115: Chapter 115 Unleashing Internal Strength!

Leaving Baicao Valley, Lin Tian did not stay long at Zixia Peak and headed straight to the Service Hall.

Inside the hall, the mission light screen flickered, displaying a dazzling array of tasks: hunting designated Vicious Beasts, collecting rare Materials, suppressing bandits in certain areas, escorting merchant caravans, and even exploring unknown ruins.

The rewards varied, ranging from Sect contribution points, silver, Medicinal Pills, to even special Materials or exchange permissions for Cultivation Techniques.

Lin Tian's cultivation had now reached the Early Stage of the Fourth Rank. Possessing the Xiaguang Sword Technique and the Cloud Shadow Step, two Hidden Force martial arts, it was the perfect time for him to hone his skills in actual combat, test his cultivation, and earn resources.

His gaze swept rapidly over the screen, and he finally selected a mission that had moderate difficulty, decent rewards, and allowed him to venture deep into the mountains where he could unleash his full strength.

"Task No. 372, Class A: Travel to 'Luoxia Valley' on the periphery of the 'Taixuan Mountain Range', eight hundred li northeast of the Sect, and collect three mature 'Purple Flame Lotuses'. Mission time limit: fifteen days.

Mission reward: fifty Sect contribution points, or eight hundred taels of silver. Requirements: Inner Sect Disciple, recommended cultivation of Fourth Rank or above.

Note: 'Purple Flame Leopard' inhabits Luoxia Valley; it is fierce, swift, adept at controlling purple fire, and has strength comparable to an Early Stage Fourth Rank Martial Artist. Proceed with caution."

"Purple Flame Lotus? This item is heat-natured and contains pure fire-type Qi; it is an auxiliary material for refining certain fire-attribute Medicinal Pills.

The Purple Flame Leopard... its strength is similar to mine; it will be perfect for testing my sword and honing my footwork!" Lin Tian's thoughts raced. Without further hesitation, he stepped forward to register with the deacon Disciple and accepted the mission.

After receiving the Jade Slip containing the characteristics of the Purple Flame Lotus, its general growth environment, and a rough map of Luoxia Valley, Lin Tian made some preparations.

He packed enough dry rations and water, rented a high-quality steel longsword suitable for his sword technique from the Sect's Weapon Pavilion, and quietly left the Qixia Sect gates.

Executing the Cloud Shadow Step, his figure transformed into a faint, elusive shadow, and he sped toward the Taixuan Mountain Range in the northeast.

The Cloud Shadow Step was indeed a Low Grade footwork technique. Although it was not known for long-distance sprinting, it excelled in sustained breath control, agile steps, and clever use of leverage.

Lin Tian channeled his Purple Haze Hidden Force into the Meridians of his legs. His figure moved like flowing clouds passing through gaps, leaping and weaving through the mountains. His speed was several times faster than when he relied on the Perfection-level Wind-Chasing Footwork, and it appeared even more relaxed and graceful.

When encountering steep slopes or cliffs, he could easily cross them through the exquisite turns and instantaneous bursts of his footwork.

The journey of over eight hundred li took only a day and a night to reach the periphery of the Taixuan Mountain Range.

Looking out, mountains stretched endlessly, ancient trees towered, and the sounds of beasts roaring and birds chirping could be faintly heard. The air was filled with a wild, primitive aura.

Lin Tian followed the map and ventured deep toward Luoxia Valley. Although there were no powerful Vicious Beasts on the periphery of the mountain range, there were many fierce beasts and poisonous insects.

Lin Tian held his sword in hand, spreading his spiritual senses, and proceeded with caution.

Soon, several wolf-like fierce beasts, having caught the scent of a human, roared and lunged from the dense forest, baring sharp claws and fangs, the stench rushing toward him.

"Well met!" A sharp glint flashed in Lin Tian's eyes; it was the perfect time to test his sword on these beasts!

He did not dodge or evade. With a flick of his wrist, the steel longsword emitted a clear, vibrating hum, and the Purple Haze Hidden Force within his body was instantly channeled into the blade!

"Chi! Chi! Chi!"

Three brilliant, pale purple sword lights, resembling evening glow and about a foot long, burst from the tip of the sword, shooting out in a triangular formation!

The Sword Qi was swift and fierce, leaving three dazzling trails in the air, and precisely pierced the throats of the three wolves!

"Awoo—" The miserable howls stopped abruptly. The three wolves' forward momentum ceased.

They crashed to the ground, with only three finger-sized, charred-edged blood holes remaining in their throats. Before the blood could gush out, it was sealed by the scorching Hidden Force contained within the Sword Qi. A kill in one strike!

"The Xiaguang Sword Technique is truly fierce! Combined with Hidden Force, its power far exceeds any Move from the Bright Energy period!" Lin Tian stood with his sword sheathed, quite satisfied with the power of the Xiaguang Sword Technique.

These three sword lights were not only incredibly fast and piercing but also had the effect of confusing the vision. For dealing with these beasts of low intelligence, they could be called a finishing Move.

He continued forward, and whenever he encountered beasts that did not know any better, he would greet them with his sword technique. Sometimes it was points of Xiaguang, killing them with precision; other times it was sword light like a ribbon, sweeping across a wide area.

Over the past two days, no less than twenty beasts had died under his sword. His application of the Xiaguang Sword Technique became increasingly proficient, the splitting of the sword light became more stable, and the timing and angle of his strikes became more precise.

The Purple Haze Hidden Force within his body also became faintly more condensed and fluid in its circulation through the cycle of striking and sheathing his sword.

At noon on the third day, guided by the map, Lin Tian finally found the valley named "Luoxia Valley."

The valley entrance was narrow, with steep cliffs on both sides, but the valley itself was quite spacious, growing many strange flowers and herbs, and a faint, scorching fragrance wafted out.

Lin Tian's spirits lifted. He restrained his aura and entered the valley quietly. In the center of the valley, there was a small hot spring pool, the water a pale purple color, steaming with heat.

In the crevices of the damp rocks by the pool, several strange lotuses grew.

The lotuses were deep purple throughout, their petals appearing as if carved from purple jade, crystal clear. At the heart of the flower, a bean-sized, pure purple flame flickered, burning quietly and exuding a rich spirituality and scorching aura.

It was exactly the "Purple Flame Lotus" required for the mission! And at a glance, there were four or five mature ones ready to be harvested!

However, Lin Tian's gaze did not linger on the Purple Flame Lotuses for too long before locking onto a huge, sun-warmed bluestone on the other side of the hot spring pool.

A leopard-shaped Vicious Beast, over a zhang in length and nearly five feet tall at the shoulder, was lazily lying on the bluestone, enjoying the afternoon sun.

Its fur was a luxurious deep purple, smooth and oily, and its muscle lines were fluid and filled with explosive power.

Most eye-catching was the tip of its tail; instead of a normal leopard tail, it was coiled with a fist-sized, quietly burning purple flame, deeper and more solid in color than the fire at the heart of the Purple Flame Lotus!

It was the guardian of this valley, a Vicious Beast with strength comparable to an Early Stage Fourth Rank Martial Artist—the Purple Flame Leopard!

Seemingly sensing a strange aura, the Purple Flame Leopard slowly raised its head, its pair of amber vertical pupils staring coldly at Lin Tian at the valley entrance.

A low, threatening growl rumbled in its throat, as if warning this uninvited guest to roll out of its territory immediately.

Lin Tian turned a deaf ear to the warning growl. His gaze swept over the swaying Purple Flame Lotuses, and without stopping, he walked straight toward the hot spring pool.

His goal was clear: to collect the Spirit Medicine required for the mission.

"Roar—!!!"

Seeing Lin Tian ignore its warning, the Purple Flame Leopard was thoroughly enraged! It leaped up from the bluestone with a deafening roar, its powerful aura exploding, pressing the surrounding grass and trees flat!

It kicked off the bluestone with its four limbs, cracking the hard rock, but its massive body displayed a terrifying speed that completely belied its size.

Transforming into a purple lightning bolt, it crossed the distance of several tens of meters in an instant, carrying a stench and a wave of scorching heat as it lunged at Lin Tian!

Its sharp front claws flashed with cold light, aiming straight for Lin Tian's head, determined to tear this human who dared to offend its territory into pieces!

"Well met!" Battle Intent surged in Lin Tian's eyes. He did not dodge or evade. Just as those purple-black claws were about to touch his face, the Cloud Shadow Step under his feet was suddenly activated!

"Swish!"

Leaving a faint, barely discernible afterimage in place, Lin Tian's real body appeared like a ghost one meter to the left, his posture graceful, as if he had just casually stepped aside.

The Purple Flame Leopard's sure-hit claw slammed into the afterimage, grasping at empty air, and the fierce claw wind plowed several deep furrows into the ground.

After missing, the fierce light in the Purple Flame Leopard's eyes intensified. Just as it was about to twist its body to pounce again, it felt a sharp murderous intent coming from behind!

It was Lin Tian, who, while dodging, had already thrust his longsword. A condensed strand of Xiaguang Sword Qi, like a viper flicking its tongue, silent yet as fast as lightning, stabbed straight at the Purple Flame Leopard's vital spot behind its heart!

It was a Move from the Xiaguang Sword Technique, "Xiaguang Piercing Shadow"!

However, this Purple Flame Leopard was indeed a Vicious Beast known for its speed; its reaction was shockingly fast!

Just as the Sword Qi was about to hit its body, it twisted its waist violently, and its massive body shifted sideways by half a foot at an incredible angle, narrowly avoiding this fatal sword strike!

The Sword Qi grazed its ribs, bringing up a trail of blood beads and a few strands of scorched fur.

"Roar!" The injured Purple Flame Leopard was even more furious. After stabilizing its body, it did not stop,

and lunged again, transforming into purple lightning. This time, claws, teeth, and tail were all used, and the offensive was even more wild and dense.

"Such speed! It's perfect for honing my Cloud Shadow Step!" Lin Tian was delighted rather than alarmed, driving his Cloud Shadow Step to the limit. His figure flickered left and right in the valley,

erratic and unpredictable, like flowing clouds in the wind or the reflection of the moon in water. Time and again, by a hair's breadth, he dodged the pouncing and biting of the Purple Flame Leopard.

He was not in a hurry to counterattack, but rather used his footwork to circle, carefully observing the Purple Flame Leopard's attack habits, speed rhythm, and force-generating methods,

bringing the exquisite nature of the Cloud Shadow Step into full play.

For a time, purple shadows flew and human figures flickered within the valley. The lightning-fast purple Vicious Beast and the mysterious youth in black robes engaged in a dazzling chase and entanglement.

The sharp whistling of claws tearing the air, the soft humming of Sword Qi breaking through the air, and the angry roars of the Vicious Beast intertwined.

Although the Purple Flame Leopard was fast, Lin Tian's Cloud Shadow Step excelled at small-scale maneuvering and changing. Coupled with his outstanding combat awareness, he could always predict the Purple Flame Leopard's attack trajectory.

For a while, neither could do anything to the other, forming a stalemate.

Unable to win after a long attack, the Purple Flame Leopard's ferocity was completely triggered. It lunged forward, but Lin Tian skillfully dodged it with the Cloud Shadow Step, appearing on its right side.

However, this time, the Purple Flame Leopard seemed to have planned it. Just as Lin Tian's figure emerged, where his old strength was spent and new strength had not yet been born, in that subtle gap,

that long tail, which had not really exerted force until now and was wrapped in purple flames, whipped out through the air like a long-prepared poisonous whip!

"Swish—!"

The sound of breaking the air was sharp and piercing!

Under the high-speed whipping of the leopard tail, the purple flames dragged out a brilliant and deadly trail of fire. Like a true whip of fire, it lashed toward Lin Tian's waist and abdomen with a speed and tricky angle that exceeded any previous attack!

The precision of the timing and the smoothness of the attack connection revealed the rich combat experience of this Vicious Beast.

"Not good!" Lin Tian's expression changed slightly.

He had just executed the Cloud Shadow Step to dodge the pounce, and his figure indeed had a momentary lag. This leopard tail strike came too fast and too suddenly, sealing off all his angles for evasion!

Even if the Cloud Shadow Step was exquisite, it was too late to change his position again!

With nowhere to dodge, he had to take it head-on!

A fierce look flashed in Lin Tian's eyes. Without retreating, his longsword erupted with even more brilliant Xiaguang, and he slashed out with the Move "Ten Thousand Streams of Xiaguang." Several strands of Sword Qi wove into a net, meeting the incoming flaming leopard tail!

He intended to fight attack with attack; even if it meant suffering a minor injury, he would sever this beast's tail!

"Clang! Chi la—!"

The collision between the blade and the leopard tail actually produced a loud sound like metal clashing! The leopard tail wrapped in purple fire was exceptionally tough and contained immense strength. It was not severed by the Sword Qi but instead coiled around Lin Tian's longsword like a spirit snake, tightly binding it!

A hint of anthropomorphic cunning and triumph flashed in the Purple Flame Leopard's eyes. Borrowing the binding force of its tail to fix Lin Tian's weapon, its massive body twisted violently,

and the other claw, which had been ready to strike, carried a fierce wind that tore through the air, clawing viciously at Lin Tian's heart!

If this hit landed, even an iron body would be disemboweled!

Weapon constrained, powerful enemy striking! Life and death hung by a thread!

However, facing this fatal situation, there was no panic in Lin Tian's eyes; instead, a cold, sharp gleam flashed across them. He did not try to withdraw his longsword, nor did he retreat—

that would only expose his back to the Purple Flame Leopard.

Just as the Purple Flame Leopard's claws were about to touch his chest, Lin Tian's left hand, which had been free, suddenly clenched into a fist!

The fist stance was simple and unadorned, without brilliance or shrill whistling, but it possessed a strange Concept: heavy as a mountain, bearing all things, and containing endless cycles of life and destruction!

The sharpness of metal, the resilience of wood, the penetration of water, the violence of fire, the solidity of earth—the Five Elements Fist Intent was, in this instant, forcibly fused, connected, and transformed into one force, with the pure Purple Haze Hidden Force he cultivated from the Purple Qi Diagram as the hub!

The Five Elements united!

"Bang—!!!!"

Fist and leopard claw collided solidly! A dull, drum-like impact exploded, and visible shockwaves expanded in a ring, kicking up sand and stones across the ground!

Lin Tian's figure swayed, and he retreated three steps, leaving inch-deep footprints on the hard ground with every step. A burning, stinging pain came from the surface of his left fist, and his arm bone felt numb.

But the Purple Flame Leopard had it even worse. It felt a condensed, heavy, yet strangely vibrating and penetrating immense force transmitted from its claw, shaking its entire forelimb numb, and its massive body could not help but stagger back half a step.

Evenly matched?!

A look of suspicion flashed in the Purple Flame Leopard's eyes, but its ferocity made it ignore the numbness in its forelimb, and it prepared to exert force again to tear this troublesome human to pieces.

However, in that fatal instant when its old strength had just faded, new strength was about to be born, and its mind was momentarily relaxed due to the result of the fist collision,

a faint, imperceptible deep purple brilliance on the fist that had just collided with it, like a lurking poisonous thorn, suddenly erupted!

A strange force, soft yet condensed, and possessing incomparable penetration and destructive power, followed the point of contact, ignoring the Purple Flame Leopard's tough fur and strong muscles, like a red-hot thin needle, instantly piercing into the Meridians of its claw,

and spread rapidly along its arm, rushing straight toward its heart and lungs!

Hidden Force piercing through the body!

"Roar—!!!"

The Purple Flame Leopard let out a miserable howl, filled with pain and fear!

It felt an indescribable, sharp pain explode from within its front claw, instantly spreading through half its body, as if countless red-hot steel needles were crazily stabbing and churning within its muscles, bones, and internal organs!

The gathered strength dissipated in an instant, its entire forearm hung limp, its body stiffened, and its eyes were filled with extreme pain and confusion.

Now is the time!

Lin Tian's eyes were cold as iron. His right hand, which had been entangled by the leopard tail, exerted sudden force. The steel longsword erupted with dazzling Xiaguang, forcibly shaking off the leopard tail, which had greatly weakened in strength because its owner was injured!

Immediately, he flicked his wrist, and the longsword transformed into a stunning purple stream of light, piercing through the Purple Flame Leopard's wide-open bloody mouth with lightning speed, and exiting from the back of its neck!

"Puchi!"

Blood spurted! The longsword passed through the brain, nailing the Purple Flame Leopard tightly to a rock behind it!

The Purple Flame Leopard's massive body twitched violently a few times, the vitality in its amber vertical pupils faded rapidly, and finally solidified completely, leaving only endless fear and dead silence.

The cluster of purple flames at the tip of its tail also extinguished silently as its life faded away.