Finger Bullet

Lin Chuan would never show mercy to his enemies; likewise, he would never stand idly by when those he could call friends were in crisis.

Han Qing had many choices in that situation; killing Lin Chuan and his companions outright was what most people would have chosen, and standing by would have been a safe way to protect himself.

Yet, he chose to intervene. Regardless of his underlying motives, the result was that his assistance had, to some extent, saved the lives of Lin Chuan and his two companions.

Lin Chuan understood that Han Qing likely had the intention of latching onto a powerful backer, so now was the time for him, the "backer," to demonstrate his strength and prove that Han Qing's investment was well worth it.

About two kilometers away from Lin Chuan, Han Qing and his two severely wounded teammates were fleeing for their lives.

He could no longer remember how long they had been running; he only knew that ever since he decided to help Lin Chuan, it was as if he had been cursed, running into one powerful opponent after another.

"We shouldn't have saved those three back then. If we hadn't, we wouldn't have been dragged into the subsequent melee, nor would we be hunted down like this!" one of Han Qing's companions said, his breathing ragged. A massive wound gaped on his chest, blood flowing incessantly and soaking his entire shirt.

"Boss, your decision was a real mistake this time. We should have just killed those three!" the other teammate added. A chunk of flesh had been carved out of his abdomen; blood spilled with every step, and his intestines and internal organs were clearly visible.

Han Qing looked at his nearly ruined right hand, feeling a sense of confusion in his heart.

Was it really a mistake? Should he truly not have saved him? Perhaps. At the time, he had indeed been thinking that it was good to enjoy the shade under a big tree. As long as the unconscious Lin Chuan could recover, their assessment would be problem-free, and with Lin Chuan's strength, he could provide them with enough protection even after they left this place.

However, he hadn't expected that their intervention would seem to attract every cultivator in the vicinity, triggering an unexpected melee. By the time they tried to escape, they realized they were already surrounded.

As time passed, more and more people gathered in the underground Lava Cave, and even cultivators far stronger than them, who had arrived later, joined the fray.

"I didn't expect that even people with our strength would be targeted. But my decision wasn't wrong; I still think saving that person was more worthwhile than killing him. I just didn't expect us to face a life-or-death crisis so soon. That Lin Chuan... he probably hasn't woken up yet, has he?" Han Qing said with a bitter smile. Even if he had woken up, what of it? He wouldn't even know their current predicament.

The two beside him heard Han Qing and could only shake their heads helplessly, saying nothing more. They had made it this far largely due to Han Qing's cultivation, and they weren't the type to be ungrateful. Since they had already made the wrong choice, they could only walk this path to the end.

In the distance, the figures of five or six pursuers were vaguely visible, the unique dark red glow from the walls of the Lava Cave casting the area in a blood-red light.

Thud!

One of Han Qing's companions stumbled and fell to the ground. Han Qing and the other man stopped, trying to pull their fallen comrade up, but they lacked the strength. Instead, all three collapsed to the ground, unable to rise again.

"Hmph, keep running! You little bastards, let's see where you can go!" A curse echoed. Han Qing's head felt dizzy from blood loss, and he could feel the footsteps of their pursuers drawing closer.

"Is this the end? In the end, it's still..." Han Qing shook his head bitterly. Since fate had decreed this, there was no point in running anymore. He looked at his two companions; dying together with them wasn't the worst outcome.

The six pursuers reached Han Qing and his group, kicking them viciously. Just as they were about to deliver the killing blow, Han Qing caught a glimpse of a figure at the other end of the cave. That white hair was so striking; he never imagined he would be so overjoyed to see this person appear.

"Perhaps... we don't have to die," Han Qing whispered.

It was too late for Lin Chuan to rush over, nor did he intend to. As he ran, Lin Chuan extended his hands, fingers splayed, and Sage Chakra surged toward his fingertips.

"Shikotsumyaku: Finger Bullet!"

The next moment, Lin Chuan's finger bones shot out from his fingertips, accompanied by crisp sonic booms, instantly crossing the entire cave.

Puff! Puff! Puff...

A series of sounds echoed as bodies were pierced. The six men were immediately sent flying by the immense impact of the finger bones, their screams instantly filling the cave.

"Careful, their cultivation..." Han Qing started to warn Lin Chuan, only to see a figure flash past him.

"Leave it to me!" Lin Chuan's voice rang out. The next moment, Han Qing heard only a series of screams and the sound of fists striking flesh.

Without any wasted movement, Lin Chuan cleared the six men. His spiritual energy had reached the fifth level of the Qi Refining Stage, and combined with his chakra and the Hyuga Gentle Fist, he had virtually no rivals below the Foundation Establishment Stage.

He had originally intended to practice the Tenketsu strikes of the Gentle Fist on these people, but upon noticing other cultivators gathering nearby, he didn't waste time. He barely used the Gentle Fist, instead relying on raw power to smash them to death. Afterward, Lin Chuan didn't forget to retrieve the finger bones he had fired; he didn't want to leave behind any unique traces.

"Can you still move?" When Lin Chuan's voice sounded again, the three of them were stunned. Those six powerful individuals, just like that?

Not to mention anything else, just the two at the fourth level of the Qi Refining Stage and one at the fifth level were, in Han Qing's eyes, already very strong. Even if Lin Chuan intervened, he thought he would at most scare them off, yet he had killed them in a few quick strikes.

Lin Chuan... was he actually this strong!?

"Barely!" Han Qing leaned against the cave wall and slowly stood up, and the other two struggled to their feet as well.

He looked around; under the Byakugan, the surroundings were clearly visible, and several people were already heading their way. He had no time to treat their wounds.

"Follow me closely, we'll reach a safe place soon!" Lin Chuan assessed the injuries of the three; although severe, they wouldn't die in the short term.

The three knew this wasn't a place to rest or heal, so they gritted their teeth and followed Lin Chuan as they quickly departed.