The teleportation array was set to head towards the Flowing Cloud Sect. The journey was fast at first, but after a third of the way, the speed began to slow down.
Chen Nanfeng's power faded at the last moment. Is the formation unable to sustain itself all the way to the sect?
Lin Yun sighed, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind. When he saw Chen Nanfeng's final outcome, all the puzzle pieces fell into place. The ambush and murder of the disciples at the Five Yang Mountain mine. Wang Shuang's death. All of it was because the mole was the Senior Brother he respected the most, Duan Heng!
Lin Yun wanted to slap himself. Damn it, and I actually felt guilty for stealing that bastard's opportunity.
Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a streak of white sword light behind them.
"Damn it, you can even keep up with this?" Lin Yun was on the verge of collapse. Although the teleportation array was fast, it was difficult to completely shake off his pursuer.
Even with the speed advantage, I can't keep this up for long. I'll definitely be caught.
Lin Yun regulated his breathing while observing his surroundings. The teleportation array seemed more like a magical artifact; at this moment, he and Chen Jingrou were inside a large cocoon. He could see the environment outside and even choose a suitable place to land.
As the cocoon's speed grew slower and slower, the person behind them was about to catch up. Lin Yun got a clear look at the man. It was Huang She... no... now it should be, Senior Brother Duan!
Just then, his gaze fell upon a valley below. The terrain there was narrow, which was perfect for him. Whether it was the Great River Sword Art or the Azure Origin Sword Art, both would be twice as effective in this confined space.
Lin Yun took Chen Jingrou and dove straight down.
Duan Heng, who was chasing him, was stunned. Has this kid lost his mind? He actually wants to fight me head-on? Even if you gave Lin Yun ten times the courage, he shouldn't have had such a thought. A mere Nascent Yuan Realm cultivator, how could he fight him?
BANG!
Lin Yun held Chen Jingrou, letting his own body slam heavily into the ground. After skidding for a long time, he finally stabilized his body. He spat out a mouthful of blood and then looked up at the sky.
A figure descended. Duan Heng had arrived.
"Chen Nanfeng still didn't expect that I could chase you this far. Hand over the item, and I can give you a quick death." As he spoke, he slowly walked toward Lin Yun.
At this moment, Lin Yun was gently placing Chen Jingrou on the ground. He stood up, limping. His crimson eyes stared at Duan Heng. He had personally watched Chen Nanfeng die right in front of him. It was impossible for him not to be angry.
Duan Heng paid Lin Yun no mind at all. "Didn't you hear me? Hand over the item. I can make the decision to spare your life and leave a descendant for the Chen family. Don't make me angry."
After he finished speaking, Lin Yun still didn't respond.
Lin Yun was clutching a pill in his hand. His only hope at this moment: the Tribulation-Crossing Divine Pill. This pill was most suitable for Yuan Sea Realm cultivators; breaking through three minor realms was the bare minimum. But for a Nascent Yuan Realm cultivator, it was a bomb. A bomb that would detonate his own body.
"Lin Yun, don't be a fool. This Tribulation-Crossing Divine Pill is meaningless to you. If you eat it, the moment its effects kick in will be the moment you die." Duan Heng sneered, clearly not believing that a single pill could save Lin Yun. "There's no one for a hundred miles. The Flowing Cloud Sect won't find you."
Lin Yun was silent, then he glanced at his panel.
[Name]: Lin Yun
[Realm]: Ninth Level of Nascent Yuan (Translator's Note: Original text has a typo again, reverting to first level. Translating based on established progression.)
[Destiny]: Lone Star of Calamity (Black)
[Fate]: Imminent Disaster (Black)
[Outcome]: After a difficult and frustrating life, you finally start to see some success, only to be betrayed. You fight a desperate battle against your enemy in Sunset Glow Valley and perish on the spot.
[Recent Turning Point]: In Sunset Glow Valley, you fight a desperate battle against your enemy. By using the Tribulation-Crossing Divine Pill to break through, although you are severely injured, it synergizes with the opportunities you have accumulated, and you successfully step into the Sword Cultivator's Yuan Sea Realm!
Sword Cultivator's Yuan Sea Realm? What the hell is that? Lin Yun had never even heard of it before. But looking at the outcome, if he didn't step into this realm, he would still die. This realm was his only chance to defy the heavens and change his fate.
Lin Yun looked at Duan Heng, a plan already forming in his mind. Isn't this a ready-made tool?
Duan Heng looked at Lin Yun and smiled. "Hand over everything you have. The Jade Hornless Dragon Lamp, and the thing you found at Five Yang Mountain." He had expected Lin Yun to be surprised, but the kid didn't even bat an eye.
"You knew all along?"
Lin Yun pursed his lips. "I refuse to believe there's such a nice guy in the world. You approached me several times on purpose, it was just to get information, wasn't it?"
Duan Heng was somewhat speechless. He had underestimated this Junior Brother Lin. "That day at Five Yang Mountain, it was only you and Wang Shuang. That idiot didn't even understand why he died at the last moment. You're a bit smarter than him. The thing is on you, isn't it, Junior Brother Lin?"
During the ambush at the Five Yang Mountain mine, it was Duan Heng who had killed the Flowing Cloud Sect disciples to lure reinforcements. He must have triggered a trap when entering the cave. Afterward, Duan Heng returned to Five Yang Mountain but couldn't find the Yuan Embryo in the cave. So, he killed Wang Shuang and the other disciples, leaving clues pointing to the Red Ghost Sect to lure the elders there, while the Red Ghost Sect's real target was Chen Family Fort. From that moment on, Duan Heng had been scheming. This included coming to Chen Family Fort later.
Duan Heng glanced at Chen Jingrou in the distance and held out his hand. "For the sake of our time as fellow disciples, you only need to hand over the items, Junior Brother Lin. I won't make things difficult for you two. That is my only goal."
Lin Yun gave a bitter smile. "Senior Brother Duan was also acting before. You let us go on purpose, just so you could come here and snatch the things from my body alone." He looked at the man before him, who felt like a complete stranger. He had once thought Duan Heng was a very kind senior brother, perhaps the only person in the Flowing Cloud Sect who was unconditionally good to him. But looking at him now, there was no kindness, only schemes.
Duan Heng was silent, which was as good as confirming Lin Yun's words.
Lin Yun shook his head and slowly raised his Cold Flame Sword. "I never thought Senior Brother could be so selfish. I was originally feeling regretful for having stolen your opportunity. Now, I can finally fight without holding back."
As he spoke, he threw the Tribulation-Crossing Divine Pill directly into his stomach.
Duan Heng was dumbfounded. Has this kid lost his mind?
"Swallowing the Tribulation-Crossing Divine Pill in your current state... your body won't be able to handle it."
The moment Duan Heng's voice fell, a fierce wind howled through the valley. An incomparably violent yuan qi erupted from within Lin Yun's body. Every inch of his muscle "crackled" and "popped."
He had expected Lin Yun to die on the spot. But Duan Heng was surprised to find that after Lin Yun consumed the pill, his dantian completely exploded. The yuan qi that had been accumulated in his dantian now spread unevenly throughout Lin Yun's body like splattered ink. Although he had survived, he had also become a cripple.
But strangely, Lin Yun was faintly showing signs of a breakthrough.