yī shí jiān ， mó qì fēng yōng ér chū ， zhē dǎng zhù bàn biān tiān mù ， mù guān lǎo zhě duǒ wú kě duǒ ， yǎn zhōng xiōng máng dà zuò ， yòu shǒu yī tái ， pāi xiàng yāo jiān de chǔ wù dài 。 xiǎo
一时间，魔气蜂拥而出，遮挡住半边天幕，木冠老者躲无可躲，眼中凶芒大做，右手一抬，拍像腰间的储物袋。小
A moment later, dark energy surged out, obscuring half of the sky. The old man with a wooden crown could not escape it. His eyes glinted with ferocity as he raised his right hand and slapped at his waist pouch.
dùn shí ， lì máng zhòu qǐ ， yī dào shù chǐ zhǎng de xuè guāng cóng dài kǒu zhōng ji shè ér chū ， yī huǎng zhī xià jiù dào le xiē wěi shàng rén tóu dǐng zhī chù ， huà wèi yī dào xuè sè pǐ liàn hěn hěn zhǎn luò 。
顿时，厉芒骤起，一道数尺长的血光从袋口中ji射而出，一晃之下就到了蝎尾上人头顶之处，化为一道血色匹练狠狠斩落。
Instantly, sharp rays of light shot out from the pouch, forming a blood-red beam several feet long that zipped towards Shedu's head, transforming into a crimson whip to slash down fiercely.
rán ér xiē wěi shàng rén bù tuì bù bì ， kǒu zhōng zǎo yǐ zài niàn sòng zhòu yǔ ， jiān tóu yī dǒu ， yī lǚ hēi qì fēi chū tā de yī xiù 。
然而蝎尾上人不退不避，口中早已在念诵咒语，肩头一抖，一缕黑气飞出他的衣袖。
However, Shedu did not retreat or avoid. He had already been chanting a spell in his mouth. With a shake of his shoulder, a thin strand of black energy shot out from his sleeve.
shì yī bǐng chǐ xǔ zhǎng de hēi qì xiǎo jiàn ， tóng yàng huàn huà chéng yī dào hēi sè de pǐ liàn 。
是一柄尺许长的黑气小剑，同样幻化成一道黑色的匹练。
It was a small sword-like black energy, also transforming into a black whip.
“ zhēng ” de yī shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， liǎng jiàn bǎo wù jiù zài tā tóu dǐng zhàng yú zhī chù ， hěn hěn zhuàng zài yì qǐ ， suí hòu lì máng jiāo zhī ， hù xiāng zhuī zhú ， jí qiè zhī jiān ， dǎo shì hěn nán fēn de chū shèng fù 。
“铮”的一声传入耳朵，两件宝物就在他头顶丈余之处，狠狠撞在一起，随后厉芒交织，互相追逐，急切之间，倒是很难分得出胜负。
"Zing!" the sound echoed as the two treasures clashed overhead, creating an oppressive spiritual pressure. Simultaneously, Lin Xuan waved his sleeves and a ball of fire about the size of an egg leaped out of his palm, swirling and expanding to the size of a cartwheel before heading straight for Shedu.
jiē zhe xiē wěi shàng rén shuāng shǒu lián pāi ， yòu shì jǐ jiàn fǎ bǎo bèi tā jì le qǐ lái ， wěi ba yī shuǎi ， nà dú zhēn de lái shì gèng shì diāo zuān ， hěn hěn de cì xiàng duì fāng de xīn zàng bù wèi 。
接着蝎尾上人双手连拍，又是几件法宝被他祭了起来，尾巴一甩，那毒针的来势更是刁钻，狠狠的刺向对方的心脏部位。
Phantasmal Heavenly Fire!
zhè yī xià ruò shì jī shí ， jiù suàn xiū xiān zhě bú huì yǔn luò ， zhè ròu shēn yě kěn dìng shì bào fèi diào le 。
这一下若是击实，就算修仙者不会陨落，这肉身也肯定是报废掉了。
At the same time, Lin Xuan clenched his right hand, gathering countless sword qi in his grasp. With a shake, the sword qi spread across the sky above Shedu's head.
xiē wěi shàng rén de shí lì suī rán xùn sè yī chóu ， dàn zhè yī fān jí gōng ， què yě ràng mù guān lǎo zhě pí yú yìng fù ， zhōng yú lù chū kōng dàng lái le 。
蝎尾上人的实力虽然逊色一筹，但这一番急攻，却也让木冠老者疲于应付，终于露出空档来了。
The feeling of going from heaven to hell.
“ lín dào yǒu ， kuài kuài dòng shǒu ！”
“林道友，快快动手！”
Shedu was stunned and speechless at this sudden turn of events. Just now, they had been allies fighting together against their enemies, but now, they were viciously turning on each other.
“ hǎo ！”
“好！”
"Why?" he felt bitter as he asked himself. The move was dazzlingly beautiful, but if it weren't for the moment, he might not have died from such a small amount of dark fire and sword qi.
lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū dà xǐ zhī sè ， zhè me hǎo de jī huì tā qǐ huì cuò guò ， dāng jí shuāng shǒu yī wò ， fǎ jué yī cuī tiān guǐ fǔ 。
林轩脸上露出大喜之色，这么好的机会他岂会错过，当即双手一握，法诀一催天鬼斧。
However, Lin Xuan had timed his attack perfectly, striking with ruthless precision. Shedu's treasures were already entangled in battle with Old Man Jia, leaving no time to defend himself. Moreover, he had just lost an arm due to severe pain, causing his spiritual energy to falter. Now, he was completely defenseless.
dùn shí ， cǐ mó bǎo lì qì dà zuò ， fǔ bǐng shàng de nà guǐ liǎn fǎng fú shì huó guò lái le ， fú wén ！ shǎn ， suí hòu huà wèi le xióng xióng rán shāo de huǒ yàn ， jiāng zhěng gè tiān guǐ fǔ bāo guǒ zài le lǐ miàn 。
顿时，此魔宝戾气大做，斧柄上的那鬼脸仿佛是活过来了，符文！闪，随后化为了熊熊燃烧的火焰，将整个天鬼斧包裹在了里面。
Disappointment, anger, and frustration enveloped him, but the most confusing part was why it happened this way. He wanted answers, but Lin Xuan did not have the patience to explain. There was no point in talking to a dead man. Shedu felt despair as he saw mockery on Lin Xuan's face.
“ ān ！”
“安！”
In reality, all of this had been his trap. He had only been playing cleverly himself. Thinking that others were fools, he realized now that he was the real fool. Those who plotted against others would also be plotted against. Shedu regretted everything but it was too late. Lin Xuan would not give him a chance to turn things around.
lín xuān yòu shǒu tái qǐ ， yī zhǐ xiàng qián diǎn qù ， tiān guǐ fǔ shì jiā jìng fēng ， dài zhe gǔn gǔn de mó yán ， pī cì dào le mù guān lǎo zhě de tóu dǐng shàng miàn 。
林轩右手抬起，一指向前点去，天鬼斧势夹劲风，带着滚滚的魔炎，劈刺到了木冠老者的头顶上面。
Phantasmal Heavenly Fire and sword qi had already eliminated Shedu completely, leaving no trace of his soul or body behind.
jiǎ lǎo mó dà jīng shī sè ， máng xiǎng yào duǒ ， rán ér yī páng de xiē wěi shàng rén ， qǐ huì ràng tā rú yuàn ne ？
贾老魔大惊失色，忙想要躲，然而一旁的蝎尾上人，岂会让他如愿呢？
Shedu vanished into nothingness, with only an empty pouch floating in the air. Lin Xuan grabbed it; today's收获 was good.
zhè yàng de jī huì ， shì zì jǐ hǎo bù róng yì cái chuàng zào chū lái de ， liáng jī ruò shì cuò guò ， zài xiǎng yào chū xiàn ， kě jiù bù róng yì le 。
这样的机会，是自己好不容易才创造出来的，良机若是错过，再想要出现，可就不容易了。
But the enemy wasn't fully defeated yet.
qǐ néng ràng tā táo tuō ， zhè yī cì ， jí biàn bù néng miè shā jiǎ lǎo mó ， yě fēi jiāng tā zhòng chuāng bù kě 。
岂能让他逃脱，这一次，即便不能灭杀贾老魔，也非将他重创不可。
Lin Xuan turned to face the old man with a wooden crown.
xīn zhōng rú cǐ xiǎng zhe ， xiē wěi shàng rén yī shēng dà hē ， jì chū de bǎo wù zòng héng fēi wǔ ， tā ná dìng le zhǔ yì ， zhè yī cì ， jí biàn fù chū xiē xǔ dài jià yě yào jiāng jiǎ lǎo mó liú zài yuán chù 。
心中如此想着，蝎尾上人一声大喝，祭出的宝物纵横飞舞，他拿定了主意，这一次，即便付出些许代价也要将贾老魔留在原处。
Old Man Jia was equally shocked by what had just happened. The events were beyond his expectations.
hōng ！
轰！
His expression towards Lin Xuan was complex, filled with hatred, gratitude, and admiration.
bào liè shēng dà zuò ， lǐ miàn jiā zá zhe liǎng shēng cǎn hū ， xiē wěi shàng rén téng dé miàn rú jīn zhǐ ， tā de zuǒ bì ， yǐ bèi qí jiān xuē qù ， xuè liú rú zhù ， rán ér liǎn shàng ， què shǎn dòng zhe yāo yì de xīng fèn zhī sè 。
爆裂声大做，里面夹杂着两声惨呼，蝎尾上人疼得面如金纸，他的左臂，已被齐肩削去，血流如注，然而脸上，却闪动着妖异的兴奋之色。
He hated because Lin Xuan had cut off his legs. He was grateful that his archenemy, Young Lady Lin Yu娇, had been eliminated. As for the other...
yīn wèi mù dì dá dào le ， jiǎ lǎo mó bǐ tā gèng cǎn ， zì jǐ bù guò shì shī qù le yī tiáo shǒu bì ， ér jiǎ lǎo mó ， què bèi tiān guǐ fǔ lán yāo zhǎn wèi le liǎng duàn 。
因为目的达到了，贾老魔比他更惨，自己不过是失去了一条手臂，而贾老魔，却被天鬼斧拦腰斩为了两段。
A thousand years ago, he endured so much hardship, reflecting on it and changing his nature. No longer stubborn or rigid, he learned to plan carefully before acting. This time, he meticulously planned the revenge, almost pushing Shedu into a corner.
ruò huàn yí gè pǔ tōng rén ， téng yě gāi téng sǐ le ， kě gǔ mó de shēng mìng lì ， běn jiù bǐ yì bān cún zài wán qiáng dé duō ， gèng hé kuàng shì fēn shén qī de dà néng 。
若换一个普通人，疼也该疼死了，可古魔的生命力，本就比一般存在顽强得多，更何况是分神期的大能。
He thought himself a cunning man, adept at plotting and scheming. But encountering this Lin Xuan made him feel like a fool, manipulated by him effortlessly.
nà mù guān lǎo zhě jū rán bìng wèi yǔn luò ， zài shāng kǒu chù tiē le yī zhāng fú ， jiù ràng xiān xuè bù zài liú chū ， bù guò nà yòu yǒu shén me yòng chǔ ， jiù suàn tā néng gòu jiāng ròu shēn bǎo zhù ， shòu le zhè me zhòng de shāng ， shí lì yě yí dìng shì dà dǎ zhé kòu le 。
那木冠老者居然并未陨落，在伤口处贴了一张符，就让鲜血不再流出，不过那又有什么用处，就算他能够将肉身保住，受了这么重的伤，实力也一定是大打折扣了。
Not only was it Old Man Jia who felt this way; Shedu also did. The two old men were pitifully caught in a clever trap laid by the young man, leaving them both severely injured. What should they do now that Shedu had fallen and Old Man Jia's injuries were severe?
zhēn shì shàng tiān zhù wǒ ， jīn tiān yuán běn yǐ xiàn rù jué jìng le ， méi xiǎng dào tiān jiàng xià lái yī shǎ hū hū de mǎng fū ， mò míng qí miào de duì zì jǐ xiāng zhù ， jié guǒ huà xiǎn wéi yí ， fǎn ér zhàn shèng le qiáng dí 。
真是上天助我，今天原本已陷入绝境了，没想到天降下来一傻乎乎的莽夫，莫名其妙的对自己相助，结果化险为夷，反而战胜了强敌。
He didn't know, but Lin Xuan's face was filled with satisfaction.
ń ， zhè lín xiǎo zi shí lì bù cuò ， rén què dāi dāi shǎ shǎ de ， děng miè shā le jiǎ lǎo mó ， zì jǐ bù fáng jiǎ yì yǔ tā jié wèi xiōng dì ， chèn qí bù zhù yì ， jiāng zhè xiǎo zi miè chú ， duì fāng hǎo dǎi yě shì fēn shén jí bié de ， xiǎng bì shēn shàng huì yǒu bù shǎo bǎo wù 。
嗯，这林小子实力不错，人却呆呆傻傻的，等灭杀了贾老魔，自己不妨假意与他结为兄弟，趁其不注意，将这小子灭除，对方好歹也是分神级别的，想必身上会有不少宝物。
My plan worked well. Everything seemed to be an accident or coincidence, just adapting to circumstances.
xiē wěi shàng rén è hěn hěn de xiǎng zhe ， ēn jiāng chóu bào duì yú xiōng cán de gǔ mó ， gēn běn jiù yǔ jiā cháng biàn fàn chà bu duō ， shuí ràng duì fāng zhè me bèn ne ， tā kě sī háo bù jué dé ， zhè me zuò ， yǒu shén me bú duì zhī chù ， rán ér fán shì ， zhēn de néng rú tā de yì me ？
蝎尾上人恶狠狠的想着，恩将仇报对于凶残的古魔，根本就与家常便饭差不多，谁让对方这么笨呢，他可丝毫不觉得，这么做，有什么不对之处，然而凡事，真的能如他的意么？
Discovering that Shedu had forcibly taken Lin Yu娇, given their shared sect ties, Lin Xuan couldn't ignore it. Originally, he planned to simply eliminate Shedu and rescue Young Lady Lin Yu娇. But then, Old Man Jia's unexpected appearance and the involvement of Lei Peng's token added complications.
dǎ suàn bù cuò ， kě cuò … lín xuān bìng bú shì zhēn de mǎng fū 。
打算不错，可错…林轩并不是真的莽夫。
Upon learning about the token's purpose, Lin Xuan was determined to get it. However, how to obtain it required some artistry; directly taking it by force would be foolish, risking a confrontation with Shedu or Old Man Jia, even both attacking him simultaneously.
jiù zài tā móu huà zhe yī huì er zěn me ēn jiāng chóu bào de shí kè ， yì biàn tū qǐ le 。
就在他谋划着一会儿怎么恩将仇报的时刻，异变突起了。
Although he wasn't afraid of their combined strength, they were no match for the Twin Demons of Heavenly Calm. Moreover, his current self was far different from before.
hōng ！
轰！
While he could handle them, was it really necessary to waste effort?
gāng gāng ， lín xuān suī rán yě biǎo xiàn chū fēn shén qī de shí lì ， dàn yuǎn bǐ tóng jiē jīng chún hún hòu de fǎ lì ， què yī jiù shì yǒu yǎn cáng bǎo liú dì ， zhè yī kè ， què zài wú gù jì ， zhòu rán fā lì 。
刚刚，林轩虽然也表现出分神期的实力，但远比同阶精纯浑hòu的法力，却依旧是有掩藏保留地，这一刻，却再无顾忌，骤然发力。
The saying goes: "In war, the best strategy is to defeat the enemy without fighting." Why not use a clever plan to avoid a battle and save energy?
shà shí jiān ， yī gǔ lìng rén zhì xī de líng yā pèi rán ér qǐ ， tóng shí ， lín xuān xiù páo yī fú ， yī tuán jī dàn dà xiǎo de huǒ yàn zài tā zhǎng xīn zhōng yuè shēng ér chū ， lüè yī fān zhuǎn hòu huà wèi chē lún bān dà xiǎo ， zhí bēn xiē wěi shàng rén ér qù le 。
霎时间，一股令人窒息的灵压沛然而起，同时，林轩袖袍一拂，一团鸡蛋大小的火焰在他掌心中跃升而出，略一翻转后化为车轮般大小，直奔蝎尾上人而去了。
Thus, Lin Xuan pretended to be foolish, devising this two-pronged strategy.
huàn líng tiān huǒ ！
幻灵天火！
Playing dumb worked wonders; both ancient demons were fooled. Now that Shedu was gone, Old Man Jia's injuries were severe, he could say with certainty that his goal had been achieved.
tóng shí lín xuān yòu shǒu yī wò ， wàn qiān jiàn qì fǎng fú yǐ bèi tā niē zài zhǎng zhōng ， shǒu yī dǒu ， nà jiàn qì zòng héng shuāi hé ， yě lǒng zhào zhù le xiē wěi shàng rén tóu dǐng de tiān kōng 。
同时林轩右手一握，万千剑气仿佛已被他捏在掌中，手一抖，那剑气纵横摔阖，也笼罩住了蝎尾上人头顶的天空。
"Who are you? What is your purpose?"
cóng tiān táng dào dì yù shì shén me gǎn jué 。
从天堂到地狱是什么感觉。
The old man's voice trembled as he asked, filled with suspicion.
cǐ shí cǐ kè ， xiē wěi shàng rén suàn shì cháng shì dào le ， yī shí jiān ， tā chēng mù jié shé ， sì hū hái bù xiāng xìn zhè jí zhuǎn zhí xià de yí mù ， qián yī kè ， hái lián shǒu jù dí de méng yǒu ， hòu yī kè ， què è hěn hěn de fān liǎn xiǎng xiàng le 。
此时此刻，蝎尾上人算是尝试到了，一时间，他瞠目结舌，似乎还不相信这急转直下的一幕，前一刻，还联手拒敌的盟友，后一刻，却恶狠狠的翻脸想象了。
Lin Xuan smiled: "Who am I? You can find out in the underworld when you get there. As for my purpose, heh, sorry, I don't want to say."
“ wèi shén me ？”
“为什么？”
"You have me cornered?" The old man's face showed madness as he laughed in anger: "Yes, you are cunning and clever. In my current state, I cannot defeat you. But a man can be killed but not humiliated. If I were to self-destruct now, what chance would you have of escaping?"
tā jué de mǎn zuǐ fā kǔ ， zhè yàng de zhāo shù ， huá lì dé lìng rén xuàn mù ， bù guò ruò shì huàn yí gè shí jiān ， tā wèi bì jiē bú zhù ， zhì shǎo bú huì yīn wèi zhè qū qū de mó huǒ yǔ jiàn qì jiù shēn sǐ yǔn luò 。
他觉得满嘴发苦，这样的招数，华丽得令人炫目，不过若是换一个时间，他未必接不住，至少不会因为这区区的魔火与剑气就身死陨落。
"Do you threaten me?" Lin Xuan's expression changed.
rán ér yǎn qián bù tóng ， lín xuān shí jī ná niē dé qià dào hǎo chù ， chū shǒu de fēn cùn nà jiào yí gè diāo zuān hěn dú ， tā de bǎo wù ， zhèng yǔ jiǎ lǎo mó huǒ bìng jiū chán zhe ， gēn běn jiù lái bù jí fáng hù ， ér qiě tā gāng gāng bèi zhǎn xià yī tiáo shǒu bì ， yīn wèi jù tòng fǎ lì chū xiàn le kòng xì ， zhè shí hòu ， háo wú huán shǒu zhī lì 。
然而眼前不同，林轩时机拿捏得恰到好处，出手的分寸那叫一个刁钻狠毒，他的宝物，正与贾老魔火并纠缠着，根本就来不及防护，而且他刚刚被斩下一条手臂，因为剧痛法力出现了空隙，这时候，毫无还手之力。
"What if? Either let old man go; we had no grudges before, so why should today's grudge matter? Or we both die together," the old man said with a fierce look in his eyes. He felt that he was back in control, but was it really like that?
jǔ sàng ， bēi fèn ， yù mèn ， gè zhǒng huàn miàn qíng xù jiāng tā bāo guǒ ， dàn bù jiě qí shí zuì duō 。
沮丧，悲愤，郁闷，各种奂面情绪将他包裹，但不解其实最多。
Just as Lin Xuan seemed furious, his face suddenly turned into a smile: "Do you want to self-destruct? Go ahead."
tā xiǎng zhī dào wèi shén me ， kě xī lín xuān méi yǒu nà me hǎo de xīn qíng wèi tā jiě huò ， yǔ yí gè sǐ rén yǒu shén me bì yào luō suo ， xiē wěi shàng rén jué wàng le ， cóng lín xuān de zuǐ jiǎo biān ， tā kàn dào le jī fěng zhī sè 。
他想知道为什么，可惜林轩没有那么好的心情为他解惑，与一个死人有什么必要啰嗦，蝎尾上人绝望了，从林轩的嘴角边，他看到了讥讽之色。
"What?"
yuán lái ， suǒ yǒu de yī qiè ， dōu shì tā bù xià de jú ， zì jǐ zhǐ shì zài zì zuò cōng míng ér yǐ ， hái yǐ wéi bié rén shì mǎng fū ， qí shí zì jǐ cái shì shǎ mào yí gè ， suàn rén zhě ， rén yì suàn zhī ， xiē wěi shàng rén huǐ hèn wú bǐ ， kě xī yī qiè dōu wán le ， lín xuān shì bú huì ràng tā yǒu jī huì fān pán de 。
原来，所有的一切，都是他布下的局，自己只是在自作聪明而已，还以为别人是莽夫，其实自己才是傻帽一个，算人者，人亦算之，蝎尾上人悔恨无比，可惜一切都完了，林轩是不会让他有机会翻盘的。
The old man was shocked. If he remembered correctly, there were no grudges between them. Did he really wish to die alongside him?
huàn líng tiān huǒ jiā jiàn qì ， lín xuān yǐ jiāng tā miè chú ， lián yuán yīng dōu méi yǒu táo tuō ， xiāng suí yì qǐ hún fēi pò sàn diào le 。
幻灵天火加剑气，林轩已将他灭除，连元婴都没有逃脱，相随一起魂飞魄散掉了。
It was understandable why the old man was stunned; Lin Xuan's actions defied logic, harming both himself and others unless he had a problem.
xiē wěi shàng rén huà wèi le xū wú ， wéi yǒu yí gè chǔ wù dài gū líng líng de xuán fú zài bàn kōng ， lín xuān yī bǎ zhuā guò ， jīn tiān shōu huò bù cuò 。
蝎尾上人化为了虚无，唯有一个储物袋孤零零的悬浮在半空，林轩一把抓过，今天收获不错。
But before his words could finish, he suddenly heard buzzing sounds in his ears. His heart chilled as he tried to summon his treasures, but it was too late.
bù guò dí rén hái méi yǒu wán quán miè chú 。
不过敌人还没有完全灭除。
Dozens of insect-like dark energy creatures rushed towards him.
lín xuān zhuǎn guò tóu lú ， wàng xiàng le mù guān lǎo zhě 。
林轩转过头颅，望向了木冠老者。
PS: Sigh, I'm about to be pushed off the category recommendation list. Lin Xuan urgently requests votes from all fellow daoists. Thank you. (To be continued)
A moment later, dark energy surged out, obscuring half of the sky. The old man with a wooden crown could not escape it. His eyes glinted with ferocity as he raised his right hand and slapped at his waist pouch.
Instantly, sharp rays of light shot out from the pouch, forming a blood-red beam several feet long that zipped towards Shedu's head, transforming into a crimson whip to slash down fiercely.
However, Shedu did not retreat or avoid. He had already been chanting a spell in his mouth. With a shake of his shoulder, a thin strand of black energy shot out from his sleeve.
It was a small sword-like black energy, also transforming into a black whip.
"Zing!" the sound echoed as the two treasures clashed overhead, creating an oppressive spiritual pressure. Simultaneously, Lin Xuan waved his sleeves and a ball of fire about the size of an egg leaped out of his palm, swirling and expanding to the size of a cartwheel before heading straight for Shedu.
Phantasmal Heavenly Fire!
At the same time, Lin Xuan clenched his right hand, gathering countless sword qi in his grasp. With a shake, the sword qi spread across the sky above Shedu's head.
The feeling of going from heaven to hell.
Shedu was stunned and speechless at this sudden turn of events. Just now, they had been allies fighting together against their enemies, but now, they were viciously turning on each other.
"Why?" he felt bitter as he asked himself. The move was dazzlingly beautiful, but if it weren't for the moment, he might not have died from such a small amount of dark fire and sword qi.
However, Lin Xuan had timed his attack perfectly, striking with ruthless precision. Shedu's treasures were already entangled in battle with Old Man Jia, leaving no time to defend himself. Moreover, he had just lost an arm due to severe pain, causing his spiritual energy to falter. Now, he was completely defenseless.
Disappointment, anger, and frustration enveloped him, but the most confusing part was why it happened this way. He wanted answers, but Lin Xuan did not have the patience to explain. There was no point in talking to a dead man. Shedu felt despair as he saw mockery on Lin Xuan's face.
In reality, all of this had been his trap. He had only been playing cleverly himself. Thinking that others were fools, he realized now that he was the real fool. Those who plotted against others would also be plotted against. Shedu regretted everything but it was too late. Lin Xuan would not give him a chance to turn things around.
Phantasmal Heavenly Fire and sword qi had already eliminated Shedu completely, leaving no trace of his soul or body behind.
Shedu vanished into nothingness, with only an empty pouch floating in the air. Lin Xuan grabbed it; today's收获 was good.
But the enemy wasn't fully defeated yet.
Lin Xuan turned to face the old man with a wooden crown.
Old Man Jia was equally shocked by what had just happened. The events were beyond his expectations.
His expression towards Lin Xuan was complex, filled with hatred, gratitude, and admiration.
He hated because Lin Xuan had cut off his legs. He was grateful that his archenemy, Young Lady Lin Yu娇, had been eliminated. As for the other...
A thousand years ago, he endured so much hardship, reflecting on it and changing his nature. No longer stubborn or rigid, he learned to plan carefully before acting. This time, he meticulously planned the revenge, almost pushing Shedu into a corner.
He thought himself a cunning man, adept at plotting and scheming. But encountering this Lin Xuan made him feel like a fool, manipulated by him effortlessly.
Not only was it Old Man Jia who felt this way; Shedu also did. The two old men were pitifully caught in a clever trap laid by the young man, leaving them both severely injured. What should they do now that Shedu had fallen and Old Man Jia's injuries were severe?
He didn't know, but Lin Xuan's face was filled with satisfaction.
My plan worked well. Everything seemed to be an accident or coincidence, just adapting to circumstances.
Discovering that Shedu had forcibly taken Lin Yu娇, given their shared sect ties, Lin Xuan couldn't ignore it. Originally, he planned to simply eliminate Shedu and rescue Young Lady Lin Yu娇. But then, Old Man Jia's unexpected appearance and the involvement of Lei Peng's token added complications.
Upon learning about the token's purpose, Lin Xuan was determined to get it. However, how to obtain it required some artistry; directly taking it by force would be foolish, risking a confrontation with Shedu or Old Man Jia, even both attacking him simultaneously.
Although he wasn't afraid of their combined strength, they were no match for the Twin Demons of Heavenly Calm. Moreover, his current self was far different from before.
While he could handle them, was it really necessary to waste effort?
The saying goes: "In war, the best strategy is to defeat the enemy without fighting." Why not use a clever plan to avoid a battle and save energy?
Thus, Lin Xuan pretended to be foolish, devising this two-pronged strategy.
Playing dumb worked wonders; both ancient demons were fooled. Now that Shedu was gone, Old Man Jia's injuries were severe, he could say with certainty that his goal had been achieved.
"Who are you? What is your purpose?"
The old man's voice trembled as he asked, filled with suspicion.
Lin Xuan smiled: "Who am I? You can find out in the underworld when you get there. As for my purpose, heh, sorry, I don't want to say."
"You have me cornered?" The old man's face showed madness as he laughed in anger: "Yes, you are cunning and clever. In my current state, I cannot defeat you. But a man can be killed but not humiliated. If I were to self-destruct now, what chance would you have of escaping?"
"Do you threaten me?" Lin Xuan's expression changed.
"What if? Either let old man go; we had no grudges before, so why should today's grudge matter? Or we both die together," the old man said with a fierce look in his eyes. He felt that he was back in control, but was it really like that?
Just as Lin Xuan seemed furious, his face suddenly turned into a smile: "Do you want to self-destruct? Go ahead."
"What?"
The old man was shocked. If he remembered correctly, there were no grudges between them. Did he really wish to die alongside him?
It was understandable why the old man was stunned; Lin Xuan's actions defied logic, harming both himself and others unless he had a problem.
But before his words could finish, he suddenly heard buzzing sounds in his ears. His heart chilled as he tried to summon his treasures, but it was too late.
Dozens of insect-like dark energy creatures rushed towards him.
PS: Sigh, I'm about to be pushed off the category recommendation list. Lin Xuan urgently requests votes from all fellow daoists. Thank you. (To be continued)