When Kawakima Aki's short blade hovered barely a centimeter from Chen Xiao's left arm, a surge of invisible power suddenly erupted.
It was like hidden currents beneath a still lake—rippling outward, freezing the weapon in midair. No matter how hard she pushed, the blade refused to move even a fraction closer. It felt as though control of the knife had been stripped from her entirely.
Boom—
Chen Xiao kicked her without hesitation, sending her flying seven or eight meters. She slammed into the ground, dust exploding into the air. He had deliberately held back; otherwise, the strike alone would have shattered her bones. Quite literally, he did not want to ruin her appearance.
"Cough… Who… are you?"
Kawakima Aki struggled to stand. Dirt smeared her snow-white skin, and pain throbbed through every muscle. In their brief exchange, she had felt only absolute helplessness. This man was no ordinary Huaxia participant. The oppressive aura he radiated was identical to what she had experienced when facing Hokai.
Instinctively, she took a step backward.
[Nine Foot Seal]
As Chen Xiao approached, an immense rule-based pressure descended upon her, sealing ninety-nine percent of her energy. Without a rule-breaking item like the Bright Lamp or Cao Linxuan's special candy, resistance was meaningless.
Her expression darkened.
"I see… You're the Mad Ghost Butcher."
Chen Xiao nodded calmly. He had never bothered hiding it. In his mind, this woman was already dead.
"Unlucky," she muttered softly. "Running into you at the very start of the third stage…"
She lowered her dagger and let it fall to the ground.
"Is there… any way for me to live?"
Chen Xiao chuckled lightly.
"Of course."
Aki raised an eyebrow. "And what would I have to do?"
As he stepped closer, tension coiled through her entire body. The suffocating shadow of death made her tremble. The stories of the Mad Ghost Butcher were infamous — a man who had slaughtered his way across Huaxia without hesitation.
When he reached out and grabbed her chin, forcing her to raise her head, her breathing faltered.
"Kawakima Aki," he said coldly, "I'm offering you survival out of charity. If you keep hesitating, I'll lose patience."
Her gaze hardened, but she swallowed her resistance.
"I hope you keep your word."
Chen Xiao dragged her toward a nearby tree, pinning her against it.
"Mad Ghost Boss, you ran too fast!"
Zhang Longqi and Zhao Yuanhang finally caught up, panting heavily. Through the darkness, they glimpsed Chen Xiao pressed against the tree with Aki and immediately exchanged nervous glances.
"Don't ask questions," Zhang whispered urgently. "Stand guard. If anyone comes close, kill them."
They were determined to prove their loyalty to their terrifying new leader.
Chen Xiao, naturally, had no idea what they were imagining.
Five hours passed.
Chen Xiao attempted repeatedly to trigger his [Proliferation] ability through her, but nothing responded. Continuing was pointless. Compared to A Yao, Kawakima Aki's reaction was fundamentally different.
Although she outwardly played the role of a compliant companion, her enhanced physique betrayed her true state. [Proliferation] required genuine acceptance and loyalty — and Aki's emotional feedback registered nearly identical to Cheng Youyou's.
Pure hatred.
Chen Xiao exhaled slowly and released her wrist.
She immediately leaned closer, cupping his face with practiced softness.
"What's wrong… husband?"
He frowned slightly and brushed her hair aside.
"Why… don't you like me?"
Her smile stiffened for a fraction of a second before returning.
"What nonsense are you saying? Of course I like you. You're strong… handsome… irresistible…"
Chen Xiao watched her perform in silence.
Then she suddenly remembered something.
"You promised you'd take me to Huaxia. What happened to that?"
He shook his head lightly.
"Too bad. No more chances."
Her smile vanished instantly.
She shoved him away.
"What do you mean? You're breaking your promise? You said you were a man who keeps his word!"
Chen Xiao sneered.
"I only keep promises to people I like. And you… are nothing."
Rage exploded in her eyes. The sudden cruelty stunned her. Hatred surged uncontrollably.
Despicable Huaxia dog… You deserve to die!
She had planned to survive first, then cooperate with Hokai to assassinate him later. But now, survival demanded immediate action.
"Die!"
She activated her fastest speed, launching a concealed blade from her mouth toward his throat.
She was secretly grateful he had never kissed her — whether out of disgust or arrogance, it no longer mattered.
Their earlier tenderness had been nothing but a façade.
Only this brutal reality remained.
She gambled on him lowering his guard.
It failed.
Chen Xiao did not even activate [All Things Water]. He simply raised two fingers and caught the blade between them as if stopping a falling leaf.
The difference in strength was overwhelming.
The blade snapped in half.
Aki's pupils shrank.
She collapsed to her knees instantly.
"Please… husband… spare me… I'll do anything you want!"
Tears welled in her eyes as her voice trembled — a perfect imitation of fear and submission. Yet beneath the performance, hatred burned hotter than ever.
Chen Xiao looked down at her quietly.
The forest wind rustled through the leaves above them.
His expression remained unreadable.