Snow merged with the sky above the icy plains.
The youth walked alone through the blizzard, the goose-feather-like snow emitting a dim white light in the darkness as he instinctively tightened his collar.
His figure appeared somewhat barren against the dim yellow light of the tavern behind him.
The youth exhaled a long white breath and, on his fingers, a black ring emitted a white light. A shadowy figure floated beside him, whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Master, you shouldn't have made a move just now!"
The youth smiled faintly, revealing a slightly pale face. If Xiao Yi were here, he would recognize that this was Tong Zhan.
Over the past nearly three months of trials, traveling alone all the way from the capital of the Sword Dynasty, Tong Zhan had undergone earth-shattering changes.
His cultivation alone had ascended to the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm.
Tong Zhan certainly had his own extraordinary encounters over these three months!
This floating figure beside him was the National Destiny Spirit of the Sword Dynasty, which had fallen into Tong Zhan's hands by chance and recognized him as master. It was with the help of the National Destiny Spirit that Tong Zhan could achieve what had taken others a lifetime to accomplish in just nearly three months.
This National Destiny Spirit carried the fortunes of the former Sword Dynasty, revered by the dynasty for thousands of years!
This energy bolstered Tong Zhan.
Raising him to the Fifth Layer of the Tao Tribulation Realm in just a few months—an encounter so rare and difficult to replicate!
Tong Zhan glanced at the National Destiny Spirit next to him, his eyes narrowing into slits, his words exceedingly firm, "One day as a mentor, a lifetime as a father. My life was saved by my master, and I won't allow anyone to insult him…"
The National Destiny Spirit showed a hesitant expression, "Now the Daqian Dynasty is beset by enemies on all sides. Master, if you conceal your identity until the Daqian Dynasty overcomes this calamity, then reveal yourself. If the Daqian Dynasty cannot survive this calamity, no one will know your identity. This is the way to maximize benefits... Now, by revealing your identity too soon, that's not a good thing!"
The National Destiny Spirit, enjoying a millennium of reverence from the Sword Dynasty,
had long developed its own consciousness.
interests come first!
Tong Zhan paused slightly, his eyes narrowed to slits, and within his gaze, cold light flickered sharply as knives. With a flick of his hand, he grasped the National Destiny Spirit by the throat, the ring on his finger flickering with light, his demeanor becoming extraordinarily cold and brutal, "I don't want to hear such words from you again. If there is a next time, I won't mind destroying your spirit."
"Master, please have mercy…" the National Destiny Spirit said, its face full of terror.
Its existence was extremely special.
Its life and death hung on Tong Zhan's thoughts.
As the National Destiny Spirit seemed about to dissipate, Tong Zhan finally loosened his grip, his voice icy and resonant, "This is the first time, and I hope it is also the last time!"
"Understood, subordinate understands…" the National Destiny Spirit said earnestly and fearfully.
Tong Zhan nodded, squinting towards the front. Through the blizzard, he seemed to see the towering figure within the grand imperial city, "Master, I will definitely not disappoint you!"
A fiery fighting spirit suddenly emerged in Tong Zhan's eyes, seemingly causing the surrounding snow to quietly melt. His blood-red eyes scanned forward, and he spoke coldly, "Since you've come, why not show yourself?"
"Keke, truly worthy of being Xiao Yi's disciple!"
"Your perception is keen, to have discovered our presence…"
A series of chilling laughter rang out.
Several figures slowly appeared in the snow, dressed similarly to Jin Chi, all apparently strong members from the Money Gang.
"Members of the Money Gang?"
Tong Zhan narrowed his eyes, recognizing their identity from their attire.
The leader of the Money Gang was none other than Jin Yu, at the peak of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.
Jin Yu's phoenix eyes emitted a cold, sinister light, and a small red mole beside his mouth curled into a venomous, cold smile. As he spoke, a wisp of white breath emanated from his mouth, and with a flick of his slender finger, he brushed away the falling snow and said in a peculiar tone, "Since you know our identities, you should know why we are here. Tell me, are you planning to cripple your own cultivation and surrender, or do you want us to make a move..."
"Cripple my own cultivation? You think you're worthy?" Tong Zhan scoffed with a cold laugh.
Jin Yu burst into laughter, wild and uncontrollable. Suddenly, his smile vanished, and he spoke icily, "You disrespect the wine offered in toast only to be forced to drink the wine of punishment; don't blame me for being rude. Brothers, take him down, cripple his cultivation, sever his limbs, and later bring him to Xiaoshanhe Institute as a gift for Xiao Yi. I'd like to see what Xiao Yi can do about my Money Gang's treatment!"
Several experts from the Money Gang instantly charged forward.
Two from the Dharma Manifestation Realm, seven from the Tao Tribulation Realm.
Nine formidable beings attacked simultaneously.
Although Tong Zhan was extremely powerful, he struggled to cope with the assault from the nine experts.
But this made Jin Yu very dissatisfied, his crimson tongue licking his lips, and a sinister look flashed in his eyes: "What a little beast, possessing such formidable strength at merely the Tao Tribulation Realm? It seems you really cannot be left alive..."
Jin Yu seized the opportunity and made his move.
In a critical moment,
Just as Tong Zhan had narrowly dodged an attack by the two strong Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivators, an icy palm appeared behind him and—with a loud bang—struck him on the back. With a horrible cry, Tong Zhan was sent sprawling forward, blood spraying from his mouth and instantly turning into bloody ice under the cold wind.
Tong Zhan rolled across the snowy ground.
Jin Yu smirked coldly and glanced at his subordinates: "What are you waiting for? Tie him up!"
They immediately approached with savage grins.
But at this moment...
A golden beam of light tore through the sky, transforming into nine bands of light that entangled the nine men, followed shortly by the sound of nine heads flying into the air.
Blood spurted from the necks of the headless corpses like fountains.
Jin Yu's pupils suddenly constricted, and his pores stood on end as he turned toward the slowly emerging golden figure: "You, who are you..."
Little Lin twisted her neck slightly, glancing at Tong Zhan struggling to rise from the snow and letting out a sigh of relief upon seeing he was not fatally wounded. She then coldly turned to Jin Yu: "I've long heard that the Money Gang was a bunch of shameless scoundrels, and indeed the reputation is well-deserved! A mighty peak Dharma Manifestation Realm figure attacking a junior from the Tao Tribulation Realm, and even resorting to a sneak attack amidst a group assault. What an eye-opener!"
Jin Yu's face darkened, showing his embarrassment.
This was not just mockery.
It was outright humiliation!
Yet the aura emanating from Little Lin made him hesitant to act rashly. He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Your strength is extraordinary, and I am no match for you. However, this youth dared to kill my Money Gang's people; even if the Emperor himself came today, he would not be able to take him away. I advise you not to meddle, or you might even lose your life here..."
"Hehe, even I will lose my life here? I find that hard to believe."
Just as her voice fell,
Behind Jin Yu, a voice that made his face change drastically suddenly spoke: "He's right, your life is indeed forfeit today!"
Little Lin's smile faded, replaced by an expression of utmost solemnity: "Why is it you?"
PS: More updates coming soon!