncle and nephew, it's far too rare for two people to possess the same martial spirit!"
Watching Lin Fan's overwhelming dominance on the arena stage, Hu Liena muttered to herself, her mind turning over countless possibilities.
"No wonder Teacher said he had the Killing God Domain… so Teacher must have known all along that Lin Xuan was Elder Lin Fan in disguise."
"Then what do all my years of effort mean?"
Her body trembled, her spirit unsteady.
The thought that her teacher had cooperated with Lin Fan to deceive her—deliberately letting her lose the championship in the Elite Tournament—made her feel as if her heart was shattering.
She knew Lin Fan was a Titled Douluo. If her teacher truly had joined forces with him, then the ending was predetermined from the very beginning. All the sweat, training, and effort she had poured into that tournament felt utterly wasted.
"No… no, it can't be like this. Teacher would never do this to me!"
Quickly, Hu Liena tried to convince herself. She knew her teacher valued the honor of the Spirit Hall above all else. There was no reason she would deliberately conspire with a Titled Douluo to throw the championship.
While Hu Liena spiraled deeper into her thoughts, Lin Fan swiftly ended his battle.
With a single thrust of his blade piercing through his opponent's throat, the last challenger collapsed—marking Lin Fan's eighty-first consecutive victory.
"The Demon King is the Demon King. His strikes are still so clean and decisive—truly satisfying to watch!"
"Careful… maybe the next person standing before him will be you."
"Bah, don't jinx it!"
Lin Fan, his robes spotless despite the carnage, walked back to Hu Liena's side—only to notice the distracted, vacant look in her eyes.
"What are you spacing out for? Time to head back. Unless… you plan to step onto the stage today?" He lightly tapped her left shoulder, reminding her.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Hu Liena fell silent, unable to meet Lin Fan's eyes. She followed behind him quietly, her gaze fixed on his back.
"How did he disguise himself so perfectly? His aura, his image, they don't feel like the same person at all… The only similarity is in those cold, merciless eyes on the stage—they're just like Lin Xuan's…"
By the time they reached their lodgings, though only ten minutes had passed, Hu Liena felt as if centuries had dragged by.
Deep down, she wanted to ask outright: Are you Lin Xuan?
Before entering the house, Lin Fan too sensed something was off about her state. He turned and called softly:
"Nana."
"Elder Lin…"
Both spoke at the same time, then stopped. Hu Liena forced a faint, awkward smile. "Elder Lin, you go first."
"I just wanted to say… ever since I stepped down from the arena, your mind hasn't been focused. Did something happen? In this City of Slaughter, where killing intent is everywhere, such distraction is dangerous." Lin Fan's tone carried concern as he reminded her.
Taking a deep breath, Hu Liena finally voiced the question in her heart:
"Elder Lin, was Lin Xuan you in disguise? Because I saw the Slaughter Sword Martial Spirit on you as well…"
Lin Fan blinked in surprise. "Oh? You didn't know?"
"I thought your teacher would have told you long ago."
Hu Liena's voice quivered, filled with hurt. "So Lin Xuan… were you? You are Lin Xuan?"
Lin Fan nodded. "Yes, Lin Xuan was me in disguise."
Hu Liena froze. She had already suspected, but hearing him admit it outright still shook her to the core. "But… why? You broke the rules of the Elite Tournament like that… did Teacher know beforehand?"
Lin Fan sighed helplessly. "So all this time, you've been distracted just because of this?"
"What else would it be? Since childhood, the Teacher took me as her disciple. I've always carried the honor of Spirit Hall in my heart. I trained relentlessly for years so that I could win glory for Spirit Hall in the Elite Tournament.
But I lost to Lin Xuan. For a whole year, I worked to overcome that shame—to surpass Lin Xuan. I even went to the Misty Canyon, and risked my life coming to the City of Slaughter…
I gave everything. And now you tell me all of it was just some cruel joke of yours!"
Hu Liena's voice broke as her anguish finally erupted.
Lin Fan looked at her outburst and felt powerless.
"Damn system, look what you've done! Even such a beautiful, hardworking girl—you had to put her through this kind of pain!" Lin Fan muttered, glaring at the void.
[The system only cares about the results of tasks. It does not concern itself with the process, nor interfere with the host's actions.]
"Oh, you dare talk back! All because of your stupid tasks! You still owe me my newbie package compensation!"
[What? Hello? Bad signal—zzz—]
"..."
Lin Fan's face darkened. The system was becoming increasingly ridiculous.
"Maybe I should just find a way to uninstall this damned thing someday…"
Turning back to Hu Liena, he spoke in a calm, even tone:
"For this matter, I can only say… I'm sorry. But the path of cultivation is inherently one of struggle—against others, against the heavens, and ourselves.
Under this vast sky, whether one is a Titled Douluo, an ordinary spirit master, or even a commoner, we are all nothing more than mayflies struggling against the current.
There's nothing more I can explain. What I can tell you is this: your teacher only learned the truth—that Lin Xuan was me—after the tournament ended."
"As they say, everything is destiny—beyond our control."
Having said his piece, Lin Fan stepped into his room, leaving Hu Liena to wrestle with her thoughts.
Hu Liena, too, turned away, slamming her door shut.
From that day on, she spoke little to Lin Fan. Instead, she threw herself wholly into the Hell Arena, one battle after another.
She began her path of consecutive victories.
The more she fought, the more her aura grew cold—like a pure white lotus rising unstained from muddy waters, exuding a sharp, unapproachable killing intent.
Her reputation in the City of Slaughter soon spread. Many began calling her the "Messenger of Hell."
Half a year passed.
Lin Fan had achieved ninety-nine consecutive victories. Hu Liena, too, had won thirty-one in a row.
"Elder Lin," Hu Liena finally asked, "once you complete your hundredth consecutive victory in a few days… will you challenge the Hell Road?"
"Most likely." Lin Fan gave no firm answer. He had already been in the City of Slaughter for a year and a half, and was only now nearing the completion of a single task. As for the so-called path toward becoming a supreme deity, the system spoke of—it still seemed impossibly far away.
Who knew what other ridiculous challenges that broken system would throw at him next?
"You needn't worry," he added when he saw the worry on Hu Liena's face. "With the music techniques I've taught you, and the way to steady your heart, you'll be able to walk out of this city one day as well."
"No… I'm not worried for myself. I'm worried for you. A teacher once said the true trial of the City of Slaughter is the Hell Road." Hu Liena's voice softened.
"Then you don't need to worry at all. You've seen my strength. For me, walking the Hell Road will be nothing more than a small challenge." Lin Fan smiled with quiet confidence.
Very well… then I wish you safe travels.