Soul Emperor Awakening

"I bet Lin Yunlong didn’t expect to see me here, did he?" Wan Ning’s face was a ferocious snarl. The combined force of their two powerful auras washed over Lin Xuan, creating no small amount of pressure.

’With my current Cultivation, I can’t even beat Wan Ning, let alone the two of them combined. They’re blocking my path, so I couldn’t escape even if I wanted to. Of course, I never planned on running anyway.’

"I admit, I didn’t expect you to show up here," Lin Xuan said with a faint, fearless smile. "It looks like you’ve lost confidence in your own strength. Planning to get rid of me ahead of schedule?"

Wan Ning reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, roaring in fury. "Impossible! With your pathetic level of Cultivation, you’re just an ant I can crush at any moment!" Outwardly, he was defiant, but inwardly, he was seething with humiliation. Lin Xuan had hit the nail on the head. ’Give him a little more time,’ Wan Ning thought, ’and he’ll definitely surpass me.’

’If I lose, I won’t just lose face—I’ll lose my standing. I can’t let that happen.’

"Brother Wan, no need to get so worked up. We can take our time. It’s not like he’s going anywhere." Lu Sheng motioned for Wan Ning to calm down before turning to Lin Xuan with a smile. "The idea of killing you? The orders came down from on high a long time ago. Our purpose here is to eliminate you. You only have a Spirit Refining Stage Cultivation, yet the leadership has designated you a priority target. That just proves how seriously they’re taking you."

"That’s right!" Wan Ning sneered. "I am one of the Eldest Prince’s men. I wouldn’t lose to you in a match, but I can’t disobey orders from above. If you have to blame someone, blame yourself for your bad luck in joining the Third Prince’s faction!"

’So he wants to crush any potential threat the moment it sprouts...’ Lin Xuan’s eyes narrowed. ’This Eldest Prince is truly ruthless. Anyone who isn’t on his side gets eliminated.’

’This approach is brutish, but it’s a perfect example of the Emperor’s Heart Technique. Seeing my momentum, they know it’s only a matter of time before I become a top expert. That’s why they have to get rid of me now, to prevent future trouble!’

’I can’t believe this trial in the Bone Dragon Ruins was meant to be my tomb.’ There was only one exit, and people on the outside couldn’t see what was happening within. Thus, even if he were killed, no one would suspect them. They would be safe from the wrath of Qingcheng Mansion.

’This conspiracy really runs deep, to even take advantage of this situation. The perfect time, place, and people for a murder,’ Lin Xuan thought, a chill running down his spine. The Bone Dragon Ruins was one of the few places they could eliminate him without a trace.

’I’m starting to really hate this Eldest Prince I’ve never even met. Even if I had no intention of joining the Third Prince’s faction before, being targeted like this makes me want to join them out of spite.’

"I’m giving you one last chance. Will you join the Eldest Prince’s faction?" Lu Sheng’s voice was grave as he stared Lin Xuan down. "Refuse, and you die!" As he spoke, he unleashed the aura of his Cultivation—the Seventh Layer of the Spirit Refining Stage—to intensify the pressure on Lin Xuan.

"So refusing means certain death..." Lin Xuan shook his head. "I imagine even if I joined your faction, I would be strictly controlled, right? Maybe even forced to sign a Blood Covenant."

The Blood Covenant was effectively a Slave Contract. As long as the master was alive, the signatory would be a slave for eternity, forced to do anything commanded of them. How was that any different from death?

Lu Sheng let out a sinister laugh. "So, would you rather die, or would you rather live?"

"Before I answer that question, can you tell me something? How did you break through the Illusion Array? And it seems you can only see me," Lin Xuan asked, genuinely curious. "Normally, everyone should be hidden from view. It’s strange that you found me and only me."

"Want to know?" Lu Sheng sneered. "That will depend on your answer. Now, speak. Will you join, or not?"

Lin Xuan looked at the two of them for a moment, then smiled. "Didn’t I already give you a clear answer outside?"

Lu Sheng’s expression changed, his face darkening into a scowl. "It seems you’ve chosen the hard way. Do you really think you’re getting out of here alive? Fine! Let the Bone Dragon Ruins be your tomb! You should be grateful. To be buried alongside the Dragon Race is the greatest honor you could ever hope for!"

The words had barely left his lips when the two men began to slowly advance on Lin Xuan. Their powerful auras bore down on him, and their Spiritual Sense locked onto him completely. There was no corner he could run to, no place he could hide.

"Brother Lu, this kid is loaded," Wan Ning said, his eyes glinting with greed. "He has both Celestial Level Martial Arts and Spiritual Artifacts. This trip to the Bone Dragon Ruins is turning into a massive windfall." He had witnessed Lin Xuan’s Celestial Level Martial Arts before; obtaining it would be a huge boost for them.

"Of course. Not only will we get his possessions, but we’ll also be rewarded when we return. Ah, Lin Yunlong, you truly are our lucky star!" Lu Sheng let out a sinister laugh.

"You want to take my things?" Lin Xuan smiled serenely, his gaze filled with pity. "Let’s see if you have the skill to do it. And just as you said, having the Bone Dragon Ruins as your tomb... well, that truly is *your* greatest honor."

"Still talking tough when you’re about to die!" Wan Ning scoffed. "Don’t tell me you broke through to another level. Or did you learn some new Celestial Level Martial Arts? As if that would do you any good against us!"

In their eyes, Lin Xuan’s calm expression was just a front. ’He’s probably panicking on the inside,’ they thought.

"If that’s how it is, then allow me to gift you a Divine Beast." Lin Xuan retrieved the Phoenix Statue from his Storage Space and held it forward, as if presenting it for their admiration.

They froze. When they saw what it was, Wan Ning jeered, "A Divine Beast? Well now, that’s a pretty realistic carving. You’re trying to pass this Wood Carving off as a Divine Beast? If you’ve got the guts, then go on and make it real!"

"As you wish." Lin Xuan tossed the statue forward. A massive Phoenix materialized from thin air, its iridescent Flame instantly causing the ambient temperature to skyrocket. The formidable pressure of an Essence Pill Stage Level expert surged forth.

Lu Sheng and Wan Ning were utterly stunned by the sudden development. He had actually summoned a real Phoenix—and one at the Essence Pill Stage Level!

"Let the slaughter begin!" Lin Xuan’s expression hardened, his killing intent surging. Once the statue was summoned, the only acceptable outcome was total annihilation. No survivors.

SCREEE—

With a sharp cry, the Phoenix gave a mighty shake of its huge Fire Wings and transformed into a ball of iridescent Flame, lunging toward Lu Sheng. Its incredible speed left a rainbow-colored ribbon trailing through the air.

"Run! Run!" Snapping out of his terror, Lu Sheng scrambled to the side. Wan Ning, jolted back to his senses a moment later, also dove away, his mind a complete blank.

Only one thought remained in his mind: ’It’s a real Divine Beast!’

At their speed, how could they possibly outrun the Phoenix? In the blink of an eye, it was upon them. Its massive body slammed into Lu Sheng. BANG! With a bloodcurdling scream, Lu Sheng was engulfed in flames and sent hurtling into the wall.

With a dull thud, Lu Sheng slid down the wall. He rolled frantically on the ground, screaming in agony, but the Flame on his body refused to be extinguished.

A moment later, the Flame finally subsided, but by then, Lu Sheng’s body was already a charred mess. He struggled to his feet, his burnt form trembling uncontrollably. The look he gave Lin Xuan was one of pure terror.

An instant kill. A complete and utter instant kill. The power gap was simply too vast, and the Phoenix’s speed was astounding. An instant kill was only logical.

"Did you think you could escape!" Lin Xuan sneered. "This is just the beginning!"

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