Da Sha Zhu immediately turned and fled into the distance. After witnessing Lin Ye display Tianxiang-level power, how could he possibly continue to oppose him?
What shocked Da Sha Zhu even more was that Lin Ye had spotted him from so far away. He also understood something terrifying—Lin Ye had already locked onto him. Even if he pretended not to recognize Lin Ye, it would be useless.
But how had Lin Ye discovered him?
Da Sha Zhu had never shown his face before Lin Ye. He should not have been recognized. Yet Lin Ye's gaze had felt like a blade pinning him in place—absolute, inescapable.
Who was this man?
Da Sha Zhu did not dare think further. His only thought was to escape as quickly as possible, and report the news—Lin Ye possessed Tianxiang-level strength—to the Young Sect Master.
Lin Ye activated Tiance Youlong Bu, and with his Dibian Ninth Realm foundation, leapt across obstacles with ease.
Shua!
Once Lin Ye locked onto someone's aura, that person was basically doomed.
In a narrow alley, Da Sha Zhu moved with surprising agility. Just as he was about to vault over a courtyard wall, a sharp whistling sound tore through the air behind him.
He was skilled in hidden weapons. He knew immediately what it was.
An arrow.
Whoosh!
The arrow pierced through Da Sha Zhu's palm and nailed his hand to the wall. He yanked it out with a grunt. That brief delay was enough.
A figure appeared behind him.
Da Sha Zhu spun around, eyes dark and cold, and stared at Lin Ye.
Lin Ye's expression did not change.
"Tell me who your master is," Lin Ye said calmly. "And I will spare your life."
This man was the one who had ambushed Lin Ye inside Longxu Cave. Back then he hesitated, not daring to trade blows, and withdrew. Later at the cave exit he tried again, but Lin Ye neutralized him once more.
As for the Sixfu Tower incident, Lin Ye had already determined it was not Geng Shiqiu's method. Geng Shiqiu preferred planting loyal subordinates to do the dirty work.
This kind of framing scheme was too fragile. One day, if the truth leaked, it would backfire catastrophically. Geng Shiqiu would never take such a high-risk approach.
Da Sha Zhu said nothing.
He was not the type to beg.
If he could not escape, then he would kill his way out.
Boom!
His inner energy erupted.
A heavy Dibian aura surged outward.
Dibian Second Realm!
At one time, this strength would have been terrifying. In Longxu Cave, it had been enough to threaten Lin Ye.
But now?
Lin Ye could kill him with a casual flick of his wrist.
Seeing the man refuse to speak, Lin Ye did not bother pressing. He swung his sword once.
Bang!
In the instant their weapons met, Da Sha Zhu's weapon snapped apart.
Da Sha Zhu raised his arm and fired three sleeve-arrows toward Lin Ye.
Lin Ye lightly swept his cold iron sword.
The arrows were casually knocked aside.
Shua!
A single sword stroke sliced across Da Sha Zhu's throat.
He clutched at his neck and fell to his knees. His eyes still held stubborn defiance, but the wound was too severe.
Boom.
He collapsed face-first onto the ground.
Lin Ye searched his body and quickly found several exchanged letters.
"Pei Shaoyi…"
Lin Ye's eyes narrowed.
"That little beast really enjoys playing tricks."
Among the correspondence was a clear order: assassinate Murong Xuanang.
He had kept these documents, likely as leverage for future schemes.
Lin Ye now knew who killed Murong Xuanang, but he had no time to deal with it for the moment.
If Murong Clan's Patriarch approached with a bit of courtesy, Lin Ye would not mind telling him the truth.
But if they came screaming and swinging swords?
Then Lin Ye would not give them any face.
Let them see whose blade was sharper.
Another enemy trying to kill him had surfaced from Fenglei Sect.
After killing Da Sha Zhu, Lin Ye left immediately.
Today's harvest inside the ancient tomb had been extremely rich. Lin Ye could hardly wait to return and experience the benefits from the several Wan Shou Xue Yong he had obtained.
The battle at Sixfu Tower had shaken the entire city.
Every faction in Leihe City had heard of this peak clash.
How long had it been since a fight of this level occurred?
A Golden Eagle Guard deputy commander, plus a half-step Tianxiang guest elder—two figures who would have forced even the City Lord to greet them personally—had died at the hands of a single youth.
The mysterious youth, Lin Ye, had shown terrifying strength that inspired both awe and fear.
Some believed Lin Ye must have a powerful backer behind him. He had reportedly defected from Fenglei Sect—perhaps he had stolen some legendary treasure, otherwise how could his cultivation rise so fast?
Others claimed Lin Ye was arrogant but ultimately alone. No matter how strong he was, a single arm could not twist a thigh.
Now he had completely offended the Murong Clan, and they would surely hunt him relentlessly.
Someone even dug up the latest rumor:
If Lin Ye did not return to Fenglei Sect and surrender within seven days, he would be placed on the Sect's Black List.
If that happened, both Fenglei Sect and the Murong Clan would jointly pursue him.
Even a god would struggle to survive.
Lin Ye's fate seemed sealed.
Lei Yongbiao quickly sent the news back to the Sect. After all, Lin Ye's achievements today were enough to shake even Fenglei Sect itself.
The Xia Clan also heard the news. The main family immediately convened a clan council.
After all, their auction house had been closely involved with Lin Ye in recent days. In their eyes, this was an opportunity.
With Lin Ye's demonstrated strength, he would become a target they must recruit at all costs.
The Xia Clan had money—but not people.
They lacked top-tier powerhouses. Their foundation was too thin.
If not for their decent relations with various sects, they would not have survived until now.
Because many sect forces had occasional conflicts, few were willing to cooperate deeply with the Xia Clan.
But Lin Ye's appearance seemed to perfectly fill that gap.
A clan elder stood up first.
"Patriarch, we must not act too hastily. We do not know Lin Ye's background at all."
"He is a defector from Fenglei Sect, and now he has a blood feud with the Murong Clan."
"If we become close with Lin Ye, are we not directly declaring war on two major forces?"
The speaker was Xia Yuan.
His reasoning was not without merit. He also voiced the concerns of most people present.
Xia Wei, as one of the auction house administrators, naturally had the right to attend this council.
The Xia Patriarch looked toward Xia Wei.
"Xia Wei, what do you think?"
Within the entire Xia Clan, Lin Ye's only direct connection was Xia Wei. Everyone wanted to hear her opinion. Perhaps she knew more.
Xia Wei remained calm.
"I would like Administrator Xia Hui to first introduce something."
"Introduce… what?" The elders frowned.
Xia Wei's voice stayed steady.
"This."
Xia Hui stood and spoke.
"Yesterday, Mister Lin Ye delivered five Diling Dan to our auction house."
"Five?!" Gasps erupted.
Very few people actually knew this information.
"Although they are also third-grade pills, I had professionals repeatedly verify them."
"The Diling Dan refined by Mister Lin Ye has medicinal efficacy ten times stronger than those refined by Huoding Sect."
Ten times!
The moment that number landed, everyone in the room drew a sharp breath.
Most of the high-ranking members present were Dibian cultivators. They understood exactly how terrifying a ten-times-effect Diling Dan truly was.
Xia Hui sat down.
Xia Wei continued, her eyes sharp.
"Patriarch."
"A man who can refine third-grade Diling Dan with ten times the efficacy."
"And also a Tianxiang-level powerhouse, not yet twenty years old."
"If we do not recruit such a person, I truly cannot imagine who else would be worth recruiting."
"In my opinion, this is our chance."
"In another month… or even half a month…"
"Lin Ye may no longer need us."