CHAPTER 420: CHAPTER 273: GO TO HELL, YOU BORING WRETCH

Clang!

A sudden metallic clash echoed through the air, as a short sword bizarrely appeared in Luo Chen’s vision. It emitted a crystalline blue shield barrier out of thin air, that barrier dreamlike like a mirage, yet bearing a palpable solidity. The Divine Fire Sword, a peerless weapon that Luo Chen had always prided himself on, had unexpectedly been stopped by this sudden barrier!

The black-clad girl stood quietly behind the barrier, her face veiled by a mysterious black gauze, revealing only a pair of ice-cold eyes. She hadn’t even used a single hand, merely gazing indifferently at the short sword floating in the air. The sword seemed to possess life, automatically releasing an endless stream of crystalline blue energy, starkly contrasting with the flames of the Divine Fire Sword.

Luo Chen fell to the ground, eyes wide open, filled with disbelief. His body trembled, not out of fear, but from extreme shock and reluctance. Once a top warrior on the battlefield, a hero in the minds of many, now he seemed like a helpless wretch struck down mercilessly.

"What... what is going on?" Luo Chen’s voice trembled slightly as he attempted to rise from the ground, but his legs felt like they were frozen, unable to move at all.

The Divine Fire Sword finally lost its glow, dropping powerlessly, striking the ground with a heavy thud. This sound in Luo Chen’s ears was like a thunderclap, shaking him to his core. Meanwhile, the crystalline blue barrier gradually faded, eventually disappearing. The short sword elegantly traced an arc in the air, flying back into the black-clad girl’s hand.

Her face still icy cold, she glanced at Luo Chen with eyes devoid of emotion, as if looking at a lifeless corpse. Her footsteps echoed in the open field, each step seeming to tread upon Luo Chen’s heart.

Luo Chen struggled to stand, but his legs’ weakness caused him to fall back to the ground repeatedly. He looked at his legs with reluctance, a glimmer of despair in his eyes. He had once been so proud and confident, yet now he felt an unprecedented sense of defeat. Holding back the bitterness in his throat, a taste of blood about to surge, he punched the ground heavily.

"Why? Why is this happening?" Luo Chen’s voice was filled with indignation and anger, shaking his head and shouting, as if trying to vent all his pain and helplessness. In his mind appeared the beautiful face of Carefree Meng Lan, his sole solace and source of strength. Yet now, he felt the pain and helplessness of despair once more. This feeling cut him like a knife, yet he was powerless.

The black-clad girl finally reached him, her short sword pointed at Luo Chen’s neck, just a bit more force could slit his throat. But she didn’t rush, instead a cruel smile slowly formed on her lips.

"Die, pathetic wretch..." she whispered, filled with sarcasm and disdain. In her eyes, Luo Chen had completely lost the ability to resist, like a lamb ready for slaughter.

But she was unaware that deep within Luo Chen, a resilient spirit still burned. It was his desire for survival and hope for the future, though weak, unyieldingly strong.

The black-clad girl’s short sword slowly approached Luo Chen’s neck, the icy blade already touching his skin. Luo Chen could clearly feel the bone-chilling cold and the approach of death. Yet at this moment, a determined light flashed suddenly in his eyes!

He lifted his head sharply, gazing at the girl’s cold eyes, shouting loudly, "I will never give up like this!" His voice, though hoarse, was full of strength! It was his rebellion against fate and his persistence for life bursting forth! This shout seemed to shatter the girl’s mental defenses, a trace of hesitation appeared in her murderous intent. But the hesitation was fleeting, she regained her cold demeanor, the short sword in her hand continued to press down...