Chapter 81: Seeing Fang Ling Again

“Qi Condensation Level Seven…” Lin Hao murmured, feeling the aura within his body, now countless times stronger than before. Focusing his gaze, he saw that his dantian had become a vast sea, above which a Dao Seed, brimming with vibrant life, stood in serene stillness. The two complemented each other, and Lin Hao sensed that if he were to encounter the likes of Chu Long again, defeating him with a single punch would be effortless.

“Brother Lin.” Suddenly, a gentle voice called out. Looking up, Lin Hao saw a figure in black Daoist robes—it was Ji Tianya. Ji Tianya had, in fact, arrived earlier but refrained from disturbing Lin Hao’s cultivation, waiting quietly nearby. Only after Lin Hao’s breakthrough did he speak.

“Brother Ji, do you have news of those few people?” Lin Hao’s eyes lit up with joy as he hurried forward. Ji Tianya, seeing his happiness, hesitated slightly and sighed, “Brother Lin, how close were you to those people?”

“What’s happened to them?” Seeing Ji Tianya’s expression, Lin Hao’s heart skipped a beat, an uneasy premonition rising within him. After a moment’s silence, Ji Tianya spoke slowly. “Zhao Min has now reached Qi Condensation Level Eight and is reportedly in seclusion, striving for the ninth level. Of the remaining two, only one returned from their mission. The one called Wang Hu—his whereabouts are unknown…”

“Brother Ji, is this information reliable?” Lin Hao’s expression grew grave. Ji Tianya nodded, “I had my family investigate. It’s trustworthy.”

“My thanks, Brother Ji.” Lin Hao offered a slight bow, then, after a moment’s thought, asked, “Brother Ji, do you know where Zhang Tuo is now?”

“Inner Western Peak, outermost area, seventh cave residence,” Ji Tianya replied. Lin Hao bowed again, then quickly retrieved a longsword from his storage pouch and, riding his sword, sped towards the location.

Lin Hao knew Tiger—his childhood companion—fairly well. Though Tiger appeared slow-witted, he was anything but reckless or dull; in fact, he was extremely shrewd. For him to vanish on a mission was hard to believe.

“Lin Hao hides many secrets, but he’s a dependable man…” Ji Tianya watched Lin Hao depart, deep contemplation flickering in his eyes.

“Master.” Suddenly, a black-clad man appeared behind Ji Tianya, bowing respectfully and speaking in a low voice, “The former sect master of the Xuan Yin Sect, thought dead for years, has reappeared…”

“Is that so…” Ji Tianya cast him a cold glance, all gentleness gone from his demeanor, his eyes now icy. “If the Ji family sets its sights on something, whoever dares interfere—cut them down! Even the Yin family is no exception. Do as you must; if trouble arises, the old man will handle it.”

“Yes, sir. But, about this man…” The black-clad man bowed again, his tone hesitant. Ji Tianya shook his head lightly. “He is not of the Lin family. Go.”

“Yes!” The man bowed once more, then stepped away and vanished in an instant.

—

Soon, following Ji Tianya’s directions, Lin Hao saw a filthy, disheveled figure in blue robes, clothes torn and face covered in grime. Yet, looking closely, it was indeed Zhang Tuo.

“Zhang Tuo!” Lin Hao landed, spiritual energy swirling around him. Zhang Tuo looked up, recognized Lin Hao, and panic flashed in his eyes as he hurried to flee into his cave.

“Zhang Tuo, what are you doing?” Lin Hao called, his tone heavy as he looked into the cave. Zhang Tuo, flustered, waved a magical artifact defensively and stammered, “Stay away! Do you intend to exterminate us all? If you come closer, I’ll crush this jade slip—Senior Brother Chen will appear and take your life!”

“Chen Ping!” At the name, Lin Hao’s heart sank, a cold glint of killing intent flickered in his eyes as he spoke in a voice devoid of emotion, “Tiger went out with you. Why is he missing, while you returned?”

“You killed him yourself! How dare you ask me?” Blood vessels stood out in Zhang Tuo’s eyes as he glared at Lin Hao, shouting hoarsely, “Get lost! If you hesitate, I’ll end your life right now!”

“Did you hear? Last night a girl from the Outer Peak was hunted by several men—now she’s missing,” came a low voice nearby. Not far away, outside another cave, a blue-robed figure spoke excitedly to two companions.

“So what? Isn’t death common in the Outer Peaks?”

“This time’s different. You know the top Outer Peak disciple—Lin Hao? They say that girl was close to him…”

“That’s a shame. I wonder how Lin Hao will handle it. Inner disciples are strictly forbidden from fighting Outer Peak disciples,” said the companion, shaking his head with regret.

“Fang Ling…” Lin Hao listened to their gossip, his face clouded with anger. After a cold glance at Zhang Tuo, he departed, sword underfoot, towards the Outer Peaks.

“Tiger…” Once Lin Hao was gone, Zhang Tuo collapsed onto the ground, overcome by bitterness and regret.

—

Lin Hao sped west, supported by his surging spiritual power, soon reaching his former dwelling on the Outer Western Peak. The cave was in chaos, and Lin Hao’s expression grew even darker as he sensed the lingering traces of spellcraft. He could already deduce most of what had happened.

Such techniques could only be performed by someone at least at Qi Condensation Level Four. The only ones with old grudges against Fang Ling were those three from before. The matter of Zhang Tuo was suspicious, and if Tiger’s disappearance bore Chen Ping’s shadow, then this incident must certainly be connected to him as well.

After a quick analysis, Lin Hao’s figure flickered as he flew toward the hunting grounds where he had last been with Fang Ling.

Crossing mountains and perilous peaks, he soon reached a dense forest. Ever since Lin Hao had obtained the Seven-Step Spirit Immortal Art here, the oppressive gloom that once pervaded the place had dissipated.

He pressed forward, spiritual sense spread wide, searching intently.

“Frost Technique… Storage pouch is missing…”

Before long, he came upon a corpse—a man he recognized as one of the three he had suspected. A sword wound marked the man’s chest, radiating a chilling cold. After a quick examination, Lin Hao realized Fang Ling had been here.

Though he had gained some clues, Lin Hao could not relax. Fang Ling’s strength, even if it had improved, could not have broken through Qi Condensation Level Three in this short time. She rarely hunted, and had little experience in combat. Even if she managed to slay one of her pursuers, she must have sustained serious injuries. However, the missing storage pouch gave Lin Hao a sliver of hope—if Fang Ling had been in mortal danger, she would not have had time to take the pouch.

This suggested she had handled the three with some ease. But if there were more enemies, the situation would be different.

Wasting no time, Lin Hao hurried deeper into the forest. After several hundred paces, he found another corpse, the same sword wound, and another missing pouch…

Though anxious, he could only continue searching. Before long, at the third corpse, Lin Hao finally saw, seated cross-legged and in tattered white robes, a young woman.

She was covered in blood, her aura faint—clearly wounded. A savage scar marred her face; though the bleeding had stopped, her appearance was…

“Ling’er…” Lin Hao’s voice was hoarse, his gaze complex as he looked at her. The woman opened her eyes slowly, panic rising as she recognized Lin Hao. Hurriedly, she turned to hide the scar.

“Ah…” The movement pulled at her wound, and Fang Ling’s brow furrowed in pain.

“Don’t move.” Lin Hao stepped quickly to her side, taking healing pills from his storage pouch and helping her swallow them. He channeled his own spiritual power into her, aiding her recovery.

About an hour later…

“Hu…” Sensing Fang Ling’s breath steady and her wounds stabilized, Lin Hao finally relaxed.

“Senior brother…” Fang Ling opened her eyes, sorrow clouding her gaze. She murmured, “My face is ruined, I fear it will never heal…”

“Don’t say such things.” Lin Hao gently stroked her hair, his eyes soft. “Do you take me for someone so shallow?”

“Of course not, but…” She wanted to say more, but Lin Hao interrupted her, speaking softly, “Rest well. Even if you never recover, I’ll look after you for the rest of my life.”

“Senior brother…” Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears; she moved her lips but couldn’t find words. At that moment, a cold voice interrupted them.

“You two are quite touching. Pity you’ll make a fine pair of doomed lovers.” A man in black robes descended on a flying sword.

“Qi Condensation Level Seven…” Lin Hao looked at him, surprised. “Did Chen Ping send you?”

“No.” The man shook his head, his expression calm. “Senior Brother Chen is the foremost inner disciple; he wouldn’t concern himself with a lowly outer disciple like you. I simply cannot stand your killing in the Outer Peaks, so I have come to remove you.”

“Senior Brother Zhao, enough talk—kill him quickly,” another voice spoke as a tall, black-robed figure stepped out—it was Chu Long.

In that instant, Lin Hao understood everything. Zhao and Chu Long were here to kill him; clearly, Chen Ping had orchestrated all this. Fighting among inner disciples was forbidden, and harming outer disciples even more so. For the two of them to come together meant they were prepared for mutual destruction if necessary.

Given this, the three who hunted Fang Ling last night must also have been part of Chen Ping’s scheme.

“Chen Ping’s move was shrewd, but his calculations are doomed to fail.” Lin Hao’s voice was calm, betraying no emotion.

“It’s not a scheme—this is my own decision!” The black-clad man shook his head, his gaze turning cold. With a surge of power, a giant sword of crimson flame formed before him and struck toward Lin Hao!

“Awakened Enlightenment?” Lin Hao’s eyes flickered in surprise. Spiritual power surged within him as he stepped forward, his aura exploding outward.

An icy longsword formed in his hand—a Frost Technique unleashed—he slashed at the man!

Boom!!

With a thunderous crash, their powers collided violently. The man’s flaming sword shattered, flames recoiling, while Lin Hao’s icy blade pressed inexorably downward.

The man didn’t even have time to scream before he was frozen solid and shattered into snow and mist.

“What…” Chu Long’s face changed drastically, horror filling his eyes. He stared at Lin Hao as if seeing an apparition.

“You…when did you break through!” Chu Long’s voice trembled with fear.

“Surprised to see me advance, are you?” Lin Hao’s gaze was cold, a dangerous light in his eyes, his aura swelling.

“Brother Lin…I…I…” Chu Long forced a nervous smile, panic in his eyes.

With a thunderous strike, Lin Hao cut him down without mercy. Had he not broken through to Qi Condensation Level Seven, today’s events would have spelled disaster for both him and Fang Ling.

He had already given Chu Long a chance to live, but the man had persisted in scheming against him, seeking his death at every turn. Mercy was no longer warranted.

“I had intended to spare him, to resolve matters with Chen Ping, but fate had other plans…” Lin Hao looked at Chu Long’s corpse, a shadow passing over his face.

“Brother Lin.” A calm voice sounded. Looking up, Lin Hao saw a white-robed figure descending—handsome, but with deep exhaustion in his eyes, and a hint of guilt as he looked at Lin Hao.

“Brother Bai?” Lin Hao was surprised, his gaze questioning. “Where have you been these past months?”

“Investigating some matters.” Bai Chou’s eyes were complex. “Aside from Chen Ping, there’s someone else in the sect you need to beware of.”

“Who?” Lin Hao did not ask why, knowing Bai Chou would not mention this without reason. A contemplative look flashed in his eyes as he waited for the answer.