Lin Jin opted to make the first move.
He had fought Black Water Taoist before, and during that time, Lin Jin overwhelmed the Water God Cult, forcing Black Water Taoist to flee from the battlefield.
It was a decisive victory for Lin Jin.
Though, had it not been for Lin Jin’s magic treasures or his pet beasts, he would never have won against Black Water Taoist by relying on his cultivation alone.
This time, Black Water Taoist had clearly ‘leveled up’. Not only did his cultivation improve significantly, but he now yielded a magic treasure called the ‘Ghost Hand’.
With his keen eyes, Lin Jin noticed how horrifying Black Water Taoist’s Ghost Hand was, as well as how unique the materials it was crafted from were. Its aura felt devilish, so it was surely a domineering magic treasure with an interesting history.
However, since Lin Jin was required to show the tenacity of an unfettered immortal’s disciple, he had to defeat Black Water Taoist with absolute advantage.
That would be consistent with the persona he was trying to project, and it would prevent Yan Shenjun from having other suspicions.
Since Lin Jin had planned it out, he would act accordingly.
Clear Wind sensed Lin Jin’s intention so he instantly released a stream of sword light. Initially, it flowed out gently before the current sped up to slash at Black Water Taoist.
Black Water Taoist responded with equal rage.
He mused, ‘This guy dares to initiate a fight? Isn’t he scared?’
Another thought came to the taoist’s mind. Since Lin Jin was the direct disciple of an unfettered immortal, it would be unsurprising for him to act without fear.
Perhaps Lin Jin wouldn’t do anything to Yan Shenjun, but to a pawn like himself, Lin Jin probably wouldn’t pull his punches.
That made sense.
Yet, Black Water Taoist was no pushover. He was ambitious and had his own goals. Even if he knew that Lin Jin’s backer was an unfettered immortal, he wouldn’t let himself suffer a beating.
Black Water Taoist activated the Ghost Hand at once, and an eerie image of a phantom appeared. It grew and took the form of a large black silhouette standing behind him.
Its appearance reminded Lin Jin of a demon that crawled up from the depths of hell.
Black Water Taoist was nervous, fearful even. He gave his all in one attack without holding back. At present, he could only utilize about sixty percent of the Ghost Hand’s true strength. Even without unleashing its full potential, this was more than enough to finish off an average immortal.
The colorful Sword Energy immediately hacked at the black aura. Black Water Taoist brandished his Ghost Hand, slashing out an energy blade to parry off the Sword Energy.
Lin Jin never stopped walking as he continued to activate Clear Wind.
“Universe Blade!”
Lin Jin pushed the sword’s might to its extreme, squeezing out every bit of power it could muster.
They only saw the blinding flash of a blade and in the next instant, the Sword Energy traveled through its target. By now, Lin Jin was more than a hundred feet behind Black Water Taoist and one step away from entering the hall.
Black Water Taoist was stunned. His right hand fell limp to his side and blood could be seen dripping from the Ghost Hand. The towering devil’s silhouette behind him had now vanished without a trace.
That swift attack earlier had instantly produced a victor.
Judging by the outcome, Lin Jin had won using the sharpness of Clear Wind’s Sword Energy to pierce through Black Water Taoist’s devil image. He also managed to cut the taoist’s arm in the process.
It was originally part of Lin Jin’s plan to sever Black Water Taoist’s right arm completely. That would rid him of a potential threat.
Lin Jin had faith that even if he disabled Black Water Taoist and it angered Yan Shenjun, the latter would never attempt to take revenge.
At the very least, before he uncovered what Lin Jin was capable of, Yan Shenjun would not act recklessly.
This was Yan Shenjun’s character.
Lin Jin’s research had helped him in arriving at this conclusion. It was why he had the courage to follow through with the plan. The outcome would prompt Yan Shenjun to confirm his suspicion; so long as he was cautious toward Lin Jin’s master, the unfettered immortal, he would never try to pick a fight.
No matter how far Lin Jin went, Yan Shenjun would tolerate him.
Lin Jin never saw Black Water Taoist again. The Ghost Hand may have helped Black Water Taoist keep his right arm, but that sword attack wasn’t easy to recover from. For the time being, Black Water Taoist’s right arm would be useless.
As such, Lin Jin entered the hall without looking back.
Behind him, Black Water Taoist wore a mad expression.
Back in Arid Continent, Curator destroyed his Water God Cult, forcing him to flee with his tail between his legs. To think he lost again to that man’s disciple!
His arm burned and stung, and he couldn’t move it.
This was utter humiliation.
Black Water Taoist couldn’t take it, but right now, he had to.
The grievances and rage he felt almost drove him crazy, but fortunately, he still had a bit of sanity left.
“I haven’t lost yet!” Black Water Taoist gritted his teeth. After swallowing the blood that was rising in his throat, he moved forward.
He would cultivate, improve, and carry out his revenge.
Curator was an unfettered immortal that Black Water Taoist knew he couldn’t afford to offend, but who did Lin Jin think he was?
Just like him, the young man was only a mortal; he wasn’t even a half immortal. He only managed to win because of the magic treasure Curator had given him.
The next time, Black Water Taoist swore that he would completely overwhelm Lin Jin in return for the humiliation he suffered.
“Just you wait, all of you,” mumbled Black Water Taoist under his breath.
While Lin Jin knew that Black Water Taoist would think of ways to seek revenge, he still didn’t see Black Water Taoist as a worthy opponent.
For a person who only relied on his magic treasure to obtain power, how bright could his future be?
Black Water Taoist’s Ghost Hand may be powerful, but Lin Jin noticed that the side effects were just as severe. The man was unknowingly being corroded by ghost energy, and Lin Jin pitied him. Yan Shenjun must be aware of this, which further proved that he thought of Black Water Taoist as nothing but a tool. He was someone who Yan Shenjun could use when needed, and discarded whenever he pleased.
Nothing more.
Lin Jin wouldn’t pay a useless tool any mind.
He entered the great hall and was surprised to find no immortal servants around. This was clearly Yan Shenjun’s private ground where regular people weren’t allowed access.
Even Black Water Taoist could only stand guard at the door.
Compared to them, Lin Jin strode into the hall without hesitation, as if this was his home.
It wasn’t even seconds later when he felt a wave of heat sweep over him.
