375: Chapter 374 Killing Lin Hao

Outside the Lin Mansion.

Lin Hao stood by the stone steps in front of the mansion gate with a blank expression, his eyes hollow.

He couldn't understand why he, the dignified Young Lord of the Lin family, would actually be kicked out by his own people.

One had to know that when his father was around, his word was law within the Lin family.

“Tread, tread, tread...” At that moment, a series of hurried footsteps approached.

“Brother Lin, long time no see.” Hu Nan's voice drifted over from not far away.

Lin Hao's entire body stiffened as if struck by a thunderbolt. He subconsciously raised his head, his hollow gaze gradually focusing. When he saw that the person approaching was Hu Nan, the daze on his face was instantly replaced by extreme terror. His body trembled violently, and he took several steps back, nearly falling to the ground.

“Hu... Hu Nan?” His voice was hoarse, trembling with disbelief, his eyes filled with fear and panic.

How could he forget Hu Nan?

This was the person who had defeated him at the Grand Competition years ago, causing him to lose all face—the person his father hated to the bone and wanted to slay at all costs!

The grudge between them had long since seeped into their marrow. Now that his father was dead, he had been expelled from the Lin family, and he was alone without any support, Hu Nan's appearance at this time was undoubtedly adding insult to injury.

Lin Hao never expected Hu Nan to come so quickly.

He had only just been kicked out of the Lin family and hadn't even had a chance to catch his breath before Hu Nan found him.

He knew clearly that Hu Nan was a Golden Core Cultivator with profound cultivation, while he himself was merely a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with mediocre skills. Without his father's protection, he was simply no match for Hu Nan. Once caught by Hu Nan, he would certainly meet a miserable end.

The instinct for survival instantly took over. A flash of determination crossed Lin Hao's eyes, and without further hesitation, his figure blurred. He frantically circulated the remaining Spiritual Qi in his body and fled rapidly into the distance.

Hu Nan glanced at the fleeing Lin Hao and gave a gentle wave of his hand. A dazzling bolt of lightning fell from the sky.

“Aaaah—!” An incredibly shrill scream instantly pierced the clouds, then came to an abrupt halt.

The moment the lightning struck Lin Hao, the dazzling electric light surged, completely swallowing his body. Under the power of the thunderbolt, his body rapidly dissolved without leaving a trace, leaving only a faint scent of burning that dissipated into the air.

Far away in the small courtyard, Qin Changsheng also withdrew his Divine Sense.

Qin Changsheng felt no burden at all regarding the slaying of Lin Hao.

Years ago, if it weren't for the treasure Lin Zhentian had given Lin Hao, he would have slain him long ago.

...

Heavenly Sword Sect Square.

At this moment, a great many Cultivators were gathered on the Heavenly Sword Sect square.

The faces of these Cultivators were filled with anticipation and curiosity.

Because today was the day of the match between Shen Shuying and Fairy Qingling.

Both were female Cultivators of great renown in the Immortal Realm. Shen Shuying, as the Tower Lord of Qingyun Tower, possessed profound cultivation and extraordinary talent. Her Saber Technique was superb, and she was deeply respected by the Sect's Disciples.

Fairy Qingling possessed an otherworldly temperament and deep foundations; furthermore, she was the Junior Sister of Sect Leader Xuanyangzi, and everyone knew of her formidable strength.

The sight of two great fairies competing on the same stage was a grand event enough to draw the eyes of the entire Immortal Realm. Moreover, this match was no ordinary sparring session; there seemed to be unknown reasons hidden behind it, which made the crowd even more curious. Discussions rose and fell, echoing across the square.

“Tell me, Tower Master Shen and Fairy Qingling have no grievances, so why would they suddenly have a match?”

“You guys don't know? I heard that this match is all because of Qingyun Tower!”

“How does it have to do with Qingyun Tower?”

“I heard Fairy Qingling took a fancy to Qingyun Tower and wanted to buy it, but Shen Shuying wouldn't let her. In the end, the two decided to settle it with a match!”

“If Tower Master Shen wins, Fairy Qingling will compensate her with ten million High-Grade Spirit Stones!”

“If Fairy Qingling wins, that Qingyun Tower will belong to her!”

These words exploded in the crowd like a thunderclap, instantly causing a massive stir.

Everyone gasped, their faces filled with disbelief.

In the crowd, Qin Changsheng also knew why Fairy Qingling wanted Qingyun Tower.

Because Qingyun Tower was very discreet, making it very suitable for the Yao Race to communicate.

With Qingyun Tower, it would be much more convenient for Fairy Qingling and Shen Bing to stay in contact.

“I think Tower Master Shen will definitely win this match! I heard she obtained an earth grade high-rank long saber!”

“Hmph, what you're saying isn't right!”

“Fairy Qingling recently obtained a Low Grade Heaven-Grade defensive inner armor! How rare are heaven-grade magical tools? Their defensive capabilities are incredibly powerful. Even if Tower Master Shen's Saber Technique is sharp, she might not be able to break through Fairy Qingling's defense.”

“In my view, Fairy Qingling will definitely win this match, and Qingyun Tower will eventually belong to her!”

Listening to the crowd's discussions, Qin Changsheng's eyes were full of a strange look.

Because that Low Grade Heaven-Grade defensive inner armor was something he had Copy with a Golden Trait.

This Low Grade Heaven-Grade defensive inner armor would only last for three days.

Today was also the time when the Low Grade Heaven-Grade defensive inner armor would disappear.

As long as this Low Grade Heaven-Grade defensive inner armor disappeared, it would be very easy for Shen Shuying to win.

Fifteen minutes later, two figures darted out from both sides of the square at the same time. Their movements were as light as swallows, their clothes fluttering, looking like Nine Heavens fairies descending to earth, instantly attracting the gaze of everyone present.

On the left, Fairy Qingling wore a purple Fairy dress, her temperament otherworldly, her eyes gentle, and her body surrounded by a faint Spiritual Qi.

On the right, Shen Shuying was in crimson martial attire, her posture upright, her eyes sharp, holding an all-red long saber, her entire Aura sharp and fierce.

With a flash of their figures, the two landed steadily in the center of the competition stage, looking at each other with calm eyes. Without any unnecessary words, an invisible state of confrontation had already formed.

Below the stage, thunderous cheers and shouts instantly erupted, one after another, deafening to the ears.

Many Cultivators also cheered for Fairy Qingling and Shen Shuying.

With the arrival of Fairy Qingling and Shen Shuying, the Sect Head of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Sect Leader Xuanyangzi, also arrived.

He stepped onto the stage and first announced the rules of the match, as well as the rewards.

Finally, he announced the start of the match.

As Sect Leader Xuanyangzi's voice fell, Shen Shuying did not hesitate. With a movement of her body, the Spiritual Qi in her body circulated wildly. The earth grade high-rank long saber in her hand instantly erupted with a dazzling red light. Fine spiritual runes were carved on the blade, emitting a boundless offensive power.

Spiritual light flashed beneath her feet, and her figure rushed toward Fairy Qingling like a ghost. Her Speed was as fast as lightning, and she held the long saber high, bringing with it a world-destroying Aura as she slashed down fiercely at Fairy Qingling.

“What fast Speed! What a sharp attack!”

“This time Fairy Shen must win!”

“This is the Heaven and Earth Saber Technique that Fairy Shen has Cultivate for many years!”

The crowd below cried out in surprise, their eyes fixed on the competition stage, their faces full of shock.

Shen Shuying's Saber Technique was indeed well-deserved of its reputation—fast, accurate, and ruthless. Every move and every form carried sharp Saber Qi. She brought the power of the earth grade high-rank long saber to its peak, the wind of the blade howling, causing the air around the stage to tremble slightly.

Facing Shen Shuying's sharp attack, Fairy Qingling remained calm, without the slightest panic.

She slightly raised her eyes, looking at the incoming long saber. The Spiritual Qi in her body quietly circulated, and a faint layer of shimmering white light instantly rose around her.

It was precisely that Low Grade Heaven-Grade defensive inner armor being activated. The shimmering white light was like an invisible barrier, firmly enveloping her within, emitting a boundless defensive Aura.

“Clang—!” A crisp and piercing sound of metal clashing instantly echoed throughout the square.

Shen Shuying's long saber slashed fiercely against the shimmering white light around Fairy Qingling. Dazzling sparks flew in all directions, and the long saber was bounced back slightly. Shen Shuying's figure swayed, and she subconsciously took two steps back, her arm slightly numb, a flash of surprise in her eyes.

She never expected that her full-strength strike would not even break through Fairy Qingling's defense in the slightest.

One had to know that the earth grade high-rank long saber in her hand was incredibly sharp. Ordinary defensive Magical Artifacts could not withstand a single blow from her, yet the inner armor on Fairy Qingling was actually so formidable.

“How is it possible? Fairy Shen's full-strength strike actually couldn't break through Fairy Qingling's defense?”

“That's an earth grade high-rank long saber; its power is so formidable, yet it didn't even leave a single mark!”

“What Fairy Qingling is wearing is a Low Grade heaven-grade magical tool!”

“With a Low Grade heaven-grade magical tool, it will be very hard for Fairy Shen to break Fairy Qingling's defense!”

Fairy Qingling stood in place, her expression still calm, the shimmering white light around her completely undamaged. She looked at Shen Shuying and said in a flat tone, “Senior Sister Shen, your attack is not enough.”

A flash of stubborn resilience appeared in Shen Shuying's eyes. She took a deep breath, the Spiritual Qi in her body erupted again, and she raised her long saber once more. Streaks of sharp Saber Qi slashed toward Fairy Qingling, the saber shadows interlacing and dense, covering all of Fairy Qingling's paths of retreat.

But no matter how sharp her attacks were, no matter how exquisite her Saber Technique, every attack that landed on the shimmering white light around Fairy Qingling could only produce a crisp clashing sound, unable to break through that seemingly thin layer of defense.

Sect Leader Xuanyangzi sat on the high platform, calmly watching the two on the competition stage, a flash of envy in his eyes.

He had always wanted a top-tier inner armor.

However, despite searching for many years, he had gained nothing.

Now, seeing Fairy Qingling obtain such a powerful inner armor, how could he not be envious?

At the same time, Sect Leader Xuanyangzi also decided that after the match, he would have his Junior Sister, Fairy Qingling, make an introduction.

He also wanted to purchase a Low Grade Heaven-Grade defensive inner armor.

On the stage, the red light on Shen Shuying's earth grade high-rank long saber surged. Streaks of sharp Saber Qi poured toward Fairy Qingling like a rainstorm, the saber shadows interlacing with unstoppable force. Every move and form was executed with her full strength, bringing her cultivation and Saber Technique to their limit.

The wind of the blade howled, causing layers of white marks to appear on the bluestone floor of the competition stage. The boundless offensive power caused the crowd below to cry out repeatedly in surprise.

But Fairy Qingling, from beginning to end, only performed passive defense, never initiating a single attack.

She was surrounded by a faint shimmering white light. That Low Grade Heaven-Grade defensive inner armor was driven to its limit by Spiritual Qi, acting like an indestructible barrier that steadily blocked all of Shen Shuying's attacks.

No matter how sharp Shen Shuying's Saber Qi was, no matter how boundless the force of the long saber's strikes, they could only produce crisp clashing sounds upon hitting the shimmering white light, splashing with sparks without leaving even a single trace.

Fifteen minutes passed in the blink of an eye.

Shen Shuying was still attacking frantically, her forehead covered in beads of crystalline sweat, and the Spiritual Qi in her body was being heavily consumed.

Her Aura also became somewhat erratic, the Speed at which she swung the long saber gradually slowed down, and her strength was no longer as sharp as before.

But even so, she still did not give up. Her eyes were full of stubborn resilience as she raised her long saber again and again, slashing at Fairy Qingling, trying to break through that seemingly thin yet indestructible defense.

In contrast, Fairy Qingling still stood in place, her expression composed, her clothes fluttering, the shimmering white light around her completely undamaged, and not even a single strand of her hair was out of place.