Volume 1, Chapter 27: Night of Soul Searching, Desperate Counterattack

It was the third quarter of the Zi hour; the moon was hidden, and the stars were sparse.

After experiencing intermittent aftershocks throughout the day, Qingshi Town finally sank into a brief silence.

Within the Yunni Sect encampment, the lights in most buildings had been extinguished, leaving only the footsteps of a few patrolling Disciples echoing through the empty corridors.

The night in the West Courtyard was exceptionally deep and dark.

At the entrance of the courtyard, two law enforcement Disciples stood as still as door gods.

But tonight, their posture was straighter than the past two days, and their gazes were sharper, faintly carrying a hint of suppressed excitement and tension.

They had received a secret order: at the Zi hour tonight, something important would happen.

In the quiet room within the courtyard, Lin Xuan remained "unconscious," his breath as weak as a thread.

The Medicinal Pill soup on the table had long since gone cold, with no one to attend to it.

"Creak—"

The courtyard gate was gently pushed open.

A group of people filed in, their footsteps light yet carrying an unquestionable sense of oppression.

Leading them was Han Feiyu.

He had changed into a black martial outfit for ease of movement. Although his face was slightly pale due to the backlash from the Medicinal Pill, his eyes burned like ghost fire, staring fixedly at the tightly closed door.

Following closely behind him were two gray-robed Elders with withered faces, sinister gazes, and a cold aura. They were the Sect Deacons proficient in the "Soul Searching Technique"—at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, specializing in interrogation and secret investigations.

Further behind were four inner Sect elite Disciples with steady auras, all at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, holding Magical Artifacts and faintly blocking all escape routes.

Deacon Wang walked at the very back, his expression grave, his eyes carrying a hint of struggle and hesitation, but in the end, it turned into an imperceptible sigh.

The group stopped in front of the quiet room door.

Han Feiyu raised his hand, signaling the group to stop.

"Junior Brother Lin is seriously injured and unconscious. We have come under the Sect's orders to visit and... inquire about the details of the Legacy."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly entered the room, like the cry of a night owl, "Open the door."

The guarding Disciple pushed open the door in response.

The room was dim, with only a bean-sized oil lamp illuminating the pale figure on the bed.

The air was filled with a faint scent of Medicinal Pill soup mixed with blood.

Han Feiyu stepped inside, his gaze falling on Lin Xuan, and a cold sneer curled the corners of his lips.

He walked to the bedside, looking down from above at that bloodless face, and spoke slowly:

"Junior Brother Lin, your Senior Brother has come to see you. How have you been resting these past two days?"

The person on the bed did not react at all.

Han Feiyu waited for three breaths, his smile deepening, "It seems Junior Brother Lin is indeed seriously injured, to the point where you cannot even speak. In that case, your Senior Brother will have to... check for myself."

He turned to the side and gestured to the two gray-robed Elders behind him, "Two Junior Martial Uncles, please."

The two Soul Searching Deacons stepped forward silently, standing one on the left and one on the right of the bed.

The person on the left flipped his withered palm, and a dusty bone needle appeared in his palm, about three inches long. The tip of the needle faintly shimmered with ghostly light, emitting a chilling aura that made one's heart palpitate.

The person on the right took out a pitch-black bronze mirror; the surface was dim, as if it could swallow all light.

"Lin Xuan," the withered Deacon on the left spoke, his voice hoarse like sandpaper rubbing, "I will ask you one last time: what exactly did you obtain in the depths of the Legacy? Where is the metal component now? Speak the truth, and you might avoid the suffering of the Soul Searching Technique."

The person on the bed remained silent and motionless.

"Hmph, refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit." The withered Deacon snorted coldly, hesitating no longer, and slowly thrust the bone needle in his hand toward the center of Lin Xuan's brow!

Just as the bone needle was about to touch the skin—

A sudden change occurred!

The figure on the bed, who had been "unconscious" for two days, suddenly opened his eyes!

Those eyes were clear, sharp, and as cold as an eternal frozen pool; where was there any trace of the distraction or confusion of a person dying from serious injuries?

"I have been waiting for you for a long time."

A hoarse yet calm voice came from Lin Xuan's mouth.

In the next instant, an overwhelming, irresistible force erupted from his body!

It was not spiritual power, but a force of blood and Qi that was pure to the extreme and terrifyingly refined!

The bed instantly shattered into pieces, and wood chips flew everywhere!

The two Soul Searching Deacons bore the brunt of it, feeling a tangible tide of blood and Qi rushing toward them. The spiritual light of the bone needle and bronze mirror in their hands instantly dimmed, and their bodies, as if struck by a stampeding Vicious Beast, groaned as they were sent flying backward, slamming heavily into the wall and spitting blood!

Han Feiyu's expression changed drastically. Reacting extremely quickly, the long sword at his waist instantly unsheathed, turning into a deep blue sword light that slashed toward Lin Xuan!

At the same time, he retreated violently, shouting sternly, "Attack! He was faking unconsciousness! Take him down!"

However, Lin Xuan was faster!

The moment the sword light slashed toward him, he exerted force with both feet, causing the ground to explode into a deep pit, and his entire body shot up like a cannonball!

Activating the core summary of the Ancient God Body Refining Technique, his blood and Qi surged like a furnace, and a dark golden luster flowed beneath his skin!

The essence of "breaking then establishing" from the Foundation Establishment chapter of the Indestructible Body of the Martial God had, during these two days of hibernation, allowed the most fatal injuries in his body to heal by more than half. Although he had not fully recovered, the explosive power was terrifying!

He spread the five fingers of his right hand, dark golden light condensing. Without dodging or avoiding, he actually reached out to grab that sharp, deep blue sword light with his bare hand!

"Seeking death!" Han Feiyu sneered. Although his "frost sword" was not a top-tier Magical Artifact, it was still High Grade; how could it be blocked by a body of flesh and blood?

"Clang—!!!"

The loud sound of metal clashing made the eardrums of everyone in the room ache!

The next moment, the sneer on Han Feiyu's face froze.

His prized "frost sword" was actually firmly grasped by the blade by Lin Xuan's bare hand!

The cold energy on the sword eroded crazily, but it was instantly evaporated by the dark golden blood and Qi in Lin Xuan's palm!

Lin Xuan exerted force with his five fingers, and the steel sword blade was actually squeezed until it "creaked," with tiny cracks appearing!

"Shatter!"

Lin Xuan gave a low shout and twisted his wrist!

"Snap!"

The long sword snapped in response!

He backhanded the half-blade, turning it into a dark golden streak of light that went straight for Han Feiyu's throat!

Han Feiyu was terrified out of his wits. In his haste, he dodged to the side. The blade flew past his cheek, drawing a trail of blood droplets and embedding itself deeply into the wall behind him, vibrating with a hum!

"You... your injuries!" Han Feiyu was horrified.

Two days ago, Lin Xuan was clearly on the verge of death, and Pharmacist Zhou had diagnosed him as critically injured; why could he erupt with such terrifying power at this moment?

"Thanks to you, I lay down for two days, just enough to recover some strength," Lin Xuan said coldly, his gaze sweeping over the people in the room.

The four inner Sect elite Disciples had reacted, each holding their Magical Artifacts, their spiritual power surging, but they were chilled to the bone by his glance, and no one dared to be the first to attack.

"Attack together! He is not fully recovered from his injuries; he won't last long!" Han Feiyu shouted sternly, forcing down his fear and disregarding any sense of decorum.

The four Disciples looked at each other, gritted their teeth, and activated their Magical Artifacts, turning into four streaks of light as they attacked Lin Xuan simultaneously!

Fireballs, ice spikes, Talismans, Flying Swords—various attacks poured down!

Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed, the Concept of "Mountain Crushing" from the incomplete Three Mountain-Shaking Forms merging into his fists.

His footwork changed, his figure shifting and flickering within the cramped room. Every punch he threw precisely shattered an attack!

Wherever his fist force passed, fireballs exploded, ice spikes shattered, Talisman light dimmed, and Flying Swords were sent flying by his punch, their blades covered in cracks!

In just three breaths, the four inner Sect elite Disciples at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer were forced into a sorry state by him alone!

The two Soul Searching Deacons also struggled to get up, suppressing their churning blood and Qi, and looked at each other, a flash of ruthlessness in their eyes.

They formed hand seals, and the dusty bone needle and pitch-black bronze mirror lit up again, but this time, the target was no longer "Soul Searching," but—

"Soul Fiend Heart-Devouring Curse! Swift!"

The two shouted in a low unison, the bone needle and the bronze mirror resonating, shooting out an eerie gray-black beam of light that went straight for Lin Xuan's back!

This was their trump card, specifically targeting the Divine Soul, extremely sinister. Once hit, at best, the Divine Soul would be damaged; at worst, one would become an idiot!

Lin Xuan seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. The moment the beam of light shot over, his body twisted strangely, dodging the direct hit. At the same time, he reached out with his left hand, using the blood and Qi force of the Ancient God Body Refining Technique to forcibly grab that gray-black beam and pull it violently!

"What?!"

The two Deacons were horrified, feeling an irresistible force coming from him, their bodies involuntarily being pulled toward Lin Xuan!

"Giving it back to you!"

Lin Xuan shouted, backhanding it. The gray-black beam was wrapped in his blood and Qi force and blasted back in the opposite direction!

"Boom!"

The two Deacons were hit by their own "Soul Fiend Heart-Devouring Curse," screamed, bled from their seven orifices, and passed out on the spot!

The room was in a mess.

The four elite Disciples were sprawled about, their Magical Artifacts scattered on the floor. Although they were not dead, they no longer had the strength to fight.

The two Soul Searching Deacons' life or death was unknown.

Only Han Feiyu stood at the door, his face as pale as paper, his eyes full of fear and disbelief.

"You... what exactly..." His voice was trembling.

Lin Xuan walked slowly toward him, every step like stepping on his heart.

That not-so-imposing body, in his eyes at this moment, was like a demon god walking out of Hell.

"Senior Brother Han," Lin Xuan stopped three steps in front of him, his voice terrifyingly calm, "You visit late at night, bringing Soul Searching Deacons—what is your intention?"

Han Feiyu's lips trembled, forcing out his last bit of dignity: "Lin Xuan! You... how dare you touch me? My Revered Master is an inner Sect Elder at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage! If you harm me, the Sect will surely exterminate your nine clans!"

"Exterminate my nine clans?" Lin Xuan smiled. The smile was faint but carried an indescribable mockery, "Senior Brother Han, I fear you have mistaken one thing."

He leaned forward slightly, every word like ice beads falling on a jade plate:

"I, Lin Xuan, have no father or mother, no Sect or faction, and no clan to exterminate."

"But I have a body with strength yet to be exhausted, and a heart... that is not very afraid of death."

Han Feiyu's pupils shrank, as if he had seen something most terrifying.

Lin Xuan raised his right hand, dark golden luster flowing, and slowly clenched his fist.

"Senior Brother Han, tell me, if this punch lands, can you withstand it?"

Outside, the night wind howled, causing the window lattice to rattle.

Inside, the atmosphere was frozen to the extreme.

Han Feiyu's face turned from green to white. Finally, before that descending fist, he made his choice—

"Thump!"

This inner Sect elite, this Foundation Establishment Genius, his knees softened, and he actually knelt straight to the ground!

"Junior... Junior Brother Lin! Spare me! Your Senior Brother... your Senior Brother was just confused for a moment, bewitched by a villain! I don't want the Legacy anymore! The jade box is yours too! I only beg you... to spare my life!"

He was streaming with tears and snot; where was any of the arrogance and demeanor of an inner Sect elite?

Lin Xuan looked at him, his eyes devoid of triumph or mockery, only a deep, profound calm.

He slowly lowered his hand, turned, and walked toward the bed (or rather, the remains of the bed), picking up the metal disc and fragments that had been hidden under the pillow the whole time from the pile of broken wood chips.

"Senior Brother Han, remember tonight." He did not turn back, his voice sounding as if it were drifting from afar, "You owe me a life."

"Get out."

Han Feiyu felt as if he had been granted amnesty, scrambling and crawling out of the room, disappearing into the night.

The four Disciples also fled in a panic, leaving only a mess and the two unconscious Soul Searching Deacons behind.

Lin Xuan stood in the ruins, watching the direction they had disappeared, his eyes deep.

He knew that tonight's events were just the beginning.

Han Feiyu would not let it rest, and the Sect would not sit idly by.

But his "hibernation period" was over.

What he would face next would be an even more surging storm.

He turned, his gaze falling on the shadows in the corner, and suddenly spoke: "Come out, you've been watching for so long."

The shadows stirred, and a slender figure walked out slowly.

It was Su Qingyue.

She was dressed in a moon-white dress, appearing exceptionally cold and refined in the chaotic night.

Her face was pale, and her eyes were full of complex emotions—shock, confusion, and a hint of something indescribable... relief?

"You saw everything?" Lin Xuan asked.

Su Qingyue nodded slowly, looking at the chaotic room, looking at the two unconscious Deacons, and finally, her gaze fell on Lin Xuan, her voice somewhat dry: "You... were awake the whole time?"

"From the moment I was carried in, I was awake," Lin Xuan did not hide it.

"Then you..." Su Qingyue paused, seemingly wanting to ask something, but not knowing where to begin.

Lin Xuan looked at her and suddenly asked: "Did you come to help them, or... to watch me make a fool of myself?"

Su Qingyue's body trembled slightly, she lowered her eyelids, was silent for a moment, and said softly: "I... don't know."

She raised her head, her gaze carrying a hint of struggle, and a hint of... determination that Lin Xuan had never seen in her eyes before: "But I know they did wrong. The Soul Searching Technique... is a forbidden technique of the Sect. Those who use it without authorization will, at best, be crippled of their cultivation, and at worst, be executed. For the sake of his own selfish desires, Han Feiyu dared to use this method; he has already violated the Sect rules."

"So what?" Lin Xuan asked.

Su Qingyue bit her lip, seemingly having made a big decision: "I will report the events of tonight truthfully to the Sect. Han Feiyu... deserves punishment."

Lin Xuan looked at her, a hint of surprise flashing in his heart.

This once high-and-mighty "former fiancée," this top student who once firmly believed in "rules above all," had actually chosen to stand on the opposite side of the rules? Or rather, had she stood on the right side?

"Are you not afraid of offending Han Feiyu and the Elder behind him?" Lin Xuan asked.

Su Qingyue raised her head, her gaze carrying a hint of clarity that had never been there before: "I am afraid. But... I am more afraid of becoming someone like them."

She turned, preparing to leave. Walking to the door, she suddenly stopped, without looking back, her voice very light:

"Lin Xuan... I'm sorry."

"And... thank you. In Black Wind Ridge, you saved me twice."

As her voice fell, her figure disappeared into the night.

Lin Xuan gazed in the direction she had left, silent for a long time.

This night, too many things had happened.

Han Feiyu's defeat, the Soul Searching Deacons' unconsciousness, Su Qingyue's transformation...

And he had finally walked out of "hibernation" and stood on the front stage.

Next, whether it was the Yunni Sect's thunderous rage or the even more surging undercurrents, he would have to face them directly.

He lowered his head, looking at the metal token in his hand. The dark golden luster, under the moonlight, seemed to flow with ancient secret language.

"The Legacy has been obtained, the path is clear."

He muttered to himself, his gaze cast toward the faint stars in the night sky:

"From now on, whoever comes, I fear no one."

The night in the West Courtyard grew deeper.

But Lin Xuan's heart was clearer than ever before.

(Volume 1, Chapter 27 End)