txolops Chapter 39 A pincer attack? Send one person into reincarnation first!
Chapter 39 A pincer attack? Send one person into reincarnation first!
Chapter 39 A pincer attack? Send one person into reincarnation first!
[Chapter 39: A pincer attack? I'll send you to reincarnation!]
Shortly after Lin Chuan fled at full speed from Ku Rong Cliff, and the girl in white also used a Wood Release talisman to leave.
The devastated battlefield at the foot of the Cliff of Withered Glory has once again welcomed visitors.
A figure quietly emerged from behind the strange rock. The person had an ordinary appearance, wore the attire of Yellow Maple Valley, and exuded a calm and composed aura.
This person was none other than Han Li.
He arrived nearby and discovered the two bodies that had perished together; his gaze sharpened.
After a slight hesitation, he cautiously approached, first scanning the surroundings with his divine sense to confirm that there were no obvious traps or ambush signs before focusing his attention on the corpse.
"The Giant Sword Sect—and my senior brother?" Han Li recognized the clothing and frowned slightly.
He first examined the corpse of the fellow disciple from Yellow Maple Valley and found that his waist was empty, and his storage bag was gone. He then checked the giant sword sect cultivator and found the same thing.
"The storage bag was taken?"
Han Li's expression changed slightly, alarm bells rang in his mind, and his sharp eyes scanned the surrounding rocks and bushes. He had already quietly grabbed a few talismans and a magic artifact in his hand.
This scene looks too much like a trap!
But after waiting a while, there was no unusual movement around.
Han Li relaxed slightly, and his gaze returned to the two corpses. Suddenly, he noticed that between the stiff fingers of the fellow disciple from Huangfeng Valley, there seemed to be a very faint, almost transparent thread.
It is almost impossible to notice without close inspection.
Han Li's heart stirred, and he carefully used his object manipulation technique to pull the thread from the corpse's hand from a distance. The thread was cool and flexible to the touch, almost weightless, but its material was extraordinary. Even with his Qi Refining stage attack, he could not cut it.
"It seems to be a special material for a magical artifact, or perhaps an unfinished piece?"
Although Han Li did not know its specific purpose, he sensed that it was no ordinary object and casually put it into his storage bag.
Having done all this, Han Li dared not linger.
Instead of immediately using his magic to escape, he lowered his body and used the secular lightness skill "Luoyan Step," which he had painstakingly practiced when he was still a disciple of the Seven Mysteries Sect. He moved like a ghost, leaving behind several faint afterimages, and quickly fled.
On the other side, Lin Chuan ran for more than ten miles in one breath. After confirming that there were no pursuers behind him and that there was no abnormal lock-on in the "Hidden Spirit Technique", he slowed down.
He determined the direction and continued towards the center of the forbidden area.
The closer you get to the center, the denser the spiritual energy becomes, but the terrain also becomes more complex and treacherous.
Soon after, he arrived at a special location.
Ahead were two towering, steep mountain peaks with smooth, mirror-like cliffs. Between the two peaks was only a narrow, winding natural crevice path, less than three feet wide, that could only allow one person to pass at a time.
The path was lined with slippery moss and protruding, strange rocks, with only a sliver of sunlight overhead, creating a somber atmosphere.
"A narrow sliver of sky—"
Lin Chuan immediately recognized the place.
According to sect records, this is the only path leading to the central area in the vicinity, unless one ventures into the danger of flying on a magical artifact or detours through more distant and dangerous monster territories.
This terrain.
It is undoubtedly an excellent place to ambush.
In fact, Lin Chuan's divine sense, which far surpassed that of his peers, allowed him to vaguely sense two well-concealed spiritual energy fluctuations before and after the narrow path, which were still impossible to hide from his powerful divine sense, shortly after he approached the narrow path.
Two Qi Refining stage cultivators, one lying in ambush in the middle of the path ahead, and the other quietly following not far behind.
This created a pincer movement.
Lin Chuan did not stop walking, his expression remained unchanged, but he already understood in his heart.
"Trying to rob passing cultivators here?" A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
He was not unaware of it, nor was he unable to choose to take a detour or forcibly fly over (he had Earth Release Talisman and Wood Release Talisman).
But he chose to continue.
Firstly, he didn't want to waste time, as taking a detour or forcibly flying over the area would be risky and time-consuming.
Secondly, Lin Chuan had no liking for cultivators who harbored ill intentions and planned to abduct and kill others.
If the other party doesn't attack him, fine, but if they dare to—he wouldn't mind sending them to reincarnation.
This can be seen as clearing obstacles for those who come after, and also as a chance to test my current combat capabilities.
He maintained the outward aura of the twelfth level of Qi Refining and stepped steadily into the narrow path of the One Line Sky.
The light suddenly dimmed, and the damp, cold air carried the earthy smell of moss.
The path was winding and the view was obstructed.
As you approach the narrowest point in the middle section, a burly figure suddenly appeared after the corner ahead, blocking your path.
This man had a full beard, a muscular build like a bear, and wore the attire of the Spirit Beast Mountain. His cultivation level was clearly at the thirteenth level of Qi Refining!
He crossed his arms, his eyes fierce and filled with undisguised greed as he stared at Lin Chuan.
Almost at the same time, a slight thud was heard behind me.
Lin Chuan didn't need to turn around; his divine sense had already "seen" a young man dressed in Tianque Fortress attire with a sinister face blocking his retreat.
This person's cultivation level is at the twelfth level of Qi Refining.
They were attacked from both sides, and the terrain was narrow.
There's no way to avoid it!
"The kid from Yellow Maple Valley—"
The burly man with a thick beard grinned, revealing yellow teeth, and said in a rough voice, "You're young, but your cultivation is passable. If you know what's good for you, hand over your storage bag obediently, and if I'm in a good mood, I might spare your life and let you get out of here."
He said he would spare his life, but the murderous intent in his eyes and the way he surrounded him from both sides clearly indicated that he intended to kill and rob him.
They don't want to leave any survivors.
The last trace of warmth faded from Lin Chuan's eyes, replaced by a chilling killing intent.
He was not a bloodthirsty person, but he was by no means a pushover to be bullied.
He was already well aware of the cruelty of the cultivation world, and there was no need to show mercy to those who blocked his way and killed people, treating human life as worthless.
"Not paying?"
Seeing Lin Chuan remain silent, the bearded man's face hardened. "Then I'll come and get it myself!"
Before he finished speaking, he moved with lightning speed, suddenly slapping a dusty gray spirit beast pouch hanging at his waist!
"roar!"
With a low growl, a flash of gray light appeared at the mouth of the bag, and a monster resembling a pangolin but larger, covered in dark brown scales, with hooked claws and exposed fangs, sprang out. After landing, its small, scarlet eyes locked onto Lin Chuan, emitting an aura equivalent to about the tenth level of Qi Refining in humans—a mid-level level one monster, the Pangolin Beast!
That wasn't all; almost simultaneously, the burly man with the thick beard slapped at another spirit beast pouch of a slightly different color with his other hand!
"call out--!"
A streak of emerald light shot out and hovered in mid-air.
It was a strange snake, about the thickness of an adult's arm, with a body as green as jade and a pair of thin, purple fleshy wings on its back!
The snake hissed and flicked its tongue, its emerald eyes were cold and ruthless, and its aura was even stronger than that of the pangolin.
Approaching the upper level of the first stage (Qi Refining level 11 or 12)!
At the same time, the young man from Tianque Fortress who was blocking the way behind also silently summoned a flying sword that was entirely azure blue and exuded a chilling aura. The sword's edge was pointed directly at Lin Chuan's back, clearly a high-quality, high-grade magic weapon!
Facing a pincer attack from both sides, with two ferocious spirit beasts charging forward and a flying sword exuding chilling aura, Lin Chuan made his move!
Instead of setting up layers of defense like ordinary cultivators, he made an unexpected move the moment the opponent launched an attack—he suddenly retreated!
Instead of breaking forward, it charged backward toward the weaker cultivator from Tianque Fortress! Its speed was so great that it left a faint afterimage in its wake!
Being attacked from both sides is a major taboo.
Lin Chuan decided to concentrate his forces and eliminate one of them with swift and decisive action!
Seeing Lin Chuan advance instead of retreat, charging towards him, the sinister young man was first taken aback, then a sinister smile appeared on his face: "You're courting death!"
With a flick of his sword, the blue flying sword rang out and transformed into a blue rainbow, carrying a chilling aura, piercing straight towards Lin Chuan's face!
However, just as his flying sword left his hand, "Whoosh!"
An invisible yet incredibly sharp attack of divine sense, like nine cold, fine needles, instantly traversed a distance of only a few feet, ignoring the protective spiritual light he hastily erected, and fiercely pierced into his brow and sea of consciousness!
"The Divine Sword of Awakening Insects"! Nine daggers unleashed simultaneously!
"ah--!"
The sinister young man felt as if his brain had been struck by a hammer or pierced by countless steel needles. The intense pain, accompanied by a moment of blankness and dizziness, caused him to scream. His sword technique vanished, and the blue flying sword he had sent out also faltered, its speed decreasing sharply.
He stood frozen in place, his eyes unfocused, caught in a brief moment of disorientation and excruciating pain.
This amount of time is more than enough for Lin Chuan, who is ready to make his move!
The Azure Cloud Sword was already in his hand, its blade shimmering with azure light. Lin Chuan moved like lightning, instantly passing the out-of-control blue flying sword and closing in on the young man from Tianque Fortress.
"Pfft!"
The dull thud of a sharp blade cutting through flesh and bone was exceptionally clear in this narrow, narrow path.
The sinister young man from Tianque Fortress hadn't even completely lost his grin when he was cleaved in two from head to toe by a single sword strike!
Blood mixed with entrails sprayed out, creating a bloody and cruel scene.
Its mangled body swayed and fell to either side.
The entire process, from Lin Chuan's sudden retreat and counterattack to his divine sense attack and then to his close-range kill, was swift and decisive, taking only two or three breaths!
The cultivator from Tianque Fortress at the twelfth level of Qi Refining didn't even have time to unleash his full power before he was killed!
"What?!" The sneer on the face of the burly man in front of him froze instantly, turning into utter shock, anger, and disbelief!
He didn't even see what happened!
He only saw his companion preparing to attack with his sword, and then suddenly let out a scream.
He stood there motionless, and then the boy from Huangfeng Valley cleaved him in two with a single sword strike at close range!
"What did you do?!"
The burly man with the thick beard was both surprised and furious, and he shouted angrily.
He simply couldn't understand why his companion didn't dodge or defend himself, but instead acted like a puppet, letting himself be slaughtered.
Lin Chuan slowly turned around, the tip of his Azure Cloud Sword pointing diagonally at the ground, blood dripping down the blade.
He looked at the burly man with a thick beard, his eyes cold, but a faint, mocking smile played on his lips: "Next, it's your turn."
Before he finished speaking, a burst of crimson-gold spiritual light surged around him, and a layer of solid protective spiritual light enveloped his entire body.
At the same time, the golden shield flew out and instantly expanded to half a person's height, like a solid golden wall, firmly blocking his way. The dark scale armor he wore close to his body also emitted a warm coolness, providing a third layer of close protection.
With triple defense instantly activated, Lin Chuan's defense was almost at its maximum!
"roar!"
"hiss--!"
At the same time, the pangolin and the green-winged serpent, driven by their master, had already pounced fiercely!
"Bang! Bang!"
The pangolin's sharp claws and heavy impact slammed into the golden shield, producing a dull thud. The shield's surface rippled violently with spiritual light, yet remained unmoved. Meanwhile, the cunning green-winged serpent cunningly attempted to bypass the golden shield and attack Lin Chuan's head from the side and above.
With a thought, Lin Chuan released the Azure Cloud Sword, which flew out of his hand and transformed into a streak of blue light, slashing straight at the snake's vital spot!
The strange snake seemed to sense the danger. Its fleshy wings flapped rapidly, and its body twisted strangely, narrowly avoiding the sharp edge of the Azure Cloud Sword. It flew back to the side of the bearded man and circled around him on guard.
The burly man with the thick beard had also reacted. In a fit of shock and rage, he summoned his magical weapon—a heavy iron rod, jet black, as thick as a bowl, and engraved with animal patterns! The iron rod swelled in the wind, carrying a howling gale, and slammed fiercely into the golden shield in front of Lin Chuan!
"clang-!!!"
Another deafening roar erupted as the black iron rod collided solidly with the golden shield, sending ripples of spiritual energy spreading and causing rocks to tumble down from the mountainside on both sides.
Lin Chuan frowned slightly, feeling the pressure emanating from the golden light shield.
This burly man with a thick beard truly lived up to his reputation as a Qi Refining Level 13 cultivator; his strength was formidable.
He immediately manipulated the Azure Cloud Sword to abandon the pursuit of the strange snake, instead transforming it into a streak of blue light to meet the black iron rod that was smashing down again. The sword and rod clashed, producing a crisp metallic clang, temporarily entangled the opponent's main magical weapon.
Thus, the situation temporarily reached a stalemate: the pangolin and the green-winged serpent continued to attack and harass the golden shield.
The Azure Cloud Sword and the Black Iron Rod clashed in mid-air; Lin Chuan held firm with his triple defense, and the bearded giant found it difficult to break through.