Chapter 1709: Toyed

Gu Cangxin had arrived. Dressed in a black robe, his face was cold and grim. He stood in the air, resting his hand on the handle of the sword slung around his waist.

His presence was as stalwart as a mountain!

"Did you kill Yan Chunjun?"

Unsurprisingly, Gu Cangxin's voice sounded as hard and cold as a rock.

Everyone nearly jumped at his question. They realized that while Gu Cangxin and his group might also be here for the black fog ravine, their main goal was to avenge Yan Chunjun.

"That's correct."

Lin Xun nodded, appearing calm and unruffled.

Gu Cangxin gave him a similar feeling to the Panwu Dao Court disciple, Wen Qingxue, making him far stronger than the likes of other Big Saints such as Wei Ziya and Kun Jiulin.

Clang!

A giant sword appeared above Gu Cangxin. The ink-black sword had a blunt edge and was engraved with the two ancient characters: Heavy Arrival.

The surrounding space silently collapsed as if unable to bear the sword’s weight!

A dreadful murderous intent spread across the area, originating from Gu Cangxin.

Numerous experts struggled to breathe as their expressions turned to horror.

What a terrifying pressure!

At this moment, Gu Cangxin resembled a sword ruler with complete dominion over the land.

Lin Xun's eyes narrowed slightly. His clothes wildly flapped as his aura began to rumble.

For a time, the area was filled with two completely different yet equally terrifying presences. As their auras clashed, even space itself violently churned like surging waves in a mighty river!

Several experts' hearts tightened as they hurriedly withdrew, afraid that they would be caught in between.

Gu Cangxin frostily declared, "Anyone who kills a core disciple of the Heaven and Earth Dao Court will receive the death penalty!"

Swish!

As his words rang out, swords rapidly appeared in the sky and converged toward the giant sword, Heavy Arrival, becoming its 'blade.'

The giant sword swung together with the numerous blades, stirring the wind and clouds as an aura of the sole supreme descended!

It was a sword move that embodied immeasurable vastness.

To everyone's surprise, however, Lin Xun withdrew and fled with A'hu. It happened so quickly that no one could react to their retreat.

Swish!

The giant sword ground to a stop, unable to find its target.

Gu Cangxin was stunned.

He didn't expect his opponent to flee so decisively. It was like a guest suddenly leaving without saying a word.

Beside him, the Heaven and Earth Dao Court disciples were also in a daze.

From their understanding, Lin Xun was a fearless and brazen individual who displayed blatant disregard even to the likes of Yan Chunjun.

Who could have imagined that he would flee before the battle could properly start?!

Everyone present was also dumbfounded. What the hell was going on? Wasn't Lin Xun all fearless and lawless before?

Why had he suddenly slipped away?

Even Yan Xiu and others, who were secretly watching, were stunned.

Did he...yield just like that?

They had originally planned to watch the two tigers duke it out and strike only after both sides were injured. However, Lin Xun's actions had completely ruined their plan.

The wolves should have been pitted against the tigers but now the wolves had escaped, leaving the tigers behind!

One of the Heaven and Earth Dao Court disciples disdainfully said, "Bah! How shameless. I thought Lin Xun was a formidable foe, but he turned out to be a coward who only knows how to run from the strong and bully the weak."

Many others also found this despicable. To think that he didn't even dare to fight; Lin Xun wasn't a brave warrior but a timid mouse!

One of the disciples asked, "Brother Gu, do we go after him?"

Gu Cangxin's eyes shone brilliantly. In the end, he shook his head. "We've already missed the timing. Right now...it's more important to collect the Treasure Refining Dao Qi in the ravine. Moreover, we'll sooner or later find the chance to kill him as long as he stays in the Kunlun Dominion."

Everyone nodded.

However, many experts inwardly lamented at this scene.

Lin Xun was already strong enough to give them all a headache. With Gu Cangxin taking over the former's spot, was there anyone who would dare to challenge the Heaven and Earth Dao Court?

Yan Xiu's and others' faces darkened, feeling so frustrated that they nearly vomited blood. Their well-prepared plan had just gone to waste!

The green-haired woman anxiously transmitted, "Yan Xiu, what should we do?"

"What else can we do? Of course we have to act according to the situation."

Yan Xiu took a deep breath and said with a grim expression, "The higher the quality of the Treasure Refining Dao Qi, the more difficult it becomes to subdue. When Gu Cangxin is in a pinch, it will be our time to act!"

At this moment, however, Gu Cangxin coldly said, "The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Anyone who is thinking about trying something funny should first ask if you can stop my sword!"

It was both a warning and an undisguised threat.

Numerous people inwardly shivered and thought about leaving. However, there were also some whose eyes gleamed in thought.

Like Yan Xiu's group, they naturally wouldn't be deterred by mere words.

Gu Cangxin didn't say anything else, and he turned his gaze to the ravine.

Time passed. Soon, a Treasure Refining Dao Qi emerged from the depths of the black fog and took the shape of a golden bird-like figure. It glided in the ravine, displaying its dazzling light.

Many experts' eyes shone.

Yan Xiu and others swallowed. It was clearly a precious Treasure Refining Dao Qi with immeasurable value that would tempt anyone.

Meanwhile, the Heaven and Earth Dao Court disciples grew nervous. The sensation of so many watching eyes made them feel as if arrows were aimed at their backs.

Only Gu Cangxin remained unfazed.

Since Lin Xun had been able to occupy this spot, Gu Cangxin could naturally do so as well. Anyone who dared to interfere would have a good taste of his sword!

Gu Cangxin swiftly found an opening and moved without hesitation.

He reached out and grabbed at the golden bird in the ravine.

Rumble!

Ghostly silhouettes burst out from the fog and rose into the air. It was the same scene Lin Xun had experienced many times previously.

Gu Cangxin remained composed as the giant sword, Heavy Arrival, swung at the ghostly phantasms, swiftly smashing them to pieces.

Next, a pale golden flame emerged and incinerated Gu Cangxin's palm-force into nothingness.

Gu Cangxin icily snorted. With a whistle, his finger glowed and a wave of dao light surged out from the void and swallowed the pale golden flame.

Bang bang bang!

To his surprise, however, the pale golden flame destroyed his attack once more.

"Subdue!"

A serious look emerged between Gu Cangxin's brows as he summoned a green bottle from which a divine green haze unfurled.

Meanwhile, he grabbed at the golden bird again.

At this moment, however, a large silver net suddenly descended from the sky to capture the golden bird before Gu Cangxin could reach it!

The green-haired woman had acted.

With Gu Cangxin being encumbered by the pale golden flame, it was certainly an excellent opportunity to snatch away the Treasure Refining Dao Qi.

However, Gu Cangxin immediately revealed a mocking expression as if he had already anticipated this and lightly snapped his fingers.

Clang!

With a loud cry, his giant sword smashed through the air, moving with the swiftness and ferocity of a sudden flash flood.

The silver net was pulverized in an instant.

The green-haired woman's expression changed as she hastily tried to dodge.

However, the seemingly heavy giant sword moved faster than a flash of light. In the blink of an eye, the green-haired woman was pierced, causing her to explode into bits of flesh and blood!

Everything transpired so quickly that even Yan Xiu, who was nearby, was too late to help. The sight of the green-haired woman being killed induced a sense of dread within him.

By this juncture it was obvious that Gu Cangxin wasn't trying to collect the Treasure Refining Dao Qi but setting a trap. Anyone who failed to resist the temptation would immediately be struck down by him!

Gu Cangxin frostily said, "Isn't being unable to control your greed no different from seeking death?"

The entire place was silent as everyone trembled in fear.

He was clearly making an example!

The sight made Gu Cangxin relax as he shifted his focus back to the Treasure Refining Dao Qi.

Swish!

At this moment, however, another twist occurred.

The snow-white Broken Blade suddenly appeared.

Gu Cang stiffened, sensing danger. Without hesitation, he directed the giant sword to meet the rapidly approaching Broken Blade.

Boom!

An earth-shattering collision sounded. Gu Cangxin shook slightly as horrifying light burst from his eyes.

His icy voice rang out across the sky, "It's you. So your earlier retreat was a bluff."

Only then did everyone else notice that Lin Xun had reappeared in the distance.

He smiled faintly and said, "I dislike being targeted by everyone so I decided to swap positions with you."

Indeed, Gu Cangxin had become the focus of everyone's attention!

"We'll see if you can still escape alive this time."

Gu Cangxin revealed his murderous intent as he rose into the air. He was abandoning the Treasure Refining Dao Qi to face Lin Xun.

However, Lin Xun ran away again, refusing to exchange blows.

Gu Cangxin immediately pursued, but his expression soon changed and he abruptly turned back.

However, it was already too late.

The 'golden bird' that had emerged from the black fog was being pulled away by a colorful ribbon at an incredible speed.

The other end of the ribbon was held by A'hu who had appeared at some unknown time.

Luring the tiger away to plunder its domain!

Gu Cangxin's face immediately turned ice-cold as he murderously rushed at A'hu.

However, A'hu merely laughed and flew away, refusing to engage as she swiftly vanished into the distance.

This series of events occurred in the blink of an eye. Everything, from Lin Xun interfering to A'hu using the opening to snatch away the Treasure Refining Dao Qi, was done in one fell swoop.

Many cultivators were dazzled by the rapid developments.

Yan Xiu and his group were also astonished. They likewise hadn't expected Lin Xun to suddenly return after escaping.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. However, the green-haired woman who thought she was the oriole succumbed to Gu Cangxin's trap and was killed.

Who could have anticipated that there were also two crafty foxes waiting behind the oriole? The mantis, who thought that it had won, ended up with its prey snatched from its claws!

The rapid twists and turns left everyone dumbstruck.

"Damn it!"

Gu Cangxin's expression turned stormy as shame welled up within him. This was the first time he had been toyed like this!