C81 Yu Lao Appeared

Lin Tao flashed a grin. "What a shame. If my cultivation were merely at the ordinary Twelve-star Human Rank without a lower-grade Spiritual Tool for protection, you might have actually succeeded in killing me."

"However, as an Elder of the Lin family, I'm equipped with an upper-grade lower-grade Spiritual Tool gifted by my clan. Even if I were to clash with a typical Early Period Mystic Rank master, I wouldn't necessarily be defeated."

Lin Qingshan stared at Lin Tao with an unyielding gaze.

Despite the possibility of death looming over her, her heart brimmed with defiance, but she refused to let any sign of despair or weakness show before her enemy.

That would only bring joy to her foe.

...

Lin Tao lifted his lower-grade Spiritual Tool longsword, poised to strike.

"Skyfire Battle Body, condense!"

"Profound Flame Chain!"

Mortal fire gathered on the Profound Flame Chain, sending two crimson chains slicing through the air.

"What!"

Lin Tao was taken aback; he hadn't expected that kid to return.

With a cold snort, Lin Tao declared, "Even if he's back, he's as good as dead."

Lin Qingshan's face was a tapestry of emotions. She was moved, yet part of her wanted to give Han Feng a good kick. He had managed to escape, only to return. Was he that eager to court death?

...

Han Feng's True Qi cultivation was at the Early Period of Two-star Human Rank, but with the Skyfire Battle Body and the Medium-class mortal fire enhancing the Profound Flame Chain, his attack packed a punch that not even a typical Four-star Human Rank could easily withstand.

Sadly, Han Feng was up against a Twelve-star Human Rank expert.

"Shatter!"

Lin Tao's command caused the chains hurtling toward him to freeze in midair before they shattered as if blasted by an unseen force.

"Perish!" Lin Tao's voice was icy as he pointed a finger.

His True Qi surged and shot toward Han Feng.

Han Feng spat blood as he was sent flying backward.

The Skyfire Battle Body's effect vanished instantly, and Han Feng reverted to his normal stature.

Bloodied but unbowed, Han Feng roared, "Sister Lin, now's your chance!"

"Purple Dragon Thunder Roar!"

Indeed, Lin Qingshan seized the opening provided by Han Feng, and the purple dragon bellowed forth once more.

"Damn!" Lin Tao sensed trouble and quickly activated the lower-grade spiritual tool in his grasp.

"Sky Fire Cloud Slash!"

But in his haste, he failed to unleash the full might of the Sky Fire Cloud Slash.

Consequently, in the clash of scarlet and purple light, the scarlet was overpowered.

Weakened, the purple dragon diminished to less than a third of its peak strength and slammed into Lin Tao.

Lin Tao was sent crashing against a mountain wall.

The shockwaves persisted, and this time, Han Feng, being nearer to the fray and already wounded, passed out on the spot.

...

"Brother!"

Lin Qingshan, terrified, rushed to Han Feng's side. Upon discovering he had merely lost consciousness, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, her cheeks flushed.

Transformed by the Skyfire Battle Body, Han Feng's clothes had been ripped to shreds, leaving him bare before Lin Qingshan.

Even his private parts were on display.

Lin Qingshan stole a curious glance and whispered, "So this organ is just developing. He claimed to be such a 'big' man before!"

"Hehe, though it is quite adorable."

Unconscious, Han Feng was oblivious to Lin Qingshan's commentary. Had he heard, he would have been infuriated with embarrassment.

As a man, Han Feng naturally wished for his private parts to be admired by women.

...

"Damn you, you all deserve to die!"

An enraged bellow erupted. Lin Qingshan's face shifted, and she quickly stood up. "You're actually unharmed!"

She stared at Lin Tao, incredulous.

Lin Tao shed his shattered garments to reveal the soft armor beneath.

Lin Qingshan clenched her teeth. "Lower-grade defensive spiritual tool armor!"

Like martial skills, among items of the same class, defensive spiritual tools are valued higher than offensive ones.

Lin Tao felt the soft armor and then tore it off. "Even lower-grade spiritual tool armor is rubbish, but it did its job, sparing me from a serious injury."

Similar to spirit stones, lower-grade spiritual tools are merely the dregs of their tier.

Just as with lower-grade spirit stones, unless one is truly 'poor', martial cultivators seldom resort to using such low-quality stones for cultivation due to their minimal impact on enhancing abilities.

...

Lin Qingshan's face tensed with concern. Thanks to the soft armor's protection, Lin Tao had only sustained minor injuries, leaving his combat strength largely intact.

She positioned herself protectively in front of the unconscious Han Feng, who was now vulnerable to the dangers of the ongoing battle and at risk of losing his life.

Lin Tao sneered with malice, "This kid's got guts. A mere two-star Human Rank meddling in my fight. Once I'm done with you, I won't let him off easily."

Lin Tao's fists tightened, emitting a series of crackling noises, signaling the depth of his rage.

Lin Qingshan remained on high alert.

"Hmph, the Lin family has the audacity to harm my young master. You're the ones taking a bold risk!"

Amidst the standoff between Lin Tao and Lin Qingshan, thunderous noises erupted from every direction, shaking the earth.

"Who's there?"

Lin Tao was startled. The voice alone caused the ground to tremble, indicating that the newcomer's strength far exceeded the Human Rank. Not even a typical Mystic Rank master could wield such power.

What kind of formidable figure would appear so unexpectedly?

Hold on...

Lin Tao's eyes bulged. The 'young master' mentioned—could it be...

His gaze shifted to the prone figure of Han Feng, and he instinctively stepped back, his forehead beading with cold sweat. "It can't be."

All of Lin Tao's anger had been replaced by a surge of fear and shock.

Lin Qingshan, equally taken aback, cast a puzzled look at Han Feng. Wasn't he from the Han family, which supposedly had no one beyond the Human Rank?

This thought only added to her anxiety. Was the voice's owner attempting to deceive her?

"Little girl, your caution is commendable."

A voice of approval rang out as a shadowy figure materialized beside Lin Qingshan.

She instinctively retreated, her face etched with apprehension.

"It's terrifying. I had no idea when this old man approached me. Not even an ordinary Mystic Rank expert could manage that. Could he be in the late stages of the Mystic Rank? Or at its peak? Or perhaps even beyond..."

The more Lin Qingshan dwelled on it, the tighter the knot of anxiety grew in her chest.

The elder chuckled, his fingers combing through his beard. "My dear, no need for such worry. I'm actually here to express my gratitude for the kindness you've shown to the young master."

"Senior, what should I call you?" Lin Qingshan, sensing no malice from the old man, let her guard down a notch, though she still didn't fully trust him. Given his superior strength, she inquired with due respect.

"The young master refers to me as Yu Lao, and since he addresses you as sister, you may call me Yu Lao too," Yu Lao replied, his eyes crinkling with a warm smile.