nà zhù jī zhōng qī de xiū shì yì diǎn zhǐ ， fēi jiàn shàng de huǒ yàn gèng shì téng shēng qǐ lái ， bàn suí zhe gǔn gǔn de rè làng ， huà wèi yī dào hóng sè de jīng máng ， xiàng zhe liǎng nǚ dāng tóu zhǎn
那筑基中期的修士一点指，飞剑上的火焰更是腾升起来，伴随着滚滚的热浪，化为一道红色的精芒，向着两女当头斩
The mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator pointed his finger, and the flames on the flying sword leaped higher. Accompanied by a wave of heat, it transformed into a red beam that slashed down upon the two women.
lù yíng ér liǎn sè yī bái ， duì fāng zhè yī jī chū jǐn le quán lì ， duǒ ， yǐ jīng lái bù jí ， néng fǒu dǎng xià què méi yǒu sī háo bǎ wò 。
陆盈儿脸色一白，对方这一击出尽了全力，躲，已经来不及，能否挡下却没有丝毫把握。
Lu Ying'er's face paled. The opponent had used all their strength in this attack; there was no time to dodge, and she wasn't sure if she could block it.
yǎo le yǎo bèi chǐ ， zhǐ hǎo jiāng hún shēn de fǎ lì zhù rù dào shēn qián de jǐn duàn zhī zhōng 。
咬了咬贝齿，只好将浑身的法力注入到身前的锦缎之中。
Biting her pearl-like teeth, she poured all her spiritual energy into the silk before her.
jǐn duàn shǎn le jǐ shǎn ， huà wèi yī dào bái sè de guāng mù ， dǎng zài liǎng nǚ de shēn qián 。
锦缎闪了几闪，化为一道白色的光幕，挡在两女的身前。
The silk flashed a few times, transforming into a white light screen that shielded the two women.
“ hēi hēi ， fǎ shù bù cuò ， kě xī shì tú láo de zhēng zhá bà le ！”
“嘿嘿，法术不错，可惜是徒劳的挣扎罢了！”
"Haha, your spell is good. But it's just a futile struggle!"
nà zhù jī zhōng qī de xiū shì lěng xiào yī shēng ， shú liàn de biàn huàn le yí gè fǎ yìn ， fēi jiàn de qù shì gèng jiā jìn jí ， shèn zhì chū le jiān ruì de pò kōng zhī shēng 。
那筑基中期的修士冷笑一声，熟练的变换了一个法印，飞剑的去势更加劲急，甚至出了尖锐的破空之声。
The mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator sneered and changed his hand seal skillfully. The flying sword's momentum increased even more sharply, producing a piercing sound as it approached.
nà jǐn duàn suī rán yě shì yī jiàn shàng pǐn líng qì ， àn lǐ shuō yōng yǒu bù cuò de fáng yù ， kě xī duì dí de liǎng rén shí lì xiāng chà tài guò xuán shū ， miǎn qiǎng dǐ dǎng le shù miǎo ， jiù chū le āi míng 。
那锦缎虽然也是一件上品灵器，按理说拥有不错的防御，可惜对敌的两人实力相差太过悬殊，勉强抵挡了数秒，就出了哀鸣。
Although this silk was an upper-grade Spirit Artifact, which should have had decent defensive capabilities, the disparity in their strength made it barely hold out for a few seconds before emitting a mournful cry.
lù yíng ér tàn le kǒu qì ， nán dào jīn tiān zhēn yào bì mìng yú cǐ ， tā bù gān xīn ， sù shǒu shēn xiàng chǔ wù dài ， xiǎng yào qǔ chū jǐ zhāng fú lái ， jiù suàn xī wàng hěn xiǎo ， yě jué bù zuò yǐ dài bì 。
陆盈儿叹了口气，难道今天真要毙命于此，她不甘心，素手伸向储物袋，想要取出几张符来，就算希望很小，也绝不坐以待毙。
Lu Ying'er sighed. Was she really going to die here today? She didn't want to give up and reached into her storage bracelet, intending to take out some talismans. Even if the chances were slim, she wouldn't sit idly by.
lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu 。 cǐ nǚ guǒ rán xīn zhì jiān rèn 。 zì jǐ zài tā liǎ shēn shàng huā le dà liàng xīn xuè 。 dāng rán bù néng kàn zhe liǎng nǚ xiāng xiāo yù yǔn 。
林轩点了点头。此女果然心智坚韧。自己在她俩身上花了大量心血。当然不能看着两女香消玉陨。
Lin Xuan nodded. This woman indeed had a resilient mind. He couldn't just watch as the two women perished after all the effort he had put in on them.
qū zhǐ yī dàn 。 yī dào jiàn guāng fēi shè chū lái 。 zài tóu dǐng pán xuán yī quān zhī hòu 。 huà wèi yī zhī jù dà dì qīng sè guǐ shǒu 。 hòu xiān zhì 。 jiāng nà fēi jiàn zhuā zài le zhǎng zhōng 。
屈指一弹。一道剑光飞射出来。在头顶盘旋一圈之后。化为一只巨大地青色鬼手。后先至。将那飞剑抓在了掌中。
With a flick of his fingers, a sword light shot out and circled above before transforming into a large green ghost hand that grabbed the flying sword from behind.
zhù jī zhōng qī dì xiū shì dà jīng shī sè 。 huí tóu jiù kàn jiàn le lín xuān píng fán dì miàn róng 。 suī rán xiàng mào bìng bù qǐ yǎn 。 kě hún shēn suǒ sàn chū lái dì líng yā què ràng tā chuǎn bù guò qì lái 。
筑基中期地修士大惊失色。回头就看见了林轩平凡地面容。虽然相貌并不起眼。可浑身所散出来地灵压却让他喘不过气来。
The mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was shocked and turned to see Lin Xuan's ordinary face. Despite his unremarkable appearance, the spiritual pressure emanating from him made it hard for him to breathe.
“ níng dān qī gāo shǒu ！”
“凝丹期高手！”
"Condensation Core stage expert!"
nà jiā huo dùn shí liǎn dōu bái le 。 kě hái lái bù jí yǒu suǒ dòng zuò 。 jiù gǎn jué xiǎo fù yī liáng 。 bèi nà qīng sè guǐ shǒu cì chuān le yí gè dà dòng 。 hún shēn lì qì chà nà jiān xiāo shī dé wú yǐng wú zōng 。 miàn dài jué wàng dì cóng tiān kōng zhōng shuāi luò 。
那家伙顿时脸都白了。可还来不及有所动作。就感觉小腹一凉。被那青色鬼手刺穿了一个大洞。浑身力气刹那间消失得无影无踪。面带绝望地从天空中摔落。
His face paled as he tried to act but felt a sharp pain in his abdomen when that green ghost hand pierced through him, draining all his strength instantly. He fell from the sky with a look of despair.
“ shào yé ！”
“少爷！”
"Mistress!"
lù yíng ér hé liú xīn dà xǐ ， máng yíng yíng bài le xià qù ， lín xuān què méi tóu yī tiāo ， liǎng nǚ yě míng bái zì jǐ kǒu wù ， qiāo qiāo tǔ le tǔ xiāng shé ， zhè lǐ kě shì gōng gòng chǎng hé ， zhè yàng chēng hū hěn róng yì yǐn qǐ bié rén yí xīn de 。
陆盈儿和刘芯大喜，忙盈盈拜了下去，林轩却眉头一挑，两女也明白自己口误，悄悄吐了吐香舌，这里可是公共场合，这样称呼很容易引起别人疑心的。
Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin rejoiced and bowed down, but Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, realizing they had made a mistake. The two women quickly licked their lips; this was a public place, and such terms could easily raise suspicion.
hǎo zài zhōu wéi sī shā zhèng hān ， bìng méi yǒu rén liú yì dào zhè yì diǎn 。
好在周围厮杀正酣，并没有人留意到这一点。
Fortunately, the battle raged on around them, and no one noticed their slip-up.
lín xuān méi yǒu hé liǎng nǚ duō yán ， ér shì jiāng piāo yún luò xuě jiàn jì chū ， jiā rù zhàn tuán 。
林轩没有和两女多言，而是将飘云落雪剑祭出，加入战团。
Lin Xuan didn't talk much to the two women but instead summoned his Flying Cloud Falling Snow Sword, joining the fray.
xiān jiě wéi zài shuō ， yǒu huà yǐ hòu kě yǐ màn màn tán 。
先解围再说，有话以后可以慢慢谈。
First, he would deal with the situation; they could discuss it later.
lín xuān zhè yī chū shǒu ， xíng shì dùn shí dà bù xiāng tóng ， xiān jiàn hán máng sì shè ， jī hū shì yí gè zhào miàn ， jiù yǒu jǐ gè jǐn páo xiū shì bèi zhǎn xià le tóu lú 。
林轩这一出手，形势顿时大不相同，仙剑寒芒四射，几乎是一个照面，就有几个锦袍修士被斩下了头颅。
With Lin Xuan's intervention, the situation changed dramatically. The Celestial Sword emitted a cold light, and several robed cultivators were decapitated in one fell swoop.
“ shǎo zhǔ ！”
“少主！”
"Young Master!"
“ shǎo mén zhǔ huí lái le 。”
“少门主回来了。”
"Young Sect Leader has returned."
“ wǒ men yǒu jiù le ， shā le zhè xiē jiā huo ， wèi sǐ qù de tóng mén bào chóu 。”
“我们有救了，杀了这些家伙，为死去的同门报仇。”
"We have hope now! Kill these fellows and avenge our fallen comrades."
……
……
The Spirit Medicine Mountain disciples rejoiced, their spirits lifted as they fought with renewed vigor. Their eyes turned red, and they drove their spiritual artifacts and talismans back at the opponents with all their might.
líng yào shān dì zǐ dà xǐ ， huān shēng léi dòng ， yuán běn jī hū jiù yào bēng kuì de yàng zi ， dǒu rán jiān què shì qì dà zhèn ， yí gè èr gè hóng le yǎn jīng ， qū shǐ shǒu zhōng de líng qì fú ， pīn mìng xiàng duì fāng fǎn pū 。
灵药山弟子大喜，欢声雷动，原本几乎就要崩溃的样子，陡然间却士气大振，一个二个红了眼睛，驱使手中的灵器符，拼命像对方反扑。
While it couldn't be said that the situation had reversed completely, the robed cultivators were indeed struggling to keep up.
suī bù néng shuō xíng shì nì zhuǎn ， dàn què shí jiāng jǐn páo xiū shì shā dé shǒu máng jiǎo luàn 。
虽不能说形势逆转，但确实将锦袍修士杀得手忙脚乱。
The old leader glanced at Lin Xuan, his expression turning grim as he raised his right hand, releasing a red spiritual light into the sky. This was clearly some kind of signal; the robed cultivators responded by breaking away from the battle and gathering around him.
nà lǐng tóu dì lǎo kàn le yī yǎn lín xuān ， biǎo qíng yīn chén xià lái ， tái qǐ yòu shǒu ， xiàng tiān shàng fàng chū yī dào hóng sè de líng guāng ， zhè xiǎn rán shì mǒu zhǒng xìn hào ， nà xiē jǐn páo xiū shì jiàn le ， fēn fēn bǎi tuō zhàn tuán ， xiàng lǎo kào lǒng 。
那领头地老看了一眼林轩，表情阴沉下来，抬起右手，像天上放出一道红色的灵光，这显然是某种信号，那些锦袍修士见了，纷纷摆脱战团，像老靠拢。
These people moved with great coordination, and several Spirit Medicine Mountain cultivators who pursued them were instead cut down by their well-coordinated attacks.
zhè xiē rén jìn tuì zhī jiān ， jí yǒu zhāng fǎ ， yǒu jǐ míng líng yào shān xiū shì zhuī jī ， fǎn ér bèi duì fāng pèi hé mò qì de zhǎn shā 。
这些人进退之间，极有章法，有几名灵药山修士追击，反而被对方配合默契的斩杀。
Lin Xuan's expression darkened further. The opponents acted in unison, indicating that this was a meticulously planned operation rather than an impromptu attempt to kill or steal.
lín xuān de biǎo qíng gèng jiā nán kàn ， duì fāng lìng xíng jìn zhǐ ， xiǎn rán zhè yī xíng dòng shì jīng guò zhōu mì cè huà ， bìng fēi lín shí qǐ yì xiǎng yào shā rén qiǎng bǎo 。
林轩的表情更加难看，对方令行禁止，显然这一行动是经过周密策划，并非临时起意想要杀人抢宝。
The Qingshang Sect had indeed grown bolder; with its strength bolstered, it had turned its gaze inward and plotted against the sect itself.
qīng xiáng mén dǎn zi zhēn shì bù xiǎo ， shí lì zhuàng dà yǐ hòu jū rán jiāng bù guǐ de niàn tou dǎ zài le běn mén shēn shàng 。
青翔门胆子真是不小，实力壮大以后居然将不轨的念头打在了本门身上。
Spirit Medicine Mountain's cultivators retreated and gathered around Lin Xuan.
líng yào shān de xiū shì yě tuì le huí lái ， jù zài lín xuān de shēn páng 。
灵药山的修士也退了回来，聚在林轩的身旁。
"Young Master!" A middle-aged man of late-stage Foundation Establishment bowed and tried to explain the situation.
“ shǎo zhǔ ！” yī míng zhù jī hòu qī de zhōng nián nán zi wān yāo xíng lǐ ， zuǐ chún wēi dòng de xiǎng yào xù shù shì qíng de jīng guò 。
“少主！”一名筑基后期的中年男子弯腰行礼，嘴唇微动的想要叙述事情的经过。
"No need for that. Blood debts must be repaid in blood; none shall escape."
“ bú yòng shuō le ， xuè zhài xuè cháng ， yí gè dōu bú yào fàng guò 。”
“不用说了，血债血偿，一个都不要放过。”
Lin Xuan waved his hand, dismissing him as he was well aware of the current state of affairs after wandering through the occupied zone for so long.
lín xuān bǎi le bǎi shǒu ， wú yì tīng tā suo ， zài lún xiàn qū dōng yóu xī dàng le zhè me jiǔ ， cǐ jiān dì xíng shì ， zì rán shì liǎo rán yú xiōng 。
林轩摆了摆手，无意听他嗦，在沦陷区东游西荡了这么久，此间地形势，自然是了然于胸。
In one word: chaos.
yí gè zì “ luàn ” lái xíng róng 。
一个字“乱”来形容。
The yin spirits were undoubtedly dominant here, but human cultivators had not been entirely eradicated and remained quite active.
yīn hún zì rán shì zhè lǐ de bà zhǔ ， kě rén lèi xiū shì yě bìng wèi bèi gǎn jìn shā jué ， shèn zhì kě yǐ shuō hěn huó yuè 。
阴魂自然是这里的霸主，可人类修士也并未被赶尽杀绝，甚至可以说很活跃。
Many sects and families had suffered significant damage, yet some like Qingshang had emerged unscathed, even growing stronger. It was said that the number of Condensation Core stage cultivators alone could rival those of the orthodox and heretical factions.
bù shǎo mén pài yǔ jiā zú shòu dào le zhòng chuāng ， dàn yě yǒu qīng xiáng mén zhè yàng sī háo wèi sǔn ， fǎn ér chèn jī zuò dà de shì lì ， tīng shuō guāng lùn níng dān qī xiū shì de shù liàng ， shèn zhì yǐ zú yǐ yǔ zhèng mó xiāng pǐ dí 。
不少门派与家族受到了重创，但也有青翔门这样丝毫未损，反而趁机坐大的势力，听说光论凝丹期修士的数量，甚至以足以与正魔相匹敌。
Lin Xuan had suspected their restlessness earlier but hadn't expected them to act so soon after repelling the yin spirits. Whether it was a conspiracy or some cunning plot, he didn't intend to overthink it. Under the protection of his sect, such matters were best left to his mentors and old Immortals; all he needed to do was deal with those who had offended their interests.
yǐ qián lín xuān jiù cāi dào tā men huì bù ān fèn ， kě méi xiǎng dào shàng wèi dǎ tuì yīn hún ， jiù zuò chū zhè yàng de shì qíng ， bù guò yǒu yīn móu yě hǎo ， guǐ jì yě bà ， lín xuān gēn běn jiù méi dǎ suàn duō fèi xīn qù sī liáng ， dà shù dǐ xià hǎo chéng liáng ， nà xiē shì qíng ， zì yǒu shī zūn yǔ yuán yīng qī lǎo guài cāo láo ， zì jǐ bù bì yuè zǔ dài páo ， zhǐ xiāo jiāng zhè xiē mào fàn běn mén lì yì de jiā huo shā le jiù hǎo 。
以前林轩就猜到他们会不安分，可没想到尚未打退阴魂，就做出这样的事情，不过有阴谋也好，诡计也罢，林轩根本就没打算多费心去思量，大树底下好乘凉，那些事情，自有师尊与元婴期老怪操劳，自己不必越俎代庖，只消将这些冒犯本门利益的家伙杀了就好。
Lin Xuan's right hand, previously hidden in his robe, suddenly shot out, sending a palm-sized talisman flying. It ignited without wind and transformed into a giant pattern of the Eight Trigrams, sinking into the ground before disappearing.
lín xuān de yòu shǒu yuán běn suō zài xiù páo zhī zhōng ， zhè shí dǒu rán yī yáng ， yī zhāng bā zhǎng dà de fú fēi le qǐ lái ， wú fēng zì rán ， huà wèi le yí gè jù dà bā guà de tú àn ， mò rù dì biǎo ， xiāo shī bú jiàn 。
林轩的右手原本缩在袖袍之中，这时陡然一扬，一张巴掌大的符飞了起来，无风自燃，化为了一个巨大八卦的图案，没入地表，消失不见。
"Array!"
“ zhèn fǎ ！”
“阵法！”
The old leader's face changed as he realized Lin Xuan had returned so quickly despite not knowing where their Condensation Core stage elders were. With his mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, his chances of winning against such an opponent were slim. He didn't want to engage in a direct confrontation and was considering retreating when Lin Xuan set up the array.
nà lǐng tóu dì lǎo liǎn sè yī biàn ， yuán běn dé dào zhǔn què qíng bào ， duì fāng de jǐ wèi níng dān qī zhǎng lǎo quán dōu bù zài fēn tán ， zhè cái xiǎng yào chèn xū ér rù ， méi xiǎng dào lín xuān què zhè me kuài jiù huí lái 。
那领头地老脸色一变，原本得到准确情报，对方的几位凝丹期长老全都不在分坛，这才想要趁虚而入，没想到林轩却这么快就回来。
While the power within the array might be limited, the clear intent was evident: to trap them all and eliminate them completely.
yǐ duì fāng níng dān zhōng qī de xiū wèi ， zì jǐ zhè biān ， qǔ shèng de jī huì zhe shí miǎo máng ， tā bù xiǎng yìng pīn ， yǐ yǒu hòu tuì zhī yì ， méi xiǎng dào lín xuān què bù xià le zhèn fǎ 。
以对方凝丹中期的修为，自己这边，取胜的机会着实渺茫，他不想硬拼，已有后退之意，没想到林轩却布下了阵法。
With their constant harassment, there would be no time for them to break through the array.
suī rán fēng yìn zài zhèn fú lǐ miàn de wēi lì bì dìng yǒu xiàn ， dàn duì fāng de mù dì hěn míng xiǎn ， bìng fēi xiǎng yào yòng zhèn fú kè dí ， ér shì xiǎng yào jiāng zì jǐ zhè xiē rén kùn zhù ， quán jiān ！
虽然封印在阵符里面的威力必定有限，但对方的目的很明显，并非想要用阵符克敌，而是想要将自己这些人困住，全歼！
"Young Sect Leader, do you really want a fight to the death?" The old leader, known as Crane Elder, said with a grim expression.
bì jìng yǒu tā men zài yī páng sāo rǎo ， zì jǐ zhè biān gēn běn jiù méi yǒu pò zhèn de shí jiān 。
毕竟有他们在一旁骚扰，自己这边根本就没有破阵的时间。
"Haha, do you have that kind of strength?" Lin Xuan's face was full of mockery, clearly not taking him seriously.
“ shǎo mén zhǔ ， nǐ zhēn de xiǎng yào yú sǐ wǎng pò ？” nà lǐng tóu de hè lǎo biǎo qíng yīn chén dì shuō 。
“少门主，你真的想要鱼死网破？”那领头的鹤老表情阴沉地说。
"You..."
“ hē hē ， nǐ men yǒu nà ge shí lì me ？” lín xuān de liǎn shàng què mǎn shì jī cháo zhī sè ， bǎi míng liǎo bù jiǎng duì fāng fàng zài yǎn zhōng 。
“呵呵，你们有那个实力么？”林轩的脸上却满是讥嘲之色，摆明了不讲对方放在眼中。
The leader grew angry. Realizing they were at this point, he decided to strike first and unleashed a palm-sized treasure from his mouth as it expanded in size with the wind, reaching several dozen feet long. It was that massive battle axe.
“ nǐ ……”
“你……”
Although Lin Xuan had seen it earlier, its close-up appearance still left him somewhat awestruck. To use such a weapon required true skill.
lǎo dà nù ， jì rán dào le zhè bān dì bù ， zì rán shì xiān xià shǒu wéi qiáng ， qiǎng zài lín xuān chū shǒu zhī qián jiāng kǒu yī zhāng ， yī shù cùn dà xiǎo de fǎ bǎo lì kè pēn tǔ chū lái 。
老大怒，既然到了这般地步，自然是先下手为强，抢在林轩出手之前将口一张，一数寸大小的法宝立刻喷吐出来。
Surrounding the old leader were five other late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators who also joined in.
yíng fēng jiù zhǎng ， zhuǎn shùn zhī jiān jìng rán jiù yǒu le qī bā zhàng zhǎng ， hán guāng shǎn shǎn ， zhèng shì nà bǐng kāi shān jù fǔ 。
迎风就涨，转瞬之间竟然就有了七八丈长，寒光闪闪，正是那柄开山巨斧。
Lin Xuan was taken aback at first but then scanned with his spiritual sense, revealing that these five were rare quintuplets with identical appearances and features.
lín xuān gāng cái suī rán yǐ jīng jiàn guò ， dàn cǐ shí jìn jù lí gǎn shòu ， hái shì yǒu xiē zhèn hàn ， píng xīn lái shuō ， shǐ yòng cǐ lèi fǎ bǎo dì xiū shì ， dào zhēn de bù duō 。
林轩刚才虽然已经见过，但此时近距离感受，还是有些震撼，平心来说，使用此类法宝地修士，倒真的不多。
They had summoned an artifact resembling an jade ruler.
chú le lǎo ， wéi zài tā shēn páng dì wǔ rén ， yě yì qǐ dòng shǒu 。
除了老，围在他身旁地五人，也一起动手。
The remaining robed cultivators didn't attack but kept a wary eye on the Spirit Medicine Mountain disciples.
lín xuān xiān shì yí zhèng ， suí hòu shén shí yī sǎo ， liǎn shàng lù chū yī lǚ shēn sī ， zhè wǔ rén zhǐ shì zhù jī hòu qī de xiū shì ， rán ér róng mào shēn cái ， yī mú yī yàng ， jìng rán shì hǎn jiàn dì wǔ bāo tāi 。
林轩先是一怔，随后神识一扫，脸上露出一缕深思，这五人只是筑基后期的修士，然而容貌身材，一模一样，竟然是罕见地五胞胎。
The old leader's eyes flashed with cunning. The Kun Clan Quintuplets were siblings and excelled in coordinated attacks, their combined strength rivaling that of mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. Many skilled experts had fallen to them out of spite.
zhè wǔ rén jì chū de ， yī zhǒng yù chǐ mú yàng dì líng qì 。
这五人祭出的，一种玉尺模样地灵器。
With these five brothers by his side, he was certain he could kill this young Sect Leader who knew nothing of the world's dangers.
"Go!"
The mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator pointed his finger, and the flames on the flying sword leaped higher. Accompanied by a wave of heat, it transformed into a red beam that slashed down upon the two women.
Lu Ying'er's face paled. The opponent had used all their strength in this attack; there was no time to dodge, and she wasn't sure if she could block it.
Biting her pearl-like teeth, she poured all her spiritual energy into the silk before her.
The silk flashed a few times, transforming into a white light screen that shielded the two women.
"Haha, your spell is good. But it's just a futile struggle!"
The mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator sneered and changed his hand seal skillfully. The flying sword's momentum increased even more sharply, producing a piercing sound as it approached.
Sizzle...
Although this silk was an upper-grade Spirit Artifact, which should have had decent defensive capabilities, the disparity in their strength made it barely hold out for a few seconds before emitting a mournful cry.
Lu Ying'er sighed. Was she really going to die here today? She didn't want to give up and reached into her storage bracelet, intending to take out some talismans. Even if the chances were slim, she wouldn't sit idly by.
Lin Xuan nodded. This woman indeed had a resilient mind. He couldn't just watch as the two women perished after all the effort he had put in on them.
With a flick of his fingers, a sword light shot out and circled above before transforming into a large green ghost hand that grabbed the flying sword from behind.
The mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was shocked and turned to see Lin Xuan's ordinary face. Despite his unremarkable appearance, the spiritual pressure emanating from him made it hard for him to breathe.
"Condensation Core stage expert!"
His face paled as he tried to act but felt a sharp pain in his abdomen when that green ghost hand pierced through him, draining all his strength instantly. He fell from the sky with a look of despair.
"Mistress!"
Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin rejoiced and bowed down, but Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, realizing they had made a mistake. The two women quickly licked their lips; this was a public place, and such terms could easily raise suspicion.
Fortunately, the battle raged on around them, and no one noticed their slip-up.
Lin Xuan didn't talk much to the two women but instead summoned his Flying Cloud Falling Snow Sword, joining the fray.
First, he would deal with the situation; they could discuss it later.
With Lin Xuan's intervention, the situation changed dramatically. The Celestial Sword emitted a cold light, and several robed cultivators were decapitated in one fell swoop.
"Young Master!"
"Young Sect Leader has returned."
"We have hope now! Kill these fellows and avenge our fallen comrades."
The Spirit Medicine Mountain disciples rejoiced, their spirits lifted as they fought with renewed vigor. Their eyes turned red, and they drove their spiritual artifacts and talismans back at the opponents with all their might.
While it couldn't be said that the situation had reversed completely, the robed cultivators were indeed struggling to keep up.
The old leader glanced at Lin Xuan, his expression turning grim as he raised his right hand, releasing a red spiritual light into the sky. This was clearly some kind of signal; the robed cultivators responded by breaking away from the battle and gathering around him.
These people moved with great coordination, and several Spirit Medicine Mountain cultivators who pursued them were instead cut down by their well-coordinated attacks.
Lin Xuan's expression darkened further. The opponents acted in unison, indicating that this was a meticulously planned operation rather than an impromptu attempt to kill or steal.
The Qingshang Sect had indeed grown bolder; with its strength bolstered, it had turned its gaze inward and plotted against the sect itself.
Spirit Medicine Mountain's cultivators retreated and gathered around Lin Xuan.
"Young Master!" A middle-aged man of late-stage Foundation Establishment bowed and tried to explain the situation.
"No need for that. Blood debts must be repaid in blood; none shall escape."
Lin Xuan waved his hand, dismissing him as he was well aware of the current state of affairs after wandering through the occupied zone for so long.
In one word: chaos.
The yin spirits were undoubtedly dominant here, but human cultivators had not been entirely eradicated and remained quite active.
Many sects and families had suffered significant damage, yet some like Qingshang had emerged unscathed, even growing stronger. It was said that the number of Condensation Core stage cultivators alone could rival those of the orthodox and heretical factions.
Lin Xuan had suspected their restlessness earlier but hadn't expected them to act so soon after repelling the yin spirits. Whether it was a conspiracy or some cunning plot, he didn't intend to overthink it. Under the protection of his sect, such matters were best left to his mentors and old Immortals; all he needed to do was deal with those who had offended their interests.
Lin Xuan's right hand, previously hidden in his robe, suddenly shot out, sending a palm-sized talisman flying. It ignited without wind and transformed into a giant pattern of the Eight Trigrams, sinking into the ground before disappearing.
"Array!"
The old leader's face changed as he realized Lin Xuan had returned so quickly despite not knowing where their Condensation Core stage elders were. With his mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, his chances of winning against such an opponent were slim. He didn't want to engage in a direct confrontation and was considering retreating when Lin Xuan set up the array.
While the power within the array might be limited, the clear intent was evident: to trap them all and eliminate them completely.
With their constant harassment, there would be no time for them to break through the array.
"Young Sect Leader, do you really want a fight to the death?" The old leader, known as Crane Elder, said with a grim expression.
"Haha, do you have that kind of strength?" Lin Xuan's face was full of mockery, clearly not taking him seriously.
"You..."
The leader grew angry. Realizing they were at this point, he decided to strike first and unleashed a palm-sized treasure from his mouth as it expanded in size with the wind, reaching several dozen feet long. It was that massive battle axe.
Although Lin Xuan had seen it earlier, its close-up appearance still left him somewhat awestruck. To use such a weapon required true skill.
Surrounding the old leader were five other late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators who also joined in.
Lin Xuan was taken aback at first but then scanned with his spiritual sense, revealing that these five were rare quintuplets with identical appearances and features.
They had summoned an artifact resembling an jade ruler.
The remaining robed cultivators didn't attack but kept a wary eye on the Spirit Medicine Mountain disciples.
The old leader's eyes flashed with cunning. The Kun Clan Quintuplets were siblings and excelled in coordinated attacks, their combined strength rivaling that of mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. Many skilled experts had fallen to them out of spite.
With these five brothers by his side, he was certain he could kill this young Sect Leader who knew nothing of the world's dangers.