Lin Xun!

Mu Wansu’s pupils abruptly shrank, unable to believe her eyes.

He’s…alive?

Didn’t they say misfortune befell him in Spirit Burial Sea?

Mu Wansu thought she was seeing things, but her intuition told her that the youngster was definitely Lin Xun!

Although his presence had changed tremendously and he now gave off an indescribable sensation of transcendence, his appearance was basically the same as before.

He’s still alive!

Shock was soon followed by elation. At her most despairing and helpless juncture, Lin Xun had descended like a flying immortal and injured the terrifying Scarlet Eagle King with a single slash of his blade. How could anyone not be overwhelmed by emotion in this situation?

“This…this can’t be real. He’s still alive?” Wang Lin was also dumbstruck and looked as if he had seen a ghost.

“Is there some problem with me being alive?”

Lin Xun was taken aback. He was naturally bewildered by their odd reactions.

Before he could get to the bottom of the matter, the Scarlet Eagle King sinisterly said, “A little youngster who has already stepped into the Heaven Ascension stage was able to injure this king. You truly astonish this king.”

It spread out its wings as it spoke. Divine fire swirled around its body as a terrifying aura soared into the sky.

“Careful! It’s a monster-beast that has just awoken from a deep sleep and possesses horrifying strength. No ordinary cultivator can match it.”

Mu Wansu’s expression changed, and she could not help but warn Lin Xun.

“It’s a mere feathered beast. Big Sister Wansu does not need to worry.” Lin Xun displayed a relaxed smile and a jovial expression.

Mu Wansu suddenly felt as if she had returned to Donglin City. Back then, Lin Xun was merely a True Martial stage youngster in a difficult situation.

Now, he was famous in the Forbidden City and was a peerless heaven pride that even she could not help but be amazed by.

How many years had it been?

The poor and thin youngster had already risen to power in the empire. Even against a terrible monster-beast like the Scarlet Eagle King, he was completely relaxed and unafraid.

“Feathered beast…”

Sparks flew from the Scarlet Eagle King’s eyes, clearly infuriated by the insulting nickname. It had never met such an arrogant youngster since it had started cultivating.

The Scarlet Eagle King menacingly threatened, “Little fellow, on account that it was not easy for you to achieve such cultivation, if you surrender and choose to serve me, this king will give you a chance to live. Otherwise, this king will teach you what it will feel like to wish you were dead!”

The nearby monster-beasts angrily roared, trying to scare and intimidate Lin Xun.

“I’ve lost track of how many beasts like you I’ve killed. To think the likes of you dares to call yourself a king.” Lin Xun laughed.

The Scarlet Eagle King was indeed very strong and possessed power comparable to a peak Heaven Ascension expert. It was definitely a top-tier existence among the monster-beast cultivators.

However, it still wasn’t enough in Lin Xun’s eyes. In fact, it was far inferior to the Herculean Demon Bull Clan’s Niu Tuntian.

These words only triggered the Scarlet Eagle King even more. “You are seeking your own death!”

Rumble!

It spread its wings, producing flames that rose ten thousand feet into the air. The bright flames burned away the clouds and covered the entire area, incinerating the nearby mountains to ashes.

Some of the nearby monster-beasts could not avoid the flames in time and were also burnt to ashes. This showed the depths of the Scarlet Eagle King’s savageness. It didn't care the least bit about its subordinates' lives and was bloodthirsty, heartless, and ruthless.

“So noisy!”

Lin Xun did not wish to waste any more time. He glowed as he rose into the air like a supreme blade that was being unsheathed.

Swoosh!

He activated the Hornless Ice Dragon Step, causing his figure to turn illusory and shine intimidatingly.

Strong!

Mu Wansu and Wang Lin were shocked. Although it had been a relatively short period since they had last met, Lin Xun had grown stronger again. He had stepped into the Heaven Ascension stage, becoming a true, great cultivator!

It was unbelievable.

It must be known that half a year ago, Lin Xun had only been at the Spirit Sea stage. But now, he could stand shoulder to shoulder with the great cultivators of the empire!

Rumble!

The Scarlet Eagle King's huge body seemed to burn and gave off a scarlet glow. At this particular moment, every red feather on its body was bristling angrily.

Because it was feeling an extremely dangerous aura.

It extended its sharp claws. Thousands of fire waves rolled through the air as it pounced at Lin Xun.

However, an astonishing scene soon followed. With a single punch, Lin Xun instantly shattered the opponent's claws!

Urgh!

Blood splattered as the Scarlet Eagle King rapidly backed away in pain. It was astonished and angry as a chill rose from the bottom of its heart.

A single strike had injured its claws and nearly crippled it. This made it realize that the youngster was no ordinary person, but instead an extremely formidable individual.

After the clean strike, Lin Xun decisively gave chase. Compact fist force that gave off a majestic presence slammed through the air, causing space to crumble around it.

The Scarlet Eagle King cried out in anger. Ever since it woke up, it had always felt that it was an existence that was above everyone else. Who could have imagined that a human youngster would cause it such pain?

Rumble!

It burned like the sun, sending out a torrential rain of fire that sought to engulf Lin Xun.

Swish!

However, Lin Xun was too fast. He avoided the attack in a flash, arrived beside the Scarlet Eagle King, and punched.

A loud, thunder-like boom rang out. Under Mu Wansu's and Wang Lin's shocked gazes, the ferocious Scarlet Eagle King was struck down from the sky by Lin Xun and crashed into the ground with a miserable shriek, creating a huge crater.

In contrast, Lin Xun remained confident and relaxed from start to end. His moon-white clothes fluttered around him, making him resemble a superior, immortal-like existence.

The nearby monster-beasts trembled like frightened cats and lay on the ground while shivering in fear.

They did not dare to hiss and roar like before. They could sense an indescribable terror from Lin Xun that intimidated them and made their hearts shake in fear.

Even the Scarlet Eagle King had been easily suppressed, so what more the likes of them?

Swish!

Lin Xun dove down from the sky. A faint azure glow covered his fist as he fell like a shooting star to kill the Scarlet Eagle King.

To everyone's surprise, the Scarlet Eagle King suddenly shrieked, "Please spare me, Young Master! I surrender and am willing to serve the Young Master!"

Screeech!

Lin Xun's fist stopped three inches from the Scarlet Eagle King's head. Due to the terrifying residual force, the surrounding air emitted a grating wail.

The Scarlet Eagle King was drenched in a cold sweat, and its soul nearly left its body. The youngster was far too frightening. He was clearly only in his teens, but how could he possess such overwhelming combat power?

Could he be a core true disciple of some ancient sect?

The possibility made it grow increasingly respectful. It withdrew its wings and pressure and lay on the ground with its head bowed. “The heavens are virtuous. Please show mercy Young Master and spare me!”

The nearby monster-beasts looked at each other as their eyes nearly fell out of their sockets from shock. That was their ‘king’! But it was now laying at a human youngster's feet and begging for its life. The drastic change happened far too quickly and caught them completely off guard.

Mu Wansu and Wang Lin were also dazed. Earlier, the Scarlet Eagle King had not even participated and relied on its subordinates to wipe out the group.

Now, that same beast-king-level tyrant was begging for its life at Lin Xun's feet. It felt far too unreal.

This made them realize how strong Lin Xun had become. It had only been half a year, so what had happened in between to result in such drastic growth?

……

Swish!

Moments later, the Grand Universe Ark began to move, carrying Lin Xun, Mu Wansu, and Wang Lin toward the Forbidden City.

The Scarlet Eagle King was also present. It had shrunk itself into a small two-foot-tall scarlet eagle that was standing at Lin Xun's feet like a loyal servant.

Lin Xun had indeed spared its life, and it was now serving at his side.

The Scarlet Eagle King was undoubtedly powerful. Within the Heaven Ascension stage, it was stronger than the many saint-level individuals from the various clans in Spirit Burial Sea.

As for the Heaven Ascension experts in the Ziyao Empire, the Scarlet Eagle King could go toe to toe with the best of them and was only a single step from reaching the Cyclic Derivation stage.

The Scarlet Eagle King belonged to an ancient variant species known as the ‘Fire Spirit Blood Eagle.’ It had the innate ability to control fire dao and was one of the peak existences among monster-beast cultivators.

Hence, Lin Xun was naturally happy to gain the service of such a powerful monster-beast cultivator.

He had already decided that he would make it the guardian of Mind Cleansing Peak so he would not need to worry too much about his friends and family after he left for the Ancient Wasteland Domain.

In fact, Lin Xun was thinking about catching a few more powerful monster-beasts to make them guardian beasts of Mind Cleansing Peak.

After much hesitation, Mu Wansu could no longer hold back and asked, “Lin Xun, didn’t they say that you…ran into misfortune? What happened in the depths of the Spirit Burial Sea?”

“Misfortune? Who said that?”

Lin Xun was taken aback.

“You still don’t know? It was the hottest topic in the Forbidden City several months ago. Everyone said you died in the depths of Spirit Burial Sea and could no longer return…eh, that’s right. How can you know if you just returned?”

Mu Wansu’s words made Lin Xun frown as an icy light flashed in his black eyes. Who had spread such malicious news?

Unfortunately, Mu Wansu didn’t know either as she had only heard about it and did not investigate.

Spirit Treasure Holy Land!

Lin Xun arrived at this conclusion after some thought. It must be Xiao Ran, Su Xingfeng, and the others who had spread such inauspicious news.

Only they knew everything he had experienced in Spirit Burial Sea!

"Trying to use such methods to slander me? It looks like you guys are at your wits end!"

Lin Xun inwardly sneered.

Although he had posed as 'Lin Xuan', it wouldn't be hard to discover his true identity nor was it possible for him to conceal it from the Spirit Treasure Holy Land Successors.

However, Lin Xun did not understand why they had done so and what was their goal. Was it merely to slander and annoy him?

There was definitely more to this matter!

Lin Xun suddenly felt an urgent need to return to the Forbidden City.

He had only been away for half a year, but someone had lied that he had died in Spirit Burial Sea. If his enemies heard this same rumor, wouldn’t they be tempted to move against Mind Cleansing Peak?