Those Who Approach This Beast Die!

"Ye Liangchen! Taste my Hao One Finger!"

"Zhao RiTian! You go too far!"

"Damn it! My name is Zhao Hao! Leave the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram, and I'll spare your dog life!"

"Just you?!" Ye Liangchen flicked his alpaca-style hair with a flourish. "Where are my brothers from the Unadorned Willow Sect?!"

"Here!"

With a rustle, a dozen men with bizarre, rainbow-colored hairstyles bursting with Renaissance flair leaped out of the bushes.

"Heh! Think you're the only one with backup?! Brothers of the Zong Hao Sect!"

"Senior Brother, we're here!"

From behind Zhao Hao, another dozen or so men jumped out.

"For the Zong Hao Sect!"

"For the girls!"

"Charge!"

In an instant, the men standing on both sides of the stream charged at each other. Blades flashed and shadows danced, shallow stream water splashed everywhere, and the sounds of battle rang out unceasingly from the creek.

Not far away, in a bush by the stream, Jiang Lin and a fresh-faced, innocent-looking guy crouched together, quietly watching everything unfold.

Nine days had passed since they entered the Bewildering Secret Realm, meaning the Shrinking Circle had already happened three times.

He still remembered the first day—a flying bear had crashed into and wrecked the Small Wooden House. After that, Chen Jia had traded palms with Big Black Bear, and Jiang Lin had teamed up with him.

More people meant more mutual support, even if this guy Chen Jia always loved to wrestle with all kinds of ferocious beasts barehanded...

These people today were the first group Jiang Lin had seen since the Shrinking Circle began.

From what he overheard, it seemed a disciple of the Unadorned Willow Sect had stumbled upon a fragment of the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram by sheer luck.

Jiang Lin had read about it in books before. The Mountains and Rivers State Diagram was a Divine Weapon-level item, split into seven pieces scattered across the world. Four had surfaced so far—two in the Empire's hands, two in the Sects' possession. Adding this fragment from the Secret Realm made five.

Even though a single fragment of the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram was utterly useless on its own, each piece was still worth a fortune.

After all, it was a matter of prestige.

Imagine—even if you couldn't gather all seven Dragon Balls and summon the divine dragon, wouldn't it still be cool to just play with them like walnuts?

Besides, each fragment of the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram was a masterpiece of artistry, the perfect item for showing off refined taste.

And Jiang Lin's plan was simple: be the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind! Snatch that fragment.

He couldn't help it... As a model youth, he really didn't want to do this kind of thing, but the system forced his hand. Otherwise, it would make him go pull down Chen Jia's pants—and what if the guy punched him? Who could take that?

"Jiang Lin, do you want that fragment of the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram?"

Lying beside Jiang Lin, Chen Jia blinked his big, watery eyes at him.

Honestly, a man like this was practically asking to be taken advantage of.

Jiang Lin rolled his eyes. "No shit. Why else would we be here?"

"But why are we squatting here? Why not just go grab it?"

"...Do you think we can take them?"

"Jiang Lin! You're underestimating me!"

Suddenly, this guy stood up for no reason, hands on his hips, glaring at Jiang Lin indignantly, with the camouflage grass nest Jiang Lin had woven for him still perched on his head.

"Damn it! Don't stand up! I was just saying I'm not confident in myself."

Panicking, Jiang Lin grabbed his hand, but Chen Jia yanked it away as if shocked by electricity, shouting, "Pervert! What are you doing?!"

"???"

Jiang Lin was completely dumbfounded by Chen Jia's outburst, and his voice had already carried through the air.

"Who's there?!"

Suddenly, the Zong Hao Sect's finger strikes and the Unadorned Willow Sect's Ten Thousand Leaves Flying Flowers shot toward Jiang Lin's hiding spot.

"Boom!"

Chen Jia threw a punch, Jiang Lin swung his sword, and they deflected the attack, but the bushes were completely blown apart.

"Flower-Picking Thief Jiang Lin!"

Seeing him, everyone shouted in surprise.

"You're the Flower-Picking Thief! Your whole family are Flower-Picking Thieves!"

Jiang Lin shook his body, scattering the leaves and dirt from his clothes, a blade of grass dangling from his lips:

"Hand over the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram fragment! I'll spare your lives!"

He gripped his sword. As a Sword Cultivator, he had a Natal Flying Sword. His was named First Snow, its Sword Body as clear as if forged from ice and snow, the patterns on it exquisite. Even Lin Qingwan had gasped "How beautiful" the first time she saw it.

Looking at this man who had a handsome face but a frivolous heart, yet possessed such a pure and beautiful Natal Flying Sword, Chen Jia couldn't help but sigh and shake his head, feeling a sense of pity for the sword—it had fallen into the wrong hands...

Jiang Lin used Heart-Lake Transmission: "Hey! Brother Chen! Who is to blame for this situation we're in, and what is that sigh supposed to mean!"

A Pure Martial Warrior couldn't use Heart-Lake Transmission, but he could Condense Sound into Thread: "I'm just lamenting that this sword chose the wrong master..."

"..."

"What a fine sword! Flower-Picking Thief Jiang Lin, sever your connection with your Natal Flying Sword and hand it over to us. If you do, the Unadorned Willow Sect will let bygones be bygones regarding how you humiliated us at Black Tortoise Plaza. Otherwise!"

"Damn it! You're the cheap one! Don't call me a Flower-Picking Thief! Insult me, and you might as well hit me! Hit me, and you steal my Dao Companion! Steal my Dao Companion, and you ruin my Dao Heart! Ruin my Dao Heart, and you might as well kill me! A grudge like this must be avenged—I'm no gentleman!"

Jiang Lin held his sword horizontally before him, one blade's frost chilling fourteen prefectures.

"Unlimited Blade Works: I am the Bone of My Sword!"

"Careful! This Flower-Picking Thief is about to use his Ultimate Move!"

Ye Liangchen and Zhao Hao warned at the same time, and everyone took two steps back.

"Huh???"

A spring breeze swept across the lake, carrying bursts of floral fragrance. Birds chirped in the woods, a few little squirrels darted about. By the stream, over thirty people faced two, one of whom held his sword before him, while the rest waited for his Ultimate Move...

And then... nothing happened...

Even the simple-minded Chen Jia stared at Jiang Lin speechlessly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Was this all-show-no-substance guy out of his mind? Bluffing was one thing, but why call yourself a cheap bone?

"Fuck! Scared the hell out of me! Brothers! Tear this Flower-Picking Thief into ten thousand pieces!"

"For Senior Sister Lin!"

"For the girl!"

The Unadorned Willow Sect and the Zong Hao Sect united against a common foe, charging at Jiang Lin and his companion, while Jiang Lin still held his sword horizontally before him.

"Anyone who gets near this beast dies!"

Chen Jia took a deep breath and shielded Jiang Lin. As a Pure Martial Warrior, his entire body flowed with fist intent.

Just as everyone closed in and Chen Jia was about to throw a punch, in an instant, the sun and moon dimmed, heaven and earth changed color.

In the blink of an eye, everyone found themselves in a steel Sword Forest bristling with countless blades, the entire desolate forest teeming with sword intent.

"Red Moon is best for killing..."

While everyone was still stunned, Jiang Lin stood on a hillside covered in thrust swords, holding First Snow in his hand, gazing up at the moon—a true Manifestation of Sainthood.

"Who was it that just called me a Flower-Picking Thief?"