Ye Lingyun had successfully completed the Myriad Treasures Merchant Guild's assignment, significantly improving his strength and gradually making a name for himself in Lingfeng City. Yet his rise was like a massive stone hurled into a tranquil lake, stirring ripple after ripple and drawing the attention of people with sinister intentions.
One of the forces in Lingfeng City was the Blood Blade Hall. Its master, Blood Blade, was a ruthless man who had long committed all manner of crimes in the city and its surrounding regions, secretly controlling numerous shady businesses. The Blood Blade Hall had set its sights on Ye Lingyun's resources and the VIP Token he had obtained from the Myriad Treasures Merchant Guild. To them, he was nothing more than a newcomer. If they could seize those things from him, they would surely bolster the hall's strength.
One day, Ye Lingyun was heading to the Myriad Treasures Merchant Guild as usual, intending to use his VIP Token to see whether any suitable cultivation resources had recently become available. As he entered a secluded alley, he suddenly heard faint footsteps behind him. Alert, he quickened his pace without betraying any reaction. The footsteps quickened as well. Whoever was following him was clearly after him.
Ye Lingyun continued forward, pretending not to notice. Upon reaching a corner, he suddenly turned around. A group of black-clad figures closed in from every direction, trapping him in the alley. Each possessed a steady aura. They were clearly cultivators, and their strength could not be underestimated.
"Who are you? Why are you blocking my path?" Ye Lingyun remained composed, his cold gaze sweeping over the black-clad figures around him.
Their leader sneered. "Boy, if you know what's good for you, hand over your valuables and the Myriad Treasures Merchant Guild's VIP Token. Otherwise, don't blame us for getting rough!"
Ye Lingyun understood now. These people were clearly after his resources and token. Anger simmered within him, but his expression remained calm. "If you want my token and valuables, let's see whether you have what it takes!"
With that, Ye Lingyun swiftly drew his longsword and unleashed the Star-Splitting Void Sword Technique. Sword energy swept in all directions, glittering like stars as it shot toward the black-clad attackers. They immediately used martial techniques to defend themselves. Spiritual power surged through the alley, accompanied by unceasing battle cries.
Though Ye Lingyun fought alone against many, he did not give an inch. Relying on his exquisite swordsmanship and nimble footwork, he darted freely among his attackers, every strike finding a vital point with precision. Yet they were numerous and worked seamlessly together. Breaking out of their encirclement would not be easy.
The battle grew fiercer. Ye Lingyun's spiritual power steadily dwindled, but he continued to resist tenaciously. Just then, the leader suddenly pulled a black pill from inside his robe and swallowed it. His spiritual power instantly surged. With a thunderous shout, he unleashed a powerful martial technique, sending a streak of black light shooting toward Ye Lingyun.
Unable to dodge in time, Ye Lingyun took the light head-on and was hurled several yards backward, crashing heavily to the ground. Blood sprayed from his mouth, and his face turned deathly pale. Believing he could no longer resist, the black-clad attackers crowded around him, preparing to seize his valuables and token.
But Ye Lingyun had not given up. The instant they drew close, he endured the pain and unleashed the Spirit Shadow Evasion Technique, vanishing from where he lay. The attackers froze, then searched everywhere for him. Amid their confusion, Ye Lingyun suddenly appeared behind their leader and drove his longsword forward with brutal force.
"Argh!" The leader screamed as the longsword pierced his back. The others recoiled in terror. Seizing the opening, Ye Lingyun broke out of the encirclement and sprinted toward the Myriad Treasures Merchant Guild.
The black-clad attackers recovered and tried to give chase, but Ye Lingyun was too fast. In the blink of an eye, he vanished from their sight. With no other choice, they carried their wounded leader out of the alley.
Ye Lingyun ran at full speed until he finally reached the Myriad Treasures Merchant Guild. The moment he entered, he drew everyone's attention. Seeing him covered in blood and pale-faced, a guild steward hurried over to ask what had happened.
Ye Lingyun recounted his encounter with the black-clad attackers in detail. The steward's expression darkened. "Young Master Ye, it seems the Blood Blade Hall has set its sights on you. They've committed countless crimes in Lingfeng City, and our guild has clashed with them many times. I never expected them to dare attack you."
Ye Lingyun frowned. "Steward, if the Blood Blade Hall is so brazen, is there really no one who can keep them in check?"
The steward shook his head helplessly. "A mysterious force backs the Blood Blade Hall, which is why they've always acted without restraint. But rest assured, Young Master Ye. You're an honored guest of our guild, and we won't stand by and do nothing. I'll report this to our senior leadership at once. I'm certain the guild will see that you receive a proper resolution."
Ye Lingyun gave the steward a grateful look. "Thank you, Steward. If the guild ever needs my help, you need only ask."
The steward nodded. "Your strength is exceptional, Young Master Ye. Joining our guard would certainly bolster our ranks. What do you think?"
Ye Lingyun's interest stirred. Joining the guild's guard would not only give him its protection but also provide more cultivation resources and opportunities. Moreover, he wanted to use this chance to uproot the Blood Blade Hall completely and eliminate the threat it posed.
"I'm willing to join the guild's guard," Ye Lingyun said without hesitation.
The steward was delighted. "Excellent! You're a decisive man, Young Master Ye. I'll handle your enrollment at once. From this moment onward, you're a member of the Myriad Treasures Merchant Guild's guard."
The steward then led Ye Lingyun to a side hall, completed his enrollment, and issued him a guard uniform and an identification token.
"Keep this identification token safe, Young Master Ye. With it, you can collect the cultivation resources and mission rewards allotted to you by the guild. We'll also arrange a cultivation residence for you. Go get some proper rest and tend to your injuries first. As for the Blood Blade Hall, our guild will deal with the matter as soon as possible," the steward said.
Ye Lingyun accepted the token and thanked the steward, then followed a guild disciple to his cultivation residence. Along the way, he silently swore that he would make the Blood Blade Hall pay for everything it had done...
Over the next few days, Ye Lingyun tended to his injuries while cultivating diligently in his residence. He knew that to confront the Blood Blade Hall, he had to improve his strength further. Using the cultivation resources provided by the guild, he continually practiced the Nine-Turn Spirit Illusion Art and the Star-Splitting Void Sword Technique, striving to bring both to a higher level.
The Myriad Treasures Merchant Guild did not sit idle either. Its senior leadership was furious upon learning what had happened to Ye Lingyun. They swiftly assembled the guild's elite forces, began investigating the Blood Blade Hall's background, and devised a series of plans to strike against it. The curtain was quietly rising on a gathering storm in Lingfeng City...
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