Feng Ling left with a swirl of complicated emotions. She herself didn’t know if it was a strange force of habit or sothing else, but when she glanced back at the gates of the Viscount’s Mansion, a pang of sorrow welled up inside her.
The Saint-level Sword Skill, "Summoning of the Death God," had been fundantally elevated by Ling Xiao’s modifications. Feng Ling herself had advanced from a Sixth Rank Mad Sword Master to a Tier Two Demon Swordsman. Even for soone from a hidden clan, this surge in her own power felt surreal, almost dreamlike.
Feng Ling also harbored resentnt toward her father. ’Why? For half a year, he never sent anyone, never even attempted to rescue . Did his heart only have room for the sect, and none for his own daughter?’ This was why, even after Ling Xiao told her she could leave at any ti and her strength as a Mad Sword Master had been restored, she had still chosen to remain for so long.
Though she tried to make excuses for her father, none of them could convince her. So, as she walked through Penzes City, a certain sadness filled Feng Ling’s heart. ’Should I go back to the sect right now? Should I share the good news with Father? Tell him I obtained a sword skill from Ling Xiao powerful enough to elevate our entire sect... Tell him I also received a Spirit dicine that boosted my strength and let beco a Demon Swordsman?’
Feng Ling shook her head to herself. She didn’t want to go back. ’If I do, knowing Father’s personality, he’ll definitely set his sights on Ling Xiao again. He’s so fixated on turning the sect into a third-rate, or even a second-rate power, that he would never let such a golden opportunity pass. And doing so would be sealing the doom of the Qishan Sect. Yes, that’s exactly what would happen!’
Feng Ling had seen with her own eyes how Ling Xiao’s subordinates transford from ordinarily skilled to overwhelmingly powerful.
Therefore, Feng Ling didn’t believe for a second that her sect had the power to challenge Ling Xiao. ’That scoundrel was right,’ she thought. ’He really doesn’t fear my sect anymore... the dregs of the hidden clans!’
Feng Ling left the city and began to walk without a destination in mind. ’I’ve heard countless stories about Adventurers since I was a child,’ she thought. ’It might be fun to beco one myself.’
Suddenly, several figures appeared behind Feng Ling, following her from a distance. She had actually noticed them a while ago, but had assud they were just fellow travelers. It was only when she was far from the city and realized they were still tailing her that she sensed it... a distinct aura of danger.
She stopped short and spun around, her expression impassive as she faced the n. Her voice was as clear as a bell. "Why are you following ?"
There were three of them, all dressed in the plain garb of Adventurers, with nothing to distinguish them. When Feng Ling stopped, one of them glanced around, noting the scarcity of other travelers. He nodded to his two companions. They remained silent, their gazes fixed on Feng Ling, devoid of any emotion.
Yet their movents were swift as they fanned out to surround her. Feng Ling’s sword flew from its sheath. She gave it a light flick, and a series of lodious, bell-like chis rang out. The n were visibly taken aback for a mont before their expressions tensed. With a roar, powerful auras exploded from their bodies as they closed in to attack!
Their intent was clear: to kill her!
Instantly, the high-pitched din of battle—of clashing steel and charging cavalry—erupted from Feng Ling’s Sword Dance, as if an army of thousands were charging from all directions at once!
The three n could feel the very ground shaking beneath their feet.
BOOM!
Countless warhorses charged the three n. Seated upon them were fearless Knights, unafraid of death. Their sharp Knight’s Lances whistled through the air, carried by the montum of the charge, thrusting relentlessly toward their targets!
The three n’s faces fell in alarm as they unleashed their auras to their absolute peak!
Beams of Sword Qi, several ters long, hissed through the air, sweeping toward the Knights like tangible blades!
A torrent of blood sprayed into the air! Countless Knights were sliced in two by the n’s Sword Qi. Crimson gore erupted, filling the air with the thick stench of blood!
Feng Ling’s sword... danced ever faster!
Endless waves of battle-hardened Knights surged forward like a tide, one rank falling only to be replaced by the next as they charged the three n!
All three attackers possessed the strength of Demon Swordsn. They roared as their Sword Qi flew, cutting down the valiant Knights as if they were nothing!
Beads of sweat grew heavy on Feng Ling’s brow.
The strongest of the three attackers suddenly bit through the tip of his tongue. A spray of hot blood flew from his lips, and a searing pain forced an uncontrollable roar from his throat.
"Illusion Realm!"
A look of sheer determination filled Feng Ling’s eyes. Gritting her teeth, her aura shifted once more. The din of battle grew more frantic, faster and faster, as if countless war drums were now pounding, bolstering the warriors’ will to charge!
The power of the other two Demon Swordsn finally began to wane. One of them let out a sudden cry. He had just sliced several charging Knights in half, and amidst the spray of blood, his mouth split into a crazed grin. But to his horror, he saw a sharp, glittering lance tip rapidly closing in on his eye!
PFFT!
The Demon Swordsman let out a bloodcurdling scream, his hands flying to his eyes as he staggered and fell backward.
The Demon Swordsman who had identified the Illusion Realm watched in shock as one of his companions, after his Sword Qi had carved deep gouges into the empty ground around him, suddenly clutched his head and collapsed, his fate uncertain.
He roared with grief and fury, "You little bitch, I’ll never let you get away with this!"
Just then, the world fell deathly silent. The Demon Swordsman realized with a start that he couldn’t hear a thing. He scread in terror, but heard nothing! He believed his mind was perfectly clear; he could even see the faint trace of mockery in the woman’s placid eyes.
It drove him to the brink of collapse. He knew this was another, even more sophisticated Illusion Realm. The Demon Swordsman began to swing his sword wildly, desperately trying to protect himself.
Suddenly, the gentle notes of a lute began to play, as soft as a mother’s hand stroking his hair.
In that instant, all the violent emotions in his heart were swept away. The Demon Swordsman even saw his mother, dead for so many years, appear before him. She was looking at him gently, her gaze as loving as it was when he was a child.
"Mama!"
The Demon Swordsman couldn’t stop himself from reaching out. But then, he felt a sudden heat in his chest. He snatched his hand back, pressing it to his heart as the world snapped back to normal.
He turned his palm over in abject horror. It was... covered in fresh blood!
Only then did he feel his strength rapidly draining away. His eyes widened in terror as he stared at the beautiful, bewitching woman, stamring, "You... Your... Qishan’s... sword skill... Wh-When... did it get... this... this strong?"
Then, he could only watch as Feng Ling’s sword swept out. A thin red line appeared on his last companion’s throat. With an expression of utter peace, the man collapsed.
"I’m not going to tell you."
Feng Ling gave the Demon Swordsman who had identified the Illusion Realm a gentle smile. Then she turned away and coughed up a mouthful of blood. Her body swayed, and she pulled a small porcelain vial from inside her robes, still warm from her body heat.
Feng Ling gazed at the small vial fondly. ’I didn’t think I’d need you so soon,’ she murmured. With that, she tipped out an Elixir that shimred with a faint green light.
’It’s so beautiful... I’m almost reluctant to take it.’
The few travelers who happened upon the grueso scene gave it a wide berth, hurrying away.
The corner of Feng Ling’s mouth twitched. She glanced one last ti in the direction of Penzes City. ’I suppose I’ve taken care of three little problems for you, haven’t I? Ling Xiao... I’m afraid your future is going to be filled with endless trouble.’
With that thought, she pushed off, her body vanishing like a wisp of smoke. The graceful figure in white receded into the distance.
...
By the ti Ling Xiao learned that a battle had taken place outside the city, resulting in the deaths of three Martial Artists, an hour had already passed. The three bodies were laid out in front of the Penzes governnt hall.
Beside the three corpses sat three coffins of golden nanmu wood, the bodies themselves covered by white sheets.
The Vice City Lord of Penzes City, Li Fu, was frowning as he spoke with several individuals.
"What? You want to hold our Lord responsible?" Li Fu, dressed in aristocratic attire, spoke elegantly. "While I can understand your grief over losing your relatives, I must correct you on one point. This matter has absolutely nothing to do with the Lord! Not a single copper coin’s worth! This is a simple murder case. The killer has already fled the scene. We will post a wanted notice as soon as possible. The Lord is occupied with countless state affairs; he has no ti to fret over such things."
"They were my companions, not my relatives! If you spout any more of that nonsense... I’ll kill you!"
A middle-aged man in a pale yellow robe glared at Li Fu, his face dark. "I demand to see your Lord at once! My patience is wearing thin. Don’t force my hand!"
Li Fu sneered. He looked at the middle-aged man and the restless youths beside him, then slowly wagged his right index finger. "This is Penzes City, sir, not... your own private courtyard. You can’t just do as you please here."
The man in the yellow robe flew into a rage. A powerful aura erupted from him, pressing down on Li Fu and draining the color from his face. Yet Li Fu simply laughed. "Hmph, don’t think I’m afraid of you! You may have force, but I have righteousness! Evil can never triumph over good—that is the law of the heavens! If you’re so powerful, why not seek revenge yourself? Why do you need to see our Lord?"
The yellow-robed man abruptly retracted his aura. He ground his teeth and spat, "Because... they... were killed by one of your Lord’s people!"
"And do you have proof?"
Li Fu asked, as if it were the most obvious question in the world.
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