Chapter 26: Matching the Might of Two Martial Emperors

“Hey, old monster! Where exactly is this treasure vault? Try to remember, will you? We can’t just keep wandering around in circles like this forever!” Lin Yanghao had been searching for what felt like ages without finding the so-called vault, and his patience was wearing thin. Once again, he turned to the old monster, Master Mu Yu, for answers.

“If I remembered, I’d have told you already. Why would I waste time leading you in circles? Do you think I find it amusing? Listen, I’m still trapped by you, and the longer I stay here, the faster my Nascent Soul’s power drains away. However dull you think I am, I wouldn’t gamble with my own life,” Master Mu Yu replied, obviously displeased.

“Alright, alright, I believe you, okay? I’ll keep looking,” Lin Yanghao responded helplessly and continued on his way. It was curious—he’d been wandering through the vast White Tiger Sect for so long, yet hadn’t seen a single disciple. This was one of the four great sects; how could there not be even a single guard at the mountain gate? The mountain paths were deserted, and even the nearby buildings he’d checked were all empty. The White Tiger Sect was now so desolate it could be called a wasteland. Lin Yanghao couldn’t fathom what had happened, but with no better idea, he pressed onward, directionless.

After wandering even longer, he finally spotted a large, square plaza ahead, where many people were gathered. It was clear there were two opposing groups. Those in gray and white must be the White Tiger Sect, for their robes were embroidered with a white tiger. The other group, all clad in black, were clearly there to cause trouble for the sect. Lin Yanghao couldn’t help but wonder: Were all the sect’s Emperor-level warriors useless? This was, after all, one of the four great sects, yet now it had been overrun.

As he considered whether to intervene, he hesitated. He didn’t know the strength of either side, and he had no ties to the White Tiger Sect—he was here to steal something, after all. After weighing his options, he decided to focus on seizing the treasure and not meddle in this business.

Lin Yanghao always believed in the saying: “Keep a low profile, or lightning will strike you for showing off”—a piece of wisdom from some unknown sage on Earth.

The fate of the White Tiger Sect was none of his concern. If he got involved, he might just bring disaster on himself. Besides, if the sect’s Emperor-level warriors couldn’t handle their enemies, what chance did a mere outclassed cultivator like him have?

“Hey, who are you? It doesn’t matter—today, you’re not leaving alive. Better hand over your life now!” Just as Lin Yanghao turned to leave, a coarse voice rang out.

He realized, to his dismay, that he’d been noticed. Turning, he saw a burly man leading several others toward him.

“I’m just passing through. I hope you’ll stay out of my way—there’s no need for a fight that won’t end well for either of us,” Lin Yanghao said. He truly had no interest in the White Tiger Sect’s affairs; he wanted only to take the treasure and leave.

“Brothers, seize him! He must be one of the White Tiger Sect survivors!” The burly man ignored Lin Yanghao’s words and motioned for his men to attack.

“Do you take me for a kitten just because I haven’t shown my claws?” Lin Yanghao was no pushover—he dispatched the small fry with a few swift moves, then turned his gaze to the rest.

“Kid, they have three Emperor-level warriors, but the White Tiger Sect has only one, and he’s badly injured. You may not be a top-tier cultivator, but you’re no ordinary martial artist either. Go on—attack them boldly, don’t hold back!” The old monster’s voice echoed in Lin Yanghao’s mind as he hesitated.

Reassured, Lin Yanghao launched himself at the enemy’s Emperor-level warriors, deciding to do the White Tiger Sect a favor.

“Second brother, third brother, let’s go!”

“Yes, big brother!”

As Lin Yanghao attacked, the three Emperor-level enemies charged him in turn.

“Fierce Tiger Claw!”

“Hmph, taste my Shadow Wind Palm!”

“Kid, take my Mighty Fist!”

Lin Yanghao quickly found himself locked in fierce combat with two of them, while the other Emperor-level opponent engaged the White Tiger Sect’s wounded master.

Not far away, among the White Tiger Sect’s ranks, a girl in white watched Lin Yanghao’s imposing figure with a puzzled expression. “Where have I seen him before? He looks so familiar!” she wondered, racking her brain but unable to recall where she might have met him. The thought left her rather vexed.

“Come on, brothers, let’s go! Fight them with all you’ve got!” The senior disciple among the sect’s younger generation rallied his fellow disciples and led them into battle against the black-clad intruders. Although none of them believed that the injured sect master or the unfamiliar, younger Lin Yanghao could stand up to three Emperor-level foes, they decided to risk everything—it was do or die.

Lin Yanghao fought his two opponents to a standstill, cursing Master Mu Yu for his shamelessness—how dare he claim Lin Yanghao could handle three at once! Now he was struggling to escape. If he’d run earlier, he was sure he could have gotten away with ease.

“Hey, kid! Are you stupid? Didn’t your master ever teach you about externalizing spiritual power? Use it, now!” Master Mu Yu’s voice grew anxious. If Lin Yanghao kept fighting like this, he’d be worn down and killed, and Master Mu Yu would be doomed along with him. No wonder he was anxious.

“Uh, I don’t have a master. I’ve been cultivating on my own this whole time. In fact, I started with martial arts techniques. I’m not even sure how I ended up as a cultivator,” Lin Yanghao replied meekly.

“What? What did you say?” Even Master Mu Yu, who had lived for eight centuries and seen countless marvels, was stunned by Lin Yanghao’s answer. To think that, without guidance, he had stepped into the path of cultivation that so many dreamed of, and, even more absurdly, had transformed his martial arts energy into spiritual energy through sheer coincidence. Master Mu Yu couldn’t help but envy Lin Yanghao’s fortune—first, he had acquired an unknown ring far more powerful than the spirit stone Mu Yu had sacrificed his life for, and now, by some twist of fate, he had become a cultivator. He mused that Lin Yanghao’s spiritual roots must be exceptional, or he could never have managed such a feat.

Realizing this, Master Mu Yu’s heart began to race anew. Once again, he considered the idea of seizing Lin Yanghao’s body for himself. With such a rare vessel, missing this chance would mean never finding another. If he succeeded, ascending to the Immortal Realm would be within reach.