Chapter 323: Schemes and Fierce Battle
"Shadowed Seven!"
The Wood Division disciples stared at the seven ominous figures in shock. Lin Langtian's gaze also sharpened as he watched the seven cloaked figures, each radiating an intense, unsettling energy. From what he could sense, several of them held Nine Yuan Nirvana power—a clear sign of their strength and danger.
Glancing at Qin Lang, Lin Langtian felt a sinking dread. There was no hint of surprise in Qin Lang's expression. In fact, there was a slight smirk at the corners of his mouth. Lin Langtian's suspicions crystallized: Qin Lang knew about the Shadowed Seven's arrival. It was likely he or Mu Ku had orchestrated this whole setup with Lin Langtian as the target.
As expected, one of the Shadowed Seven stepped forward, lowering his hood to reveal a cold, sinister face. He looked over at Lin Langtian with a mocking grin. "Which of you is Lin Langtian? Your life has quite the price on it—someone's paying handsomely for your head."
Everyone turned to Lin Langtian, including Zhang Hao, who looked gleefully smug at this revelation. Qin Lang, pretending to be shocked, glanced at Lin Langtian and then addressed the leader of the assassins with a stern tone. "Yang Li! How dare you target a chief disciple of Yuan Gate?!"
"Yuan Gate? So what?" Yang Li laughed coldly. "You may have influence in the Eastern Xuan Region, but once we're done here, we're heading to the Western Xuan Region. What can Yuan Gate do to us?"
The Wood Division disciples exchanged looks of sympathy for Lin Langtian. The Shadowed Seven had a fearsome reputation in the Bloodhorn Region, known for flawless assassinations. The group boasted three Nine Yuan Nirvana experts, including their leader Yang Li, while the other four held Eight Yuan Nirvana power. Their most notorious feat was the assassination of a wounded Shengxuan expert two years prior, which had sent shockwaves through the entire Bloodhorn Region.
With a feigned look of surprise, Qin Lang turned to Lin Langtian. "Lin, what on earth did you do to make enemies willing to hire the Shadowed Seven for your life?"
Seeing Qin Lang's act, Lin Langtian was more certain than ever that Mu Ku was behind this. If not, the timing of this ambush was far too convenient. Lin Langtian replied with a cold laugh. "Qin Lang, you and I both know who's pulling the strings here."
Feigning ignorance, Qin Lang replied, "Oh? The Shadowed Seven are rumored to have connections in the Western Xuan Region, and I heard you interfered in the Western Xuan Region's plans during the Great Dynasty Battle. Perhaps they're simply getting revenge?"
Hearing Qin Lang's response, Lin Langtian scoffed inwardly. It was a perfect setup. If he were to die here, Qin Lang could just as easily blame the Western Xuan Region or the Shadowed Seven, and Yuan Gate would have little motivation to pursue the matter further.
"So, since the Shadowed Seven are after Lin Langtian, I say we let him face his mess alone," Zhang Hao sneered. With such powerful assassins on Lin Langtian's trail, Zhang Hao was eager to see him fall.
Lin Langtian's gaze grew icy. Zhang Hao was as irritating as a buzzing fly.
"Now, now, Zhang. Lin Langtian is still a fellow disciple," Qin Lang said with exaggerated righteousness. "Lin, the Shadowed Seven are formidable, and even I can't hold them off entirely. I'll do my best to stall them, but you'd better make a run for it while you still can."
Qin Lang's tone dripped with mock concern, and Zhang Hao smirked approvingly, adding, "Qin Lang is truly the model disciple of Yuan Gate!" He shot Lin Langtian a sneering look. "Better thank Qin Lang for covering for you!"
Lin Langtian suppressed a derisive smile. He knew they wouldn't fully commit to blocking the Shadowed Seven and that Qin Lang was part of the plot, likely in alliance with Mu Ku. But playing along, he said, "Thank you, Qin Lang." Without further delay, he spun on his heel and shot back toward the direction they'd come from, speeding away.
He knew Qin Lang and the others wouldn't truly intercept the Shadowed Seven. This was a trap, carefully set to ensure his demise.
As Lin Langtian disappeared, Qin Lang's mouth curled into a cold smile as he watched him leave.
"Look! A Yuan Gate disciple is escaping. That must be Lin Langtian," whispered one of the black-cloaked figures beside Yang Li.
"He won't get far," Yang Li sneered. "A high-priced contract like this doesn't come along every day. After this kill, we'll have enough wealth to set up our own sect in the Western Xuan Region. Nothing can stop us now." Turning to one of his men, he ordered, "I'll keep Qin Lang busy. You, Second Brother, take Fifth and Seventh Brothers and hunt him down. Don't let him escape."
"Yes, Boss!"
Three shadows broke away from the group, racing off in the direction of Lin Langtian's escape. Qin Lang, watching the three vanish, made no move to intervene and instead smiled with satisfaction.
…
The sharp sound of rushing air filled the quiet of the mine as Lin Langtian, his crimson-winged back shining in the sunlight, soared over the green landscape. Despite the apparent progress he'd made, his heart remained heavy, knowing he was still in dangerous territory.
Just as Lin Langtian was about to continue his escape, a cold voice echoed through the sky, mocking him. "Boy, don't even try to run. Your speed may be surprising, but no one escapes the Shadowed Seven."
With those words, three shadowy figures emerged from behind a massive tree, revealing themselves as members of the Shadowed Seven.
"Just the three of you?" Lin Langtian's gaze flickered as he faced them.
One of the men, known as Li Shi, sneered in response. "With a mere Seven Yuan Nirvana disciple like you, I'd handle it alone if it weren't for your fellow disciples here."
This confirmed Lin Langtian's suspicions. Qin Lang hadn't dared to release the full might of the Shadowed Seven, but instead had only allowed three of them to pursue. Did they really think that just three assassins would be enough to bring him down?
"Since you all seem so sure of yourselves," Lin Langtian remarked coolly, retracting his crimson wings, "at least tell me who hired you to kill me."
"Ha! You really think we'd tell you that? We don't even know who hired us; even our leader wasn't told who's paying for your head. So, you can die clueless!" Li Shi laughed, joined by the other two in derisive chuckles.
"I see," Lin Langtian's eyes narrowed. "So, you're just pawns with no real value. In that case, I'll make this quick." He had hoped for a clue that would expose Mu Ku's involvement, but the leader of the assassins had covered his tracks too well.
"Brave talk for a dead man." Li Shi's face twisted with malice as he let out a sinister laugh, baring his teeth. His eyes gleamed with cold, cruel intent.
With a sharp movement, Li Shi's face contorted, and he disappeared in an instant. Suspended in the air, Lin Langtian immediately spread out his spiritual power and sidestepped just in time.
Swoosh!
A blackened hand, reeking of decay, sliced past Lin Langtian's shoulder, close enough to graze his hair. A harsh laugh escaped Li Shi as he appeared again, his hand slicing down like a blade, aiming directly for Lin Langtian's throat.
Clang!
But just as Li Shi's hand neared, Lin Langtian's own hand shot out, encased in fiery armor, and he clamped down on Li Shi's wrist.
Sizzle!
The corrosive mist from Li Shi's hand fizzled upon contact with Lin Langtian's flame armor, releasing a foul-smelling vapor. Lin Langtian held firm, allowing a powerful surge of Netherworld Qi to pulse from his palm, corroding Li Shi's hand and causing it to shrivel slightly.
"What strange power!" Li Shi muttered, before a smirk broke across his face. With a surge of raw energy, he gathered his strength, shaking off Lin Langtian's Qi with a blast of dark mist. A sharp, dark hook formed in Li Shi's hand, and he swung it toward Lin Langtian's head with deadly speed.
Aware that a direct confrontation could be fatal, Lin Langtian flicked his fingers, sending sparks of red flame against the oncoming hook, creating a brief but crucial shield of fiery projectiles. Each flame burst upon impact, blocking the hook just enough for Lin Langtian to slip out of range.
Stopping his retreat, Lin Langtian's gaze hardened. Taking a deep breath, he flashed through a series of hand seals, creating a powerful blend of black, red, and blue energies. The swirling fusion ignited around him like an aura.
Whoosh!
The energy condensed into a single beam and shot toward Li Shi. Shock flashed across Li Shi's face as he sensed the power behind it, but he smirked, holding his hook and summoning his own fierce energy.
With a roar, Li Shi's weapon surged forward, clashing with Lin Langtian's energy beam.
The two attacks collided mid-air, filling the sky with smoke. "Not bad…" Lin Langtian noted, seeing that Li Shi had managed to deflect his fusion power.
Li Shi's expression turned deadly serious. "Boys, this kid is tougher than he looks—finish him off with me!" He signaled to his two comrades, calling them to join him.
"Oh, calling in reinforcements?" Lin Langtian sneered. "I can do the same." With swift hand seals, he summoned a massive black creature—a beast puppet that exuded a monstrous, otherworldly presence.
"Beast Puppet: Heavenly Desolate Bull!"
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