Mortal Cultivator: Lin Tianzun

Chapter 35: Hiding in secret and encountering an enemy, fierce fighting and defeating powerful enemies
Just as Lin Fan was lost in his beautiful vision of his future path of cultivation, a sudden and hurried sound of footsteps reached him from afar. At first, the sound was subtle, like the rustling of leaves in the breeze, but it quickly grew clearer, as if someone was rapidly approaching him.

Lin Fan's heart tightened, his eyes flashing with vigilance and anxiety. His mind quickly considered various possible scenarios: Was it a ferocious monster lurking in the forbidden area, or another cultivator like him seeking opportunities? If the other party had malicious intentions, a fierce battle would be unavoidable.

Almost at the moment he sensed the danger, Lin Fan's right hand stretched out like lightning, and he accurately and quickly put the few items he had just sorted out in his hand - the precious "Ancient Alchemy", the mysterious token and the yellowed animal skin map - into the storage bag on his waist.

Immediately afterwards, Lin Fan slapped the storage bag at his waist without hesitation. A flash of cold light appeared, and the Star-Breaking Sword appeared in his right hand. The sword was dark and profound, like the darkest ink in the night sky, with a faint cold metallic luster.

At the same time, with a wave of his left hand, the Hunyuan Shield appeared. Round and broad, it was engraved with ancient and complex runes. These runes glowed faintly, seemingly continuously enhancing the shield's defensive power. The shield felt heavy in his hand, giving him a sense of unparalleled solidity and reliability.

The air around them seemed to suddenly grow thicker. A gentle breeze rustled a few fallen leaves, but this subtle movement was like thunder to Lin Fan's ears. He held his breath, his ears twitching slightly, not missing a single movement that might signal danger. Even the sound of a bird flying by or the swaying of branches could not escape his highly sensitive perception.

Soon, two figures gradually appeared in Lin Fan's field of vision, rapidly approaching from afar. Their movements were extremely agile, and with a few flashes, a whirring sound, they appeared at the door of the stone house like ghosts. Their movements were seamless, flowing like clouds and water, fully demonstrating their profound attainments in physical skills.

The first was a burly young man in black, standing tall like a pine tree, exuding a cold and stern aura. The subtle fluctuations of his thirteenth-level Qi training emanated from him. Although he had not yet entered the Foundation Establishment stage, he was not to be underestimated. His expression was as cold as winter ice, intimidating. His eyes were sharp as substance, as if they could see through the vanity of the world. A single glance could feel like the slash of a sharp blade.

Behind him, he carried a longsword. The hilt was quite eye-catching, inlaid with a gem that emitted a cold and shimmering light. The gem's light flickered in this slightly dim forbidden area, like a will-o'-the-wisp in the dark night, exuding a mysterious aura, as if silently revealing the sword's extraordinary origins.

Following the young man in black was a middle-aged man with a pointed chin and monkey-like features. Compared to the young man's massive build, he was slightly thinner, resembling a shrewd monkey. His cultivation level was at the twelfth level of Qi training, slightly lower than the young man in black, but the cunning glint in his eyes made him undeniable. As he walked, he glanced around slyly, as if searching for treasure, not missing any corner that might hold an opportunity.

As soon as the two saw the stone house's door open and the footprints clearly visible on the ground, they instantly understood what was going on. They exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with vigilance and suspicion. Without the slightest hesitation, they simultaneously reached out and patted their storage bags. In an instant, two defensive magic weapons flashed and appeared steadily in their hands.

The young man in black produced a round shield forged from black iron, its surface engraved with ancient patterns and radiating a rich metallic sheen, as if capable of withstanding immense force. The middle-aged man with a pointed chin and monkey-like features produced a jade disk emitting a soft blue glow. Glittering runes on the disk revealed the extraordinary spiritual power it held.

The two men, holding magical instruments, bent slightly, and walked slowly, taking each step carefully, their eyes scanning the surroundings vigilantly as they slowly moved into the stone house. Every slight movement would make them tense, as if a deadly threat could suddenly emerge from the shadows at any time.

Lin Fan, hiding in the shadows, watched the scene unfold vividly, calculating the timing and distance of his attack. His eyes were focused and sharp, his heart pounding with the two men's footsteps, and each breath was as steady and long as possible. He replayed the moment of attack in his mind, anticipating possible variables and countermeasures.

Suddenly, a sharp sword light whizzed out from a corner of the wall, like lightning piercing the darkness, carrying a tremendous force, swiftly piercing the two of them. The sword light flashed with an icy cold light, and the air around the sword body seemed to be cut by the sharp blade, making a hissing sound.

"Be careful!" the black-clad youth reacted with remarkable speed, shouting loudly as he thrust his round black iron shield forward. "Dang!" A resounding sound, like the ringing of a huge bell, pierced his eardrums. The sharp sword pierced the shield fiercely, sending up dazzling sparks. The powerful impact numbed the black-clad youth's arms, and his feet involuntarily slid back several feet, leaving two deep marks on the ground.

At the same time, the sharp-nosed, monkey-faced middle-aged man also reacted quickly. He muttered something, and the jade disk in his hand glowed with a brilliant blue light, instantly enveloping him in a transparent spiritual shield. The sword's lingering force grazed the shield's edge, sending it trembling violently, as if ready to shatter at any moment. The middle-aged man's face paled, and beads of sweat streamed down his forehead. It was clear that the sudden attack had taken its toll on him.

"Who is it? Get out here!" The young man in black steadied his body, his eyes wide open like two burning flames, and he roared in the direction of the sword light. His voice echoed in the stone house, full of anger and deterrence.

Seeing his all-out sneak attack fail, Lin Fan, though slightly surprised, remained composed. Unhurried, he strolled out from the corner, a smile instantly plastered across his face. He chuckled and said, "Oh, so you're two of the Great Sword Sect's top disciples! Truly a flood has swept through the Dragon King Temple; it must be all a misunderstanding! I'm Lin Fan from the Yellow Maple Valley." He cupped his fists and bowed, attempting to defuse the tense atmosphere.

The young man in black had a face as gloomy as water. He tightly gripped the black iron round shield, staring at Lin Fan with eyes like an eagle. He snorted coldly and said, "Hmph, Lin Fan from Huangfeng Valley? You attacked me for no reason. Is this how you treat guests in Huangfeng Valley?" His words were icy cold, revealing a strong sense of dissatisfaction and questioning.

The middle-aged man with a pointed chin and monkey-like face also put away the jade disk. A trace of resentment flashed in his eyes, and he said sarcastically: "When did Huangfeng Valley produce a person like you? You act so secretly. Do you want to take the treasures in this stone house for yourself?" After saying that, he glanced at Lin Fan with distrust on his face.

"There is no treasure here. This stone house has been visited by countless ancestors. I have been trying to find it for a long time, but I got nothing!" Lin Fan smiled apologetically and spread his hands, trying to prove his innocence.

The young man in black was not moved at all, and said coldly: "Hmph, words are not enough. You'd better be more straightforward and hand over the storage bag so that my two brothers can take a look, and then everything will be clear." After saying this, his eyes revealed an unquestionable toughness, and his right hand unconsciously gripped the hilt of the sword, and his aura also rose.

The middle-aged man with a pointed chin and monkey-like face echoed with a malicious smile on his face: "Yes, as long as you hand it over obediently, we won't make things difficult for you. Otherwise, don't blame us for being rude." As he spoke, he rubbed his hands together, as if he was ready to take action.

Lin Fan was secretly angry, but he couldn't show it. He suppressed his anger and said, "What do you two mean? Asking for other people's storage bags for no reason, is this the way of doing things of the Giant Sword Sect?" Lin Fan appeared calm on the surface, but in fact he was secretly circulating his spiritual power, ready to deal with possible conflicts at any time.

"Since you refuse to hand over the storage bag, a fierce battle is inevitable." The black-clad young man's words were icy, like a hammer, hammering down on the tense atmosphere. His eyes glared, and he sternly addressed the middle-aged man beside him, "Junior brother, attack!" Before he had even finished speaking, the black-clad young man launched the attack. With lightning speed, he took a sudden step forward, his longsword unsheathed with a clang, releasing a chilling aura. This aura, as if tangible, shimmered with a cold light in the dim stone room, barreling straight towards Lin Fan's throat. Its speed was so swift, like lightning streaking through the night sky, leaving no time for further reaction.

At the same time, the middle-aged man with a pointed chin and monkey-like features, known as "Junior Brother," was not to be outdone. He muttered something, quickly forming seals with his hands. A ball of dark green flame instantly condensed in his palms. This flame exuded an eerie aura and was extremely hot. Wherever it passed, the air seemed to ignite, emitting a sizzling sound. With a low shout, the flame shot towards Lin Fan like a meteor, leaving a distorted trail of light in the air.

Facing the fierce attacks of the two, Lin Fan's face was solemn, not daring to be careless. He stomped his feet hard on the ground, launching himself backward like a cannonball, narrowly avoiding the black-clad youth's sharp sword strike. Simultaneously, he swiftly raised the Hunyuan Shield and charged towards the dark green flames. With a resounding "boom," the flames and the Hunyuan Shield collided, unleashing a powerful impact. Light spread everywhere, sending the dust inside the stone house flying.

As the dust thickened, Lin Fan, taking advantage of the impact, retreated rapidly, tapping his feet repeatedly on the ground. His movements were as nimble as a swallow. He quickly formed hand seals with his hands, muttering something to himself. In an instant, the Star-Breaking Sword seemed to be imbued with spirituality. The blade hummed, enveloping it with immense spiritual energy as it swiftly lunged at the sharp-nosed, monkey-faced middle-aged man.

At the same time, the Hunyuan Shield held steady before him, runes gleaming on its surface, emitting waves of defensive spiritual energy, creating an impenetrable barrier for Lin Fan. At this critical moment, he freed one hand and reached into his storage bag with lightning speed. With his fingers swift and agile as swimming fish, he instantly pulled out a dozen elementary and intermediate-level talismans.

Each of these talismans contained unique magical powers, representing Lin Fan's carefully crafted and accumulated trump cards. At this moment, with a flick of his wrist, the talismans flew towards the two of them like a blanket of snow. The talismans spun rapidly in the air, their runes radiating a brilliant light. For a moment, the entire stone house was illuminated by the myriad lights, illuminating it like daylight.

"Explosion Talisman!" Lin Fan shouted softly, and a fiery red talisman instantly exploded in front of the black-clothed youth. Flames shot up into the sky, and scorching waves of air slammed into the young man like surging waves. The young man's expression suddenly changed, and he quickly held his round black iron shield across his body to block the impact. However, the force still sent him reeling back, leaving deep footprints on the stone pavement beneath his feet.

"Binding Talisman!" Another soft shout was heard, and a shimmering talisman was precisely affixed to the sharp-nosed, monkey-faced middle-aged man's leg. The runes flickered, and an invisible force instantly bound his legs tightly. The middle-aged man stiffened, his movements suddenly slowing. The Star-Shattering Sword's momentum remained undiminished, piercing him with murderous intent in the blink of an eye.

The middle-aged man's eyes widened in terror as he struggled desperately, but the binding talisman was too powerful, and he couldn't break free. Just as the Star-Shattering Sword was about to pierce his throat, the young man in black shouted and, with all his might, hurled his black iron round shield towards the Star-Shattering Sword. "Dang!" A resounding clang, the sound of metal clashing painfully deafening. The Star-Shattering Sword was deflected by the sudden blow, glancing across the middle-aged man's cheek, leaving a bloody streak.

"Hmph, you two have gone too far! Today, I will let you know that I, Lin Fan, am not someone to be trifled with!" Lin Fan's eyes were like torches, his voice was ice-cold, and the spiritual power in his body was like a surging tide, circulating madly in his meridians, preparing to launch another attack.

Lin Fan's gaze was fixed, his hands still twitching. He reached into his storage bag again, his fingers hooked as he pulled out a dozen talismans. Six of them were elementary and advanced, emitting a captivating spiritual pressure, the runes dancing and moving like living creatures. With a flick of his wrist, the talismans flew like arrows from a bow, whistling towards the two men.

Instantly, a cacophony of magical light intertwined within the stone house, accompanied by explosions and whistling sounds. The "Pyroblast Talisman" ignited a raging fire, transforming into a wall of flames several feet high, instantly enveloping the black-clad young man and the middle-aged man. The scorching heat distorted the very air. The "Thunder Punishment Talisman" unleashed the power of thunder, sending thick streaks of purple lightning raining down from the sky. Each strike carried devastating force, sending rubble scattering as it struck the ground.

The "Ice Spike Talisman" instantly condensed countless sharp ice spikes from the air, shooting towards the two men like a torrential downpour of pear blossoms. The middle-aged man was unable to dodge and was hit several times by the ice spikes. Bloody wounds instantly appeared on his body, and blood gushed out.

A fierce collision was deafening, the power of the talismans intertwined and collided, and the entire stone house was shaken. After a few breaths, everything returned to a brief calm.

The sharp-nosed, monkey-faced middle-aged man was already dead, his body ripped into pieces by various spells, scattered across the ground. The scene was horrific. The young man in black, though struggling to hold on, was also severely injured. His clothes were tattered, and the flames had burned him in many places, revealing his charred skin. His body was covered in bloodstains, some of which were so deep that the bone was visible. Blood dripped from the corners of his clothes, pooling on the ground.

The young man in black knelt on one knee, supporting himself with his long sword. His eyes were filled with resentment and anger. He stared at Lin Fan intently, gritting his teeth and saying, "You...how dare you do such a cruel thing? I, the Giant Sword Sect, will not let you go!"

Lin Fan panted heavily, but his eyes held no trace of pity. He coldly replied, "You are so greedy that you forced me to take action. Today, I will show you that not everyone can act recklessly in this bloody forbidden land!" Then, "Prepare for death!" Lin Fan growled, and the Star-Breaking Sword, engulfed in a fierce aura, slashed towards the black-clothed youth's neck like a flash of lightning. The black-clothed youth's eyes widened, filled with fear and unwillingness. He tried to dodge, but his body, severely injured, refused to obey.

With a muffled "puff," the incredibly sharp Star-Breaking Sword easily severed the black-clad youth's neck. His head flew high into the air, and blood gushed from the severed neck like a fountain, spraying onto the floor and walls of the stone house. The headless body slowly fell to the ground, hitting the ground with a "bang," raising a cloud of dust.

Lin Fan bent down and picked up the two people's storage bags. They felt heavy in his hands, and he knew they contained solid cultivation resources. A casual glance revealed a few radiant herbs and a few warm-colored spirit stones...

He hung the storage bag around his waist, his gaze lingering briefly on the shabby stone house and the two corpses. His expression was complex, but he quickly regained his composure. He couldn't stay here for long. The fierce battle just now might have attracted other coveters or even dangerous monsters from the forbidden area.

Lin Fan took a deep breath, channeling his spiritual energy. With a tap of his foot, he unleashed the "Wind Control Technique." His figure instantly blurred, and like a gust of wind, he darted through the forest. The surrounding trees and rocks retreated rapidly, leaving only the whirring of the wind in his ears.

In the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the distance, leaving behind only the dilapidated stone house and two gradually cooling corpses as witnesses of the brutal fight that had just taken place.

In this blood-red forbidden land, life-and-death struggles are unfolding everywhere. Lin Fan knows that only by becoming stronger can he survive in this perilous world of immortal cultivation and see the scenery from a higher perspective!
(End of this chapter)