The deathly silence in the City Patrol Office courtyard was shattered as killing intent erupted once more!
Duo Long's fierce eyes, wide with rage, seemed to spit fire. He stared fixedly at the young man who had strolled out casually under the moonlight, the muscles on his face twitching. The giant blade, "Burning Mountain," blazed with flames even more intense than before!
"You little bastard! A rat who hides his head and tail! How dare you interfere and mock the Profound Sword Sect?! Die!" Enraged beyond reason, his body transformed into a crimson streak, the giant blade carrying a terrifying, world-incinerating force as it came crashing down towards Lin Che's head! This strike pushed his early Spirit Transformation realm cultivation to its peak.
"Fellow Daoist, be careful!" the severely injured Mao Shiba and his men cried out in alarm.
Yet, Lin Che didn't even bat an eyelid. He remained standing with his hands behind his back, the mocking curve at his mouth unchanged.
Just as the giant blade was about to strike!
"Hummm—!"
An invisible, yet vast and mighty, terrifying pressure—far exceeding the Spirit Transformation realm—erupted violently from Lin Che!
The ferocious grin on Duo Long's face froze solid, replaced by extreme shock and horror! He felt as if he hadn't swung a blade, but a straw hitting a mountain! This pressure directly crushed down on his divine soul and Dao Heart!
"No… impossible! You… who are you?!" he screamed, wanting to retreat but finding the space around him solidified, unable to move! The blazing giant blade halted abruptly three inches from Lin Che's forehead, its flames extinguished.
Lin Che slowly raised his hand, extending two fingers to gently pinch the blade's edge.
"Who I am isn't important," Lin Che's voice was lazy but carried authority. "What's important is, you're too noisy, and… you're in my way."
Before the words faded, his fingers exerted slight force.
"Crack!"
A crisp sound rang out. The high-grade giant blade was snapped in two! The broken blade fell, embedding itself in the ground.
[Ding! Host has destroyed the enemy's 'Life-Bound Magic Tool'. Knowledge drop time!]
[Life-Bound Magic Tool 101: Some magical tools are soul-bound to their master, tempered for years with essence blood. Man and tool become one. The upside: power. The downside: if the tool breaks, the master suffers severe backlash—like storing your soul in a USB drive and someone snaps it! Consequences are severe!]
"Pfft—!"
As if struck by a heavy blow, Duo Long violently spat out a mouthful of dark golden blood—his essential lifeblood used to nurture the blade! His aura withered instantly. He collapsed weakly to his knees, all arrogance gone, his gaze filled with incomprehensible fear. What kind of monster is this?!
Mao Shiba and his brothers were utterly dumbfounded. They never expected such a mysterious expert to appear, subduing the Spirit Transformation expert as easily as crushing an ant!
Lin Che casually tossed the broken blade aside. It landed with a loud "Clang!"He turned to the others, his face reverting to a harmless smile.
"Gentlemen, can you still walk?" he asked gently.
Mao Shiba snapped back to reality. Struggling up, he bowed deeply. "Thank you, Senior, for saving our lives! We will never forget your kindness!"
Lin Che's sleeve brushed lightly, a gentle force preventing the bow. "No need for formalities. This place isn't safe. Let's leave."
Mao Shiba quickly nodded. He signaled a brother, who used special Spirit-Sealing Chains to tightly bind the cultivation-crippled Duo Long, dragging him along.
Later, under the night, the group arrived at a secret stronghold of the Broken Sword Sect—a sparse, dusty basement.
Mao Shiba looked at the empty space, his eyes reddening. "This stronghold once held twenty-three brothers. Now… only five of us remain." His brothers lowered their heads, fists clenched.
Lin Che was silent for a moment, then gently patted his shoulder. "As long as you live, there is hope."
After securing Duo Long, Mao Shiba bowed again. "Senior, if you have any orders, the Broken Sword Sect will obey!"
"No need to call me Senior. My surname is Lin." Lin Che's gaze turned cold towards the stone room. "Now, it's time for a… thorough talk."
For the next half-hour, Duo Long's miserable screams echoed. Under Mao Shiba's methods and Lin Che's pressure, Duo Long confessed everything.
The Profound Sword Sect's main sect was in trouble. Elites sent to the lower realm were wiped out by a "Slaughter God Pavilion." They suffered heavy losses, forcing them to contract peripheral forces to recover.
"Slaughter God Pavilion… Lin Che…" Mao Shiba's eyes shone. "If we could ally with such power…"
Nearby, Lin Che (using the alias "Lin Feng") rubbed his nose subtly.
After the interrogation, Lin Che sealed the worthless Duo Long.
"Senior Lin," Mao Shiba looked eager. "What are your plans? Our sect is willing to follow you!"
Lin Che shook his head with a smile. "No need to follow me. I acted by chance. My wife waits for me. I must return to reassure her."
"A wife?" Mao Shiba understood. "Of course! Might you return here tomorrow at the same time? To discuss opposing the Profound Sword Sect?"
"Tomorrow? Agreed." Lin Che nodded. "Keep this man. Until then."
"Yes! Travel safely!" Mao Shiba saw him out, watching him disappear into the night, hope rekindled in his heart.
Walking back, Lin Che looked at the profound night sky, a meaningful arc curling his lips.
"The Profound Sword Sect… your nightmare has only just begun."