Chapter 634: Slaying Liu Lu

The last time Luo Tian had seen the Mermaid, Qin Aolan, he was still in the Low Tier Earth Element Realm, yet she already possessed strength on par with the Celestial Pool Realm!

Luo Tian needed to know just how strong Qin Aolan was now, lest he let his guard down and get taken by surprise.

Luo Tian had long since discovered Liu Lu and his two companions tailing him, so he had deliberately led them here.

“Mm!”

Qin Aolan couldn’t refuse and gave a faint nod.

In the distance, Liu Lu instantly felt a chilling killing intent and a profound sense of crisis!

“Run!”

Liu Lu roared!

For him to feel such danger, the Mermaid Lady’s power had to be unimaginable. The three of them stood no chance against her.

Fortunately, the unique environment of the Pale Ring was conducive to escaping.

The tall man and Steward Tie saw nothing, but they too suddenly felt an icy chill and immediately began to retreat.

But in the next instant.

The gray-white mist behind them churned violently, and a silver-blue wave, like a tsunami bent on total annihilation, surged toward them.

The very air seemed to tremble and shake.

Faced with that silver-blue wave, all three men felt a suffocating sense of pressure!

‘So strong!’

An Attack from so far away posed a lethal threat to them!

“Liu Lu, you’ve doomed me!”

Steward Tie roared as the meridians all over his body bulged, turning blood-red.

A layer of crimson light enveloped him, and his speed exploded as he fled backward.

“Liu Lu, if I make it out of this alive, we are through.”

The tall man also shouted sharply, condensing a thick True Essence Shield around his body.

He took out a sheet of Talisman Paper and slapped it onto his True Essence Shield.

Crystalline white patterns with a metallic sheen appeared on the pale yellow True Essence Shield.

Liu Lu paid no mind to what his friend and Steward Tie were saying. He was too busy fleeing for his own life, pushing his speed to its absolute limit.

As a Saint Institute Mentor, he was outstanding in every aspect. The speed he unleashed now was comparable to Steward Tie’s, who had used a Secret Technique.

‘It’s no use, I can’t escape!’

Feeling the immense pressure closing in rapidly, Liu Lu switched to an all-out defense.

He took out an Ancient Turtle Shell and activated it.

A giant black Turtle Shell materialized, and Liu Lu hid inside it like a tortoise.

BOOM!

In the next instant, the overwhelming Attack descended, and his ears were filled with a deafening roar.

Finally, Liu Lu discovered that even his “Turtle Shell” was covered in a web of cracks!

WHOOSH!

Qin Aolan, who had just flicked her tail, now retracted it.

Before them, a clearing stretching for a mile or two had appeared in the gray-white void, all the mist completely blown away.

Luo Tian’s gaze narrowed slightly.

He saw Steward Tie’s corpse, which had been reduced to a pile of gore.

The other tall man’s body was shattered into several pieces.

Only Liu Lu remained, his face pale and a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth.

As expected of a Saint Institute Mentor, Liu Lu was exceptional in many ways and came from a wealthy background, possessing powerful life-saving measures.

But Luo Tian was even more astounded by Qin Aolan’s immense power. She had to be at the Celestial Pool Realm Ninth Layer or higher.

Qin Aolan’s expression was cold as her fish tail twitched.

In the distance, Liu Lu was scared witless.

If that last Attack came again, he would surely die.

“My lady, spare me! If you’re willing to let me go, I’ll even become your servant and serve the Mermaid Race.”

Liu Lu dropped to his knees.

In the face of absolute power, he could only bow his head and beg to survive.

Qin Aolan didn’t mind taking on a servant. Liu Lu was fairly outstanding, having survived a casual blow from her.

Liu Lu noticed this, and a look of joy appeared on his face.

“I am far more outstanding than Luo Tian! I’m an Elite Junior Tutor at the Wuji Saint Institute and already have the qualifications to be promoted to Middle Level Tutor.”

“I can perfectly replace Luo Tian and become your informant.”

Liu Lu continued.

But he didn’t know that the person he was begging was Luo Tian’s servant.

“You want to replace me and become her master?”

Luo Tian said with a mocking smile.

There was no way he was going to let Liu Lu go.

In over a year at the Wuji Saint Institute, this guy had caused Luo Tian no end of trouble.

This time, he had even followed him all this way, found helpers, and prepared to assassinate him.

“Master? Luo Tian, what nonsense are you spouting?”

Liu Lu frowned and snapped.

How could he possibly have such a thought? He had no idea what Luo Tian was talking about, but he was still afraid the powerful Mermaid would misunderstand.

“Liu Lu, haven’t you always wanted to kill me? If you can last ten moves against me, I’ll let you live.”

Luo Tian added.

He, too, had always wanted to deal with Liu Lu personally.

Besides, his Martial Arts had improved significantly recently, and it had been a long time since he’d had a good fight.

After hearing this, Liu Lu’s face filled with disbelief. He thought Luo Tian was spouting utter nonsense.

‘What right does Luo Tian have to decide whether to let me go?’

‘And this proposal is absurdly laughable!’

‘It should be a question of whether *he* can last ten moves against *me*!’

Liu Lu looked at Qin Aolan and saw that her expression remained icy, showing no reaction.

‘Does this mean she’s tacitly agreeing to Luo Tian’s proposal?’

‘Perhaps this powerful Mermaid also thinks her informant, Luo Tian, is too arrogant and stupid, and wants to use my hand to get rid of him!’

“Fine! I’ll kill you within ten moves!”

Liu Lu’s fighting spirit surged, his killing intent ice-cold!

CLANG!

His Treasure Sword left its sheath, accompanied by a vast and immense Sword Intent as an azure Sword Light filled the area!

As a Mentor at the Sixth Layer of Celestial Pool Realm, his Sword Intent had reached a profound level. Luo Tian, who also used a sword, would surely be suppressed to some degree.

‘Doesn’t Luo Tian even understand that? To foolishly propose such a fight is simply courting death.’

But then Liu Lu noticed that Luo Tian hadn’t even drawn a Weapon.

“Still putting on an act at a time like this?”

Liu Lu grew angry and immediately launched his attack.

“Celestial Sea Horizon!”

A vast blue Sword Qi condensed into a straight, deep-blue Sword Light, containing terrifying power as it pierced through the void, stabbing toward Luo Tian.

Luo Tian activated his Celestial Furnace Sword Body!

A golden radiance illuminated the surroundings as his Wind Sword Intent shot into the heavens, forming an invisible golden storm!

He extended two fingers and condensed a golden sword from True Essence, meeting Liu Lu’s Attack head-on.

Liu Lu almost laughed out loud.

‘Did Luo Tian suddenly get kicked in the head by a donkey? He’s actually trying to block my Attack with his fingers!’

DING! PFFT! BANG!

The moment they clashed, golden and blue light exploded.

The True Essence Sword that Luo Tian had condensed was swiftly worn down and finally dissipated.

The residual power of Liu Lu’s sword strike hit his fingers, leaving behind a shallow, gray-white mark.

“Mm, not bad. My recent arduous training wasn’t in vain.”

Luo Tian smiled, nodding in satisfaction.

“What?”

Across from him, Liu Lu was dumbfounded, wondering if he was seeing things!

‘My direct sword strike was actually blocked by Luo Tian’s two fingers? And it didn’t cause any real damage!’

Just then, a pale blue Treasure Sword appeared in Luo Tian’s hand. As he swung it, it generated a stream of blue light.

This was the Middle Grade Profound Artifact, the [Spirit Wind Sword].

Celestial Wind Six Techniques—Gale Light!

In the sky, countless whirlwinds rose, continuously merging into a blue and white Sword Light.

With one slash, the winds surged and the clouds roiled. Its momentum was immense, the sword striking like a bolt of thunder.

The Celestial Furnace Sword Body could unleash even greater power from sword-type Weapons. Combined with the boost from his Sword Intent, this strike from Luo Tian was enough to threaten someone at the Sixth Layer of Celestial Pool Realm!

Liu Lu’s expression turned grave.

This strike gave him a faint sense of crisis.

‘How could Luo Tian possibly unleash such a powerful sword strike?’

Liu Lu had no time to think and hastily swung his own sword to meet it!

BOOM! BANG!

In the void, that brilliant and powerful Sword Light exploded, and Liu Lu was forced back more than ten meters.

At this moment, he cast aside all carelessness and fought with his full strength.

In an instant, the two exchanged five or six moves.

Each of Luo Tian’s moves was stronger than the last.

Three new wounds appeared on Liu Lu’s body—two shallow, one deep.

“How is this possible!”

Liu Lu’s face was a mask of terror!

‘I’m actually no match for Luo Tian?’

He had always looked down on Luo Tian, fearing only his mysterious Spiritual Secret Technique, for which he had made ample preparations.

But in this exchange, Luo Tian hadn’t used his Spiritual Secret Technique at all. He had purely crushed him in the Sword Dao!

That’s right. Liu Lu felt his Sword Techniques being invisibly suppressed. It was as if Luo Tian knew the flaws in his Swordsmanship, leaving him powerless to resist!

“Celestial Wind Seventh Technique—Shattering Annihilation!”

Luo Tian pointed his sword to the heavens, and a torrential gale swept through the world, all of it surging toward the blade in his hand.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

He lowered his sword, pointing it straight at Liu Lu!

In that instant, the [Spirit Wind Sword] in his hand shot out a dozen or so Sword Qi whirlwinds, each like a giant python, surrounding Liu Lu from all directions.

RUMBLE!

The dozen python-like Sword Qi Tornados converged on a single point, and a violent storm of Sword Qi engulfed Liu Lu.

The storm dissipated.

Liu Lu was covered head to toe in bloody wounds. His aura was feeble; if he so much as circulated his True Essence, he would likely bleed out and die.

Liu Lu stared daggers at Luo Tian, his face a mixture of rage and indignation.

He had never imagined he would die at Luo Tian’s hands like this. It was too humiliating.

“If I hadn’t been injured earlier, I never would have lost…”

Liu Lu hissed through gritted teeth.

“Even if you weren’t injured, you would still be no match for my master.”

Qin Aolan stated faintly.

It was normal for a servant to flatter their master. But this was the first time Qin Aolan had ever praised Luo Tian, and since she had likely never done such a thing before, the flattery sounded a bit unnatural.

“M-Master?”

Liu Lu’s face was a picture of stunned disbelief.

His mind was in turmoil as he suddenly understood Luo Tian’s earlier words.

This incomparably powerful Mermaid expert was actually Luo Tian’s servant!

Then who on earth was Luo Tian?

Overwhelmed by agitation, his qi and blood surged to his heart. Blood spurted from all his wounds at once, and his body slumped over, completely dead.

“Not bad. A servant should act like a servant. You can praise me more often in the future.”

Luo Tian praised Qin Aolan with the air of a master.

“By the way, what brings you here?”

Luo Tian got down to business.

“My memories are still incomplete. I was searching for my past, following the images in my mind, and they led me here.”

During this time, Qin Aolan had recovered many of her memories.

“The Pale Ring is the place that appears most often in my memories.”

Qin Aolan glanced around.

In other words, she might have come from the Pale Ring.

“If you return the Residual Soul within the [Sea Blue Holy Pearl] to me, I can tell you anything you want to know.”

Qin Aolan said solemnly.

Originally, she had prepared herself to have no further contact with Luo Tian ever again.

More than a year ago, she had suddenly received a message from Luo Tian and learned that he had come to the Pale Ring.

A few days ago, she discovered that Luo Tian was nearby.

Qin Aolan knew it was unavoidable. She also had to admit Luo Tian’s capabilities; she had underestimated him back then.

“Let’s forget about that for now.”

Luo Tian had just tested Qin Aolan’s immense power. How could he so easily return the Residual Soul?

“Why don’t you tell me what you came to find me for?”

“Let’s make a deal. You help me retrieve an item from the Wuji Saint Institute, and I will give you a corresponding reward…”