Two Choices

Thunder Movement Thirteen Swords!

These were the thirteen strikes of the first level of Thunder Movement Swordsmanship, all unleashed by Lin Xuan in one breath. His longsword formed a curtain of light before him, flowing with a green glow.

The blood-red radiance rapidly closed in. Before it even made contact, it already thundered and rumbled, making everyone's eardrums tremble.

Liang Hong was greatly alarmed. He had never seen such a bizarre swordsmanship before—each sword faster than the last, its power continuously stacking. The blood sword in his hand had broken through five or six strikes, but its speed had already slowed.

How can this be? How could a Meridian Condensation fourth-stage disciple possess such bizarre swordsmanship? Liang Hong was astonished. But so what? He was a full level above Lin Xuan. In terms of spiritual power alone, he could crush him to death!

Break!

With a loud shout, the blood-red light around Liang Hong flared again. The red sword radiance doubled in size and swiftly tore through Lin Xuan's defenses.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The blood-red sword radiance was unstoppable, piercing through nine of Lin Xuan's defensive layers in succession before meeting his tenth sword with an eerie gleam.

Lin Xuan was equally shocked. He had not expected Liang Hong to be so formidable. It seemed he truly could not underestimate anyone, especially disciples who could join the Divine Might Corps.

Still, he had faith in Thunder Movement Swordsmanship. Every strike of this swordsmanship added a layer of hidden force atop the previous one. By the thirteenth strike, it would accumulate the hidden force of the preceding twelve. That power was enough to make up for the difference in cultivation between him and Liang Hong.

Metal clashed, and sparks scattered in all directions.

A cruel smile had already appeared on Liang Hong's face. The curtain of light before Lin Xuan was growing weaker and weaker, as though it could shatter at any moment. At last, Liang Hong breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Lin Xuan had forced him to use a sword skill, he still had not stopped his advance. Thinking of the 300 contribution points he would receive for defeating Lin Xuan, the sword in his hand sped up a little more.

"Lin Xuan is going to lose," one of the watching disciples said. "Still, being able to force Liang Hong to use a sword skill is enough to be proud of."

"Hmph, he was unlucky to run into Liang Hong. In front of Liang Hong, he still dared call his sword fast!" the Divine Might Corps disciples mocked.

Lin Xuan's expression was solemn. He only had three swords left. Success or failure would be decided in this single stroke.

His figure swayed as he took the initiative to charge forward. The Black Iron Sword was like a roaming dragon, baring its fangs and claws as it rushed toward the blood-red sword radiance.

"Damn! He still dares to attack? Is he tired of living?" Quite a few disciples stared in astonishment.

The Divine Might Corps disciples were also dumbfounded. They could not fathom Lin Xuan's intentions and could only conclude that he was trying to risk his life.

When Liang Hong saw Lin Xuan actually taking the initiative to attack, his eyes filled with mockery.

"What is this, a final counterattack before death?" Liang Hong laughed.

Lin Xuan did not answer. His entire mind had merged into Thunder Movement Swordsmanship. He was fully controlling the power throughout his body, precisely controlling the force behind this strike.

Eleventh Sword! Lin Xuan activated his spiritual power. His longsword surged, sword radiance dancing as it collided with the blood sword.

Clang!

The tremendous force made Lin Xuan's arm go numb. He hurriedly activated the Eternal Life Art, and green spiritual power flowed into his arm, easing the numb, aching sensation.

However, his strike had not been without effect. Liang Hong's offensive was blocked by that sword and slowed slightly. At the same time, Lin Xuan became even more proficient in wielding Thunder Movement Swordsmanship.

Two swords left! Lin Xuan gripped his longsword tightly, his body constantly weaving about with basic footwork.

Seeing his offensive actually being slowed, Liang Hong flew into a rage. A vicious gleam appeared in his eyes as he poured all his spiritual power into the blood sword, preparing to finish Lin Xuan with one strike.

Whoosh!

The sword danced, and the air shook. Liang Hong charged forward.

Lin Xuan charged forward as well. Before he even arrived, he had already slashed out with the twelfth sword.

Die! Liang Hong roared. His fierce power knocked aside the Black Iron Sword, and the cold sword tip stabbed toward Lin Xuan's right chest.

At that critical moment, Lin Xuan's gaze blazed like torches. His body seemed to merge with the Black Iron Sword, becoming one without distinction. In that wondrous state, Lin Xuan swung out the thirteenth sword.

All the power accumulated before erupted in this single sword. The Black Iron Sword was like a bolt of black lightning, stirring the winds and clouds. A muffled peal of thunder came from the blade as it directly blasted away the blood-red sword radiance.

Liang Hong felt as though he had been struck by lightning. That immense power filled him with despair. He was like a speck of dust, swaying helplessly beneath a thunderclap.

Drip, drip!

After the dazzling sword radiance faded, Liang Hong stood there in a sorry state, bent over with his left hand clutching his chest as blood continuously poured out.

"Liang... Liang Hong lost..." The Divine Might Corps members were stunned stiff, their entire bodies frozen in place. The muscles on their faces twitched involuntarily; for a moment, they could not accept it.

"I lost. I actually lost!" Liang Hong's eyes were lifeless. He had actually lost to a Meridian Condensation fourth-stage disciple. His confidence had suffered a severe blow.

Lin Xuan stood there with his eyes slightly closed, digesting the sensation from just now. During that thirteenth sword, he had seemed to become lightning itself. The feeling had been extraordinarily wondrous.

"Remember, you owe me thirty contribution points." Lin Xuan opened his eyes and spoke to Liang Hong as he walked away.

"Who's next?"

At those words, the Divine Might Corps members' faces twitched. Even Liang Hong had been defeated. Among them, only their leader, Xing Lifeng, remained capable of taking the field.

But Lin Xuan had no intention of letting them off. What a joke—each person was worth thirty contribution points. Where else could he find such fat sheep? So he raised a finger and began calling names.

"None of you are allowed to leave," Lin Xuan said as he looked at the Divine Might Corps members. "Prepare thirty contribution points and wait for this young master to collect!"

"You, that's right, you!" Lin Xuan pointed at a Divine Might Corps disciple. "Come fight me. Don't disgrace the Divine Might Corps' prestige."

That disciple wished he were dead. Even Liang Hong had lost, so he was certainly no match for Lin Xuan. But if he fled now, the Divine Might Corps likely would not spare him.

As expected, he was defeated in less than three moves. Everyone turned to Xing Lifeng. His cultivation was the highest, and only he had a chance of defeating Lin Xuan. Otherwise, this operation would become a complete joke.

"You've gone too far!" Xing Lifeng said with a cold face.

"Too far? When your Divine Might Corps surrounded and blocked me, did you think that was going too far? When you sent a Meridian Condensation fifth-stage disciple to deal with me, did you think that was going too far? When you colluded with the Law Enforcement Team to frame me, did you think that was going too far?"

Lin Xuan sneered. "Are you the only ones allowed to bully others, while no one else is allowed to fight back?"

"Oppose the Divine Might Corps, and there will be no place for you here!" Xing Lifeng snorted coldly.

"Cut the crap!" Lin Xuan held his longsword at an angle. "You have two choices now. One, obediently hand over thirty contribution points. Two, get beaten up by me, then obediently hand over your contribution points. Which do you choose?"

"Arrogant! He's far too arrogant!"

The Divine Might Corps disciples wished they could rush up and fight him to the death, but bound by sect rules, they could only endure it. Now, the only one who could openly defeat Lin Xuan and salvage their defeat was Xing Lifeng.

As for the watching disciples, Lin Xuan's words filled them with excitement. None of them belonged to the Divine Might Corps, and many had suffered at the Corps' hands. Now that someone could make the Divine Might Corps suffer a loss, they were naturally delighted.

"I'll make you shut that mouth!" Xing Lifeng slowly stepped onto the battle platform, his blade-like gaze enveloping Lin Xuan.

"Brother Feng will definitely win!" the Divine Might Corps disciples roared in low voices.

"Don't worry. Brother Feng is at the peak of Meridian Condensation fifth stage. He won't lose to him. He could crush him to death with spiritual power alone!"

Xing Lifeng stood in the center of the battle platform, his hands clenched into fists. His icy voice slowly rang out. "Make your move. I'll let you see the strength of the Divine Might Corps!"