Chapter Sixty-Two: Battle Aura, Gone?

The sunlight filtering through the trees cast elongated shadows upon the forest floor. Judging by the hour, afternoon had arrived. By this time, those in the auction house had resumed their usual work; the only notable change was the duel between Su Yi and Di Yuan at noon.

No one could have anticipated that Su Yi, who for a year had borne the label of a fallen genius, a once-promising youth now considered a lifelong cripple after his battle aura was destroyed, would so decisively defeat Di Yuan—who was already a seventh, nearly eighth-level fighter. Truth be told, the event was the topic of hushed discussions all afternoon, yet most still found it hard to believe. If Su Yi had merely dropped from his former tenth-level peak to a first-level fighter, then over a year managed to surpass his old rate of progress, rising swiftly from level one to eight or nine, people would have been shocked, but not incredulous.

After all, Su Yi had once advanced three levels in a year, and reached the tenth level by age seventeen. Even if his speed doubled or tripled, it would still be within the realm of possibility. But to lose his battle aura and somehow recondense it? That defied all logic—a phenomenon unheard of on this continent. Shattered meridians or broken bones could ruin a person, but with miraculous elixirs, recovery was not impossible. Yet destruction of the battle aura was considered utterly incurable; throughout the continent’s history, there was no precedent for its restoration. No matter how powerful the healer or how wondrous the potion, battle aura could not be restored. This was an inviolable law, and Su Yi had shattered it before everyone’s eyes. Did he possess some unique quality others lacked?

...

Within his modest chamber, Su Yi stood by the window clad in his undergarments, gazing out in a daze, lost in thought for an indeterminate time. At last, he sighed softly and turned to look at Lie Feifei, who was still sleeping soundly upon the bed.

Su Yi’s head throbbed. He had spent the night with the eldest daughter of Lie Family—the foremost power in the city! If word reached the Lie Family, disaster would surely follow. Lie Chen, who treasured his daughter like a jewel, would likely be the first to tear him apart.

He smiled bitterly to himself, questioning how he could have suddenly lost control, his desires overwhelming what he considered a strong will. By the time his senses returned, it was too late.

After regaining his composure, doubt crept into his mind. Could it be...?

Su Yi studied Lie Feifei. She lay curled up on the bed like a docile cat, her blanket draped over her but exposing swathes of pristine skin—smooth, supple back, graceful hips, firm thighs—all on display, vulnerable to the air.

In that moment, heat stirred once more within Su Yi. As he stared at Lie Feifei’s delicate body, she seemed to sense his gaze; her long, curled lashes trembled, and her eyes slowly opened, meeting Su Yi’s unblinking stare.

“Ah!” Lie Feifei let out a startled cry when she realized her situation, her cheeks flushing as she hastily pulled the blanket over herself, shielding her body from view.

Su Yi felt awkward, turning his head slightly and murmuring, “You’re awake?”

“Mm...” Lie Feifei replied quietly, her cheeks reddening further. She had only accompanied Su Yi to his room under his insistence, never expecting he would claim her so forcefully. Though she had subconsciously prepared herself after being compelled to swear an oath, she never imagined it would happen so soon.

Her gaze upon Su Yi was complex, emotions swirling chaotically in her heart—so much so she could not discern them. Strangely, instead of hatred for being taken by a man, she could not find any bitterness within herself.

Was she inherently a passionate woman?

Recalling her progression from resistance to acceptance, then to active desire, the overwhelming sensations left Lie Feifei speechless, her head bowed in embarrassment.

She fell silent, and Su Yi found himself at a loss for words, the room steeped in quiet. After a time, he cleared his throat and asked, “You haven’t been seen all day—surely the Lie Family is worried?”

“Ah! I suppose so...” Lie Feifei suddenly remembered her brother Lie Ren, who had accompanied her earlier. “If my brother returned and didn’t see me, I wonder what will happen... I... I should go back.”

Her last words were barely audible, for she recalled Lie Ren’s vulgar comments about her body, and the urge to ask Su Yi about his own feelings flashed through her mind—leaving her mortified and tongue-tied.

Su Yi, unaware of her thoughts, hesitated before replying, “There’s no need to rush... You’re not quite ready yet. Rest a little longer.”

Even if Lie Feifei was slower on the uptake, the meaning behind “rest” was clear enough. Her heart began to race, and she squeaked, hiding her face beneath the blanket and remaining motionless.

Seeing her like this, Su Yi felt both uneasy and triumphant—a sense of conquest. The city’s renowned beauty, Lie Family’s eldest daughter, admired by countless young men, had just been beneath him, yielding and sighing...

Shaking off those thoughts, Su Yi began to ponder. Could the events just now be connected to the evil spirit within him—the one called the Blood Emperor?

He admitted he found Lie Feifei’s voluptuous figure appealing, but he usually possessed enough restraint. How could he have so suddenly lost control, consumed by overpowering desire?

Ever since discovering the presence of the evil spirit within his body, Su Yi noticed it often sought to influence and control him—perhaps even intending to devour his soul.

Though no signs had surfaced yet, Su Yi, unfamiliar with matters of the soul, harbored deep misgivings. If the evil spirit ever managed to seize control, he would be powerless to resist.

Problems must be solved, and Su Yi was not one to sit idly by. He resolved to seek advice from Meiya and Mo Ben about soul matters, and to investigate the mysterious white mask. If Changling City proved fruitless, he would search elsewhere—surely, somewhere, a solution to the Blood Emperor could be found.

Time slipped away as Su Yi pondered, the daylight waning. At last, as evening approached, Lie Feifei prepared to leave his room and return home.

Watching her dress, though her movements remained awkward, Su Yi felt concerned. “Are you alright?”

Lie Feifei was now a fighter, her body stronger than most; though this was her first time, she should recover quickly. Yet the one who had claimed her—Su Yi—possessed strength akin to a magical beast of the next rank. Despite his exhaustion from the day’s battles and injuries, the sheer force he wielded when overtaken by desire was considerable.

Lie Feifei shook her head, her arrogance gone, murmuring, “I’m leaving,” before hurriedly departing. Just as she was about to disappear from view, Su Yi was struck by a sudden impulse and called out, “Lie Feifei... What attribute is your battle aura?”

“Fire,” she replied, pausing briefly before vanishing.

Lie Feifei’s battle aura was fire, while mine is ice...

Su Yi muttered, then recalled he could now use inner sight to examine his body—a habit he’d never developed before becoming a fighter.

When he finally did so, his face froze, disbelief etched across his features—

His battle aura was gone.

Martial Peak 62—Chapter Sixty-Two: Battle Aura, Gone? End of update!