Volume 1, Chapter 185: Your Elder Chen Is Already Dead

Boom! 

Raging spiritual energy rippled outward, carving deep grooves into the cave walls. Lin Yu slowly opened his eyes, and the tangible ripples reversed, surging back into his body. 

His gaze now warm, divine light内敛 (contained), he had quietly advanced to Void Transformation Realm Level 2, his strength leaping once more. 

Stepping out of the cave, he saw a team of black-robed warriors at the foot of the mountain, craning their necks toward him—clearly here for him. The two leaders pointed in his direction, and the warriors transformed into streaks of light, surrounding him from all sides. 

"More come?" Lin Yu smiled faintly at the group. Had his wish for more Void Transformation Realm warriors just been granted? 

"Kid, you're the one who slaughtered our Fumeng Sacred Mountain warriors?" Fu Du charged forward, eyeing him arrogantly. 

"No mistake—the vengeance mark points to him!" Luo Ning cut in before Lin Yu could speak. "Strange—this kid's vengeance mark is as clear as a guiding light. Why couldn't Elder Chen find him?" 

"Maybe Elder Chen was delayed. No matter—falling into our hands is the same." Fu Du chuckled darkly. "Consider yourself lucky to meet me. For slaughtering Sacred Mountain warriors, I'll make you beg for life and death." 

As he spoke, he released his Void Transformation Realm pressure like a tidal wave. Luo Ning did the same, sneering: "Kid, I know you're strong, but against both of us, you have no chance. Surrender, and I'll ask Fu Du to make it quick." 

The other warriors eyed Lin Yu hungrily—only the death of their Void Transformation Realm peers held them back. 

"You Fumeng Sacred Mountain lot really love delivering your heads." Lin Yu shook his head, then unleashed his full Void Transformation Realm Level 2 pressure. 

Rumble! 

Pressure like a mountain thundered outward, engulfing Fu Du, Luo Ning, and the rest in an instant. Warriors below Void Transformation Realm couldn't withstand it; their bones cracked under the terror, blood pouring from their orifices as they collapsed like mud, dying in惊骇 (horror). 

Fu Du and Luo Ning struggled to resist the overwhelming pressure, their own威压 (aura) crashing back—useless before Lin Yu. Their eyes met, both seeing fear. 

"Void... Void Transformation Realm Level 2! He's Level 2!" Fu Du stammered. 

Luo Ning barked: "Hurry! Elder Chen must be nearby—signal for help!" 

Fu Du fumbled out a jade talisman, crushing it. A crimson light rose, exploding into a giant, ferocious tiger totem visible for hundreds of li. All Fumeng disciples seeing this must rush to aid—failure meant death. 

Relieved after signaling, they watched Lin Yu warily, needing only to hold out for Elder Chen. 

"Wait, kid! When Elder Chen arrives, you die!" Fu Du glared. 

Luo Ning drew his blade, gritting his teeth: "Even as a Level 2, you can't beat us both!" 

"Don't wait. The Elder Chen you speak of won't come." Lin Yu shook his head, eyes mocking. 

"What?" Both paled, staring in disbelief. "What do you mean?" 

Lin Yu tossed Chen Zhan's long blade at their feet. "You recognize this, right?" 

Gazing at the blade—Elder Chen's longtime weapon—their faces turned ashen. The weapon in Lin Yu's hands spoke for Chen Zhan's fate. 

They realized: Chen Zhan hadn't failed to catch Lin Yu or been delayed. He'd met Lin Yu... and died. 

"No wonder the vengeance mark suddenly grew clear—Elder Chen... he was already dead then!" Luo Ning realized, panic overwhelming him. 

"Fight together, Luo Ning! Let's die with him!" Fu Du snapped, whipping out a snake-bone whip.幽冷 (ghostly cold) white flames bloomed, shooting toward Lin Yu like stars. 

Luo Ning's eyes turned manic. He leaped, slashing down with his blade as silver thunder poured like a waterfall. 

"Hehe." Lin Yu flicked two Finger of Fire Intent strikes. Scarlet lights flashed, faster than thought, appearing before them. 

Fu Du's ghost fire collapsed under the Fire Intent, his snake-bone whip igniting. A scarlet blade light vanished into his brow, incinerating his soul. The Fire Intent also shattered Luo Ning's thunder, wrapping him in a fiery hurricane. When the flames dissipated, he crashed to the ground, heart meridian severed by fire—dead. 

In an instant, two Void Transformation Realm Level 1 warriors fell. Lin Yu smiled faintly. Advancing to Level 2 had clearly boosted his power. Previously, he'd needed the Wind Control Sword and Nine Heavens Sword Art to kill such foes; now, a casual intent碾压 (crushed) them. 

Summoning the Divine Devouring Cauldron, he said: "Lord Cauldron, Fumeng's送来人头 (delivered heads) again—two Level 1s." 

"Level 1s are boring. To advance, you'd need dozens of these." Lord Cauldron sounded uninterested—Void Transformation Realm Level 1 warriors were now beneath its notice.