Chapter 242: A Word From the Heart
Lin Xiuyuan's gaze narrowed as he watched the two Dou Wang experts from Magma Flame Valley hovering in the sky. Dou Qi churned in his body, ready to erupt at a moment's notice.
But the two above didn't rush in. Lin Xiuyuan understood why—they feared a desperate counterattack. Facing someone who's ready to die takes more than just strength; it requires courage. And these two, with their respectable positions in Magma Flame Valley, weren't about to risk their lives against him.
"Elder Lin Xiuyuan, if you surrender now, I promise not a single Canaan Academy student will be harmed. How about it?"
The gray-robed man spoke with a smile.
"You think I'm a three-year-old? If I fall into your hands, death would be far kinder than what awaits me."
Lin Xiuyuan sneered. "Two cowards, hiding up there, afraid to fight me head-on—you disgrace Magma Flame Valley."
"Heh, no need to provoke us. I know you're hoping your escaped comrades will bring help—but relying on a wounded Da Dou Shi and a mere Dou Shi to shake off our elite assassins? That's naïve."
The second Dou Wang expert chuckled coldly.
Lin Xiuyuan's expression darkened, and his fists clenched tightly.
"You think you can protect all of them by yourself? Once our fourth elder arrives, you'll have no more chances. Heh… these Canaan Academy girls sure are lovely and arrogant. When we take them back, we'll break that pride. Might even fetch a good price at auction."
Hearing the vile laughter, Xiao Yu's face went cold. She shouted, "Scum! When my Lionheart Guild arrives, you'll be reduced to ash!"
"Oho? So fierce. I'll start with you then!"
The two Dou Wangs smirked, gazes lecherous.
Their filthy laughter echoed through the valley. Many of the young women paled. Though most of them had powerful backgrounds, such things mattered little in the lawless Black-Corner Region.
"We'll have to break out now. Once the fourth elder arrives, we'll be out of time. Instructors, come with me and hold the line. Xiao Yu, lead the students out—don't look back!"
Lin Xiuyuan took a deep breath and turned to the others.
"Understood!"
Xiao Yu instantly regained composure. Thanks to Xiao Yuan's training, she had already mastered an Earth-tier Dou Technique. Against opponents below Dou Wang, she could fight head-on. She knew full well that the instructors would be risking their lives to buy them an opening.
Where the hell is that guy Xiao Yuan?!
With a grim face, Lin Xiuyuan raised his sword, flooding it with Dou Qi, and charged toward the valley mouth. His slicing sword aura made the air tremble. The students followed quickly behind, their collective Dou Qi surging. Individually weak, but together, they radiated determination.
"Heh, making a move at last? Stop them!"
The two Dou Wangs smirked and gave the order.
Suddenly, countless black-robed figures appeared around the valley and rushed down, weapons gleaming.
"Kill!"
Lin Xiuyuan roared, his blade sweeping wide. A massive cyan slash shot out, cleaving several enemies in two.
Blood sprayed, but the assassins didn't falter. They surged forward, quickly surrounding the group. Blades clashed as Dou Qi exploded from all sides. Though less experienced, the students' strong foundations allowed them to resist the initial assault.
Like a spearhead, Lin Xiuyuan led the charge. Just as they neared the valley mouth, two powerful Dou Qi blasts descended. Lin's sword met them with a fierce upward slash, colliding mid-air with a thunderous shockwave.
The two Dou Wangs landed and attacked him together. Lin Xiuyuan blocked desperately, his sword slicing the earth itself.
Clang!
Energy rippled violently. Lin Xiuyuan and his two opponents were both forced back. A trace of blood seeped from Lin's lips, but his eyes remained fierce.
The two Dou Wangs shook their numb hands and frowned. This man was far tougher than expected.
Realizing there was no time left, Lin Xiuyuan channeled all his Dou Qi. Cyan energy surged, coating his sword.
The Dou Wangs' faces darkened. This attack… won't be easy to block!
Just as Lin was about to strike, a faint, aged laugh echoed across the valley.
"Hehe, truly worthy of the Azure Mist Sword. Regular Dou Wangs are no match. Allow me to test your skill."
From above, a blue-robed elder descended, exuding pressure far beyond that of a Dou Wang.
Suspended in the air, his massive Dou Qi wings beat slowly, stirring the air like waves.
The elder's face was dark, his eyes sharp with cruelty. Though thin, his hands were wide, with unnaturally long fingers and nails that gleamed like blades.
His appearance made everyone tense. The two Dou Wangs immediately dropped and knelt.
"Greetings, Fourth Elder!"
Lin Xiuyuan's face fell. He knew this man well.
The fourth elder of Magma Flame Valley—Xie Zhen, also known as the Claw Elder. A well-known six-star Dou Huang with deadly close-combat skills. His claw techniques were feared across the Black-Corner Region.
Even Xiao Yu and the others turned pale at his name.
Xie Zhen landed atop a steep cliff, gazing down at Lin's group with mockery.
"Two Dou Wangs can't even deal with one brat?"
The two subordinates stammered awkwardly, "Fourth Elder, we could have won eventually, but we didn't want to risk it. Forgive us."
"Spare me. His techniques and training put him above you. Without risk, you wouldn't have won."
Xie Zhen scoffed, then turned to Lin's group.
"Impressive for your age. Canaan Academy really is full of talent. If more students stayed after graduation, the Black-Corner Region would be in trouble."
Lin Xiuyuan didn't bother responding. He simply released his fully charged attack!
His sword glowed deep cyan. Dozens of whirlwinds spun around it.
"Azure Mist Sword Qi!"
With a sharp cry, he hurled the blade and cyclones as one, forming a blurry shadow that streaked toward Xie Zhen's head.
Xie Zhen merely grinned. "Seal the valley. If anyone escapes, you'll pay with your lives!"
His shout prompted the black-cloaked men to form a fan-shaped blockade at the valley's exit.
Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan's heart sank. All he could do now was bet everything on this one strike.
As the sword neared, Xie Zhen's hand suddenly shot out like an eagle's claw. With terrifying precision, he froze the blade in mid-air.
Lin's eyes widened in shock. The next instant, Xie Zhen's palm released a surge of energy, shattering the sword and its energy wave.
Pfft!
Lin Xiuyuan vomited blood from the backlash. There was no denying it—he couldn't protect the students.
He staggered back, carving deep lines in the dirt. His hands trembled, blood dripping from his sword.
"Elder Lin!"
The students cried out.
"Let me show you true Dou Huang strength!"
Xie Zhen laughed coldly and launched himself at Lin Xiuyuan. His claw slammed into Lin's chest.
Pfft!
Lin flew backwards, crashing hard and sliding over ten meters. The instructors rushed to help, but several were knocked back by sudden gusts, coughing blood.
Xie Zhen stepped toward the fallen Lin, his voice full of disdain.
"Give you a few more years and you might've surpassed me. But too bad—geniuses die young."
He lifted his foot, ready to stomp down.
Xiao Yu and the others turned pale. Some girls even screamed.
Lin gritted his teeth, ready to self-detonate and take the old bastard with him. But just then, a familiar crackle of thunder stopped him.
Shing!
Xie Zhen's leg froze midair.
Lin looked up—and saw a pale, slender hand piercing through Xie Zhen's chest. A still-beating heart pulsed in the hand, its arteries violently torn apart.
A familiar voice rang out like judgment:
"Let me tell you something from the heart, old dog—death always finds your kind."
As his voice echoed, joy returned to Lin Xiuyuan's and Xiao Yu's faces.
"Xiao Yuan?!"
(END CHAPTER)
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