In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Arrival of Duan Yuqing

Translation by: Weebsread👹

System?

Jiang Qian's heart leapt with hope. Without hesitation, he shouted internally, "Check-in!"

【Ding~ Check-in successful. Reward will be distributed. Please check and accept.】

【Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the status of Inner Sect Disciple of the Azure Mountain Sect!】

Azure Mountain Sect? Isn't that where Duan Yuqing—the male lead and future member of her harem—belongs? And he's the Holy Son there!

But right now, I'm on the edge of death. Couldn't the system give me something a little more useful? I'd worship you forever!

Despair clouded Jiang Qian's vision as he stared at the so-called reward.

Memories flashed before his eyes, as if to signal his imminent end.

Jiang Zixuan glanced at Jiang Qian's face and let out a cold, mocking laugh.

...

...

Flames erupted across her right palm.

A heartbeat later—

She thrust her palm forward.

That strike was fiercely bright—a miniature sun scorching the air!

Jiang Qian watched the fiery attack racing toward him, heart pounding in terror.

And then—the chilling, mechanical voice echoed in his mind once again!

【Congratulations, Host! You have learned the high-grade Yellow-tier movement technique: "Floating Cloud Steps"!】

【Congratulations, Host! You have learned the high-grade Profound-tier body-tempering art: "Vajra Overlord Body"!】

Wait—another reward? So I really am destined to survive!

"Vajra Overlord Body! Floating Cloud Steps!" Jiang Qian muttered. In the blink of an eye, his figure disappeared from where he'd stood.

BOOM—

A deafening blast rocked the arena, shrouding the stage in dust and flying debris.

"Is the Young Master really going to die here?"

"I thought Jiang Zixuan was a useless good-for-nothing, but she just blew the Young Master away with a single move!"

"This is bad. Has she been hiding her strength all along?"

"That strike—it was as fearsome as a Fusion Realm cultivator's blow! Is that even possible...?"

"She's been concealing her true power for three whole years!"

"..."

The crowd of disciples stared at the stage in utter disbelief.

That palm strike—the elders themselves would have struggled to block it, let alone the disciples.

Jiang Chenghai erupted in fury after witnessing the scene. The veins on his forehead throbbed and his face contorted with rage.

The crushing pressure of a Golden Core cultivator swept across the arena, rendering the crowd nearly breathless.

Yet only Jiang Zixuan remained steady atop the stage, her eyes defiant as she glared back at Jiang Chenghai—unbowed, brimming with anger.

Moments later—

Jiang Chenghai's gaze hardened, poisonous as he fixed it on her and roared, "Jiang Zixuan, you ungrateful wretch! The Jiang Clan raised you all these years!"

"Instead of gratitude, you try to murder your own cousin!"

"Such betrayal is utterly unforgivable!"

Jiang Zixuan laughed coldly. "Unforgivable? The Jiang Clan only ever saw me as a pawn. A tool to trade to the Bai Clan for an alliance."

"During the past three years—when my cultivation was crippled—I suffered nothing but humiliation and disdain from you all!"

An old crone spat, voice shrill with accusation: "If not for the Jiang Clan, you'd have died in a ditch long ago! You should be grateful you even have the strength to run your mouth here!"

"Enough talk—kill her already!" shouted an elder, his beard shaking with rage.

"Black Fiend Spirit Finger!" he bellowed. His finger, wreathed in sinister black qi, pierced through the air with a mournful shriek, heading straight for Jiang Zixuan.

"It's over. Jiang Zixuan is finished for sure this time."

"Yeah, no matter how talented she is, she can't stand against an elder."

The disciples were certain: now that the Third Elder had acted, Jiang Zixuan was doomed!

"Just what I was hoping for!" Jiang Zixuan sneered, wholly unmoved. Suddenly, flames roared to life around her.

Her hair billowed in the heat, and a confident smile danced on her lips—like a goddess of fire incarnate.

"Ha!" she shouted, swinging her fist in a blazing arc. Her punch ripped through the air, crackling with explosive force.

With a single blow, she shattered the spirit finger.

She flicked her hand dismissively and snorted coldly.

"This..." The elder—mighty at the Fusion Realm—had done his utmost, yet his attack was destroyed as if it were nothing.

The truth dawned on them all: Jiang Zixuan's cultivation had broken through to the Fusion Realm!

A stunned silence swept through the crowd, awe and fear choking off any further words.

Seeing the shock and apprehension in their faces, a slow, satisfied smile curved Jiang Zixuan's lips. This was exactly the effect she wanted.

Jiang Chenghai, unable to stand the sight, burst out, "Jiang Zixuan! Return my son's life!"

"Raging Wave Mystic Palm!"

He lunged forward, sending a tidal wave of spiritual force hurtling toward Jiang Zixuan.

This time, he was holding nothing back.

Even though she'd just withstood attacks from a Fusion Realm master, there was no way she could survive a blow from someone at the Golden Core level.

Jiang Zixuan's eyes narrowed for just an instant. Flames gathered at her palms, and fiery wings burst to life behind her—she was ready to break away at any moment!

Just as their attacks were about to collide—

A figure appeared between them.

The next instant—

Radiant light erupted from the newcomer, catching both attacks head-on.

Both techniques crashed into him, and yet he remained standing, though his body trembled slightly.

Crap, they both went all-out!

Good thing I activated the Vajra Overlord Body just in time—or I'd be a goner.

If I hadn't intervened, Jiang Zixuan might've survived, but the Jiang Clan would have been annihilated.

Jiang Qian flexed his numb fingers, working the feeling back into his hands.

"My son!" Jiang Chenghai rushed forward in alarm.

With frantic hands, he checked Jiang Qian from head to toe. "Qian'er, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Jiang Qian said with a shaky smile, shaking his head.

Fine? Far from it. I was almost killed by Jiang Zixuan, and if it weren't for Floating Cloud Steps and Vajra Overlord Body, I'd be dead just like in the original novel!

And right after that, my own father almost finished the job!

Physically, I'm fine—but my heart can barely take any more of this!

"How could the Young Master—one of the Four Geniuses of Tianze City—fall so easily?"

"Not only is he unharmed, but did you see him just now? He withstood both the Clan Leader's and Jiang Zixuan's full-force attacks!"

"The Young Master... his strength is unfathomable!"

"..."

The surrounding disciples buzzed with excitement as Jiang Qian emerged unscathed from two powerful blows.

Jiang Zixuan frowned, her gaze drilling into Jiang Qian.

That palm strike had everything I had—it could have seriously injured even the elders. But he took both my attack and Jiang Chenghai's barehanded.

Especially Jiang Chenghai—he's at the Golden Core Realm.

Was he just playing weak before, only to mock me now by saving me?

He's doing this to humiliate me, to show that my strength is nothing compared to his!

Yes, that must be it.

Jiang Zixuan's eyes burned with fresh resentment as she glared at Jiang Qian.

Jiang Qian noticed her glare and felt a wave of confusion.

Wait, I just saved you. Shouldn't you be grateful?

Why does it seem like you hate me even more now?

Jiang Chenghai shielded Jiang Qian behind him, his face hardening. "As your father, I must rid the family of this traitor!"

"I'd like to see you try!" A cold, clear voice suddenly rang out from above.

A man in flowing white robes—raven hair falling to his shoulders and eyes as cold as ice—descended from the sky, landing beside Jiang Zixuan. He swept a frosty gaze across the entire Jiang clan.

TL Note:

- Holy Son: A prestigious title given to a sect’s most talented young cultivator; in this context, Duan Yuqing.