"Snort!"
What the group from Haoran Academy never expected was that instead of showing fear, Lin Li let out a disdainful laugh, "Just with you lot?"
"You!"
The fan-wielding leader of Haoran Academy's group was both enraged and humiliated, "How dare you act so arrogant, all by yourself?"
"I've always heard that Haoran Academy's disciples are filled with righteousness," Lin Li said, shaking his head. "But I didn't expect you all to stoop to something as low as stalking, and then resort to using numbers to bully someone who's alone. Truly despicable!"
Lin Li chuckled, "But it doesn't matter. Even if you all attack me together, you're still not my match!"
Months ago, at Linhe Town, Lin Li had already been at the seventh level of Qi Refining. Back then, he had fought off a Saint Sect's incense master, along with the demonized rats, the four rat generals, and the Rat King, without losing ground.
Now, Lin Li had reached the peak of Qi Refining, and his strength had multiplied many times over.
Although the ten people in front of him were all at the same Qi Refining stage, they hadn't experienced the life-and-death battles Lin Li had survived. Moreover, they couldn't release powerful attacks that struck from a distance like Lin Li could.
Thus, Lin Li felt no fear in facing them, only contempt.
"Hmph! Arrogant fool!" the fan-wielding man sneered, "In that case, prepare to die!"
"Oh? Are you sure?" Lin Li's lips curled into a wicked smile. "Originally, I had no intention of killing you. After all, we have no personal grievances. You could've just handed over your life tokens and spared yourselves. But if you want to take my life..."
"Then don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Hah! I'd love to see just how ruthless you can be!" the fan-wielding man scoffed, snapping open his fan and charging at Lin Li. "Everyone, attack! Let's beat him to the ground!"
"Snort!"
Lin Li sneered, his battle intent and killing intent exploding in full force. The vast spiritual energy in his dantian surged into the blade of the sword spirit, Ye Fan.
"Excellent!" Ye Fan's spirit surged with excitement. "Finally! Lin Li is about to start fighting again!"
Though he had recently evolved into a low-grade magical weapon, the prospect of ascending to the Immortal Realm, to seek out the primordial sage who had shattered his sword and the Earth, was still far off.
After waiting through Lin Li's months of cultivation, Ye Fan was already growing impatient.
And now, finally...
The battle had begun!
"Massacre!"
Ye Fan roared internally, using all of Lin Li's spiritual energy to activate his active skill, Massacre. Instantly, Lin Li's physical strength multiplied several times over.
At the same time, purple and red energy surged from Ye Fan's sword.
Clang!
The fan-wielding man's steel-framed fan slashed through the air with a sharp, whistling sound, a cold glint flashing from its edge.
But with just a single swing of his sword, Lin Li easily deflected the attack.
Then...
Slash!
Lin Li swung Ye Fan again, releasing a crescent-shaped arc of purple-red sword energy!
The crescent-shaped sword energy expanded as it soared forward, slashing towards the group charging at Lin Li.
"What?!"
They only had time to gasp in shock before the sword energy reached them. At the same time, the fan-wielding man, having been knocked back by Lin Li's deflection, shouted in disbelief, "How can you release an attack from a distance? Only a Foundation Establishment cultivator can do that!"
While the fan-wielding man was still reeling in shock, the sword arc had already reached his fellow disciples.
One wielding a ruler, two with fans similar to his own, and one with a sword, barely managed to block the attack in time.
But...
The remaining five disciples, stunned by the sight, were unable to react in time to defend themselves!
Slash!
In an instant, the purple-red sword arc cut through them.
[Killed a Qi Refining Peak disciple of Haoran Academy, gained 666 evolution points!]
[Absorbed the blood essence of a Qi Refining Peak disciple of Haoran Academy, gained 60 energy points!]
[Killed a Qi Refining Peak disciple of Haoran Academy, gained 676 evolution points!]
[Absorbed the blood essence of a Qi Refining Peak disciple of Haoran Academy, gained 61 energy points!]
...
In the blink of an eye, five people were slain by a single strike!
"Senior Brother!"
"Junior Brother!"
"Nooo!!!"
The remaining five Haoran Academy disciples wailed in grief and anger. "Damn you!"
"We'll avenge you!"
"You'll pay for this!"
Three of the disciples were furious, their rage driving them to attack, while the fan-wielding leader stood there, his face pale with shock. Instead of charging, he instinctively stepped back, his voice trembling as he questioned, "How can you unleash attacks that only Foundation Establishment cultivators are capable of?!"
"Hmph!"
Lin Li snorted coldly. "If you want to die, come at me!"
"As for how I can release such attacks?" Lin Li smirked mockingly. "If you're that curious, how about defecting to Xuantian Sect's Sword Peak and apprenticing under me? I might just teach you, haha!"
Under the influence of Ye Fan's bloodthirsty passive skill and while in the midst of Ye Fan's Massacre state, Lin Li's personality had drastically shifted.
At this moment, he no longer resembled a righteous cultivator from a prestigious sect. Instead, he seemed more like a bloodthirsty demon cultivator!
"Damn it…"
The fan-wielding man looked down at the bodies of his five fallen comrades, feeling a deep chill in his heart. With a single strike, Lin Li had instantly killed five cultivators of the same stage—this was far too terrifying and unbelievable!
No wonder this man had the confidence to act alone during the Seven Sect Trials!
He had the strength to back it up!
This level of power had far surpassed the scope of the Qi Refining stage.
Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator might not be able to unleash such a powerful attack!
"How can someone this strong be participating in the Seven Sect Trials?"
The fan-wielding man's mind was in turmoil. He hesitated, unsure of what to do. "But his cultivation should only be at Qi Refining Peak! Otherwise, Xuantian Sect wouldn't have allowed him to participate on behalf of their Sword Peak!"
"If that's the case, releasing such attacks must come at a great cost!"
"I can only hope his ability to fight for extended periods is limited. Otherwise…"
While the fan-wielding man was still mired in doubt and fear, Lin Li, now fully absorbed in his bloodthirsty Massacre state, unleashed another ferocious attack!
The sword energy from Lin Li's previous strike had been immensely draining.
However…
After killing five people with a single blow, the energy Ye Fan absorbed and returned to Lin Li far exceeded what Lin Li had expended.
Now, in an instant, Lin Li slashed three or four more times!
And he still hadn't exhausted the energy from killing those five!