Chapter 574 - 410: Hidden Crisis, Coercion? A Single Arrow Kills

Because he felt that Mo Yao hadn’t taken any interest in him at all, her gaze toward him was pure disgust.

Since he couldn’t have her, there was no reason to play nice anymore—he’d get his hands on this escort mission first, then talk.

"Smart people know when to back down. I hope you don’t refuse what’s good for you! Offending my Celestial Orchid Sect won’t end well for you."

Liao Renping threw down a threat too.

They were two Integration Cultivators versus Mo Mingyuan alone—how easy could that be?

Even if they killed them, they could just blame Qingfeng Cliff afterwards.

Say it was bandits from Qingfeng Cliff who did it.

Anyway, a reward of a hundred crystal stones was barely enough to satisfy them.

"You—you call this escorting, or straight-up robbing?"

The anger flared in Mo Mingyuan as he slammed the table and stood up.

These guys were out of line, actually trying to strong-arm him?

If he’d known this was coming, he never would’ve let them join the escort party in the first place.

He’d really invited wolves into his own house.

"So what if it’s a robbery now? Hurry up and sign that Blood Contract, or don’t blame us for what happens!"

Zheng Yao had dropped all pretense—his words sharp and undisguised.

The townsfolk nearby saw things about to go down and scrambled to get away.

When Immortal Masters throw down, civilians are better off fleeing than gawking.

The two sides suddenly became tense as drawn swords.

The Mo Family’s guards pulled out their long sabers, standing off against the Celestial Orchid Sect crowd.

But it was obvious the Celestial Orchid people outnumbered them—if things exploded, the Mo Family were outmatched.

"Celestial Orchid Sect, what a show of force! Really opened my eyes. Useless at killing bandits, but damn good at bullying honest folk!"

A mocking voice rang out from outside the inn.

It was Lin Chang’sheng’s crew, arriving right on time.

He’d never planned on letting Zheng Yao walk away, and now, seeing him bulling the weak, Lin Chang’sheng was even less likely to show mercy.

"You—you actually made it back alive?"

Seeing Lin Chang’sheng walk into the inn, Zheng Yao was utterly shocked.

He was sure that if Lin Chang’sheng had gone to Qingfeng Cliff, he’d never come back alive.

With him returning in one piece, there was only one explanation—Lin Chang’sheng never went to Qingfeng Cliff in the first place.

"No, you didn’t go to Qingfeng Cliff at all! There’s no way you could survive otherwise!"

Seeing Lin Chang’sheng, Zheng Yao involuntarily staggered back a few steps.

He’d seen Lin Chang’sheng’s strength before—witnessing him kill two Integration heavyweights in a heartbeat, burned into Zheng Yao’s mind like a brand, impossible to forget.

With that kind of power, killing him would be child’s play.

"Then take a look at this."

Lin Chang’sheng waved his hand, directly summoning Zhao Gang’s Divine Soul out of the Celestial Soul Banner.

Zhao Gang appeared, stunned for a second, then tried to escape.

But Lin Chang’sheng flicked the Celestial Soul Banner, freezing him in place instantly.

Everyone nearby saw Zhao Gang’s Divine Soul and was completely stunned.

Zhao Gang—a late-stage Integration powerhouse! How the hell had Lin Chang’sheng killed him? And even captured his Divine Soul!

"No—no way! How could you possibly kill a late-stage Integration cultivator—"

Zheng Yao stumbled backwards, panicked.

"What do you mean, ’no way’? There’s nothing my boss can’t do! Unlike you, who’s nothing but an absolute coward."

Hou Shaojie sneered, full of sarcasm.

"You—"

Zheng Yao was so furious, he couldn’t get a word out.

"Since you made it back and killed Zhao Gang, the escort mission is yours. Senior Brother Zheng, let’s get out of here!"

Liao Renping could see things turning bad, so he planned to slip away, fast.

After all, everybody knew Lin Chang’sheng’s strength was terrifying—if they fought, they might not leave this place alive.

But however much they wanted to leave, Lin Chang’sheng had zero intention of letting them go.

"Giving up the immortal crystal reward so easily? Leaving in such a hurry?"

Lin Chang’sheng’s lips curled into a cold smile, as if he was sizing them up for their coffins.

If he’d gotten here any later, it might’ve been Mo Mingyuan and his crew lying dead right now.

"No, no, we didn’t do anything this time—all the credit is yours!"

Liao Renping tried to sneak out as he spoke.

"You can leave—but you’ll have to offer something up."

Lin Chang’sheng said coldly.

"Something? Like what?"

Zheng Yao and Liao Renping broke out in a cold sweat.

It looked like walking out of here alive today was not an option.

"Your lives."

Lin Chang’sheng replied flatly.

With those words, the two felt their hearts seize in terror.

Since they couldn’t leave quietly, they decided to go for broke.

"Don’t get too cocky, kid! This is Celestial Emperor City. If a fight breaks out here, the Imperial City’s heavyweights will come down on you!"

Zheng Yao barked out, trying to intimidate him.

Sure, the Imperial Royal Family couldn’t match the top ten sects of the Immortal Realm, but there were still a bunch of strong cultivators watching over the city.

If a serious battle erupted, those powerhouse cultivators would intervene and might even slay those causing trouble.

If they didn’t suppress it, even two Integration Stage fighters could wreck half the Imperial City.

"Immortal Master, this mess started because of me—I didn’t think it through, that’s why this scene came about. Please let them leave! If you fight here, it might put you in danger!"

Mo Mingyuan saw the icy killing intent in Lin Chang’sheng’s eyes and rushed forward to intervene.

If a real fight broke out, Lin Chang’sheng might be able to obliterate the Celestial Orchid guys, but he’d still be targeted by the Imperial City’s strongest, maybe even facing death himself.

Mo Mingyuan really didn’t want things to go that far.

Lin Chang’sheng hadn’t expected that—still, he already had a grudge with Zheng Yao, and that guy would surely cause trouble later if let go.

If he spared them today, they’d be a calamity tomorrow.

"Hahaha—damn mutt, you’re not so tough after all, are you? Scared already?"

Seeing Lin Chang’sheng hesitate, Zheng Yao burst out laughing, thinking he’d chickened out.

If Lin Chang’sheng didn’t dare take action, what was left to fear?

"You bastard, just wait—this humiliation today, I’ll pay you back double next time!"

Zheng Yao spat his threat and started to leave with his crowd.

But Lin Chang’sheng wasn’t about to let him walk. With a flick of his hand, he summoned the Divine Thunder Bow.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Zheng Yao had barely stepped outside the inn when streaks of thunderbolt arrows ripped through the air, closing in from behind.

Zheng Yao’s heart seized in shock.

Didn’t Lin Chang’sheng care about consequences? How did he still dare to attack here? Was he not afraid of the Imperial City’s cultivators putting him down?

There was no time to think—Zheng Yao could only whip around and hurl his fist, unleashing the Tiger Subduing Fist to its limit.

Roar, roar—

Several fierce tigers roared, charging toward the thunderbolt arrows with wild force.

Boom, boom, boom—

But the moment the fist aura collided with the thunderbolt arrows, it was punched through and shattered instantly.

Lin Chang’sheng’s cultivation was no weaker than Zheng Yao’s, plus he wielded an Upper Grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure.

Zheng Yao was dreaming if he thought his fist aura could block those thunderbolts.

Under Zheng Yao’s panicked gaze, the thunderbolt arrows tore straight through his body.

Even distant houses and the city wall were leveled in an instant.

The power of those thunderbolt arrows was insane.

Zheng Yao slowly lowered his head, seeing three bloody holes open in his chest.

"You... you—"

Zheng Yao felt his life force draining away.

He’d never imagined dying here like this—before he could finish his sentence, he collapsed, dead on the spot.

Not far off, Liao Renping saw this and was scared out of his mind.

"Y-you’ve got guts! How dare you kill a Celestial Orchid Sect disciple? The Celestial Orchid Sect will never let you off!"

Liao Renping’s voice shook—terror in every word, but his mouth was still spouting off threats.

"Celestial Orchid Sect? So what? Next time you see Lin Chang’sheng on Immortal Sea Continent, you’d better get the hell out of my way!"

Lin Chang’sheng replied icily.

At those words, the crowd was stunned.

"He—he’s Lin Chang’sheng?"

"Lin Chang’sheng? The top genius on the Celestial Pride List?"

"Never thought it was him!"

"We should’ve guessed—who else could possibly have that terrifying level of cultivation?"

...

The Celestial Orchid Sect disciples nearby were shocked—they should’ve known the Immortal Palace member was Lin Chang’sheng all along.

I mean, who else could have such insane strength, besides Lin Chang’sheng?

Even Mo Mingyuan and his crew were taken aback.

They hadn’t expected Lin Chang’sheng would escort them all the way—what an incredible honor!

Once word got out, the Mo Family would brag about this for centuries.