"It's too difficult. Yelin has just stepped into the Qi Condensation 1st Layer and hasn't practiced any spells or sword techniques yet. On top of that, the Black Shark Gang members came fully prepared. Those three Qi Condensation 1st Layer cultivators have all been at this level for over two years; their spells and sword control must be quite proficient, and they have actual combat experience. Yelin has nothing at all. His chances of winning are practically zero!"
"Junior Brother Yelin, a wise man knows when to yield. Just give them whatever they want. Getting severely beaten and injured would not be worth it. Besides, with a face as handsome as yours, it would be a shame to get it ruined."
Seeing that the crowd had retreated to a safe distance, the law enforcement team raised their voices and announced, "Begin!"
Li Lei cast a contemptuous glance at Yelin, who stood three zhang away, and wasted no more breath. He patted his storage bag, and a streak of cyan light instantly flew out. It was none other than his flying sword—the Blue Rainbow Sword, a low-grade magic tool identical to the one in Yelin's hand.
He formed a sword seal with his hands, channeled his spiritual power into the flying sword, and shouted, "Go!"
The Blue Rainbow Sword hummed, then transformed into a cold blue beam that pierced through the air straight toward Yelin's Dantian.
Unexpectedly, Yelin's expression remained completely normal, and he made no attempt to dodge. Clutching his sword in one hand, spiritual power surging through his entire body, he took a single step forward. The ground sank heavily beneath his feet as he instantly transformed into a blur and charged straight ahead!
"How is this possible?!"
When Yelin fully unleashed his momentum, the expressions of every cultivator present shifted dramatically, and even the law enforcement team leader, who was at the Qi Condensation 8th Layer, was utterly shocked!
"This aura—it's definitely more spiritual power than the strength of a single warhorse!"
In the blink of an eye, a sharp, piercing clang rang out as Yelin's sword violently collided with Li Lei's flying sword.
Sparks flew in all directions. The flying sword controlled by Li Lei was instantly batted away, sent spinning backward by the sheer force of Yelin's strike. Li Lei, who had been certain of his victory just a moment before, turned instantly pale and frantically scrambled backward in a desperate attempt to put some distance between them.
Yet his speed was simply too slow.
The next instant, Yelin's figure crossed paths with Li Lei. The crowd heard a muffled *thud*, and Yelin's Blue Rainbow Sword had already pierced straight into Li Lei's Dantian. Standing calmly before Li Lei, Yelin slowly, very slowly, pulled the blood-stained Blue Rainbow Sword back out!
The outcome of this battle was decided!
Dead silence!
The vast majority of cultivators stood dumbfounded, momentarily speechless!
Yelin's expression remained calm. He took a half-step back and cupped his fists slightly toward Li Lei. "Senior Brother Li, thank you for letting me win!"
Only then did the leader of the law enforcement team snap back to his senses. He gave Yelin a deep look and loudly announced, "In this challenge between Li Lei and Yelin, Yelin is the victor! Yelin has the right to choose any two spoils of war from Li Lei's storage bag!"
Li Lei looked at the scene before him in disbelief. Clutching his Dantian tightly with one hand, he pointed his other finger at Yelin and gasped, "You, you, you..."
*Puff!*
A large mouthful of bright red blood spewed from his mouth, and he collapsed heavily to the ground.
As a Qi Condensation cultivator, having one's Dantian destroyed meant he was completely ruined. His Dantian could no longer store spiritual power, cutting him off from the path of longevity forever!
All of this had happened in the span of a single breath. He hadn't even been able to voice his surrender before Yelin's sword had pierced his Dantian.
His life was over!
No one could have guessed that Yelin had concealed his true spiritual power, nor could anyone have anticipated that he would be so ruthless!
The leader of the Black Shark Gang's group—a Qi Condensation 3rd Layer cultivator—turned ashen, while the other two Qi Condensation 1st Layer handymen went pale, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.
If any one of them had been the one to challenge Yelin, the ending would likely have been no different.
They had kicked an iron plate!
The leader cast a cold glance at the fallen member of the Black Shark Gang and muttered under his breath, "Utter trash!"
Yelin reached out and grabbed the Blue Rainbow Sword that had been knocked away and landed on the ground. He walked over to the fallen Li Lei, removed his storage bag, and a moment later pulled out a small pouch containing twenty spirit stones.
This was likely all of Li Lei's worldly possessions.
Both the Blue Rainbow flying sword and the twenty spirit stones now belonged to Yelin.
Shortly after, a giant immortal crane flew over, carrying cultivators from the Taixuan Sect's Hall of Salvation who were responsible for treating injured sect members. They hoisted Li Lei's body onto the crane, and it quickly vanished from sight.
Only two pools of bright red blood remained on the ground.
The other onlookers finally snapped out of their shock.
"This Yelin's spiritual power is definitely abnormal!"
"He just stepped into the Qi Condensation 1st Layer, yet he easily deflected the flying sword of a veteran Qi Condensation 1st Layer cultivator! That means his spiritual power utterly crushes his opponent's!"
"Law enforcement team, please give us a reasonable explanation. Is he really just at the Qi Condensation 1st Layer? Could he be hiding his cultivation realm?"
The law enforcement team leader turned his gaze toward Yelin, frowning slightly.
Yelin cupped his fists slightly at the team leader. "Senior Brother, when I was still in the mortal world, I accidentally swallowed a strange pearl. It must have been some kind of heavenly treasure, which is why my spiritual power is somewhat more robust. That doesn't violate any sect rules, does it?"
The team leader was momentarily taken aback before an expression of sudden realization dawned on him. "So that's how it is. There is not a single sect rule that forbids disciples from consuming heavenly treasures."
This was indeed a very logical explanation.
He then turned his gaze back to the leading outer sect disciple of the Black Shark Gang.
"If there are no other challenges, we will be wrapping up."
The outer sect disciple's expression had turned ashen beyond measure.
He had never expected that when he randomly picked someone he thought would be easy to bully, the target had actually consumed a heavenly treasure, possessing enough strength upon entering the Qi Condensation 1st Layer to easily crush his peers. Was there any point in continuing to issue challenges?
It would be a blessing if Yelin didn't go around bullying other Qi Condensation 1st Layer cultivators; who would dare try to bully him now?
Chapter 25: Counter-Robbery
"Reporting to Senior Brother, there are no other challenges to conduct. We—we are leaving right now!"
The Black Shark Gang's leading outer sect disciple cast one last deep look at Yelin.
"Junior Brother Yelin, we have a long way to go. No matter how good a heavenly treasure is, it can only make you stronger in the early stages of cultivation. Today, the Black Shark Gang admits defeat!"
With a wave of his hand, the other terrified Qi Condensation 1st Layer cultivators hastily fled like stray dogs, preparing to follow him away from the entrance of the Scripture Pavilion.
Unexpectedly, Yelin flashed forward, blocking their path with his blood-stained flying sword in hand.
"You thought you could just leave after failing to shake me down? Keep dreaming!"
The crowd was momentarily stunned, and all eyes focused once more on Yelin.
"What else do you want? Are you planning to challenge me? According to the sect rules, you do have the right to challenge me!" the Black Shark Gang's leading outer sect disciple said coldly.
The sect rules stipulated that one could not issue a challenge to a cultivator of a lower realm, but there was never any restriction against challenging someone of a higher realm—after all, no one in their right mind would ever commit suicide by doing so.
For Qi Condensation cultivators, every increase in cultivation layer granted the strength of an additional warhorse. The higher the realm, the greater the advantage.
The spiritual power Yelin had just displayed was still far short of three warhorses, whereas the Black Shark Gang's leader possessed the cultivation of the Qi Condensation 3rd Layer, granting him the strength of at least three warhorses.
Not only that, but he had also mastered three spells and a set of Five Elements sword techniques. He was in an entirely different league from Li Lei, who had just been instantly killed by Yelin.
Yelin chuckled. "Do you take me for a fool? I won't challenge you, but I have the right to challenge the two by your side!"
Yelin still had a firm grasp of his own capabilities. If he faced this person with his current strength, his chances of winning would be slim to none; bullying the man's two lackeys was the actual goal.
Upon hearing this, the two Qi Condensation 1st Layer handymen instantly turned pale. Remembering how Li Lei's Dantian had just been pierced, and feeling Yelin's cold, naked stare, their hands and feet trembled so violently that they lost any courage to fight back.
They firmly believed that this Yelin, who had only just officially stepped into the world of immortality, would end their cultivation journey with a single sword strike and turn them into cripples.
And that was under the restriction of sect rules! If there were no sect rules, Yelin's sword might not have pierced their Dantians—it would have pierced their hearts or their heads!
"Senior Brother Zhou, what—what should we do? I don't want to become a cripple! My parents are still counting on me to succeed in cultivation and go back to visit them!"
"Senior Brother Zhou, come up with an idea already!"
The two Qi Condensation 1st Layer handyman disciples were so anxious they were on the verge of tears.
If their Dantians were destroyed and they became cripples, they wouldn't even qualify to be mortal martial artists back in the mortal world.
"How the hell am I supposed to know what to do? The sect rules are written this way!" At this moment, the leading outer sect disciple's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. Even he felt a chill in his heart when he met Yelin's cold gaze!
No one could have imagined that Yelin was such a vicious character!
Just then, Yelin spoke up.
"You don't want to become cripples? Fine, it's not entirely unnegotiable. After all, the right to issue a challenge only comes once every three months, which makes it quite precious. The two of you—hand over twenty spirit stones each, or any arbitrary magic tool. Today's matter can rest at that."
"As long as you're willing to pay, I am a magnanimous person with a broad mind. I've never been one to bicker over such trivial matters."
Yelin looked at their storage bags and flashed a harmless, innocent smile.
Of course Yelin wasn't magnanimous. Before entering the Taixuan Sect, he had been a mere servant; he had never received any education in the gentlemanly arts.
The fundamental reason he chose to let them pay their way out was that the challenge right could only be used once every three months. That meant if he truly wanted to challenge the two outer sect disciples of the Black Shark Gang, he could only pick one of them.
Even if he won the challenge, he would only obtain one piece of loot.
However, if he used intimidation and forced neither of them into a formal duel, he could acquire two items instead.
He had been practically driven mad by poverty lately, especially with two wealthy friends by his side, which only made him feel even poorer.
Seizing every opportunity to rake in wealth was the absolute truth; everything else paled in comparison.
Besides, the challenge right possessed deterrent power as long as it was kept unused; once spent, that deterrence would vanish.
In an instant, everyone understood Yelin's scheme.
Yelin intended to use the sect rules and his nearly invincible strength at the Qi Condensation 1st Layer to counter-rob the Black Shark Gang members. Moreover, he was going to snatch two items at once without even having to truly fight!
"Ah... this... I have to say, Junior Brother Yelin is truly the number one counter-robber in our Taixuan Sect!"
"Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! The Black Shark Gang tried to rob someone and got robbed in return. Watching this makes me feel so damn good."
"Hahaha, the Black Shark Gang is getting what they deserve! I've hated them for a long time. Even before the sect rules were revised, they relied on their strength to run amok everywhere. Many of their members have been punished by the sect rules multiple times yet refuse to mend their ways!"
Even the three inner sect disciples acting as impartial witnesses from the law enforcement team wore expressions of astonishment and faint amusement at this moment.
Within the Taixuan Sect, good-natured people still formed the majority. They too hoped to see evil receive its just reward. Even though the revised sect rules made everyone walk on thin ice, those who actually dared to rob fellow disciples were still a minority.
At this point, the faces of the three Black Shark Gang members were as dark as ink, especially the leading outer sect disciple. Seeing Yelin's harmless smile, he had the urge to run him through with a sword right then and there.
If they were truly counter-robbed here, where would the Black Shark Gang's reputation go? The deterrence they had painstakingly built up over time would be severely undermined because of Yelin.
"You two, can't you show a shred of backbone? Go up and fight him! No matter how strong he is, he only has one challenge opportunity!" The Black Shark Gang's outer sect disciple gritted his teeth until they clicked.
Hearing this, the two outer sect disciples beside him felt as if the sky were collapsing, and their emotions completely unraveled.
"Senior Brother Zhou, you're not the one going up to fight him! You're not the one whose Dantian is going to be pierced, so of course you don't care!"
"This is going too far! When we joined the Black Shark Gang, you clearly promised to cover us, protect us, and lead us to fortune and immortality. Now you're forcing us to do something that's practically suicide. I'm announcing my withdrawal from the Black Shark Gang right the hell now!"
"I announce it too, I announce it too! I am no longer a member of the Black Shark Gang! From now on, let anyone who wants to join the Black Shark Gang see their true colors! They make you go die while they reap the profits!"
Under Yelin's coercion, the two handyman disciples publicly announced their immediate withdrawal from the Black Shark Gang.
The leading outer sect disciple turned even more ashen. He gripped his sword tightly, his entire body trembling.
Originally, he had come to uphold the dignity of the Black Shark Gang, but his efforts had backfired completely. The reputation of the Black Shark Gang would surely suffer a devastating blow from now on, and the number of cultivators willing to join would plummet.
"You... you! You really aren't afraid of death, are you?"
One of the handyman disciples retorted, "The law enforcement team seniors are right here. Since you said those words, if I die an unexplained death in the future, the Black Shark Gang will definitely be the ones behind it, and you, Zhou Yong, will be the culprit! No matter how strong your Black Shark Gang is, can it be stronger than the law enforcement team?"
"The Great Elder of the law enforcement team is a Core Formation Expert! A single glance from him is enough to plunge you into eternal damnation!"
Chapter 26: One of the Five Great Prodigies of the Taixuan Sect
The leading Black Shark Gang cultivator was so enraged steam was practically venting from the top of his head. He leaped straight onto his flying sword and sped frantically toward Leiyun Peak.
Right at that moment, he heard Yelin's voice drifting over.
"Senior Brother Zhou, you've made so many mistakes today and severely damaged the prestige of the Black Shark Gang. When you go back, you're bound to face severe punishment. Why don't you take this opportunity to betray the Black Shark Gang as well? Expose their numerous misdeeds, volunteer to be a whistleblower on their crimes, and let the law enforcement team sweep in and wipe them out in one fell swoop! Only by doing that can you preserve your life!"
"Senior Brother Zhou, I, Yelin, am a good person. You should take my advice—you can't go back to the Black Shark Gang, death is right in front of you!"
Hearing this, the Black Shark Gang cultivator surnamed Zhou abruptly halted his flying sword. For a moment, he genuinely didn't know whether he should return to the gang or not. He couldn't help but realize...
Though the logic in Yelin's words sounded somewhat exaggerated, it was undeniably correct.
He had committed such a massive blunder today, dragging the reputation of the Black Shark Gang through the dirt. This matter would undoubtedly spread across the handymen, outer sect, and inner sect within a single day, and even some Foundation Establishment stewards would soon know every detail.
Given the Black Shark Gang's style of conduct, if he escaped punishment, it would mean the sun had risen from the west.
Rebelling against the Black Shark Gang and immediately reporting their crimes to the law enforcement team... obtaining protection from the law enforcement team might genuinely be a viable path...
However, he also knew deeply that the Black Shark Gang had formidable backing. The leader of the Black Shark Gang was the biological grandson of a sect elder and one of the Five Great Prodigies of the Taixuan Sect—a figure with boundless magical power and an exalted status.
Such a person was someone he simply could not afford to offend either...
Returning to the Black Shark Gang would spell doom, and not returning wouldn't end well either. What on earth was he supposed to do?
While he was caught in this agonizing dilemma, a streak of purple light slashed across the firmament. Following closely, a tyrannical aura emanated outward, making everyone present feel as though a massive boulder had suddenly been pressed onto their chests.
Standing atop a flying sword was a youth dressed in purple robes. His long hair hung loose, and two giant curved sabers were strapped across his back. One of his eyes was bound diagonally with a black bandage, his gaze piercing and his momentum peerless!
This was a cultivator at the 13th Layer of Qi Condensation!
It must be known that under normal circumstances, reaching the Great Circle of the Twelfth Layer of Qi Condensation was enough to swallow a Foundation Establishment Pill and step into the Foundation Establishment realm. Only true prodigies among the heaven-gifted could cultivate to the 13th Layer of Qi Condensation, or even higher.
The higher a cultivator's layer in the Qi Condensation stage, the firmer their cultivation foundation would be. Once they stepped into the Foundation Establishment realm, they would no longer undergo ordinary Human Dao Foundation Establishment; at the very least, it would be Earth Dao Foundation Establishment, or even Heaven Dao Foundation Establishment!
This was a prodigy pursuing Heaven Dao Foundation Establishment!
He was none other than the leader of the Black Shark Gang and one of the Five Great Prodigies of the Taixuan Sect—Ren Wuya!
Virtually everyone's expression shifted slightly before they cupped their fists and bowed respectfully toward Ren Wuya: "Greetings, Senior Brother Ren!"
Even the three members of the law enforcement team joined in.
Ren Wuya looked down at the crowd from above, finally letting his gaze land on Yelin. At that moment, a jolt went through his heart, feeling as though he were being watched by a Foundation Establishment expert.
Indeed, rumor had it that Ren Wuya had successfully escaped from Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators on multiple occasions and had even managed to wound one.
Ren Wuya said calmly, "I am already aware of today's events. Junior Brother Yelin, you are quite good—ruthless, possessing extraordinary intelligence, and adept at utilizing rules and conditions."
"Your natural talent isn't too bad either. You are someone with a future."
"Would you be willing to join my Black Shark Gang? In the future, as you render meritorious service to our Taixuan Sect and to the Black Shark Gang, I will personally bestow upon you no small number of treasures to aid your cultivation!"
Everyone was dumbfounded.
No one could have predicted that Ren Wuya had come not to make trouble for Yelin, but to invite him to join the Black Shark Gang! Ren Wuya actually appreciated Yelin, despite the latter having almost caused the Black Shark Gang a massive loss!
Yelin was momentarily startled as well, but he quickly recovered. He lifted his chin and frowned slightly.
What did Yelin hate the most?
He hated being looked down upon from above!
He hated anyone speaking to him in the tone of a master addressing a servant!
He hated being someone else's lackey!
"Senior Brother Ren, I have zero interest in the Black Shark Gang." Yelin's expression was calm, and his tone was exceptionally indifferent—devoid of any trace of respect for Ren Wuya, sounding precisely as though he were speaking to an equal!
He was no longer the humble servant who bowed his head to everyone he met. He had his own dignity and spine; he would never again need a master to grant him charity!
"Oh? Are you expressing anger over the unfair actions of the Black Shark Gang? Unwilling to associate with us?"
Yelin shook his head.
"I have never believed that absolute fairness exists anywhere; I simply don't like it."
"You don't like it? That is certainly interesting. Yelin, I remember you."
With that, his gaze shifted toward the leading outer sect member of the Black Shark Gang, who was currently so terrified his soul was nearly frightened out of his body. Feeling Ren Wuya's gaze, the man instantly broke down emotionally and plopped to his knees.
"Senior Brother Ren! This humble subordinate has always been absolutely loyal to the Black Shark Gang and to you, with not a single trace of duplicity! I beg for your mercy, I beg for your mercy!"
Ren Wuya merely glanced at him coldly and spoke indifferently, "Foolish, useless trash. From now on, you are no longer a member of the Black Shark Gang. Next time you speak, remember to use your brain first."
The moment those words fell, he transformed into a streak of purple light, vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye.
Everyone let out a long sigh of relief.
"Senior Brother Ren's pressure is too terrifying! It's simply on par with, if not surpassing, an early Foundation Establishment cultivator!"
"I heard he already possesses the capacity for Earth Dao Foundation Establishment, but he disdains it. He wants to pursue Heaven Dao Foundation Establishment and become the first terrifying entity in five hundred years within the Seeking Dragon Mountains cultivation world to successfully achieve Heaven Dao Foundation Establishment!"
"I heard that when he was adventuring in a demonic cave within the Seeking Dragon Mountains, he accidentally stumbled into an ancient cultivator's ruin. He passed the trials within the ruin, swallowed a thousand-year snow lotus, and acquired a top-grade Water Spiritual Root!"