Die, Replay, Repeat

Chapter 274 - The Great Mentor

The moment Fang Moli ascended to the fifth tier, a powerful energy engulfed the battlefield, bringing everything to a sudden halt. 

Joker’s expression froze, his face locked in a mix of shock and disbelief.

For a brief moment, everyone seemed to forget how to breathe. Their eyes were glued not to Fang Moli, the one who had just broken through, but to Fang Xiu. He was wreathed in black flames, silver hair flowing like a divine being. 

That image was seared into their minds.

The fact that Fang Moli had ascended to the fifth tier was astonishing in itself. But what truly left everyone reeling was the reality that Fang Xiu had made it happen. 

The idea that someone could help a peak fourth-tier psychic cross into the mythical fifth tier was unthinkable.

If Fang Moli had done this on his own, it would have been seen as a feat of remarkable talent. But Fang Xiu orchestrating the breakthrough? That left everyone in stunned disbelief.

And then, a new thought crept into the minds of those watching: 'If Fang Xiu can help Fang Moli, could he help us too?'

Fang Xiu was no longer just a Foreseer; in their eyes, he had ascended to something greater—a Master of the Fifth Tier, someone with the power to guide others to this almost unreachable level.

After confirming Fang Moli’s successful breakthrough, Fang Xiu quietly dismissed the projection of his "wife." His part in the plan was over, and now it was Fang Moli’s time to shine.

Fang Moli, now fully immersed in his new power, stood tall. 

He adjusted his clothes, wiping away the emotions of shock and despair that had clouded him earlier, replacing them with a mask of pride and calm indifference.

He lifted the Xuanyuan Sword in his hand, its gleaming blade catching the light as he pointed it directly at Joker.

For the first time, Joker felt a true sense of danger. The now fifth-tier Fang Moli, wielding the Xuanyuan Sword, was not someone to take lightly.

With deliberate slowness, Fang Moli spoke, his voice low, carrying an air of authority and newfound power:

"Now that I’ve reached the fifth tier, I see everything clearly. Joker, before, when you were a tier above me, we were still evenly matched. But now, we’re on the same level. There’s no need for a battle anymore. You... can end this by taking your own life."

Fang Moli delivered the words with confidence, savoring the feeling of standing above it all. 

For the first time, he was in the spotlight, commanding the attention and respect of his peers. 

He couldn’t resist a quick glance at the crowd, eagerly awaiting their reactions to his display of strength and dominance.

But what he saw almost made him choke.

Luo Qingxin, Li Xiaoru, and the others had already gotten up from the ground, completely ignoring him. They were all rushing past him, heading straight for Fang Xiu.

The most eager of them, Li Xiaoru, was bleeding heavily but didn’t seem to care. He stumbled toward Fang Xiu, desperation etched across his face.

"Xiu! Fang Moli won’t stand a chance against Joker on his own. Please, help me break through to the fifth tier too! I’ll help him!" 

Li Xiaoru had abandoned all dignity, practically begging Fang Xiu, who was at least a decade younger than him. His pitiful display left no doubt—he was desperate for Fang Xiu’s help.

Fang Moli’s jaw clenched in frustration. He had just ascended to the fifth tier, put on a grand show, and yet no one seemed to care. And now they were openly doubting his ability to handle Joker? He glanced at Joker, hoping for some recognition of his newfound strength.

But Joker’s focus wasn’t on Fang Moli at all.

Joker’s face was twisted in fury, his eyes locked on Fang Xiu, burning with rage.

"Fang Xiu!" Joker’s voice dripped with venom. "How dare you defile President Zhou’s Genesis Mask like this! I swear, I will kill you for this!"

To Joker, this was personal. The Genesis Mask wasn’t just a tool or artifact—it was sacred. 

Created by the legendary Zhou Qingfeng, it was meant to perfectly integrate Specters into the human psyche. But Fang Xiu had twisted its use, bending its power to help psychics break through to the fifth tier.

For Joker, a devout follower of Zhou Qingfeng’s teachings, this wasn’t just a betrayal—it was an insult to his ultimate belief.

Fang Moli was at a loss for words. ‘Are you kidding me? I’ve just become a fifth-tier powerhouse, and no one cares? You didn’t even listen to my grand speech that I worked so hard to come up with!’

Fang Moli was seething with frustration. Since no one seemed to appreciate his newfound power, he turned all his pent-up anger toward the one person he could still take it out on—Joker.

"Joker, go to hell!"

BOOM!

In a flash, Fang Moli transformed into a brilliant streak of sword light, charging at Joker with fury. 

Two blazing Mindflare streaks—one red, one white—clashed violently in midair, their blows shaking the battlefield with every strike. 

The shockwaves sent tremors through the ground, the sheer force of their battle echoing across the field.

But even as Fang Moli’s attacks lit up the sky, no one seemed to pay him any attention. Instead, all eyes remained locked on Fang Xiu.

It wasn’t that they didn’t care about the battle—it was just that they saw it as a done deal. 

Fang Moli was now a fifth-tier psychic wielding the legendary Xuanyuan Sword. There was no way that Joker would stand any chance. To everyone watching, the outcome was certain.

Rather than watching what seemed like a predictable fight, they all figured it was better to focus on Fang Xiu. 

Thet figured that, if he could help Fang Moli break through to the fifth tier, maybe he could do the same for them. And that was the real opportunity here.

Some were even secretly hoping that Fang Moli would face a little difficulty against Joker—just to have more reason to beg Fang Xiu for their own breakthroughs.

But, of course, that wasn’t going to happen.

The fight between Fang Moli and Joker quickly turned one-sided. With Fang Moli now at the fifth tier, the power of the Xuanyuan Sword was far beyond anything Joker could handle. 

Each strike pushed Joker further back, his once-defiant stance crumbling under the onslaught.

Shocked and enraged, Joker shouted in frustration, "Fang Moli! Using the Xuanyuan Sword to fight me—what kind of hero are you? Be a man, put down the sword and face me! I’ll crush you with my bare hands!"

Fang Moli, full of confidence and drunk on his newfound power, sneered at Joker. 

"Even without the Xuanyuan Sword, you’ve never been worth my time. I, Fang Moli, am not weaker than anyone at my level!"

He was about to put the sword away, eager to prove his strength without relying on it. Just then, however, Fang Xiu’s calm voice rang out across the battlefield.

"Abandon the sword, and I’ll take back your fifth-tier power."

Fang Moli froze mid-motion, his arrogant expression turning into one of shock.

Without hesitation, he tightened his grip on the Xuanyuan Sword and resumed his furious assault on Joker, slashing wildly with renewed vigor. 

"Joker, you're so dead today!"

The truth? Fang Xiu didn’t actually have the power to revoke Fang Moli’s fifth-tier strength. It was a complete bluff. But Fang Moli wasn’t about to risk it. 

Besides, Fang Moli wasn’t an ungrateful person. Fang Xiu had helped him achieve this breakthrough, and while he didn’t express his gratitude outright, the respect was there.

Meanwhile, Li Xiaoru, barely able to contain his excitement, sidled up to Fang Xiu with a pleading expression plastered across his face.

"Xiu, Xiu! That kid Fang Moli is too reckless! No hair on his lip, and he’s already letting it get to his head! Help me break through to the fifth tier, and I’ll finish off Joker in no time!" 

Li Xiaoru’s desperation was so obvious, he was practically draped over Fang Xiu.

Fang Xiu, looking mildly irritated, pushed him away.

"Do you really think breaking through to the fifth tier is that easy? Helping Fang Moli drained a significant amount of my power. You’ll have to wait before I can help anyone else."

Li Xiaoru’s face immediately fell, disappointment clouding his features. But as quickly as it came, it faded. He perked up again, flashing a shameless grin and sidling closer once more.

"Alright, alright. But make me the next one, okay?"