Ling Tian Sword God

Outside the Barbarian Village.

After receiving the Deer Reviving Grass from the High Priest, Ling Chen bade him farewell, left the Barbaric Temple, and prepared to return to the Five Country Territory.

”Nina, remember to practice daily according to the cultivation method and martial arts I’ve given you. Don’t be lazy.”

Ling Chen looked at the girl in the beast-skin dress before him, patting her small head with a smile.

”Master, remember to come back and see me.”

Nina’s eyes were slightly red.

”Rest assured. I will find time to come back.”

Ling Chen nodded. He wasn’t saying that merely to placate her. Nina was his first disciple, after all. Although he hadn’t taken her on willingly, they had a destined connection, and he wouldn’t just abandon her.

”We will meet again.”

Ling Chen saluted the two before him, then leaped onto the back of his Qingfeng Jue.

With a long cry, the Qingfeng Jue soared into the sky, disappearing into the distant horizon.

”It seems that there are an increasing number of talents in the Five Kingdoms. I should find a chance to go there,” Wutugu remarked with a sigh, watching Ling Chen’s retreating figure.

”Don’t forget to take me with you! Master said that all the warriors in the Five Kingdoms cultivate True Qi. They are as numerous and talented as the stars! Once I reach the Martial Master Realm, I must go and see!” Nina clenched her fists, her voice full of determination.

”Alright, alright, I will definitely take you.”

Wutugu had no choice but to agree with his daughter. Since Nina was now cultivating True Qi, she would eventually need to go to the Five Kingdoms for further practice and to improve her strength.

Having Ling Chen as her master could be a great opportunity for Nina.

「...」

「Mingyan City.」

Within the city’s largest inn, Ling Chen was enjoying tea and taking a break at a window seat. After several arduous days of travel from the Hundred Thousand Mountains, which included sleeping outdoors, he had finally arrived at Mingyan City. Naturally, he took some time to relax.

Not far from Ling Chen, a few martial world figures were gathered, discussing in hushed voices. ”Hey, have you heard? There’s been a lot of activity in Mingyan City recently. The Blood Whale Gang, the local tyrants, offended the Cyan Robe Association and are now facing a great catastrophe!”

”Really? I never thought the Blood Whale Gang would dare to offend the Cyan Robe Association. They’re truly blind! The Blood Whale Gang is, at best, merely an affiliate of the Black Market, and now the entire Black Market must obey the Cyan Robe Association. How could they dare offend them?”

”I don’t know either. They didn’t just offend an ordinary member, but Branch Master Jiang Yunting of the Cyan Robe Association! It’s said he has personally come to Mingyan City and vowed to eradicate the Blood Whale Gang.”

”In that case, the Blood Whale Gang is doomed. Even a Da Luo Immortal couldn’t save them now.”

Their discussion reached Ling Chen’s ears.

Blood Whale Gang? Isn’t that Chen Beixuan and Hong Ling’s group?

Ling Chen’s eyes flickered. Chen Beixuan and Hong Ling, two of the four who had entered the Hundred Thousand Mountains with him previously, were indeed from the Blood Whale Gang.

Why would Jiang Yunting target the Blood Whale Gang without reason? Could it be because of what happened when he encountered them in the Hundred Thousand Mountains?

Regardless, it seems I need to go and check it out.

With a flicker of movement, Ling Chen vanished from his seat.

「West of the city, Blood Whale Gang Main Headquarters.」

In the courtyard, Hong Ling said to Chen Beixuan, who stood beside her, ”Brother Chen, last time you protected us and fought Shi Zhong, you accidentally injured his eye. I’ve heard rumors that Shi Zhong is planning to retaliate against us, possibly even targeting the entire Blood Whale Gang.”

Chen Beixuan sighed. ”I’ve already apologized to him. Since things have come to this, if he’s determined to cause trouble, he will, no matter what we do.”

The previous incident started because Shi Zhong insisted on causing them trouble. Chen Beixuan had no choice but to fight back, inadvertently injuring one of Shi Zhong’s eyes, which only deepened the animosity.

”We can’t stay here much longer. Shi Zhong won’t let this go easily. We should leave Mingyan City as soon as possible,” Hong Ling said, her face etched with worry.

The Blood Whale Gang’s Main Headquarters was now mostly deserted. Even their leader had fled, and those who remained were insignificant.

BANG!

Just as Hong Ling finished speaking, the main gate of the Blood Whale Gang was violently kicked open, and dozens of figures in cyan robes stormed in.

”It’s the Cyan Robe Association!”

The expressions of the remaining Blood Whale Gang members changed drastically; panic filled their faces.

”Chen Beixuan, you dog cur! You dared to ruin one of my eyes! I told you I’d make sure you wouldn’t even have a burial plot!”

Leading the dozens of cyan-robed figures was a portly, middle-aged man, also in a cyan robe. It was none other than Shi Zhong, whom Ling Chen had encountered in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

”Shi Zhong, what exactly do you want? You’ve been relentlessly aggressive, despite my repeated concessions. Don’t push it too far!” Chen Beixuan retorted, his face grim as he took in their menacing formation.

”Pushing it too far?”

Shi Zhong sneered. ”Today, I’m not just going to push you; I’m going to kill you. And not just you—the entire Blood Whale Gang will be buried with you!”

His gaze then shifted to Hong Ling, a vile, lustful gleam appearing in his eyes. ”As for this woman,” he continued, ”I’ll strip her naked right in front of you and let her taste the exquisite pleasure of torment!”

Chen Beixuan’s expression turned grave. He focused his entire being, preparing for a desperate battle. ”If that’s how it is, then the Blood Whale Gang will fight you to the bitter end!”

”Haha, fight me to the bitter end? You? Worthy?”

A derisive smile spread across Shi Zhong’s face. ”Did you think I came alone today? The Blood Whale Gang’s good days are over.”

As his words fell, the cyan-robed figures behind him automatically parted, creating a path. Another figure, whose cyan robe was embroidered with a white crane emblem signifying his superior status, walked forward.

”Greetings, Branch Master!”

All the members of the Cyan Robe Association bowed in salute.

”Branch Master!”

Chen Beixuan and Hong Ling’s faces turned deathly pale. The man before them was indeed Shi Zhong’s uncle, Jiang Yunting, the Branch Master of the Cyan Robe Association’s Fire Country Branch.

To think a figure of his stature would personally come after them!

Jiang Yunting swept his gaze over the Blood Whale Gang members in the courtyard and declared coldly, ”I’ve heard that the Blood Whale Gang has long harbored dissatisfaction with the Cyan Robe Association and was hatching a grand conspiracy against us. Shi Zhong accidentally stumbled upon your plot. You then tried to silence him by killing him but failed. In the ensuing battle, however, he lost an eye but was fortunate enough to escape with his life.”

”Helm Master Jiang, there’s no such thing!”

Chen Beixuan’s face was ashen. He hadn’t expected Shi Zhong to frame them so maliciously. Yet, from Jiang Yunting’s tone, it was clear he had already decided they were guilty. He was determined to twist the truth, to paint white as black, and condemn the entire Blood Whale Gang to utter destruction.