Die, Replay, Repeat

"If a fifth-tier powerhouse is only this strong, then you should be ashamed of yourself," Yang Ming said coldly.

His body stretched like golden lightning as he launched his attack.

The energy around him surged wildly, his figure seemingly merging with the world itself. Every strike carried the rule of the universe within it.

Lu Ziming's face darkened, clearly provoked by Yang Ming's arrogance.

"You ignorant fool!" he roared. His sword lashed out like a venomous snake, stabbing forward six times in an instant, each strike stronger than the last.

The overwhelming Mindflare transformed into waves of sword energy, surging like a raging sea. One wave after another crashed forward, bringing the force of a violent storm down upon Yang Ming.

This time, Lu Ziming fully displayed the terrifying power of the fifth tier.

Yang Ming had managed to withstand a previous strike, but now he found himself completely overwhelmed.

His blade flashed like lightning, each swing simple, direct, and brutal, with no unnecessary movements. Yet, under the enhancement of the rule of the universe, each strike carried an unstoppable force.

BOOM! Thunderous explosions echoed through the battlefield.

Yang Ming blocked the first sword.

He blocked the second.

He blocked the third.

But then—CRACK! His short blade shattered.

The remaining storm of violent sword energy engulfed him completely.

The golden glow surrounding his body was torn apart layer by layer, breaking into pieces.

The next moment, several streaks of sword energy slashed across his body, as if slicing him apart.

BANG!

Yang Ming crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Lu Ziming sneered, the corners of his lips curling in disdain. "Hmph, that's for you overestimating yourself."

His gaze swept across the others, eyes full of killing intent. "Next... it's your turn."

"Not yet!" Yang Ming's roar suddenly erupted.

"What!?" Lu Ziming's eyes widened in shock.

Yang Ming's body suddenly sprang up from the ground.

He let out a furious roar—"I Am Domain!"

ZZZT!

Blinding golden light surged into the sky, transforming into a bolt of golden lightning that charged straight at Lu Ziming.

"Go to hell!" Lu Ziming growled. As a fifth-tier powerhouse, failing to kill a mere fourth-tier twice was a massive disgrace.

More importantly, Spiritual Energy was far too precious in the Land Between. He had already expended a huge amount trying to kill Yang Ming—energy that could have been used to slay Specters and earn a fortune.

Even if he killed Yang Ming, it wouldn't benefit him. But now, he had failed twice, wasting so much energy for nothing.

"Storm Slash!" Lu Ziming slashed out nine times in an instant.

Nine streaks of razor-sharp sword energy shot out like a tornado. Midair, they merged together, fusing into a single devastating strike.

A storm of sword energy swept across the battlefield.

Yang Ming, still charging forward, was struck head-on.

This time, his protective golden light shattered like glass, and his body was sent flying like a ragdoll.

Lu Ziming smirked coldly, looking at Yang Ming's motionless figure on the ground. Just as he turned his attention back to the others—

"Rule of the universe, grant me strength!" Yang Ming yelled again.

ZZZT!

Brilliant golden light burst forth once more.

"What!? He's still alive!?"

Lu Ziming's eyes filled with disbelief, as if he were witnessing a monster.

For the first time, doubt crept into his mind. 'Have I been in the Land Between for too long? When did killing a mere fourth-tier become so damn difficult?'

Fang Xiu watched with keen interest. Yang Ming's power was as formidable as ever.

Before this, the Corpse Bead had been utterly useless against the fifth-tier Mindflare. But now, after being enhanced by the Corpse Lake, its status had been elevated enough to make it immune to the damage from Mindflare.

"Lu Ziming! Meet your doom!" Yang Ming roared, his bare fists clenched tightly as he struck out. Under the influence of the rule of the Universe, his fists seemed to hold the power of a volcano on the verge of eruption. Golden light flared as a torrent of terrifying energy surged outward.

BOOM!

The air within a few meters of him rippled violently, as if the very ground beneath his fists was being pushed down. Yang Ming seemed to grow stronger with every move, as though his power was building in an unstoppable cycle.

"I'll tear you apart piece by piece! Let's see if you die this time!" Lu Ziming's eyes burned with fury. Just moments ago, Yang Ming had caused such a big loss for him.

He had initially hoped for a quick victory—save some Spiritual Energy—and perhaps get an early start on earning some money tomorrow.

But now, all of that had been shattered. If this dragged on any longer, he might not have enough Spiritual Energy to earn a single cent.

In the Land Between, losing even a day's earnings felt worse than death itself.

"Water Slash!" Lu Ziming drew his sword again, but this time, the strike was not like the brutal, cutting force of before. Instead, it was slow, and graceful, almost as if he was performing a Tai Chi sword form.

And then something extraordinary happened.

As his blade sliced through the air, it seemed to create ripples in the air, like the spreading waves of water. These invisible waves undulated outward, expanding toward Yang Ming.

The sword technique was gentle, even the momentum felt like a light spring rain—soft and delicate, yet continuous.

It seemed weak at first glance, but beneath that tranquility lay an unimaginable killing force.

The layered sword energy hit Yang Ming with soft, relentless pressure. It was as if the gentleness was overwhelming his brute strength, quelling the volcano of energy in his fists.

The radiant golden light that had surrounded him was gradually extinguished, drowned by the layers of sword energy.

When the final strike hit, Yang Ming's body seemed to ripple, as though the very fabric of his being was being crushed beneath an invisible weight.

Every inch of his skin, every bone in his body, was overwhelmed by the crushing force of the attack.

It felt as if he were sinking into the depths of the ocean, the crushing sea pressure breaking him apart.

This time, even the Corpse Bead could not block the damage. Yang Ming's veins burst, blood spilling from his body as his form became drenched in crimson.

The sight sent shockwaves through the crowd. They immediately activated their Domains, trying to halt Lu Ziming's advance.

"Heh, not gonna let you win this time!" Wei Xin, the Zombie, finally moved.

His body transformed into a grotesque form, his skin turning ashen, sharp fangs growing from his mouth. He barreled forward, absorbing the attacks aimed at him with his hardened body.

But when the combined force of the group struck, Wei Xin's zombie form was shattered, leaving only bone and shattered pieces of his body.

Yet, just as quickly, a wicked grin spread across his face. "Domain Activate: Blood Space."

A strange blood-red light erupted from his body, swiftly enveloping the entire area.

As the bloodlight touched them, the crowd felt their own blood boiling inside them, as though it was trying to escape.

Fortunately, none of them were weaklings. They struggled against the force, suppressing the urge to surrender their bodies to the overwhelming pressure.

However, one person did not manage to fight it.

It was the woman who had been following Wei Xin all along.

Blood began to seep from her pale skin, droplets forming like dew on a morning leaf.

One drop, two drops, until they became a stream.

The blood gathered and swirled, forming a stream that was swiftly drawn into Wei Xin's mouth.

The damage to his body was instantly reversed, his form regenerating at an alarming rate, returning to its original state within moments.

Meanwhile, the woman's face grew even paler, the color draining from her skin. Her body crumpled, as if the life was being drained from her.

She collapsed to the ground like a ragdoll, barely clinging to life. Only a faint breath could be detected, her eyes hollow and devoid of spirit—like a corpse.

The sight ignited a furious uproar among the crowd.

"You filthy bastard!" Luo Qingxin shouted in rage.

"I'm going to kill you today!" Li Xiaoru roared.

Wei Xin merely sneered, spitting disdainfully onto the ground. "Pfft, this blood's filthy as hell. Maiden's blood is always the best, though."

Notes

Translator's note: In Chinese culture, zombies are more like vampires. Some of them can walk in daylight like normal people do.

And sorry for the delay, guys, because I had trouble accessing the website last night.