Astonishing Everyone

Black Shark Gang Headquarters.

"If we don't kill that ** , our Black Shark Gang's foundation will eventually be swallowed by the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion."

"Have the people from Greenwood Hall arrived yet?"

A tall, imposing man paced back and forth, a hint of unease on his face.

At that moment, a martial artist outside suddenly reported, "Gang Leader, they're here."

The Black Shark Gang Leader's face lit up with joy. "Quick, invite them in."

"Never mind, I'll go out and welcome them personally."

He strode out the main gate and immediately saw two figures approaching.

One was a man with a full beard, the other carried a long saber on his back.

"Gang Leader, have you made up your mind?"

Seeing the Black Shark Gang Leader, the bearded man grinned and asked.

"I agree to your Greenwood Hall's terms. We'll deal with the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion together."

"But after it's done, I want one-third of the contents from that ancient book pavilion."

The Black Shark Gang Leader said in a deep voice.

These were terms they had discussed before, but he wanted to reconfirm them for peace of mind.

"No problem."

The bearded man replied without hesitation.

Then, he introduced the Black Shark Gang Leader to the other man: "This is Immortal Master Xu. The Hall Master invited him to deal with the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion's Hat Swordsman."

"Immortal Master? Could it be that you are a cultivator?" The Black Shark Gang Leader was surprised.

"You flatter me, Gang Leader. I was merely a retainer at Prince Guangling's Estate. To put it plainly, I'm just a rogue cultivator, far inferior to those cultivators from sects."

"After the estate fell, I was fortunate enough to be appreciated by the Greenwood Hall Master and allowed to stay here and enjoy some peace."

The saber-wielding man said with a smile.

Although the other party was humble, the Black Shark Gang Leader's expression grew serious.

No wonder Greenwood Hall dared to invite the Black Shark Gang to deal with the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion; they had such a powerful trump card hidden.

For many martial world forces, cultivators were high above and difficult to reach. Even top-tier martial artists found it hard to contend with cultivators.

"Greenwood Hall truly has hidden talents," the Black Shark Gang Leader thought to himself, nodding.

"With Immortal Master Xu's help, we'll definitely be able to take down the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion. However, that Hat Swordsman is very mysterious and powerful. When our Black Shark Gang had over a hundred martial artists ambush Mo Xue, he easily resolved it." the Black Shark Gang Leader mused.

"It's nothing."

"Although the spiritual energy here is barren and I can't cast many spells, dealing with a mere martial artist is still within my grasp."

Immortal Master Xu said with a confident smile.

"Don't worry, Gang Leader. Our Greenwood Hall invited Immortal Master Xu precisely to deal with that mysterious Hat Swordsman."

"The Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion's ** dared to oppose our Greenwood Hall, they will pay a heavy price, just like their old man."

The bearded man said with certainty.

"If that's the case, victory should be all but assured."

"When do we make our move?" the Black Shark Gang Leader asked.

"I suggest the sooner the better. Once these minor matters are settled, I wish to return to my cultivation," Immortal Master Xu said proudly.

"Then we shall follow Immortal Master Xu's wishes."

Three days later.

Night.

The cold wind was biting. The entire Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion was surrounded by hundreds of martial artists from Greenwood Hall and the Black Shark Gang.

However, the martial artists of the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion showed no fear. Led by Mo Xue, they all looked towards the man wearing a hat at the very front.

Dozens of bodies lay scattered in front of the Hat Swordsman, each with a fatal wound from a sword.

He was like an insurmountable mountain, standing before the many martial artists of the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion.

The martial artists of Greenwood Hall and the Black Shark Gang, looking at the powerful figure standing before them like a god of slaughter, began to sweat, hesitant to make a move.

"He's strong, definitely a top-tier swordsman."

The Black Shark Gang leader's expression grew grave. Witnessing the Hat Swordsman's attack firsthand made him truly realize just how terrifying this mysterious man was.

"Immortal Master Xu, what do you think..."

The burly, bearded man looked to the side.

"Not bad. He should be able to withstand two of my moves."

Immortal Master Xu, the one with the saber on his back, smiled and stepped forward.

"A cultivator..."

With just a glance, Lin Fan had discerned the opponent's origin.

"Move aside, or die."

Immortal Master Xu slowly drew his saber, his tone indifferent and dismissive.

Lin Fan suddenly smiled. Without any unnecessary words, he simply swept his sword forward.

The Black Shark Gang leader and the burly, bearded man both assumed this would be a one-sided battle, with Immortal Master Xu effortlessly crushing the Hat Swordsman.

However, the next second.

"Impossible... This is absolutely impossible..."

Immortal Master Xu was filled with horror.

His saber had broken, snapped in half by a single sword strike from the opponent.

Immortal Master Xu was in utter disarray, his legs kicking wildly. But the man before him had a grip like iron pincers around his neck, lifting him into the air.

He looked like a chick being dangled in the air, filled with powerlessness and despair.

In just one exchange, he had not only lost, but lost so miserably!

"Who... who exactly are you!"

Immortal Master Xu struggled violently, disbelief coloring his words.

Even without being able to use his magic, he was still no match for a mere martial artist. This opponent was definitely not a martial artist, but a cultivator far more terrifying than himself.

Lin Fan held him with one hand, raising his other hand and thrusting his sword. The menacing blade instantly pierced Immortal Master Xu.

Ah...

With a shrill scream, Immortal Master Xu's head lolled to the side, his body instantly becoming a cold corpse.

Lin Fan casually plucked the pouch from his waist, then tossed the body aside like garbage.

"Immortal Master... Xu..."

The burly, bearded man's body went cold.

"Is... is this even human?"

The Black Shark Gang leader's heart pounded. He suddenly regretted allying with Greenwood Hall to deal with the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion.

"I knew it... you are invincible!"

Mo Xue's beautiful eyes sparkled, her gaze towards Lin Fan filled with deep admiration.

She hadn't misjudged him. His unparalleled strength surpassed everyone's imagination.

"What are you waiting for? Go kill all these people."

Lin Fan suddenly spoke, commanding the martial artists of the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion.

As his voice fell, the martial artists of the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion seemed to awaken from a dream. Their morale surged, and with bloodshot eyes, they charged at their enemies.

In contrast, the martial artists of Greenwood Hall and the Black Shark Gang were dejected, almost scared out of their wits.

With one side's morale rising and the other's falling, the martial artists of the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion quickly gained the upper hand.

Lin Fan didn't stand idle either. He took down the high-level martial artists with a single sword strike each.

Even the Black Shark Gang leader and the burly, bearded man from Greenwood Hall, who hadn't managed to escape, were pinned to the ground by Lin Fan's sword.

Without the cover of their high-level martial artists, the ordinary martial artists of Greenwood Hall and the Black Shark Gang were like lambs to the slaughter, losing their last vestiges of resistance.

In less than half an hour, apart from a few who managed to escape, most of the martial artists from Greenwood Hall and the Black Shark Gang met their demise.

Of course, the martial artists of the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion also suffered considerable casualties, but they had crushed the forces of Greenwood Hall and the Black Shark Gang. Such a price was undoubtedly worth it.

Furthermore, after this battle, the remaining two forces could no longer pose a threat to the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion.

"The rest is up to you."

With those words, Lin Fan vanished on the spot.

Mo Xue nodded and then directed the martial artists of the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion to launch a fierce counterattack, their target directly aimed at the headquarters of Greenwood Hall and the Black Shark Gang.

After several more days of intense fighting, the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion completely annihilated Greenwood Hall and the Black Shark Gang.

And Lin Fan's reputation as the Hat Swordsman officially spread throughout Ask Heaven City!

It was precisely because of his existence that the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion was able to crush the two major forces.

Without the constraints of Greenwood Hall and the Black Shark Gang, the Sacred Dragon Book Pavilion naturally became the number one power in Ask Heaven City.

Ancient Book Pavilion.

Lin Fan flipped through the Talisman Secret Manual Master Ruan had given him.

"So, Blood Demon Talismans are divided into many types, and they also have corresponding grade divisions based on their power."

"The Snow Demon Wolf Talisman I mastered earlier only barely rivals a first-grade Blood Demon Talisman of the Spirit Opening Realm."

"If I can create a second or even third-grade Blood Demon Talisman of the Spirit Opening Realm, both its power and the illusory beast summoned will become stronger and more sustained."

He slowly closed the booklet, gaining a deeper understanding of Blood Demon Talismans.

[Would you like to spend thirty years of lifespan to advance the Talisman Secret Manual to Mastery?]

At this moment, a line of small text appeared before Lin Fan.

"Agree to advance," he said subconsciously.