Chapter 239: Battle of Tempering

Chapter 239: Chapter 239: Battle of Tempering

Lin Ying leaned against the Zanyue Leader and said to Yi Xiaoyao with a smile, "You’re about to die anyway. Since you’re curious, I don’t mind telling you. The Moon Slaying Alliance is, in fact, a power the Imperial Army Mansion planted in the Chaotic Alliance Domain."

So the Moon Slaying Alliance was effectively an informant for the Imperial Army Mansion. Besides gathering intelligence on the Chaotic Alliance Domain, they would also hunt some of the Imperial Army Mansion’s Bounty Hunters.

No wonder Yi Xiaoyao had been lured here. After all, the Moon Slaying Alliance had existed in the Chaotic Alliance Domain for so long that other powers were still being deceived to this day. And there were likely countless Bounty Hunters like Yi Xiaoyao who had been tricked and killed here.

But after learning this, Yi Xiaoyao showed no trace of panic. On the contrary, his expression turned cold.

"Do you really think you can kill me just by luring me here?"

He swept his gaze over the people around him and sneered, "Since you know my bounty is even higher than that for a Nascent Soul Ninth Realm expert, you should also know that your superiors don’t just post bounties randomly."

The Zanyue Leader snorted. "Kid, no matter how high your bounty is, you’re still just a Nascent Soul Second Realm cultivator. At most, you have the strength to kill a captain, like Lin Ying said. But in front of me, you are nothing!"

The moment he finished speaking, the Zanyue Leader leaped from his seat, striking at Yi Xiaoyao with the edge of his palm.

Those at the Squad Leader level were all in the Nascent Soul Eighth or Ninth Realm, and this Zanyue Leader was a Nascent Soul Ninth Realm expert.

Seeing this, Yi Xiaoyao’s eyes narrowed.

He had two ways to deal with this Zanyue Leader.

First, he could use the Copper Body Puppet. This method consumed a large amount of soul, but had no other side effects.

Second, he could activate the Soul Burning Forbidden Technique. Although this Forbidden Technique could greatly enhance Yi Xiaoyao’s own strength, it came with the agony of his soul burning.

In the past, Yi Xiaoyao would have certainly used the Copper Body Puppet.

The pain of the Soul Burning Forbidden Technique was truly inhuman torment. Every time he experienced it, he never wanted to feel it a second time. Thus, he would never use it unless it was a matter of life and death.

But now, even though Yi Xiaoyao clearly had another option, he decided to activate the Soul Burning Forbidden Technique to deal with the Zanyue Leader.

Although using the Soul Burning Forbidden Technique was painful, it allowed Yi Xiaoyao to fight personally. While tempering himself, he could also gain immense insights.

The stronger the opponent he fought, the deeper the tempering and insights, and the greater the improvement he could achieve. This was something he could not gain by using a puppet to kill his enemies.

’I came to the Chaotic Alliance Domain to temper myself and grow stronger, fast! Compared to having Ling’Er wait for me, this bit of pain from my soul burning is nothing!’

At this thought, a resolute look instantly filled Yi Xiaoyao’s cold eyes.

At that moment, the Zanyue Leader was already closing in with a ferocious attack. The immense Spiritual Power under his palm formed a giant Palm Blade that sliced forward.

"Kid, your head worth one million Spirit Stones, and all the great treasures on you, will be mine!"

Hearing the Zanyue Leader’s cruel laughter, murderous intent flashed in Yi Xiaoyao’s eyes as he instantly drew his sword.

"Soul Burning Forbidden Technique, activate!"

An ethereal black Flame ignited around Yi Xiaoyao’s body. As his Cultivation aura skyrocketed, a sinisterly beautiful, blood-red sword light flashed toward the incoming Palm Blade.

BOOM!

The two streams of energy collided violently. With a deafening roar, the terrifying power instantly blasted the residence they were in to ashes.

Such a huge commotion caused everyone from the Moon Slaying Alliance’s Sub-Pillar to rush over.

After the exchange, both Yi Xiaoyao and the Zanyue Leader retreated.

"Hm? You were able to block my attack so easily?" A flicker of surprise flashed in the Zanyue Leader’s eyes.

Then, he fixed his gaze on Yi Xiaoyao and sneered, "So, you used a Secret Technique to skyrocket your Cultivation. Lin Ying said you could fight a mid-stage Nascent Soul expert while at the Nascent Soul Second Realm. Now that your Cultivation has increased, it makes sense that you could barely take one of my attacks."

"It seems that if I want to kill you, I’ll have to get a little serious."

After the Zanyue Leader spoke, a long spear appeared in his hand. Then, with a shake of his arms, he unleashed a violent thrust.

"Overlapping Waves, Azure Dragon Emerges from the Sea!"

A cold spear light flashed. Yi Xiaoyao immediately felt waves of intent, like a tide, surging toward him from all directions. This intent was like a stormy sea, trapping him deep within and making it difficult to escape.

’It’s Spear Intent!’

Yi Xiaoyao’s gaze sharpened, and his expression instantly grew solemn. He hadn’t expected the Zanyue Leader, like him, to have also reached the level of Intent.

Just then, from within the raging Spear Intent, a bone-chilling spear gleam shaped like an azure dragon appeared just a few yards in front of Yi Xiaoyao.

"Destructive Sword Intent, Sword Qilin Flame Dragon!"

Yi Xiaoyao let out a low shout. Flames erupted from his Bloodthirsty Sword, and propelled by his Destructive Sword Intent, he instantly slashed out, creating a giant dragon of black scales and fire.

The azure dragon and the flame dragon collided with a thunderous crash. After a violent explosion, the Sword Qilin Flame Dragon was the first to disintegrate. However, the azure dragon formed by the spear light still had some power left and roared as it charged toward Yi Xiaoyao.

Yi Xiaoyao only had time to hastily bring his sword across his chest for a block. He was then sent flying like a cannonball, crashing heavily through a wall and becoming buried under the rubble.

"So strong!"

"As expected of the Squad Leader! That move was too powerful!"

The members of the Moon Slaying Alliance who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion all looked at their Squad Leader with faces full of admiration.

Meanwhile, the few captains standing with Lin Ying all had flickering gazes. "That kid just now... he’s actually mastered Sword Intent!"

"And for that kid to be able to fight the Squad Leader to this extent is already incredible!"

"If it were any of us, we probably would have been defeated by the Squad Leader’s first move."

While they were marveling at the Zanyue Leader, they were also praising Yi Xiaoyao’s strength.

"Hmph. An overconfident fool. Did he really think his strength was worthy of a one-million-Spirit-Stone bounty?" the Zanyue Leader snorted.

But just as he finished speaking, a faint sound came from the pile of rubble burying Yi Xiaoyao, followed by a figure slowly walking out.

"He’s not dead?" The Zanyue Leader looked at Yi Xiaoyao in astonishment.

"Not only is he not dead, he’s only slightly injured?"

The surrounding members of the Moon Slaying Alliance were all stunned.

In their eyes, they saw the current Yi Xiaoyao radiating a battle intent that was boiling to its absolute peak.

"Zanyue Leader, if this is the true extent of your strength, then you’re not qualified to claim my million-Spirit-Stone bounty."

Yi Xiaoyao wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, a slight grin forming. "I hope you don’t disappoint me too much from here on out!"

...