Ling Tian Sword God

Just a moment before the Soul Snatch Needle was about to hit Ling Chen’s back, his palm suddenly moved, and the Red Sky Sword blocked the attack in the nick of time.

CLANG!

The Soul Snatch Needle struck the blade of the Red Sky Sword, sending off a spark before being deflected, not harming Ling Chen in the slightest.

”What?!” Tang Long’s expression changed. He hadn’t expected Ling Chen to react so quickly. Even if Ling Chen had been prepared, Tang Long’s strength far surpassed his. By all rights, Ling Chen shouldn’t have been able to block his Soul Snatch Needle. Yet, he had.

”Kill him!”

Having shown his true colors, Tang Long no longer bothered with pretense. He gave a cold order to the other Tang Sect Experts.

As soon as his voice fell, the people in black hastily drew their Hidden Weapons. There were Chasing Star Crossbows, Life-Seeking Arrows, Impermanence Darts... Various peculiar Hidden Weapons rained down on Ling Chen like a sudden storm.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Ling Chen wielded the Red Sky Sword into a flurry of Sword Flowers. Every Hidden Weapon that struck the Red Sky Sword was deflected. Around Ling Chen, brilliant sparks burst continuously into the air.

SWISH!

Just as the sparks dissipated, Ling Chen vanished.

Seeing Ling Chen suddenly disappear, Tang Long sensed trouble. Just as he was about to retreat, an afterimage flashed before him, a sharp sword light streaking past his eyes.

No, I can’t dodge it! Tang Long’s reflexes told him he couldn’t evade this strike no matter what. All he could do was open his mouth wide and scream.

SQUELCH!

With a splatter of blood, Tang Long’s right arm flew into the air, severed by the sword.

AHHH!

Screaming, Tang Long was sent flying backward. In extreme pain, he quickly glanced at his right arm; it had indeed been severed, and blood gushed out like a fountain.

”Senior Brother!”

The black-clad woman was also shocked by this sight. She quickly went to support the pale-faced Tang Long, then looked with terror at Ling Chen, who had already landed back on the Dragon Puppet’s back.

Tang Long’s Martial Arts Cultivation was at the Sky Apex Realm Third Layer. Among the Tang Sect’s younger generation, few could surpass him. Yet this barbarian had severed Tang Long’s arm in a single move. This person was only at the Sky Apex Realm First Layer. It seems there are formidable individuals even among the barbarians.

”Damn it! Everyone, attack! Kill him! I want this bastard torn to shreds!”

Losing an arm—especially the one he used for Hidden Weapons—was a devastating blow to Tang Long. Even if the arm could be reattached, he would have to learn to use his other hand for Hidden Weapons, as a reattached limb could never again wield them with full power. Ling Chen’s sword strike had essentially destroyed his future.

Thus, Tang Long was so enraged he was on the verge of losing his sanity.

However, no matter how loudly Tang Long shouted, the Tang Sect’s men in black dared not act recklessly. They had witnessed Ling Chen’s Sword Techniques; a single strike had severed Tang Long’s arm. It had been inconceivably fast. If they rushed forward, they likely wouldn’t withstand a single strike from Ling Chen. As for Hidden Weapons, they had just used them. More than a dozen of them had launched Hidden Weapons simultaneously, yet not a single one had grazed a hair on Ling Chen. This man is definitely an Expert; they weren’t stupid enough to throw their lives away.

”Senior Brother Tang Long, this barbarian’s strength is unfathomable,” the black-clad woman said truthfully. ”We are likely no match for him.”

”Seeing as you are Disciples of the Tang Sect, I will spare your lives today,” Ling Chen said, nonchalantly sweeping his gaze over the Tang Sect Experts. ”However, if you continue to be foolish, I don’t mind eliminating all of you to prevent future trouble.”

Their strength was not weak. Although they hadn’t reached the Sky Apex Realm, their skill with Hidden Weapons was superb. This was in broad daylight; if it were night, their combat prowess would likely double. However, while Ling Chen was confident he could kill them, he couldn’t guarantee that none would escape. After all, these people were from the Tang Sect. The man and woman were Core Disciples and might have some tricks up their sleeves that could cause trouble later.

”Damn it, how dare this mere barbarian act so arrogantly!”

Tang Long was so furious his lungs were about to explode. He was from the Tang Sect; never before had he suffered such humiliation! And to be shamed by a mere barbarian—this was an unprecedented disgrace, a punishment from the heavens!

”Senior Brother, our lives are paramount, not to mention our mission.”

The black-clad woman feared Tang Long would lose his composure. After all, Ling Chen’s overwhelming strength was evident; they were no match for him. It would be foolish to throw an egg against a rock.

”Fine, I’ll endure this for now!” Tang Long’s eyes glinted with an unsettled light. He wasn’t stupid. Their current mission had been assigned by the higher-ranking Elders. If they managed to complete it, he could be compensated for his lost arm and other damages. Furthermore, though he was no match for Ling Chen, he knew plenty of people within the Tang Sect who were far stronger. Killing Ling Chen and his companion wouldn’t require him to lift a finger. Right now, the most important thing was to bring Luo Xian’er back and report to the sect. ”Once we return to the Tang Sect, I’ll ensure this brat dies without a burial plot!”

”Let’s go!”

Tang Long shot Ling Chen one last dark, resentful look, then reluctantly had the black-clad woman support him as they departed.

The dozen or so Experts in black also gave Ling Chen a deep look before turning to leave.

”We should go too!”

Seeing Tang Long and his group depart, Ling Chen sighed in relief. He knew Tang Long definitely harbored deep resentment. Therefore, they couldn’t linger here. They had to leave as soon as possible to avoid the Tang Sect’s eyes and ears.

Ling Yin nodded. She immediately activated the Dragon Puppet, which dived towards the ground like an arrow, vanishing in an instant.

「Deep within Qingcheng Palace, in the grand hall.」

”Damn it! Where is Luo Xian’er? Where did she run off to?!”

A deafening, almost insane-sounding roar echoed through the hall.

Tang Long and his subordinates, having rushed back to Qingcheng Palace, were in the grand hall. The one who had just roared was none other than Tang Long.

Losing an arm today was already a terrible misfortune. He hadn’t expected the blows to be continuous; Luo Xian’er, the primary target of their mission, had actually escaped—the cooked duck had flown away!

Upon their return, they found the guards in the hall knocked out, and Luo Xian’er, who should have been there, had vanished.

”We don’t know. It felt like something ambushed us. Luo Xian’er was probably rescued.”

The few black-clad guards trembled. They didn’t even know how they’d been knocked out. They only recalled a ghost-like figure suddenly appearing and attacking them. When they awoke, Luo Xian’er was gone.

The black-clad woman and the others looked grim. Luo Xian’er has escaped. This is serious trouble. How will we explain this to our superiors? The others secretly glanced at Tang Long. If he hadn’t insisted on chasing Ling Chen and had instead taken Luo Xian’er away earlier, this wouldn’t have happened.

Luo Xian’er was connected to the Sword Immortal Poetry Fragment, Qingcheng Palace’s greatest secret. Having lost Luo Xian’er, they would undoubtedly face severe punishment upon their return.