So what if Zhang Tiande and Representative Yan are backed by the Water Temple?
Right now, they can barely protect themselves. Ling Xiao has no fear of them at all.
“Leng Mei, get ready to strike.”
Ling Xiao smiled at Leng Mei beside him, conveying his meaning through expression alone. The two shared a perfect understanding. Without a word, they quietly melted into the darkness.
…
“Brother Yan, we haven’t been tricked, have we? The Water Temple is now everyone’s target. If this crowd attacks us all at once, won’t we die without a burial place?”
Zhang Tiande asked worriedly.
“What is there to fear? These people are here for the Imperial Seal, not the Water Temple. If necessary, we can simply throw the Imperial Seal out.”
Representative Yan replied.
“I hope so. We have certainly had enough bad luck lately.”
Zhang Tiande felt thoroughly displeased.
Ever since arriving in Sin City and backing Representative Yan, his misfortunes had begun.
First, he had been repelled by Ling Xiao.
Then, he had been expelled from the Tianlong Trading Company and even hunted down.
Later, when he tried to make a comeback relying on the Imperial Seal, he discovered this was no longer a game he could play.
There were too many experts. He was merely one of the small fish.
He had thought submitting to the Water Temple would at least preserve his life, yet unexpectedly he had been sent on such a dangerous mission.
Who could understand the bitterness in his heart?
All of this stemmed from that Ling Xiao!
He dared not question the Water Temple, so he directed all his hatred towards Ling Xiao.
If he could witness Ling Xiao’s death, he would be overjoyed.
“Heh heh. There really are many fools unafraid of death. Mere Celestial Realm warriors daring to covet the Imperial Seal. Are they not afraid of dying without a grave?”
At this point, Zhang Tiande had noticed most of the warriors in the crowd.
Though there were quite a few Cave Heaven Realm experts present, Celestial Realm warriors still formed the vast majority.
This was a high-level contest.
Normally elusive Cave Heaven Realm warriors had emerged from who knew where, all for the sake of the Imperial Seal and the Human King’s Notes.
“Brother Zhang speaks truly. In this struggle, if one’s cultivation has not reached half-step Cave Heaven Realm, one lacks even the qualification to participate.
Even warriors of the first three Cave Heaven levels face great risk.
Though Yin-Yang Realm experts are few, this contest is undoubtedly their battlefield.
Of course, Cave Heaven Realm warriors have a slim chance, while Celestial Realm warriors have none at all.”
Representative Yan also gave a cold laugh, showing some disdain.
Nowadays, every Tom, Dick, and Harry dared to move against their Water Temple. Once they had a free hand, they would definitely kill all these people.
“Who goes there?”
Suddenly, a figure appeared within their Cave Heaven domains.
Aside from combat, a Cave Heaven Realm warrior’s domain could detect hostile presences. If someone harboured ill intent towards them, they would immediately notice.
Zhang Tiande was slightly superior to Representative Yan, so he quickly spotted the black shadow rapidly approaching them.
The two exchanged a glance, both revealing ferocious grins.
“It’s Ling Xiao!”
“And he’s alone!”
“Is this fellow courting death?”
At this moment, Ling Xiao lacked the formidable aura he had displayed in the ruined temple that day.
Both Zhang Tiande and Representative Yan knew that such a state must have relied on external aid and could not be sustained.
“We absolutely cannot let this opportunity pass. Kill him now.”
The two quickly reached agreement. They simply could not believe that Ling Xiao alone posed any threat.
Thus, they made no outward reaction, remaining motionless in the crowd as if they had not noticed Ling Xiao at all.
Ling Xiao drew ever closer.
The corners of their mouths curled into cold smiles, and they prepared to counterattack.
Since Ling Xiao intended a sneak attack, they would naturally turn his plan against him.
The crowd paid no attention to this side, for Ling Xiao had released no killing intent towards them.
Their focus was fixed on the high platform, where the Medicine King Sun Ran and Ji Qing sat. They were the initiators of this gathering.
The warriors who had come were not here to fight and kill. Their aim was to share the Human King’s Notes.
Of course, some also sought to seize the Imperial Seal for themselves.
“You two curs. You have schemed against me time and again. Today is your doom. Go accompany Corpse Granny in hell. She must be very lonely.”
When Ling Xiao was less than three metres from Representative Yan and Zhang Tiande, he suddenly let out an angry shout.
“Hahaha! What an idiot. We feared you, but not because of you. It was because of those around you. Since you have come to die today, we shall oblige.”
Zhang Tiande and Representative Yan exchanged a look, then burst into maniacal laughter.
They spoke the truth.
They scorned Ling Xiao himself. They only feared Yue Nü and Leng Mei at his side.
Today, with Ling Xiao coming alone to court death, they would naturally grant his wish.
The two attacked almost simultaneously, employing their most vicious techniques.
Yet midway through their strikes, both suddenly felt a surge of terror.
The instant they realised they had been tricked, two sharp treasured swords had already pierced their hearts.
A fragrance of plum blossoms hung in the air.
“It’s her?”
Both men realised they had been ambushed by Leng Mei.
However, Cave Heaven Realm experts were Cave Heaven Realm experts after all. Even with pierced hearts, they clung to life and tried to flee.
Unfortunately, Ling Xiao’s sword was faster than their escape.
“If you had known it would end like this, why act as you did? Where exactly do you plan to run?”
A shadowy sword easily slit both their throats.
“Anyone who offends me shall die without mercy!”
These were the words Zhang Tiande and Representative Yan heard before death.
They had once worried they might be killed,
perhaps in the chaos of contending for the Imperial Seal,
perhaps by Yue Nü,
perhaps by Leng Mei.
But never had they imagined dying by Ling Xiao’s sword.
Ling Xiao’s sword was sinister, vicious, and lethal. One strike, if it landed, left virtually no hope of survival.
Two dignified Cave Heaven Realm experts had died obscurely without achieving anything.
Though they died unwillingly, what use was that?
They were already dead. Unwillingness meant nothing.
Because Ling Xiao had isolated the space around them, no one noticed this fight.
Even the experts lurking in the shadows paid no heed to this corner. Their sole target was the Imperial Seal.
After taking the storage rings of Zhang Tiande and Representative Yan, Ling Xiao revealed a satisfied smile.
Zhang Tiande truly lived up to his former role as the Tianlong Trading Company’s overseer on the Shenhuang Continent. The fellow had been exceedingly greedy.
Inside the storage ring, besides many precious herbs and refining materials, there were vast quantities of spirit stones.
This windfall instantly enriched Ling Xiao’s spirit stone reserves once more.
