Volume 1, Chapter 184: Another One Comes to Deliver Their Head

Chen Zhan eyed Lin Yu coldly, sneering: "What a formidable weapon. No wonder you dare be arrogant before me. Slaying you and bringing this blade back to Sacred Mountain will earn me great merit." 

"You talk too much." 

Lin Yu shook his head, gripping the Wind Control Sword as he slashed at Chen Zhan, who was still prattling. Flame Sword Intent blazed on the blade, absorbing heaven-and-earth spiritual energy until it glowed with dazzling golden light. Thunder Sword Intent weaved through the golden flames—this was no simple fusion, but Lin Yu's killing move: Thunder Flame Annihilation Slash! 

A brilliant sun of golden fire rose from the sword, hurtling toward Chen Zhan like a golden wheel. Under its radiance, rocks and trees ignited, turning the mountain forest into a world of flame. 

Asang and Ayun gaped at Lin Yu. Though they knew he dominated peers, his strength now surpassed all imagination. 

"Ayun, can Master Lin... can he defeat a Void Transformation Realm Level 2 warrior across realms?" Asang whispered. 

Ayun stared at the golden sun streaking toward Chen Zhan, stammering: "I... don't know. Master Lin is incredible!" 

"What secret art is this?!" 

Chen Zhan's face paled. He mustered all his might, slashing at the golden sun. Lin Yu's strike exceeded even a Level 2 Void Transformation Realm warrior's power—unthinkable! 

Scarlet lava converged into a river, but in this world of raging golden flames, it vanished instantly under the Thunder Flame Annihilation Slash. 

"No!" 

As the golden sun closed in, despair filled Chen Zhan's eyes. He hacked out streams of lava, shouting: "Boy, you can't kill me! I'm an elder of Fumeng Sacred Mountain! Kill me, and our powerhouses will hunt you to the death—you'll never know peace!" 

But Lin Yu ignored the threats. The golden sun swallowed each crimson blade strike, then engulfed Chen Zhan with a boom. 

Struck by Lin Yu's sword, golden flames entered his body, annihilating his spiritual soul and shattering his heart meridians. He flew dozens of zhang, crashing into the burning inferno. Gasping, he raised his head with venomous eyes, unable to believe he'd lost to a Level 1 Void Transformation Realm warrior. 

Lin Yu scoffed: "Fool. I've already killed one Fumeng elder—do you think I care about another? Threatening me with that... heh." 

"Sacred Mountain will never forgive you!" Chen Zhan gritted his teeth, eyes full of不甘 (regret). 

"Perfect. More warriors like you, and I'll reach Void Transformation Realm Level 3 soon." Lin Yu smiled. If Fumeng Sacred Mountain wanted to keep "delivering heads," he wouldn't refuse. 

Pu! 

Chen Zhan spat blood in a fit of rage, his vision darkening as he died with eyes wide open. 

Lin Yu sheathed his sword and raised his hand. Flames肆虐 (raging) in the forest converged into a walnut-sized red fireball. With a clench, the ball vanished, and the fires died. 

"Master Lin, your strength is too fearsome!" Asang looked at him with adoration, seeing a war god. 

"I wish I were as powerful. More tribespeople would survive." Ayun smiled bitterly, eyes envious. 

Lin Yu waved to them: "Go now. If opportunity arises, I'll visit the Pure Land." 

"With the swords and Taibai Meteor Gold you gave us, we'll surely await your arrival!" Asang nodded, smiling, then pulled Ayun into the forest, vanishing from sight. 

Once Lin Yu's spiritual sense confirmed they'd left, he summoned Lord Cauldron. After devouring Chen Zhan, it said: "Killing him deepened the mark in your soul. Fumeng's Void Transformation Realm warriors can sense your trail more clearly." 

"Let them come. Kill a few more, and I might advance." Lin Yu sneered, eager for more foes. 

"Kid, find a hidden spot. This time, Lord Cauldron will make you a Void Transformation Realm Level 2 warrior!" Lord Cauldron cackled, confident after absorbing Chen Zhan. 

"Good." Lin Yu nodded, heading deeper into the mountains. 

A team of black-robed warriors marched across an endless plain. A river flowed ahead, with连绵山脉 (rolling mountains) at the horizon. 

"Elder Chen should be in those mountains ahead. I can sense the vengeance mark!" Fu Du, clad in black with a阴沉 (gloomy) face, glared at Luo Ning. "I hope Elder Chen doesn't find that kid too soon. Best he falls into our hands. Dare to slaughter a Fumeng elder? I'll make him beg for life and death." 

Luo Ning, burly and rough-faced, was Fu Du's opposite—except for their yellow-glowing eyes. "Everyone in Sacred Mountain knows you excel at torture. Let's hurry. The mark grows clearer—we must be close." 

"I feel it too. Strange that Elder Chen hasn't caught him yet. With his strength..." Fu Du frowned, sensing something amiss. 

Luo Ning laughed: "Maybe Elder Chen is toying with him, letting him feel terror and despair before death. Killing him outright is too kind." 

"True." Fu Du nodded, eyeing the mountains. "Hurry! Capturing the one who slaughtered our Sacred Mountain warriors is a great merit!" 

Led by them, the black-robed warriors turned into streaks of light, rushing toward the mountains. 

Lin Yu now hid in a cliff cave. Vast spiritual energy surged through his meridians as he运转 (circulated) the Saint Emperor Heart Method, refining it into his dantian. His aura skyrocketed with each surge of refined energy.