Qi Refining Layer Six Was Nothing Special

"Burial Ground?"

Lin Zihao furrowed his brow, realizing that Zhao Huaian knew he was there to kill him and wasn't even bothering to pretend. He burst into laughter. "You've got a knack for picking places, kid. The scenery here is lovely. It really is a fine burial ground."

Then he shook his head with a mocking smile. "But how could I possibly grant your wish? Once I've killed you, I'll grind your bones to dust and scatter them into the sea. The bellies of the fish will be your final resting place."

"Senior Brother, what a wonderful idea. Grind my bones to dust, then scatter the ashes into the sea. It certainly is a fine way to erase every trace."

Zhao Huaian nodded earnestly.

"Stop pretending, kid. I refuse to believe you're not afraid. Aren't you curious why I want to kill you?"

Seeing Zhao Huaian so carefree made Lin Zihao deeply uncomfortable.

It was completely at odds with what he'd expected.

In his mind, once he caught up, Zhao Huaian—whose cultivation was weaker than his own—would surely weep, fall to his knees, and beg for mercy.

But Zhao Huaian's composure made Lin Zihao feel as if he'd swallowed something unspeakable.

"I am a little curious. I don't remember offending you, Senior Brother. I just don't know whether you're acting alone or if someone else is pulling the strings."

Zhao Huaian nodded. Since Lin Zihao had brought it up himself, Zhao Huaian asked what had been puzzling him.

If Lin Zihao was willing to talk, Zhao Huaian didn't mind taking a little time.

After all, it would be good to understand what had led to this before killing Lin Zihao.

If this was Lin Zihao's idea alone, Zhao Huaian could rest easy once he was dead.

But if someone else was directing Lin Zihao, Zhao Huaian would have to give the matter more thought.

"Ice Grass!"

Remembering how his entire Lin Family had been wiped out, Lin Zihao ground his teeth in hatred. "The Ice Grass you offered to Lei Yangwen belonged to my Lin Family. It was the key to my breakthrough to Qi Refining Layer Seven. But to curry favor with Lei Yangwen, you stole it—and slaughtered my entire family!"

"Ice Grass? So that's how it was..."

Hearing Lin Zihao's words, Zhao Huaian suddenly understood. The doubts that had troubled him were finally resolved.

He'd always behaved himself in the Greenwood Sect and devoted himself to cultivation. He'd wondered how he could have offended anyone. It turned out everything stemmed from that Ice Grass.

But he'd been made to take the blame.

He hadn't slaughtered the Lin Family. That had been Guoshanhu, who'd once sought his help to cure a poison.

But at this point, there was no use explaining. Zhao Huaian couldn't be bothered.

He didn't care whether he'd been framed.

All he knew was that Lin Zihao had repeatedly plotted to kill him.

That was enough!

Whatever the reason, Lin Zihao had to die here today.

"Now you understand, do you? I'll give you a chance. Back then, you were just a mortal. You couldn't have done it alone. Tell me who your accomplices were, and I'll leave your corpse intact!"

Lin Zihao's voice turned icy as he watched Zhao Huaian come to his senses.

Killing Zhao Huaian alone wouldn't sate his hatred. He had to drag out everyone involved and wipe them out to the last.

"They... they're all dead..."

Zhao Huaian shook his head and gave Lin Zihao a pitying look. "But a healer's heart is merciful. And since I'm such a compassionate man, I can send you to join them..."

As his words fell, gray-white mist rapidly spread from beneath Zhao Huaian's feet. In the span of a few breaths, it had engulfed everything within dozens of meters.

"Soul Bewildering Array?"

Feeling his Spiritual Energy suppressed, Lin Zihao furrowed his brow.

"That's right. Now that I knew you were coming after me, why wouldn't I make preparations?"

Zhao Huaian quickly retreated, a cold smile on his lips. "Besides, you've been expending Spiritual Energy to fly on your sword all this way. With the Soul Bewildering Array weighing on you, what does it matter that you're at Qi Refining Layer Six? I told you—this is your burial ground!"

"Hahaha! Arrogant! Ridiculous!"

Lin Zihao laughed scornfully. "You're at Qi Refining Layer Four, and I'm at Qi Refining Layer Six. So what if my Spiritual Energy is running low? So what if you have the Soul Bewildering Array to help you? The gap between our realms is something a worm like you can never cross!"

As he laughed contemptuously, Spiritual Energy surged through Lin Zihao. He swept his hand out, and the surrounding seawater swiftly gathered and condensed into countless water spikes that shot toward Zhao Huaian.

"Earth Wall Spell!"

Zhao Huaian didn't dare hesitate. He formed a spell with his hands, and a massive, thick earthen wall burst from the ground.

The flying water spikes slammed into the massive wall. Soil flew and cracks spread across its surface, but they failed to break through Zhao Huaian's Earth Wall Spell.

"Grandmaster-level Earth Wall Spell!"

Lin Zihao's pupils tightened, his eyes wide with shock.

BOOM!!!

Before he could react, Spiritual Energy gathered in Zhao Huaian's hand. He swung it with a sudden burst of force, and a gigantic fireball several meters across roared forth.

"Grandmaster-level Fireball Spell?!"

Lin Zihao was even more shocked.

Fortunately, he wasn't some inexperienced novice. Drawing on his battle-honed instincts, he pushed aside his astonishment and hurriedly circulated his Spiritual Energy. A massive curtain of water instantly formed in front of him.

BOOM!!!

CRASH...

The gigantic fireball collided with the water curtain, and a deafening explosion erupted between them.

Amid the violent blast, flames scattered in every direction. The massive water curtain shattered at once, turning into a rain of droplets that splattered onto the ground.

A violent tremor followed. Caught off guard, Lin Zihao staggered backward again and again, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"You're not at Qi Refining Layer Four. You're a Qi Refining Layer Five cultivator!"

Feeling the force of Zhao Huaian's attack, Lin Zihao finally saw through his cultivation level.

"Correct. Too bad there's no prize..."

Zhao Huaian's lips curled slightly. Seeing Lin Zihao in such a sorry state, he couldn't help but feel relieved.

So that was how powerful a Grandmaster-level Fireball Spell was. He'd been cautious enough to prepare all sorts of items for nothing.

Now it seemed he wouldn't need any of them. With the Soul Bewildering Array suppressing Lin Zihao, Zhao Huaian could kill him easily with his cultivation and Grandmaster-level spells alone.

Kick him while he was down!

Before Lin Zihao could recover, Spiritual Energy surged wildly through Zhao Huaian once more.

Giant fireballs materialized one after another, then swept across the sky and rained down on Lin Zihao.

At the same time, the ground rippled. Thick vines rapidly spread out, cutting off every avenue of escape and coiling toward Lin Zihao.

"Damn it! You bastard!"

Lin Zihao quickly swallowed an Elixir Pill and summoned his Dharma Artifact: a deep-blue Long Sword.

Then Spiritual Energy surged wildly through Lin Zihao. Protective Talismans stuck to his body one after another, while his Long Sword kept chopping at the vines twisting toward him.

With his Qi Refining Layer Six cultivation and the advantage of several mid-grade first-tier Protective Talismans, Lin Zihao was in a sorry state against Zhao Huaian's two Grandmaster-level spells, but he hadn't yet fallen into defeat.

For a time, the two sides were locked in a stalemate.

"Hold on. As long as I can last for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the Soul Bewildering Array will wear off. Then I'll definitely be able to kill Zhao Huaian—or at least get away from here."

Lin Zihao gritted his teeth and held on, the hatred in his eyes growing ever more venomous.

"Go!"

Zhao Huaian knew what Lin Zihao was thinking. Of course, he wouldn't give him the chance.

At once, Spiritual Energy surged wildly through Zhao Huaian again. He poured nearly all of it out, forming a sky full of fireballs that hammered toward Lin Zihao.

At the same time, Zhao Huaian flicked his fingers. Silver Needles glinting with cold light flew from his sleeve, concealed among the countless fireballs.

"I want to see how much Spiritual Energy you have left. So what if you're at Qi Refining Layer Five? You think you can kill someone above your level with two Grandmaster-level spells?"

Watching the fireballs surge toward him again, Lin Zihao roared furiously.

He gritted his teeth and spent more than half of his remaining Spiritual Energy. Combined with the Spirit Talismans in his hand, it formed a gigantic Water Shield before him.

He was sure that Zhao Huaian had little Spiritual Energy left after attacking so recklessly.

If he could just withstand this assault, things would be much easier for him afterward.

Once the Soul Bewildering Array wore off, he'd even be able to kill Zhao Huaian with ease.

BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!

The gigantic fireballs exploded one after another, each blast deafening.

When the last fireball had exploded, the enormous Water Shield instantly collapsed into a torrent that splashed onto the ground and seeped into the dirt.

Seeing that he'd withstood Zhao Huaian's attack and left him out of Spiritual Energy, Lin Zihao couldn't help laughing aloud.

But in the next instant...

SPLURT!

Bright crimson blooms blossomed across Lin Zihao's body.

Dozens of Silver Needles passed straight through him, then returned to Zhao Huaian's sleeve.

Blood sprayed into the air. Under the sunlight, it looked strangely vivid and beautiful.

Lin Zihao's eyes were wide, his face twisted with pain and unwillingness. He fell straight to the ground, lifeless.

"Qi Refining Layer Six was nothing special..."