Rip!
The air let out a shrill howl amid a tearing force, while the void in all four directions shook wildly as if it had gone mad.
Qiao Shanling looked up and was instantly struck dumb with terror!
The blade in Lin Shuguang's hand had already reached within five inches of his forehead, frightening Qiao Shanling's pupils into shrinking to pinpoints.
How could he be this fast?
Could this guy have been hiding his true ability just now?!
In that instant, countless reactions—surprise, even horror—flashed through Qiao Shanling's mind. Yet they were all swept away by the razor-sharp sensation that came with Lin Shuguang's descending blade, a fierceness as cutting as a knife.
Qiao Shanling had completely lost the chance to process his reactions, much less enough time to think through these questions.
All he could do now was force out as much of his instinctive power as possible.
As the most basic life-preserving skill of a True Fate Realm expert, Qiao Shanling seemed to have his entire strength triggered at this final moment, and it erupted all at once!
A sharp Sword Intent burst outward from Qiao Shanling as its center, shooting in every direction.
In the blink of an eye, one could clearly see rings of ripples vibrating out from his body through the air. His Sword Intent madly crushed the surrounding air, forming explosive shock waves.
The waves of air slammed down viciously!
Lin Shuguang immediately sensed that he had seemingly plunged into the depths of the sea.
The air around him suddenly became incomparably viscous.
That familiar Sword Intent domain magnetic field wrapped around him once more.
But given what had happened before, Qiao Shanling should have understood that this Sword Intent domain magnetic field clearly wasn't enough to affect Lin Shuguang.
Perhaps he had acted in a panic because he was desperate.
Yet this Sword Intent domain magnetic field was evidently different from the one he had unleashed a few minutes earlier. It faintly carried the aura of a demon.
Lin Shuguang was holding the Heaven Sacrifice Talisman, so he was extremely sensitive to demonic auras.
His heart jolted, and he suddenly had the urge to seize Qiao Shanling right in front of the three experts.
He was far too eager to know what benefits this fellow could bring him.
But if he seized him directly, there was no avoiding the possibility that Ji Feng, Sima Tingwei, or even the Ninth Prince might discover the existence of the Spatial Altar. That would be far too risky.
In an instant.
Lin Shuguang's figure had already closed in. Under the Sword Intent domain magnetic field's repulsion, the horizontal slash of the Slaughter Blade in his hand slowed by several degrees.
But it still continued toward Qiao Shanling's head, sharp enough to slice through metal as though it were mud.
The Sword Intent domain magnetic field had erupted for far too short a time.
After all, Qiao Shanling had reacted in desperation under Lin Shuguang's assault. The long sword in his hand had already been taken by Ji Feng, leaving him with only this secret art.
Although its origins were highly taboo, exposing it could result in the Great Gan Dynasty's iron laws crushing him to death.
But Qiao Shanling didn't want to die—not now, at least.
This secret art was his only reliance!
As Lin Shuguang's great blade descended, Qiao Shanling could clearly feel the reaction and warning surging from his nerves. It was instinctive fear, tension, and terror!
At this moment, the blade was only a fist's distance from his head.
Bang!
An explosive sound rang out.
Qiao Shanling's Sword Intent domain magnetic field let out a groan as though it had reached its limit.
How terrifying was the power of the Sacred Dragon Body? Before Lin Shuguang, Qiao Shanling's many years of martial experience could only be reduced to the two words "ignorance."
With the terrifying power of the Sacred Dragon Body reinforcing it, the Slaughter Blade sent ear-piercing howls of wind pressure exploding around it. The Sword Intent domain magnetic field Qiao Shanling had forced out with his secret art also emitted crisp cracking sounds under the brutal pressure of Lin Shuguang's strength.
Then, it was as if an entire mirror shattered into countless shards.
Fragments of the Sword Intent magnetic field shot in every direction.
Pfft!
A sound that made one's heart tremble rang out as Lin Shuguang's blade struck Qiao Shanling's left shoulder.
The sound of flesh tearing was exceptionally clear.
Lin Shuguang twisted the Slaughter Blade in his hand.
Rip! One of Qiao Shanling's arms was severed on the spot.
Along with his heart-rending scream, blood sprayed wildly through the air.
Lin Shuguang showed no intention of stopping.
He shouted, "Demon, you must die!"
His voice boomed like thunder.
Ji Feng and Sima Tingwei, who were locked in battle with the Ninth Prince in the distance, had clearly heard those words.
With their vision, they had naturally seen the evil nature of Qiao Shanling's secret art.
Everything had simply happened too quickly. Otherwise, let alone Ji Feng—even Sima Tingwei would have been able to stop Qiao Shanling and kill him on the spot.
Thus, when Lin Shuguang hacked Qiao Shanling into a cloud of blood mist, the two Nirvana Realm experts both showed evident surprise.
Compared to Qiao Shanling secretly learning demonic techniques, Lin Shuguang seemed to have stirred them even more deeply.
Yet no one noticed that Lin Shuguang had deliberately displayed such a brutal, bloody side to conceal his true purpose.
He didn't mind being regarded by Sima Tingwei or Ji Feng as a merciless killer. In any case, amid the blood mist, he pulled Qiao Shanling's corpse into the Spatial Altar.
The so-called blood mist had merely been the arm Lin Shuguang had severed.
Blood rained down in a sheet.
Lin Shuguang stood motionless with the great blade in his hand, coldly watching the Ninth Prince's figure in the distant sky.
He had no intention of going over.
The Ninth Prince was an imperial prince, after all. Who knew whether he had other methods? The fact that he had deliberately held back both Nirvana Realm experts, Sima Tingwei and Ji Feng, showed that this fellow had another card up his sleeve.
More importantly, in his line of sight, a cloud of black mist suddenly surged into the sky. The Ninth Prince had apparently unleashed another secret art, and his black-mist clone directly knocked away the sword in Ji Feng's hand.
Ji Feng wasn't a swordsman, after all. Holding a sword when he practiced fists felt uncomfortable to him, though that didn't mean he couldn't display any strength with it.
When the Ninth Prince charged over, he stabbed down with the sword without the slightest hesitation.
The sword pierced straight into the Ninth Prince.
The Ninth Prince grunted, and the entire mass of black mist nearly collapsed.
Enduring the tearing sensation in his soul, the Ninth Prince shot away. In the blink of an eye, he vanished from the sight of the three people.
"Ji Feng! Sima Tingwei! I'll remember this!"
Sima Tingwei watched the Ninth Prince flee, his gaze cold. "Someone in the Black Prison is actually cultivating demonic techniques, and this person is connected to the Ninth Prince..."
Ji Feng seemed to have returned to his former carefree manner. Shaking his head, he said, "His martial cultivation has become even more profound. A single clone can actually display such strength. I'm afraid his true body could physically withstand a Nirvana Realm expert."
As he spoke, he glanced at Lin Shuguang in the distance, then turned to whisper to Sima Tingwei, "There were rumors before that the Ninth Prince cultivated demonic and wicked arts. Now it seems they're more than ninety percent true. But since the person above isn't managing it, he's probably tacitly approving it... The higher-ups have been laying out their plans these past two years, and they've already loosened their stance in some places. Perhaps they're also trying to gamble on an opportunity."
Sima Tingwei's gaze narrowed slightly. "The Black Prison isn't an ordinary place. Since the Ninth Prince has extended his hand here, what about the others?"
Ji Feng couldn't respond to that. He patted Sima Tingwei's shoulder, carrying the air of someone shouldering a heavy responsibility, then looked toward Lin Shuguang and changed the subject. "That Baojian Sect disciple has some real ability. I was worried he'd suffer earlier, but who would've thought he'd cleave the other man apart alive with a single slash? Has he reached the True Fate Realm?"
"No. He's still in the Spirit Transformation Realm." Sima Tingwei shook his head.
Two Nirvana Realm experts were whispering in front of Lin Shuguang. The sight would inevitably seem somewhat comical if anyone heard about it.
After a moment, Sima Tingwei turned back to Lin Shuguang. "Are you injured?"
Rather than immediately asking Lin Shuguang what had happened, he was concerned about his condition. The expression on Lin Shuguang's face softened somewhat. "No. Thank you both for saving me."
Before Sima Tingwei could speak, Ji Feng walked over with a smile and teased, "There's no need to thank us. Even if we hadn't shown up, you probably had a way to resolve this today. Not bad, not bad—brave and resourceful. It's rare to meet someone from Baojian Sect who can do this. You've really brought honor to them."
Lin Shuguang fell silent for a moment, then revealed a polite smile.
Ji Feng leaned closer again. His natural temperament was lively, and now he couldn't help gossiping, entirely unlike the baleful air he had shown while facing the Ninth Prince. "Speaking of which, don't all of you in Baojian Sect practice swordsmanship? I never expected you could produce a Swordsman like you. Hahaha, is Baojian Sect planning to develop in multiple directions?"
Lin Shuguang: "..."
He fell silent, then smiled again.
Ji Feng seemed to have countless questions.
But before he could ask another, Sima Tingwei, looking thoroughly exasperated, pushed him aside and stood before Lin Shuguang. "This matter ends here for now. You don't need to worry about the Ninth Prince. As long as you don't leave the Black Prison, I can guarantee your safety. Change your residence."
"Thank you for your kindness, sir," Lin Shuguang said harmlessly.
Sima Tingwei waved his hand. "Rest well these next two days. I'll personally notify the Saber Prison."
Lin Shuguang cupped his fists again.
"We're leaving." Sima Tingwei grabbed Ji Feng, and the two quickly vanished. Ji Feng's extremely aggrieved voice seemed to drift through the wind... "You bastard... I think I'm starting to like him..."
Lin Shuguang: "..."
He silently turned around.
His residence had been destroyed, so he could only choose a new one.
But what concerned him more now was what kind of benefit Qiao Shanling could bring him!
After finding an unoccupied area, Lin Shuguang looked around, then slipped entirely into the Spatial Altar.
Qiao Shanling's corpse was still suspended inside the altar. With a single thought from Lin Shuguang, he could offer it up for sacrifice immediately.
Playing with the Ninth Prince's Nine Demon Scroll, Lin Shuguang couldn't help laughing whenever he thought of the Ninth Prince's furious expression.
That fellow had arrived with overwhelming momentum, acting arrogantly from the moment he appeared, as though becoming Lin Shuguang's servant would be the greatest honor in the world.
Did he really think Lin Shuguang was the sort of person who fawned over others?
Now look at him. The Ninth Prince had lifted a rock only to smash his own foot, putting on a farce that had left both sides empty-handed.
Not only had he failed to recruit Lin Shuguang under his command, he had also lost Qiao Shanling, the hidden flag he had planted in the Black Prison. Worse, even the Nine Demon Scroll had been snatched away by Lin Shuguang.
The Ninth Prince had been robbed, yet couldn't say so outright. It was practically swallowing broken teeth with his blood.
When had he ever suffered such a grievance?
Demon Cave.
At the same time Lin Shuguang hid himself inside the Spatial Altar, the true body of the Ninth Prince, Gu Changhe, erupted with a terrifying aura within the main hall, as though boundless fury had come crashing down.
The entire hall was wrapped in flames that flickered between bright and dim.
In a place like the Demon Cave, it seemed as though some peerless fiend had descended.
The guards all around dropped to one knee, their bodies facing the main hall as though welcoming the Ninth Prince out of seclusion.
"Mo Changxiong!" the Ninth Prince roared from within the hall.
A tall man dressed in animal skins respectfully stepped forward and knelt on one knee at the entrance to the hall. "Your Highness, please give your orders."
"Go to the Black Prison and capture Lin Shuguang. Act in secret and don't attract attention. If anyone obstructs you, kill without mercy. Also, Shi Wenliang has already begun moving. You're responsible for handling the aftermath and bringing the people back."
The Ninth Prince was murderous.
His order to kill without mercy included the people of the Black Prison.
"Yes." Mo Changxiong lowered his gaze and slowly rose before retreating. With cultivation in the Nirvana Realm, he was nevertheless bowing and scraping before the Ninth Prince, who was in the True Fate Realm. If word got out, people would naturally laugh at him.
Yet Mo Changxiong seemed not to care in the slightest.
Having received the Ninth Prince's orders, he immediately set out from the Demon Cave. He could reach the Black Prison in two days at the fastest!
At the same time.
In an inn somewhere near the Black Prison, an ordinary, slender man slowly opened his eyes. He uttered a person's name: "Lin Shuguang."
Playing with the dagger in his hand, Shi Wenliang's lips curved into a faint smile. "To make His Highness hate him so much, I wonder what this fellow did to arouse the wrath of both gods and men. But since His Highness has already informed me, I'll perform well this time."
The poisoned dagger in his hand danced casually into a blur of light.
His entire figure gradually vanished from where he stood.
That famous assassin was actually working for the Ninth Prince. If word got out, it would surely cause quite a stir.
Within the Black Prison.
After Sima Tingwei had just announced that the Black Prison would be thoroughly investigated, Ji Feng came looking for him.
Before Ji Feng could speak, Sima Tingwei interrupted him. "Lin Shuguang is from Baojian Sect. No matter what you're thinking, don't get too involved with him. This is a sensitive time. Don't invite trouble upon yourself."
Ji Feng said irritably, "Old Man Chen guided the two of us back then. Do you have to be so heartless?"
Sima Tingwei's expression didn't change. He shook his head. "If you truly want what's best for him, then don't associate with him. You and I both know that many people are watching us now. Lin Shuguang himself comes from Baojian Sect. The signs of troubled times are already emerging, and Baojian Sect is an anomaly amid these changes. The more you associate with him, the more trouble you'll bring to Lin Shuguang and even to Baojian Sect behind him."
Ji Feng sighed when he heard this. "What a damn rotten world. Forget it, to hell with whoever. It shouldn't be a problem if I give him something for self-defense, right?"
Sima Tingwei didn't object.
Ji Feng was somewhat disappointed and prepared to leave when Sima Tingwei suddenly called out, "Wait."
"Now what? Sima, don't push it. Back then, Old Man Chen taught you the most."
As soon as Ji Feng finished speaking, Sima Tingwei took a jade pendant from his sleeve and tossed it over. "Tell him to keep it on him. If he's in danger, have him crush it."
Ji Feng was stunned, then clicked his tongue. "Look at you acting all high and mighty. Should I give him some subordinates too? It feels dangerous with no one around him. Would a Nirvana Realm subordinate be too flashy?"
Sima Tingwei: "...Get lost."
Before you continue