Fierce winds howled, lightning flashed, and thunder roared as pitch-black clouds threatened to crush the sheer mountain peak. Lin Chen stood alone at the summit, his robes snapping in the gale, the shattered fabric fluttering to reveal shocking wounds across his body. Blood seeped continuously, staining the ground beneath his feet crimson.
Yet his gaze remained resolute and sharp. He gripped the longsword that had accompanied him for years, its blade flashing with a cold glint yet stained with patches of blood.
All around him, a group of martial artists dressed in black formed a fan-shaped encirclement, their eyes gleaming with greed and cruelty.
"Lin Chen, today is your end! Hand over the Heavenly Spirit Bead obediently, and perhaps we can grant you a quick death!" The leader of the men in black stepped forward, his saber gleaming with a sinister light in the illumination of the lightning.
Lin Chen glared at him, his voice filled with fury and disdain: "You despicable villains! For the sake of a Heavenly Spirit Bead, you are actually willing to become Wang Hao's running dogs!"
Lin Chen's thoughts drifted back a few days. At that time, after braving countless dangers within an ancient and mysterious ruin, he had finally discovered the Heavenly Spirit Bead in a hidden cave. The bead radiated a mysterious and powerful aura. Knowing its preciousness, Lin Chen had intended to use it as a crucial aid for advancing his martial path.
For reasons unknown, however, word had leaked out, reaching the ears of his rival, Wang Hao. Wang Hao was a narrow-minded, insidious, and cunning fellow who had always been envious of Lin Chen's talent and achievements on the martial path. Hailing from a prominent aristocratic family and accustomed to luxury since childhood, he had nevertheless suffered repeated defeats in his numerous clashes with Lin Chen.
Wang Hao knew full well the value of the Heavenly Spirit Bead. If he could obtain it, his own strength would surge dramatically, allowing him to completely eclipse Lin Chen. Therefore, spare no expense, he had hired a group of notorious assassins from the jianghu, swearing to wrest the Heavenly Spirit Bead from Lin Chen's hands.
At this moment, facing the siege of these assassins, endless grief and indignation welled up in Lin Chen's heart.
"Hmph, enough nonsense! You won't escape today no matter what!" At the black-clad leader's command, the assassins behind him pounced on Lin Chen like ravenous wolves.
Lin Chen took a deep breath, fighting through his injuries, and swung his longsword. Sword shadows flashed, instantly colliding with the weapons of the assassins rushing in front, producing a harsh metallic screech.
Seizing an opportunity, an assassin lunged from the side, a short blade thrusting straight for Lin Chen's waist. Reacting swiftly, Lin Chen sidestepped while lashing out with his sword, leaving a deep gash on the assassin's arm.
More assassins followed in quick succession, coordinating seamlessly. Some attacked from the front while others ambushed from the flanks, leaving Lin Chen overwhelmed.
Lin Chen's wounds multiplied, his blood staining his robes, but his gaze remained steadfast, every sword swing driven by the determination to die fighting.
"Rip!" A longblade sliced across Lin Chen's shoulder, sending a spray of blood into the air.
Lin Chen let out a muffled groan and staggered, but he quickly recovered his balance and thrust his sword backward into the attacker's chest.
Seeing this, the leader of the men in black joined the fray personally. His saber technique was ferocious, every move targeting Lin Chen's vital points.
Gritting his teeth, Lin Chen engaged in a fierce exchange with the leader. The collision of sword and saber sent countless sparks flying.
During a counterattack, Lin Chen's longsword was knocked flying by the leader, instantly plunging him into extreme peril.
"Ha ha, Lin Chen, out of tricks!" the leader laughed triumphantly.
With wide eyes burning with fury, Lin Chen showed no fear: "Even bare-handed, I will never yield!"
Just then, Wang Hao appeared on a distant hilltop. Dressed in luxurious brocade robes and wearing a sinister smile, he watched the life-and-death battle coldly.
"Lin Chen, you've lost to me after all. As long as you hand over the Heavenly Spirit Bead, I might consider leaving your corpse intact," Wang Hao's voice drifted from afar, dripping with mockery.
Lin Chen roared toward Wang Hao's direction: "Wang Hao, you shameless scoundrel! Even if I die, I won't let you succeed!"
Wang Hao's expression darkened: "If you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeiture, kill him!"
Hearing the command, the assassins redoubled their attacks. Lin Chen's wounds multiplied, and his strength steadily waned.
Yet he stubbornly resisted, pouring every ounce of remaining strength into each attack.
Finally, a momentary lapse by Lin Chen allowed the leader to kick him heavily to the ground.
"Lin Chen, it's over!" The leader raised his saber high, preparing to deliver the fatal blow.
Lying on the ground and gazing at the lightning streaking across the sky, Lin Chen's heart filled with reluctance and bitter regret: "My entire life I have pursued the pinnacle of the martial path, never committing a single dishonorable act, yet I meet this calamity. If there is an afterlife, I will surely make Wang Hao pay in blood!"
Just as the saber began to descend, a blinding flash of light erupted...