The flickering lanterns cast dizzying light over the ruins of the Liu Clan. Broken tiles lay damp, and the scent of rotting wood and mold filled the air. The night wind stirred the shadows, making them dance like ghosts. Lin Yuan slipped into the ruins, his coarse robe clinging to his frame, dark hair rustling softly. After crushing Lin Feng in front of the outer sect, he now followed Yun Niang's intel: the Liu Clan had colluded with the Lin Clan, hiding forbidden artifacts. A trace of demonic presence had even been spotted. With the system at his side, not even a forbidden land could scare him.
Lin Yuan thought: "The Liu Clan's scheme? I'll crush them first, ask questions later."
Tonight, he would uncover the secrets buried in the ruins.
Behind him, Zhang Tie followed, his massive iron hammer thudding against the ground. His aura as a second-stage Spirit Disciple was bold and brash. He growled, "Lin Yuan, brother! This Liu place gives me the creeps! I'll smash it to dust!"
He had stood shoulder to shoulder with Lin Yuan since Yun Town, and his loyalty never wavered.
Lin Yuan chuckled, "Thanks, Zhang Tie. Leave their lapdogs to me. Once we're done digging through this dump, we'll drink!"
Zhang Tie clapped his shoulder, grinning like a big oaf. "Hell yeah! Smash the Liu Clan! I'll cover our backs!"
From a distance, some disciples whispered,
"Lin Yuan's sneaking into the Liu ruins at night? He's insane!"
Others sneered, "That cripple's asking to die."
From the shadows, Liu Dao emerged—fifth-stage Spirit Disciple—draped in black robes, exuding icy arrogance. His blade glinted like a viper, killing intent locked on Lin Yuan. He sneered, "Lin Yuan, a cripple! Dare to trespass on Liu grounds? Leave your life behind!"
A hiss of blade energy sliced the air, shattered tiles flying.
Lin Yuan scoffed, "Liu Dao, fifth-stage? You'll kneel too. Your blade skills are even worse than Lin Feng's."
Liu Dao roared, "Die!"
Lin Yuan smirked, "Trying to chop the moon? Swinging blades in a ruin? You've got guts."
Zhang Tie shouted from behind, "Lin Yuan, smash him! My hammer's ready!"
Disciples gasped,
"Is that cripple actually challenging Liu Dao head-on? He's lost it!"
Just then, the system popped up, as cocky as ever:
"Yo, Host, this ruin's got the haunted-house vibes! New mission: Defeat Liu Dao. Reward: Spirit Sense—enemy detection, accuracy +20%. Got the guts to sweep the field again?"
Lin Yuan chuckled low, "System, let's give him a taste. Where's Liu Dao's weak point?"
The system snorted, "This guy swings like he's chopping wood! Left shoulder—wide open. End him!"
Fighting spirit ignited in Lin Yuan's chest.
"Perfect. The Liu Clan's dirty secrets? I'll start with you. Think this guy can even run?"
System replied with venom:
"Run? With that IQ, even demons wouldn't recruit him!"
The shadows of the ruins danced under flickering light. Liu Dao surged with spiritual energy. His blade hissed like a snake, slashing toward Lin Yuan. Cracked walls split further, dust exploding.
A disciple muttered, "Liu Dao's Ghost Shadow Blade… That cripple's done for."
But Lin Yuan was calm. With the system's boost, I'll finish him quick. The Liu Clan's schemes? Not even worth worrying about.
He shouted, "Wind Wolf—summon!"
The pendant on his chest flashed with spirit light. A silver-furred wind wolf burst out, eyes glowing red as it locked onto Liu Dao. Its claws ripped through the air, shattering tiles in a burst of debris.
Gasps echoed around:
"A puppet? From a cripple? That thing's terrifying!"
Lin Yuan stayed composed.
The Wind Wolf's fast, but Liu Dao's blade is tricky. System, how do I use Spirit Sense?
The system groaned, "Host, any slower and he'll be selling noodles already. Channel spiritual energy to sweep the field. Weak spots will glow like lanterns!"
Lin Yuan channeled his energy. The system dinged:
"Spirit Sense activated!"
A sweep of light passed through the ruins. Liu Dao's left shoulder flared with vulnerability.
Lin Yuan grinned inwardly. This skill's brutal. I can end him right now.
He teased, "System, can this scan peek at Liu Clan's secrets too?"
System mocked, "Peeking? What is this, a surveillance ship? Focus, Host! Wind Blade, go!"
Lin Yuan chuckled, "System, give me another big one."
Liu Dao roared, "Ghost Shadow Slash!"
Blades formed a net of light, dust swirling, crumbling ruins falling.
The Wind Wolf lunged, claws slashing Liu Dao's left shoulder—blood sprayed.
Liu Dao countered, blade grazing the wolf's fur, sparks flying. Lin Yuan locked in with Spirit Sense, fired a Wind Blade. It sliced through the air, stabbing Liu Dao in the chest, ripping apart his blade web.
Liu Dao stumbled back, tried to attack again. Wind Wolf sidestepped, clawing at his waist, forcing him five steps back.
Lin Yuan sneered,
"Still standing? Watch closely."
He scanned again. Spirit light flared. Wind Blade shot like a rainbow. It slammed into Liu Dao's chest. The ruin wall collapsed behind him.
Liu Dao screamed, crumpled onto shattered tiles, crying out,
"How is a cripple… this strong?!"
The Wind Wolf raised a claw to his throat, murderous intent thick in the air.
Lin Yuan coldly said,
"Kneel? Liu Dao, you first. Practice that blade work next time."
The disciples erupted.
"Lin Yuan! The Cripple's unstoppable!"
Zhang Tie roared with laughter,
"Brother, you beast! Drinks on me! Let's crush the Liu Clan's plot too!"
Liu Dao clutched his chest, growling, "The Liu Clan… will kill you… The forbidden—"
He passed out before finishing.
Lin Yuan flipped open his robe and found a forbidden jade token. Demonic energy faintly pulsed from it.
He frowned. The Liu Clan… colluding with demons? A hidden trap in the forbidden grounds?
Zhang Tie clapped his shoulder, nearly knocking him over.
"Brother! That was epic! Yun Niang said the Liu Clan's hiding taboo stuff, demonic shadows showing up more and more. Who's next?"
Lin Yuan nodded, thoughts sharpening.
With the system at my side, who dares block my rise? Cripple? No—invincible.