Lin Yun remained silent. Perhaps even Xiao Pingtian hadn't noticed that Lin Yun was quietly closing the distance between them.
There's still a gap between my power and Xiao Pingtian's, Lin Yun thought. In a long-range duel of Yuan Qi, I have no advantage. If I want to kill him, the best way is to get close!
It took only a few moments for Lin Yun to assess the situation. At the end of the day, his opponent was still a Spirit Cauldron Realm expert. He couldn't be slaughtered as easily as those ordinary disciples.
Having figured this out, Lin Yun began to use his movement technique to rapidly advance.
His intention was, of course, seen through by Xiao Pingtian.
"Haha, I'll give you a quarter of an hour! Let's see if you can even get close to me!"
The Clear Song Sword continuously unleashed blasts of Yuan Qi. It was like an endless artillery barrage, the energy pouring out as if it were free.
Lin Yun held his sword in one hand, forcing his way forward through the storm. A dense net of sword Qi covered the area around him. Whenever a strand of it descended upon him, the Mystic Heaven Silkworm Armor would glow with a faint white light and swallow the attack.
He had to admit, this treasure was truly incredible. If not for the armor, Lin Yun might not have survived so easily.
Ultimately, however, Xiao Pingtian was a classic bully who relied on his strength to overwhelm the weak. His actual combat experience was clearly lacking. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so easily countered by Lin Yun's simple tactic. He could only watch helplessly as all his attacks were blocked. Not only did they fail to stop Lin Yun, but they seemed to strengthen his resolve to get closer.
Xiao Pingtian was so infuriated his teeth itched. He was now certain that the Mystic Heaven Silkworm Armor had to be a True-tier treasure.
"Xiao Pingtian, I told you before. Today, you will die!"
After confirming the distance was right, Lin Yun stomped with both feet. The ground beneath him caved in. With a massive BOOM from the soles of his feet, his entire body shot towards Xiao Pingtian like a launching rocket.
Under these circumstances, Xiao Pingtian didn't dare to relax. The golden energy sword behind him took shape and was instantly unleashed.
"Chongqing Bird, stop playing dead! It made sense for you not to help with Pei Miaojin, but I'm the one in trouble now! Are you still just going to watch?" Lin Yun yelled.
The Chongqing Bird snorted with annoyance. "Of all the generations of masters I've had, you are by far the most peculiar!"
Though displeased, the bird didn't argue, emerging into the open.
The moment he saw the Chongqing Bird, Xiao Pingtian's eyes bulged with fury.
Damn it! What kind of demonic luck does this kid have? Why is this creature on his side too?
Xiao Pingtian still remembered the battle at Weiyang Mountain. It was precisely because Li Hong had summoned the Chongqing Bird that its terrifying combat power had completely tipped the scales of the battle. If they hadn't had a foolproof plan back then, they would have been the ones to die at its hands.
How could Xiao Pingtian not panic seeing it again?
The Chongqing Bird flapped its wings and let out a long cry to the heavens. A shimmering golden energy rippled out like water waves. The golden energy sword plunged into the ripples and was instantly stuck, as if it had stepped into a mud pit. No matter how much it struggled, it couldn't break free, instead sinking deeper and deeper.
Xiao Pingtian's face fell. That was the Flying Rainbow Sword, a gift from his own master. Though it had no physical form, when condensed with Yuan Qi, its power was immense. It was meant to break through Lin Yun's armor. He never expected it to be blocked by the Chongqing Bird.
"You brat, with your current cultivation, this is all I can do!" the bird said haughtily. "If you can't even beat this idiot like this, then I don't see any reason for you to keep living!"
Ever since it had started following Lin Yun, its arrogant tone hadn't changed much, but its temper had certainly gotten much more fiery.
Lin Yun wasted no more words. This was his chance.
He activated the Ghostly Void Steps.
In the space of a few breaths, Lin Yun was already in front of Xiao Pingtian. "I'm not your match in a contest of Yuan Qi, but at this range, how will you deal with me?"
At such a close distance, even a barrier condensed from Yuan Qi would be fragile as glass before Lin Yun. Not to mention, Xiao Pingtian had no time to form one. Seeing the triumphant look on Lin Yun's face, Xiao Pingtian was clearly panicked.
But it was too late.
With a single slash, Lin Yun brought his sword down.
Great River Sword Style!
RUMBLE—
While the Azure Origin Sword Style could absorb all rivers, it didn't prevent Lin Yun from using other sword techniques. The Great River Sword Style, with its wide, sweeping, and ferocious movements, was perfectly suited for close-quarters combat. The massive attack range left Xiao Pingtian with almost no room to maneuver; he could only rely on his physical body to tank the damage.
This state of affairs didn't last long before he started to crumble. Damn it, how many more tricks does this kid have? Why wasn't he this difficult to deal with before?
Though Xiao Pingtian tried to counter-attack, Lin Yun's combat experience was simply too vast. He seemed to be able to see through Xiao Pingtian's every thought in the heat of battle. This terrified Xiao Pingtian. Was this still the same menial disciple from before? In just a few short months, his rate of improvement was like a rocket launching into the sky.
But Xiao Pingtian didn't panic. His expression turned sinister. He threw out a white jade pendant. As the sword Qi attacked, the pendant transformed into an invisible hand, as if to nullify the strike.
But just then, the wide, sweeping Great River sword Qi suddenly exploded, instantly transforming into countless strands of azure sword Qi. Like slippery loaches in a river, they evaded the invisible hand.
How could Xiao Pingtian have expected such a move? He was blasted off-guard by the sword Qi. As he fell from the sky, Lin Yun followed close behind.
Strike while the enemy is down. He definitely couldn't let Xiao Pingtian go now. Who knew when he'd get such a good opportunity again?
Xiao Pingtian's face was bitter. This kid's Mystic Heaven Silkworm Armor was just too overpowered. Not only could it block his attacks, but its energy consumption was low. On top of that, Lin Yun's physical constitution was shockingly strong. Combined with that ghostly movement technique, it was incredibly difficult for Xiao Pingtian to maintain his distance. Before long, Lin Yun would catch up again. A few more exchanges and Xiao Pingtian was already breaking out in a cold sweat.
The azure sword Qi exploded against Xiao Pingtian's body repeatedly. He cried out in pain and slammed heavily onto the ground.
To be honest, the ease of this battle surprised even Lin Yun.
"This guy… how is he even weaker than I thought?"
The Chongqing Bird snorted with derision. "Nonsense. This guy's cultivation speed is fast, but you can tell from the fight just now that he's a complete greenhorn!"