It's so painful! So hard! So difficult!

Chapter 719 Great Will

The flames on her body were gradually replaced by Miyu's aura. Panting and dragging her body, which was almost unable to stand, she replaced the flaming sword and plunged it into the ground, using it to support her upper body.

Even with the Ember Flame Shield activated, it only managed to equalize the opponent's strength. Bai Lin could only hold out for a minute, but Saint Qili's power was endless. How could this be a big deal? Allin wasn't one to make a choice knowing she was going to lose. She gave up on the idea of ​​using the Ember Flame Shield to crush the opponent directly.

"What's wrong? You don't want to continue risking your life in that way? This is not really like your style."

Sheng Qili was also injured, and her figure seemed a little unsteady. After all, an ordinary person with the injuries of these two people would have been unable to move, or even dead. However, she held the weapon in her hand very steadily, so she also walked steadily to Bai Lin and said,

Bai Lin, on the other hand, gave a slightly forced sneer and replied,

"Consider this a reward for taking that hit from the dump truck and preventing the village from being completely destroyed. Honestly, this isn't like you. You wouldn't have asked these questions before. You should have taken advantage of my condition to kill me."

Sheng Qili's eyes flickered slightly. She held the blade sideways, showing no sign of slacking off. She simply replied,

"Because I haven't figured out your intentions yet. At this point, if you were to sacrifice your life to counterattack me, and then attack me in your full strength, you'd have a significant advantage. So why are you risking everything to save your life?"

Anyone could see that Bai Lin was using a conventional fighting style, one that assumed everyone had only one life. This style undoubtedly put her at a disadvantage. Kronos's deep, mocking voice rang out, echoing in Bai Lin's ears.

"Human, you seem a bit embarrassed. Use my flames to completely burn yourself, then launch the strongest attack, and perhaps you can get back some ground. As for now..."

Before Bai Lin turned around to scold the dragon, Mi Yu's voice echoed in Bai Lin's heart.

There's no need to pay attention to that stinking dragon, sister. But if this continues, you, already inferior in strength, will surely perish. Perhaps it's still too early to confront her.

Anyone looking at this would probably offer similar advice. When you've exhausted all your options and can't gain an advantage, it's probably time to find another way out.

In the center of the golden flower sea, where the magic power was no longer rampant, a breeze blew up again. It carried a few petals across the sky, bringing with it the morning light. It also blew slightly on Bai Lin's hair, bringing a hint of a smile to her face. She slowly straightened her body and replied,

"Oh, sometimes it really is annoying, that feeling of not being favored by anyone. When the whole world thinks you're going to lose, and you're really at a loss as to what to do, no one can be happy, no matter who you are."

"But, actually, this is also within my expectations."

"Oh? You mean you expected that you couldn't even stand steadily, holding on to your knife to stand up? Then I'm very curious, how exactly do you intend to resist my judgment? Let me tell you in advance, confession is useless to me."

Sheng Qili mercilessly refuted Bai Lin's words, scanning him with a cold gaze. Even the silent sea of ​​flowers seemed to silently side with her. Meanwhile, Bai Lin slowly began to narrate his story.

"Humans, as creatures, become less powerful the more choices they have. With a more convenient and comfortable life, how many people are willing to strive for it? This is evident from the way those wealthy second-generation international students indulge in pleasure. This is also the root of human weakness."

"Abandoning medicine for literature, giving up a stable life to fight for one's ideals and for others, is a choice worthy of admiration, and one that only a few people can make. People like this often have great beliefs, but I don't have anything like that. I am just one of the countless ordinary people with inferior qualities."

Bai Lin raised one hand slightly. The bloody and battered hand was in tatters, and it was obvious that she no longer had the strength to fight. But she continued to talk.

"You say I'm the Son of God who saves the world, but in reality, I only have my own selfish motives. I want a world where girls can grow up and live in peace. I want to see those who work hard not be ruined by unexpected misfortunes. I want to see those who trample on other lives and abuse them for the sake of pleasure ripped to pieces."

"I've seen too many tragedies, and I don't want to face them again, so I want to make the world a better place. Furthermore, I also want to fulfill my responsibility and return to my hometown. Frankly, I don't have the noble idea of ​​embracing the world and filling it with love. I'm just an ordinary person who cries and hates, but can only try a little bit at a time in a clumsy and somewhat confused way."

"I still don't even understand how I can save the world."

A dry throat confirmed Bai Lin's blood was draining away. Her tense body relaxed slightly before stiffening. Though her words were clear and coherent, a sense of powerlessness lingered. She was like an aged dragon, feebly recounting a fragment of her life story, and the story of the brave warrior who had inherited the dragon's power and sacrificed himself in a distant land.

Her body trembled slightly, and she continued to narrate.

"I don't understand. I don't comprehend. Not only do I not know how to save the world, I don't even know how to view the martial arts, the only thing I can rely on since arriving here. I can't devote everything to it like a seeker like He, nor can I, like you, Saint Qili, unwaveringly condemn me and use martial arts to completely suppress and judge me."

Saint Qili remained silent for a moment, her eyes wandering, but she showed no intention of putting down the sword in her hand, just like the murderous intent in her words.

"What do you mean? Even if you can grasp a greater wish and have your own beliefs, the fact that you have committed a crime will not change. I am not coming to kill you because you are ordinary. I will also kill those sinners who claim to be great."

Chapter 720 You are better than me

"Right, that's where you're stronger than me. Training yourself to punish evil is far more clear-headed and powerful than me, who only tempers myself slightly for selfish ends and a living. Unwavering is a form of strength in itself."

"I have so much to think about. I wonder if pursuing the path of truth will make me stronger, and if specializing in one aspect of martial arts can make me more pure. But ultimately, neither path is suitable for an ordinary person like me. I don't wield a sword for those reasons. Even if I chose to, I would only be imitating, continuing to be lost on a seemingly clear path. Therefore, I am still in distress, and most people spend their lives in this kind of distress and confusion."

Bai Lin laughed dryly, raising her hands above her head. Her gaze followed the horrible scar, towards the dome of flowers, towards the faint light of dawn. The sunlight in her eyes gently kissed her slightly bitter expression, and also made Bai Lin's body feel better.

"I can't figure out how to save the world right now, but even ordinary people, when faced with only one path to choose, like going to the battlefield to protect their families, will step forward and sacrifice their lives for their country. At such moments, they can also reach the pinnacle."

"That's why I chose to face this threat of yours head-on. When danger is imminent, everyone has to make their own choice. It's just that some people are too hasty and fail to make the best choice. And now, I'm just one step away from truly understanding the martial arts."

The guidance given to her by the old man who was summoned by the God of Wilderness, He's wish and their conversation, and the martial arts path she has taken to this day, everything has accumulated in Bai Lin.

She had been mistaken all along. What she lacked wasn't some powerful martial art with a long history. Those techniques were external things. What she truly needed was the martial arts that could embody the inner self of "Bai Lin."

As Bai Lin's voice faded, her figure, leaning against the flower stem, slowly straightened up a bit, and her spirit and energy no longer looked so miserable. Her eyes no longer contained the slightest bit of confusion, but instead, like the morning light, hinted at the warmth of a flower about to bloom.

Sheng Qili immediately became alert. Even though she didn't think Bai Lin could do anything in this state, she still had to be wary of his mental changes. This was her intuition as a fellow martial artist.

"Summarize a path that will be followed through to the end... Indeed, it's time to summarize and come up with a conclusion."

Bai Lin's figure still looked a little hunched, but she had already become the center of this sea of ​​flowers. All around her, the sounds echoed and people stood tall. She looked indifferently at Sheng Qili and declared in her steady voice,

"I'm not a saint with worldly ambitions, nor am I a seeker of the strongest truth. I'm just an ordinary person with a reputation, someone who wants to achieve my goals and live a stable life without any psychological flaws. Martial arts are merely a tool for me, used to satisfy my selfish desires. I don't need them to transcend everything, nor do I use them to pursue any noble goals.

"As for what kind of selfish motives it is needed to accomplish..."

"Of course. It's enough to support me in saving the world."

The dusky light faded, and Bai Lin, standing proudly amidst the sea of ​​flowers, bathed in the morning light, stood tall. Her somewhat stiff body seemed to regain its vitality, as if it had regained the strength to fight back. At the same instant, Sheng Qili moved. She produced twin blades in her hands and charged at Bai Lin at breakneck speed.

In her opinion, Bai Lin was clearly in high spirits. Although she didn't know how she'd managed to pull herself together, considering the current situation, Bai Lin's only way to neutralize Saint Qili's advantage was to use the ember flames to shield her body and deliver a final blow at the cost of her life. Naturally, she would have to switch to the Dogma Blade used in Judgment to avoid such an action.

Moreover, Bai Lin had been severely injured on one side of his body. If he engaged in a long-range battle, he might still be able to hold out for a while, but the situation would be very uncertain. However, if he were attacked from two directions simultaneously, he would surely be defeated.

Her fierce aura remained undiminished. Saint Qili, launching her attack, acted as if she had never been injured, even more powerful. After all, she and Bai Lin were both the type to strike back with all their might after suffering a wound.

As expected, the sound of a blade piercing flesh echoed. This was reality, not a world where you could just talk and perk up and unleash your power. But as blood splattered onto Saint Qili's face, a look of astonishment appeared in her wide eyes.

The two sharp blades hit Bai Lin without a doubt, but Bai Lin's body did not move at all. Even her eyes were extremely firm, as if she was as unwavering and determined as people who walked out of darkness into the light.

The knife was originally intended to strike Bai Lin's neck, killing her instantly, but it did not achieve the intended goal. In mid-air, it was caught by Bai Lin's raised elbow, and then hit directly on Bai Lin's cheek. It was locked by the elbow bone and cheekbone, and failed to be fatal.

The sharp aura of blood had cut his face and elbows, but even if he could continue to tremble the blade and resist, the long sword could not move forward even an inch. It was like two mountain gates closing together, trapping the desperate person between them. The force he exerted was useless.

The other blade pierced through Bai Lin's damaged right hand, breaking the bones near the palm and stabbing directly towards the organs Bai Lin was protecting. This must be an easy kill, right? Of course not. The moment the blade pierced, Bai Lin took advantage of the moment of broken hand bones to slightly deflect the force, and then, at a delicate angle, the tip of the long knife lodged in the ribs below his abdomen.

After that, she exerted force on her arm, further damaging her hand bones. She then used her more intact arm bones to form another barrier with her ribs, once again blocking the blade. Even as blood splattered and pain lingered, her expression remained calm, with no intention of letting go.

Chapter 721 Prayer Guidance

The two were so close, having used their tools to make contact at negative distance, so the distance between them couldn't be too far. Saint Qili was maintaining a step-forward stance. After all, she was the primary attacker, and at the first moment of contact, she unleashed her most powerful and brutal attack.

Bai Lin, on her part, took a slight step backward, letting her hind leg bear the weight, resulting in this bizarre stance. Her ankle was still slightly twisted. In an instant, the transfer of force was complete, and the reactionary force of the blow erupted in a headbutt, carrying Bai Lin's full strength, fiercely smashing into Sheng Qili's head. Before she could react, the blow left her feeling dizzy and dazed.

Then, Bai Lin surprisingly didn't grab his weapon. Instead, he casually released his grip on the opponent's swords, dragging his injured body forward and pursuing. Without wasting a second, he had already perfectly positioned himself next to Sheng Qili. A left swing pounded the temple, and a right hand, despite the damage, struck the opponent's kidney with a powerful force. Before Sheng Qili could even catch her breath, another jab hit her nose, sending her consciousness even further away.

Sheng Qili, her consciousness hazy, instinctively raised one hand to summon her long sword, but Bai Lin's kick broke her hand, causing her to drop the weapon with a cry of pain. Simultaneously, the high kick unleashed a second force, striking Sheng Qili in the face again, and another round of relentless pursuit and attack began.

What was going on? What on earth was going on? Why didn't I see any of her body's reactions when I swung my swords? And how could she have achieved that ridiculous strike? And why, in that state, could she choose to exacerbate her own injuries without hesitation, completely transcending ordinary "skills."

This is totally against common sense. It completely breaks Sheng Qili's perception of Bai Lin and goes beyond her understanding of martial arts.

While being chased, the effect of her defense seemed to be minimal, but her intuition told her that if she did not defend, she would definitely die in an instant.

Blow after blow, even a fisherman who had trained for years, strong enough to withstand the pounding of the waves, couldn't withstand the waves pounding his body from all sides in milliseconds. It was simply not something a normal person could do, not something a human could endure.

It was clear that Sheng Qili's body had been repeatedly forced into a desperate situation under such impact. This was similar to the continuous attack of the Fire Breathing Punch, but with some differences. The Fire Breathing Punch focused on force and speed, relying on continuous speed and overwhelming force to disrupt the rhythm and launch an endless series of attacks. Meanwhile, Bai Lin, when Sheng Qili had just caught her breath, would strike a move to interrupt her recovery, or inflict multiple wounds on her body, forcing her to make a specific move before injuring her main body.

As Bai Lin had previously summarized, in her original world, Wu was primarily an anti-human attack weapon. He perfectly mastered every inch of the human body, crafting corresponding moves. Bai Lin, however, had magnified this immeasurably. While it didn't require exceptional speed, it wasn't easy to describe Bai Lin's actions in detail. But if one had to simply summarize it, the phrase "brutal and ruthless" might be a good fit.

A kick hooked onto Saint Qili's cheek, sending her flying. After colliding with a large flower stem and remaining unconscious for a moment, she slowly regained consciousness. The first person she saw was Bai Lin, standing in a fierce stance, charging towards her.

Perhaps because her injuries were too severe, she could no longer see Bai Lin's face clearly. She could only glimpse a blurry figure that blended perfectly with the sunshine, the sea of ​​flowers, and the morning breeze.

"how did you do that?"

It was like the embarrassing question that a villain would ask when he was defeated. It came out weakly from Sheng Qili's mouth. On the other hand, Bai Lin also said lightly in a voice that was not very healthy but very strong.

"My heart is as clear as a mirror and still water. I follow my heart and follow the way of martial arts. This is the way of martial arts I have chosen. It is an ordinary person's path of following the heart, without the need for morality, but content with my own path."

"My selfish desire is to save the world and return home to farm as soon as possible. Of course I can't lose to you, Qili."

Sheng Qili fell silent. This seemingly implausible reason, when spoken by Bai Lin, was incredibly convincing. Perhaps the strength of one's convictions couldn't change a person, but a determined path was enough to allow this extraordinary "sinner," who resembled him, to reach the pinnacle of his martial arts.

From now on, perhaps no one will be able to defeat her in terms of martial arts. And she can still continue to grow stronger, reaching the pinnacle of martial arts...

But since when did I become inferior to her?

Looking at Bai Lin's blurred face, Sheng Qili seemed to no longer be able to see Bai Lin clearly. Even the scenery around her and the distant lights were no longer clear in her vision. Perhaps, what she couldn't see clearly now was herself. She could no longer look directly into her own heart like Bai Lin did. Perhaps she no longer had a clear understanding of her so-called faith.

Oh God, why am I so lost? Shouldn't the light that guides the way forward be unwavering and piercing, penetrating the heart at all times and in all circumstances? I am your faithful believer, but at this moment, trapped in despair because of my inability to fulfill your command, I pray, like so many other foolish believers, with only a simple wish.

If everything I'm about to do is right, please send down an oracle. Even if it's just a carrier pigeon flying to the treetops, even if it's just dark clouds blocking the sun, a simple hint, just a "yes" or "no." Please, show me the way.

Saint Qili's long-held belief in the duty of protecting all virtue and severing all sin was now fading from her, just as the warmth and vitality that had gradually faded from her body. She collapsed in a sea of ​​flowers, as if crying out from the depths of despair, longing for visible guidance, a miracle brought by the hand of God himself.

Sadly, just as those who pray in times of disaster are often not saved by God, Saint Qili also did not receive even the slightest memory. Only his own vision was gradually filled with darkness.

Chapter 722 Breathtaking!

The confusion caused by her injuries crept up on her body. This was the only response to her prayer.

She gritted her teeth, her face revealing either anger or a musing on something. Suddenly, she slammed the floor and leaped up, breaking the momentary silence in the sea of ​​flowers. Her body flipped through the air, and a long sword spun out, slashing straight at Bai Lin's face.

Bai Lin dodged sideways, his steps mysterious, as if circumventing the opponent's weapon. Then, his shoulder and hand moved simultaneously, and he thrust his hand out in an instant, completely unconcerned with the magical power of the blade, attempting to shatter it. A powerful flash of lightning spread out, sweeping up like a storm, completely enveloping the entire sea of ​​flowers. And at the very center of the storm, a sharp blade pierced the air, the executioner's sickle raised high, slashing down fiercely. It pierced the sky filled with lightning, and with the most powerful force, it shattered the light, shattering the heavens and awe-inspiring the people.

Within the lightning, Bai Lin's form slowly emerged. Though her flesh and blood were bruised and wounded by the raging magical currents, she continued to breathe with remarkable stability, like breathing on a mountaintop at sunrise—simple, yet vibrant, her seemingly steady form shifted into a firm, resolute stance. Emerging from the storm, she remained oblivious to the present moment, completely focused on the task at hand.

As one foot stepped forward, a sound of breaking air echoed. A powerful gust of wind instantly spread, completely dispersing the magical storm. The golden sea of ​​flowers continued to bloom, the vibrant flower forest seemingly untouched, as if nothing had happened. All that remained was silence, peace, and tranquility.

The world stood still. Just like the clean, sharp punch Bai Lin had delivered to Sheng Qili's chest, a punch that had frozen both men in place, like two statues, a wind-stopping blow.

There was a clang of iron falling to the ground, and the sickle in Sheng Qili's hand slipped. Blood gushed out of her mouth, splattering all over Bai Lin's arm. She could no longer muster even a shred of strength, and she slid forward feebly, finally falling to one knee in a shambling position, leaning against the ground with her entire body, gasping for breath.

Bai Lin also naturally withdrew her hand. As if the injuries on her body were not her own, there was not much fluctuation in her expression. Only Bai Lin opened her mouth and slowly said,

"You should have felt it, Qili. That was an attack powerful enough to threaten your life, a punch powerful enough to shatter the secret of your immortality. I'm sure you're extremely curious about what kind of power could threaten the very strength bestowed upon you by your god."

Bai Lin, looking down from above, glanced at Sheng Qili and slowly revealed her thoughts, as if she was affecting the other person's thoughts, step by step. Then, she added,

"And what on earth is the reason that prevented someone like me from killing you?"

Sheng Qili didn't answer verbally, but with blood still flowing from her lips, she reluctantly raised her head. The look in her eyes confirmed Bai Lin's guess, which was all correct. Bai Lin nodded slightly and continued,

"The reasons for both can be linked together. You've heard of the name of the Wild God, right? It was she who guided me, led me to discover your secret, and gained the power to kill you."

As Bai Lin spoke, he looked at his hand. There seemed to be a faint white flame on it, like smoke and dust swirling around it. This flame was not even hot enough to ignite dead wood, but it was enough to shock Sheng Qili.

"Under her guidance, and through my own discoveries, I understand everything about you. You are similar to me, yet different. If I die, the price is a portion of my power. And if you die, you will lose your memory. This refers not only to your own memories, but also to all the memories of you in this world."

At this point, Bai Lin's clear voice paused slightly, she clenched her hands into fists, and then said in a slightly lowered voice,

"But you don't have any memories of your own, not from the beginning. From the moment you became Saint Qili, that was the price of your power. So, it's always been others who have forgotten you, forgotten the person you once were."

Sheng Qili's eyes were clearly filled with strong doubt and confusion. She seemed to have no faith in Bai Lin's words. Her past self? She was clearly born as the chosen one of God. How could she talk about the past? How could she have been forgotten? In her opinion, Bai Lin was just making a fuss. After a long while, she finally managed to squeeze out a few trembling words from her throat.

"You...you lied to me...I won't...be swayed by you."

After saying this, she did not get a quick response from Bai Lin, but instead saw Bai Lin's somewhat sad eyes, which seemed to be a look of compassion, being directed at her.

What's that look? Is she feeling sorry for me? Why, why does she look like that?!

Sheng Qili was puzzled, but Bai Lin didn't mention this part. She just said slowly,

"Understanding your own makeup naturally leads to a corresponding method. There's no point in killing someone whose past is so entangled in her present. Similarly, I must confront my own past before I can master the method of killing you. That's why the God of Wilderness even summoned the spirit of an old man I once knew to help me understand this."

"At the same time, I need to deeply understand your past and engrave it in my heart, so that I can effectively attack you. My past is a weapon, and your past is the imagined enemy. Both must be clear enough to form the fire of the past that can hurt you."

At this point, Bai Lin was silent for a moment. The corners of her mouth trembled, and her eyes looked up at the sky, as if she was thinking about what tone to use next. Then she put down her shoulders weakly and said,

"It was during this process that I got to know you, the troublesome person who came after me for no apparent reason, the one who gave me so much headache and hatred, yet I had no other options and just wanted to get rid of you as soon as possible. And because of this, I gained a completely new understanding of you."

"In the end, my hatred for you turned to dust, leaving only the word pity."

Chapter 723 That's You

After saying this, Bai Lin took a long breath, as if taking a deep drag on a cigarette. Her body and mind revealed weakness and exhaustion. However, she did not give Saint Qili a chance to continue asking questions. Instead, she spoke in a clearer voice and a natural tone,

"You can choose to believe or not believe the following words. It has nothing to do with me. All I can do is narrate them. Consider them the words of a demagogue. All I ask is for you to listen."

"Once upon a time, there was a village that was subjected to a decades-long nightmare due to the selfish desires of others. No one in the village was spared, suffering day after day until a newborn was born."

For those evildoers, focusing on torturing this newborn child was a better way to achieve their goals. So, while life in the village was hard, it also allowed for a few moments of peace. The newborn girl had her own family, who loved her dearly and often felt deeply pained by the pain being inflicted on her alone. However, they lacked the power to resist the evildoers, and the fear of powerlessness overshadowed their courage to protect their families.

"And the girl has always acted strong in front of her family, like a normal child, except that she's often away from them. Whenever she returns to the village, everyone takes extra care of her. And among her many relatives, among those still alive, her mother and sister love her the most."

As Bai Lin's words progressed, the tone of the story gradually deviated from its profound core. Perhaps love in despair made the story itself a little more uplifting. She took a breath, looked at Saint Qili, who was lying motionless on the ground, and continued her narration.

"My mother was gentle and intelligent, but those nightmarish years left only a few scars on her body. My sister was also sensible and mature, but as someone closer in age, she would outwardly complain about the injustice and feel pain about her sister's treatment. She often wondered, is this really right? Sacrificing her sister's happiness, only to live a miserable life? Is this really okay?"

"Of course, the older sister had no choice, but every time she saw her younger sister's innocent smile, she felt even more pain. She tried her best to meet her younger sister's every request, taking this girl, who was obviously close to her own age but had never known the chirping of summer cicadas, or the experience of picking fruit or catching grasshoppers, through many experiences together. She did her utmost to make up for the girl's childhood."

"Perhaps this is to make up for the guilt and pain in my heart, to ease my conscience. But I also believe that it also contains the love that is connected by blood."

At this point, Sheng Qili's body seemed to have calmed down. Her eyes changed from confusion to trance and struggle. Even though her breathing gradually stabilized, her face remained in a state of daze. She suppressed the emotions that kept bursting out in her heart and asked Bai Lin,

"The Hound of God... I'm not the only one. Those evil people who oppressed others should have been dealt with long ago, right? What's your purpose in telling me these stories? I'm only responsible for judging you. Other things cannot be higher than your priority. After all, you are the one who massacred the village—"