Chapter 731: The Unshakeable Follower

Chapter 731 -727: The Unshakeable Follower

“You’re wrong. To us, your information is completely worthless.”

Lin Hao spoke, and his words were enough to make Tang Fang cough up blood, leaving even Xu Zihao stunned.

“You… You’re shameless! My information could have saved your lives, and you… you…” Tang Fang’s body trembled as fresh blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

“We never planned on avoiding anyone,” Lin Hao stated calmly. “As for the Devil Beasts and factions you mentioned, if they decide to come after us, their fate will be no different from yours.”

Over the past ten-odd days, they had encountered several factions. Since none of them had sought trouble, Lin Hao and Xu Zihao had chosen to give them a wide berth, never once considering seizing their gains.

I won’t bother those who don’t bother me. But if someone provokes me, I will kill them. This was Lin Hao’s principle.

Lin Hao had lost all his cultivation, yet his words still carried an overwhelming, tyrannical aura that Tang Fang could feel.

But Tang Fang had no more time to dwell on it. Xu Zihao’s eyes flashed, and he struck without warning.

‘A man like that truly doesn’t deserve to live.’

‘If we let him go, he’ll recover his strength. Then, some of the Martial Artists from the factions we passed would surely die at his hands. Sparing him would be the same as helping a villain.’

Tang Fang was already critically injured; how could he possibly withstand Xu Zihao’s attack? His body exploded on impact.

And with that, only one member of the Sword Control Sect was left.

This young Sect Leader’s cultivation was rather impressive, at the Peak of the Sixth Layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm.

A young man like him would be considered a genius on the Nine Yang Continent.

Now, with his four subordinates slaughtered, he seemed incredibly composed—a completely different person from the boy who had spouted such bizarre nonsense earlier.

“Thank you both for helping me clean up my sect.”

The young man offered his thanks before Lin Hao or Xu Zihao could even speak.

Lin Hao wasn’t at all surprised to be thanked.

Tang Fang’s earlier attitude had said it all. The four men had clearly been unwilling to serve under this young Sect Leader.

‘He must have something they wanted; it’s the only reason they would have kept him alive.’

“The Dragon Transformation Ancient Realm is a perilous place. My Sword Control Sect fought a fierce battle with Devil Beasts to secure a foothold. Just as we claimed victory, we were ambushed by a hidden force. My men sacrificed everything to protect me and allow me to escape.”

The young man showed none of the despair of a captive, recounting his tale in a calm, measured voice.

“I never thought I’d survive my enemies only to be captured by a handful of traitors from my own sect who had fled during the chaos! To stay alive, I had no choice but to claim I possessed an ancient Technique. When I saw you two, I recognized him.”

The young man’s gaze fell on Lin Hao.

“You were a master who reigned supreme in your realm. Even without your cultivation, your aura is still terrifying. That’s why I felt a glimmer of hope. I intentionally looked at you and provoked you, hoping you would make a move. I used you. For that, I ask for your forgiveness.”

The young man looked Lin Hao in the eye, his expression full of sincerity.

“What a smooth talker. For a second there, I almost believed you!”

Before Lin Hao could say a word, Xu Zihao couldn’t resist retorting.

As he spoke, Xu Zihao’s grip suddenly tightened.

But incredibly, the young man was completely unharmed.

Not only that, but with a slight tremor of his body, he slipped from Xu Zihao’s grasp.

Xu Zihao was stunned. Just a moment ago, he had felt a vast, majestic power. In the face of that power, his own cultivation was rendered completely useless.

It had only lasted for an instant, but it was still astonishing.

With a flash of movement, Xu Zihao prepared to strike again.

“Brother Xu, don’t.”

Lin Hao’s voice stopped Xu Zihao in his tracks.

Lin Hao had seen it clearly and had also sensed the aura. ‘This kid has been hiding his true strength all along!’

‘His cultivation is at the Seventh Layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm!’

If the young man hadn’t hidden his true power, he and Xu Zihao would have been no match for him.

Putting it all together, Lin Hao was starting to believe the young man’s story.

Besides, the young man now clearly had the power to kill them both. There was no longer any need for him to lie.

It would be far simpler for him to just attack them directly.

When he broke free from Xu Zihao’s grip, he could have easily launched a surprise attack and killed him in an instant.

This young man had managed to fool even Lin Hao, a testament to just how formidable he was.

“Brother Xu, let’s get moving.”

Lin Hao completely ignored the young man and prepared to leave.

As they moved, the young man moved to follow.

“You saved my life. Please, give me a chance to repay you.” The young man flashed a brilliant smile as Xu Zihao looked his way.

Lin Hao didn’t turn around, but replied, “Even without us, you would have found a way to get out of that situation.”

He was clearly rejecting the young man’s offer.

“But who knows how long that would have taken! Big Brother, you saved me, so just let me tag along as your subordinate. Oh, right, my name is Bai Yu.”

The young Bai Yu latched onto them like a piece of sticky taffy, making himself right at home.

Lin Hao was thoroughly exasperated.

While he believed the young man’s story to a certain extent, Lin Hao had no intention of letting someone so cunning travel with them.

“I’ve lost all my cultivation. I’m just a useless cripple now, in no position to be your ‘Big Brother’.”

Lin Hao said decisively, without breaking his stride.

“It’s precisely because you have no cultivation that I’m so impressed, Big Brother! When you helped me clean up my sect just now, killing three Martial Artists at the Sixth Layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm in succession… you’re a true role model for our generation!”

“You’re a Sect Leader.”

“Sect Leader my ass! The entire Sword Control Sect is down to just me; it exists in name only. Besides, even if I am a Sect Leader, there’s no shame in being your subordinate. Other people would probably kill for the chance!”

“You should be avenging your sect.”

“A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years. Besides, my cultivation is insufficient right now. After following you for ten years, Big Brother, I’m sure I’ll be able to slay my enemies with my own two hands.”

“…”

No matter what Lin Hao said, Bai Yu had a retort. He was dead set on staying by Lin Hao’s side.

And so, with Lin Hao and Xu Zihao walking and Bai Yu trailing behind, they crossed a large mountain.

Just as they crested the mountain, Lin Hao’s nose twitched. He and Xu Zihao exchanged a look and headed off in a specific direction.

Bai Yu fell silent and followed them.

A few moments later, the three of them arrived at what looked like a battlefield.

“Big Brother, we passed by this battlefield just now. I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.”

Bai Yu commented from behind.

The “battlefield” was a massive, bottomless pit.

It was the scar left behind by a battle between a powerful Martial Artist and either other humans or Devil Beasts.

But Lin Hao and Xu Zihao ignored him.

The two of them first scanned their surroundings. Then, Xu Zihao shook his head, then nodded, before grabbing Lin Hao and leaping into the pit.

Watching the two disappear, Bai Yu muttered to himself and jumped in after them.

The pit was dozens of yards deep. As Bai Yu landed, he saw Lin Hao and Xu Zihao already searching for something.

At first, he managed to contain his curiosity.

But after only a moment, he couldn’t take it anymore and asked Lin Hao what they were looking for, offering to help.

Lin Hao looked up and asked Bai Yu a seemingly unrelated question.