Chapter 135: The Heart of a Strongman

Dragons Soar Across the Four Seas!

Feeling the mounting pressure all around, Lin Xiaobao knew that if he continued to merely defend, his strength would never hold out until the talisman flames dissipated. His body, stretched horizontally in midair, spun swiftly, and flashes of sword light flickered from his waist. Then, his spinning accelerated even more.

Countless sword lights encircled him, enveloping his entire body as they clashed thunderously against the surging talisman flames.

Beneath the protection of the sword light, Lin Xiaobao’s whole body burned with crimson fire, soaring upward like a mighty dragon ascending to the heavens.

Boom! Accompanied by a mighty roar, the sword lights surrounding Lin Xiaobao exploded outward like torrents, blasting the entire space into a blank void.

Surrounding him was a cacophony of thunderous sounds, countless flashes of light bursting one after another. Exhausted, Lin Xiaobao fell to the ground, barely steadying himself as he staggered forward several steps. His right hand struck down fiercely, leveraging the strength of the Azure Flame Sacred Sword planted firmly into the earth to barely maintain his balance.

At that moment, a blazing red flame pierced through Lin Xiaobao’s attack and struck his chest. Just as he steadied himself, the force propelled him backward through the air, scattering droplets of blood like rain.

After the wild and passionate eruption of red flames, the hall gradually returned to its prior quietude. Lin Xiaobao lay motionless on the ground; if not for the faint, weak rise and fall of his bloodied chest, everyone would have assumed he was dead.

A searing pain engulfed his entire body, dragging him from unconsciousness into a painful awakening. Struggling to sit up, he glanced at the wound on his chest and took from his Star Peak Ring a jade bottle. With great effort, he scattered the prepared medicinal powder haphazardly onto the injury.

He then swallowed another dose of powder from a second jade bottle. After a moment, Lin Xiaobao shakily rose to his feet. Despite his weakened state, the murderous intent in his eyes remained undiminished as he stared coldly at the Second Elder.

Seeing Lin Xiaobao radiate lethal intent, the Second Elder, sitting on the ground with his battered form, involuntarily recoiled. “We are both gravely wounded now. Why not call this a truce and return to the Wind and Snow Pavilion? I will immediately command for Elder Lin to be brought here. What do you say?”

Though it appeared as a negotiation, the Second Elder’s words clearly carried a plea for mercy.

“Did you ever imagine this day would come when you plotted against my Master?” Lin Xiaobao’s lips curled slightly, dripping with scorn.

The Second Elder, sensing Lin Xiaobao’s resolve to kill, summoned the last vestiges of his spiritual power to stand. “Do not forget, I am a peak Ninth Stage Spirit Path master. Though injured now, you are in no better shape. Who will emerge victorious is not yet certain!”

“Is that so?” Lin Xiaobao’s eyes glinted coldly. “Do you think I fear you?”

With that, he vanished in an instant, leaving behind countless afterimages that converged before the Second Elder. A flash of crimson light, and the Second Elder’s head was severed from his body.

Yet the Second Elder did not die immediately. His eyes, wide with shock and disbelief, gazed upon his severed form. He could not comprehend how Lin Xiaobao, similarly gravely wounded and drained of spiritual power, could move with such ghostly speed.

Even as he involuntarily closed his eyes, the mystery eluded him.

Not only the dead Second Elder but everyone present was equally baffled by how Lin Xiaobao could unleash such velocity at this moment.

Indeed, Lin Xiaobao was badly injured and nearly out of spiritual power, but he bore a speed formation inscribed upon him. This was the brilliance of the body formation technique created by Elder Wu: it required no spiritual power to activate. Under the formation’s influence, Lin Xiaobao could still move with supernatural, ghost-like speed.

The rapid movement tore at the just-healed wound, causing Lin Xiaobao to grimace in pain as he once again leaned heavily on the Azure Flame Sacred Sword for support.

After drawing several deep breaths, Lin Xiaobao lifted the tip of his sword slowly, pointing it directly at the Third Elder. “You’re next.”

Is this boy mad? Everyone watched Lin Xiaobao with disbelief.

When the Second Elder fell, all believed the battle was over. Now, Lin Xiaobao faced a peak Ninth Stage Spirit Path master; even a newly initiated Spirit Path warrior could easily slay him.

Moreover, Chen Zhong stood watchful nearby. Even if Lin Xiaobao wished to end the fight, none believed the Third Elder of the Wind and Snow Pavilion would foolishly allow it to continue.

Yet Lin Xiaobao seemed intent on pressing the battle forward. Did he think his ghostly speed alone could overcome a fully empowered peak Ninth Stage master?

Without immense strength to back it, speed is but an illusion.

Still, when the Third Elder was named by the tip of Lin Xiaobao’s sword, he involuntarily trembled.

A wave of dread swept from his feet upward. Though he knew Lin Xiaobao was too injured to withstand even a single strike, fear still gripped his heart.

This fear did not stem from spiritual power or oppressive aura, but from the indomitable heart of a warrior burning fiercely within Lin Xiaobao.

The Third Elder understood he had no choice left. Amidst his fear, a flicker of hope emerged—he was the third target, and perhaps, exploiting Lin Xiaobao’s injuries, he might survive.

“Are you sure you want to continue?” the Third Elder asked, his expression tinged with fear. “Given the circumstances, even if you say end it, I dare not refuse. Nor would anyone belittle you.”

Lin Xiaobao still relied on the Azure Flame Sacred Sword to support his frail body. “Do you think I’m putting on a show for others? I told you, for the hatred you brought upon my Master, I will take it all back from you today!”

“If you insist, then I’ll die with you.” The previously hesitant Third Elder’s aura abruptly shifted as he charged fiercely toward Lin Xiaobao, shouting, “Take this!”

Despicable! Even the onlookers could not tolerate the Third Elder’s tactics. Though he warned Lin Xiaobao with a shout, it came only after his movement had begun. This was little different from a sneak attack.

As a peak Ninth Stage Spirit Path master, to stoop to such underhandedness against a wounded Sixth Stage Spirit Path warrior drained of power was truly contemptible.

“Ah!” Watching the Third Elder’s sword come within three feet of Lin Xiaobao, Yun Keke paled and screamed in terror.