Chapter One Hundred Forty-Three.

Chapter One Hundred Forty-Three.

Gu Dongting watched the descendant of the Abe family quietly, his eyes cold and detached.

"If it were the younger Gu Dongting, maybe it would have taken some effort to deal with him. But he's been through countless bloody battles since, honing his combat skills and strength to a level far beyond his past."

"Gu Dongting also sees this as an opportunity to thoroughly crush this persistently provoking foe."

"Clearly, Abe's descendant feels the same way."

"With the matter concerning both countries, no matter how much he wants to kill Gu Dongting, he can't make a move lightly. This competition, undoubtedly, presents the perfect opportunity. Abe breathes quicker, his expression filled with barely concealed excitement."

"For over twenty years, Gu Dongting has been his greatest enemy and the person he most despises and longs to kill. He's waited far too long for this day!"

"As soon as they step on stage, without a word, both draw their swords, attacking each other with fierce sword energy."

"At the first clash, Abe's pupils constrict: 'How is this possible! How can you be this strong!'"

"In the records, Gu Dongting's abilities were supposed to be on par with his!"

"But in that instant of engagement, Abe feels the overwhelming pressure of Gu Dongting's powerful sword energy."

"Gu Dongting doesn't utter a word; his sword moves like lightning, dazzlingly fast."

"Shen Wang, watching below, smiles with a subtle sense of pride, leisurely saying: 'Did you think that everyone except you was stagnant? Such self-aggrandizement.'"

"Abe's face turns beet red, grinding his teeth: 'Despicable and shameless, you hid your true power!'"

"He'd rather believe that Gu Dongting knew he had spies in Huaxia and thus hid his strength, than accept that Gu Dongting's abilities far exceeded his own."

"Gu Dongting remains uninterested in further talk, while Shen Wang mocks from below: 'How shameless of you to accuse your opponent of hiding their strength just because you can't win... It's typical of your country to distort facts and have no shame.'"

"Distracted by the taunting, Abe nearly gets pierced through the heart by Gu Dongting's sword."

"His expression is extremely ugly, as both being the strongest of their generation in their respective countries, Abe and Gu Dongting have always been in a covert rivalry."

"Only in actual combat did he realize that all those previous records were false!"

"The real Gu Dongting was not only stronger but also more ruthless and merciless... Abe, pushed to the brink, cursed the spies he had planted in Huaxia."

"Useless, all of them useless!"

"In just a short while, Abe was covered in countless wounds, teetering on the brink of defeat under Gu Dongting's sword. In desperation, he pulled out his last resort."

"A small bright red bottle."

"The moment it was infused with spiritual energy, the tiny bottle, no bigger than two fingers, began to grow rapidly, eventually becoming almost half the height of a person, and was hurled viciously at Gu Dongting."

"Seeing this, Shen Wang furrowed his brows deeply."

"Though the bottle seemed cumbersome, Gu Dongting easily dodged it. However, to his surprise, he found that the lifebound black sword, specially forged by Shen Wang, couldn't break this seemingly fragile porcelain."

"Bo Yu noticed something: 'That bottle... looks like something from our country?'"

"As the bottle enlarged, the details on its surface became more apparent, including the familiar red square seal at its base."

"On closer inspection, it turned out to be a porcelain piece from the Han Dynasty's Wenjing era."

"The eyes of the Huaxia team reddened with fury: 'Damn, they stole our artifact and now they're using it against us, how shameless!'"

"'Turning our national antique into this monstrosity, what the hell!'"

"'Infuriating! A Han Dynasty national treasure, tainted with blood... Brother Gu, kill him! Show no mercy!'"

"The other contestants, who were initially discussing how to deal with the vampires, were shocked at the sight of the porcelain vase Abe conjured."

"'The messages in the text were all true!'"

"'There really are people who use antiques for cultivation!'"

"This shape and pattern, unmistakably Huaxia porcelain. How did it end up in Riben's hands, turned into their weapon..."

"Could our country's treasures also be exploited like this?"

"Huaxia, with its long history, might not mind losing one or two antiques, but our country's historical relics are already few and most have been plundered. If..."

The Black contestant who had spoken to Shen Wang and others earlier began to tear up.

"As a Black person, our entire history is practically in museums of other countries. We've had to swallow our anger, but now, finding our treasures mistreated like this..."

"Just like our entire race, our history, culture, and all our past have become stepping stones for other countries, exploited for their gain."

A hush fell over everyone present.

No one spoke further; all eyes were fixed on the giant red vase on the stage, and a silent grief enveloped the entire venue.

Shen Wang noticed the quiet around him, but he was focused solely on Gu Dongting's battle on stage.

"The vase, corrupted by dark magic, was astonishingly tough, even affecting one’s mind due to the blood it had absorbed. But Gu Dongting’s gaze remained clear and unwavering."

"Abe, controlling the vase, grew increasingly irate and frantic in his attacks."

Shen Wang narrowed his eyes, speaking slowly, "Dongting, it's lost its spirit. Give it a swift end."

Others didn't grasp Shen Wang's meaning, but Gu Dongting paused for just a second before his sword gleamed coldly, shattering the ill-fated vase.

The crisp sound of it breaking echoed in everyone's ears, sounding like a relieved sigh, as the pieces scattered across the ground.

"The lifeless porcelain, when shattered, seemed to spill blood all over the floor."

"A somber sadness enveloped everyone, and before they knew it, tears streamed down their faces."

"It was as if they saw a piece of porcelain, forged in a golden age, a craftsman’s greatest pride, enduring the ravages of time and history’s shifts."

"It had rested in the vaults of the wealthy and lay hidden in the dirt during its downfall, witnessing dynasties change and the spectrum of human life... On its land of origin, it silently observed its fellow relics."

"Until one day, it was taken to a foreign land far from its native soil, never to return to that familiar earth."

"Seeing the tide turn against him, Abe took advantage of Gu Dongting's brief moment of distraction to leap off the stage: 'I concede!'"

"As long as he conceded, according to the rules of the competition, Gu Dongting could no longer attack him!"

"Abe's palms were sweaty with nervousness. Losing to his arch-enemy was humiliating, but he valued his life more."

"The rest of the crowd snapped back to reality, glaring furiously at Abe."

"No further explanations were needed; everyone understood that Riben had long been colluding with the vampires, in cahoots with them!"

"Bai Fuchun sighed deeply: 'Damn, he got away with his life!'"

"The very thought was infuriating!"

"Gu Dongting, expressionless, sheathed his sword, then sneered coldly: 'Nothing but a cowardly worm.'"

"'You think you can be my opponent?'"

"Abe's face went pale; he was covered in blood, with the worst wound running across his chest. His white clothing soaked in blood, he looked like a ghastly specter from hell."

"He glared at Gu Dongting, teeth grinding loudly."

"Gu Dongting looked down at him: 'If you disagree, feel free to come back up for another round.'"

"Abe's face changed colors repeatedly, his lips turned so pale they lost all their color, his eyes filled with terror and resentment, truly like a vengeful ghost."

"Those standing behind him steadied his staggering body: 'There's an old saying in Huaxia, as long as the green hills last, there'll always be wood to burn.'"

"'Survival is of utmost importance!'"

"Abe knew very well that if he were to return to the stage, he would have no chance of leaving alive. So, despite his rage, he had to swallow his pride: 'Gu Dongting, don't be so smug! In four years, at the international competition, I will kill you!'"

"After saying this, he was helped off the stage by his companions, in a sorry state."

"A glint of cold light flashed in Gu Dongting's eyes: 'Just hope you live long enough to see that day.'"

In this competition, Shen Wang and Gu Dongting successively overpowered the Riben team. Everyone from Huaxia was not surprised by this outcome, only a bit regretful.

"The little devils aren't strong, but they sure can run fast."

"They surrender as soon as the situation turns bad, a traditional skill of theirs."

"It's a pity he got away alive, like a cockroach. Not much of a threat, just disgustingly resilient."

Everyone nodded in agreement with this conclusion.

"Disgusting, it's really too disgusting."

The other contestants had long lost the will to continue competing. After witnessing the fate of the Chinese relics, the previously scattered group suddenly united.

"Though we may come from different countries and speak different languages, the love for our homelands and the land under our feet is the same. Without needing to say much, everyone's gaze turned towards the 'VIP balcony' on the second floor."

Shen Wang exchanged a look with Gu Dongting and pulled out a yellow longsword. With a forceful step, he soared upwards like a giant hawk.

Gu Dongting followed closely behind.

The yellow and black swords moved in perfect unison, their tips striking the same spot. After a loud noise, a crack slowly appeared in the floor-to-ceiling window, supposedly made of the strongest bulletproof glass.

It was as if a signal to attack had been sounded, and thousands below surged forward.

Some wielded their staffs, murmuring spells, as fiery red dragons rushed towards the second floor.

Others held massive axes, striking repeatedly against the bulletproof glass.

And some simply raised their fists, punching over and over...

The scene was chaotic yet seemed to have an order to it.

In no time, the specially treated bulletproof glass finally shattered, and the eager crowd peered inside, only to find it completely empty.

Like cold water doused on a raging fire, all emotions were extinguished, leaving only lingering smoke.