Ling Tian Sword God

WHOOSH!

Water exploded violently. After all, the Three-headed Giant Snake was not so easily felled.

"Seeing Dragon in the Field!" Ling Chen refused to let it swagger. He raised his Cloud-hidden Sword high and sliced straight down.

The Sword Light from his blade burst forth, transforming into the shape of a dragon.

BANG!

The Three-headed Giant Snake had no time to launch an attack. Its massive body scraped along the lake's surface as it was blasted hundreds of meters away in an instant. Blood dripped from its middle head, where a deep sword mark gashed its sturdy upper jaw, almost cleaving the head in two.

The sword mark landed in the exact same position as before—a display of incredible precision.

WHIZ!

Executing Wind Shadow Step at full power, Ling Chen bent his legs slightly, his figure elongating as he shot into the air. In the blink of an eye, he was above the Three-headed Giant Snake, poised to deliver a critical blow. Suddenly, a speedboat approached from afar, and a voice carried over the water.

"Please, Your Excellency, stay your hand!"

On the speedboat stood the speaker: a young man in a blue robe, a Long Knife at his waist. He wore a smile that made one feel as if they were basking in spring sunshine, and he appeared quite amiable.

This young man in blue exuded a bloodline aura similar to Lin Yu's. However, the horrifying power hidden deep within his body was far more tyrannical than Lin Yu's. This didn't necessarily mean his Bloodline Power was stronger than Lin Yu's, as he might have already fully awakened his Bloodline Power, while Lin Yu had yet to undergo the Bloodline Ritual.

The young man in blue used his Light Skill, leapt onto the large boat, and then said to everyone, "My apologies. I failed to control it, and it escaped to stir up trouble. This was an accident."

While saying these words, the young man in blue appeared utterly sincere as he apologized to the many Jianghu warriors on the boat.

"Just an accident?"

Ling Chen glanced at the young man in blue. He didn't believe for a second it was just an accident. What a coincidence. The Three-headed Serpent usually causes no trouble, yet it chose to go berserk now, of all times, and its target was specifically Lin Yu.

"Indeed, it was an accident. I am Lin Ye, the eldest son of the Lin Family. I was ordered by the Family Head to retrieve my cousin, Lin Yu."

The young man in blue glanced at Ling Chen, a flicker of darkness in his eyes. This darkness was incredibly faint, vanishing in an instant, replaced by a brilliant smile.

"That won't be necessary. The Lin Family is close by; we can go there ourselves."

Ling Chen waved his hand dismissively. This Lin Ye was deeply cunning and clearly not a good person. How could Ling Chen possibly entrust Lin Yu to him?

"May I ask who Your Excellency is? And why are you so concerned about my cousin? If you are merely an escort, your mission is complete. You may leave now," Lin Ye asked, looking Ling Chen up and down, his eyes narrowing.

"Uncles Wang entrusted me with his dying wish: to ensure Lin Yu's safety. Until I deliver him safely to the Lin Family, I will not leave," Ling Chen replied nonchalantly.

Such a troublesome fellow, Lin Ye thought, his heart sinking slightly. He had planned to send Ling Chen away and then drown Lin Yu on the speedboat. However, he hadn't expected Ling Chen to be so vigilant, leaving him no opportunity to act.

Although he was the eldest son of the Lin Family, his bloodline was only of upper-grade. While very rare, it was vastly inferior compared to the perfect three-headed serpent bloodline. As the eldest son, the position of Family Head should have been his, but now things were different. He knew well that if Lin Yu activated the perfect three-headed serpent bloodline in his body, his Cultivation would likely progress by leaps and bounds, surpassing him in a short period. Furthermore, due to the perfect three-headed serpent bloodline, Lin Yu could fight opponents of higher levels and be considered invincible among warriors of the same rank. By then, he would be trampled underfoot by Lin Yu—this cousin whom he had never respected.

However, he didn't dare to use force now. Before coming here, he had learned from The Elderly Ghost and his second uncle that Ling Chen was formidable—certainly not someone he could handle.

"Then I'll wait at the Lin Family," Lin Ye said, smiling faintly at Ling Chen. He then turned to Lin Yu with a warmer smile. "Yu, it's wonderful that you've arrived safely. Everyone misses you dearly. I'll go on ahead."

With that, he leapt back onto the speedboat. The vessel quickly retraced its path, heading towards the island where the Lin Family resided.

"He's a dangerous character, deeply calculating and inscrutable. Lin Yu, are you confident you can handle someone like him?"

After Lin Ye departed, Ling Chen looked at Lin Yu beside him and asked casually.

"As long as I possess sufficient strength, all plots and schemes are but fleeting illusions."

There was no trace of fear on Lin Yu's face. Instead, his eyes were exceptionally sharp, filled with fighting spirit.

"That principle is correct, and strength is undoubtedly paramount. However, schemes can often kill without a trace. Uncles Wang, before his death, advised you to cultivate a sharper Mind's Eye for this very reason."

Ling Chen nodded, then continued, "However, once you successfully undergo the Bloodline Ritual tomorrow, your strength should increase exponentially. My only concern is that I doubt the Lin Family Main Branch will let you live until then."

"They would dare to act within the Lin Family grounds?"

Lin Yu's expression changed slightly.

"Why not? Once you're dead, Lin Ye becomes the sole heir. Even if the Lin Family Head discovers the truth, he won't be able to do anything to them," Ling Chen stated, his expression still indifferent.

"I understand. I will be doubly careful."

Lin Yu's eyes narrowed slightly. He was now shouldering a great responsibility and a blood feud; he absolutely could not allow himself to be murdered like this.

「Before long, the large boat drew near and docked beside the Lin Family's island.」

As soon as their boat docked, Lin Ye, who had evidently been waiting on the shore, had already dispatched men to escort Ling Chen and Lin Yu into the Lin Mansion.

「In an adjacent courtyard, two men stood facing each other, looking down from above.」

One man had a square face and appeared to be about forty. He exuded a dangerous aura—this was undoubtedly Lin Ba. The other, a young man in blue, had a slender figure, fair skin, and narrow eyes that glinted with a cold light. This was none other than Lin Ye.

"Father, my plan failed. Lin Yu's escort is constantly vigilant, leaving absolutely no opportunity to act," Lin Ye reported, bowing to the square-faced middle-aged man.

"That's to be expected. That young man, Ling Chen, isn't easy to deal with. Don't concern yourself with this matter any longer. I will personally take action tonight."

A murderous glint flashed in Lin Ba's eyes.

With that, he beckoned. A family servant approached, carrying a tray with wine and food.

Lin Ba took a packet of powder from his robes and poured it into the wine.

"Later, go to Lin Yu's room and act normally. If you expose our plan, you won't live to see another day," Lin Ba warned the family servant, his gaze cold.

"This servant understands."

The family servant's heart pounded with trepidation. Seeing the Master's expression, he knew he was likely planning to act against Lin Yu. But he was merely a servant; even if he had the courage, he wouldn't dare to interfere or question. He could only obey.