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Chapter 686: Origin of Calamity
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
From afar came a shout, "What are you men doing? All of you, stop!" The voice resounded like thunder itself!
That was precisely the reinforcements that Yu ManLou had summoned reaching the scene.
The sound of fluttering robes sounded incessantly as experts from the Yu Family appeared in all directions. In a split second, the situation was reversed, removing all the rebelling people. Only the Second Prince was left with bloodshot eyes, shouting about beating and killing people.
Everyone had a cloud of fog in their heads. The rebels only had a strength of 3000-4000, but with just this paltry amount of strength, they wanted to attack the imperial palace, wishing for the chance to rule the dynasty? Moreover, the Second Prince himself should have the ability to summon over 20,000 people, so why did he only bring out this amount of strength? Wasn't this absurd?
Yu ManLou slowly walked up, his face devoid of joy or anger. He walked up towards his second son, before suddenly striking out with a vicious backhanded slap on his face. "PA!" The Second Prince immediately spouted out a mouthful of blood, and when he opened his mouth, tens of pearly white teeth fell out in orderly fashion. He swayed and fell unconscious without even a sound.
"Take them away! Put him into the Death Prison, and explicitly state that no one is to visit him! All who disobey will be executed regardless of status!" Yu ManLou's eyes were sharp like swords, cold and indifferent as he spoke.
"Reporting!" Another scout ran over on horseback, both man and horse sweating profusely. However, they were actually dressed in mourning clothes. The moment Yu ManLou saw this, a bad feeling surfaced in his heart.
"Reporting… to the Emperor, Third Prince… Third Prince… he…" The newcomer glanced at Yu ManLou, dismounting and trembling as he stuttered, simply unable to speak coherently.
"What happened to the Third Prince?" Yu ManLou's voice was even, but his robes trembled from the exertion of maintaining his composure. His voice also had a few hints of hoarseness within it.
"Third Prince… the guards in his residence actually carried out an armed rebellion somehow, and unable to adapt to the sudden change, Third Prince he… has been assassinated!" As he finished speaking, he knocked his head on the floor and burst out bawling.
Yu ManLou opened his mouth but was unable to speak. His body unconsciously took a step back, and suddenly felt that the future in front of him was completely blank. There was nothing left.
He had three sons, with the eldest LiuYun having been schemed against, his second son plotting a rebellion today, and his youngest actually being assassinated today as well!
From behind him came a 'putong' sound. The Empress who had just woken up from having fainted earlier fell like a piece of deadwood onto the ground. The pain she felt from losing her child was no less than Yu ManLou's!
Everyone present kept quiet out of fear, not daring to even let out half a bit of sound.
After a long while, Yu ManLou finally regained some semblance of clarity. He staggered forward, but as the experts of the Yu Family stepped forward to aid him, he suddenly froze, and with a spitting motion, he puked out a mouth of blood…
Yu ManTian stood by the side in a daze. While he had never liked those two nephews of his, seeing them in these circumstances today, he too could not help but feel a sense of heartache.
"Let's…. return…." Another lengthy period passed before Yu ManLou hoarsely gave the command. He woodenly turned around, and slowly walked in front, his posture seemingly a little stooped.
The great chaos that took place in Bright Jade City this time could be compared to a legion of bandits infiltrating into a city, wantonly killing and pillaging. The losses were great, to the point they were incalculable. A glorious city had actually turned into a scene of desolation and trauma, unable to return to its past glory!
The origin of calamity radiated from the Yu Family's residence as the core, radiating a circumference of more than 5km from the epicenter! Thousands of houses were burned, and the death count numbered in the tens of thousands. At the center where the chaos spread the most, everything had turned into literal ruins!
Families cried in pain and suffering! The white flags used to send souls off were all raised one by one, fluttering in the breeze. If one were to look with a bird's eye view, they would think that the land was covered in snow.
And up to this point, no one knew how or why this incident took place! Everything was muddled and in a mess, covered with a mysterious veil. While everyone wanted to find a scapegoat to take the blame, there was no one suitable to take the blame!
After three days, the disturbances finally settled down.
Yu ManTian, the Third Master Yu, had been busy rushing around for these three days to the point that his feet had almost practically not stayed in the same spot for more than a minute. His booming voice shook the area constantly. The only person who could be said to have benefited from this incident would only be Yu ManTian, as he was directly pardoned from his punishment by Yu ManLou, and instructed to clean up this mess. After this entire fiasco, those who Yu ManLou could trust were just too few.
A total of 60% of the officials belonging to the Yu Family had actually died in this mysterious calamity!
As for Yu ManLou, he had to lie on the bed after this entire incident. However much he was unwilling to utilize Yu ManTian, he no longer had a choice. In the entire city, the only person remaining from the Yu Family who still possessed authority was Yu ManTian…
Within Yu ManLou's bedchambers, Yu ManLou had on a strip of white cloth wrapped around his head, as though he was an invalid, lying propped up on his bed with a haggard expression.
"Your Majesty, the problem lies in Rainbow Jade Lake." An emaciated old man was kneeling in front of Yu ManLou as he spoke. "This official had begun to control and inspect the water sources after learning of this matter, and discovered that a large amount of a hallucinatory drug was mixed within the waters of Rainbow Jade Lake."
"Rainbow Jade Lake? Hallucinatory drug? Have you determined the compounds, and what countermeasures to take?" Yu ManLou mumbled to himself as he frowned. Because of its clarity, the waters in the lake became the main source of water for the Yu Family and the surrounding hundreds of people in their area. Furthermore, because of the existence of a spring at the bottom of the lake, the water was sweet and tasty.
"It's not really correct to describe it as a hallucinogen actually." The old man paused for a while before continuing, "The composition of this medicine is extremely weird, as it will give rise to strange fantasies to those who consume it, making them feel violent and vicious. In addition, their courage would also be magnified a hundredfold, and it is not wrong to say that they would have balls of steel." Raising his head, he glanced at Yu ManLou once before speaking again, "For all who consume this medicine, they would end up being unable to control their heart's desires, and would attempt to fulfill them at all costs, ignoring any and all consequences. This official here… tested the effects on five individuals. The first had nowhere to vent his desires and ended up killing his wife. The second ran straight to the brothel and ended up raping one of the staff there. The third ran into his office and beheaded his superior, and the last two actually went to try and rob a bank in broad daylight…"
"How could such a frightening drug exist in this world?!" Yu ManLou sucked in a breath of cold air. "Do you have any idea to collect and replicate it?"
A difficult expression appeared on the old man's face as he replied, "Replying to the Emperor, this drug is too unique and has never been seen before. Furthermore… Rainbow Jade Lake would turn back into its original state in at most a day later, with all traces of the drug completely vanishing. At the same time, all the affected people would also regain clarity, just like a dream. As such, this matter…"
"Since that's the case, based on your opinion, was this matter instigated?" Yu ManLou changed the topic.
"Before this incident, this official here had never heard of such a weird drug, and also… even in the historical records, there have been no sightings of such an incident. As such, this official thinks…." the old man swallowed with difficulty, "this should be considered a natural disaster, as the scale is beyond the ability of man."
"Is that so…. you may leave." Yu ManLou quietly lay back on his bed and closed his eyes. The old man bowed deeply before retreating.
"Natural disaster? How could this be a natural disaster? Beyond the ability of man?" Yu ManLou mumbled before a fierce look crossed his face as he hollered, "Men!"
Two men in black robes appeared soundlessly, causing Yu ManLou to feel a wave of sadness. As it turned out, when he had shouted, he had subconsciously expected the Soul and Spirit brothers to appear. However, he recalled that the brothers had already been laid to eternal rest back in Sky Bearing, and could no longer appear in front of him…
"Both of you, find a chance to infiltrate the depths of Rainbow Jade Lake. Search for any unusual occurrences and report."
"Yes!"
After the duo left, Yu ManLou furrowed his brow as he thought about it. He opened his mouth, ready to shout, but then closed it as he suddenly felt a wave of loneliness rush into him. To think that when he had met with such a huge problem, he would actually not have a single person to discuss this matter with…
Should this matter be classified as a natural disaster, or a man-made calamity?
Yu ManLou's senses told him that this matter should have some link to Ling Tian. However, Ling Tian right now was busy with the establishment of his empire and was also involved in deploying his troops to conquer other countries. How would he have the time to do such a thing?
Besides, if this matter was really caused by Ling Tian, how could he fail to capitalize on such a good opportunity? This was totally unlike his style! If Ling Tian really had this sort of weird toy, why how would he even have any opponents left in this world? He just needed to place this drug in the water source of his enemies before they fought. How could anyone put up a resistance against this?
During these few days, Yu ManLou had been acting ill, attempting to force the hand of the orchestrator of this incident out in the open. However, there had actually been no hidden undercurrents at all! This made Yu ManLou, who originally had a firm hypothesis, to start to waver in his conjectures.
In truth this matter was just as Yu ManLou had guessed, that this matter originated from Ling Tian's hand! However, the unforeseen event that arose from this was something that even Ling Tian himself did not expect!
During one of his medicine refining sessions, Ling Tian had inadvertently came across a unique kind of herb, which he named as "black plaster grass". The effect of this herb was similar to the poppy on Earth, the only difference being that its effect was much more tyrannical, making it a heavenly herb for synthesizing hallucinogens! He commanded the Crystal Pavilion that time to plant and collect these herbs in large quantities using his private channels.
The last time he paid a visit to Bright Jade City, the Crystal Pavilion informed him that they had amassed an entire warehouse full of the herb. Ling Tian conveniently used a few days time to mix it with the Heavenly Adhering Grass as well as the Water Soluble Pellet, grinding the compound into a fine powder. He actually had the intention to use it immediately but felt in the end that this compound was going against the harmony of the heavens and earth itself, and thus stayed his hand.
Before he left, Ling Tian had lugged three huge bags of the particular powder, wrapping them securely within oiled cloths, and submerged them within the Rainbow Jade Lake. He had buried them within the mouth of the spring, weighing them down with boulders. This was in preparation as a last resort.
If he still was unable to achieve victory at the final moment, then he would detonate this time bomb he set!
However, the actions of Yu ManLou during the opening ceremony of the Divine Prefecture Empire had thoroughly touched on Ling Tian's nerves. As such, he commanded through a messenger falcon to inform the Crystal Pavilion residing within Bright Jade City to rip apart the oiled clothes, allowing the drug to scatter in the mouth of the spring. The original efficacy of the herb would be lost when it came into contact with water, but with the addition of the heaven adhering grass and water-soluble pellets, it became a weird drug where its medicinal efficacy was best displayed in water!
What comes around, goes around! If Yu ManLou had not been so sinister, Ling Tian would never have resorted to such measures this time around!
Chapter 687: Arriving at the Southeast
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
As the medicinal powder was rapidly dispersed all over the lake, the entire Bright Jade City was thrown into a chaos like what Ling Tian had expected! However, even the mastermind behind the whole matter had underestimated the frightening might of the medicinal powder!
Anyone with inner qi would be able to easily suppress the medicinal powder and purge it within a single day. Thus, Ling Tian felt that the medicinal powder would only be able to make the Yu Family lose some face and create a bit of trouble for them.
He never imagined that this medicinal powder would almost destroy the entire empire!
In the world today, how many individuals were capable of producing inner qi?
When Ling Tian was testing the medicinal powder, he was able to suppress it easily without much effort and thus felt that the power of the medicinal effect of the powder wasn't excessive.
However, even with Ling Tian's inner strength back then, how many would be a match for him? Thus, he unknowingly created this disaster for the Yu Family! This was something that Ling Tian had never expected and it was a mere coincidence. It was a pity that he no longer had any of this medicinal powder. If not, there wouldn't be anyone in the world capable of stopping him!
What good weather today!
The scenery of the Southeast was like a painting!
"The drooping willows spread for three thousand miles, ninety thousand fine blue silks. Witnessing the movement of the entire world, our south-east Xiao Family is number one!" Ling Tian rode on his horse as he muttered the Xiao Family's poem under his breath. With the glistening words of 'Green Ripple Immortal Park before him, Ling Tian could not help but be moved.
If the Xiao Family truly kept to their ancestral teachings and never participated in the war for hegemony, Ling Tian would probably be helpless against them even after uniting the entire world! With a natural barrier at the entrance to the Southeast and an endless supply of resources to sustain themselves, they would never fall. Even if Ling Tian wasn't willing, he could only allow the existence of the Xiao Family.
In the Southeast, the Xiao Family had extremely deep roots with an extremely good reputation among the commoners!
That's right, while Ling Tian was able to make use of explosives to take down the pass, he had to have a reason to start a battle after all.
If he tried to start a battle without a proper reason, war would definitely break out and the final outcome would be the loss of countless lives. Even if the history books were written by the victor, he would definitely be reduced to a miserable state where the hearts of the commoners weren't with him.
However, when facing the changing times, the Xiao Family which held onto immeasurable wealth and millions of soldiers could not withstand the temptation of ruling over the entire world. Thus, they worked together with Above Heavens and hoped to rule over the entire world. Who would have thought that they would have suffered a miserable defeat before they could even walk out from the Southeast?!
With a few thousand kilograms of explosives, Ling Tian caused the mountain to collapse and reversed the flow of the rivers! He destroyed the natural barrier to the Southeast and destroyed the invading Xiao Family warriors, ending the dream of the Xiao Family!
Was it fate?
As Xiao FengYang looked at the scenery like a painting before him, he felt his heart in turmoil. 'The endless drooping willows green throughout spring, the Xiao Family will be wealthy for a thousand years'. These words were passed down by their ancestors and only then did Xiao FengYang know that the wealth of the Xiao Family didn't lie in the endless willows but in the human heart! It lay in ambitions!
Ever since the rising of the Xiao Family, the Xiao Family had ruled over the entire Southeast for a full thousand years! Not a single year more or less! It was truly a stunning coincidence! Could it be that it was their destiny?
After going through the largest ups and downs of human life, Xiao FengYang who had returned back home again could not help but remember these words and tears filled his face.
They had let down their ancestors! How would he be able to face his ancestors in the underworld?!
Today, as well as in the future, while the Xiao Family would still be around, the Xiao Family's existence would only be because of a single daughter. It would be impossible for them to regain their days of glory and they would no longer be the rulers of the Southeast!
With Ling Tian's face being concealed under a large hood, he entered the Green Ripple Immortal Park together with the Xiao Family's troops.
At this moment, the sun was setting and under the light of the setting sun, the entire Green Ripple Immortal Park was covered in a layer of red. While the scene was a beautiful one, it was also extremely desolate. The endless storm would begin to brew from this moment on!
"Sect master has ordered for junior sister YouHan to make a trip to the Concealing Dragon Abode without any delays." A green-robed young man appeared in front of them with a silver token in his hand. His eyes were fixed on Xiao YouHan and he treated Xiao FengYang who held great authority in the Xiao Family like air.
Xiao FengYang sneered in his heart. Will there still be an Above Heavens after today? I shall just let you remain arrogant for a while more!
Xiao YouHan had a tinge of displeasure on her face and was obviously dissatisfied with his rude actions. "Yes, this disciple obeys the sect master's orders."
"Junior sister YouHan, let us take our leave." The green-robed man was twenty or so years old and had a suave appearance. However, the way his eyes spun around gave a person an extremely annoying vibe.
Xiao YouHan's face turned cold as she thought to herself. With this fellow being so rude, I wonder if that stone-faced fellow will be angry? Will he draw his sword?Thinking about this, her face turned red as she snuck a glance to her side. She then suddenly snapped out of her thoughts. Why am I caring about his emotions? Could it be that I…
Along the way, Ling Jian followed closely behind Xiao YouHan like a block of ice. The two of them were like the north and south pole emanating a chilly intent for the entire journey and anyone who approached them would feel a bone-piercing cold. Even Li Xue who had cultivated the Divine Ice Formula would feel a shiver running down her spine. However, these two did not pay any attention to that and had even grown comfortable with each other's presence throughout the journey!
After arriving at the Xiao Family, Xiao YouHan who was already used to Ling Jian's presence suddenly couldn't see his figure.
Right at this moment, a buzzing sound sounded in her ears, "Don't look around, I will follow you."
Xiao YouHan had almost let out a gasp of surprise! Converging his voice into a line! Voice transmission! I really couldn't tell that this stone-faced fellow's martial arts were at such a level! Only someone who was at the XianTian level would be able to use such a skill.
At the same time, she was elated in her heart. If his martial arts were at such a level, even if they failed, escaping definitely wouldn't be a problem.
Just when she was thinking about that, the voice sounded in her ears again, "The way this fellow stares at you is truly annoying! He will definitely be the first to die later!"
Xiao YouHan could not help but roll her eyes. This stone-faced fellow really doesn't know how the word 'death' is written! You can laugh if you can even protect your life. You are actually thinking of killing others? You truly do not even know your own strength! It seems like you are truly too fond of bragging. Do you really think that you are the First Pavilion Head?!
She no longer heard anything by her ears.
Xiao YouHan looked at Xiao FengYang and Xiao FengYang chuckled, "YouHan, since senior Meng has asked for you, you should hurry and make your way over. As a junior, how can you let your senior wait?"
Xiao YouHan acknowledged his words and jumped off her horse.
That green-robed man let out a strange laugh and perfunctorily cupped his fists. "Farewell Second Master Xiao." Before waiting for Xiao FengYang's reply, he left with Xiao YouHan.
Ling Chen who was hiding under the hood also had a look of dissatisfaction on her face as she said softly, "From the actions of this young disciple, the difference between Beyond Heavens and Above Heavens is truly obvious. They can't even be mentioned in the same breath. It is truly the time for such a sect to meet its demise. What rights do they have to be ranked together with Beyond Heavens as one of the three hidden sects?!"
Li Xue nodded in agreement, "A frog in the well who does not know the size of the ocean. They truly deserve death for their arrogance!"
Ling Tian laughed, "Since that's the case, wipe them out completely! Pass down my orders, not a single one shall be allowed to leave alive!"
Ling Chen waved her sleeves and a black line shot out from her sleeves. An eagle's cry could then be heard and an eagle shot to the air. After making a round in the air, the eagle disappeared into the pavilion.
"Justice has yet to arrive, should we wait for him?" Li Xue frowned and said softly, "Above Heavens has three thousand death troops and hundreds of disciples. If we face them head-on, it would be hard to avoid death and injuries."
Ling Tian smiled and replied, "He has already arrived." He then looked towards an ancient willow tree in the distance and smiled profoundly.
"Hmph! Ling Tian you brat, you actually dare to order this seat around. You are truly bold!" A cold snort could be heard from the willow tree and before Ling Tian could reply, a grey figure shot forward from the willow tree and disappeared without a trace. The direction that he left was towards Xiao YouHan.
Following the departure of the grey figure, the sun set and darkness descended!
Ling Tian smiled and muttered to himself, "It would be a waste for me to not use a free fighter like you. Brother Justice, I am not willing to waste resources."
Turning around, he looked at Xiao FengYang and said warmly, "Second Master Xiao, now that things have developed to such a state, there isn't any turning back. Try to gather the members of your Xiao Family towards your position and give a strict order for your Xiao Family members to not participate in the battle later. That way, your Xiao Family may be able to preserve some strength."
Xiao FengYang was speechless.
He knew that the attack would be swift and this battle would determine their life and death! Ling Tian did not even wait for the Xiao Family to make any arrangements and did not even meet with their Xiao Family Head before launching their attack!
Ling Tian let out a sigh and decided to give an explanation after some thought, "Second Master Xiao, while this move of mine is rushed, Meng FanYun has already summoned Miss Xiao YouHan. As soon as he finds out about what happened in Sky Bearing, there will definitely be changes regardless of how he reacts. If we do not take action now, we will definitely miss this chance. I believer Second Master Xiao understands this."
Chapter 688: Master of the First Pavilion
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xiao FengYang naturally knew of this, but he felt that with the current security measures, there should be no reason the news would get leaked out. Even if Meng FanYun wished to take action after he learned of the plan, in the end, he would still need preparation time. During that period, the Xiao Family could then rush out more arrangements to ensure their victory. It was a pity that this scheme required all the old and weak as well as the mothers with young children to take cover.
Ling Tian shook his head as he sighed.
The disciples inside an aristocratic family ultimately were not people of the martial world! They would always use their own opinion and thinking in evaluating others. Indeed, the information restriction on the Ling Family was seamless. However, during the grand ceremony of the Ling Family previously, there was no slip-up, which meant that the plan of Above Heavens in scheming against Sky Bearing had completely failed. No news was leaked out, but to have the Second Master Xiao able to return safely after the grand ceremony, what did this mean?
If Ling Tian's hypothesis was right, most likely the Xiao Family was actually within the palms of the Above Heavens Sect. Once they were to move, the first matter would be to completely kill all of them!
If they really planned to wait for the Above Heavens Sect to make a move, most likely, the hegemon that was the Xiao Family would no longer exist…
The ruthlessness of those in the martial world was not something these greenhouse plants from the aristocratic families could understand or accept!
The Above Heavens Sect was definitely aware that when they reached the end of the road, once they confirmed that the Xiao Family had betrayed them, if they did not resort to a life or death struggle, would they still be termed as the Above Heavens Sect?
The Above Heavens Sect Leader, Meng FanYun stood with his hands behind his back at the main hall, his head raised as he stared at the portrait of the founding ancestor of the Above Heavens Sect without moving. Behind him, lining in two rows along the hall were dozens of men clad in green robes, all completely still without letting out a single sound.
Starting from this morning, Meng FanYun had felt a mysterious sense of irritation as well as anxiety in his heart. He could not put a finger to this feeling, which left him feeling terrible. It seemed like his chronic disease was about to flare up once again…
Forcibly suppressing his anxiousness, he stood calmly, as though prepared for everything possible. However, only he knew that the left hand within his robes had been covered in a layer of cold sweat for some time.
"Is everyone prepared?" Meng FanYun lowly intoned.
"Everything has been done according to instructions. The entire household of the Xiao Family has a total of 360 people, which have already been concentrated within three courtyards. There are a total of 300 death warriors standing guard on the outside, together with our own experts. However, once our plans go awry, this subordinate dares guarantee that these people's heads will roll at the first command!"
"Good, keep it low profile and don't let them find out. After all, this is only conjecture, but if needed… they might still be of use in the future."
"Yes!"
"Reporting to Sect Master, Junior Sister Xiao YouHan has arrived." A youth respectfully spoke at this time. He was precisely the youth that was sent to escort Xiao YouHan back.
"Let her in!" Meng FanYun raised his brow slightly at the news but did not turn around, instead commanding in a deep voice. For the six of them to die was well within their expectations. It would be odd if they could come back alive after such a commotion was created! Xiao YouHan's identity as part of the Xiao Family definitely acted as a protective talisman for her, and this was one of the reasons why Meng FanYun had selected her for this trip.
"Yes!" Following this came the sound of scattered footsteps, as Xiao YouHan walked into the main hall step by step.
Meng FanYun's heart grew even more anxious, the ominous feeling within his heart growing ever stronger. However, he still remained perfectly still, scrutinizing and counting the breaths taken by Xiao YouHan to curb his inner frustrations. He leisurely replied, "Youhan, your breaths are uneven, just what exactly happened? For the operation in Sky Bearing this time, what was the result?"
Xiao YouHan shook and raised her head up.
"This time, the operation to Sky Bearing, Elder and the rest…" Xiao YouHan followed the instructions of relating the falsified version and narrated it to the rest.
"A complete wipe-out?" Meng FanYun's brows jumped, and he coldly smiled. However, his back still faced her as he said, "Then how did you manage to return? Even Elder Fan Lang was unable to avoid death, so how could you have the ability to escape?!"
"According to Elder Lang's instructions, I did not participate in the action this time. Furthermore, they mentioned that they did not wish to make things difficult for me." Xiao YouHan calmly replied.
"Not make things difficult… that's right, they naturally would not trouble you." Meng FanYun serenely interjected, his tone passive without any joy or anger. "Right now, your Xiao Family should be at an even closer relationship with the Ling Family than before, right?"
Xiao YouHan heart skipped a beat, and she immediately replied, "Why would Sect Master say such words? The Ling Family snatched my family's mountain pass, killed 10,000 of my family's troops, and even kidnapped my Second Uncle. This hatred will not allow us to share the same sky! How could there even be a way to coexist?"
Meng FanYun slowly turned around at this time, sizing up Xiao YouHan. "I merely talked about your two families being closer in relationships, when did I say that you both have mended your relations? For you to explain in such a panicky tone, what is the meaning behind it? Are you trying to cover up something?!"
Xiao YouHan was stunned into silence. It was only after a long period of time did she finally sadly mutter, "If Grand Teacher does not wish to believe in this disciple's report, then this disciple also has nothing to say. Ever since I received the favor of Grand Teacher, I obtained the opportunity to enter the Above Heavens Sect and cultivate all kinds of profound martial arts. The grace bestowed upon me is as high as the heavens and as deep and the earth, so how could I even have the thoughts of betrayal? The sect and the family are like fish and water, intertwined harmoniously with each other. Disciple here has always been happy about this in her heart, but now that Sect Master is suspicious of this disciple. In order to prove my innocence, I, Xiao YouHan, am willing to commit suicide in front of Sect Master!" As she spoke, her sword was pulled out of the sheath in lightning-quick speed, the point reversed as it stabbed viciously towards her chest!
She was unaware of when Ling Tian's plan would begin, but she knew that the only thing she could do now was to stall for time as much as possible. For every second she could delay, it might mean more of her clansmen being saved. Right now, given the large degree of suspicion Meng FanYun had towards her, with the space between his eyebrows exuding killing intent, there was a high chance his next words would be to send an order to wipe out the Xiao Family!
As such, Xiao YouHan decided to innovate, using retreat as a form of advance, betting her life in this strike!
If Meng FanYun stepped out to stop her, disallowing her from committing suicide, this would go to show that his suspicions were not too heavy, at least not to the point of being non-negotiable. Naturally, this would mean that there was a chance to continue dragging it out. However, if he was unwilling to step in, then by actually committing suicide, including the previous words she spoke, even Meng FanYun would seriously reconsider his suspicions. Whichever the case, it would result in some extra time bought over.
However, for her act of committing suicide, every single fiber of her being was irrevocably committed to it! In front of this old fox that was Meng FanYun, if one wished to pretend and attempt to scam him, it was akin to seeking death!
Thus, Xiao YouHan's sword was quick as lightning, carrying with it sounds of air tearing as it stabbed straight at her chest!
A sorrowful smile hung on her mouth as she thought, Coffin board, this is goodbye! I'll never see you again! I can never compete with you as to whose face is colder. However, if my death can save the entire Xiao Family, then it is truly worth it! This is what I should do as a daughter of the Xiao Family! It's just that… I feel it is hard to part with you!
These thoughts flashed past her mind like shooting stars and lightning arcs.
Her movements were akin to a rabbit jumping up or a falcon swooping down, a feast for the eyes. And at this moment, even Ling Jian who was hidden outside the Sect on a tree was unable to come to her rescue despite his peerless movement techniques!
With a 'shua' the sword stabbed into her chest. Xiao YouHan felt a piercing pain, accompanied by a wave of chilling coldness, as though a frozen needle had pierced into her.
This, is this the feeling of death? Xiao YouHan mused to herself, before suddenly realizing the strangeness of the situation. Why can I still think clearly? And even have consciousness? She could not help but open her eyes.
In front of her, two wizened fingers gently held onto the blade of Xiao YouHan's sword as though it was effortless. The sword stab powered by Xiao YouHan's full strength had actually only managed to pierce her own skin, without going in any further!
Meng FanYun held onto the sword blade with his two fingers as he coldly looked at her. After a while, he loosened his fingers, and the sword made out of steel essence actually shattered into pieces!
Meng FanYun finally smiled as he spoke, "You silly lass, always so stubborn! To actually go through on your words right after speaking them, without any hesitation! For these sorts of things, we can always talk it out, why do you need to use your life to prove anything?"
Since he was not certain at this moment if the Xiao Family had leaned towards the Ling Family, Xiao YouHan must not die! After all, she was a descendant of the Xiao Family, and if the news spread about her returning and dying immediately after, he would have no way to explain the situation! This was the reason why Meng FanYun took action in the end, and not because he pitied her, nor was it because of the relationship between teacher and disciple.
"Many thanks for the trust Sect Master has shown, to save YouHan's little life." Xiao YouHan also felt herself breaking out in cold sweat. She also experienced some form of otherworldly experience, that living could actually be so good, that she would have the chance to see him…. once again.
Meng FanYun's face broke into a smile, reassuring her with a few words, before dismissing her with a wave of his hand.
Gazing at her silhouette leaving, Meng FanYun suddenly felt as though something was wrong, but could not pinpoint the problem. However, Xiao YouHan indeed used her full strength in attempting suicide previously, without any pretense. Was he getting too suspicious? Just as he was pondering the matter, he felt a rush of anxiety well up from his heart, causing him to violently gasp for breath. His eyes immediately turned a scarlet red!
In the end, it has still come! This chronic illness has been flaring up the last few days, and while I've been trying to suppress it, the aftereffects get worse each time. To think that it still could not be controlled after all!
The heavy panting, bringing with it an aura of violence, as well as the disorderly aura made Xiao YouHan, who had just reached the door to turn her head back.
This turn of her head let Xiao YouHan witness an unbelievable scenario!
Under the bright lights of the lanterns, a piece of sky seemed to distort, forming into a shadow. The shadow sped through more than a hundred feet in an instant like a specter, appearing in front of Meng FanYun!
This action was quick to the extreme, and had already surpassed the boundaries of what the martial world termed as 'movement technique'. Even with such a long distance to cross, the lit candles within the main hall never once moved!
This person's movements could actually not give rise to any disturbance in the surrounding air!
A pitch black sword, akin to a curse delivered by the Devil, seemed to materialize from the illusory realm, appearing directly in front of Meng FanYun's throat!
The tyranny of this sword could be described as mountain shattering and heaven splitting, fast to the point that the sword blade actually did not reflect the light from its surroundings.
While it was soundless and sightless, it's might could shake heaven and earth!
Up to this point, the sword and its owner appeared as unmoving as mountains, as profound as the sea. Even for such a life reaping blow, there was still no killing intent leaked out!
Meng FanYun went berserk! Facing such imminent death, it was as though he had sunk into a nightmare. His mind still remained crystal clear, but his body had long stopped listening to his instructions.
Facing such a world-shaking sword, a sense of powerlessness welled up from his heart. It was not merely just being unable to avoid, he also had the feeling that he should not avoid such a sword! By the time he snapped out of his reverie, the sword had already reached his throat.
With the threat of death looming before him, he utilized all his strength to twist his body to the side, almost snapping his neck in the process. However, he finally avoided the grisly ending of having the sword pierce through his neck! As the sword shot past his neck with a 'shua' sound, it brought with it a blast of ice-cold air, causing goosebumps to form on his skin.
Meng FanYun toppled onto the floor, before borrowing this force to shoot out towards the door. Escape!
The shadow flashed, and an icy-cold light shone as the pitch black sword pursued unceasingly, like a maggot burrowing into the bone. Meng FanYun performed his movement technique seven times consecutively, but could not avoid the sword in the end. With a sickening 'puchi', the sword stabbed into his shoulder, its impetus akin to a bolt of lightning!
Even though the sword had stabbed in, there was no blood to be seen. Meng FanYun madly used the force to escape another 70 feet away! In contrast, the man in black robes retrieved his sword, but did not chase. Instead, he kept the sword, although his sense continued to lock onto the retreating Meng FanYun. He stood there coldly, not speaking a single word.
There was only hiding, escaping, but no retaliation!
Facing a sword stab of such power, even though he was the Sect Master of Above Heavens, he could only avoid the attack. He could not, nor was he prepared to counterattack!
At this moment, his wound finally burst out in a spray of blood! His arm sagged down powerlessly. While the sword wound was small, Meng FanYun's heart was totally cold at this point!
It was a sort of feeling as though a hero had been driven to his wit's end!
While the sword did not dig deep, it had managed to sever his tendons and ligaments in that instant. From the stab wound, a sharp sword energy was also wreaking havoc in his surroundings, making him feel as though his entire arm was being split apart, no longer his own! How could this be? The sword was initially aimed to his neck, and having swerved to avoid it, he would have thrown the accuracy of the wielder off. So how could the sword still so accurately pierce his tendons, how was this even possible?
Only now did the people from the main hall react! A hubbub of noise resounded from within.
Meng FanYun revolved his inner energy, sealing up his own left arm. He then turned to face the black-robed man, hatefully spitting out, "Master of the First Pavilion?"
In that instant, Meng FanYun had already identified the person. To possess such movement techniques, sword skills, and arts of assassination, and to even be able to face a Sect Master of the three great hidden sects, a grandmaster of martial arts, with such an outcome!
Other than the First Pavilion's Master, whose reputation had spread far and wide, nobody else was capable of this!
"It is I! Sect Master of Above Heavens, you indeed have good eyesight!" The person in question coldly smiled.
The assassin was indeed Ling Jian!
While he was still dressed in customary black robes, his bearing was akin to a drawn sword, exuding a life-reaping killing intent. In his hand, the sword he carried even had a droplet of blood congregating on the sword point before it dripped onto the ground with a faint 'pa' sound.
At this moment, a ripping sound resounded through the main hall. This was the sonic boom caused by the frightening speed previously reached by the sword! It sounded as though a hurricane had torn through the place.
The candles within the entire main hall extinguished simultaneously.
In the darkness, the silhouette of that masked man in black seemed to resemble a devil that had just touched down on the mortal world, looking in disdain at everyone else. The dozens of people inside the hall did not dare to move under his gaze!
As for Xiao YouHan who was standing by the doors, she felt her heart jolt, as she stared dumbfounded at the scene!
Chapter 689: Killing Intent
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Ling Jian followed closely behind Xiao YouHan. Ever since he entered the Concealing Dragon Abode, Ling Jian's divine sense had been locked on Meng FanYun's body. However, with Meng FanYun's tyrannical XianTian inner qi, his entire aura was melded together with his surroundings without showing the slightest flaw. Furthermore, his profound inner qi was even above that of Yu ManLou.
While Ling Jian knew that Meng FanYun was inside and his divine sense was already locked on Meng FanYun, Meng FanYun's aura was completely as one with the hall and there wasn't a single opening for him to exploit! Even with Ling Jian's world-class assassination techniques, he wasn't able to find any opportunity to attack!
Just when Xiao YouHan was about to walk out of the hall, Meng FanYun's aura was suddenly in a mess for some reason. Furthermore, he could no longer stabilize his mental state!
Ling Jian was overjoyed! Such a chance was truly one in a lifetime!
One's appearance could be faked and one's martial arts could be faked, but the aura of a peerless expert could not be faked! Ling Jian did not know exactly what had happened to Meng FanYun to cause such a disruption to his aura, but Ling Jian wasn't interested in finding out. He only knew that this was the best chance to kill Meng FanYun! As long as he could kill Meng FanYun, everything else wasn't important!
Ling Jian was an assassin and his mission was to assassinate Meng FanYun. Regardless of how he did it and under what circumstances, Ling Jian's mission would be completed as long as he killed Meng FanYun! Thus, Ling Jian couldn't be bothered about the so-called big picture! Killing Meng FanYun was the biggest help to the big picture!
Thus, Ling Jian unleashed his attack without the slightest bit of hesitation! Indeed, his single sword proved effective! If not for Meng FanYun dodging swiftly, this single sword would have detached his head from his neck!
Despite the other party dodging his attack, Ling Jian was still able to deal a severe wound to the other party. If not for Ling Tian's pointers and Ling Jian's bitter practice, how could it be possible for him to make this split second decision?!
Xiao YouHan was shocked with her entire body shaking! It turns out that this stone-faced fellow was actually… he was actually… the First Pavilion Head!
He was actually the First Pavilion Head?! This, this… this… how is this possible? I, I… I… just what should I do?
The aura in the surroundings was oppressive with killing intent all around. However, Xiao YouHan who was outside the hall was completely dumbfounded. Her face was flushed red as she thought about how she had praised and confessed her love for the First Pavilion Head in front of him and Ling Tian…
It was truly too embarrassing! Xiao YouHan stomped her feet in anger and pouted. Her heart was full of joy and thousands of thoughts flashed past her head at this moment. Despite the swords flashing before her very eyes, her heart was actually trapped in her maiden's thoughts.
Just how should I face him? What kind of an identity should I face him with? How should I talk to him?
This darn stone-faced fellow! He is truly too annoying and irritating! Xiao YouHan covered her face with embarrassment as she thought about her embarrassing actions. The thoughts of a little lady were like a poem, dream and fantasy. But the moment she faced reality, the fear of losing him had also filled her heart…
With a few swooshing sounds, forty to fifty black figures swiftly formed a large circle around Ling Jian. Their weapons were in their hands with a look of wariness in their eyes.
Despite being in their Above Heavens headquarters with dozens of experts in the vicinity, he was able to severely wound the sect master of Above Heavens, one of the top five experts in the world! Is this something that an ordinary individual could do?
Such martial arts, he was like a ghost and spirit! No, his martial arts had already exceeded ghosts and spirits!
"The lives of all humans are in my hands, the winds and rains heed the First Pavilion! First Pavilion Head truly lives up to your reputation!"
Meng FanYun let out a chuckle as he supported his injured shoulder. "Under such circumstances and being in the headquarters of our Above Heavens, how would a person capable of injuring me with a single sword be an unknown individual? While you did play some tricks with that sword of yours, the only group capable of performing such an assassination is the First Pavilion! In the First Pavilion, only the Pavilion Head would be capable of such a feat!"
He let out two coughs and a look of self-mockery could be seen on his face. "If any assassin in the world was capable of this, then the First Pavilion wouldn't be called the First Pavilion!"
Ling Jian looked at his sword tip with a sharp gaze and said, "Are you trying to mock me for succeeding with an ambush?"
Meng FanYun snorted coldly and rolled his eyes, "First Pavilion Head, aren't you looking down on me a little too much?! Victory is victory, defeat is defeat! Not having the ability to defend against an ambush is my own inability. Since I have lost and will be killed, what face do I have to blame others?"
He suddenly let out a long sigh, "Back then, I cultivated the Divine Blazing Sun Formula since I was young and improved rapidly. However, I was too hasty and achieved the third level before fifteen years of age! Before my foundation of the third level is stable, I consumed the Blazing Sun Pill. In the end, my body wasn't fully developed and my vital Yang energy wasn't stable. I suffered a backlash from the pure Yang fire and almost lost my life. I only managed to keep my life because of my master and martial uncles."
Everyone did not know the reason for his words and listened silently.
"But from that day on, my meridians were harmed. With the improvement of my Divine Blazing Sun Formula, the injuries to my meridians also grew more and more severe. In the past few years, my Divine Blazing Sun Formula was finally fully completed but the burning of my meridians could no longer be controlled. My cultivation formula cultivates the vital yang energy and I suffered from a fire injury. If I want to recover, I only need to disperse my cultivation and my life will be saved. But if I did that, I would become a complete cripple! As a disciple from Above Heavens, it would be a fate worse than death if I lose my martial arts! Master had once said that I would suffer a huge loss because of my meridians and may even lose my life!"
Meng FanYun burst out into laughter and glared at Ling Jian. "It seems like my master was right indeed!"
Ling Jian had a slight smile on his face and was completely unbothered by the countless weapons gleaming around him. He looked at Meng FanYun with a sneer, "This is also a reason! You think that this is the reason for your loss! While it seems like you have accepted reality on the surface, you have not accepted it in your heart! With this mental state of yours, you will never be able to reach the peak of martial arts in this life of yours!" Ling Jian's words were like knives, "You aren't worthy with your mental state!"
A trace of anger flashed past Meng FanYun's face and he snorted, "First Pavilion Head, we are both in different camps and there isn't a need to talk about this. However, this old man is very interested in who sent you. Can you tell me?!"
Ling Jian laughed coldly, "Meng FanYun, you do not need to waste your effort to stall for time. You should know that your death is certain today! It isn't just you, there are many who are going to die today! You will not have the walk the yellow springs road alone!"
From the beginning, Meng FanYun knew that Ling Jian's aura had been locked onto him. As long as he made the slightest move, he would definitely be met with an all-out attack from Ling Jian. Thus, he did not make a single move and began talking. He wanted to diminish Ling Jian's killing intent and make use of the chance to circulate his inner qi. When he was confident that he could break free from Ling Jian's aura lock, he would make his move. At the very least, he would have to first purge the sharp sword qi from his shoulder!
However, even if he was stalling for time, wasn't Ling Jian doing so as well?! If it was any other mission, Ling Jian wouldn't even bother saying a single word and execute his mission before escaping.
Currently, Ling Jian couldn't do that. He had to wait for Ling Tian and Justice to arrive.
Meng FanYun who was severely injured was already within his grasp. Under the lock on of his aura, even if Meng FanYun tried to escape, he would definitely die under a single sword! Ling Jian had absolute confidence! Thus, Ling Jian wasn't anxious.
There was another reason. While Ling Jian's sword strike seemed simple, it was imbued with his entire cultivation! Especially when he had to change his target after his opponent avoided his attack. While his sword strike was successful, it also exhausted a great deal of inner qi and mental strength. The longer time dragged on, the more he could recover. At that time, he would be more confident in both escaping and killing his enemy!
His gaze swept past the crowd surrounding him. Even with Ling Jian's calm and stability, he could not help but be startled. The number of experts in the crowd was truly out of Ling Jian's expectations. Especially the three white-haired elders in the crowd. While they seemed old and past their prime, their eyes were gleaming with strength and their auras were powerful. While they weren't a match for Meng FanYun, they weren't too far away either. Their inner strength alone was already at the level of Shui WuBo and Yu ManLou!
These must be the three most mysterious elders in Above Heavens! To think that Above Heavens would have three such experts! They truly live up to the name of being a hidden sect at the same level of Beyond Heavens!
If Ling Jian attacked at this moment, he was a hundred percent sure that he would be able to kill Meng FanYun. However, he wasn't confident that he would be able to deal with the encirclement of the other experts! In fact, there wasn't the slightest chance for him to escape!
Those in the hall could naturally understand this as well and thus none of them dared to make a move, afraid that a rash action of theirs may result in the life of their sect master being lost.
Both of them were acting warily.
No, perhaps only Above Heavens was acting warily. Ling Jian didn't attack because the time wasn't right! To Ling Jian, nothing was more important than the mission that Ling Tian had given to him! Including his own life!
Killing Meng FanYun was his mission! Ling Jian had never considered what would happen after killing Meng FanYun!
He would kill first before saying anything else!
In the hall, there was an eerie silence.
The situation was extremely tense. If Meng FanYun could purge the sword qi in his shoulder before Ling Jian took action, he would be able to regain the majority of his strength and have the ability to deal with Ling Jian's sure-kill strike. At that time, it would be too late for Ling Jian to take action. Stalling for time was extremely beneficial to him!
It was a pity that Meng FanYun didn't know that stalling for time would only bring them into grave danger! As he stalled for time, how could Ling Jian not understand such a simple logic? However, Ling Jian needed time to wait for Ling Tian and Justice to arrive. As long as they arrived, so what if Meng FanYun could recover?!
Chapter 690: Peerless Assassin
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
It was only then that Xiao YanXue understood that Ling Tian was only joking with her when he asked her to aid Ling Jian. It was a complete joke from the beginning to the end! With Xiao YanXue's cultivation, she probably didn't even have the ability to go anywhere near the battle!
Seeing Ling Jian stand in the middle of the hall like a celestial with his sword suppressing the dozens of Above Heavens experts around him without a single person daring to make a move, Xiao YanXue had a sudden sense of pride in her heart!
This is the man who she had eyes for!
In the world today, how many of such men would there be?
But after feeling a sense of pride, she had endless fear in her heart. Regardless of how spectacular Ling Jian's martial arts were, he was only a single person. While he seemed to be suppressing the experts of Above Heavens at the moment, the moment he killed Meng FanYun, there wouldn't be the slightest bit of chance for him to escape!
If Ling Jian didn't kill Meng FanYun and attempted to make a full retreat, the countless Above Heavens experts may be able to keep him from leaving!
However, Ling Jian couldn't leave! Even if he wanted to leave, he had to first kill Meng FanYun before leaving!
Xiao YanXue was extremely flustered in her heart. Just what should she do? Just how could she save this fellow after he completed his assassination?
Meng FanYun looked at Ling Jian with his eyes gleaming and suddenly said, "Sir Pavilion Head, at this moment, both of us are extremely clear that none of us dares to make a move! If my experts make a move first, I will definitely be the first to take a step onto the yellow springs road and this is something that my Above Heavens cannot accept. If Sir makes a move first, even if I die, you will definitely not be able to leave alive! Under the combined attack of fifty to sixty XianTian experts, even if you are Justice, so what?"
He then said with a smile, "The way I see it, why don't we each take a step back and make friends with each other?" Meng FanYun had misjudged the situation and thought that Ling Jian didn't attack because he was afraid of being trapped in an encirclement. Thus, this Above Heavens Sect Master attempted to negotiate with Ling Jian.
Ling Jian seemed to be in deep thought, pondering over what Meng FanYun had said. Meng FanYun was elated and continued, "Pavilion Head roams unhindered in the world and there isn't a single person who doesn't admire your name. I have already been severely injured by Pavilion Head and even if Pavilion Head leaves now, it wouldn't leave a stain on Pavilion Head's majestic name! Pavilion Head is an intelligent man and should naturally know how to make your choice."
Two cold beams shot out from Ling Jian's eyes and he said coldly, "There are something that you are right about. If your men make a move first, you will die! If I make a move first, you will die! Regardless of which party makes a move first, you will definitely be the first to die!"
Meng FanYun snorted, "However, the second to die will definitely be you!"
A tinge of laughter could be seen in Ling Jian's eyes.
Meng FanYun thought that he had persuaded Ling Jian and heaved a sigh of relief, only to hear Ling Jian say, "Not necessarily!"
Meng FanYun flew into a rage and said, "Not to mention the First Pavilion Head, even if the number one expert in the world, Justice, was standing in your place, he would definitely be dead in the face of the full strength of my Above Heavens!"
"Oh? What big words! Is that really the truth?" Ling Jian said coldly.
At the same time, another voice drifted in from outside the hall, "Sect Master Meng's words are truly bold. This seat is extremely interested to find out what kind of strength is capable of killing this seat!"
Meng FanYun's face changed! Why would he be here?!
Martial Order Medallion owner Justice! He is here!
The heavens want my death!
Meng FanYun never imagined that his luck would be so terribly bad! In order to persuade the number one assassin in front of him, he had mentioned the number one expert in the world as an example. It was only normal for the number one expert in the world to be superior to the number one assassin. However, who would have thought that he would have summoned the number one expert in the world with those words of his!
I am truly too unlucky! Meng FanYun almost had the urge to give himself a few tight slaps for spouting such nonsense!
However, it was already too late for Meng FanYun to regret! At this moment, Ling Jian who had heard this voice made his move!
Like a bolt of lightning!
His target was Meng FanYun!
Ling Jian raised his sword and charged forward, dashing through the crowd like a ghostly figure. A series of enraged roars sounded immediately and countless blade lights were slashed down towards Ling Jian!
Countless palm strikes were sent out mercilessly towards the ghostly figure! The entire hall was thrown into chaos!
Ling Jian's face remained calm and was completely indifferent towards the incoming attacks. In his eyes, he could only see a single person, Meng FanYun!
Meng FanYun let out a loud cry and tossed out the sword in his right hand. At the same time, he sent out seventy-nine palm strikes as his figure retreated backward rapidly!
Meng FanYun retreated a hundred feet with a flash and his back was already up against the wall of the hall!
He could not retreat any further!
Despite the entire hall being filled with the blade lights of the Above Heavens experts, such an extravagant attack and luxurious lineup did not give Meng FanYun the slightest bit of security!
His eyes suddenly jerked with his eyeballs spinning around in all directions. His throat let out a few choking sounds as he tried his best to take in fresh air. However, it was useless! On his chest at the position of his heart, a little red dot could be seen with blood oozing out of it!
He had already suffered from a sword strike! A strike capable of taking his life! A strike sending him to the yellow springs!
Ling Jian's figure was like a fish in water as he weaved through the crowd. However, he could feel a burning sensation on his legs and he had already suffered an injury. The wind from Meng FanYun's palm strikes blew fiercely before him and Meng FanYun's palm strike had arrived. Tilting his body to the side, Ling Jian nimbly avoided the palm strike and his sword stabbed out at lightning speed before it was retracted equally quickly!
Under the mutual lock-on of their auras, regardless of where Meng FanYun escaped to, Ling Jian would be able to find him even with his eyes shut!
After Ling Jian successfully assassinated Meng FanYun, he made use of his nimble and mystical movement techniques to avoid the desperate final attack from his opponent. However, it was a pity that he couldn't avoid them all and suffered two palm strikes to his left shoulder.
He then halted his footsteps abruptly and a brilliant ball of sword light was formed with a wave of his sword. Before the experts in the hall could react, the ball of light exploded into sword rays shooting out in all directions and a series of wails could be heard!
Ling Jian's mystical movement techniques appeared again!
The next instant, Ling Jian's figure was already back to his original position: the middle of the hall!
Ling Jian's clothes were tattered all over and sword cuts covered his body! With this single advance and retreat, there were more than ten people who collapsed on the floor!
However, Ling Jian could not avoid the numerous blades and dozens of sword cuts covered his body! The strangest thing was the fact that apart from the wounds on his legs that were bleeding, the other wounds on the upper half of his body weren't bleeding in the slightest!
In the gaps where his black robes were tattered, a glowing gold light could be seen!
A trace of gratitude could be seen in Ling Jian's eyes. Protective vest! Ling Tian had made use of the flood dragon's hard skin to craft a dozen or so protective vests and Ling Jian had received one.
Initially, Ling Jian insisted on rejecting the protective vest, thinking that the vest would be completely useless and would even affect his mobility and flexibility. In the end, Ling Tian flew into a rage and gave a strict order to force Ling Jian to put on the vest. Who would have thought that the vest would save his life today?
"Protective vest! This b*st*rd has a protective vest!" A white-haired elder was angered to the point he almost vomited blood! He initially thought that the other party would have been reduced to mush under their flurry of blades but never expected him to have such a treasure!
No wonder this fellow would ensure that there were no other openings to any part of his body apart from his chest and back! It turns out that he had nothing to be afraid of! However, just what kind of material was the protective vest made of?! It was actually able to receive the attacks of dozens of XianTian experts without being damaged!
With just his martial arts alone, the First Pavilion Head could look down on the world proudly! Together with this protective vest…
Looking at the numerous sword cuts all over Ling Jian's body, Xiao YouHan felt as though a large hammer hammered down on her chest. She almost blacked out and she felt her innards burning on fire!
He is injured! He is injured … her heart was filled with those words and she felt an explosion going off in her head. She could not consider anything else and she almost died from the heartache.
Only until the white-haired elder let out a roar did Xiao YouHan snap out from her grief. Looking at Ling Jian standing in the middle of the hall unharmed, Xiao YouHan was overjoyed and had the urge to dive into Ling Jian's embrace and burst out crying! However, she couldn't. If she really pounced forward into his embrace, she would only become his burden and may even be the accomplice to kill him!
Ling Jian remained silent and his sword stabbed out again.
Only at this moment did Meng FanYun's body which was leaning against the wall slide down onto the ground. His eyes were wide open in disbelief and regret could be seen in his eyes!
"Sect Master has passed away! Sect Master has passed away!!!" A loud roar could be heard and the eyes of the experts in the hall all turned red as they pounced forward at Ling Jian!
"Take revenge for Sect Master!" Someone cried out at the top of his lungs!
"AHHHH!!!" Everyone charged forward as though they had gone mad.
Ling Jian immediately felt the pressure increasing many times and he could no longer deal with the never-ending stream of attacks. Clanging sounds could be heard whenever his enemy's blades came into contact with his protective vest. While they weren't able to destroy his vest, the powerful force from their XianTian inner qi was enough to make Ling Jian miserable. Even if he didn't seem injured on the surface, he would definitely have some internal injuries.
With the burning pain on his left shoulder, he almost could not lift up his left hand anymore. The two palm strikes from Meng FanYun weren't so easily taken! While he had his protective vest and inner qi to protect his body, the desperate strike of this peerless expert had still caused great injury!
Brandishing his sword a few times, another Above Heavens expert lay on the floor dead. At the same time, Ling Jian received another blow to his left shoulder because of its stiffness.
His black mask had already disappeared and Ling Jian's face was filled with calmness. Not a single emotion could be seen on his face and killing intent exploded forth from his entire body! He reaped the lives of those around him with every sword strike but also began suffering from injuries one after another.
Ever since he entered the hall, Ling Jian had not looked at Xiao YouHan again! He was afraid! While Ling Jian wasn't afraid of death, he was afraid that his heart might falter if he saw that beautiful appearance and his resolution would waver!
Shuah! His right leg suffered another sword strike. Ling Jian's body slanted to the right and almost collapsed on the ground as his sword stabbed out mercilessly at the one who injured him!
Ling Jian was already in a miserable situation!
Chapter 691: Dissolved Sect
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xiao YouHan looked at the black figure darting around the hall with tears all over her face and hopelessness in her heart! The sword in her hand was already pointed towards her abdomen. If Ling Jian died, Xiao YouHan would stab down without the slightest hesitation!
I shall not live alone if the gentleman dies!
Xiao YouHan bit down on her lips as she tightly gripped her sword!
A loud roar like a dragon sounded and a green shadow shot into the hall. With a few crashing sounds, the experts surrounding Ling Jian were all sent flying like balls with blood spraying out from their mouths!
Justice had charged in with a face full of depression and anger in his heart!
After that single sentence of his, Justice did not say anything else. He had been watching from the outside and was waiting for Ling Jian to be unable to hold off his opponents. Justice wanted to see if Ling Jian would plead to him for help. Justice wanted to see if the expressionless face of Ling Jian would change or show any fear at the face of death!
However, Justice was disappointed!
Ling Jian did not even let out a single sound. While he knew that a powerful aid was by his side and that Justice could easily jump into the battle and diffuse his situation, Ling Jian did not plead for help!
Ling Jian's face remained calm and expressionless. The greater the danger he faced the calmer he was!
Not to mention seeing anxiousness, in Ling Jian's eyes, Justice could not see anything but killing intent! Even if he were to be dismembered into countless pieces, Ling Jian would be able to maintain his expression!
How could Justice not be depressed?
However, Justice didn't know that it wasn't that Ling Jian would never plead for help. However, Ling Jian would only plead to a single person for help in this life of his! That person was Ling Tian! Ling Jian's life belonged to Ling Tian and it wouldn't matter if he pleaded to Ling Tian for help!
In front of Ling Tian, Ling Jian could shed away all of his different faces, be it happiness, anger, grief or fear. But apart from when he was with Ling Tian, Ling Jian would be the proudest person in the world!
Even if he was the number one expert in the world who Ling Jian respected, in Ling Jian's heart, Justice didn't deserve him to plead for his help!
Was it because Justice didn't have the right? Not really. It was because Ling Jian would never plead to an outsider for help!
He was a proud person! He had a proud heart! Ling Jian! He was superior to everyone in the world apart from Ling Tian! He was a sword!
The sound of fists clashing could be heard and Justice was like a tiger in a herd of sheep displaying his might! In just a short moment, more than ten experts had died under his fists!
"He is Justice from Beyond Heavens!" someone cried out with fear!
When facing the First Pavilion Head, the number one assassin in the world, Ling Jian, those from Above Heavens would still have the heart to place their life on the line!
But when they faced the Martial Order Medallion owner, the number one expert in the world, Justice, any thoughts of fighting back had been destroyed!
Ling Jian's peerless assassination technique truly separated life from death!
Sect Master of Above Heavens, Meng FanYun: Dead!
Ling Jian could be proud of this attack of his! This attack was sufficient to shock the world and turn the tides around!
However, this attack of his had also incited the ferocious counterattack of the Above Heavens experts. The death of Meng FanYun had given these Above Heavens experts who viewed Meng FanYun as a deity a huge blow!
While Ling Jian was able to take Meng FanYun's life with a single sword, he was also exhausted and injured. Together with Meng FanYun's desperate strike before his death, Ling Jian had fallen into a bitter battle!
This would probably the time of his death!
However, Justice had appeared at this moment and the Above Heavens experts who were launching a frenzied attack for their revenge were jolted awake!
This was the effect of his reputation!
They could remain fearless in the face of the First Pavilion Head and even had the courage to challenge him to take revenge for their Sect Master. However, they were terrified of the number one expert in the world Justice! Ever since Justice failed to kill Ling Tian, his prestige had been on the decline. However, this did not include the members of Above Heavens. Those from Above Heavens were extremely clear that sixteen of their top-notch experts had been single-handedly defeated by Justice when they attempted to surround him! Furthermore, they were defeated in a head-on battle!
What kind of strength would this require?! Thus, not a single person from Above Heavens was willing or dared to face an invincible opponent like this! They did not even have the guts to put their lives on the line!
There was the number one assassin in the world! Behind him, the number one expert in the world, Justice, had appeared! That was an opponent that not a single person from Above Heavens would be able to defeat! Furthermore, the pillar of support for Above Heavens had already died!
How would they be able to continue fighting like this?
The three white-haired elders tried to stabilize the situation and roared out orders for the crowd to attack. However, the morale of the crowd had already collapsed and there was no turning back. A couple of them were attacking randomly, some were looking around and others already had the intention to escape.
In truth, if they hadn't fallen into a mess, Ling Jian was already thoroughly exhausted and Justice would definitely have to be distracted in order to protect Ling Jian. As long as they worked together, they definitely had the ability to put up and fight and Ling Jian would definitely be dragged down with them. However, their morale was already lost and everyone had their own thoughts. How would they be able to work together to surround Justice?
Ling Jian and Justice weaved about in the crowd and miserable groans could be heard all around. Broken limbs flew in all directions and the smell of blood grew denser and denser in the hall, crushing the courage of the Above Heavens experts even further.
Seeing their martial brothers and seniors dying a miserable death, with dismembered body parts flying around in all directions, and the large hall where they used to discuss matters being transformed into a river of blood, the extreme fear brought about by the threat of death truly drove them crazy! Finally, one of them could no longer suppress the fear in his heart and threw away his weapon with a crazed roar before running out of the hall.
Ling Jian tightly gripped his sword and did not bother stopping those who were running. Instead, he became even crueler towards those still present in the hall! With a wave of his arm, Justice sent a white-haired elder flying and sent out a flurry of ferocious attacks at the seven or eight individuals around him.
With the first abandoning the battle, there would be the second and third…
Right at this moment, the three inner court elders from Above Heavens looked at each other. With their hearts being connected, they let out a roar and their figures shot towards Ling Jian, launching an attack in unison!
The three of them had been working together for many years and their hearts and thoughts were as one. At this moment, the battle intent of their Above Heavens members had already been crushed and there wasn't the slightest chance for victory. If they were to fight Justice who was in his best condition, they would only be able to tie him down at the very most and would not have the chance to injure Justice at all. Instead, they might end up being killed by him. On the contrary, the First Pavilion Head was already severely injured after a long period of battle and was obviously exhausted. Since the destruction of their Above Heavens was near, they might as well place their lives on the line. Even if they couldn't kill Justice, they would kill the First Pavilion Head to take revenge for their Sect Master!
This attack of theirs combined their lifetime worth of cultivation. Before the attack even arrived, the violent winds from the attack were extremely suffocating. Ling Jian who was severely injured obviously wouldn't be able to deal with such an attack!
Justice looked to the side and noticed Ling Jian's predicament. He immediately let out a crisp cry and was about to charge forward to save Ling Jian.
Right at this moment, a familiar voice sounded by Ling Jian's ears, "Walk towards the entrance of the hall!"
Ling Jian did not even hesitate and made a somersault towards the entrance of the hall.
Moving from his current position and towards the entrance of the hall would increase the distance between him and Justice. If anything happened, even Justice might not be able to save Ling Jian in time. For Ling Jian who was already thoroughly exhausted to move away from Justice, this was akin to seeking his own death!
No matter what, charging towards the entrance of the hall was an extremely foolish decision!
If it was anyone else who instructed him to do so, not only would Ling Jian defy those orders, he might even turn around and give the person a slash instead! The only exception would be the owner of the voice. As long as the owner of this voice gave an order, Ling Jian wouldn't hesitate even if he had to enter an ocean of blades and a sea of fire!
The owner of the voice was Ling Tian! Ling Jian could already tell that this voice belonged to Ling Tian.
Thus, Ling Jian did not hesitate in the slightest! Even if the entrance of the hall was a mountain of blades and a sea of fire, Ling Jian would not hesitate with those instructions!
"Little brat! Are you crazy? Where are you going?! Are you seeking your death?! Stand there and stop moving, this seat will ensure your safety!" Justice deflected a few blades and was thoroughly enraged when he realized that Ling Jian had moved out of his range of protection! While the morale of the Above Heavens experts had been destroyed, not all were defeated. Justice was still a man and he wasn't a deity. He wouldn't be able to do something that was out of a human's ability!
Apart from the frightened Above Heavens expert who had escaped, there wasn't anyone else by the entrance of the hall! With the force of the attack being accumulated, and the entrance being out of Justice's range, wasn't Ling Jian seeking death?
Not to mention Justice being depressed, even the three elders were completely bewildered. To think that Ling Jian would dodge in the wrong direction! Under the lock of their auras, the three of them slashed down with full force!
This would probably be the last chance for them to take revenge for their Sect Master!
With Ling Jian's current strength, it would already be extremely difficult for him to block two swords. However, it would be impossible for him to avoid the third sword.
If this sword landed, he would be dead for sure!
Ling Jian's face was calm and with his sword tilted he received the incoming sword strike calmly. Since his young noble instructed him to come to the entrance, his young noble must have his own intentions! Furthermore, if his young noble was here, it wouldn't be so easy for him to die.
Thus, Ling Jian was confident that he would be safe!
However, Ling Jian never imagined that Ling Tian wouldn't take action!
The third sword cleaved down towards Ling Jian's neck with a violent wind!
Ling Jian felt a tinge of hopelessness in his heart. Why was it like this?
Right at this moment, Ling Jian had not realized that as he retreated towards the entrance, he was already by Xiao YouHan's side.
Seeing Ling Jian in danger and his life at risk, Xiao YouHan did not know where her courage came from. Ignoring her weak strength, she lifted up her sword and with a gentle moan, sparks flew in all directions. Her body was suddenly filled with strength and she had actually blocked the might of the sword before it reached Ling Jian's neck!
Chapter 692: A Strange Treatment Method
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The consequence of overestimating her strength was severe!
The violent inner qi passed through the sword and Xiao YouHan felt the bones in her body on the verge of being smashed up and her innards burning. She spat out a large mouthful of blood and this single blow had given her an extremely severe internal injury. However, she stubbornly refused to back down and clenched her teeth, refusing to take even a single step back!
This sword of hers also achieved her goal: Ling Jian was alright!
Ling Jian's body spun around and avoided the threat from the two other swords. Seeing the blood in Xiao YouHan's mouth, he felt his heart ache and let out a loud roar. His sword flew out of his hand and shot forward like a divine dragon, cutting through the air and piercing through the chest of the white-haired elder who Xiao YouHan was facing!
Heavenly Divine Dragon!
This sword strike was truly too sudden and none of them imagined that this sword grandmaster would actually throw out his sword for a lady!
Wasn't throwing away his sword akin to throwing away his life?!
Just when Ling Jian threw out his sword, the sword in Xiao YouHan's hands could no longer withstand the pressure from the inner qi and shattered into pieces. Xiao YouHan began bleeding from all seven orifices and she weakly collapsed. This was because Ling Jian had managed to throw his sword out and kill the white-haired elder in time. If he was just an instant later, Xiao YouHan would have probably ended up in the yellow springs by now.
Ling Jian's body rolled forward and pulled the beauty into his embrace. He then rolled out to the side and narrowly avoided the sword from the white-haired elder.
After the sword slashed down, the white-haired elder collapsed slowly onto the ground without any signs of life. At the instant his chest was penetrated by Ling Jian's sword, he had reflexively slashed down.
Outside the hall, Ling Tian who was hidden in the shadows heaved a sigh of relief and chuckled, "You did not disappoint me indeed. I would be relieved to pair Xiao YouHan up with Ling Jian." He then let go of the two gleaming hidden weapons in his hands. If Xiao YouHan hadn't charged forward to save Ling Jian, Ling Tian would have taken action at the very last moment!
Xiao YouHan had charged forward! While she was severely injured because of this, she had gained Ling Tian's trust and Ling Jian's heart!
Ever since he noticed Ling Jian's affection towards Xiao YouHan, Ling Tian had been planning bitterly. He first used words to nudge Xiao YouHan into a trap before making use of the fame of the First Pavilion Head to let Xiao YouHan underestimate Ling Jian. After that, he made Xiao YouHan work together with Ling Jian and allowed her to 'shockingly realize' that this person who she did not place in her sights was actually her perfect idol!
With her previous underestimation as a foundation, a woman's thoughts would enter into a strange and complicated state. She would be apologetic and filled with curiosity and a desire to be close. Because Ling Jian did not do anything when she underestimated him, this would make Ling Jian seem all the more like a gentleman.
At the very end, after she witnessed Ling Jian's divine strength, he then arranged a show of the beauty saving the hero and success would come naturally…
This way, the wooden block-like Ling Jian would have to accept Xiao YouHan's favor and would be completely loyal to her. Even if Xiao YouHan did not have any goodwill towards Ling Jian, after this life and death incident, there would definitely be a change in her heart.
At this moment, if Ling Jian pestered her…
Ling Tian chuckled delightfully before shaking his head, "Just as the saying goes, a fiery woman is afraid of a gentleman's pestering! Hehehe…" Ling Tian was definitely extremely satisfied with his own plan!
While both Ling Jian and Xiao YouHan were severely injured with this plan of his, with Ling Tian's mystical medicine and the medical saint Justice around, it would be difficult for them to die even if they wanted to.
When thinking about Ling Jian's severe injuries, Ling Tian let out two dry coughs with guilt in his heart. If Ling Jian was able to escape unscathed, he originally intended to personally take action to make Ling Jian suffer a bit so that the beauty would have the chance to take action…
Seven to eight figures appeared from the outside and began launching a massacre towards all the escapees of Above Heavens! From afar, the glow of fire could be seen in three directions and the sound of shouting could be heard.
A trace of blood could be seen on Ling Jian's lips as he escaped from the hall with the weak Xiao YouHan in his arms. A trace of anxiousness could be seen on the face of this stone-faced assassin. Behind him, the two white-haired elders were giving chase with their faces red!
Ling Tian snorted. With his plan completed, it was time for the two temporary actors to leave the stage! How would Ling Tian allow the two of them to harm Ling Jian in front of him?!
It was only for him to make a complete show previously. If he still allowed them to harm Ling Jian, he would truly be an idiot!
His figure drifted into the air and he let out a flurry of kicks. Brandishing his sword, a sea of stars was sent out. He then landed on the ground and let out a strange cry mimicking the famous martial artist Bruce Lee.
The two of them only had the First Pavilion Head in their sights and they only wanted to kill this enemy who had assassinated their Sect Master! They wanted to skin him alive and pull out his tendons to vent their anger. How could they still bother about anyone else at this moment? They naturally wouldn't think that there was someone who had been lying in wait for a long time already!
Furthermore, he was even more frightening than the First Pavilion Head!
With two loud thuds, the two were struck in the chest. They were sent spinning in the air and they each spat out a mouthful of blood along the way. When they heard the strange cry from Ling Tian at the end, they almost fainted from anger!
It was truly infuriating for a peerless expert as such to ambush others in such a despicable manner! While they could tell that they would definitely lose in a head-on battle, the most infuriating thing was the fact that he did not even give them the chance to fight head on!
This was the greatest humiliation! A humiliation that couldn't be washed away even in death!
Their figures spun in the air as they spat out blood along the way. While they wanted to open their mouths to curse, they couldn't stop the blood spewing out from their mouths and couldn't let out a single sound. After they finally stopped their bodies from spinning, burning rage could be seen in their eyes! Opening their bloodied mouths, they wanted to let out a series of cursing.
Before the two of them could even let out a sound, a brilliant rain of light engulfed their bodies!
"Despicable… AH!…" Their final miserably cry before their death.
"Despicable… this old man isn't convinced… AHHH!!" A cry of unwillingness.
Ling Tian snorted coldly and wiped the Heaven Splitter on their clothes with disdain. "Who asked all of you to be convinced? I only want all of you dead!"
At this moment, Ling Jian dashed over with Xiao YouHan in his arms and cried out in anxiousness, "Young noble, her, her, her… her injuries are severe."
Ling Tian let out an 'oh' sound before placing his fingers on Xiao YouHan's wrist and sent his inner qi in to investigate her situation.
Xiao YouHan's inner strength was naturally a great distance away from the white-haired elder. With their swords colliding, her innards were jolted badly. However, she did not take a single step back in order to protect Ling Jian's safety. Her dainty figure had endured the full force of the attack!
If not for that white-haired elder being engaged in an intense battle before this, the outcome of this collision would be uncertain. However, Xiao YouHan had only fallen unconscious and while her injuries were severe, there wasn't a threat to her life. With Ling Jian's cultivation, he should have been able to tell. However, with his heart being in a complete mess because of his worrying, he truly couldn't tell.
Ling Tian felt Xiao YouHan's pulse with a look of worry on his face, "Ah'Jian, you have to be mentally prepared. Miss Xiao's injuries aren't looking good."
"Ah?!" Ling Jian was dumbstruck and his shoulders slumped down with the rims of his eyes turning red.
"Miss Xiao's injuries are all because she wanted to save you. Haiz… why must the life of a lady be so fragile…" Ling Tian said with a heavy tone as though Xiao YouHan was about to die and there was no hope of saving her.
"Young noble, your methods can move the heavens. Please save her! Right, Justice is a medical saint. Should I plead to him?!" Ling Jian crashed to the ground on his knees.
"These injuries… even Justice may not be able to treat them. If we really want to save her, it isn't impossible but… there is a big problem." Ling Tian pondered for a moment and looked as though he was thinking of a solution, "Furthermore, it will exhaust a large amount of inner qi and one must be a virgin…"
The moment Ling Jian heard that there was hope, he looked as though he was revived and immediately said, "Young noble, I am still a virgin… I am also not afraid of exhausting my inner qi. I… I… I…"
Hearing those words, Ling Tian almost wanted to burst out laughing. But for the plan in his heart, he could only forcefully suppress his laughter.
Taking a peek into the hall, Justice had already controlled the situation. The few Ling Family experts on the outside had also gotten rid of the escaping Above Heavens disciple and were killing their way into the hall.
Ling Tian's eyeballs spun around and he said, "There is only a single way to treat her. It requires the body of a virgin, the realm of XianTian, and a pure Yang inner qi. Through your mouth, you must transmit pure Yang inner qi to her body and send it all throughout her meridians. At the same time, when your inner qi reaches her acupoints, you have to use your palm to inject inner qi and massage her acupoints to speed up her blood flow and ensure that inner qi can flow smoothly."
Wouldn't that mean that he would have to touch her all over? While having his lips touch hers at the same time?!
Ling Jian's face turned red as he heard that and became flustered, "Young noble, this… this… that… that…"
Ling Tian glared at him and continued, "Feeling troubled? Is her life more important or her chastity? You are the only one who can save her at this moment. This young noble isn't a virgin any longer and cannot be of any help. Don't interrupt me, I am not done yet."
Ling Jian remained silent and perched his ears to listen.
"… at the same time, the injuries on her body would be excreted from her pores. Take note! Throughout this process, you will have to ensure that there is fresh air on the surface of her skin. The moment the poison from the body is excreted, it has to be dispersed into the air. If it is blocked by clothes, it will enter back into the body and assault her heart. At that time, even a celestial wouldn't be able to save her."
"She… she still has to take off all her clothes? This…" Ling Jian stammered with sweat all over his face.