Ding Chunqiu's body hung in mid-air, riddled with blood holes, having been struck by all nineteen of Lin Zhao's flying swords. He was utterly dead, yet his face remained one of disbelief. His form dissolved into wisps of white luminescence in the air. He, the dignified Coffin Carrier and Sword Cultivator, at level 132, a full six levels higher than Lin Zhao, had been instantly killed before he could even release his Corpse Refining and vengeful spirits. How could such a thing happen in this world?
"Damn it!"
A few seconds later, a player in the woods finally snapped back to reality. "Boss... Boss was killed by the white-robed swordsman!?"
The group was bewildered. In recent days, Ding Chunqiu had been a god-like figure in their eyes, known by epithets such as "War God Chunqiu," "Invincible Star Sect Master," and "Number One Gentleman of the Ghost Path." They never imagined he would be annihilated in a single exchange. Was the gap between the Golden Core and Nascent Soul realms truly this vast?
"Son of a bitch!"
A sharpshooter raised his war bow, aiming directly at Lin Zhao.
"Don't be rash!"
A team leader shouted, "It was a one-on-one duel. We, the All Villains, can't be sore losers."
"To hell with one-on-one!"
Over a dozen players, with an average level of at least 128, charged into the sky. Among them were even the level 130 Jumoxi and Qiu Qianren. Their sole thought at this moment was to focus their attacks and eliminate Lin Zhao in the air.
...
"Swish!"
As everyone charged into the sky, Lin Zhao's gaze turned icy. He unleashed his flying sword, Mingyue, which transformed into a bright moon in the air. Countless moonlight sword qi poured down, forcing everyone to tumble back to the ground in disarray. Simultaneously, Lin Zhao raised his Li Quan sword, swept it lightly, and a cage of sword qi enveloped the group. Then, a Sword Break style transformed into countless sword lights that struck the ground. In an instant, many were killed before they could even react. The damage from a Ninth Realm Sword Cultivator was no trifling matter.
"Damn it!"
The副盟主 Jumoxi curled up behind a green zombie. His Starlight Shield significantly reduced the damage he took, and he barely survived. He sent out a magic treasure, a golden magpie feather. In the next second, the feather unfurled, entangling Lin Zhao in the air and binding him for three seconds. At the same time, Jumoxi unleashed his second magic treasure, a flaming skull. With a powerful swing, the entire sky was engulfed in flames, a terrifying kill zone of nearly 400x400 yards!
The副盟主 Qiu Qianren spread his hands wide and roared, "Dragon String!"
Instantly, his first magic treasure was affixed to the bowstring. He then summoned his second magic treasure, a strand of flame named "Ten Directions Fire," which he attached to the bowstring. This imbued every arrow he shot with immense destructive power and a high chance of stunning his target. Unfortunately, he fired three arrows without stunning Lin Zhao. After all, Lin Zhao wore a Pure Heart Jade Flute at his waist, a gift from Zhao Shutong, which provided extremely strong anti-stun effects and proved exceptionally useful at this moment.
It was at this moment that Lin Zhao finally understood why the All Villains had been able to dominate the northern territories. These people were truly powerful; ordinary guilds and lone players stood no chance against them!
"Kill them, there's no need for mercy."
Without hesitation, he ignited a Valor Talisman to enhance his damage, followed by a Swiftness Talisman to boost his speed. With a "bang," his body vanished into the wind. The next moment, he appeared behind the level 130 mage Jumoxi. The tip of Li Quan protruded from Jumoxi's chest, while the flying sword Mingyue pierced his throat, felling him. Lin Zhao then shifted his position, and the flying sword Guest pierced the heart of the sharpshooter Qiu Qianren, immobilizing him. Two other great ancient swords, "Chichichi," tore through his body, with one of them delivering the final blow.
For the next half minute, Lin Zhao weaved through the jungle with his sword, his flying swords darting and soaring around him as if he were in an empty realm. The result was that all thirty-plus peak players of the All Villains, known as the Dragon Slaying Squad, who had followed Ding Chunqiu, were annihilated by Lin Zhao alone. The sight of nineteen flying swords soaring through the air left them with deep psychological scars.
He picked up the seven or eight pieces of equipment dropped by his opponents and tossed them into his inventory. Then, he mounted his flying sword Hongye and ascended into the sky. This place was a battlefield of discord. He had only managed to kill Ding Chunqiu first; if a real fight had broken out with the opponents resorting to unfair numbers, he would have been no match for them alone.
"Seeking death!"
Just then, two sinister voices echoed from the distant woods. Immediately, two figures, skimming along the treeline, flew towards him. They were two Star River realm Coffin Carriers, their forms like gray phantoms. Flanking them were two wool zombies, comparable to the Star River realm, their bodies covered in red fur. Such a formidable force had been deployed specifically to hunt down Lin Zhao.
"Two Elders."
From the depths of the distant woods, the voice of Tan Xin, the Patriarch of the Coffin Carriers, sneered, "Since he dares to come, don't let him leave alive."
Instantly, the killing intent in the eyes of the two Star River realm Ghost Cultivators intensified!
"Lin Zhao."
At the same time, Lin WanHua's voice echoed in Lin Zhao's Mind Lake. "Move aside."
"!!!"
Lin Zhao instinctively shifted sideways with a jolt. Two radiant sword energies zipped past. With two "chichichi" sounds, the two Star River realm ghost cultivators, who had been rushing forward, were cleanly bisected in mid-air, each struck by one of Lin WanHua's sword energies. The complex and dense sword qi raged, tearing their bodies into a bloody mist.
Even their zombies did not escape, annihilated into a pile of minced meat by the residual power of the two sword energies.
...
"..."
In the woods, Tan Xin, hidden deep within, remained silent. There was nothing to say. Since Lin WanHua had intervened, the situation was dire, and she was likely nearby.
"What's going on?"
On the river, a group of All Villains players stared in dumbfounded silence.
In the distance, a lone skiff drifted down the Washing Sword River. Sitting at the prow of the boat was a woman clad in snow-white robes. She held her long sword across her lap and dipped her jade feet into the emerald green river water, kicking gently. Ripples spread from the bow of the boat, dispelling the ghostly aura that had invaded the Washing Sword River and giving the souls of the Xia tribe trapped at the riverbed a chance to breathe.
The one who had arrived was none other than Lin WanHua.
"Rustle, rustle..."
Not far away, Ding Chunqiu, having respawned at the resurrection point, emerged from the woods with his sword. He stood on the riverbank, gazing at the lone skiff and the woman on it. He gnashed his teeth in hatred. With Lin WanHua's personal arrival, the situation had become troublesome. With her present, all previous plans were likely to be put on hold.
"Master."
Ding Chunqiu frowned and communicated mentally with Tan Xin. "Lin WanHua, the Thirteenth Realm, has arrived. What should we do?"
"What else can we do?"
Tan Xin's voice was filled with anger, having lost two Star River realm elders. "A Flying Ascension realm Sword Immortal is invincible in this world, especially Lin WanHua. Who would dare to provoke her? The subsequent matters are no longer our concern as Coffin Carriers. It depends on what the Demon race decides. Don't rush into anything; wait for now."
"Understood!"
Ding Chunqiu looked up and saw Lin Zhao in the sky above the south bank of the Washing Sword River, his heart filled with a desire to charge forward. "That white-robed figure..."
"Leave him be."
Tan Xin's voice was slightly cold. "We bear the grand schemes of the Coffin Carrier lineage. Why must you provoke him? As the senior disciple of our sect, can't you be more promising?"
"Yes!"
Ding Chunqiu's heart grew cold. "Master's reprimand is correct. This disciple knows his mistake!"
Tan Xin sneered. She knew he was just saying that; this disciple's temperament was similar to hers – willing to resort to any means to achieve his goals. However, under the premise of the Great Dao, such people were usually not destined for greatness. At best, they would reach the Twelfth Realm in their lifetime; achieving the Thirteenth Realm was almost impossible.
On the north bank of the Washing Sword River, war raged everywhere. The seven major guilds had marched south and were locked in a fierce battle with over 80,000 ghost players led by Ding Chunqiu. It seemed unlikely that a victor would be decided anytime soon.
...
In the Ghost Realm, on the Withered Pine River.
A figure in a fiery red skirt landed on the river's surface. It was the great demon Yu Zhi. She stood not far from Liu Bai, a faint smile on her lips. "Only Lin WanHua has come. Didn't you want to meet this Thirteenth Realm Sword Immortal of the human race? The opportunity is here. Ride the waves to the Washing Sword River and slay Lin WanHua. This is the moment."
"Oh?"
Liu Bai narrowed his eyes and smiled. "With my own strength, to kill Lin WanHua in human territory? Isn't that a daydream? Are there any other chess pieces?"
"Yes."
Yu Zhi communicated mentally. "There was once a great general under the Demon Ancestor who was imprisoned for a thousand years for his mistakes. He has already infiltrated the Washing Sword River as planned. He is currently at the bottom of Lin WanHua's boat. Once you make your move, he will too. This is a heaven-sent opportunity to kill Lin WanHua."
"Excellent!"
Liu Bai let out a low growl, raising his Bi Bo Jian. Instantly, a monstrous wave rose from the Withered Pine River, carrying Liu Bai's demon king cultivation. He surged upstream, and in a flash, he was tens of miles away from Lin WanHua.
Simultaneously, in the depths of the riverbed, near the root of the earth, a small mudfish suddenly opened its eyes. Looking at Lin WanHua on the river's surface, it revealed a ferocious and arrogant expression. "Heh... If I devour this little lass, I can instantly reach the Fourteenth Realm!"
It twisted its body, preparing to surge out from the earth's root. Suddenly, the riverbed churned violently.
...
"Hmm?"
Lin WanHua also sensed something and leaped from her skiff. She raised her sword and struck a wave that Liu Bai had sent towards the west. At the same time, she joined her index and middle fingers and unleashed a stream of sword intent towards the riverbed. Although she could not see her opponent, this sword strike landed squarely on its head.
"Ah!!!!"
The small mudfish's head was bleeding profusely. It thrashed wildly. "You damn Lin WanHua, I'll fight you to the death!"
Just then, a large golden hand suddenly emerged from the depths of the earth's root. With a "snap," it tightly grasped the small mudfish by the tail and forcefully dragged it towards the depths of the earth's root.
"Ay ay?!"
The small mudfish was terrified and its soul almost left its body. How could there be someone in the earth's root, a place unfit for living beings?! Who was this person with such immense strength that even it couldn't break free!
For a moment, tears welled up in the small mudfish's eyes.
My life is truly miserable.