Chapter 200: The Loser's Reason

Bang!

A Liang’s figure was sent flying backward.

Then, he landed on the ground with his waist slightly bent.

Blood coughed from his mouth.

After his Domain shattered, A Liang no longer had the strength to continue fighting.

At the same time, he was puzzled: why was Jiang Yan unaffected when his Domain shattered?

What he hadn’t considered was that Jiang Yan’s Chaotic Void Domain was merely a pseudo-Domain.

The disappearance of the pseudo-Domain only caused the Chaotic Void Ancestral Spirit to fall into chaos for a while, but it had little impact on his physical body.

To put it simply, Jiang Yan could still use the Chaotic Void Domain at least three more times and unleash the Yan Thunder Destruction Slash countless times.

“Time Law.”

Jiang Yan directly transmigrated his physical state to one hour later.

As for why he didn’t go back one hour earlier?

Because if Jiang Yan transmigrated to himself from an hour earlier, the War Ruins Engraving he had gained during the battle would also disappear.

But one hour later was different.

Because by then, he would have fully recovered!

Moreover, he would inherit all the cultivation achievements from that future hour.

Fortunately, Jiang Yan in the next hour was fully focused on moving his Spirit Platform and cutting his Spiritual Power.

He essentially gained an hour of cultivation time for free.

Jiang Yan took a step forward, and in the next second, he appeared before A Liang.

A Liang stared at Jiang Yan’s figure and said solemnly:

“We’ll fight another day. Today, I lost.”

He said this without any psychological burden, as far as A Liang was concerned.

He had escaped from despair, won new life from failure, had fallen before many, and had made many fall under his saber.

Victory and defeat were nothing but fleeting clouds. What intrigued A Liang more was Jiang Yan himself—he found the man more interesting than the battle.

His past memories were inevitably tinged with Jiang Yan’s presence.

That was a side effect of using his Domain—when looking back on the past, traces of outsiders often lingered.

He thought he would remember Jiang Yan forever.

Remember those who had defeated him over the years.

“Clap! Clap! Clap!”

“Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!”

“Thank you both for your outstanding performance in the Rising Tide Prodigy Championship!”

Director Bai He had appeared on the battlefield at some unknown time.

She smiled as she looked at the two on the field, her elegant figure appearing on the live stream screen.

“Thus, this Rising Tide Prodigy Championship has come to a perfect conclusion!”

Bai He’s appearance drew the curtain on this final battle.

The president of Azure Orchid Studio looked livid, his face filled with jealousy as he stared at Jiang Yan’s figure.

“Damn it, where did that bitch dig up such a monstrous genius?”

He had thought he could use A Liang to thoroughly humiliate Lightning Studio, but he never expected the other side to have such incredible luck in finding such a stunning, peerless prodigy.

Now, instead of successfully challenging them, he had been checkmated.

This time, his Azure Orchid Studio had suffered enormous losses.

After all, he had come to challenge them with the official Azure Orchid live stream room!

It was easy to imagine how fiercely the fans in the official live stream room were cursing right now.

“Useless Azure Orchid, failing to challenge others and getting challenged back instead, and right in front of the whole world. It’s disgusting to watch.”

“Exactly, exactly! Without the skill, you still try to imitate the experts and challenge others. Look what happened? You ended up looking like a clown.”

“Sigh, I’ll be too embarrassed to say I play Chasing the Sun from now on. Seems there’s no need to buy this game anymore.”

“Geneva! Refund! I’ve gifted so much, how could you do this to us! Refund!”

“Ah, everyone please calm down. Wins and losses are normal in competitions, no need to get so emotional.”

The president of Azure Orchid Studio apologized to the bullet comment audience with a remorseful expression.

Given his strength and status, he could effortlessly eliminate anyone from the bullet comments with a snap of his fingers, making them dare not utter a single word of dissent.

But now, he represented the public face of Azure Orchid Studio.

Thus, his every word and action reflected Azure Orchid’s stance.

No matter how angry he felt inside, he couldn’t show it. Instead, he had to put on a hypocritically welcoming smile.

This suffocating feeling nearly gave him internal injuries.

Even though he could crush the opponent with one hand, he had to pretend to sincerely apologize.

“Sorry to all Azure Orchid fans, this challenge match was indeed poorly considered on our part.”

“Later, I will thoroughly criticize the Staff member who wrote this proposal.”

In reality, he alone had planned everything, but the responsibility had to be shifted to that nonexistent “employee.”

He thought to himself, “Sigh, I’ll just fire some intern later. Otherwise, if this controversy grows too big, the Studio will suffer too much loss.”

This method was unethical, but practical.

The Azure Orchid president returned to the airlock with a livid expression, not wanting to stay on Dragon Pot Star a second longer.

A Liang intended to follow behind him but felt a cold gaze fall upon him.

A Liang’s lips trembled as he saw a warning in the Azure Orchid president’s eyes.

Unfamiliar, indifferent.

His body froze in place.

Scenes flashed through his mind.

“Congratulations to Contestant No. 24 for achieving an outstanding record of 50 consecutive victories in the gladiatorial matches!”

“You there, what’s your name?”

“I have no name, and dare not have one. They’ll hunt me down with curses.”

“You’re quite skilled. How long have you been here?”

“Fifteen years, but just drifting around, never settling anywhere.”

“You have good Talent. Follow me, and I’ll ensure you never lack food or clothing.”

“Can you help me avoid being hunted?”

“That depends on your performance. But with me here, no one will dare trouble you.”

“Thank you. I will repay you.”

“From now on, you’ll be called A Liang.”

…

“A Liang, you’re truly a Genius! I wouldn’t have known how to win this match without you!”

“A Liang, go compete in a match for me.”

“A Liang, you did very well this time.”

“A Liang, I have no children of my own. Why don’t you become my adopted son?”

Thud—

A Liang knelt and kowtowed.

That day, the man burdened with a blood feud gained family.

…

“A Liang, come, follow me to challenge their arena.”

Bang!

Memories Shattered, scattering into starlight across the night sky, brilliant yet serene, while the distant starship had already drifted to who knows where.

A Liang stood in place, at a loss.

Not far away, another lonely figure sat on the ground.

The Crown Prince of Hill Prison Star, Balshus.

The moment he was defeated, his father called.

“Child, don’t come back. Hill Prison Star no longer belongs to us.”

“Escape on a starship, flee as far as you can!”

Zzzzt—

The signal cut out.

In the final flicker of the screen, he saw several familiar and hated figures breaking into his father’s seclusion.

At this moment, he suddenly understood.

That seeking help from others would never be of any use.

The root of strength always comes from one’s own power.

“If I were strong enough—strong enough not to beg for Lightning Studio’s mercy, strong enough to tear through the heavens, strong enough to face any enemy…”

He spread his hands, his fingertips dancing with undying, vibrant light.

“Then perhaps Mother wouldn’t have died.”