All five of them wore the uniforms of Taiqing Academy disciples. Though Lin Yun didn’t know their status within the academy, there was no doubt that their leader was very powerful.

Lin Yun was unaware that their leader was one of the Ten Core Disciples of Taiqing Academy, and the other four were all Direct Disciples. None of them had a simple background.

"What do you all mean by blocking my path?" Lin Yun asked, his expression unchanged.

From the very start, as Lin Yun was sizing them up, the five had been doing the same to him. Upon discovering that Lin Yun was only at the Sixth Layer of the Primordial Ocean Realm, they relaxed. In their eyes, someone at the Sixth Layer of the Primordial Ocean Realm was no different from an ant.

"It’s nothing," the lead Core Disciple from Taiqing Academy said. "We saw a Firebird from Flawless Palace and thought we’d come over to say hello."

"In that case, I have other matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave." Not wanting to get entangled with them, Lin Yun said his piece and prepared to depart.

But just as he was about to move around them, the other four suddenly leaped off the Cyan Cloud Crane, completely surrounding him.

With Lin Yun surrounded, the young man still standing on the back of the Cyan Cloud Crane spoke slowly, "My brothers and I have run into a bit of trouble recently. Since we are all disciples of the Five Great Forces, I wonder if you might be generous and help us overcome this hardship?"

’Be generous?’ A cold sneer touched Lin Yun’s lips. ’How ironic. I’ve always been the one robbing others; I never thought I’d be on the receiving end.’

’What "be generous"? If you want to rob me, just say it. Or to be more blunt, you five are probably just here to kill me, aren’t you?’ Lin Yun knew exactly what they were up to.

"Sigh... It seems you have no intention of letting me pass. So, let’s be direct. You want to kill me?" Lin Yun asked calmly.

Faced with Lin Yun’s composure, the leader gave a slight nod. Lin Yun’s bearing was not that of an ordinary disciple; it seemed his status in Flawless Palace was by no means low.

’But that’s perfect. The higher Lin Yun’s status, the more satisfying it will be to kill him.’

"You’re not stupid. How about this: we’ll give you a chance to end your own life," one of the four men surrounding Lin Yun said.

’End my own life?’ Lin Yun suddenly burst into laughter. "Haha! The saying goes, ’Play with fire, and you’ll get burned.’ Since we’ve had the good fortune to meet today, I also have a favor to ask. I’ve been a little short on funds myself lately. I wonder if the five of you could be generous and help *me* through this hardship?"

At this point, further words were useless, and begging for mercy was out of the question. In fact, the thought of robbing them instead began to form in Lin Yun’s mind.

’Judging by their clothes and Cultivation, their status in Taiqing Academy must be extraordinary. They must be carrying a good amount of wealth.’

Far from being flustered, Lin Yun looked like he actually intended to rob them in return. Seeing this, the lead youth sneered, "It’s been a while since I’ve met someone so arrogant. In that case, don’t blame us for what comes next."

As the youth finished speaking, the four Taiqing Academy Direct Disciples surrounding Lin Yun attacked instantly, lunging at him from four different directions simultaneously.

All four of them had Cultivations at the Eighth Layer of the Primordial Ocean Realm. In their minds, joining forces to kill Lin Yun, who was only at the Sixth Layer of the Primordial Ocean Realm, would be a piece of cake.

In their opening move, the four didn’t even draw their Spirit Soldiers, attacking Lin Yun with their bare hands. Lin Yun, on the other hand, immediately summoned his Demon Bone Heaven-Dominating Spear.

"Thunderfire Bombardment!" Executing the technique directly, Lin Yun transformed into a blur of Flame and thunder, charging at the man directly in front of him.

They had underestimated Lin Yun from the very beginning. It was only when Lin Yun unleashed the immense destructive power of his Thunderfire Bombardment that the four men realized their mistake—especially the one Lin Yun had targeted.

Seeing Lin Yun charge toward him, the man felt the immense power of the Thunderfire Bombardment before it even connected. ’Even if I defend with all my strength, I might not be able to stop this blow!’ And to make matters worse, he had been looking down on Lin Yun the entire time.

It was too late. Just as the man scrambled to defend himself, Lin Yun’s Thunderfire Bombardment arrived.

Roaring Flame and crackling Thunder Power instantly engulfed the man’s body. A bloodcurdling scream erupted from within the inferno.

The sudden turn of events made the other three freeze in their tracks. They were so stunned they forgot to even try to help, watching wide-eyed as their companion was slain by Lin Yun.

That’s right—slain. With a single strike, Lin Yun had killed one of them.

A Direct Disciple of Taiqing Academy, killed instantly by Lin Yun’s single blow. While there was a gap in their actual strength, the main reason was their carelessness. They only saw Lin Yun’s Cultivation at the Sixth Layer of the Primordial Ocean Realm and forgot to account for his formidable Combat Power.

They hadn’t stopped to think that anyone who could ride a Firebird, even if his Cultivation was only at the Sixth Layer of the Primordial Ocean Realm, must possess a true Combat Power far exceeding his level.

The man’s body was charred black by the Flame and thunder, deader than dead. Lin Yun took the man’s Space Ring and casually tossed the corpse to the ground below.

’He’s dead...?’ To be killed by Lin Yun in a single clash... It wasn’t just the three remaining Direct Disciples; even the young man on the Cyan Cloud Crane was utterly dumbfounded.

Paying no mind to their stares, Lin Yun wiped the Soul Thought off the Space Ring and easily inspected its contents.

After a quick search, Lin Yun shook his head in disappointment. "What a pauper. Only this many Primordial Stones and not even a single Low Grade Essence Spirit Pill."

He muttered to himself before looking up at the youth on the Cyan Cloud Crane. "Say, is everyone at Taiqing Academy this broke? Do you all really leave home with so few valuables?"

Hearing Lin Yun’s words, the young man’s face darkened. ’This bastard deserves to die! He not only killed my subordinate but is now gloating about it and even mocking me!’

"You little brat! If I don’t kill you today, I don’t deserve to be one of the Ten Core Disciples of Taiqing Academy!" The youth was livid, and faint fluctuations of Elemental Power began to radiate from his body.

"Oh? One of the Ten Core Disciples of Taiqing Academy?" Lin Yun’s eyes lit up, not with panic, but with excitement. "You must be much richer than them, then. Little Ape, time to get to work." ’Killing a Core Disciple from Taiqing Academy... the thought alone is exhilarating.’

At Lin Yun’s command, Little Ape, who had been nestled in his arms, instantly swelled to the size of a grown man. An extremely dense Evil Qi radiated from its body, its aura nearly as powerful as Lin Yun’s.

"My heavens, what kind of Demon Beast is that?" the three remaining Taiqing Academy Direct Disciples exclaimed as they stared at the suddenly-transformed Little Ape.

They had been absolutely certain of victory, but who could have predicted this? It seemed they had truly picked a fight with the wrong person.

Not only was the man’s Combat Power monstrous, but the Demon Beast at his side was also absurdly powerful.

The lead Core Disciple’s face was grim as he stared at Lin Yun. He had to admit it—they had bitten off more than they could chew.

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