The surroundings fell silent. A group of senior disciples stood as mute as cicadas in winter. No one had expected Zhao Lingfeng, who had been so arrogantly unstoppable just moments ago, to be cut down by Lin Changkong in three strikes.
How could this guy be so absurdly strong?!
Feeling Lin Changkong's gaze, every one of them felt their hearts pound wildly. Instinctively, they backed away, wanting to flee.
But just as one person turned around, a blazing blade aura flew through the air and landed before him, slicing a bottomless fissure into the ground.
The scorching aura halted his steps, and cold sweat beaded across his forehead.
He turned back to look at Lin Changkong, forcing out a smile as he stammered, "I-I didn't mean it like that just now, I..."
Slap!
Before he could finish, Lin Changkong backhanded him across the face. His whole body spun several times through the air before crashing to the ground. His eyes rolled wildly, then he lost consciousness and fainted on the spot.
Knocked unconscious with one slap!
Lin Changkong did not waste any time. One slap sent one person flying, then he turned on the person beside him and sent him flying with another slap.
Then a string of slap slap slap slap rang out. Everyone present was slapped one by one.
Those whose cultivation was insufficient fainted on the spot. Even those with some strength who did not pass out were not much better off—their eyes rolled, stars swam before their vision, and blood streamed from their heads. They looked utterly miserable.
Before long, the entire group was lying on the ground. Lin Changkong shook out his hand and strode away.
The group watched his retreating back, their eyes trembling, yet not one of them dared say a word.
At that moment, Lin Changkong had already become a Demon King-like existence in their hearts.
Not long after, news of the incident spread rapidly through the Outer Sect.
But Lin Changkong had no interest in asking about any of that.
After leaving the training grounds, he went to find Hong Ye. They had agreed to head down the mountain together today to carry out a mission, so they could not delay.
At Hong Ye's courtyard, when Lin Changkong arrived, there was already another person in the yard.
She was a woman dressed in tight black robes, her hair simply tied behind her head. She was tall and fair-skinned, with a black jade belt around her waist that accentuated her beautiful figure. Her looks were no less striking than Hong Ye's.
She was not only beautiful, but also valiant and dashing.
Seeing Lin Changkong enter, Hong Ye immediately smiled and introduced her. "Junior Brother Lin, this is Zhou Yue, the one I told you about yesterday. She'll be carrying out the mission with us today.
"Zhou Yue, this is the top new disciple, Demon King Lin Changkong."
Zhou Yue sized Lin Changkong up twice, then smiled and waved in greeting. "Hello, Junior Brother."
"Hello, Senior Sister."
Lin Changkong returned the greeting with a smile, neither humble nor overbearing.
Zhou Yue asked curiously, "Hong Ye said that after only a few days in the Outer Sect, you've already reached the Qi Gathering Fifth Level. Is that true?"
Since news of Lin Changkong beating Zhao Lingfeng had not yet reached them, neither Zhou Yue nor Hong Ye knew that Lin Changkong had just cut down someone at the Qi Gathering Seventh Level in three strikes.
Moreover, when Lin Changkong claimed his cultivation reward that morning, he had already reached the Qi Gathering Sixth Level.
But yesterday, he had told Hong Ye that he was at the Qi Gathering Fifth Level. No one could break through another minor realm in a single day, so Zhou Yue could never have imagined that he was already at the Qi Gathering Sixth Level.
Lin Changkong could not be bothered to explain. The more one explained such matters, the more muddled they often became.
But suddenly erupting and putting on a grand display could make one feel utterly refreshed.
"That's right. Senior Sister Hong Ye is correct."
So he merely gave a simple confirmation.
Even so, Zhou Yue's eyes widened, and she said in disbelief, "My heavens, you're far too impressive! You've only been in the Outer Sect for a few days, yet you've already reached the Qi Gathering Fifth Level.
"At this rate, it probably won't be long before I, at the Qi Gathering Seventh Level, am caught up by you."
Lin Changkong only smiled without speaking. Catch up?
Sorry, but if I were to tell the truth, I should already be able to crush you!
"Alright, if everyone is ready, let's set off now. We'll try to reach Black Dragon Town before noon and settle things early."
After Hong Ye spoke, the three left the courtyard and mounted the horses that had long been prepared.
Although cultivators were far faster than ordinary people, traveling still consumed a great deal of stamina. Furthermore, their destination, Black Dragon Town, was hundreds of li away from the Heavenly Fire Sect.
With only the cultivation of the Qi Gathering Realm, their own legs were not as fast as the Crimson Blood Steeds specially raised by the Heavenly Fire Sect.
Thus, riding horses was still the most effortless and cost-effective method for people at their level. After all, if they expended too much stamina, they would be at a disadvantage when they arrived and had 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 pointers, he quickly got the hang of it.
After all, they were cultivators. Even without technique, his strength was enough for him to sit steadily in the saddle with ease.
Heavenly Fire Sect, disciples' courtyard.
Zhang Qingfeng's face was dark and icy. After hearing the news brought by his lackey Liu Zhen, even the corners of his mouth twitched backward.
"Are you sure? Lin Changkong really cut down Zhao Lingfeng in three strikes?"
Just moments ago, Liu Zhen had rushed over and delivered a shocking piece of news.
Zhao Lingfeng, ranked thirtieth in the Outer Sect, had stood up for his lackey and gone to trouble Lin Changkong. In the end, Lin Changkong had chopped off his hand in three strikes and beaten him until less than half his life remained.
The news struck like a thunderbolt, making Zhang Qingfeng's heart pound in alarm.
Wasn't Lin Changkong only at the Qi Gathering Third Level a few days ago? How could he suddenly instantly defeat Zhao Lingfeng, who was at the Qi Gathering Seventh Level?
What kind of joke was this!
Liu Zhen's face was also filled with shock, but he still said with certainty, "There's absolutely no mistake. Many people witnessed it with their own eyes. After Lin Changkong defeated Zhao Lingfeng, he even beat up all the senior disciples who had been watching nearby.
"Lin Changkong's rate of progress is simply beyond belief. At this rate, it probably won't be long before even you are caught up by him."
Zhang Qingfeng's brows furrowed even more tightly, and killing intent surged in his eyes like a rising tide.
"What kind of method does this guy have to improve so rapidly?"
"It seems we can't wait any longer. The longer the night, the more dreams it brings. We must find a way to get rid of him as soon as possible and eliminate future trouble once and for all."
Liu Zhen said, "I also found out that after Lin Changkong defeated Zhao Lingfeng today, he went down the mountain with Hong Ye and Zhou Yue to carry out a sect mission in Black Dragon Town.
"How about... I take some men and ambush them halfway?"
Zhao Lingfeng shook his head. "That's too risky. With Hong Ye there, unless you find someone at the Qi Gathering Ninth Layer, you won't be able to kill her. If she returns alive, we'll be in trouble.
"The most important thing for me now is entering the Inner Sect, so we cannot handle this matter personally."
Liu Zhen asked, "Then how do we eliminate future trouble once and for all?"
Zhang Qingfeng sneered and took out a jade talisman.
"If I remember correctly, Black Dragon Town is near Mystic Moon Sect territory. I happen to know someone in the Mystic Moon Sect, and she left this sound-transmission talisman with me.
"Rather than acting ourselves, why not kill with a borrowed knife and leave no evidence behind? Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Zhang Qingfeng's expression was cold and proud. Then he poured spiritual energy into the jade talisman in his hand, activated the inscription, and sent a voice transmission.
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