Sect Mission, Zhang Qingfeng's Conspiracy

The surroundings were quiet, and the senior disciples stood in stunned silence. No one had expected Zhao Lingfeng, who had been so arrogant just moments ago, to be defeated by Lin Changkong in just three strikes.

How can this guy be so ridiculously strong?

Sensing Lin Changkong's gaze, they all felt their hearts pound and instinctively retreated, wanting to flee.

But the moment one of them turned to run, a scorching blade energy flew through the air, landing in front of him and cutting a bottomless chasm into the ground.

The intense heat made his feet falter. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

He turned back to look at Lin Changkong, forcing a smile. Stuttering, he said, "I, I didn't really mean it like that just now, I..."

"Slap!"

Without waiting for him to finish, Lin Changkong backhanded him across the face. The man spun in the air, flew out, and crashed to the ground. His eyes rolled wildly before he lost consciousness and fainted on the spot.

Knocked out with a single slap!

Lin Changkong didn't waste any time. He slapped one person away and then moved on to the next, also knocking him out with a slap.

Then, a series of "slap, slap, slap" sounds echoed. Everyone present was slapped one by one.

Those with insufficient cultivation immediately fainted. Even those with some strength were not much better off; their eyes rolled, stars danced before them, and their heads bled. It was a truly miserable sight.

Before long, a group of people lay sprawled on the ground. Lin Changkong shook his hand and strode away.

The remaining people watched his retreating back, their eyes trembling, but not a single one dared to speak.

At this moment, Lin Changkong had become like a Demon King in their hearts.

Not long after, the incident spread rapidly throughout the Outer Sect.

However, Lin Changkong had no intention of inquiring about these matters.

He left the training grounds and went to find Hong Ye. They had agreed to go down the mountain together today to complete a mission, and he couldn't be late.

At Hong Ye's courtyard, when Lin Changkong arrived, another person was already there.

It was a woman dressed in a tight black outfit, her hair simply tied back. She was tall, with fair skin, and a black jade belt cinched at her waist, accentuating her figure beautifully. Her looks were on par with Hong Ye's.

She was not only beautiful but also spirited.

Seeing Lin Changkong enter, Hong Ye smiled and introduced him, "Junior Brother Lin, this is Zhou Yue, whom I told you about yesterday. She'll be joining us on our mission today. Zhou Yue, this is the number one new disciple, the Demon King Lin Changkong."

Zhou Yue sized Lin Changkong up for a moment, then smiled and waved. "Hello, Junior Brother."

"Hello, Senior Sister," Lin Changkong replied, neither humble nor arrogant, with a smile.

Zhou Yue said with some curiosity, "Hong Ye told me you've only been in the Outer Sect for a few days but are already at Qi Gathering Fifth Level. Is that true?"

Since the news of Lin Changkong beating up Zhao Lingfeng hadn't reached them yet, Zhou Yue and Hong Ye were unaware that Lin Changkong had just defeated someone at Qi Gathering Seventh Level in three strikes.

Furthermore, Lin Changkong had already reached Qi Gathering Sixth Level when he collected his cultivation resources that morning.

But yesterday, he had told Hong Ye he was at Qi Gathering Fifth Level. No one would break through to another minor realm in a single day, so Zhou Yue certainly wouldn't have imagined he was already at Qi Gathering Sixth Level.

Lin Changkong was too lazy to explain. Sometimes, the more you explain, the less clear things become.

However, suddenly unleashing a powerful display could be incredibly satisfying.

"Yes, Senior Sister Hong Ye is right," he replied simply.

Even so, Zhou Yue's eyes widened in disbelief. "My goodness, you're too amazing! To reach Qi Gathering Fifth Level in just a few days since joining the Outer Sect. At this rate, I, a Qi Gathering Seventh Level cultivator, might be surpassed by you before long."

Lin Changkong smiled without saying a word. Surpassed? Sorry, to tell the truth, I'm probably already crushing you!

"Alright, if everyone's ready, let's set off now. We'll try to reach Black Dragon Town by morning and finish things up quickly," Hong Ye said. The three of them left and mounted the horses that had already been prepared.

Although cultivators could move far faster than ordinary people, traveling still consumed a lot of energy. Moreover, their destination, Black Dragon Town, was hundreds of miles away from the Heavenly Fire Sect.

With only Qi Gathering Realm cultivation, their foot speed was no match for the speed of the Crimson Blood Steeds specially bred by the Heavenly Fire Sect.

Therefore, riding horses was still the most energy-efficient and cost-effective method for cultivators at their level. If they expended too much energy, they would be at a disadvantage when they arrived and needed to fight.

The three mounted their horses and galloped down the mountain.

Lin Changkong had never ridden a horse before, but after Hong Ye gave him a few simple instructions, he quickly got the hang of it.

After all, they were cultivators. Even without much skill, their strength was enough for him to easily stay balanced on the horse.

Heavenly Fire Sect, disciple's courtyard.

Zhang Qingfeng's expression was somber and cold. After hearing what his subordinate Liu Zhen had to say, the corner of his mouth twitched backward.

"Are you sure about this? Did Lin Changkong really defeat Zhao Lingfeng in three strikes?"

Just now, Liu Zhen rushed over and told him some explosive news.

Zhao Lingfeng, ranked thirtieth in the Outer Sect, had stepped up for his younger brother and gone to cause trouble for Lin Changkong. As a result, Lin Changkong cut off his hand with three strikes and beat him until he was barely alive.

This news struck him like lightning, making his heart pound.

Didn't Lin Changkong only just reach Qi Gathering Third Level a few days ago? How could he suddenly defeat Zhao Lingfeng, who was at Qi Gathering Seventh Level, in an instant!

What a joke!

Liu Zhen's face was also filled with shock, but he still said with certainty, "There's absolutely no mistake. Many people witnessed this. After Lin Changkong defeated Zhao Lingfeng, he even beat up all the older disciples who came to watch.

Lin Changkong's rate of progress is truly unbelievable. If this continues, it won't be long before even you are caught up."

Zhang Qingfeng's brow furrowed even tighter, killing intent surging in his eyes like a tide.

"What methods does this guy have to improve so rapidly!"

"It seems I can't wait any longer. The longer this drags on, the more complications will arise. I must find a way to eliminate him as soon as possible and remove this threat permanently."

Liu Zhen said, "I also heard some news. After Lin Changkong defeated Zhao Lingfeng today, he went down the mountain with Hong Ye and Zhou Yue to Black Dragon Town to carry out a sect mission.

Otherwise... should I bring some people and ambush them halfway?"

Zhao Lingfeng shook his head. "The risk is too great. With Hong Ye there, unless you find someone at Qi Gathering Ninth Level, you won't be able to kill her. If she returns alive, we'll be in big trouble.

My most important priority right now is to enter the Inner Sect, so we can't do this ourselves."

Liu Zhen: "Then how can we eliminate this threat permanently?"

Zhang Qingfeng sneered and took out a jade talisman.

"If I remember correctly, Black Dragon Town is close to Mystic Moon Sect territory. I have an acquaintance in the Mystic Moon Sect, and this sound transmission talisman was left to me by her.

Instead of acting ourselves, why not kill with a borrowed knife and leave no traces? Wouldn't that be wonderful!"

Zhang Qingfeng's expression was cold and arrogant. He then injected spiritual energy into the jade talisman in his hand, activating the talisman and transmitting his message.