Just then, a translucent, blood-red interface popped up before Lin Feng's eyes:
Slay the Black Tiger demon to obtain 1,500 Kill Points
This prompt had come at exactly the right time.
Lin Feng sneered inwardly. Slaughter Points were precisely what he needed most urgently.
The Black Tiger Demon forcibly endured the agony of its shattered sternum and the terror of impending death. Its scarlet tiger eyes glared fixedly at Lin Feng as it threatened him in a shrill voice warped by pain.
"Human! Stop! Do you know that I am Number One on the Yellow Ranking, the mountain patrol envoy under Lesser Celestial Lord Wang Teng?
Kill me, and you'll make an enemy of Wang Teng!"
It struggled to raise its head, trying to display its last shred of dignity.
"Lord Wang Teng is a true dragon of this age, blessed with tremendous fortune. He reached the threshold of Seventh Rank Perfection at only twenty-five! In the future, he will surely rule this land!
Even if you possess Palm Intent, before him, you're nothing more than a slightly larger ant!"
It panted heavily, demonic blood continuously gushing from its nose and mouth. Its tone softened somewhat, carrying a hint of enticement.
"Leave now, and I swear upon my demon soul that I can treat this as though it never happened!
I can even recommend you to Lord Wang Teng's faction. With your abilities, you'll surely be highly valued!
Why ruin your future over a moment of anger?!"
It tried to intimidate Lin Feng with Wang Teng's fearsome reputation and the threat of his future power, even throwing out illusory promises, all just to barter for a thread of life.
However, Lin Feng strode forward, his footsteps steady. The name "Wang Teng" and the description of him did not make him pause or hesitate in the slightest. His gaze was as indifferent as if he were looking at a dead object.
"Wang Teng?"
"I'll send him down to accompany you!"
A cold arc hooked the corner of his mouth.
His tone was calm, yet filled with the utmost contempt.
"You dare?! Lord Wang Teng will never let you off!
He'll surely draw out your soul and refine your spirit, so you can never be reborn!!"
Seeing that neither threats nor inducements had any effect, the Black Tiger Demon sank completely into terror and despair, letting out a hysterical roar.
Ignoring its grievously wounded body, it suddenly struggled to rise. The demonic power remaining within it burned madly as it launched one final, cost-be-damned counterattack!
Dark light flickered across its claws as they shot straight for Lin Feng's throat!
Lin Feng said no more.
His gaze sharpened. His palm rose, then fell.
His left palm brushed lightly outward. Sea Covering Palm Intent moved like invisible waves, deftly drawing away and dispersing the Black Tiger Demon's chaotic, dying struggle, causing its fatal claw to veer off course and tear uselessly through the air.
His right palm was like a giant axe splitting a mountain. Mountain Splitting Palm Intent, condensed to the extreme, erupted with overwhelming force and struck squarely against its already injured crown!
"Pfft!"
The tiger's roar cut off abruptly. The sound of its skull shattering rang out clearly, and red and white matter sprayed in an instant.
Slayed the Black Tiger demon and obtained 1,500 Kill Points Current total Kill Points: 1,750
Lin Feng reached out and grabbed the fur at the back of the enormous tiger head. With a slight exertion, he lifted it up, then wheeled around. His icy gaze swept across the surroundings like tangible bolts of lightning.
The bandits who had been hiding in the distance watching—or who had been horrified beyond measure after witnessing their chief manifest his demonic form and get slain—
all shuddered violently when that cold, merciless gaze touched them. The weapons in their hands clanged loudly, and they could barely keep hold of them.
The thick stench of blood mingled with the lingering Baleful Intent of the demon and the killing aura radiating from Lin Feng, pressing down on every heart like an invisible boulder and leaving them gasping for breath.
"Black Wind Stronghold's chief, Cao Meng, was this beast in disguise. He has now been executed."
Lin Feng's voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty. It echoed clearly through the deathly silent front courtyard, striking every bandit's heart.
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"Do you wish to be buried with him?"
That simple sentence, accompanied by the terrifying tiger head, became the final straw that broke the camel's back.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sounds of weapons hitting the ground rose one after another, joining into a single wave.
The surviving bandits had faces drained of color. Their mental defenses collapsed completely, and they fell to their knees one after another, pounding their foreheads against the cold ground with resounding thuds as cries for mercy rang out without end.
"Spare us! My lord, spare us! We surrender! We surrender!
From now on, we'll obey your every command and harbor absolutely no disloyalty!"
Lin Feng nodded indifferently. He was not surprised in the least by the submission of this rabble.
"From this day onward, Black Wind Stronghold has a new master."
He made the announcement in a tone that brooked no argument.
"Those of you who surrender will temporarily restrain yourselves according to the stronghold's rules. Do not cause trouble. Await further arrangements."
His gaze suddenly turned cold as it swept across the entire scene.
"Anyone who resists, refuses to submit, or obeys openly while defying orders in secret will be killed without mercy!"
"We respectfully obey the stronghold master's order!" the bandits shouted from the ground, not daring to show the slightest negligence.
Lin Feng said nothing more. Carrying the still-dripping tiger head, he walked straight toward the direction where the stronghold's treasury lay in his memories.
Everywhere he passed, the bandits lay prostrate on the ground, trembling,
with none daring to raise their heads and look directly at him, much less bar his path.
When he reached the treasury's heavy iron door, Lin Feng did not search for a key. He struck out directly with one palm, internal force surging forth.
With a boom, the lock shattered, and the door flew open.
The light inside was somewhat dim, but several open chests could be seen. Gold, silver, and other valuables glimmered faintly within, while several wooden racks held porcelain bottles, a few spirit-imbued ores, and a number of weapons in decent condition.
Lin Feng removed the seemingly ordinary storage pouch from his waist, recited a short incantation, and opened its mouth, producing an invisible suction force.
The gold and silver, pill bottles, ores, weapons, and other valuable objects in the treasury were drawn in by an invisible hand, one after another, in perfect order.
In barely any time at all, the previously well-stocked treasury had been emptied, leaving behind only worthless odds and ends.
Lin Feng tied up the storage pouch and turned to leave, his expression unchanged.
Carrying that enormous tiger head, its bloodstains already somewhat dried and darkened but still ferocious and terrifying, he calmly walked down from the stronghold.
At the foot of the mountain, the small squad of soldiers ordered to receive him was waiting anxiously. Dressed in the uniforms of the Northern Garrison Command, they had heard the terrifying tiger roar and violent sounds of battle from the mountain earlier. Their hearts had risen to their throats, but they had not dared move without orders.
Now, seeing Lin Feng descend unharmed with that conspicuous tiger head in hand, they all sucked in a cold breath, their eyes instantly drawn to it.
Then uncontrollable delight and profound awe surged across their faces.
"My lord! You... you really succeeded!"
The squad leader hurried forward excitedly. His voice trembled, and the way he looked at Lin Feng had changed completely.
"Cao Meng has been slain, and the stronghold has surrendered." Lin Feng explained the situation succinctly. "Return to the city and report."
"Yes! Your divine might is awe-inspiring, my lord!" all the soldiers answered in unison, their voices ringing out as their morale soared higher than ever.
Before this journey, most of them had been uneasy inside. Some had even thought it was a mission to their deaths.
Now, not only had they completed the mission, they had also witnessed a miracle with their own eyes. They were filled with admiration for this young thousand-household commander.
The group escorted several surrendered minor stronghold leaders and embarked on the journey back to Black Rock City.
Lin Feng walked at the very front of the group. The conspicuous black tiger's head in his hand was the most irrefutable proof of his spoils and strength.
Travelers and merchants they occasionally encountered along the way were all shocked when they saw the terrifying tiger head from afar. They hurriedly moved to the sides of the road and whispered among themselves.
The news that a young expert from the Northern Garrison Command had single-handedly wiped out Black Wind Stronghold and slain its demonized chief also spread like wildfire, racing ahead of them toward Black Rock City.
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