The entire Yanjing City was in the midst of a fierce riot.

Not only the Ling Family, but crucial places in Yanjing City and key passages were all witnessing battles, with cries of fighting echoing everywhere.

After Ling Chen left the Ling Family, he rode swiftly towards the Central Restaurant in Yanjing City, where he had agreed to meet the Hades Supreme.

Buzz.

Suddenly, violent energy fluctuations seemed to emanate from above. Ling Chen looked up and saw that, unbeknownst to him, a light red film had appeared over Yanjing City, enveloping the entire city.

"The City-Protection Array has been activated."

Ling Chen's eyes slightly contracted. The activation of the City-Protection Array undoubtedly meant that it was more challenging for him to leave the city. However, with people from the Witch Fiend Sect around, perhaps they had some good ideas.

Unintentionally, a lavish restaurant soon appeared in view ahead.

"I've arrived."

Ling Chen's heart stirred slightly, but at that moment, a cold gleam suddenly shot from behind him. Ling Chen turned around, and a hidden weapon was speeding towards him in his line of sight.

Clang!

He raised the Treasure Sword to deflect the hidden weapon, creating a shower of sparks.

In the distance, more than a dozen shadows had arrived; each shadow, with swords at their waists, exuded a fierce aura and formidable cultivation.

"Black Sword Guards!"

Ling Chen's eyes slightly contracted; he had been in the Ling Family for so long, and he naturally recognized the Ling Family's Black Sword Guards.

Like the Shadow Guards of the Tang Sect, these Black Sword Guards were the elite of the elite, the top fighting force among the Nine Great Families, arguably superior to the Tang Sect's Shadow Guards.

"Ling Yu, surrender now!"

The leader of the Black Sword Guards looked at Ling Chen and coldly ordered.

"Your Excellency is the leader of the Black Sword Guards; you should know my strength. Just with these few people, I'm afraid you can't keep me here."

Ling Chen glanced around at the Black Sword Guards, numbering about twelve or thirteen. The leader had an Intermediate semi-saint cultivation level, but only he alone had reached this level.

"Is that so? I fear you underestimate the strength of the Black Sword Guards."

The leader's expression did not change, then he shouted sternly, "Everyone, hear my command, form the array!"

With his shout, the Black Sword Guards moved like machines, their actions perfectly synchronized, moving like phantoms towards Ling Chen, sealing off his escape route.

More than a dozen Black Sword Guards formed a circular Sword Formation, tightly surrounding Ling Chen.

Ling Chen couldn't simply watch the formation take shape and remain inactive. At the moment the formation was forming, he swung his sword outwards, with sword light shooting towards the formation like a meteor, but it only shattered one illusion formed by sword qi.

"Hmm?"

Ling Chen raised an eyebrow; he hadn't expected the Sword Formation to be so unusual. Though the individual strength of these Black Sword Guards wasn't particularly strong, when combined, their strength increased manifold, far beyond a simple sum.

Yet, Ling Chen wouldn't be trapped so easily.

"Ascending Green Lotus!"

Drawing the Thunder Sound Sword from his waist, Ling Chen united his Sword Momentum and Sword techniques, forming a rapidly growing green lotus with the sword qi, expanding at an astonishing speed visible to the naked eye.

Under the expanding pressure of the Sword qi lotus, the Sword Formation organized by the Black Sword Guards seemed to be pushed to its limits, emitting squeaking sounds as if it couldn't withstand the terrifying sword pressure.

"Suppress!"

The leader of the Black Sword Guards pushed his True Qi to the limit; with his movement, the formation that appeared to be at its limit stabilized, surprisingly withstanding Ling Chen's sword techniques.

For the leader, his goal wasn't to defeat Ling Chen; he knew his capabilities well, and even if he went all out, it would be difficult to match Ling Chen.

His objective was merely to stall Ling Chen.

Waiting for other strong individuals from the Black Sword Guards or elders from the Ling Family to arrive would leave Ling Chen with no escape.

But Ling Chen knew exactly what his intentions were and couldn't be stalled here.

A sharp determination flashed in his eyes, and a surging Sword Intent erupted from his brow; this moment, like a tide, his Sword Momentum exploded fully. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Sword Intent, explode!"

With Ling Chen's shout, the Sword qi lotus, already in vigorous growth, suddenly expanded once more. Even with the circular Sword Formation compressing frantically, trying to confine the lotus within, it was evidently unable to do so.

Bang bang bang bang!

The continuous explosion sounds spread out, and fissures appeared on the Sword Formation, crashing into a rubble heap.

Every Black Sword Guard spat blood and was flung back, their aura diminishing.

Even the leader of the Black Sword Guards staggered backward ten steps; fortunately, his cultivation was profound, or he too would have been injured and spat blood.

Whoosh!

There was no time for him to catch his breath; a Thunder Sword Light was already shooting towards him with great speed. The leader's eyes shrank sharply as he could clearly see that beneath the thunderous light was an exceptionally sharp flying sword.

"No, it's the Sword Controlling Technique!"

The leader evidently recognized the famed Sword Controlling Technique and his initial reaction was shock. However, the shock lasted only a moment before being replaced by a solemn expression. He infused True Qi into his Treasure Sword, splitting six sword lights that revolved in front of him, creating a tight defense.

Yet, the corner of Ling Chen's mouth suddenly curled into a mocking smile, as he directed with his sword finger, the flying sword transformed from the Thunder Sound Sword zipped past the leader's side, then swiftly circled back, piercing viciously towards his back!

This happened too fast to react, and the leader's Protective True Qi was pierced by the flying sword, which then penetrated his body, blood gushing out.

Boom!

The leader suffered such severe injury, falling to one knee on the ground, blood streaming from the wound, the wound a mere inch from his heart, a slight move to the right would have shattered it, leaving him dead without burial.

"Why spare my life?"

The leader labored to raise his head, looking at Ling Chen with a touch of bewilderment in his gaze.

"My sword only kills enemies, not family."

Ling Chen slid the Thunder Sound Sword back into its sheath, speaking blandly.

Though he had defected from the Ling Family, the Ling Family hadn't wronged him. Killing Ling Yuxuan and the others was justified, but this leader was different; he merely followed orders, not deserving death.

"You've done your best; if you persist, I'll have no choice but to kill you."

Ling Chen glanced at the leader before turning to head towards the restaurant.

"You little bastard, where do you think you're going?!"

Just as Ling Chen was about to enter the restaurant, a thunderous, furious voice suddenly resonated in the air.

Ling Chen looked up to see a hook-nosed elder with gray hair appearing in mid-air, glaring at him as if wanting to tear him apart. Judging by the aura emanating from him, this person was a bona fide Saint.

Moreover, this person's cultivation was stronger than Ling Lie's.

It was likely one of the Ling Family's Second Elder or Great Elder.