Ling Tian Sword God

These pairs of wings were clearly crafted using mechanism techniques, showcasing a remarkable level of skill. Without such advanced craftsmanship, the wings would not possess the ability for sustained flight.

At least a dozen of the people in black each possessed a pair of these wings. This indicated that these mechanical wings were not rare items, at least not within the Tang Sect.

”You silly girl, curiosity killed the cat! I told you not to meddle, but you insisted on prying. Now look at the trouble you’ve caused us.”

Ling Chen furrowed his brows, turned towards Ling Yin, and rebuked her.

”I know I was wrong. What should we do now?” Ling Yin asked in a low voice, watching the people in black rapidly closing in on them.

”How should I know?” Ling Chen glared at Ling Yin. Among the Nine Great Families, the Tang Sect was unparalleled in its use of Hidden Weapons and puppet mechanism techniques. Ling Yin using a Puppet in front of them was like showing off an axe before Lu Ban, the master carpenter; it would have been a miracle if she hadn’t been discovered.

If they had known beforehand that these individuals were from the Tang Sect, he would never have allowed Ling Yin to get involved in such a matter.

However, things had already reached this point, and regret was useless.

The people in black moved swiftly. The agility afforded by their wings was certainly incomparable to that of the Dragon Puppet. After all, the Dragon Puppet was not a Flying Puppet; its primary function was combat, so its flight speed was not particularly fast.

Soon, Ling Chen and Ling Yin were completely surrounded by the people in black.

The man and woman leading the group had both reached the Sky Apex Realm in their Cultivation. The young man’s power was slightly more profound, having already reached the Sky Apex Realm Third Layer.

This level of strength, within the Five Kingdoms, would be considered that of a Martial World giant. Yet, this young man appeared to be only around twenty-five or twenty-six years old.

”Who are you? How dare you interfere in the affairs of Our Tangmen?”

The woman in black fixed her gaze on Ling Chen and Ling Yin, sizing them up. Seeing they were merely a young man and woman, she naturally felt a degree of disdain. However, when her eyes fell upon the Dragon Puppet, her pupils contracted abruptly.

”Is this a Puppet at the Sky Apex Realm level?”

Given the Tang Sect’s deep understanding of Puppets, she could tell at a glance that this Puppet was no ordinary creation.

”A Sky Apex Puppet?”

The young man leading the group was also taken aback, his expression turning slightly grim.

A Sky Apex Puppet was not something an ordinary person could refine. Even outstanding Tang Sect Disciples like themselves lacked this ability.

This Dragon Puppet, judging by its appearance and aura, had likely reached at least the Fifth Level of Sky Apex Realm, if not higher.

They did not possess such a Puppet; indeed, they were not even qualified to own one.

”This Puppet... belongs to you two?” the young man asked tentatively.

”Yes,” Ling Yin replied, patting the Dragon Puppet’s head, looking rather smug. ”This young lady refined it herself. What do you think? Impressive enough to blind your dog eyes, isn’t it?”

”What? You refined it?”

The young man was astonished, as if he had heard some unbelievable tale. A mocking smile then spread across his face as he said coldly, ”Little girl, you truly don’t know the immensity of heaven and earth. To refine such a Puppet, one’s mental strength level must be at least twenty-eight. To claim you refined it... you’re shamelessly boasting.”

”That only applies to mediocrities like you,” Ling Yin retorted, curling her lip disdainfully.

”Such shameless boasting!” The young man became enraged. He was a genius of the Tang Sect and had studied puppetry arts since childhood. When had he ever been mocked by a mere slip of a girl?

”Tang Long Senior Brother, let’s set aside the matter of the Puppet for now,” the woman in black interjected, stopping the young man.

Hearing this, the young man, Tang Long, nodded. His argument with Ling Yin had nearly made him forget their primary objective.

”That Butterfly Puppet just now... you released it, didn’t you?” A sinister glint flickered in Tang Long’s eyes. ”Speak. Who sent you?”

”We were merely passing by. My younger sister was being mischievous, which led to this misunderstanding,” Ling Chen explained, offering a cupped-fist salute. ”We had no intention of disturbing you. We have only just arrived in the Nine Provinces Land and are unfamiliar with the customs here. The Tang Sect is one of the Nine Great Families. We implore Your Excellency to be magnanimous and overlook this incident.”

The Tang Sect is no ordinary power. It’s best not to provoke them if it can be avoided. Offending the Tang Sect would make it impossible for us to move freely throughout Yi Zhou.

”Newly arrived in the Nine Provinces Land? So you’re barbarians from the south?”

Upon hearing Ling Chen’s words, Tang Long’s eyes filled with contempt. Barbarians... a term synonymous with crudeness and backwardness. Barbarians are trash, not worth a second thought.

”You’re the barbarian! Your whole family are barbarians!” Ling Yin’s temper flared upon hearing the word ”barbarian.” These people were insufferably arrogant; she had never encountered peers so brazen in her presence.

”Yes, we did come from the south.” Ling Chen shot Ling Yin a stern look. He also disliked the word ”barbarian,” but it reflected the common prejudice people of the Nine Provinces held against those from the Cloud Outland—a prejudice not easily changed.

Tang Long exchanged glances with the woman in black and the others. After this silent communication, a sinister glint seemed to flash in his eyes, though his face bore a smile. ”Considering your unintentional mistake, and that the ignorant are not to be blamed, Our Tangmen will not slaughter innocents. Since it’s a misunderstanding, you may leave.”

The dozen or so people in black parted, no longer blocking Ling Chen’s path.

However, a chilling understanding filled their hearts. Knowing Tang Long as they did, this meant he was about to strike.

”Many thanks, then.”

Although Ling Chen felt something was amiss, he still cupped his fists towards Tang Long and then turned to leave.

”Hmph.”

The very instant Ling Chen turned, Tang Long’s hand moved. A greyish-white poison needle materialized between his index and middle fingers. Seizing the moment Ling Chen exposed his back, Tang Long flicked his wrist, launching the poison needle.

The poison needle, as if alive, shot forward with astonishing speed, reaching Ling Chen’s back in a flash.

A treacherous smile touched the corners of Tang Long’s lips.

This was one of the Tang Sect’s ten great Hidden Weapons—the Soul Snatch Needle.

The Soul Snatch Needle was no ordinary Hidden Weapon; it could effortlessly pierce the Protective True Qi of a Top Sky Apex Strong and was coated with a potent, unique Poison. Once it entered the body, Ling Chen, with his mere Sky Apex Realm First Layer Cultivation, would undoubtedly perish.

However, how could such a petty trick deceive Ling Chen? Especially since he had been on guard all along. From Tang Long’s tone earlier, he had sensed that the man never intended to let them leave.

Courting death! A cold light flashed in Ling Chen’s eyes, murderous intent surging within him. Though he preferred to avoid trouble, he was no coward!