Jing Quan looked down at the village.
The demons had vanished as if they never existed—but flames still devoured buildings, and injured civilians lay everywhere.
He raised his sword.
"Eternity Embrace!"
Golden radiance burst from the blade, spreading across the entire village.
The light mended shattered bones, repaired crushed organs, and restored the wounded completely.
The raging fires died instantly.
People who moments ago couldn't stand suddenly straightened, touching their healed limbs in disbelief.
Then, slowly, their voices rose.
"Jing Quan! Master Quan! The greatest! We love you, Master Quan!"
Their cheers echoed through the air.
Jing Quan lifted his sword again.
"Barrier Creator."
He drew a circle in the air, and a massive barrier descended, enveloping the village. A protective dome—ensuring nothing would harm the civilians during his fight with the Demon Lord.
The Demon Lord watched, unmoving.
"So you healed them… but not yourself? I'm surprised you still have power." He laughed. "And you didn't even attack me when I was forming the barrier."
Jing Quan didn't answer.
The Demon Lord leveled his blade. "Good. Keep surprising me. It'll make sending you to the afterlife more enjoyable."
He charged.
Steel clashed with steel. Blood from their earlier wounds scattered through the air, forming twisted silhouettes—echoes of fallen Sword Saints.
"I always hated Sword Saints," the Demon Lord spat. "When I kill you, I'll copy your blade… then rip your soul out and trap it inside mine."
Jing Quan pushed forward, bleeding heavily.
"I only wanted to die," he murmured—but kept fighting. Lightning surged into his palm, and he hurled it. Blood Veil twisted, slicing the lightning apart and returning void fire.
Jing Quan staggered. His back soaked with blood.
He could heal now… but refused.
Every last bit of strength would go to one final strike.
If he erased the Demon Lord completely, if he undid all the suffering—then dying was worth it.
Their blades collided again.
Suddenly, Jing Quan's swordwork exploded with new speed.
In less than a breath, two hundred strikes flashed across the sky.
The Demon Lord's eyes widened. He struggled to defend, strain twisting his face.
He attempted to summon devouring flames—
But Jing Quan didn't let him.
"Eternity Sever—Sealing!"
Jing Quan poured everything—every last heartbeat—into his final technique.
A blade of pure, erasing light tore through the Demon Lord.
The dark lord froze.
Then—
"No… impossible… how did you—!"
His voice cracked as his body dissolved.
His head dropped.
His form vanished.
Jing Quan had erased him entirely.
Below, cheers erupted.
"He did it!"
"He really did it!"
Elder Deng Xia cried out as villagers rallied around him.
Jing Quan managed a faint smile… but his strength was gone.
"Lin Min… I'm coming," he whispered.
His sword slipped from his hand. Blood dripped from his lips. His consciousness faded.
"Help him! Get water!" villagers shouted.
Deng Xia knelt beside him, placing a hand on his forehead and channeling healing energy—
But Jing Quan's life force was gone.
"He won't survive here," Chan Han said softly. "To save him, a reincarnation ritual is needed. His soul won't remain in this world otherwise."
Deng Xia immediately began the ritual.
Jing Quan's eyes fluttered as chanting filled the air.
He tried to speak—tried to tell them to let him go, to let him join Lin Min—
But no sound came.
"Stop… let me die…" he rasped.
The ritual completed.
Jing Quan exhaled one final breath—
And died.
Silence fell over the village.
His sword lay beside him, its golden glow fading.
One by one, villagers sank to their knees.
Some wept.
Some prayed.
Children who didn't understand mimicked their elders, palms pressed together.
They all gathered around him…
Praying for the hero who saved them.