Chapter 15 - Chapter 15 Killing the Enemy

### Chapter 15: Killing the Enemy Elder Dong's group, though rogue cultivators, had far sturdier bodies than sect disciples. Even without speed-boosting talismans, the four fifth-level Qi Refinement cultivators closed in on Lin Yi and Yan Shizong, their pace relentless. The remaining three fourth-level raiders lagged behind, struggling to keep up. "Xu Lin, they're catching up. What do we do?" Yan Shizong, too anxious to bicker, sounded uncharacteristically desperate. The four fifth-level pursuers loomed closer by the second. "Relax! Haven't you heard? Soldiers block, water dams? Those four rookies aren't worth my time. Let 'em attack—we'll just keep running," Lin Yi glanced back, shouting loud enough for Dong's group to hear. "Dammit! I'll tear that brat to shreds!" one raider gnashed his teeth, seething. "I've never seen such无耻ness! Once we get his technique, I'll skin him alive, tear out his tendons, and pick his bones clean!" another raged, frustration boiling over. Yan Shizong fumed silently: *I wish I could ignore spells like you.* "How many can you handle? Could you kill one?" Lin Yi whispered suddenly. Though Yan was only fourth-level, his treasures might tip the scales. In their earlier duel, Yan hadn't used artifacts—just raw skill. "Against two, I might edge out. Killing one alone would take an hour. But with all my treasures, I could take three. After that, I'd fight with pure skill," Yan replied grimly, weighing his options. "Good. I'll hold three off. You kill one, then we run. They'll be left with three fifth-level and three fourth-level—they'll hesitate. Once we catch our breath, *we'll* be the hunters," Lin Yi grinned coldly. His smile struck Yan as阴险, even villainous. Yan shuddered, then nodded. With four pursuers closing in, he had no choice. The two stopped, turning to face Dong's group, now just 150 yards away. "You four are slower than snails! I've been waiting so long I'm bored," Lin Yi scowled, arms crossed, as Dong's group halted ten yards ahead. Dong's four nearly stumbled. The brat's mouth was truly欠揍! "Hmph! If all you can do is run your mouth, surrender now. I might spare your dog life," one raider snapped. "Are you brain-dead? Only idiots say that. How do you even survive? Even thugs need brains," Lin Yi sneered, disdain dripping from his voice. "AAAAGH! I'll kill you!" the raider howled, lunging. "No need to yell—I heard you. But you? Qualified to kill me?" Lin Yi冷笑 (lěngxiào, 冷笑 - sneer). "Little Shizong, take this fool out. I've had enough of him." "Little Shizong?" Yan's eyes bulged. A second-level outer disciple from Dianxuan Sect daring to call *him*—a core disciple of Mengxuan Sect—"little"? Was he insane? Yan, despite being the weakest core disciple at fourth-level, had earned his place through extraordinary talent in artifact refining, a point of pride for both him and his sect. To be addressed so casually by Lin Yi was unthinkable. "You want to die?" Lin Yi glared, seizing the moment to assert dominance. *I'm the one calling the shots here.* "Hmph! Enjoy your triumph while it lasts," Yan muttered, then acted. He hurled five attack talismans at the raider, activating them in midair. Not satisfied, he unleashed his artifact, pressing the attack. The fifth-level raider was no pushover—experienced in battle, far more so than Yan. But both were drained from earlier fights, making external aids critical. Yan's talismans were top-tier. In moments, the raider vanished in a series of explosions, reduced to ash. "Nice kill!" Lin Yi clapped. "See? A single 'little brother' of mine took you out. Pathetic." Dong and his two remaining men froze, stunned. "Any of you three want a go?" Lin Yi taunted, pointing. None replied, seething in silence. "Thought so. Later, losers!" Lin Yi laughed, grabbing Yan and fleeing. With the three fourth-level raiders closing in, lingering was suicide. "Elder Dong? Chase them?" "Of course. Stay far back. They're heading deeper into Yunmeng Marsh. Once Hall Master Wei finishes his targets and joins us, that brat won't escape," Dong said darkly. "Brilliant, Elder!" a raider praised, currying favor. Dong preened, his mood lifting. The three tailed Lin Yi at a distance, while the three fourth-level raiders strained to keep up. "Xu Lin, they're still following. Should we stop again?" Yan asked. "Can you kill them all? One more dead won't stop them. They just want to stall us," Lin Yi's eyes turned cold. "If they insist on dying, I'll oblige." Yan shivered at his tone. "Stop running," Lin Yi suddenly said, halting. Yan obeyed, too disoriented to argue.