C25 Exterminate Steward Su

Recently, the hot topic among the martial artists and alchemists of Qingyang City has been the upcoming recruitment event by Danwu Academy and Sword King Pavilion, set to take place in just three days.

Danwu Academy is the premier institution of the Lan Yun Empire, with a clear hierarchy consisting of the outer, inner, and Holy School courtyards, each catering to students based on their innate talent and level of cultivation.

This time around, Danwu Academy's recruitment drive in Qingyang City is making waves, as they plan to admit three new students into their outer courtyard—a number unprecedented in previous years. This has sparked great excitement among the city's alchemists, all eager to seize the opportunity to join the academy's ranks.

Sword King Pavilion, while not as large a sect, boasting fewer than a hundred students, commands immense respect throughout the Lan Yun Empire. No force dares to challenge the Pavilion, as its members, from the Pavilion Master down to the newest recruits, are renowned for their formidable strength.

Over the past decade, Sword King Pavilion has only opened its doors to one student—Zhang Tianwen, once hailed as the capital's foremost prodigy. It's worth noting that Zhang Tianwen was courted by many, including Danwu Academy and even the Imperial Family, which promised him the hand of a beautiful princess and a transformative place within the royal lineage, should he pledge his loyalty.

Nevertheless, Zhang Tianwen declined all offers, opting instead to join Sword King Pavilion. This decision alone speaks volumes about the Pavilion's esteemed reputation, and subsequent events have indeed validated Zhang Tianwen's choice. When he first joined, he was merely at the early stages of the Martial Essence Stage. Now, Zhang Tianwen dominates the Martial Essence rankings of the Lan Yun Empire, standing as the mightiest below the Genuine Martial Stage.

Thus, the simultaneous recruitment by both Danwu Academy and Sword King Pavilion is a cause for celebration in Qingyang City. Many martial artists are feeling their passions ignited, particularly the swordsmen among them, who are brimming with anticipation and determination to earn a place within Sword King Pavilion. Those lacking martial arts talent, on the other hand, have set their sights on Danwu Academy, hoping to find their path there.

Su Ling had been immersed in the cultivation of his Soul Force attack technique for a full two days and nights without once stepping foot outside his room. Driven by an intense desire for power, he would pursue any means to grow stronger with unwavering focus, never giving up until he achieved his goal.

"Mirror Flower, Water Moon!"

In an instant, Su Ling's eyes snapped open, the whites marred by a web of fatigue-induced blood vessels. With a sudden jolt of his right hand, a tremor ran through his soul, and an illusion shimmered into existence in the air before him. It was an image so convincing that it blurred the lines between reality and mirage, but after a mere three seconds, it vanished without a trace.

"At last, I've mastered it! It's just unfortunate that with my current Soul Force at the Peak of Second Grade, I can only sustain the Mirror Flower, Water Moon illusion for a fleeting three seconds. Had it been my previous life, with the Soul Force of my Peak of Ninth Grade, I could have easily maintained it for a full minute. Even the mightiest of foes would be ensnared in the illusion," he mused with a heavy sigh, acutely aware of the critical role Soul Force played, especially for an alchemist like himself.

"I've practiced the first form of the Profound Heaven Sword Art, 'Dark Desolate,' and the first palm strike of the Blood Refinement Art, 'Mirror Flower, Water Moon.' Both techniques are among the pinnacle of cultivation arts in this era. Though I've only reached the initial stages, with my strength at the Sixth Level of Body Refinement Stage, I'm confident I wouldn't easily fall to an opponent at the ninth level."

Having assessed his capabilities, Su Ling rose to his feet and pondered, "I've been secluded in training for two days and nights. What could be happening outside now?"

Just as Su Ling was about to step out, a figure in a grey robe rushed in, colliding with him.

"Thud!"

The sudden impact sent Steward Su stumbling backward three steps before he regained his balance.

Su Ling, on the other hand, stood unflinching, his gaze icy as he fixed it on Steward Su, his voice detached, "What's the rush? Is there something you need from me?"

"You good-for-nothing! You nearly shattered my bones just now. What are you made of, stone? How can your body be so damn hard!"

Steward Su was seething with rage after nearly being knocked to the ground. His face twisted into a snarl as he fixed a venomous glare on Su Ling and barked at him.

"Hmm?"

At the sound of the rebuke, a chill swept over Su Ling's eyes, and a flicker of annoyance crossed his face. He locked eyes with Steward Su and began to approach him.

As they faced off, Steward Su realized the change in Su Ling was more profound than he had anticipated. He had been merely shocked when Su Ling had crafted a first-grade Spirit Concentrating Pill, but now, a sense of dread towards Su Ling crept in.

"Bastard! Trash! What do you think you're doing? Take one more step towards me, and I'll cripple you," Steward Su blurted out, his voice tinged with a sudden fear. The aura emanating from Su Ling sent him into a frenzy of panic.

"Cripple you? Heh, I was thinking the same thing. You conspired with the Zhang Family to poison me, an act deserving of death! Let's settle that score right now," Su Ling retorted, his eyes glinting with lethal intent. He struck with lightning speed, his palm technique aimed straight at Steward Su.

Caught off guard by Su Ling's bold move, Steward Su froze in shock, then erupted in fury, bellowing, "A mere fourth level of body refinement trash! If not for the respect due to your father, I would have disposed of you long ago! Since you're so clueless, you can forget about..."

But Steward Su's rant was cut short.

With a thunderous cry, Su Ling roared, "Die!"

In the blink of an eye, Su Ling's palm had connected with Steward Su's head, and a fearsome Mystical Qi burst forth from Su Ling's Sea of Qi. Steward Su was rendered unconscious, collapsing to the ground, utterly defenseless.

Blood gushed from Steward Su's mouth as he lay there, lifeless, his end as tragic as it was swift.

With Steward Su dispatched by a single palm strike, Su Ling's gaze was icy and detached. He considered the likes of Steward Su beneath his notice.

Stepping outside had brought an unpleasant encounter, but it did nothing to dampen Su Ling's spirits. Leaving the room behind, he departed from the Su Family and made his way to the renowned Martial Arts Training Field in Qingyang City.

The Martial Arts Training Field in Qingyang City serves as a dedicated space for Cultivating Warriors to hone their skills. Additionally, those interested in testing their mettle can engage in sparring matches here. Should both parties agree to a Life and Death Contract, they are permitted to duel to the end on these grounds without interference.

Consequently, the area around the Martial Arts Training Field is often crowded with spectators, even on ordinary days.

Su Ling had been deliberately concealing his true martial arts prowess, maintaining the appearance of his former self – the same fourth-level body refining nobody.