CHAPTER 443: CHAPTER 442: SNEAK ATTACK_1

He, Xie Zhiqiu, is the number one figure among the young generation of Demon Way Followers. How could he allow anyone else to take his place?

"I didn’t expect the Saintess Hall to produce such an exceptional figure as Your Excellency. You barely joined the Holy Church and immediately made such an imposing debut, sweeping away Disciples of the Green-faced Demon Sect and Tiger Demon Sect, and even killed a few of my junior martial brothers. I presume the Devil Emperor’s Map previously held by Gu Qingcang is now in your possession," Xie Zhiqiu remarked, showing no immediate intention to attack, conversing leisurely with Ling Chen as if they were old friends, despite this being their first meeting.

"That’s right. I have never been soft on those who want to kill me," Ling Chen replied indifferently. "The Devil Emperor’s Map is just a spoil of war. Why, do you want it back?"

"Of course not."

A faint smile lifted the corner of Xie Zhiqiu’s mouth. "Since the item now belongs to you, Brother Ling Chen, naturally it is your possession."

"Is that so?"

With a calm expression, Ling Chen was already on alert, his attention and perception heightened to the extreme. This Xie Zhiqiu, even if his relationship with his junior martial brothers was poor, couldn’t possibly be so composed. He must harbor a deep-seated hatred for me, desperate to take my head.

However, Xie Zhiqiu was currently engaging in idle talk instead of attacking. Undoubtedly, he must be plotting something.

Suddenly, a surge of killing intent emanated from behind.

Already on guard, Ling Chen abruptly turned, thrusting a finger towards the direction of the encroaching chill.

A metallic glint flickered from his fingertip—this was the Breaking Gold Finger technique Ling Chen had learned from Li Wushuang.

CLANG!

The beam from the Breaking Gold Finger collided with a golden needle, sending a dazzling spray of sparks into the air.

That golden needle was knocked away, but at the same time, several more golden needles shot towards him, swarming like angry bees.

PFFT!

Even with Ling Chen’s swift reaction, he couldn’t evade such a dense volley of sneak-attack needles; two still managed to pierce his body.

A corrosive Poison was instantly released from the golden needles, infiltrating his meridians and rapidly spreading, corroding the True Qi within them.

Looking towards the source of the golden needles, Ling Chen saw the attacker was none other than Ye Wuchang.

"The Saintess Hall truly has many traitors," Ling Chen remarked, merely glancing at Ye Wuchang. If he hadn’t been so cautious, he likely would have fallen for the sneak attack. But then again, he never trusted Demon Way Followers, and that included people from the Saintess Hall.

"Hehe, my apologies, Young Master Ling Chen. The Ghost God Honorific is my master, and a master’s command is difficult to disobey. He wants you dead by the third watch; how could I let you live until the fifth?" Ye Wuchang cackled, a sinister grin spreading across his face.

"Excellent work, Ye Wuchang!" A smile quickly spread across Xie Zhiqiu’s face. He had deliberately engaged Ling Chen in idle chatter to lull his vigilance and divert his attention.

"You’ve rendered a great service this time. I will report this faithfully to Master and recommend he take you as his Direct Disciple for focused nurturing."

"Thank you, Brother Xie!" Ye Wuchang was ecstatic. If he became Sikong Yi’s Direct Disciple, he would no longer have to worry about Cultivation Resources, and his status would soar. He could then command influence within the Saint Witch Religion, obtaining whatever he desired.

Xie Zhiqiu nodded, his gaze falling back on Ling Chen. "Ling Chen, although this method might seem somewhat unsporting, I have no alternative. I must ensure your death with absolute certainty. But why aren’t you fleeing? There’s still time to escape; I might not be able to catch you."

Although he said that, Xie Zhiqiu knew perfectly well that Ye Wuchang’s golden needles were coated with a virulent Poison designed specifically to devour True Qi. This Poison spread faster the more one circulated their True Qi, making it easier for him to kill Ling Chen.

"Flee? Why should I flee? Do you really think you can kill me like this?" Ling Chen surveyed the scene, a cold laugh escaping him.

"Such astounding confidence!" Xie Zhiqiu laughed heartily. "People like you always seem so composed, like indomitable giants who can never be felled. I admire your character. It’s a pity you’re the Saintess’s son. If you hadn’t killed Gu Qingcang and the others, I might have actually wished to befriend you."

"They brought their deaths upon themselves; no one else is to blame." Ling Chen waved his hand dismissively, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips. "Befriend me? Are you even worthy?"

"What?"

Startled, Xie Zhiqiu’s expression instantly darkened, fury blazing in his eyes. "Ling Chen, you..."

"My friends are all people of integrity, open and honorable. But you? You don’t dare fight me head-on, resorting to underhanded schemes to kill me. You’re nothing but a contemptible cur. And you want to be my friend? You truly don’t have the qualifications. Xie Zhiqiu, you may be hailed as the foremost young Expert of the Saint Witch Religion, but in my eyes, you’re no different from a dog!"

Ling Chen’s words were sharp as blades, each one piercing to the core.

"You... Die!"

Xie Zhiqiu’s face turned the color of pig’s liver, then darkened to a furious, mottled purple. He was so choked with rage he could barely speak, almost coughing up blood.

Rendered speechless, he launched his attack without another word. With a swift slash of his saber, Demonic Light erupted, and his blade aura surged, carrying an intent of Absolute Kill as it slashed violently towards Ling Chen.

"Skypiercing Demon Saber!"

The moment Xie Zhiqiu struck, he unleashed a world-shaking, decisive killing technique. His Demon Way will seemed to make the very Demon Way intent in the surroundings explode, its power fusing into his blade aura, forming an endless torrent that surged towards Ling Chen.

Facing such a ferocious blade aura, Ling Chen’s eyes merely flashed. As his figure appeared, the winds and clouds seemed to roil around him, and a violent momentum converged entirely upon him.

Utilizing the Ancient Saint King Battle Technique to elevate his Realm, Ling Chen’s aura skyrocketed. With a single sword strike, the heaven-dominating, earth-ending blade aura disintegrated inch by inch, completely shattering Xie Zhiqiu’s Absolute Kill Blade Technique.

"What? You weren’t affected by the virulent Poison?" Xie Zhiqiu retreated a step, disbelief etched on his face.

"Virulent Poison? You mean this?" Ling Chen raised the middle finger of his right hand. A wisp of black, misty vapor rose from his fingertip and then completely dissipated.

"You actually forced out the Poison? Impossible!" Ye Wuchang exclaimed in shock. My poison needles are irresistible to anyone below the Sky Apex Realm, and the Poison cannot be expelled by True Qi. How did Ling Chen manage it?

"Even the Heavenly Shadow Poison couldn’t kill me. Did you really think this paltry Poison could take my life? How naive." Ling Chen’s eyes flashed with brilliant light. He glanced at Ye Wuchang, his aura brewing to its absolute peak, exuding an air of sovereignty, as if he could command the world and slaughter all before him.