"Wh-What did you say!" Lin Wuâs face darkened as he was provoked by Lin Haoâs words. He never expected that a disciple ranked in the nineties on the outer sect list would dare to speak to him like this.
Before Lin Hao could speak, Luo Peng suddenly stepped forward, pointing at Lin Hao, "You scum, I order you to immediately put down the Ghost-Faced Red Lion and kowtow to apologize to Brother Luo Qi, or donât blame me for being unfriendly!"
"Unfriendly?" Lin Haoâs face was expressionless as he looked at Luo Peng, "Last time, you only escaped because Lin Xin suddenly appeared."
"Because of me?" Even Lin Xin felt a surge of anger. Lin Hao was completely unaware of his own limitations, daring to speak so arrogantly!
If she had known this would happen, she shouldnât have saved him three days ago. It would have been better to let Luo Peng and the others humiliate him severely.
"Good... Lin Hao, your mouth is harder than your bones. Since thatâs the case, I will make you kneel and beg for mercy today..." Luo Peng said halfway through, then turned to look at Lin Wu and the others, "Lin family, after I teach this kid a lesson, we can settle the accounts for the Ghost-Faced Red Lion. Do you have any objections?"
"Do as you please," Lin Wu said. This time, none of them would stand up for Lin Hao, letting him suffer the consequences of his actions and learn his place.
"Heh heh... Even the Lin familyâs own disciples wonât help you, Lin Hao. Donât you find living in this world exhausting?" Luo Peng sneered, his aura surging like a tidal wave, causing the ground stones to float and sweep across several meters.
Seeing this, Lin Wu was slightly surprised. He didnât expect that Luo Pengâs strength had also reached the peak of the fourth level of the Spirit Body realm in the second Earth Gate, and was close to the fifth level. If they were to fight, he might not be a match for Luo Peng.
"Residual Body!" Luo Peng roared, his figure moving swiftly, like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, heading toward Lin Hao.
"Heavenly Acupoint Finger!" Immediately, Luo Peng extended his right arm, concentrating all his strength at the fingertips, reaching the ultimate speed, and pointed at Lin Hao, with the momentum of commanding the world.
This finger strike was powerful enough to easily pierce through solid rock, let alone flesh and blood.
In an instant, the outcome was clear. The Lin family disciples thought that with Lin Haoâs strength, he might not even be able to withstand one move from Luo Peng, and would certainly be defeated in three moves.
At this moment, Lin Hao didnât move at all. Although Luo Pengâs strength was decent, his skills were not refined, and this finger technique had many flaws, making it easy to counter.
Swoosh!
The sound of breaking air came as the Heavenly Acupoint Finger was just three inches away from Lin Hao. Suddenly, Lin Hao moved.
Lin Haoâs right arm flicked, and before anyone could react, he grabbed Luo Pengâs index finger.
Boom!
Like a thunderclap in the heat of summer, the two powerful forces collided, causing dust to fly.
"What!" Luo Peng was shocked and instinctively tried to pull his finger back to escape Lin Haoâs grip.
However, a 'crack' was heard, accompanied by Luo Pengâs scream. His index finger was instantly broken by Lin Hao. Another 'crack' followed as Lin Hao used bone-setting techniques to realign and repair Luo Pengâs finger.
Then, Lin Hao released his right hand, and Luo Peng staggered backward, taking several steps.
Luo Peng held his right index finger, his face pale, cold sweat dripping like broken pearls. He stared at Lin Hao with a panicked look, unable to accept the fact of his instant defeat.
...
"How is this possible..." Lin Wu and the others looked at Lin Hao with wide eyes, stunned.
Lin Hao was only ranked in the nineties on the outer sect list, and it was said that his spirit roots were broken. Even if they were repaired, he shouldnât be a match for Luo Peng!
Lin Xin was also puzzled. She couldnât detect any change in Lin Haoâs aura, and he seemed no different from before. If there was any difference, it was in his demeanor, which was now vastly different from before.
In everyoneâs memory, Lin Hao was gentle, even somewhat timid, and would never provoke trouble. Even if trouble came to him, he would avoid it.
But now, he seemed like a block of ice, with a natural aura of killing intent. His demeanor was indeed different from before.
"Brother Qi!" Luo Peng looked at Luo Qi.
Hearing this, Luo Qi nodded and looked at Lin Hao, "I heard that your spirit roots were broken in the sect world because of Sister Yanâer, but it seems the Lin family has some means to repair them... I, Luo Qi, would like to test your skills."
Lin Hao remained silent, willing to accept the challenge if this person wanted to fight.
"If you can withstand my three moves, I will voluntarily withdraw from the distribution of the Ghost-Faced Red Lion." Luo Qiâs lips curled up in a confident smile.
"Come over." Lin Hao beckoned to Luo Qi with his finger.
Seeing this, Luo Qi was unconcerned, as he didnât take Lin Hao seriously at all.
Clang!
A clear sound rang out as the long sword was drawn, its sharpness revealed.
Luo Qi took a step forward, seemingly unhurried, but in the blink of an eye, he was already in front of Lin Hao.
Luo Qiâs strength was indeed remarkable, having reached the fifth level of the Spirit Body realm, and his body technique was nearly perfect, with few flaws.
"Luoâs sword technique is called 'Sword to the Sky.' Are you ready for the first move?" Luo Qi raised his long sword, the sword light flashing, covering several meters.
Lin Hao exerted force with his feet, his figure moving gracefully, and the Green Light Sword was already in his hand.
The sound of metal clashing echoed around as Lin Hao retreated quickly.
"Good... You can see the flaw in my sword. Itâs no wonder you defeated Luo Peng so quickly." Luo Qi nodded, "My second move is called 'Sword of All Evil'!"
As he spoke, Luo Qi leaped up, his sword breaking through the air, leaving a trail of afterimages. This move was even more powerful than the previous one, justifying his confidence in defeating Lin Hao in three moves.
Lin Hao hadnât practiced any sword techniques, but he relied on his strong foundation and keen eye to fight. With the Spirit Body, he had no disadvantage even without practicing sword techniques.
The sword cut horizontally, a visible light flashing like a sword beam. The two swords, like dragons, intertwined and then separated.
"Two moves... Lin Hao actually withstood two of Luo Qiâs moves!" A ponytailed girl from the Lin family, with a sweet face, was shocked and surprised. If she were in Lin Haoâs place, she wouldnât have been able to withstand even one move from Luo Qi.
The Luo family disciples, however, remained calm, confident in Luo Qi. Even if Lin Hao could withstand the second move, he would certainly be defeated by the third move, which was inevitable!
"Very good... You can see the flaw in my sword technique... You are indeed good. The third move, 'Ninety-Eight Cuts,' watch carefully!" As he spoke, Luo Qiâs aura changed dramatically, fierce and sharp like a sword.
Swish!
The sword moved like a ribbon, cutting through the air with nine strikes, the terrifying sword light roaring like thunder.
Seeing this, Lin Haoâs expression turned serious, and he took half a step back. Luo Qiâs third move was a powerful killing technique with almost no flaws!
Swish!
Another sound of breaking air came as Luo Qiâs sword momentum didnât fade, and he struck again with eighteen more cuts, forming a terrifying sword beam.
The sword beam perfectly blocked Luo Qi, protecting him from all angles, while the eighteen cuts formed a beam that shattered rocks and trees, heading toward Lin Hao.
The sword wind stirred fallen flowers and leaves, cold and merciless, an extreme cold.
This move even made Lin Xinâs expression change. Luo Qiâs 'Ninety-Eight Cuts' was at the peak of perfection, and even she couldnât match it, let alone find a way to counter it.
Lin Haoâs eyes moved rapidly, and his body followed, exerting force with his feet, moving like a fierce beast, seemingly trying to avoid the sword beam.
The speed of the sword beam and Lin Haoâs speed soon synchronized. In Lin Haoâs eyes, the sword beam was like a barrier, no longer as difficult to catch as before.
Soon, Lin Hao found a flaw in the sword beam and, without hesitation, thrust the Green Light Sword forward.
Swoosh! The sword moved like a shadow, with a cold light flashing, making it hard to see where the sword was.
When the Green Light Sword struck the sword beam, a faint strange sound was heard, and the sword beam shattered like a mirror, disappearing.
At the same time, Lin Hao advanced instead of retreating, rushing toward the sword barrier, the Green Light Sword cutting through it easily. When Luo Qi regained his senses and raised his sword to attack, he suddenly felt a chill on his neck...
"I... I lost?" Luo Qiâs pupils contracted, finding it hard to accept his defeat, but Lin Haoâs Green Light Sword was already at his throat, and a small movement could end his life.
"What do you think?" Lin Hao stared at Luo Qi, expressionless.
"Fine... Lin Hao, I underestimated you... Your strength is enough to rank among the elite of the outer sect..." Luo Qi laughed bitterly, lowering his raised sword.
Seeing this, Lin Hao also moved the Green Light Sword away from Luo Qiâs neck. Although he had no good feelings toward the Luo family, he knew the difference between right and wrong. Luo Yanâer was one thing, and these disciples hadnât wronged him, so he wouldnât kill recklessly.
"Luo Qi... lost..." Lin Wu was stunned. The Lin Hao ranked in the nineties on the outer sect list had actually defeated Luo Qi, ranked twentieth in the Luo familyâs outer sect, making it seem like a dream, unreal.
Lin Xinâs eyes also showed a hint of surprise. Thinking about it, Lin Haoâs previous words werenât baseless. If she hadnât appeared to stop Luo Peng three days ago, Luo Peng would have been humiliated severely by Lin Hao...
"Iâm taking the Ghost-Faced Red Lion. Do you have anything to say?" Lin Hao lifted the Ghost-Faced Red Lion and asked Luo Qi.
"I, Luo, keep my word. Take it." Luo Qi said.
Lin Hao nodded and then looked at Lin Xin and the others, "The Ghost-Faced Red Lion was severely injured by me, so itâs only right that I distribute the benefits. Iâll take seventy percent, and you can have thirty. Is that acceptable?"
"Alright..." Lin Wu agreed. It was better than getting nothing, and they would still receive several thousand silver taels, making their efforts worthwhile.
"Goodbye." Lin Hao dragged the Ghost-Faced Red Lion and walked away.
"Lin Hao! Donât be so arrogant! The Luo family has many strong warriors, what are you?" Luo Peng was filled with anger, unable to hold it in.
However, Lin Hao didnât even turn his head and quickly disappeared from everyoneâs sight.
Finding a safe place, Lin Hao hid the Ghost-Faced Red Lion and left the Tianrang Mountains with a large bag of beast materials.