"Is that all you two are capable of?" Ling Chen steadied himself, unable to resist goading them. Goading often enraged opponents, and anger exposed flaws. This was why many martial artists liked to ridicule their opponents during a fight.
"Boy, don't you underestimate us!" Yang Wei immediately looked at his younger brother, Yang Shuai. "Brother, to defeat this man, it seems we'll have to use our combined technique."
"What? We're using that technique?" Yang Shuai was somewhat surprised. That combined technique was their ace in the hole; he hadn't expected to use it here.
Combined Technique? Ling Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. A combined technique was a special type of martial art that could unleash power far exceeding its individual components. However, it demanded impeccable coordination and a perfect melding of minds.
The Yang Wei brothers took their positions, one in front and one behind. They almost simultaneously thrust out a palm. Finally, their Palm Powers merged, brimming with baleful energy, and blasted towards Ling Chen.
"Sky Shatter Palm!" Yang Wei roared.
"Feeble!" Ling Chen swung his sword directly. This sword strike, like a vision of Thousands of Mountains and Rivers, manifested with the Sword Momentum, forming a conical attack that blasted outwards.
BANG!
The sword qi was unstoppable, directly shattering the Palm Power.
This fellow is truly formidable! Yang Wei's heart lurched. The power of that palm strike could have gravely injured him, yet it was shattered by a single sword strike from this kid. His strength is simply unfathomable.
"Brother, put more power into it! I refuse to believe that with our combined strength, we still can't handle him!" Yang Wei roared angrily, once again circulating his True Qi. Yang Shuai, standing behind him, struck his back with a palm. Instantly, Yang Wei unleashed a black Palm Seal, sending it flying towards Ling Chen.
Ling Chen gripped the Cloud-hidden Sword, a glint of Sword Light flashing in his eyes. He held Xiao Muyu tighter, and the next moment, he unleashed a vigorous sword strike. This was the sixth form of the Dragon Seeking Sword Technique—Dragon Soaring in the Wild.
The roar of a dragon echoed through the plains, sword qi woven into its shadowy form as it swept outwards.
BANG!
At the moment of collision, a terrifying shockwave erupted. The powerful impact forced Yang Wei to stagger back more than ten zhang. His arm was gashed, blood seeping from the wounds, and his fingers throbbed with excruciating pain; his knuckles felt as if they were about to be shattered by this sword strike.
Yang Shuai fared even worse; he was sent flying, crashing through a large tree, and blood sprayed violently from his mouth.
Ling Chen had merely struck casually, yet their combined technique was utterly shattered, disintegrating completely.
"Run! This kid is too much for us!" Yang Wei yelled, scrambling to his feet to flee.
"I gave you a chance earlier, but you didn't cherish it. Do you think you can escape now?" As soon as Ling Chen finished speaking, he executed Wind Shadow Step. He took a single stride, covering twenty meters in an instant, and hovered directly above Yang Wei's head.
Yang Wei's expression changed. He pulled a short dagger from his sleeve and slashed upwards.
BANG!
Ling Chen's sword slashed downwards. The mighty Sword Energy crushed downwards, blasting Yang Wei away. He slammed into a large tree, smashing clean through it.
At this moment, Xiao Muyu cried out in alarm. The impact of this sword strike was immense, nearly jolting her from Ling Chen's grasp. But just then, Ling Chen's other arm swiftly wrapped around her delicate back, halting her descent and pulling her securely against him once more.
As he descended, Ling Chen's black hair streamed behind him, his white robes fluttering in the air.
At this moment, Xiao Muyu watched, somewhat mesmerized.
Yang Wei, covered in blood, stared in terror at the masked youth opposite him. Gritting his teeth, he asked, "Who on earth are you? Your Cultivation... at your level, every single one is a renowned figure. Who are you?"
While he wasn't familiar with all thirty-six individuals on the Heavenly List, he recognized the signature techniques of most. Ling Chen's style, however, clearly didn't belong to any of them. To defeat both me and my brother while carrying someone—such formidable strength couldn't belong to an unknown. He definitely ranks among the top twenty-five on the Heavenly List!
"Who I am isn't important. What's important is that you two are about to die." Ling Chen had no interest in revealing his name. He had already walked up to Yang Wei, prepared to end his life.
"Bastard! If you want to kill me, you die first!" The moment Ling Chen drew near, Yang Wei suddenly lashed out. A dark gleam shot from his sleeve, aimed straight at Ling Chen's face.
"Ling Chen, watch out!" Xiao Muyu couldn't help but cry out.
Before her cry faded, the dark gleam was already before Ling Chen.
However, Ling Chen's reaction was incredibly swift. In that critical instant, the Cloud-hidden Sword shot out, precisely intercepting the dark gleam and deflecting it back.
After consuming the Heavenly Snow Lotus, Ling Chen's Mental Power, sight, hearing, and observational acuity had all reached the 'Minute Observation' level. His ability to perceive the subtle and anticipate the significant meant his reflexes were now astonishingly fast.
SPLAT!
The dark gleam pierced Yang Wei's brow—it was a blood-red poison needle.
The poison needle sank into his head. In the blink of an eye, Yang Wei collapsed, dead, his face rapidly turning black.
"It's a Scorpion Tail Needle." Xiao Muyu's pupils contracted slightly. The Scorpion Tail Needle was an extremely venomous Hidden Weapon. Death was instant upon contact with blood. Even a warrior level expert couldn't withstand it and would die from the poison within three breaths at most.
However, despite its fearsome reputation in the Jianghu, this Scorpion Tail Needle was incredibly difficult to craft. It required the venom of numerous poisonous scorpions, combined with other toxins. Thus, Yang Wei wouldn't have used the Scorpion Tail Needle unless it was a dire emergency.
Unfortunately for him, the Scorpion Tail Needle couldn't save his life either.
Scorpion Tail Needle. I know who this person is now. A flicker of understanding crossed Ling Chen's face. The user of the Scorpion Tail Needle... it's 'Poisonous Scorpion,' ranked thirty-fifth on the Heavenly List. I didn't expect this unassuming, skinny man to actually be an expert on the Heavenly List.
With Yang Wei dead, Ling Chen retrieved his Cloud-hidden Sword and walked over to Yang Shuai.
"You bastard! You killed my elder brother! Our Sect won't let you off!" Yang Shuai's eyes were filled with panic, but he put on a brave front, snarling at Ling Chen.
"Do you think saying that now will do you any good?" Ling Chen gave a cold smile. In the Tienzong Ruins, a Sect's deterrence was minimal. Even disciples of the Sky Void Palace or the Myriad Dao Sect could be mercilessly slaughtered, left without a burial, let alone disciples from second or third-rate Sects.
"No, spare my life! I'm willing to be your servant, to go through fire and water for you..."
However, before he could finish his sentence, Ling Chen's sword had already slashed across his neck. His eyes bulged as he died instantly.
Yang Shuai's situation was different from that of Quick Blade Yu Yue. Ling Chen had killed his brother; if Yang Shuai were left alive, he would undoubtedly seek revenge by any means necessary. Though Ling Chen followed the path of chivalry, it didn't mean he was soft-hearted. When a killing blow was necessary, he absolutely couldn't be lenient, or it would only lead to endless future troubles.
'Poisonous Scorpion,' ranked thirty-fifth on the Heavenly List, killed by your sword... Ling Chen, I find you more and more unfathomable. Xiao Muyu looked at Ling Chen with a peculiar expression. Being held by Ling Chen like this gave her an incredible sense of security and warmth. She felt a reluctance to leave his embrace, wishing she could stay like this forever, like a contented kitten.