52: Chapter 52

52

Lin Zimo shouted urgently, the orb of light in his hand flickering unsteadily.

Although he didn't believe the opponent's attack could truly threaten him, it was enough to severely interfere with his spellcasting.

The strength of a Psionic lies in manipulating heaven and earth energy for long-range bombardment, but the cost is obvious: their bodies are relatively fragile, they are extremely poor at close-quarters combat, and they must avoid being interrupted while gathering powerful spells; otherwise, not only will their efforts be wasted, but they might also suffer energy backlash, with unimaginable consequences.

Hearing the shout, Kamo and the others immediately dropped everything and rushed in front of Lin Zimo, forcefully taking the brunt of Jiang Haojie's overwhelming offensive.

“Cough—”

Despite barely blocking the strike, several of them spat out blood simultaneously, each sustaining significant injuries.

“Dragon Soars Through Nine Heavens, Abyss Hidden in the Wild!”

...

“Azure Dragon Breaks Its Wings, Faith and Loyalty Never End!”

...

The sound of dragon roars vibrated repeatedly in the fifth-level underground space; the wounds on Kamo’s group grew more numerous, and their auras became increasingly frantic.

But since Lin Zimo’s technique wasn't complete, they didn't dare retreat even half a step, only able to grit their teeth and continue enduring Jiang Haojie's assault.

“Frost and Snow Cover the Path, Cold Pierces the Bone!”

...

“Dragon Tail Sweeps the Six Realms!”

Boom—

The final form struck with the weight of a thousand tons; Kamo and the others finally couldn't hold on, sent flying back like kites with broken strings, crashing heavily to the ground, unable to rise for a moment.

Jiang Haojie's condition was also not optimistic.

Although he had successfully executed the complete Dragon Subduing Palm Technique, as his martial arts realm broke through to the intermediate level, the internal force consumed by each form also multiplied.

At this moment, his sea of Qi was churning and his meridians were burning with pain, making him feel as exhausted as when he first learned this technique years ago.

He quickly took out two bottles of medicinal liquid from his robe—one for Qi recovery and one for healing—and downed them both.

As the medicinal power dissolved, his dantian finally regained a bit of warmth.

Just then, Lin Zimo’s long-prepared killing move finally took shape.

With a forward thrust of his palm, a green orb of light as large as a watermelon suddenly shot out, heading straight for Jiang Haojie’s face.

Before the orb even arrived, a piercing sense of crisis pricked Jiang Haojie’s heart like fine needles.

He couldn't take it head-on!

Intuition told him that if he used Shifting Stars to forcibly neutralize this move, he would definitely be severely wounded.

In a flash, Jiang Haojie’s body abruptly veered to the side.

The green orb of light seemed to have eyes, however, carving an arc in mid-air as it chased him relentlessly.

Jiang Haojie pushed his Lingbo Microsteps to the limit, leaving several afterimages in the basement, yet he still couldn't shake off the shadow-like orb.

It seemed only one last attempt remained.

Steeling his heart, he pushed the Shifting Stars mental method to its peak, while his arms traced circles as the Taiji starting stance quietly unfolded.

Shifting Stars could reflect external force, while Taiji could use softness to overcome hardness and borrow strength to strike back—if he could first use Taiji to shed seventy percent of the orb's power and then use Shifting Stars to return it, there might be a slim chance of survival.

Though the plan was clever, its success was unpredictable.

If he failed, the consequences would be dire.

But the orb had already caught up to his back, and there was no more room to maneuver in this enclosed space.

Rather than being hit passively, it was better to gamble his life on a fight.

Bang!

The green orb of light slammed heavily into Jiang Haojie’s chest.

He retreated several steps, a metallic taste rising in his throat, but he didn't dare stop his hands for a second.

His palms encircled the orb like swimming dragons, the soft power of Taiji unfolding continuously, drawing that violent energy bit by bit into a void-like arc.

Jiang Haojie retreated more than a dozen steps before barely stabilizing himself. Using the soft power of Taiji, he finally managed to completely neutralize the violent energy contained within the green orb.

“Back to you!”

With a flick of his wrist, he used the borrowed momentum to hurl the orb back at Lin Zimo.

Lin Zimo hastily dodged to the side.

Jiang Haojie didn't follow up with an attack; instead, he seized the opening and turned to rush toward the elevator.

If he forced an attack now, he might truly have a chance to finish the opponent, but the risk was too great—if he failed, he would have to face the full fury of a Fifth-Order Awakened.

That was a price he couldn't afford.

To be safe, retreating was the best option.

Boom!

The green orb wasn't Jiang Haojie's to begin with; though reflected, it spun out of control and slammed into the wall.

The thick concrete wall instantly exploded into a crater nearly a meter in diameter, with cracks spreading outward like a spiderweb.

By the time Lin Zimo regained his senses, the elevator doors were slowly closing. Jiang Haojie stood inside, giving him a slight wave.

Bastard!

Watching the closing elevator doors, fury surged in Lin Zimo’s chest.

Even with him personally taking action, he still let the fellow escape.

“A bunch of useless trash!”

He glanced at the heavily injured Kamo and the others, so angry that he kicked over a nearby chair.

With so many people, they couldn't even take down a single Second-Order Awakener; it would be a massive joke if word got out.

Kamo and Bai Wenluo looked bitter—they had warned Lin Zimo long ago that X was no easy target, but he wouldn't listen.

Now that the capture had failed, the responsibility was being pinned on them.

Bai Wenluo felt particularly stifled; not only had the mission failed, but even his partner had been dragged into it, making the losses immeasurable.

***

“Mr. X, are you alright?”

When Liu Jinglong arrived with his men and saw Jiang Haojie’s slightly disheveled clothes, he immediately stepped forward to ask.

Jiang Haojie shook his head: “I’m fine.”

He briefly explained the situation.

Liu Jinglong and the people behind him were secretly shocked—escaping from the pursuit of a Fifth-Order Awakened and coming out virtually unscathed, what Second-Order Awakener in this world could achieve such a feat?

“Next, we...”

Jiang Haojie looked back at the silhouette of Zuixin Tower: “President Liu, if we could capture the people inside, what would happen?”

“That depends on who they are handed over to.

If they are sent to the Guard Department, there's a high probability they'll be bailed out within two days.”

Liu Jinglong paused, “If they are detained privately, the Black Dragon Society will never let it rest.”

He looked at Jiang Haojie: “You aren't planning to...”

Jiang Haojie didn't answer directly, instead asking: “President Liu, at this stage, wouldn't you say the conflict between us and the Black Dragon Society is a fight to the death?”

Without waiting for Liu Jinglong to speak, he continued.

“Even if I choose to stop, they won't let me go. Sooner or later, they will use the people around me as leverage.”

“This is a threat that must be dealt with.”

Jiang Haojie turned his gaze to Liu Jinglong: “President Liu, I need your help with something.”

Liu Jinglong shook his head with a bitter smile: “Mr. X, you should think this through. The implications behind this are not simple.”

He had already guessed X's intention.

To be honest, if the person before him weren't X, he would never agree, and might even directly hand the person over to the Guard Department.

After all, what they were about to do would likely walk the edge of the law.

Although it was now an era of universal awakening where strength was respected, laws still existed and were even stricter than three hundred years ago—especially to restrain those Awakened who forgot themselves after gaining power.

But facing X, Liu Jinglong felt that some rules could perhaps be bent a little.

Besides, X hadn't truly crossed the bottom line yet.

“Don't worry, I know what I'm doing.

Besides, don't you want to know more about the inner workings of the Black Dragon Society?”

The corners of Jiang Haojie’s mouth curled slightly.

Having said that, he turned and stepped back into Zuixin Tower.

Seeing this, Liu Jinglong had no choice but to lead his men and follow.

Jiang Haojie stopped in front of the elevator deep in the lobby. Before he could even raise his hand, the elevator began to move on its own.

When the doors opened, Lin Zimo and his group walked out. Seeing Jiang Haojie and the others standing outside, they were all stunned.

No one expected the opponent would actually return.

“We meet again.”

Jiang Haojie’s tone was relaxed; no one could see the smile under his mask.

Lin Zimo’s face darkened. His gaze swept over Liu Jinglong and the others behind Jiang Haojie, then glanced at his own battered companions, his voice tense: “What do you want?”

If it were only X, he wouldn't be afraid, but with Liu Jinglong and his group added, the situation had completely tilted.

“Just to chat for a bit.”

Jiang Haojie gave him a look.

Lin Zimo understood and silently led his people back into the elevator.

“Go down and wait for me.”

Despite the irritation in his heart, Lin Zimo could only press the button. The elevator doors closed slowly, descending to the fifth underground floor.

***

“This time we really lost everything.”

Bai Wenluo leaned against the ropes of the arena, struggling to prop himself up.

Xu Jing stood up shakily: “Lin Zimo has already left; we should leave too.”

Although the aftershocks of the Lions Roar Technique earlier weren't aimed directly at them, they still left the two of them heavily injured.

She reached out to help Bai Wenluo, but he turned away to avoid her.

Xu Jing’s eyes reddened as a sense of grievance welled up: “You blame me? In that situation just now, what could I have done? If you were strong enough, Lin Zimo wouldn't have dared to force me like that...”

Bai Wenluo’s Adam's apple bobbed, guilt choking his throat; the words of apology couldn't be spoken after all.

“Let’s go.”

After a long silence, Bai Wenluo finally said in a low voice.

Xu Jing didn't respond, only reaching out to support him. The two of them leaned on each other, slowly walking toward the elevator.

Just then, the hum of the elevator running suddenly echoed.

They both stopped in their tracks, their eyes fixed on the closed metal door.

Who would be coming up at this time?

The elevator doors slid open slowly, and Lin Zimo’s group walked out with ashen faces.

“Hall Master Lin, you guys are...”

Bai Wenluo and Xu Jing exchanged a look, unable to hide the confusion on their faces.

“Enough nonsense!”

Lin Zimo interrupted sharply, then tilted his head toward Kamo behind him, “Notify the hall, have everyone come over.”

Bai Wenluo’s heart tightened.

What on earth had happened to make the usually composed Lin Zimo so furious that he would mobilize the strength of the entire branch?

Before they could think further, the elevator started running again.

A moment later, Jiang Haojie, Liu Jinglong, and the others stepped out of the elevator unhurriedly.

Bai Wenluo and Xu Jing instantly understood the situation and quietly took half a step back.

Jiang Haojie still wore that gentle smile: “Lin Zimo, now we can talk slowly.”

“I have nothing to talk about with you.”

Lin Zimo sneered, “If you’re smart, get out of the way, unless you want to make an enemy of the entire Black Dragon Society.”

“Whether the Black Dragon Society lets me go is a matter for later.”

Jiang Haojie shook his head slightly, “You’d better think about your own situation first.

Explain the society's situation clearly, and I’ll let you go.

Otherwise, no one is leaving here today.”

“Just with you?”

Lin Zimo glanced at Liu Jinglong beside him and mocked, “You think because you have Liu Jinglong backing you, you can do whatever you want? In the eyes of the Black Dragon Society, you’re just a jumping clown.”

Jiang Haojie reached out and patted his shoulder, his smile deepening: “I actually quite admire this tough act of yours.

I hope you can keep it up in a bit.”

He turned to his side: “President Liu, he’s all yours.”

Hearing this, Liu Jinglong cracked his neck, a sharp light flashing in his eyes as he shot forward like an arrow from a bow.

Lin Zimo’s expression changed drastically.

He hadn't expected Liu Jinglong to actually dare to strike.

Although both were Fifth-Order Awakened and their talent ratings were comparable, he was a Psionic while Liu Jinglong was a Physical Enhancer.

In a head-on confrontation without help, he had absolutely no chance of winning.

Wind blades instantly condensed in his palms, several sharp currents shooting through the air toward Liu Jinglong, attempting to intercept his charge.

At the same time, Lin Zimo retreated rapidly, trying his best to open up distance.

As the president of the Longcheng Bounty Guild, Liu Jinglong’s combat experience was incredibly rich.

He shifted his footwork repeatedly, skillfully avoiding the incoming wind blades without slowing down at all, pursuing relentlessly like a shadow.

Lin Zimo was already backed into a corner.

“Hall Master, watch out!”

Kamo shouted in alarm.

A longsword burning with blazing flames suddenly stabbed out from the side.

Lin Zimo’s heart jolted; before he could tell where the attack came from, his body instinctively dodged to the side.

Although he narrowly avoided the longsword, Liu Jinglong’s punch slammed solidly into his chest.

“Cough—!”

A surge of metallic heat rose from his throat, and he was sent flying back by the force, his spine slamming heavily against the wall.

Just as he was about to struggle, Jiang Haojie’s voice rang out coldly: “Move again, and this sword won't have eyes.”

A longsword wreathed in crimson flames stopped just three fractions of an inch from his neck.

Lin Zimo’s Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed the remaining blood in his mouth.

The sneak attack from earlier had been this very sword.

Kamo and the others froze in place, keeping their breathing extremely light, for fear that the slightest movement would cost Lin Zimo his life.

“Can we talk properly now?”

Jiang Haojie looked down at him.

Lin Zimo gritted his teeth and sneered: “Kill me, and the Black Dragon Society will definitely make you pay with your life.”

“Sure, let’s try it.”

Jiang Haojie lowered his wrist, the flaming edge making a move to strike—

“Wait! ... We can talk.”