Fight with Zhang Yuntao — Kill Him!
Zhang Yuntao was a Martial Artist at the Middle Stage of the Lingwu Realm. As the First Family Head, he earned vast amounts of Spirit Stones every year and naturally possessed a movement-type Martial Skill to protect himself.
His speed was astonishing.
In the blink of an eye, he fled Qingyun Town and reached the outer perimeter of the Demon Beast Forest.
However, Zhang Lingxiao was not slow either.
Relying on his proficient mastery of Phantom Step and the burning resolve to avenge his father, he erupted with shocking speed. Like a shadow chasing light, he rapidly closed the distance and blocked Zhang Yuntao's path.
"My dear Uncle," Zhang Lingxiao called out, a half-smile curling his lips. "Where do you think you're running?"
Zhang Yuntao froze. He scanned his surroundings and, upon confirming that the red-clothed Tianwu Realm woman had not pursued him, burst into loud laughter.
"Hahaha! Nephew Zhang Lingxiao, what are you doing?" he sneered. "You don't actually think you're a match for your uncle, do you?"
"Your talent is indeed impressive. Reaching the Late Stage of the Qi Wu Realm at your age—your future is bright. Perhaps you might even step into the Xuanwu Realm, surpassing your useless father."
"But right now?" His eyes hardened. "You're still far too weak."
Zhang Yuntao laughed arrogantly. He had never expected his nephew to actually dare chase him down.
But since things had already come to this, there was no reason to hesitate.
Cut the grass—remove the roots.
In his eyes, blood ties meant nothing.
Clang!
Zhang Yuntao drew his massive saber. Silver light shimmered across its blade, intricate spiritual patterns densely etched into its surface.
Zhang Lingxiao's pupils contracted.
A fine Spiritual Artifact.
That such a treasure rested in Zhang Yuntao's hands was only possible because he had drained the Zhang Family dry.
Zhang Yuntao raised the saber and laughed loudly.
"Using my nephew's blood to temper this blade—what could be more fitting?"
Zhang Lingxiao snorted coldly and drew his sword.
The Tianji Sword slid from its sheath—plain in appearance, yet the spiritual fluctuations it released made Zhang Yuntao's expression change instantly.
"Profound Rank, Low Grade Spiritual Artifact?!"
Zhang Yuntao sucked in a breath. "Good heavens… my dear nephew truly encountered an incredible fortuitous opportunity."
Greed flickered violently in his eyes.
Once I kill him, everything he owns will be mine.
"Nephew—take this!"
With a roar, Zhang Yuntao swung his saber.
"Chaotic Wind Saber Art!"
Buzz—!
The saber tore through the air, shredding the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. Ripples spread outward as the blade descended toward Zhang Lingxiao's head.
Despite the Tianji Sword's higher grade, the gap in cultivation realms was undeniable. The pressure crashing down upon Zhang Lingxiao was immense.
"Hmph!"
Zhang Lingxiao met it head-on, raising the Tianji Sword and slashing forward.
Although he had not officially learned Falling Leaf Swordplay, a brief observation earlier had allowed him to grasp its fundamental principles.
His comprehension talent was terrifying.
His sword movements appeared chaotic, yet within them lay the natural flow and rhythm of Falling Leaf Swordplay.
Relying on this incomplete understanding, Zhang Lingxiao—at the Seventh Heaven of the Qi Wu Realm—was able to contend with a Fifth Heaven Lingwu Realm expert without falling into disadvantage.
Clang!
Hiss—!
Saber and sword collided violently.
Using the deceptive footwork of Phantom Step, Zhang Lingxiao pierced Zhang Yuntao's arm, drawing fresh blood.
However, in return, Zhang Yuntao's saber struck Zhang Lingxiao's left arm.
Slash!
Bone was exposed instantly as blood soaked half his sleeve.
Zhang Lingxiao groaned but did not panic. He circulated the Devouring Heaven Demon Art, forcefully sealing the acupoints in his arm and halting the bleeding.
Seeing this, Zhang Yuntao finally lost his composure.
"Damn it! How can a Qi Wu Realm ant dare fight me to this extent?!"
Fury burned in his chest.
Zhang Lingxiao was like a slippery loach—his realm was lower, yet his swordplay and movement made him nearly untouchable.
If this drags on… that red-clothed woman will finish the others and catch up!
His eyes flashed ruthlessly.
"I have no choice… I'll use that forbidden technique!"
Originally, it was a trump card reserved for Zhang Yunfeng. Yet his son had forced it out instead.
Without hesitation, Zhang Yuntao retrieved a crimson-black pill from his Storage Pouch and swallowed it whole.
Gulp!
Instantly, his vital Qi surged violently.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
His cultivation soared—breaking through multiple bottlenecks in succession.
From Lingwu Realm Fifth Heaven… to Ninth Heaven Peak!
Lingwu Realm Perfection.
Only one step remained before the Xuanwu Realm.
Zhang Lingxiao's eyes trembled.
What kind of pill is this?!
At Lingwu Realm Fifth Heaven, he could barely contend. But at Lingwu Realm Perfection, Zhang Yuntao could kill him with a casual palm strike.
Zhang Lingxiao made his decision instantly.
I can't fight him head-on.
"Run!"
He activated the Phantom Step and retreated just as Zhang Yuntao's saber slashed downward.
At that moment, a cold, clear female voice, like ice echoing through his mind, spoke:
"Don't run. Stall him. He won't last long in this state."
Zhang Lingxiao was startled.
"Who are you?!"
"The one who will change your destiny."
"What should I do?!"
"Hand over control of your body to me—temporarily."
"Get lost!" Zhang Lingxiao cursed. "You're trying to possess me!"
"Your meridians were unblocked by me. The Devouring Heaven Demon Art came from me. And Su Qing is my disciple."
Zhang Lingxiao's heart sank.
If anything, that only made him more wary.
"No."
He would never surrender control of his body.
"Very well," the voice sighed softly. "Then survive on your own."
The presence vanished.
Zhang Lingxiao tightened his grip on the sword.
In the end, relying on oneself is best.
"Little brat! If you have the guts, stop running!" Zhang Yuntao roared.
Zhang Lingxiao laughed coldly.
"Do you think I'm stupid?"
"You old turtle—keep chasing!"
He vanished into the tall grass.
Zhang Yuntao's cultivation was already falling.
Now's my chance.
"Where are you?! Get out here!" Zhang Yuntao bellowed.
Suddenly—
A sharp whistle pierced the air.
A cold light flashed.
Pfft!
Blood sprayed violently from Zhang Yuntao's throat.
"You… sneak… gurgle—"
His eyes widened in disbelief as he collapsed to the ground—dead.
Until the very end, he never imagined he would die this way.
He ambushed Zhang Yunfeng.
And now—his nephew ambushed him.
But Zhang Yunfeng survived.
He did not.
Zhang Lingxiao emerged from the grass and retrieved the Tianji Sword embedded in the earth beside the corpse.
The blade was spotless—untainted by blood.
"A good sword."
He sighed softly.
"The realm gap is still too large. If I were stronger… his head would've fallen."
Killing Zhang Yuntao with a mere throat slash was far from satisfying.
Zhang Lingxiao sheathed his sword, eyes calm but resolute.
I still have a long way to go.
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