The Master’s Mask Unveiled Again
Chapter 1021 - 1020: It’s Not Over Until We Fight to the Death

Chapter 1021: Chapter 1020: It’s Not Over Until We Fight to the Death

[For those who read Chapter 1019 yesterday, take another look—focus on the latter portion~~ Copper Coin was inspired by your comments and adjusted the reveal order for a better effect. Much love!]

The second team launched a deadly sneak attack, marking the bloody and violent beginning of this duel.

Almost immediately, a follow-up strike came, leaving the first team no time to catch their breath. The steel wire sliced through the air with a sharp swishing sound. Supremely flexible yet unimaginably lethal, the weapon cut the air itself into two parts wherever it passed.

Xiao Qimo’s eyes narrowed, and he agilely dodged once again.

He glared at the opposing second team coming at him like a rabid dog, his patience hitting its limit. After letting them take two strikes, they still didn’t know when to stop. Were they determined to force his hand?

If they were so eager to die, then he had no reason to hold back.

Everyone present could testify that it was the second team’s commander who struck first. Whether someone died or was left crippled, it had nothing to do with him.

With this thought, Xiao Qimo channeled energy into his palm, his commanding and domineering aura undergoing a visible transformation. Whereas before he carried an aloof demeanor, now his name seemed to define him—draped in black robes, surrounded by an aura of death, a chilling and unstoppable God of Death had descended.

"Look, look! The first team is striking back!" someone exclaimed in excitement.

"It’s over. What was a one-sided attack has now turned into a full-scale duel. They’re mortal enemies now..." Members of the third team couldn’t help but worry for themselves and for the second team’s future.

Upon closer inspection, both fighters were delivering lethal moves, each strike ruthless and bent on killing.

There was no room left for reconciliation.

The scene descended into chaos. What was once a solemn ceremonial platform had become a battle arena for the two combatants.

Between the black robes fluttering like phantom shadows and the steel wire that flickered unpredictably, constantly thrown, retrieved, spun, and entangled, the entire area seemed ensnared in their deadly struggle.

The surrounding air was compressed and shattered, making even breathing a challenge for onlookers.

Though everyone had anticipated a life-and-death battle, and even joked about how blood would surely spill when these two fought,

when the fight truly broke out, everyone trembled in fear.

"I... I can’t breathe..."

"Same here..."

"This is insane. I’ve never witnessed such a savage duel before!"

"Where’s the leader? Why isn’t the leader stepping in?"

The crowd began calling out for the leader—not out of concern for the fighters, but for fear of their own safety. They were terrified of getting caught in the crossfire and losing their lives.

Several commanders scurried to find the leader, and finally spotted him in the corner of the ceremonial platform.

Yun Zhijuan sighed deeply as he absorbed the numerous pleading looks aimed his way, and then, with absolutely no confidence, shouted, "Stop it, you two! That’s enough!"

However, the two fighters now locked in combat clearly didn’t hear his plea.

Even if they did, they wouldn’t have stopped.

Once their moves were unleashed, there was no turning back.

For two kings, a battle couldn’t end without settling who stood above and who fell below—who would live and who would die.

Yun Zhijuan: ... Does the leader’s voice really carry so little weight?

He gestured in Assistant Bai Xing’s direction. No matter what, safeguarding the audience’s safety came first.

Bai Xing immediately issued orders through his radio, instructing the Guard Team to secure the area.

He also dispatched a unit to quickly escort the attending dignitaries and faction leaders to a safe location.

The leaders, unaccustomed to such chaotic scenes, stood in complete bewilderment.

One of them even asked Bai Xing, "Is this part of the pre-arranged ceremony transition?"

Bai Xing: ...

It wasn’t pre-arranged.

It was anticipated.

The other guards each wielded shields forged from the toughest materials known to man, forming an impenetrable wall in front of the commanders and over a thousand other members.

Only then did the crowd regain some semblance of a sense of security.

Members of the third team watched the two figures on stage, reduced to mere blurs of shadow. Beneath their masks, their mouths hung open—it was impossible to tell who was who, let alone what techniques they were using.

The third team was consumed by inexplicable anxiety, as well as some concern. One of them said, "Should we try to intervene? We can’t let them keep fighting like this!"

Sitting furthest to the side, the oft-overlooked Fool from the ninth team spoke timidly, "Yeah, we should try to stop them before it ends in a fatality. That’d be a catastrophe!"

"Stop them? And how would you propose we do that?" Gao Ta from the fourth team sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Why don’t you give it a try, Third Team?"

"No way I’m going!" The third team member rolled his eyes.

That would be pure suicide.

On the stage, all that remained were the shadowy afterimages of the two combatants. He couldn’t even track where their physical bodies were, let alone hope to stand a chance. Charging in would mean instant death.

At any moment, the steel wire in the second team leader’s hand could slice his body cleanly in half.

That said... the second team’s leader was undeniably incredible.

The techniques on display—only the first team could handle them. No one else present could hope to match.

He vividly recalled his first sight of the second team leader stepping onto the platform. Beneath the black robe, the frame was tall but slender, the bone structure and figure resembling that of a girl.

Curiosity grew within him regarding the second team’s commander’s identity.

Who exactly was this person?

How strong was he... or she?

And ultimately, who would emerge victorious in this duel?

When it came to the outcome, the fourth team and other commanders hadn’t even considered an alternative possibility.

There was no doubt in their mind that the winner would be the first team. Otherwise, how could they have achieved the second-most powerful position after the leader? While they were all elites in their own right, among the strongest, there was always someone stronger—a fact they respected deeply.

"The second team’s leader is way too impulsive. Doesn’t he understand the first team’s skill level?"

"Even if he does, he probably thinks it’s worth risking everything. He’s been aiming for the leader’s position all along!"

"He’s doomed today! With the first team’s methods, they’ll leave the second team scrambling to pick up their severed head!"

The crowd buzzed with heated debates, watching the ceremonial platform with a mix of fear and exhilaration.

Meanwhile, concealed beneath a mask, a slow, triumphant grin crept across Gao Ta’s face as he participated in idle chatter.

They all said he always played a bad hand, but today, he’d show them that even Non-Lucky could be crowned a king of fortune!

Today was his lucky day!

The two figures on the platform had been locked in combat for almost ten minutes. Despite unleashing killing techniques with every move, neither seemed capable of subduing the other.

Lu Mian couldn’t help but find it strange—this was the first time she’d encountered such a troublesome opponent.

In all her previous battles, life and death were decided within minutes. Even against masters like Sect Master Jing Heng of the Chixia Sect, she’d fought without hesitation.

Yet now, even armed with a weapon, she still couldn’t kill Xiao Qimo within ten minutes—or emerge victorious.

The unusualness wasn’t lost on Xiao Qimo. His mindset, too, was shifting.