Chapter 39: Xu Yao’s Doubt—How Much Is Your Reputation Worth?

"Well, well, you brat, even with disaster looming you insist on playing the hero. I won't kill you just yet—you want to protect her, don't you? Once I've crippled you, I'll humiliate her right before your eyes..."

Lin Chuchen’s eyes burned with even greater fury as he beheld Ling Tian’s display. Damn it, how dare he? He glanced at Chen Ningshuang as well; she wasn’t half bad, actually. She matched his aesthetic tastes quite well. Since she was doomed to die anyway, why not enjoy her before the end? He wanted to protect this woman, did he? To do such a thing before his despairing gaze—what an appealing prospect! The thought alone made his heart race.

In the distance, Yan Chen took out a memory stone, sensing this was the perfect opportunity. Wasn’t everything he did for such evidence? With this, he had proof—even if the Emperor of Chaos didn’t believe him, he could use mighty powers to trace the truth, and the blame would not fall on him. He didn’t believe that Lin Chuchen, a ninth-tier King, the strongest force in this secret realm, couldn’t kill Ling Tian.

"Die!"

Lin Chuchen wasted no words, brandishing his staff and launching a killing strike.

"Come, fight!"

Ling Tian did not immediately take out the Imperial Banner; instead, he activated his Chaos Dao body. Ever since reaching minor completion, he had yet to truly test its strength. Everyone knew his unparalleled talent in swordsmanship, but none realized that Luo Qingqiu prized him for his Chaos Dao body. This was also the reason his identity as Tian Ling could be exposed. As for his Ling Tian persona, the double-pupils sufficed.

In an instant, a formless, ethereal aura radiated from Ling Tian’s body, obscuring his features from sight.

"Tricks and illusions!"

Lin Chuchen sensed the powerful aura, but at that point, retreat was impossible. Besides, their realms differed so greatly—could Ling Tian actually kill him? With that, Lin Chuchen hesitated no longer and struck fiercely.

A metallic clang rang out as Lin Chuchen’s staff struck the shield formed by Ling Tian’s Chaos Dao body, yet not a single crack appeared.

"What?" Lin Chuchen stared in disbelief. This was far too fantastical.

"Such power?"

Beside them, Chen Ningshuang’s lips parted in astonishment as she gazed at Ling Tian’s unique aura. Even at ninth-tier King, she herself could not have blocked that blow so easily. Surely, some injury would be inevitable.

"Damn it, he still had such a trump card!"

Yan Chen’s gaze darkened as he watched Ling Tian, surprised by his tenacity.

"But it’s nothing!"

Ling Tian raised his hand as a sword, unleashing a blade of sword energy. Lin Chuchen, startled, quickly dodged. After one exchange, he found himself at a disadvantage—a far cry from his expectations! He had thought killing this brat would be as simple as crushing an ant. He had clearly underestimated him. Now, Lin Chuchen resolved that Yan Chen would have to sweeten the deal—perhaps even hand over Xu Yao.

"You think hiding in that turtle shell will leave me helpless?"

Lin Chuchen sneered, pulling out a token containing three attacks equivalent to the early stage of the Heaven-Knowing Realm. This time, he had invested heavily! Though a Holy Son, he still had to exchange contribution points for such items. For those at that level, it was mentally and spiritually taxing.

"Attack!"

Lin Chuchen activated the token, unleashing a strike.

A fierce attack slammed into Ling Tian’s shield, which soon shattered under the chaotic energy.

"Hahaha, brat, still pretending? Now die!"

Lin Chuchen laughed heartily, watching the dust swirl where Ling Tian stood. Though unexpected, at least he had killed the brat. Truly foolish! How could the Heaven-Knowing Realm be resisted by those at their level?

"Tian Ling, my friend!"

Chen Ningshuang cried out, her face sorrowful and bitter, hating her own inability to protect Ling Tian. Reality was cruel. That boy who had just been laughing and joking with her—now he was dead.

"Little beauty, I advise you to obediently serve me later. Perhaps if I’m pleased, I might..."

Lin Chuchen’s words were cut short as Ling Tian’s voice emerged from the dust:

"Cough, cough, I was a bit too confident!"

Ling Tian waved his hand, dispersing the lingering smoke—unharmed. He was joking; even the clothes he wore were sacred artifacts. Such attacks could never harm him. What he had done, however, was measure the strength of his Chaos Dao body’s shield.

"You—you’re not dead!"

Lin Chuchen trembled. This was his strongest attack—if it didn’t work...

"Then die!"

Lin Chuchen, desperate, unleashed the remaining two attacks in quick succession.

Boom, boom...

This time, Ling Tian revealed himself directly after the attacks, lest Lin Chuchen truly believe he had been killed.

"Majestic heavenly might, heed my command—open!"

"Divine Binding!"

Ling Tian took out the Imperial Banner, which instantly grew to a man’s height. This time, however, it displayed a new ability. It seemed that the more people refined the Imperial Banner, the stronger its powers became. Understanding this principle, Ling Tian formed mature plans.

Lin Chuchen, having expended all three attacks and failed to kill Ling Tian, was about to flee, but Ling Tian anticipated his move and brought out the artifact. Feeling its oppressive power, Lin Chuchen’s eyes widened. Even his sect’s sacred relics had never radiated such overwhelming pressure. It was unthinkable!

Only now did he realize he had been utterly trapped. This brat was no lone cultivator—his backing was extraordinary. Otherwise, how could he possess such a treasure? He wouldn’t believe it even if he were beaten to death. His mind raced wildly.

Golden threads shot from the Imperial Banner at incredible speed; Lin Chuchen, caught off guard, was bound like a caterpillar and rolled before Ling Tian.

"You think you can kill me?"

Ling Tian stared coldly at Lin Chuchen. He was no saint; since Lin Chuchen had tried to kill him, he would not let him live. The killer must die.

"It wasn’t me, it was—"

Lin Chuchen tried to explain, but Ling Tian silenced him. He was but a small fry—there was a bigger fish yet.

"If you don’t come out now, I’ll kill him!"

Ling Tian activated his double-pupils, a playful smile at his lips as he looked toward Yan Chen’s hiding place.

"I won’t let you kill him!"

After a brief commotion, Xu Yao sprang forth, glaring hatefully at Ling Tian. Behind her, Yan Chen followed, his face helpless and awkward.

Yan Chen had planned to escape upon seeing Ling Tian’s strength, but guilt over Xu Yao compelled him to come forward.

"It seems he’s your enemy. Then I’ll leave him to you."

Ling Tian crippled Lin Chuchen and kicked him over to Xu Yao, then handed the memory stone to Chen Ningshuang, whispering something in her ear. Her eyes brightened, and she nodded in agreement.

Xu Yao stared, bewildered at Lin Chuchen’s pained face—so easy? Was this man so agreeable?

Unlike Xu Yao, Yan Chen watched Ling Tian approach, his heart in his throat. Suddenly, he felt no confidence in dealing with Ling Tian.

"Shall we talk?"

Ling Tian glanced at Yan Chen, speaking calmly. Yan Chen grunted, said nothing, and started to walk away.

"Brother Yan Chen..."

Xu Yao tried to follow.

"You stay!"

Yan Chen’s face turned grim. Xu Yao shrank back, looking at him with unfamiliar eyes, and stayed behind. The two left, one after another.

"I should thank you, at least you didn’t expose me outright."

Yan Chen looked at Ling Tian, his expression steady.

"Heh."

Ling Tian scoffed, offering no explanation. He had his reasons—Xu Yao learning the truth would be a tiresome, tearful ordeal. Better she weep where he couldn’t see her.

"I just don’t get it—why must you always oppose me? My junior sister and I grew up together, we got along just fine, and then you barged in! How is it possible for someone like you to exist—good background, charm with women, and damn it, even peerless talent? I just want to ask—why? Why disrupt my life? Huh?"

Yan Chen fired off question after question, veins bulging on his forehead as he voiced every injustice he’d suffered. When he finished, he took a deep breath to compose himself.

"Well said—why? Simply because I wish to. Is that enough? If you hate me, want to kill me, you’d better have the strength!"

Ling Tian’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Yan Chen. He didn’t want to push him this far, but the system left him no choice. He couldn’t exactly say the system promised him a reward for breaking Yan Chen’s Dao heart.

"Fine, you wish it so!"

Yan Chen laughed in rage, realizing he was being toyed with.

"Master, aid me!"

At this point, Yan Chen dared not be careless and shouted out. Instantly, a powerful aura burst from his body, white and black flames swirling around him.

"Boy, enemies are better resolved than made. Give me face and let this matter end here—henceforth, we’ll go our separate ways."

Shen Yan’s spiritual form appeared, eyes fixed on Ling Tian, stroking his beard and radiating an oppressive force to pressure Ling Tian into backing down. He knew Yan Chen had provoked the wrong person—this was a disaster! That banner was likely an imperial artifact. He couldn’t imagine how powerful Ling Tian’s background truly was. This was the wisest choice.

Ling Tian sneered, his expression cold.

"Old man, I never tried to kill your disciple—but he? He’ll stop at nothing to murder me! You want me to let it go, heh..."

Ling Tian’s tone shifted, a mocking smile on his lips as he stared at Shen Yan.

"And tell me, old man—how much is your face worth?"