C12 The One Who Died Was You!

With a swift movement, Lin Tian materialized in the courtyard in an instant!

Yet, upon his arrival, he found the courtyard deserted, as though it were completely empty.

"So, this is a trap to lure me in for an assassination?" Lin Tian chuckled coldly, his gaze sweeping over the desolate pavilion nearby and the artificial forest within the courtyard. He could sense people lurking behind these objects.

"Very well, Zhang Zhong, if this is the game you've set up, I'm game."

With another chuckle, Lin Tian stepped forward, striding towards the room's entrance in the courtyard.

Suddenly, the sound of slicing wind filled the air!

Six silhouettes burst forth from behind the fake mountain, pavilion, and trees. As they emerged, their hands flicked, sending six long sabers slashing towards Lin Tian.

The sabers cut through the air with a screeching howl, clearly intent on dicing Lin Tian into mincemeat!

Yet, faced with this ferocious onslaught, Lin Tian merely grinned malevolently. As the sabers neared, his body abruptly contracted!

Crack!

The sound of bones contorting echoed as Lin Tian's form shrank dramatically, as though he had transformed into a toddler no more than three years old!

This sudden diminution caused the six sabers to swipe through empty air!

"What!"

"Back off!"

The six disciples behind the ambush shouted in shock, halting their advance and preparing to fall back.

But before they could retreat, Lin Tian's shrunken form vibrated violently, and in a flash, he reverted to his original size. Clenching his fists, he hammered away at the six disciples!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Dull thuds resounded as blood and brains sprayed wildly. Three of the disciples' heads exploded on impact, their bodies collapsing headless to the ground, while the remaining three had their chests blown open, their organs spilling out in a gruesome display.

In the blink of an eye, all six disciples who had ambushed Lin Tian lay dead!

With a menacing smile, Lin Tian stomped forward and forcefully kicked open the courtyard room's door.

The next moment, Lin Tian's gaze fell upon Zhang Zhong, his face a ghastly white within the confines of the room.

At that instant, disbelief was etched in Zhang Zhong's eyes as he stared at Lin Tian. It was clear to him that Lin Tian had made a breakthrough, ascending to Level Five as a Martial Apprentice!

And all this in just a few days!

"You..."

"Save it."

Before Zhang Zhong could utter another word, Lin Tian cut him off with a dismissive wave and a cold smirk, "Where are Zhao Hai and Kong Ling? Hand them over, and I'll grant you a swift end. But if you think you can threaten me and get away with it, think again. Your death won't be nearly as quick."

With a whoosh, Lin Tian exuded a chilling aura of murderous intent, causing Zhang Zhong to shudder, fear flickering in his eyes.

But Zhang Zhong's fear quickly twisted into a sneer as he retorted icily, "Lin Tian! What's with the arrogance? Do you honestly believe a bit of progress gives you the right to strut around me? I'm telling you now, that's not happening!"

Mid-sentence, Zhang Zhong backed away rapidly, disappearing into a deeper room in the blink of an eye.

Lin Tian's eyebrows lifted at the sight, while Zhang Zhong exhaled deeply, his tension seemingly easing. He challenged Lin Tian once more, "Looking for Zhao Hai and Kong Ling, are you? Well, come on then, they're right in here."

Lin Tian held his ground, his eyes fixed on the room.

After a brief pause, he let out a cold laugh, "I see. I was curious about the source of your newfound courage, Zhang Zhong. Turns out you've got backup. But if that's the case, why not come out and face me directly? What's with all the skulking around?"

Boom!

With that, Lin Tian launched a fierce punch towards the depths of the room!

Crackling and crashing sounds filled the air as Lin Tian's Inner Strength burst forth, tearing down the room's walls to reveal a bright, spacious living room.

Seated at the head of the room was a young man, clad in a pale yellow robe with a bright yellow jade pendant hanging from his waist. His presence was as solid and unyielding as a mountain.

Lin Tian's gaze shifted, landing on the jade pendant that adorned the young man's waist.

He could see it clearly—the jade pendant bore two words: Inner Sect!

This young man was a disciple of the Celestial Dragon Sect's Inner Sect!

"Second brother! That's Lin Tian!"

At that moment, Zhang Zhong addressed the youth seated at the head of the table, "That's the guy. He was nothing but trash not long ago, but he's made a shocking improvement these last few days!"

"Mhm." The youth nodded, his gaze settling on Lin Tian as he began to appraise him.

"Reaching Level Five Martial Apprentice at just fourteen isn't simple. I've heard from my brother that you were considered trash until recently. How did you manage such rapid progress in just a few days? Did you experience some kind of serendipitous event?"

The young man's words were delivered with a casual air, yet his demeanor remained utterly composed. Despite the secretive nature of his inquiry, it came across as something he felt entitled to know—as if no one could keep secrets from him.

Lin Tian, however, ignored him completely, his attention scanning the room until he spotted Zhao Hai and Kong Ling, bound tightly in the corner of the living room.

Both showed signs of injury, clearly having endured much suffering recently, but fortunately, their auras were stable, indicating their cultivation bases remained intact. This reassured Lin Tian considerably.

"Senior Brother Lin... Senior Brother Lin, get out of here!"

Suddenly, Zhao Hai's feeble voice broke through, "This man is Zhang Ye, the second son of the Zhang family. He's here to kill you!"

"Silence!"

Zhang Zhong barked, delivering a backhanded slap to Zhao Hai that split his lip and sent blood flying.

Witnessing this, a glint of icy resolve flashed in Lin Tian's eyes, and a chilling aura of murderous intent erupted from him, causing Zhang Zhong to freeze.

Zhang Ye, however, watched Lin Tian with a hint of amusement and nodded, "Impressive killing intent, and your strength is commendable. Now you've really piqued my curiosity. What exactly did you come across? Tell you what—if you share your story with me, I'll overlook the matter of you harming my brother, and all three of you will be left unharmed."

Lin Tian's lips twisted into a smirk as his eyes locked onto Zhang Ye.

"Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?"

Zhang Ye's face instantly tensed at the challenge.

Lin Tian's sneer deepened. "Let's just forget I even shared my lucky break with you. Do you seriously believe that as an Inner Sect disciple, you have any right to strut around me? You're clueless!"

Boom!

The words had barely left his mouth when an explosion echoed through the room—Lin Tian had landed a punch on Zhang Ye!

Rumble!

Rolling red flames burst forth from Lin Tian's fist, making the air in the room crackle and pop!

Witnessing this, Zhang Ye, who had been seated, sharply narrowed his eyes and leapt to his feet, ready to counterattack. But Lin Tian's punch was not only fueled by rage; it also harnessed the explosive force of his Flame Spirit Body. Zhang Ye was barely on his feet when Lin Tian's fist made a crushing impact against his chest.

Boom!

It was like a bolt of lightning had struck from the heavens, and the sound of Zhang Ye's bones shattering echoed through the room. He was sent flying, crashing hard against the wall!

"Ugh!"

Blood gushed from Zhang Ye's mouth and nose as he lay embedded in the wall, his energy severely drained.

"What the..."

Zhang Zhong's jaw dropped in horror at the sight, his eyes wide with fear and shock, utterly dumbfounded.

Meanwhile, Lin Tian cracked a vicious smile and launched another punch at Zhang Zhong, sending him soaring through the air to join his brother, embedded in the wall, his body fractured and blood streaming from every orifice.

"Ah!"

Amidst the screams, Lin Tian paid no heed. He moved swiftly to Kong Ling and Zhao Hai, who were bound. A flick of his finger and a surge of fiery power snapped their bonds, freeing them on the spot.

Zhao Hai and Kong Ling stared at Lin Tian, their shock palpable. They knew he had changed, grown stronger, but never had they imagined he would become this powerful!

"Look out! Mr. Lin, duck!"

In an instant, Zhao Hai bellowed, snatching Lin Tian's shoulder and yanking him down.

Simultaneously, the sound of air bursting echoed through the space. A sudden surge of scarlet flames erupted from behind Lin Tian, charging straight at him!

"Die!"

Zhang Ye's roar of fury filled the air as he, enveloped in a scarlet inferno, ferociously drove his palm towards Lin Tian's back.

"You're the one who's going to die!"

Lin Tian retorted with an icy shout. Shrugging off Zhao Hai's grip with a jolt of his shoulder, he spun around and countered with a palm strike of his own against Zhang Ye's.

Boom!

Their palms collided, sending shockwaves that cracked the living room walls and shattered the furniture into splinters. A fearsome inner strength raged through the room.

During this clash of powers, Lin Tian's body blazed with an unstoppable fiery force. Initially, his energy locked in a deadlock with Zhao Hai's, but in a burst of might, it propelled Zhao Hai backward, slamming him against the wall and forcing blood from his lips.

"How can this be!"

Zhang Ye's incredulous voice was barely above a whisper, his face a mask of disbelief. Lin Tian's power had left him astounded.

After all, he was at the pinnacle of Martial Apprentice Level Six, just a step away from ascending to the Martial Artist Stage. And yet, Lin Tian, a mere Level Five Martial Apprentice, had managed to overpower him completely.

How could he, a level above Lin Tian, be so utterly dominated? It was inconceivable!

"I must be dreaming!"

Zhang Ye's inner scream echoed in his mind as he stared at Lin Tian, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Spirit Body! He's awakened a Spirit Body! In just a few days, not only has he broken through to Level Five of Martial Apprentice, but he's also awakened a Spirit Body! There must be some colossal secret with this Lin Tian!" Zhang Zhong, now reduced to a bloodied figure, internally roared, his gaze on Lin Tian laced with horror.

"What's the matter? Is that all? Weren't you the one screaming for my death a moment ago? Why so silent now?"

Lin Tian's cold laughter rang out as he shook his body, and a crackling sound followed. His aura surged anew, rising with renewed vigor.