The oppressive pressure grew heavier with each step, the footsteps steady and powerful. Moments later, five figures in cyan robes appeared at the entrance of Spirit Grass Valley. At their head stood Lin Kun, elder of the Lin Clan's main family, his aura swirling with the power of the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment realm. His expression was icy, his gaze like a blade fixed on Lin Yan, brimming with greed and killing intent.
Behind Lin Kun followed four Lin Clan guards, all at the Early-stage Foundation Establishment realm, their auras fierce as they spread out in a fan shape, completely cutting off Lin Yan and Su Qingyao's escape. It was clear that Lin Kun was determined to get what he wanted: not only to seize the pendant from Lin Yan, but also to slay this suddenly rising collateral descendant and eliminate all future trouble.
"Lin Yan, you ungrateful wretch! How dare you betray the Lin Clan and plunder spirit herbs! Today, I shall cleanse the clan of your filth!" Lin Kun sneered, his voice chilling to the bone. His eyes flicked to the Millennium Spirit Ginseng in Lin Yan's hand, his greed flaring even brighter. "To think this useless trash not only drew Qi into his body but even broke through to Foundation Establishment. The secret of that pendant is indeed with you."
Lin Yan clutched the Millennium Spirit Ginseng tightly, shielding Su Qingyao behind him. Chaos spiritual energy circulated within him, the full might of his Early-stage Foundation Establishment aura erupting. Though still outmatched by Lin Kun's mid-stage cultivation, he showed no fear.
"Lin Kun! Did my parents' deaths five years ago have something to do with you? You come here only to steal my parents' relics — spare me your nonsense about cleansing the clan!"
A flicker of panic crossed Lin Kun's eyes, quickly replaced by cold cruelty. He scoffed. "On the verge of death and still spouting lies! Your parents were mediocre talents at best. Their fall in the secret realm was their own fault. What does it have to do with me? Be sensible and hand over the pendant and the Millennium Spirit Ginseng, and I might spare your life. Otherwise, I will scatter your soul today!"
Su Qingyao gripped her jade sword and stepped forward to stand beside Lin Yan, her voice cold yet resolute. "Elder Lin, Young Master Lin is my companion. If you wish to harm him, you will have to get past me first! The Su Clan may not be as powerful as the Lin Clan, but we are not to be bullied!"
"A Su girl?" Lin Kun glanced at her, disdain in his eyes. "A mere collateral disciple of the Su Clan dares to act recklessly before me? Today, I will take you as well and send you back to the Su Clan — let them give the Lin Clan an explanation!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the four early Foundation Establishment guards charged forward, spiritual energy surging as they lunged at Lin Yan and Su Qingyao. All were carefully trained guards of the Lin Clan, rich in combat experience and perfectly coordinated, striking with killing moves from the start.
"Qingyao, you handle two. I'll take the other two!" Lin Yan said in a low voice. He had just broken through to Foundation Establishment, and this fight was the perfect chance to grow familiar with his new power and stabilize his cultivation. Chaos energy swirled, forming a black energy sword in his right palm, its domineering aura sweeping forward as he stabbed at two guards.
"Alright!"
Su Qingyao moved with agile grace, her jade sword dancing as streams of pale green spiritual energy sliced toward the other two guards. Her swordsmanship grew more elegant, her energy more pure. Though only at Late-stage Qi Condensation, she relied on her exquisite technique to hold her own against the pair of early Foundation Establishment guards.
The energy sword in Lin Yan's hand carried the overbearing power of Chaos energy. Every thrust brought a fierce gust of wind, and even the early Foundation Establishment guards could barely defend themselves.
A dull crash echoed as the sword pierced one guard's chest. Black Chaos energy flooded in, and the guard let out a miserable shriek before collapsing to the ground, dead.
The other guard panicked and retreated, trying to dodge Lin Yan's assault. But Lin Yan was far too fast. He closed in an instant, sweeping his energy sword in a horizontal arc that sent a black stream of energy slicing toward the guard's neck.
Unable to dodge, the guard's neck was struck. Blood sprayed out, and he died on the spot.
In mere moments, Lin Yan had slain two early Foundation Establishment guards. Such strength sent shock and fear through Lin Kun. He had never imagined that Lin Yan, fresh off breaking through to early Foundation Establishment, could be so powerful — not even the Lin Clan's Foundation Establishment guards could stand against him.
Meanwhile, Su Qingyao was gradually being pushed onto the back foot. Still only at Late-stage Qi Condensation, she burned through energy rapidly while facing two Foundation Establishment guards. Fresh wounds opened on her body, her breathing grew ragged, and she narrowly avoided being struck several times.
"Qingyao, look out!" Lin Yan shouted. He darted to her side in an instant, swinging his energy sword to send a black stream of energy slamming into the two guards. Caught off guard, they were sent flying, crashing to the ground and spitting up blood, their auras weakening drastically.
Su Qingyao let out a relieved breath and glanced gratefully at Lin Yan. "Thank you, Young Master Lin."
Lin Yan nodded slightly, his gaze turning back to Lin Kun, his voice icy. "Lin Kun. Now it's our turn."
Lin Kun's face darkened, his apprehension deepening. He knew that if Lin Yan survived today, he would become a catastrophic threat to the Lin Clan.
"You rebel, don't get arrogant!" Lin Kun roared. The full power of Mid-stage Foundation Establishment exploded outward, a crushing pressure bearing down on Lin Yan. Coalescing cyan energy in his hand, he slammed it toward Lin Yan.
Lin Yan's gaze hardened. He did not dare underestimate the gap between early and mid Foundation Establishment — Lin Kun's energy was denser, his cultivation deeper. Lin Yan unleashed all his Chaos energy, reforming the energy sword, and charged it forward to meet Lin Kun's cyan strike.
BOOM!
The two forces collided with a deafening crash. A violent shockwave rippled outward, churning the cold pond into huge waves and snapping nearby spirit herbs like twigs.
Agonizing pain shot through Lin Yan's chest. A fierce current of energy surged up his arm and into his meridians, forcing him back five steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Lin Kun also stumbled back two steps, his palm tingling. Disbelief flashed in his eyes. He had not expected Lin Yan's Chaos energy to be so domineering — even as a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could not suppress him easily.
"To think you, a wretch, could have such a fortuitous encounter," Lin Kun sneered, ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. "But the gap between mid and early Foundation Establishment cannot be bridged by luck alone. You will die today!"
He charged at Lin Yan once more, his cyan energy surging as streams of it sliced toward Lin Yan like rain, leaving no room to catch his breath.
Lin Yan's gaze turned sharp. He nimbly dodged Lin Kun's attacks while searching for an opening to counterattack. He knew he could not clash head-on with Lin Kun; he had to rely on the tyranny of his Chaos energy and the agility of the Chaos Art to wear his opponent down and wait for the right moment.
Su Qingyao had recovered somewhat. She swung her jade sword, sending pale green energy streams slicing toward Lin Kun's back to distract him. While her attacks could not seriously harm him, they forced him to split his attention, creating openings for Lin Yan.
Lin Yan seized his chance. He darted behind Lin Kun in a blur, his energy sword blazing with domineering Chaos energy as he stabbed toward Lin Kun's back.
Lin Kun panicked and turned to block, but it was too late. The sword pierced his shoulder, and black Chaos energy rampaged through his meridians.
"Arghh!" Lin Kun screamed in agony, blood gushing from his shoulder. His spiritual energy fell into chaos, his cultivation severely damaged. He glared at Lin Yan with murderous, unwilling eyes. "You rebel! I will not forget this! The Lin Clan will never let you go!"
With that, Lin Kun turned and fled toward the exit of Spirit Grass Valley. He knew he could not kill Lin Yan today; staying would only mean his death. He would escape first, then gather more experts from the Lin Clan to exact revenge.
Lin Yan did not give chase. His own energy was heavily drained, and his chest injury needed tending. He watched Lin Kun's fleeing figure, coldness flashing in his eyes. He knew Lin Kun would not rest, and the Lin Clan would continue hunting him — but he no longer feared. He had the power to protect himself, and a companion to fight alongside him.
"Young Master Lin, are you alright?" Su Qingyao hurried to his side, worry filling her eyes at the blood on his lips. She pulled out a healing spirit herb and handed it to him. "This is Purple River Grass. It heals wounds and stops bleeding. Take it quickly."
Lin Yan accepted the herb and nodded. After swallowing it, a gentle stream of energy flowed through him, easing the sharp pain in his chest. "I'm fine. Thank you."
Su Qingyao shook her head. "We are companions. There's no need for thanks. Lin Kun has fled, but Lin Clan experts will arrive soon. We should leave here at once to avoid further trouble."
Lin Yan nodded, tightening his grip on the Millennium Spirit Ginseng. Together with Su Qingyao, he walked deeper into the Blackwind Forest.
He knew that after today's battle, the feud between himself and the Lin Clan could never be mended, and his path of defying fate would only grow rockier. But he would not back down. He would grow stronger, uncover the truth behind his parents' deaths, and take revenge — on Lin Kun, on the entire Lin Clan!