Lin Feng's hand shot out like lightning, gripping the Lin Family Patriarch by the throat.
PA!!
A sharp crack echoed through the hall as bones gave way beneath his iron fingers.
"Are you convinced now?" Lin Feng's voice was cold, calm — dangerous.
"We're all convinced!" the elders cried in unison, terror and awe mixed in their eyes.
Lin Feng released the patriarch, tossing him to the ground like a broken doll.
"Damn it…" the patriarch growled, clutching his neck as pain twisted his features. "He humiliated both me and my son. I'll make him pay for this." His fists trembled with fury, but deep down, fear coiled like a snake.
---
Whispers spread across the city like wildfire.
"Have you heard? Lin Feng, the champion of the last clan assembly, just defeated the patriarch and his son!"
"What? That can't be true! Wasn't he the Lin family's former trash? How could he become so powerful?"
"I heard he beat both of them with a single move!"
"Quiet! Don't let them hear you, or you'll be killed!"
---
"Tell me, what's the current situation?" Lin Feng asked his squad commander.
"The entire city's fallen under the control of the invaders — except this sector. This is our last line of defense."
Lin Feng's brows furrowed. "How bad is it?"
"Their two commanders are eighth-grade Xiantian experts. They've got at least eight seventh-grade experts under them. The rest… we can't confirm."
Lin Feng's jaw tightened. So they sent us here to die.
He exhaled slowly. "We'll hold as long as we can. Huang Yin, we need a plan — our strength is too weak."
"Captain," Huang Yin replied, "we could use formations."
"Formations?" Lin Feng's gaze sharpened. "Go on."
"There are many kinds, but with our numbers this small, we'll need help — even from these old geezers." He shot a glance at the surrounding elders.
"That's fine," Lin Feng said. "Explain how it'll work."
"Each formation will consist of four Xiantian third-grade experts. Working together, they can face a seventh-grade opponent head-on."
"Good," Lin Feng said, nodding. "Start preparations immediately."
---
At an old, half-collapsed building, Lin Feng knelt before a gravestone.
"Father," he murmured, setting fresh flowers before it. "I haven't disappointed you. I'm no longer a disgrace."
Footsteps approached behind him.
"Captain," Huang Yin said softly, "the invaders have sent a messenger."
Lin Feng rose slowly, brushing the dust off his robe. "Let's go."
---
In the main hall, a cloaked figure stood arrogantly.
"Where is he?" the messenger demanded.
"I'm here," Lin Feng said, stepping forward.
The messenger sneered. "My commander sends you this letter." He tossed a scroll toward Lin Feng and turned to leave. "Farewell."
Lin Feng's expression didn't change. "Kill him."
"Yes, Captain."
Steel flashed. A heartbeat later, the messenger's body hit the ground.
Lin Feng tossed the letter into the brazier. The flames devoured it instantly. He didn't even bother to read it.
---
Meanwhile, in Fire Cloud City…
"What? He killed my messenger and burned the letter?" The invader commander's face darkened with rage. "Send a seventh-grade Xiantian expert. I want Lin Feng's head brought back!"
---
Two days later,
At dawn, panic rippled through the camp.
"Captain! The enemy's approaching — a large force!"
Lin Feng's eyes snapped open. "Prepare the squads."
---
Outside the Lin Family mansion, the enemy forces assembled — a sea of weapons and armor.
A tall man stepped forward, aura heavy and cold. "You're just a Xiantian second-grade expert. What gave you the courage to kill our messenger?"
Lin Feng's gaze swept over the army — over a hundred experts. Three sixth-grade, fifty fifth-grade, and the rest mortal realm soldiers. His frown deepened.
"Still ignoring me?" the seventh-grade commander spat. "You, go kill him." He pointed to one of the sixth-grade experts.
The man smirked. "You should be honored to die by my hands."
Lin Feng's sword whispered from its sheath. He moved — faster than sight.
Swoosh!
The enemy's head hit the ground before his body realized it was dead.
"So weak," Lin Feng said with a laugh. "He died too easily."
The seventh-grade expert's expression twisted in disbelief.
"Hmph! You two — kill him!"
Two more charged forward.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Blood sprayed across Lin Feng's robe as two heads rolled.
"I told you," Lin Feng said, smirking, "send someone stronger."
"Attack! Kill them all!" the seventh-grade commander roared.
"Kill them all!" Lin Feng shouted back, his voice thundering across the battlefield.
Steel clashed. Screams filled the air.
"Kill those demonic invaders!"
"Die!! Die!! Die!!"
Everywhere Lin Feng went, blood followed. He moved like a storm — unstoppable, merciless. His blade cut through flesh and armor alike.
Blood soaked his robe. His breath came heavy, but his eyes burned bright — unyielding.
"Damn it! He's killed all our Xiantian experts!" someone screamed.
"Haha! What's wrong? Can't hold on anymore?" Lin Feng taunted, raising his sword. "Come on, let's fight!"
"Hmph! I'll turn you into a blood puppet when I'm done with you!"
Their fists collided.
Bang!!
Both were blasted backward. Dust exploded from the impact.
The seventh-grade expert's eyes widened. "Impossible… I didn't even gain the upper hand. He's only a second-grade!"
Lin Feng clenched his arm, feeling the numbness creep down to his fingertips. So this is the gap between us…
"You were just lucky!" the enemy growled. "Take this!"
He swung his blade downward.
"Die!!"
Lin Feng's eyes flashed. "Azure Sword Art — Kill Any Under Heaven!"
A blinding white arc split the air.
BOOM!!
The explosion sent both men flying, each crashing through rubble. Lin Feng coughed blood, his body trembling.
"You're strong," the enemy admitted, panting. "To survive my strongest strike — impressive."
Lin Feng's gaze hardened. This man is dangerous… I have to end it now.
"Azure Sword Art — Fourth Stance!" he shouted, thrusting forward.
"Blood-Sucking Sword Art!" the enemy countered.
Their blades met.
Bang!!
The shockwave tore the ground apart. Lin Feng skidded backward, cracks spreading along his arm.
The enemy laughed cruelly. "You're finished! My blood-sucking demon has entered your body — your blood will be drained dry!"
But before he could gloat further, he choked — blood spraying from his lips as his cultivation began to collapse.
"What? My power… dropping? How is this possible?" His aura fell rapidly — from seventh-grade to fifth. "Even a Heaven Realm expert would fall to the Blood-Sucking Demon!"
Lin Feng's lips curled. "Idiot."
As the successor of the Sword of Destiny, his body carried a divine resonance. The so-called demon energy tried to feed on him — and was instantly annihilated.
"Now it's your turn to die."
The enemy's eyes widened in terror. "Retreat! Retreat!" He turned to flee.
"Where do you think you're going?" Lin Feng's voice thundered. "Kill them all!"
His soldiers roared. "Kill them all! Don't let them escape!"
Lin Feng leapt forward, his sword blazing with azure light.
"Azure Sword Art — Fifth Stance!"