Spirit Phoenix Valley.
“Report!” A figure streaked hastily to the door of the Spirit Phoenix Valley Lord’s chambers, where Murong Jin resided.
“What is it?” Murong Jin asked indifferently.
The figure stood directly at the doorway and reported, “Lin Xiao appeared in Dingjiang City. He killed Elder Cui Xian, along with Yin Tianlei and over a dozen other Spirit Phoenix Valley disciples. He has already fled via the Dingjiang City teleportation array!”
“What?” Murong Jin erupted in fury. Her slightly closed eyes snapped wide open.
Yin Tianlei was one of the geniuses from their Spirit Phoenix Valley slated to participate in the Continental Spirit Controller Grand Tournament. The other dozen or so were also the most outstanding talents in their age group. Sending them for the Ji family’s selection had already been a reluctant decision.
Even if they became the Ji family’s exclusive spirit controllers, they would still be half-disciples of Spirit Phoenix Valley, with considerable future utility.
She had anticipated that not all would be selected by the Ji family.
Some would return to Spirit Phoenix Valley and become its future pillars.
Yet now, she was told that all those people had been killed. The wanted fugitive Lin Xiao had slain them all single-handedly!
“Send for Elder Shanyu Chou!” Murong Jin commanded in seething anger.
“Yes!” The figure immediately streaked away and vanished from sight.
It was not long before he returned, bringing another elder with him.
That elder was Shanyu Chou, the strategist of Spirit Phoenix Valley.
As soon as Shanyu Chou arrived, Murong Jin channelled her spiritual power to open the chamber door, allowing both to enter.
“Elder Shanyu, you have heard the news?” Murong Jin asked, her voice laced with anger.
Shanyu Chou nodded with an equally grim expression and said, “It is said that Lin Xiao possesses a terrifying martial technique that ambushed and bombed the entire city, killing and injuring many. Even the sixth-rank Martial Emperor city lord was wounded. With that corpse puppet added, even the injured city lord could not match him.”
Shanyu Chou continued, “Elder Wu Ding should have received the message and is likely rushing to Dingjiang City. Lin Xiao’s ability to reach Dingjiang City so swiftly means he has a treasure that boosts his speed. His direction has always been northwest. From the teleportation array to the Chao family this time, his next destination will surely be the major teleportation array outpost at Zhou Family Slope.”
“The Zhou family is powerful, with several Martial Emperors, but the eighth-rank Martial Emperor family head has been away and not returned. Within the Zhou family, no one can check Lin Xiao.”
“Thus, we must dispatch another mid-seventh-grade spirit controller to the Zhou Family Slope teleportation array. In our strongest formation, ambush Lin Xiao there, while having Elder Wu Ding pursue from another direction to hunt him down.”
After hearing Shanyu Chou’s words, Murong Jin issued a grave order, “Pass my command. Have Elder Gongsun Yi proceed to Zhou Family Slope and apprehend Lin Xiao!”
“Yes!”
Shanyu Chou withdrew.
This news sent shockwaves through the entire Spirit Phoenix Valley.
This time, they had dispatched not only a mid-seventh-grade spirit controller but also six initial seventh-grade ones. Spirit Phoenix Valley had mobilised a tremendous force.
It was not just Spirit Phoenix Valley. The areas around Dingjiang City, and even several regions beyond, were stunned upon learning of Lin Xiao’s wanted status and his annihilation of the assembled forces at Dingjiang City.
The people in those regions were abuzz. News of Lin Xiao spread rampant everywhere.
Soon, the message reached the Chao family region. Upon hearing it, the Chao family head was nearly stupefied.
“To think he is the fugitive wanted by Spirit Phoenix Valley…” The Chao family head murmured in disbelief.
“One man slaying four initial seventh-grade spirit controllers, over a dozen geniuses, even killing Yin Tianlei, and taking out the Ji family’s exclusive spirit controller…” The middle-aged man beside him was equally shocked.
Originally, they had even hoped Rong’er could connect with Yin Tianlei or one of those Spirit Phoenix Valley geniuses, to forge ties with the valley.
Who would have thought those people had all perished at the hands of that youth.
It was simply so astonishing that they could scarcely believe it.
This youth was such a genius, such a monster, with audacity that defied comprehension.
He dared to slaughter Spirit Phoenix Valley members like that.
Regaining his composure, the middle-aged man then asked, “Father, that wanted notice from Spirit Phoenix Valley offers a high seventh-grade pill as reward. If you could obtain it, perhaps you could break through to eighth-rank Martial Emperor. Should our Chao family pursue Lin Xiao?”
At the mention of that pill, the middle-aged man felt a stir of temptation. Supreme power represented a force’s core strength. If his father could claim that pill and advance to eighth-rank Martial Emperor, the Chao family’s power would rise another level.
And this reward was for Lin Xiao, who had just left their Chao family.
The Chao family head drew a long breath, shook his head, and said, “A high seventh-grade pill is tempting indeed, but only if the task can be completed.”
“Even the Dingjiang City lord was wounded and did not pursue. Even I have no great confidence in capturing Lin Xiao.”
“If we act and fail to seize him, letting him escape, our entire Chao family will be in peril thereafter.”
“Though the gains are substantial, they pale against the risks. Without absolute certainty, we cannot afford to offend such a monster. Our Chao family will not get involved.” The Chao family head stated firmly.
“Yes!” The middle-aged man nodded and obeyed the order.
…
“Heavens, one man killing an entire city’s experts. That is too terrifying. What martial technique did Lin Xiao use?”
“Whoever obtains that technique will surely see a massive boost in strength.”
“At just twenty years old, able to slay initial seventh-grade spirit controllers and wound a sixth-rank Martial Emperor. Lin Xiao is an absolute monster!”
“The Ji family’s exclusive spirit controller was killed too. I wonder if the Ji family will rage?”
“I hear that exclusive controller claimed to act on personal honour against Lin Xiao. Now with Spirit Phoenix Valley’s wanted notice, even if the Ji family has grievances, they lack sufficient cause to act against Lin Xiao and compete with the valley for him.”
“Indeed, the Ji family can spare one initial seventh-grade spirit controller. That one even brought some disgrace to the Ji family.”
“If it were the Ji family, the reward would not be so lavish. Spirit Phoenix Valley is generous, offering a high seventh-grade pill. Even if not usable, trading it could enrich a family, vastly enhancing its strength. We should hurry, find Lin Xiao before others do.”
“If we secure Lin Xiao’s various aces, it would be immense wealth for us. We cannot miss this chance.”
…
In the region outside the Chao family, countless groups surged towards the Qiulu Mountains to hunt Lin Xiao.
Though Lin Xiao’s combat prowess was formidable, the Spirit Phoenix Valley reward was too alluring. Many risked life and limb to pursue him.
Of course, most formed teams, preparing countermeasures against Lin Xiao.
Some planned to fish in troubled waters, hoping to capture him when he clashed with others and both sides were weakened.
