Based on Ling Xiao’s current strength, killing an early-stage seventh-level Mortal Realm martial artist is still quite challenging, but it’s not impossible if he puts in the effort.
The trouble is, this Iron Fir has Cold Face Warrior and others by his side.
With these helpers, things get a bit tricky.
This guy’s strength isn’t much, but the real concern is whether he possesses any treasures.
Ling Xiao doesn’t believe someone who’s been entrenched in a place like Sha Family Fort for so long would lack a few decent magical artifacts.
It’s better to proceed cautiously, life is singular, lose it and it’s gone.
Crouching there, Ling Xiao’s Mountain River Martial Soul is rapidly operating, he’s searching for the optimal moment to strike, as long as he can take down Iron Fir, Cold Face Warrior won’t be an issue.
Moreover, this could also serve to suppress Meng Yuan, truly a multi-benefit move.
In the darkness, Cold Face Warrior suddenly stands up.
He rubs his eyes.
Indeed, despite the pitch-black night, a Mortal Realm martial artist’s vision can still discern some things in the dark, though only at close range.
Standing about seven or eight metres from the campfire, isn’t that Ling Xiao?
“Master Iron, Ling Xiao has appeared!”
Cold Face Warrior shouts in panic.
Previously, he boasted about taking Ling Xiao’s life, but recent events have sapped his courage to face Ling Xiao head-on.
He’s scared.
Ling Xiao’s terror far exceeds his expectations.
This guy’s strength is too formidable, so powerful that he feels utterly helpless.
After all, he’s only at early-stage fifth-level Mortal Realm, yet Ling Xiao has taken down sixth-level Mortal Realm martial artists.
“Don’t panic! This kid is skilled in clone techniques, don’t let him fool you, stay alert for tricks!”
Iron Fir grips a long staff, about a zhang in length, with metal bands at both ends, the staff emits a glow from inscribed array patterns.
Clearly, this isn’t an ordinary staff, it’s a rare treasure-grade divine weapon!
“Yes!”
Cold Face Warrior calms down, his knowledge of Ling Xiao is limited, naturally no match for Iron Fir, who hails from the Moonlight Sect.
“Iron Fir, as a Moonlight Sect disciple, you’re colluding with outsiders to hunt down a fellow sect member, if this gets out, you probably won’t have a place in the Moonlight Sect, will you?”
Ling Xiao’s voice comes from that figure.
“Hmph, kill you, and no one will know.”
Iron Fir snorts coldly, his expression unchanged, factional disputes within sects are longstanding.
The Moonlight Sect is no exception.
Since he’s chosen to align with Elder Jin’s faction, he won’t easily waver, otherwise, he’d please neither side.
“Is that so? In that case, you won’t be returning alive.”
Ling Xiao’s voice carries a chilling tone, then he slowly approaches the campfire.
Cold Face Warrior and his subordinates clutch their weapons nervously, their bodies trembling violently.
Though Iron Fir says this guy is just a clone, it looks far too real, doesn’t it?
“Master Iron!”
“I said, don’t panic!”
A bead of cold sweat forms on Iron Fir’s forehead.
Though he believes his strength far surpasses Ling Xiao’s, this Ling Xiao is extremely cunning, a moment’s lapse could spell trouble, so naturally, he’s somewhat worried.
Suddenly, a bad premonition flashes through his mind, and he instinctively swings his staff behind him.
Clang!
The sound of metal clashing rings out.
By the campfire’s light, he sees another face.
Still Ling Xiao!
This guy was indeed playing a feint to the east while attacking the west!
“Ah~~”
Just as Iron Fir blocks the attack, several screams come from behind.
Those martial artists he intended to use as shields in a pinch have all been killed.
The one who struck was the very being he thought was a clone!
Cold Face’s head lies beside the campfire, his eyes still filled with endless regret and disbelief.
He regrets provoking this fiend!
He regrets opposing this fiend!
He regrets colluding with that woman, Exquisite Fairy!
He regrets not choosing to flee but foolishly chasing this fiend into the mountains!
Sadly, in life’s final moments, what use is regret?
He’s dead!
Dead, and nothing remains.
“Heh, Senior Brother Iron Fir, your cleverness has backfired.”
Ling Xiao doesn’t rush to deal with Iron Fir.
Since Iron Fir’s helpers are all dealt with, next, he plans to have a proper fight, he hasn’t forgotten his purpose in battling Iron Fir.
That is to gauge the strength of a seventh-level Mortal Realm martial artist, to prepare for facing Meng Yuan later.
“You’re the real body, the one that ambushed me was the clone?”
Iron Fir has now realised, but it’s too late.
Ling Xiao’s tactic isn’t novel, but it’s highly practical.
And it has a perfect success rate.
Because his real body and clone can swap positions.
“Congratulations on getting it right, but sadly, no reward, if you insist, I’ll leave you an intact corpse, after all, you’re still a Moonlight Sect disciple.”
Ling Xiao maintains a smile, as if what’s about to begin isn’t a battle but a mere game.
“Rest assured, when you die, I’ll leave your corpse intact too, not out of pity, but to take it back for Senior Brother Meng Yuan to confirm.”
Iron Fir’s expression remains cold, his staff eager to act.
“Oh, is that so?”
Suddenly, Ling Xiao flicks his finger, an air sword slithers like a venomous snake, striking at Iron Fir with lightning speed.
The air sword is incredibly fast, shooting out in an instant, giving Iron Fir no time to react.
Yet this Iron Fir isn’t weak, in his haste, he manages to block Ling Xiao’s attack with his staff.
Of course, not entirely.
The air sword still leaves a faint blood mark on Iron Fir’s neck.
Though not very harmful, it stings.
Iron Fir’s expression hardens, a thick killing intent rises, his aura fully unleashed, behind him, a phantom of a massive iron fir tree appears.
Towering and upright, reaching the clouds, with lush branches, verdant and vigorous.
The trunk is as solid as bronze, ringing when struck, the bark mottled with moss, like verdigris on ancient bronze, bearing the frost of ages.
The ancient fir stands like a pillar holding up the sky, its gnarled branches coiling into the clouds, gazing over winding peaks, overlooking deep valleys and streams.
The ancient verse, “Bark slick with rain, forty spans around, azure hue piercing the sky, two thousand feet,” perfectly describes it.
This martial soul is truly extraordinary.
“Ling Xiao, I’ll make you understand, choosing to kill me was utterly foolish! Against me, your best option was to flee, that might have spared your life, but now, you’re doomed!”
Iron Fir glares coldly at Ling Xiao, “No matter, your movement skills are better than mine, I might not have found you, but since you’ve shown up here, don’t think about escaping. Saves me some trouble.”
His expression brims with confidence and mockery.
