Encounter

"Congratulations, Master Ling, on acquiring such a treasure!"

As soon as they exited the auction house, Zhang Mu congratulated him with a face full of smiles, showing none of the worry that plagued the other three.

Ling Yun ignored his solicitousness, his gaze sweeping around as if he had discovered something, a cold smile appearing on his lips.

He didn't say much more, simply boarding the carriage and flipping his right hand, playing with the Spirit Artifact he had just acquired.

The Spirit Artifact was made of some unknown material. It felt cool to the touch, its surface as smooth as a mirror, with not a single seam visible.

Its weight was also astonishingly great. He estimated that this small object must weigh several hundred jin!

As his blood and qi were injected, a complex pattern lit up on the Spirit Artifact's surface, which he assumed was the Spirit Inscription that Ge Xu had mentioned earlier.

After he infused more blood and qi, five other distinct Spirit Inscriptions lit up one after another.

Although Ling Yun had never encountered Spirit Inscriptions before, the meaning represented by these inscriptions clearly appeared in his mind.

Besides the initial "Thousand Transformations," they were Strength, Sharpness, Speed, Durability, and Evil Spirit Extermination.

The first few were easy to understand. As for the last one, Evil Spirit Extermination, it was a Spirit Inscription that could inflict special damage on Evil Spirits.

For a Spirit Artifact, these Spirit Inscriptions were considered standard.

Looking at the Spirit Artifact, which continuously changed its form in his hand, Ling Yun moved his mind and tried to imagine a long saber in his mind.

The next moment, the Spirit Artifact began to stretch rapidly, eventually transforming into a long saber exactly as he had envisioned.

He flicked his finger with force, and the blade vibrated slightly, emitting a series of metallic hums.

"Amazing!"

Even though he had witnessed it once before, Ling Yun couldn't help but marvel at the forging techniques of this world.

With such a sense of advanced technology, he wouldn't doubt it one bit if someone claimed it was a product of a sci-fi world.

As for the consumption of blood and qi.

Ling Yun silently calculated that with his current total of blood and qi, he could sustain this Spirit Artifact for about half an hour.

This time was not long, but it was enough to last through a battle.

Moreover, if absolutely necessary, he could always deactivate some of the unnecessary Spirit Inscriptions.

While he was carefully studying the Spirit Artifact, Zhang Mu and the others outside the carriage were chatting.

"Brother Zhang, is it really okay for us to just head back so openly?"

"I've heard my elders mention Old Bloodrot. They say he's a ruthless killer, addicted to blood, and that anyone who provokes him ends up in a most gruesome death!"

Xue Liu's eyes darted around, looking somewhat worried.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mu spat dismissively, "Why are you such a coward, kid?"

"Who cares about Old Bloodrot? With Master Ling here, what do you have to be afraid of?"

"If that old geezer dares to show up, then I..."

However, before he could finish speaking, he saw the look of terror in the eyes of the others.

No way...

Zhang Mu swallowed, then stiffly turned his head to look, his pupils constricting instantly.

At the end of the road, a figure clad in blood-red clothing stood silently. It was none other than Old Bloodrot, the very person they were discussing!

A person's reputation precedes them. Even without any action from the man, his terrifying aura alone made them struggle to breathe.

"Whoa!"

Zhang Mu yanked the reins violently, stopping the carriage.

Despite being terrified to his core, he mustered his courage and said, "Senior, you've stopped us. May I ask what business you have with us?"

Old Bloodrot glanced at him, then dismissively looked away, his gaze fixed directly on the carriage. His sinister eyes seemed capable of penetrating the thick wooden boards.

"Little beast, you've offended this old man. Did you really think you could leave here alive?"

His tone was chilling, filled with a dense killing intent.

At this moment, the carriage curtain was slowly lifted, and Ling Yun calmly stepped out.

"Master Ling."

Zhang Mu and the others also bowed respectfully, as if they had found their backbone.

Ling Yun ignored them, cast a casual glance at Old Bloodrot before him, and then turned his gaze to the surroundings. "Why don't the esteemed individuals nearby reveal yourselves? It would save me the trouble of finding you one by one."

As his words fell, several chuckles echoed.

"Heh heh, it seems we've grown old indeed, to be so lightly regarded by a junior."

"Young man, you should know your place. Don't think you're invincible just because you have a little strength."

"Heh heh, I must say, I rather like his defiant demeanor."

Three figures emerged from the seemingly empty street.

Leading the way was the master of the Black Tiger Martial Hall, Xu Hu.

Tie Shi, the master of the Copper Skin Martial Hall, followed closely behind. He stood a full two meters tall, his exaggerated muscles possessing a color akin to iron and stone.

"Tie Shi, master of Copper Skin Martial Hall!"

"Xu Hu, master of Black Tiger Martial Hall!"

"Miao Yin, master of Joyful Union Martial Hall!"

With each appearance, Xue Liu and the others grew paler.

These individuals, usually so high and mighty, had appeared all at once as if by agreement.

Zhang Mu, however, remained calm. Seeing their fearful expressions, he sneered dismissively, "Don't worry, these weaklings aren't even worth Ling Yun's single hand!"

Xue Liu and the others felt like crying.

While they knew Ling Yun might be strong, they hadn't witnessed it firsthand. Moreover, each of the newcomers was a renowned veteran powerhouse. Where was this confidence coming from?

Before they could recover, three more figures emerged from the shadows.

"Heh heh, what a lively gathering! You won't mind if we three brothers join in the fun, will you?"

Seeing the pleading eyes of Xue Liu and the others, Zhang Mu remained unmoved and stated firmly, "Ling Yun is invincible!"

It's over, this guy has definitely lost his mind.

Xue Liu and the others wailed inwardly, completely despairing.

"Blood Butcher, Human Butcher, Ghost Butcher, you three brothers have quite the nerve. The authorities just issued a warrant for your arrest, and you still dare to show yourselves here," Xu Hu said with a grave expression, seemingly quite wary of the three.

The Butcher Brothers were known for their brutal and violent temperaments, infamous criminals throughout Cloud City.

Although not particularly strong individually, the three formed a cohesive unit and had mastered a special combined attack technique, making them absolutely not to be underestimated.

At this moment, the eldest of the three brothers, Blood Butcher, sneered, "You don't need to worry about us, Hall Master Hu. We don't even spare those pathetic fools a glance!"

"Brother, stop wasting words with them. Let's finish this kid quickly and find a place to have some fun!" the second brother, Human Butcher, licked his lips, his gaze falling unpleasantly on Ling Yun.

"Heh heh, older brother, second brother, I haven't tasted human flesh in a long time. Let me have this one!" the third brother, Ghost Butcher, wiped the drool from his chin, his eyes as ferocious as a wild beast's.

Seeing that the three were ignoring them and intended to attack directly, Old Bloodrot, standing behind them, finally couldn't help but step forward, his expression chillingly cold.

"Are you three perhaps acting as if I don't exist?"

Xu Hu and Tie Shi also advanced simultaneously, their gazes fixed intently on the Butcher Brothers.

The situation in the arena shifted rapidly. Amusingly, Ling Yun, the actual person of interest, was now being ignored by everyone.