A special thanks to my friend "Dust" for the patronage! The top spot on the fan leaderboard is about to change. Let’s go! (chuckles)

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A look of surprise flashed across the face of Shan Dan, who had been silent all this time.

Then, he whispered a few words into Sect Leader Mo’s ear.

The next moment, a murderous aura erupted from Sect Leader Mo, aimed directly at Cao Ba.

Cao Ba’s expression changed. He could clearly feel that the Sect Leader truly intended to kill him.

Cao Ba’s heart went cold.

Just then, Lin Hao raised a hand and said, "However... there’s no greater good than correcting one’s mistakes. I forgive you."

Sect Leader Mo was stunned, and his murderous aura receded like the tide.

Cao Ba was overjoyed.

It was only then that he suddenly understood a principle: knowing when to make sacrifices was also a way to survive.

"Thank you for sparing my life, Young Master Lin."

Before Lin Hao, Cao Ba—a dignified elder of the Danling Sect and a notorious tyrant—had yielded and offered his thanks.

Lin Hao smiled and said, "You should be thanking yourself. By the way, it seems the time is right. I think Cao Tianguan will be able to return to the Danling Sect soon."

Cao Xiong’s face also lit up with joy, but he immediately demurred, "It’s fine, it’s fine! He needed to be taught a lesson anyway. Let him reform at the Heaven-Stepping Sect. Don’t go easy on him."

’When did the Cao brothers become so agreeable?’

’Are these still the same tyrants who used to run rampant in the sect?’

The other elders exchanged glances, all finding it unbelievable.

But the happiest person here was, of course, Sect Leader Mo.

The Cao brothers’ submission to Lin Hao was a great fortune for the sect.

"Young Master Lin, come, come, please take the seat of honor." He spoke, arranging for Lin Hao to sit in the spot next to him.

Afterward, he formally brought up the matter of cooperation between the Danling Sect and the Heaven-Stepping Sect.

Sect Leader Mo had originally thought this conversation wouldn’t last long, as Lin Hao was, after all, too young.

However, the result far exceeded his expectations.

Once the discussion began, they didn’t reach an agreement until the sky began to lighten at dawn.

And while the Danling Sect had gained quite a few benefits, it was far from what he had anticipated, because Lin Hao was just too shrewd.

"Young Master Lin, since it’s almost broad daylight anyway, let’s have breakfast and then go to the Wind and Cloud Platform together," Sect Leader Mo said as Lin Hao was about to leave.

Lin Hao smiled and nodded.

Seeing the Danling Sect members looking gloomy, Lin Hao said, "The cooperation has been settled. Shouldn’t you be happy? Why the long faces?"

The people from Danling Sect were on the verge of tears. ’You’re the one who should be happy! You took all the benefits for yourself!’

"Young Master Lin, whoever underestimates you is in for a nightmare," Sect Leader Mo said, forcing a smile that looked uglier than a crying face.

"Am I really that terrifying?" Lin Hao replied with a laugh.

No one spoke, but their expressions said it all.

Right there in the meeting hall, Lin Hao had breakfast with the upper echelons of the Danling Sect. As for Meng Qing, they had invited her over without any prompting from Lin Hao.

She was just a woman, albeit one of peerless beauty, who had suffered greatly with her grandfather just to survive. Being able to dine with the sect leader and elders of a major sect was something Meng Qing would never have dared to imagine before.

This meal filled Meng Qing with so much emotion that by the end, she didn’t even know what she had eaten.

Today was the day the Danling Sect’s assembly began. After breakfast, the elders, including Shan Dan, took their leave one after another. Their guests were not just from two of the five great divine sects, but also included a marquis and the major sects from the Southern Border Prefecture.

As the hosts, they had to guide and accompany them.

Sect Leader Mo, however, stayed behind, apparently intending to escort Lin Hao personally.

"Sect Leader, there’s no need. We’re all one family now," Lin Hao said with a smile, declining his kind offer.

After spending a whole night together, Sect Leader Mo knew that Lin Hao wasn’t one to say one thing and mean another. So, he didn’t insist and took his leave.

Their initial contact with the Misty Palace had gone well. If only an elder were sent this time, it would surely displease them.

With that, Sect Leader Mo headed toward the place where the Misty Palace was staying.

"Meng Qing, let’s head out too," Lin Hao said to her.

Meng Qing nodded, but as she took a step, she let out a soft "Ah!"

"Young Master, my cloak."

Meng Qing couldn’t have worn her cloak to the Danling Sect’s meeting hall; it would have been too disrespectful.

But going to the Wind and Cloud Platform was different. She didn’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble.

"Wait for me here. I’ll go get it for you," Lin Hao said, pushing the door open and leaving.

Just as he reached the small courtyard, his eyes narrowed.

In front of the courtyard, a man stood with his arms crossed over a sword.

Hearing footsteps, the man spun around, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"Lin Hao?" the man asked coldly.

’This one’s not friendly.’

"Someone from Mingjian Manor?" Lin Hao asked instead of answering.

The man stood there quietly, holding his sword, yet he exuded an aura of undisguised sharpness.

His aura was very similar to Sword Nine’s, which was why Lin Hao had asked.

"Sword Eight, one of the nine Sword Attendants of Mingjian Manor," the man said, confirming Lin Hao’s suspicion.

"Oh. Move aside," Lin Hao said, walking right past him, completely unfazed.

Sword Eight stepped aside, and after a brief moment of shock, he became furious.

The Sword Attendants of Mingjian Manor also had to go out for training. He happened to be near the Danling Sect and had rushed over without a moment’s rest after receiving a message from Sword Nine the day before. He hadn’t even reported to Zuo Yi before coming straight to find Lin Hao.

And now, after he had announced his identity, Lin Hao’s indifferent reaction was a blatant show of disrespect.

"Stop!"

Sword Eight’s shout was like thunder, transforming into Sword Qi.

The Sword Qi surged, enveloping Lin Hao.

BOOM!

Lin Hao spun around and threw a punch.

POW!

An explosive sound echoed through the air.

"Hand over the Evil-Slaying Sword and cut off your own arm. Then I’ll spare your life!" Sword Eight’s killing intent raged as he spoke in an ice-cold tone.

Lin Hao’s expression turned cold as well. "What an impressive display of power!"

"Mingjian Manor doesn’t rely on posturing, only on strength. Draw your sword. I will fight you with my cultivation at the Blood Coagulation Realm Peak," Sword Eight said, challenging Lin Hao.

Sword Nine’s message had been simple, only stating that he had been defeated by Lin Hao. However, Sword Nine had been very clear that fighting at the Blood Coagulation Realm was Zuo Yi’s intention.

With a thought, the Evil-Slaying Sword leaped out of his spiritual storage ring and into Lin Hao’s hand.

Seeing the Evil-Slaying Sword, Sword Eight’s eyes narrowed, and he pointed his longsword forward abruptly.

The sword was not yet unsheathed, but Sword Eight’s aura changed. He became like a drawn, sharp blade.

A fierce gale raged on the spot, causing Lin Hao’s clothes to whip about noisily.

Sword Eight was very good at building momentum.

But unfortunately for him, when it came to building momentum, Lin Hao was far superior.

Even at the Third Layer of Blood Coagulation Realm, Lin Hao had dared to face an Elemental Realm expert alone. Sword Eight’s momentum was useless against him.

Amidst the raging gale, Lin Hao remained unfazed, as immovable as a mountain.

Within the gale, Sword Eight’s sheathed sword transformed into a streak of light, stabbing straight for Lin Hao’s throat.

As fast as a thunderbolt!

It arrived in an instant!

In a flash, Sword Eight’s sword was before Lin Hao’s eyes, less than three inches from his throat.

Although the sword wasn’t drawn, the throat was a vulnerable spot. Even with his body’s defensive aura, Lin Hao didn’t dare to be careless.

Without unsheathing the Evil-Slaying Sword, Lin Hao raised his own sword to parry.

The timing was perfect. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Sword Eight’s strike instantly missed.

However, Sword Eight stomped his foot, forcibly halting his forward momentum. He leaned back, then flipped the longsword in his wrist, using it like a saber to chop at Lin Hao’s head.

In a flash of lightning, Sword Eight had already changed his move.

Lin Hao blocked horizontally with his sword, the Evil-Slaying Sword still sheathed.

He could see clearly that this was definitely not Sword Eight’s full power at the Blood Coagulation Realm Peak.

Sword Eight hadn’t even drawn his sword; he was merely testing him.

Sure enough, Sword Eight retreated, brought his sword back, and stood straight. Then he said, "Not bad. You are qualified to make me draw my sword."

CLANG!

As his voice fell, Sword Eight’s longsword shot from its scabbard, once again stabbing straight for Lin Hao’s throat.

Just like before.

But Lin Hao didn’t dare to be the least bit careless. His expression was extremely grave.

This strike seemed simple and unadorned, but it concealed a killing move.

CLANG!

The Evil-Slaying Sword in Lin Hao’s hand also flew from its sheath. His first move was the first form of the Evil-Slaying Sword Skill: Myriad Sword Forms.

Sword Qi filled the air.

Sword Eight was clearly startled by Lin Hao’s sword move, but he remained composed. With a flick of his wrist, he swung his sword in a wide circle.

As a Sword Attendant, he had been immersed in Swordsmanship for twenty to thirty years and was extremely familiar with the Evil-Slaying Sword Skill. Lin Hao’s move was instantly broken.

However, Sword Eight’s expression turned incredibly ugly.

He was supposed to be the one in control, but Lin Hao’s strike had forced him onto the defensive.

For a Sword Attendant, being on the defensive was tantamount to defeat.

"Very good!" Sword Eight squeezed the two words through his gritted teeth as his longsword moved again.

Again, it was without flourish—a simple, unadorned thrust.

But Lin Hao’s face fell in alarm.

Because as this strike came forth, countless holes instantly appeared on his whipping clothes.

PFFT! PFFT! PFFT!

Behind him, countless wooden pillars on the courtyard’s walkway were pierced through.

Sword Qi!

Lin Hao’s gaze hardened. He abandoned his sword.

He didn’t know much about Swordsmanship to begin with; it wasn’t his forte.

Unable to break the technique with Swordsmanship, Lin Hao made a split-second decision to fight with his bare hands.

The Evil-Slaying Sword vanished. Sword Eight stared at the spiritual storage ring on Lin Hao’s finger, a cold smile appearing in his eyes.

He had followed the Southern Border Sword God for many years and had gone out for training year after year. This sword strike was the culmination of Swordsmanship’s essence. For Lin Hao to think he could break the move without a sword was simply wishful thinking.

Sword Eight’s sword pressed forward relentlessly. The wooden pillars were now like sieves, riddled with small holes pierced by Sword Qi.

And Lin Hao’s body was in an even worse state.

Not only were his clothes reduced to beggar’s rags, but his body was also hit in multiple places.

If not for his body’s defensive aura, he would already be a dead man.

"Give up! With your ability, you can’t break my sword move!" Sword Eight said coldly, seeing Lin Hao continuously punching at empty air.

Facing Lin Hao’s desperate resistance, Sword Eight repeated, "Hand over the Evil-Slaying Sword and cut off your own arm. Then I’ll spare your life!"

However, at that very moment, he suddenly froze.

He saw a brilliant light suddenly erupt from Lin Hao’s eyes, followed by a look of joy on his face.

Lin Hao threw a punch, pressing forward relentlessly.

The punch looked simple, but when Sword Eight saw it, it was as if he were facing a god or a demon.

POW! POW! POW!

In the air, explosive sounds echoed endlessly.

The scene was very strange.

Because whether it was Sword Eight’s sword or Lin Hao’s fist, both moved in a straight line.

But when Lin Hao threw this punch, no more Sword Qi could get near him. Even the wooden pillars behind him were spared.

The next moment, Lin Hao’s fist and Sword Eight’s sword collided.

A crisp sound rang out.

It was the sound of a sword breaking.

The sword in Sword Eight’s hand was shattered by Lin Hao’s punch, and the fist then slammed into Sword Eight’s body.

POW! POW! POW!

This seemingly straightforward punch struck Sword Eight, yet it produced countless sounds at the same time.

And that wasn’t all. Countless small holes appeared on the door of the courtyard behind Sword Eight before it collapsed with a crash.