Chapter 27: Bai Chen

"Kid, gather the energy from your dantian into your palm, let your spiritual power condense into a force, and then strike him. The spiritual energy of a cultivator is not something an ordinary martial artist can withstand. Its level is several times higher than that of a martial artist’s true qi." The old monster, Master Twilight Rain, had no choice but to instruct Lin Yanghao once again on how to shape spiritual power. He didn’t want Lin Yanghao to die—after all, if Lin Yanghao perished, it would be a tragedy for two lives in one body.

"Oh, let me try." Following Master Twilight Rain’s instructions, Lin Yanghao attempted the technique. Sure enough, he was able to project his spiritual energy outward. Though he wasn’t yet proficient—after all, it was his first attempt—this skill was almost like a cheat code, and with its help, Lin Yanghao quickly reversed the dire situation he had just been in.

The two martial emperors had been fighting Lin Yanghao for quite a while. At first, Lin Yanghao could match them blow for blow, which was already enough to shock them. But to their astonishment, Lin Yanghao only grew stronger as the fight continued, as if he had suddenly been invigorated by some mysterious force. The one called Third Brother turned to the knowledgeable Second Brother and asked,

"Second Brother, this kid is really something. What should we do?"

"Third Brother, he’s clearly trained in some advanced martial art that allows him to project his true qi, which explains his strange abilities. But no matter how odd, he won’t be our match. Just be careful not to get hit by him."

This Second Brother could discern much from Lin Yanghao’s moves and was indeed well-versed in the martial arts. Mistaking Lin Yanghao’s spiritual force for projected true qi was understandable—after all, cultivators on the Dragon Martial Continent were exceedingly rare. Even if there were any, few had advanced to higher levels; at most, they might be at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, like Lin Yanghao. Pills like the Foundation Establishment Pill were so rare here that few had even heard of them. The old stories of cultivators were likely tales of outsiders who had passed through, so these two would never imagine—even if it cost them their lives—that Lin Yanghao was a cultivator. They could only assume he was a martial artist with powerful techniques and skills.

They exchanged several more rounds with Lin Yanghao, but his technique of shaping spiritual energy was simply too powerful. Gradually, both began to falter, while Lin Yanghao only grew braver and more formidable, deeply experiencing the overwhelming strength of a true cultivator—far beyond any martial artist.

"Farewell, both of you! Take one more strike from me!"

"Fierce Tiger Claw!"

Lin Yanghao had no desire to toy with them any longer and decisively ended the fight. He was not one to show mercy—he killed the two men outright.

"Second Brother! Third Brother! Boy, you actually killed my brothers! If I don’t kill you today, I swear I am no man!" The eldest brother, who had been fighting White Tiger Sect’s master, turned to see Lin Yanghao slay his siblings and roared in grief and rage.

White Tiger Sect’s master, already wounded from before, was now up against one of the strongest martial emperors. He had been on the defensive since the start and was now at the end of his strength.

When the disciples of White Tiger Sect saw Lin Yanghao defeat two martial emperors with barely any effort, their joy was beyond words and their confidence soared. They fought with renewed vigor, determined to wipe out the black-clad invaders.

Seeing White Tiger Sect’s master faltering, Lin Yanghao thought to himself, "Since I’ve already helped, I might as well see this through." He turned and attacked the eldest brother, and, using the same technique, dispatched him within a few rounds.

"I am deeply grateful to you, great hero, for saving our sect from disaster," said the White Tiger Sect master, not daring to put on airs before Lin Yanghao. The scene of Lin Yanghao’s effortless slaughter of three martial emperors had shaken him to his core. Those were no mere vegetables—they were martial emperors, and yet Lin Yanghao had killed them as if it were nothing. The entire sect was in awe.

"Oh, there’s no need to thank me. Upholding justice is what we should do. I just happened to be passing through. My cultivation is still far from that of a true hero, so there’s no need to keep calling me that. Just call me Yanghao. In fact, I have some connection with the White Tiger Sect. If I’m not mistaken, you must be Uncle Bai?" Lin Yanghao shamelessly replied, his expression calm and composed, painting himself as a righteous hero when, in truth, he had come to the White Tiger Sect to steal something. Still, he had not exaggerated his cultivation—he had not even reached the threshold of true cultivation, so he dared not call himself a hero.

Indeed, the master of the White Tiger Sect was the very Bai Chen that Old Lin and Lin Yanghao had spoken of. From the moment he learned this old man was the sect leader, Lin Yanghao had guessed his identity.

"Oh? What do you mean?" Bai Chen, the sect leader, was surprised to find that this godlike youth actually knew him and claimed a connection.

"I actually know Old Lin. He’s helped me greatly and told me his story, so I know about you and the White Tiger Sect. I thought I’d drop by and pay you a visit," Lin Yanghao replied with sincere warmth. With his current demeanor, he could have been an actor—he admired his own talent, thinking that if he had known earlier, he wouldn’t have struggled to find a job on Earth; he could have gone straight into acting and left all the famous stars in the dust.

"What, you know Old Lin? I haven’t seen him in years! Tell me, how is he now? I owe him my life. If not for me, he would never have ended up as he did." Bai Chen was overwhelmed to hear that Lin Yanghao knew Old Lin. The near-destruction of his sect was instantly forgotten—a testament to the deep brotherhood he felt for Old Lin.

"Don’t worry, Uncle Bai—Old Lin is doing well," Lin Yanghao said, then shared some of Old Lin’s recent news, which finally put Bai Chen’s heart at ease.

"Good, good, good! Qingqing, help Yanghao settle into a room. He’s fought hard all day and needs to rest," Bai Chen exclaimed, repeating "good" three times in his excitement. Remembering Lin Yanghao’s battle, he hurriedly told his treasured disciple to help Lin Yanghao get some rest.