While Lin Yun pinned down the main Qiluo force, Zhou Damao and Fang Yu'er, fighting nearby, refused to be outdone. They had no intention of letting these Qiluo creatures get off easy.
The surviving disciples of the Red Ghost Sect watched from a distance. Their gazes were now fixed on Lin Yun and his companions; after all, these were still targets they needed to eliminate. Though Lin Yun's group seemed to be handling the battle with ease, the disciples didn't believe for a second they could fight the Qiluo without cost.
Cao Yize, too, contemplated using this opportunity to get rid of Lin Yun.
But he could never have imagined that the very instant this thought crossed his mind, Lin Yun felt it.
Lin Yun's perception of killing intent was incredibly sharp, and he knew this temporary truce was never meant to last. However, this was of little concern to him right now. The priority was to annihilate the Qiluo.
At first, the lead Qiluo warrior had tried to block Lin Yun with his own power. But as time wore on, he quickly realized how futile this was. No matter what he tried, he was powerless to stop the slaughter. Lin Yun had been prepared for this from the moment he struck.
The Qiluo leader watched as his subordinates fell one by one, his eyes burning with a ferocious hatred.
"You damned humans! How dare you force us into such a corner!"
He was seething. He had believed the entire situation was under his control, that these humans could pose no real threat. Now, it was clear he had gravely underestimated Lin Yun. Even with him personally intervening, he couldn't protect his own men. Under such circumstances, the Qiluo leader could never accept this outcome.
"So, you can speak?"
Lin Yun was slightly surprised. He had assumed the Qiluo were incapable of communication. It seemed they could talk, but had previously regarded the disciples of the Red Ghost Sect as nothing more than trash, unworthy of a single word. This inherent arrogance made Lin Yun realize these creatures were more complex than he'd initially thought.
"You insignificant humans," the Qiluo spat. "To think that after all these years, you are still just as nauseating."
As he spoke, Lin Yun's eyes slowly opened.
Just as he'd expected. After the recent flurry of combat, the Qiluo leader's emotions had become unstable, causing a momentary lapse in his control over his own power. Seizing the opportunity, Lin Yun was finally able to see the creature's status panel.
[Name]: Duoluoze
[Realm]: Sixth Level of the Tongyou Realm
[Destined Role]: Inheritor (Purple)
[Fated Traits]: Hope of the Qiluo (Blue), Steadfast Warrior (Purple), Human Dissector (Blue)
[Inheritor]: From birth, you inherited the immense power of the Qiluo people and are qualified to become their kindling for the future.
[Hope of the Qiluo]: You are revered by countless Qiluo, granting you immense power and status, as well as a unique mastery over Qiluo techniques.
[Steadfast Warrior]: Your cultivation speed is increased, and your will is fortified in times of crisis. [Human Dissector]: You harbor an absolute hatred for humans and possess an almost obsessive passion for killing and dissecting them.
[Outcome]: You will encounter a formidable human expert in the tomb chamber and be slain by his overwhelming power.
[Recent Turning Point]: Encountered Lin Yun's party; your attempt to escape was successfully thwarted.
The Qiluo's situation was dire. He had assumed everything was under his control, but Lin Yun's arrival had irrevocably shattered that illusion.
"I have no idea what 'past' you're talking about," Lin Yun said coolly. "But as things stand now, you are far from strong enough to defeat me. With your power alone, you are not qualified."
Despite his awkward position, the Qiluo leader refused to believe he would lose to Lin Yun. The fight was difficult, certainly, but not without solutions. Lin Yun was formidable, yes, but he felt he still held the upper hand.
Seeing Duoluoze's earnest and defiant expression, Lin Yun couldn't be bothered to say more. He knew exactly what the creature was thinking, but for Lin Yun, there were no other options left. No matter how much Duoluoze struggled, he could not change his fate.
"An insignificant human dares to act so presumptuously before me?" Duoluoze snarled. "You can't be naive enough to think you can stop me with your meager abilities, can you?"
He glared at Lin Yun with contempt. In his eyes, Lin Yun was nothing but arrogant trash who didn't know his place, foolishly believing he could compare to their noble race. The Qiluo leader was convinced that if he truly willed it, he could still eliminate this troublesome opponent.
He took a deep breath.
"You have killed so many of our people. If I let you walk out of here alive today, I will have no way to answer to the great lord," he declared. "In my eyes, humans are nothing but vermin, barely clinging to life. Even if you have grown stronger over the years, the gap is still too vast. Today, allow me to witness for myself what tricks you, a supposed prodigy of humanity, truly possess!"
Before, Cao Yize and the others had failed to inspire even a flicker of fear in Duoluoze. But in this battle, Lin Yun had shown him something truly unique. Because of this, Duoluoze's perception of him had begun to shift. Perhaps this human was not as simple as he had thought.
Facing Duoluoze's challenge, Lin Yun wasted no time on words. It was best to deal with this creature quickly.
In the next instant, they clashed.
Lin Yun's assault was ferocious, leaving no room for mercy. In the beginning, Duoluoze could barely hold his own against Lin Yun. But as time wore on, the tides of battle began to shift. Duoluoze soon realized that Lin Yun's power was even greater than he had imagined.
The Origin Force radiating from this young man felt truly, utterly endless.