Chapter 29: The world is Vast

"Smash!" The sound of Lin Yang's furious roar reverberated through the air as he brandished his massive bronze cauldron, sending shockwaves of power with each swing. The cauldron collided with yet another opponent, their body crumpling under the crushing force.

A wave of fatigue washed over Lin Yang as he surveyed the aftermath. This encounter marked the fifteenth team he had come across that night, and their coordination and aggression had intensified as he approached the town.

Despite his success in incapacitating nearly thirty experts, he bore the physical toll of battle. His arm bore a deep gash from a reckless saber strike, and his waist suffered a jagged wound inflicted by a sharp weapon.

With calculated precision, Lin Yang seized one of his fallen adversaries who remained on the brink of consciousness. The Essence Revolving Technique surged through his veins, drawing in the essence Qi exuding from the late-stage early spirit awakening realm expert.

The energizing torrent inundated his body, like a soothing balm on his wounds. It was as if he bathed in the rejuvenating waters of a mystical hot spring, each breath invigorating his cells.

The essence Qi of an early spirit awakening realm expert possessed a potent vitality that surpassed that of ordinary individuals. The convergence of this formidable energy within Lin Yang revitalized his weary body, knitting his injuries back together before his very eyes.

The deep lacerations on his arm closed and vanished, leaving behind only the faint scars of his victorious battles.

Casting a sweeping glance at the scattered remnants of the search team, Lin Yang swiftly began looting their possessions. The clinks of gold and silver held little allure for him at this stage. He had amassed sufficient wealth that night, and now his discerning eyes focused on more practical gains.

He pocketed the banknotes, easily stowed and readily spendable. A bottle of elixirs and a secret manual lay within the fallen team leader's possessions, both objects of his interest. The elixirs he discovered were no ordinary potions. They were Revolving Essence Pills, each containing a concentrated dose of essence that could expedite his cultivation by halving the time needed. The value of these pills far eclipsed the Spirit Tempering Pills he had previously obtained. Alongside the pills, he found a secret manual, a lower mundane grade sword art.

Although it held a significant worth of several hundred taels of gold, Lin Yang knew now was not the time to delve into this matters.

Gratified by his acquisitions, he tucked away the banknotes, secret manual, and pills, nestling them securely within the confines of his arms. His vigilant eyes scanned the surrounding forest, on high alert for any signs of approaching danger.

He knew it was prudent to retreat before drawing unwanted attention and potentially endangering his mission further.

But fate had an unexpected turn in store for him. After walking only a hundred steps, he came face to face with a small team of five or six individuals emerging from the surrounding bushes. It was as if they had stumbled upon him by chance.

This group, however, exuded a different aura compared to the previous ones he encountered. Lin Yang took a quick assessment and felt his heart sink. Each of them was at least at the late stage of the early spirit awakening realm, making them formidable adversaries. The leader, a middle-aged man in green attire with a square face, possessed an even stronger aura than his companions.

A middle stage Spirit Awakening Realm expert.

Upon catching sight of Lin Yang's sudden appearance, the square-faced middle-aged man's expression registered clear astonishment. His gaze then shifted to the disorderly scene of the fallen team members behind Lin Yang, and a flicker of killing intent appeared in his eyes. He locked his gaze onto Lin Yang and spoke slowly.

"Ninth Young Master, your crimes are unforgivable. There is no escape for you. Come back with us to face the consequences. Perhaps the Patriarch may show mercy, given Lin Zhan's relationship."

"The Patriarch? Who does that old man think he is? The world is vast, What authority does that old timer have to judge me? You want to apprehend me? All of you will die today!"

A cold smile crept onto Lin Yang's lips as the corner of his eyes gleamed with determination. When enemies meet on a narrow path, victory belongs to the brave. The first to strike gains the advantage, while the delayed attacker suffers.

With these defiant words, he sprang into action, his figure resembling that of a cheetah in motion, wielding his bronze cauldron like a hammer. A surge of immense force tore through the air, descending upon the heads of the five individuals before them.

Taking advantage of the element of surprise, Lin Yang focused his attack on the weakest member, a black-clothed man who carried a sword on his back. Though he maintained a level of alertness from the start, he found himself unable to dodge the sudden assault. In a desperate attempt to save his life, he raised his arms as a shield.

But the weight of the thousand-kilogram bronze cauldron, combined with the force behind Lin Yang's Kun Sea fist, proved too much for his defense to withstand. The sound of bones cracking echoed through the air as the bronze cauldron crushed the black-clothed man, sending him flying several feet away. The extent of his injuries left no doubt that he would draw his last breath soon.

An expert at the late stage of the early spirit awakening realm fell to a single round of attack before the eyes of his comrades.

"You audacious brat!" The square-faced middle-aged man seethed, his eyes blazing with fury. Witnessing Lin Yang daringly kill one of his subordinates before him ignited an overwhelming rage.

Indignant at the audacity displayed before him, he let out a furious roar and led his remaining four subordinates in a synchronized charge, brandishing their swords in unison. The blades glinted with the promise of bloodshed, each one a deadly weapon in skilled hands.

Lin Yang's lips curled into a sneer as he swiftly evaded their onslaught, opting not to confront them head-on. He possessed ample combat experience and was well aware that recklessness would prove detrimental at this juncture. This was merely one group among many search parties, and he needed to conserve his strength as much as possible.

Adhering to the principle of avoiding the strong and attacking the weak, he swiftly moved and appeared behind the scar-faced man, who stood at the late stage of the early spirit awakening realm. Like a specter, he swung his bronze cauldron downward.

Caught off guard by Lin Yang's selection of him as the target, the scar-faced man recoiled in fear, attempting to retreat. But Lin Yang's lightning-fast speed rendered escape impossible, and the weight of the bronze cauldron crashed into him before he could react.

A muffled grunt escaped the scar-faced man's lips as his body was propelled into the air, spraying a gush of blood before crashing heavily onto the ground. His motionless form left their fates uncertain - whether he yet clung to life or met his demise.

Now, only four of the initial six adversaries remained.

"You insolent fool!" The square-faced middle-aged man's countenance grew increasingly somber, his eyes smoldering with an intense murderous intent.

With a bellow, he led his remaining four subordinates in a synchronized attack, their long sabers slashing mercilessly towards Lin Yang's exposed back.

In this critical moment, Lin Yang had no time to dodge, his only recourse to brace himself by placing the bronze cauldron upon his back for protection.

A series of resounding clashes filled the air as multiple forces converged upon his defense simultaneously. Lin Yang's back bore the weight of their joint assault, his body sinking inwardly.

Steadily, he exhaled and anchored his feet firmly to the ground, displaying an unwavering stability as he weathered the storm.

Three warriors at the late stage of the early spirit awakening realm and one warrior at the middle spirit awakening realm launched their combined attack, yet their strike was resolutely halted by Lin Yang's unwavering defense.

A young man's gaze, scrutinized and keen, latched onto Lin Yang's form.

Clothed in attire that clung to his frame, Lifting his eyes to meet Lin Yang's, his voice unfurled, deliberate and paced, with a tone rich in respect. "Your mastery of the Clear Spirit Pillar is evident," he declared. "In stillness, you embody the unwavering solidity of a peak; in motion, you possess the elusive grace of the wind."