Chapter 586: Corruption

The sparring match between the two finally came to an end. Both walked away with minor injuries, nothing serious, but they now had a general understanding of each other’s strength.

“Brother Lin, your strength is truly impressive. I almost couldn’t handle that,” Bu Qianfan said as he put away his Golden Scale Jade Face Fan. The short blades that had emerged from its ribs retracted, and it returned to its previous, ordinary appearance.

“Brother Bu, you’re also very powerful. Thank you for the match,” Lin Xuan replied, putting away his Soul Slayer Rod. He clasped his fists and smiled as they exchanged a few compliments.

Internally, however, both men were having different thoughts. Lin Xuan now had a much better grasp of Bu Qianfan’s power, and he had to admit that Bu Qianfan was very strong.

While it appeared to have ended in a draw, this result was actually a testament to Lin Xuan’s formidable power. Considering the significant gap in their Cultivation, fighting to a standstill was an incredible feat.

Neither Bu Qianfan nor Lin Xuan had unleashed their full strength, so it was impossible to say who would have truly won.

Regardless of the outcome, there was no need for them to fight to the death. A simple spar was sufficient; there was no reason to continue.

Next was to return and rest. The brief exchange had been surprisingly draining. After a few days of rest, it was time for Lin Xuan to depart.

He could not afford to stay here any longer; he had to make a trip to the Demon Race Continent. The reason he’d had his Weapon repaired was precisely for this, to slightly increase his own strength.

He was currently very satisfied with the Soul Slayer Rod and the boost in its power. And this was without even having integrated a soul into it. If he did, its power would undoubtedly increase dramatically.

“Through this Teleportation Array, you can return to the Soaring Dragon Empire.” Bu Qianfan had escorted Lin Xuan to the Bu Family’s teleportation area, a place from which one could travel back to the Soaring Dragon Empire.

Every Empire had a corresponding Teleportation Array, which allowed for travel and inspection, so there was no need to worry about long journeys. Everything was prepared.

If they weren’t even prepared for this, how could they send reinforcements if something happened?

“Thank you, Brother Bu. I hope we can have another good spar next time!” Lin Xuan said, clasping his hands toward Bu Qianfan to express his gratitude.

“Of course. I look forward to your return!” Bu Qianfan replied, respectfully clasping his hands as well, before gesturing for Lin Xuan to enter the Teleportation Array.

After bidding farewell, Lin Xuan stepped into the Teleportation Array and vanished in the blink of an eye. Bu Qianfan stared deeply at the spot where he had disappeared, then turned and whispered, ‘I hope that when you return, you bring us good news. We’re really running out of time…’

The Yan Family and Su Family were stirring, and the Bu Family had already noticed. Time was truly short, or else they wouldn’t be so desperately seeking outside help. The Bu Family’s relationship with the other two was not good; if a conflict truly broke out, the Bu Family would undoubtedly be the first target!

「On a bustling street in the Imperial Capital of the Soaring Dragon Empire.」

Lin Xuan had returned to this familiar place. The main forces of Qingcheng Mansion had relocated to the Imperial Capital, so after returning from Soaring Dragon City, he had made his way here.

When he had first emerged from the Teleportation Array, he had given them quite a shock. Elder De, in particular, who had originally looked down on Lin Xuan, was now bowing incessantly, treating himself as a mere subordinate.

‘This place has finally returned to its former prosperity. Not bad at all…’

Lin Xuan surveyed his surroundings. The dead atmosphere from before was gone, completely replaced. The city had regained its former bustling energy; in fact, it was even more prosperous than before!

The Soaring Dragon Empire’s genius, Mu Shuang, had won first place in the competition. The effect of this victory was explosive, and many people had moved here as a result. Both commoners and Cultivators were flocking to the city.

With the protection of a Super Race, the Soaring Dragon Empire was undoubtedly safer and had more resources. Cultivators, in particular, set their sights on Qingcheng Mansion. Perhaps they too could win first place in a future war between Empires!

After all, since the mansion had produced one champion, the next one could be them. This was a powerful allure for many Cultivators.

“Get out of the way! Out of the way!”

Suddenly, someone shouted from a distance. Lin Xuan looked toward the sound and saw three horses charging in his direction, their riders constantly cracking their whips, signaling for pedestrians to get out of the way.

The terrified crowd scrambled to the sides. Those who didn’t move fast enough were sent flying by a heavy lash of the whip, which left a bloody, shocking gash on their bodies. The riders were utterly ruthless.

Their Cultivation was at the Spirit Refining Stage, with the strongest among them at the Essence Pill Stage. How could ordinary people possibly withstand a single lash from their whips?

“Get the hell out of our way! If you have a death wish, then try and stop us! We’re in a hurry to get back to the Core Hall!”

The leading guard shouted, gesturing for the crowd to clear a path. He was incredibly arrogant, showing no regard for the lives of others. The surrounding people were deeply resentful, but fearing the power of Qingcheng Mansion, they had no choice but to get out of the way.

The mere mention of the Core Hall terrified them out of their wits. The Core Hall was the most central part of the mansion, where the most talented disciples gathered. How could they possibly dare to stand in their way?

At that moment, a figure appeared before the crowd, standing right in the middle of the street, showing no intention of moving!

“You’re courting death! Get out of my way!” The guard snapped his whip, lashing it straight at the figure. If that whip connected, the person would be crippled, if not killed.

The people in the crowd turned their heads away, unable to watch.

CRACK!

The whip lashed down hard, but the expected scene of torn flesh and blood did not occur. Instead, the figure caught the whip. With a sharp tug, he yanked the guard from his horse, sending him crashing to the ground. The guard landed face-first in the dirt!

Then, the figure flew forward and delivered a kick. The entire horse was sent flying backward, crashing into the other two. The remaining horses barely had time to neigh before they were knocked over and sent flying as well.

The two young men who had been on those horses leaped down, landing steadily on their feet. They frowned at the young man before them and said coldly, “Who are you? How dare you block our path? Do you have any idea who we are?”

“Of course I do. People from the Core Hall, right?” Lin Xuan stared at them coldly. “Does being from the Core Hall give you the right to be so arrogant? To completely disregard the common people and the value of human life? Who exactly gave you the authority to act like this?”

Lin Xuan was furious. He had encountered scenes like this before. If it had been some minor family, he might have let it go, but he never expected it to be members of Qingcheng Mansion this time. That filled him with rage.

It seemed that after Qingcheng Mansion had become the sole dominant power, the number of arrogant disciples had grown. They were simply ruining the mansion’s reputation.

‘Now that I’ve seen this, I have to step in and teach them a proper lesson. I am a Grand Elder of Qingcheng Mansion, second only to the Mansion Master!’