I become stronger by sacrificing my lifespan, becoming invincible in the world.

When we returned to the abandoned brick kiln, it was already late in the morning.

The cave dwelling was empty except for Han Li and two trusted confidants who were still waiting there. The oil lamp cast long shadows of them on the mottled earthen wall, like several lurking ferocious beasts.

The flatbed cart was pushed into the cave, and the one-eyed man stepped forward to count the ore. Chao Hanli nodded.

"Twenty baskets, not one less."

A smile spread across Han Li's face, the scar appearing softer in the flickering firelight. He walked over and patted Lin Chen on the shoulder: "Well done, Brother Lin. I knew I hadn't misjudged you."

As he spoke, he took out two money pouches from his pocket and handed one to Lin Chen and the other to Zhao Tiegu: "It was agreed, ten taels each. Plus the medicine and arrows that Brother Lin wanted, I've already given them to him."

Lin Chen took the money bag and weighed it in his hand.

It was heavy; it really weighed ten taels.

But he felt no joy; instead, he became even more wary. The more generous and open-minded Han Li appeared, the more it indicated... something was wrong.

"You're too kind, Mr. Han." Lin Chen tucked the money pouch into his pocket, his voice calm. "Now that the goods have been handed over, we'll head back first."

"What's the rush?" Han Li said with a smile, stopping him. "You've been busy all night, have a drink to warm yourself up before you go."

He gave a wink, and a man next to him immediately brought over three bowls of cheap wine.

Zhao Tiegu hesitated for a moment and looked at Lin Chen.

Lin Chen stared at the bowl of murky wine, then looked at Han Li's eyes, which were hidden beneath a smile.

"Okay." He took the bowl, but didn't drink from it. He just held it in his hand. "Master Han, there's something I'd like to ask you."

"Oh?" Han Li raised an eyebrow. "Brother Lin, please speak."

"Just now at the camp," Lin Chen said slowly, "I saw a light on in a stone house, and it looked like there were figures moving inside. I wonder... if it was a backup arranged by Master Han?"

The air froze instantly.

Han Li's smile slowly faded, his eyes turning sharp as knives. His two trusted confidants silently placed their hands on the hilts of their swords.

Zhao Tiegu's expression changed, and he quietly took half a step closer to Lin Chen.

"Brother Lin has good eyesight." Han Li's voice turned cold. "Since you've seen it, I won't hide it from you anymore."

He paused, then said, word by word, "That barbarian mole knows too much. I, Han Li, don't like to leave loose ends when I do things."

really.

To silence them.

Lin Chen sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm: "Master Han has his reasons for doing things."

"It's good that you understand." Han Li stared at him. "But Brother Lin, now that you've seen it... tell me, how should I treat you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the cave dwelling suddenly became tense.

One-Eyed Dragon and three other men had somehow blocked the exit. The five of them formed a semi-circle around Lin Chen and Zhao Tiegu.

Cold sweat beaded on Zhao Tiegu's forehead as he gripped the bone knife at his waist.

Lin Chen remained calm.

He put down his wine bowl, looked up at Han Li, and asked, "Master Han, do you want to silence me?"

"Smart." Han Li sighed, seemingly regretful. "Brother Lin, you're a rare talent. It's a pity... you saw something you shouldn't have. Blame it on your bad luck."

"Just for that booklet?" Lin Chen suddenly asked.

Han Li's pupils suddenly contracted!

"You saw it?!" His voice suddenly rose, filled with barely suppressed shock and anger.

"I saw it," Lin Chen admitted frankly. "I also saw the dominoes you took from his arms."

The cave dwelling was deathly silent.

Han Li's facial muscles twitched, the scar twisting like a living centipede. He stared intently at Lin Chen, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.

"Fine...very good." Han Li took a deep breath, then suddenly laughed, a sinister smile. "Since you've seen it all, I won't hide it anymore."

He slowly drew the demon-headed broadsword from his waist.

The blade was thick and heavy, with a dark red, blood-red sheen at the edge, clearly indicating that it had drunk the blood of many people.

"That booklet is the complete manual of the Bloodbath Sword Technique." Han Li licked his lips. "A mid-grade Yellow Rank sword technique is worth at least five hundred taels of silver on the black market. As for that domino... it's a token of the 'Grey Wolf Tribe's' priest. With it, I can connect with the demon tribes in the north and do bigger business."

He approached step by step.

"Brother Lin, tell me... do you think I'd let you take such a big secret out of here alive?"

Lin Chen didn't speak, but slowly drew the knife from his waist.

The blade gleamed with a cold, sharp light under the oil lamp.

"Just the two of you?" Han Li sneered. "Old Zhao, if you know what's good for you, get out of here. I might spare your life since you led the way for me."

Zhao Tiegu spat, "Han Li, you're a real piece of trash!"

"That means there's no room for negotiation." A fierce glint flashed in Han Li's eyes. "Make your move!"

His two trusted confidants were the first to rush out!

One man wielded a knife and slashed at Zhao Tiegu, while another man swung his knife straight at Lin Chen's neck!

Lin Chen moved.

He didn't take the blow head-on. Instead, he used the "Wolf's Gaze Step" to slide three feet to the left like a ghost, avoiding the blade. At the same time, his left hand reached into his robes and pulled out an armor-piercing arrow—not with a bow, but as a dart!

Whoosh!

The arrow pierced the air, heading straight for the man with the knife in the face!

The man was shocked and hurriedly swung his knife to block.

when!

The arrow was deflected, but Lin Chen seized the opportunity to close in!

The waist knife, like a venomous snake spitting its tongue, pierces straight for the opponent's heart!

The man hurriedly parried with his sword, but Lin Chen's blade deflected his attack, causing him to stagger forward half a step. Lin Chen seized the man's wrist holding the sword and activated Devour!

[Absorbs 3 years of human lifespan]

Current lifespan reserve: 83 years

The man felt a numbness in his wrist, and a wave of weakness swept over his body. Before he could even cry out, Lin Chen's knife had already slit his throat.

puff!

Blood splattered.

The first one fell.

On the other side, Zhao Tiegu was locked in combat with another trusted confidant. Zhao Tiegu was experienced and shrewd, but he was getting old and his strength was waning. He quickly fell into a disadvantageous position and his arm was slashed again.

"Hold on, Lao Zhao!" Lin Chen shouted, turning sharply and lunging at his trusted confidant.

But Han Li made a move.

He hadn't made a move yet, he was just waiting for this opportunity.

The ghost-headed broadsword, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, slashed down at Lin Chen's waist! This powerful strike blocked all angles of evasion, forcing Lin Chen to take the blow head-on!

Lin Chen's pupils contracted.

Don't try to take it head-on!

He pushed off with his feet, leaning backward as the blade grazed his chest and abdomen, tearing a gash in his black outfit. At the same time, he braced himself with his left hand on the ground, flipping backward like a carp leaping three zhang (approximately 10 meters), narrowly avoiding the blade.

"Impressive movement technique!" A hint of surprise flashed in Han Li's eyes, but he immediately sneered, "Unfortunately, you're doomed to die today!"

He pounced again, his ghost-headed broadsword flashing and enveloping Lin Chen.

Han Li possessed the strength of the seventh level of the Acquired Realm, with ruthless swordsmanship and rich experience. Although Lin Chen's movement techniques were unpredictable, his strength and speed were lacking, forcing him to rely solely on the "Wolf Gaze Step" to maneuver and dodge, constantly facing perilous situations.

"Boy, where did you learn that movement technique...?" Han Li asked coldly as he continued his fierce attack. "The claws of a King-rank demon wolf, the strange movement technique, and that evil art that drains people's lifespan... you have quite a few secrets."

Lin Chen didn't answer, he just dodged with all his might.

He dared not be distracted.

Han Li's sword was far superior to Zhang Kui's and the demon warriors'. Every strike carried an intense killing intent and a bloody stench, clearly honed in life-or-death battles.

We must find a way to break this deadlock.

Lin Chen's gaze swept over the cave dwelling.

Zhao Tiegu was still fighting fiercely, and he had sustained several more wounds. One-Eyed Dragon and two other men surrounded him, blocking all escape routes.

Can't escape.

We have no choice but to give it our all.

Lin Chen suddenly did something that surprised everyone—

Instead of dodging, he charged forward to meet Han Li's blade head-on!

"You're asking for death!" Han Li grinned maliciously, slashing down with all his might with his ghost-headed broadsword!

But just as the blade was about to strike, Lin Chen twisted his body at an incredible angle, sliding almost flat on the ground as he passed between Han Li's legs!

The most bizarre move in "Wolf Gaze Step" is "Wolf Drills Between the Crotches"!

Han Li's sword strike missed its mark, causing him to lean forward.

It's now!

As Lin Chen slid past Han Li's crotch, he swung his knife backhand and stabbed Han Li hard in the lower back!

puff!

The knife tip penetrated three inches into the flesh!

"Ah—!" Han Li screamed in agony, turning around and sweeping his sword horizontally!

Lin Chen had anticipated this and quickly retreated, but his shoulder was still grazed by the blade, leaving his skin torn and blood flowing freely.

The excruciating pain shot through him, but Lin Chen didn't even blink.

He stared intently at Han Li.

Han Li clutched the wound on his lower back, his face contorted in rage: "You little bastard... I'll tear you to pieces!"

He lunged again, but his movements were noticeably slower—his back injury was affecting his power.

This is exactly the effect Lin Chen wanted.

Instead of retreating, he advanced, brandishing his waist saber and clashing head-on with Han Li's ghost-head broadsword!

when!when!when!

Sparks flew everywhere.

Lin Chen's hand was split open, and his arm was numb, but he gritted his teeth and endured it. With each collision, he deliberately directed the blade towards the wound on Han Li's waist!

Han Li's wound was constantly being shaken, causing blood to gush out and his face to grow paler and paler.

"Die!" Han Li went completely mad and slashed down with his sword without regard for anything else!

A glint flashed in Lin Chen's eyes.

This is the moment he's been waiting for.

Without parrying or blocking, he leaned forward, and at the moment the blade fell, he unleashed the full power of the Wolf's Gaze Step, shooting himself like an arrow into Han Li's arms!

With his left hand gripping Han Li's wrist holding the knife, he unleashed the full power of Devour!

[Absorbs 8 years of human lifespan]

Current lifespan reserve: 91 years

With his right hand, he thrust the wolf claw dagger upwards, piercing Han Li's jaw!

puff!

The dagger pierced through the skull, with half of it protruding from the top.

Han Li froze, his eyes filled with disbelief. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but only blood and foam came out.

thump.

The massive body crashed to the ground.

Inside the cave dwelling, there was a deathly silence.

One-Eyed Dragon and the other two men looked at Han Li's corpse on the ground, then at Lin Chen, who was covered in blood and had a cold look in his eyes. Their throats bobbed, and they dared not go forward.

Zhao Tiegu had also dealt with his confidant, and walked over, clutching his wound and panting heavily.

"Want to keep fighting?" Lin Chen looked up at the one-eyed man.

One-Eyed Dragon's expression shifted, but he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Master Han is dead. The Blood Blade Gang will not let you get away with this."

"Then let them come," Lin Chen said calmly, "but you... will die first."

He gripped the knife tightly.

The one-eyed man and the other two men exchanged a glance, and finally slowly backed away, clearing the way for the exit.

"Let's go." Lin Chen helped Zhao Tiegu up, and the two of them walked out of the cave step by step.

The wind outside was biting cold.

Only after walking quite a distance and confirming that no one was chasing him did Zhao Tiegu's legs buckle and he almost fell.

"How are you?" Lin Chen asked.

"I won't die," Zhao Tiegu said with a wry smile, "but this arm... I'm afraid it's going to be ruined."

Lin Chen took out the bottle of wound medicine from his pocket, poured out half of it, and applied it to Zhao Tiegu's wound.

The medicine powder worked extremely quickly, and the bleeding stopped immediately.

"This medicine... it's damn good," Zhao Tiegu exclaimed.

Lin Chen didn't speak, but picked up the ghost-headed broadsword from beside Han Li's corpse, and took out the booklet wrapped in oilcloth and the domino from his arms.

On the cover of the booklet were four grotesque, blood-red characters—

Bloodbath Sword Technique.

Turning to the first page, one finds densely packed human figures and energy flow diagrams. It is indeed a complete mid-grade Yellow Rank sword technique.

As for that domino, it was cold to the touch, engraved with a gray wolf howling at the sky, and twisted runes on the back.

Lin Chen put the two items into his pocket.

"This is... a huge problem." Zhao Tiegu sighed, looking at the outline of Ghost Cry Pass in the distance. "Killing Han Li won't let the Blood Blade Gang get away with it. That sword technique manual... is an even bigger hot potato."

"I know," Lin Chen nodded, "but if I don't kill him, he'll kill me."

"That's true." Zhao Tiegu smiled bitterly. "In this godforsaken place, it's either you or me who dies."

The two supported each other as they walked towards the military camp.

The sky was already beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

A new day is about to begin.

But Lin Chen knew that an even bigger storm was brewing.

When we got back to the earthen house, it was almost dawn.

When Li the Cripple saw the two men covered in blood, he was startled and quickly helped treat their wounds.

"What happened?" he asked in a low voice.

"Don't ask," Zhao Tiegu shook his head. "Knowing too much won't do you any good."

Li the Cripple wisely shut his mouth.

Lin Chen lay on his bunk, closing his eyes to regulate his breathing.

Inside her body, the eight years of lifespan she had gained from absorbing Han Li were slowly transforming. A tingling, itchy sensation came from the wound on her shoulder; it was the wound medicine and the lifespan working together to repair it.

But what stirred his emotions even more was the book "Blood Battle Sword Technique" in his arms.

Yellow Rank, Middle Grade.

Complete energy flow path, detailed power generation techniques, and accompanying killing moves.

If it could evolve and be cultivated...

Perhaps this will allow him to break through his current limitations.

He touched the divine jade on his chest.

A warm thought came:

[Complete Yellow-Rank Mid-Grade Martial Art "Blood Battle Blade Technique" detected]

[Can consume lifespan for evolution and optimization]

[Will it evolve immediately?]

Lin Chen's heart stirred.

But he quickly calmed down.

Now is not the time.

My injuries haven't healed, the environment is unsafe, and... evolving martial arts takes time and requires focus.

He had to wait for an absolutely safe opportunity.

Outside the window, the sky was gradually brightening.

From the distant city walls, the morning bugle call sounded.

Lin Chen opened his eyes and looked out the window.

a new day.

A new crisis.

And new...opportunities.

He gripped the secret manual in his arms tightly.