102: Chapter 102 Illusory Image

"If you're smart, you'll obediently hand over all the treasures on your person, as well as the one thousand Spirit Stones this Young Master just gave you! Perhaps if this Young Master is in a good mood, I might give you a quick end so you don't die too painfully!"

"If you dare to hesitate for half a second, or if you dare to hide even a shred..."

"Then this Young Master will let you know the meaning of a fate worse than death!"

Lin Hao's face was filled with smugness and arrogance. He was already certain that this small fry at Qi Refining Stage 6 would surely be scared witless by his threats and would obediently hand over everything, leaving himself at Lin Hao's mercy.

He didn't notice in the slightest that deep in the eyes of this seemingly panicked black-clad masked man, there was no longer any trace of fear.

Qin Changsheng, controlling Hu Nan, continued to maintain a panicked appearance. His shoulders trembled slightly, and his tone carried a hint of cowardice, as if he were at a loss from Lin Hao's threats, yet in his heart, he was already prepared for a counter-kill.

What he was waiting for was the moment Lin Hao completely relaxed his guard and reached the peak of his arrogance to deliver a fatal blow.

Although Qin Changsheng knew Lin Hao was no match for Hu Nan at all.

But this was the Sect, and Lin Zhentian was right inside the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Qin Changsheng had to deal with Lin Hao in the shortest time possible to seize the foundation condensing herb from him.

"I... I'll hand it over! I'll hand it all over! I beg Senior Brother to spare my dog life!" Hu Nan deliberately softened his voice, his tone full of pleading and fear, even carrying a hint of a sob, perfectly portraying the despair of a low-level Cultivator pushed to a dead end.

As his voice fell, he raised his hand and abruptly tore the black Storage Pouch from his waist. Without any hesitation, he threw it fiercely toward Lin Hao. His movements were frantic, as if he were terrified that if he were a step too slow, he would be struck down on the spot by Lin Hao.

"Whoosh—" The Storage Pouch drew an arc in the air and landed steadily in Lin Hao's hand.

That Storage Pouch was the very one Lin Hao had just given him.

Lin Hao raised his hand to catch the Storage Pouch. The smugness in his eyes instantly overflowed, and the corners of his mouth curled into a disdainful, cruel smile.

"At least you're sensible." Lin Hao's tone was arrogant and filled with heavy mockery. His gaze also shifted to the Storage Pouch, not looking at Hu Nan at all.

In his view, a small fry at Qi Refining Stage 6 wouldn't dare play any tricks. Moreover, the man was currently locked down by his Pressure, leaving him no room for resistance.

At the very moment Lin Hao was beside himself with glee and his mind was most relaxed, the aura of the previously "panicked" black-clad masked man suddenly changed!

That cowardice and panic vanished without a trace in an instant, replaced by a condensed and thick surge of spiritual energy that far exceeded Lin Hao's imagination!

Lin Hao's expression changed drastically, and his heart skipped a beat. An intense sense of crisis instantly surged into his mind. He instinctively wanted to retreat and defend himself, but it was all too late.

A cold light flashed in Hu Nan's eyes. His figure became like a ghost, turning into a black afterimage. The black wind sword in his hand, carrying bone-chilling cold and sharp Sword Qi, pointed directly at Lin Hao's throat. The angle was tricky, fast, accurate, and ruthless, without the slightest hesitation.

Lin Hao's pupils constricted, his face became as pale as paper, and his heart was filled with disbelief and fear.

He never would have imagined that this trash who seemed to be at Qi Refining Stage 6 was actually a master who had hidden his cultivation!

He instinctively tried to dodge to the side, but the sword was too fast and already close at hand; there was no time to completely avoid it.

In his desperation, Lin Hao could only exert all his strength to suddenly raise his only intact right hand, blocking it firmly in front of his throat!

"Puchi—" A crisp sound of a sharp blade entering flesh was exceptionally piercing on the silent path.

The black wind sword was incomparably sharp, and with Hu Nan's full power behind it, the force was staggering—not something Lin Hao's flesh and blood could withstand.

The longsword instantly pierced through Lin Hao's right hand. With a follow-through slash and a flash of cold light, Lin Hao's right hand was cleanly severed. Blood erupted like a fountain, staining his expensive Spirit-Silk Garments as well as the dirt and weeds beneath his feet.

"Ahhh—!!!" An extremely shrill scream erupted from Lin Hao's mouth, echoing through the sky, filled with ultimate pain and terror.

He felt a heart-wrenching pain from his right hand, and the strength in his body was instantly drained. The Storage Pouch in his hand fell to the ground with a thud, scattering Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills everywhere.

He staggered back a few steps, his legs giving way. No longer able to support his body, he fell heavily to the ground, his body twitching. Cold sweat instantly drenched his clothes, and his face was as pale as paper, devoid of all color.

Qin Changsheng lowered his head slightly, his gaze cold as he looked at the screaming and pathetic Lin Hao on the ground, without a shred of pity in his eyes.

Because Qin Changsheng understood that if he hadn't hidden his strength, he would have been the one killed by Lin Hao.

Lin Hao lay on the ground; his left arm was already empty, and his right hand had now been severed as well. With both hands gone, the intense pain nearly caused him to faint.

He raised his head and, through the gaps in the mask, stared fixedly at the black-clad masked man before him. His eyes were full of disbelief, fear, and monstrous hatred, yet they no longer held his former pride and arrogance.

He couldn't understand how his carefully planned ambush had turned into his own nightmare, and how the "trash" he had looked down upon had pushed him to such a desperate state.

Qin Changsheng glanced at Lin Hao on the ground and then controlled Hu Nan to walk toward him.

"Spare me..." Seeing Hu Nan approaching, Lin Hao also began to plead for his life.

Qin Changsheng knew why the haughty Lin Hao would beg for mercy.

Because he knew he was about to die.

Qin Changsheng controlled Hu Nan's body to slowly step forward. He raised the black wind sword once more, and sharp Sword Qi condensed at the tip. With a flash of cold light, it pointed straight at the center of Lin Hao's brow.

But just as the black wind sword was about to touch Lin Hao's brow, a sudden change occurred!

A dazzling golden light suddenly erupted from Lin Hao's chest. The light was brilliant, blinding anyone who looked at it. A majestic and vast surge of spiritual energy instantly swept across the entire path, forcefully blocking the sharp Sword Qi of the black wind sword.

"Clang—" A crisp sound of metal clashing rang out. The black wind sword was violently repelled by the golden light. Hu Nan's body instinctively took a step back, and a flash of imperceptible surprise crossed his eyes.

The golden light grew even more intense, like a golden barrier, firmly enveloping Lin Hao's body and isolating all danger. That majestic spiritual energy fluctuation carried the authority of one who had long held a high position, making people feel an involuntary sense of awe.

Qin Changsheng looked up and saw that within the golden light, a blurry Phantom was slowly condensing, gradually becoming clear.

The Phantom wore a deep purple Elder's Daoist Robe. His face was resolute, and his brow naturally carried an intimidating Pressure. His aura was condensed and heavy. It was none other than the Elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect and Lin Hao's father—Lin Zhentian!

Lin Zhentian's Phantom floated in mid-air, his gaze like torches as it slowly swept over the black-clad masked man below. A flash of sharp killing intent crossed his eyes, but he forcibly suppressed it.

He didn't act immediately. Instead, he first looked down at the dying Lin Hao. A trace of heartache and helplessness flashed in his eyes before he looked up again, his gaze falling on Hu Nan. His tone carried a hint of imperceptible endurance and courtesy.

"Fellow Daoist, please stay your hand." Lin Zhentian's voice was thick and majestic, echoing along the path.

"My son Lin Hao was arrogant and lacked manners. Offending you today was his own doing. I am here to apologize to you on behalf of my son. I hope you will be magnanimous and spare his life."

As his voice fell, Lin Zhentian's Phantom slightly cupped his hands, adopting a very low posture.

"You may take all the treasures and Spirit Stones on my son's person as my apology to you. I only ask that you show mercy and leave him with his life. He has already lost both hands and can no longer pose any threat to you. In the future, he will never dare to offend you again."

Meanwhile, Qin Changsheng, who was far away in his small courtyard in the Inner Sect of the Heavenly Sword Sect, clearly sensed the moment Lin Zhentian's Phantom appeared. Within the Sect, a majestic and thick Golden Core Stage spiritual energy fluctuation suddenly erupted, its aura sharp.

This aura was racing toward the direction of Qingyun Lake at an extremely high Speed.

Qin Changsheng understood clearly. Lin Zhentian's Phantom appearing to plead for mercy was not a sincere apology, nor was he truly willing to hand over the treasures; it was to stall for time.

Once Lin Zhentian arrived, he would absolutely be able to easily kill Hu Nan and save Lin Hao.