Chapter 87: This is a Conspiracy!

The Red-Eared Ape roared. It began grabbing rocks from the ground and hurling them indiscriminately. But the Ghostly Soul Python was far too nimble. How could such clumsy attacks possibly hit it?

Lin Yun held his breath, his expression grave. His recent combat experience had taught him to remain much calmer in situations like this. The toxic mist wouldn't have an immediate effect. Through the haze, he could vaguely make out the python's movements. The creature knew it was no match for both Lin Yun and the ape, so it was trying to use the mist to weaken them.

Would Lin Yun give it that chance?

Back in the plaza, many of the spectators believed Lin Yun was finally out of luck. He was just a cultivator in the Origin Sea Realm, yet he was vainly attempting to interfere in a battle between two beasts of the same realm. Exotic beasts were inherently stronger than humans at the same level, and this was the Ancient Forbidden Land on top of that. Wasn't he just courting death?

But in the next moment, Lin Yun made his move.

He closed his eyes, and his body shot forward with impossible lightness. He surrendered himself completely to his senses. With his eyes shut, it was as if he could see the python's location within the haze. He didn't know how he was doing it. Perhaps it had something to do with the killing intent radiating from the creature.

The Red-Eared Ape's killing intent was focused entirely on the python, so Lin Yun didn't perceive much hostility from it. The Ghostly Soul Python, on the other hand, was seething with murderous rage. Even with his eyes closed, he could pinpoint its location just by tracking its malice. However, his range for locking onto killing intent was limited, only extending to about twenty meters around him.

Since he was facing a beast of the Origin Sea Realm, Lin Yun saw no need to hold back. He unleashed the Azure Origin Sword Style at full power. A soft green light coated the Frigid Flame Sword, and a wave of heat pulsed outward, unexpectedly dissipating a good portion of the toxic mist.

The Red-Eared Ape was overjoyed and charged toward the python with a roar.

The Ghostly Soul Python knew this human was a major problem. It whipped its massive tail around. But Lin Yun simply leaped high into the air, gracefully dodging the attack. As he did, countless streams of sword Qi exploded from his body, scattering in all directions like a celestial maiden scattering blossoms.

They were incredibly fast, like long, sharp nails. The sword Qi embedded itself deep within the python's body. Blood gushed forth.

In agony, the Ghostly Soul Python became even more frenzied, completely ignoring the Red-Eared Ape. Its massive tail struck out again and again as it opened its mouth wide, spitting streams of green venom. Wherever the venom touched, even the ground itself began to corrode.

"What a terrifying place," Lin Yun muttered, startled by the python's ferocity.

But it was nothing he couldn't handle. After his recent training, his combat power was on another level.

In the middle of his continuous evasions, Lin Yun suddenly felt his body become much lighter.

A breakthrough? He hadn't expected to break through to the fourth stage of the Origin Sea Realm in the middle of a battle.

Feeling the power surging through his body, Lin Yun threw the Frigid Flame Sword into the air. Behind him, dozens of sword Qi streams materialized. They solidified into emerald-green blades, like exquisitely carved divine weapons. Then, with a furious shout from Lin Yun, they all shot toward the Ghostly Soul Python.

The sword Qi was ferocious, but the python was no easy target. It endured the blows, and in return, its massive tail struck Lin Yun squarely in the chest.

BAM!

Lin Yun felt as if he had been hit by a train, his body sent flying backward. But at the same time, his sword Qi had all found its mark, riddling the python's body. Blood sprayed forth like a fountain.

The Red-Eared Ape seized the opportunity, grabbing the python's tail. With a great heave of its arms, it began to swing the massive snake through the air.

But just then, the Ghostly Soul Python spat something from its mouth. It looked extraordinary—like a broken sword. The broken blade released a flash of pure white sword Qi. The Red-Eared Ape was struck in the chest, and blood streamed from the wound. Its huge body staggered unsteadily. The moment its grip loosened, the Ghostly Soul Python fled without a second thought.

A broken sword? Lin Yun's expression changed. He vaguely remembered the broken sword he had found when he first entered this place. That half was covered in rust, but the one from the python's mouth was the other half.

The beast fled with incredible speed. Using his movement technique, Lin Yun was just barely able to keep up. The python seemed to know a human was chasing it and continuously smashed down the large trees around them to block his path.

Lin Yun forcefully suppressed the blood rising in his throat, constantly weaving around the falling trees. Even so, the distance between him and the python was growing. His intuition screamed at him that the broken sword hilt was incredibly important. He absolutely could not let it get away!

Taking a deep breath, Lin Yun poured all of his vital energy into his legs. This was the first time he had ever pushed his movement technique to its absolute limit. In the next instant, his entire body shot forward like a cannonball gathering momentum for launch.

Even though the python was prepared for an attack, when it saw Lin Yun leap high into the air and slam directly into it, its ugly serpentine face was filled with panic. It was terrified. Seeing Lin Yun, its only thought was: has this human gone insane?

Lin Yun, of course, didn't care what the python thought. He simply used all his strength and drove his sword through the python's tail. He gripped the Frigid Flame Sword with both hands, and no matter how much the python thrashed its tail, it couldn't shake him loose. After a long struggle, the python realized it was completely unable to get rid of him.

Back in the Beast Taming Sect, Jiang Zhengqing and the others watched the scene unfold, their expressions turning to alarm. "This is bad! The direction the Ghostly Soul Python is fleeing in… it's outside the Meta-Realm!"

The elders' faces were a mixture of emotions. The Meta-Realm—that was their only safeguard. It now seemed this situation was far more dangerous than they had imagined.

"Sect Master, should we open the portal to the Ancient Forbidden Land?" Duan Wuya asked from the side.

Jiang Zhengqing shot him a look. Did he even need to ask? This was Lin Yun, the future hope of their sect. The Grand Tournament was their chance to turn the tables, and Lin Yun was the most crucial part of that hope. But now, he was in mortal danger. What were they to do?

The elders unanimously decided to open the portal and bring Lin Yun out. Had the boy lost his mind? Did he not realize he was about to be dragged outside the Meta-Realm by the python?

Normally, this would have been a trivial matter. But as they tried to reopen the portal to the Ancient Forbidden Land, a bizarre power suddenly erupted from it. The elders, who were pouring their vital energy into the entrance, felt as if they had been struck by a heavy hammer. They were all thrown backward, coughing up blood.

In the plaza, everyone watched this scene with shock. The passage leading to the Ancient Forbidden Land was being eroded by an indescribable black, mist-like substance. And as time passed, the passage was shrinking.

Seeing this, only one thought remained in everyone's mind.

This was a conspiracy.

From the moment Lin Yun entered this place, he was doomed to have a hard time getting out alive.