Chapter 256: Two Savage Realm Demons, A Display of Power
The woman in black narrowed her eyes, about to speak, when she felt a strange force pulling her off balance.
“Eh?”
She released Ren Yinshan in surprise, stumbling like a puppet before landing on a nearby bench.
Lin Tianlu pressed down on her shoulder, and she finally regained her composure.
But she wasn’t flustered. Instead, she smiled, a playful, seductive glint in her eyes. “Quite the skilled scholar, aren’t you? Such precise control of force… even those so-called Grandmasters can’t compare.”
“Your footing was simply unsteady. Perhaps a bit too much indulgence has weakened your legs.”
Lin Tianlu replied nonchalantly.
The woman in black vanished like a mirage, reappearing at another table, her eyes narrowed. “Such words to a lady… how rude~”
Looking closely, her attire was indeed revealing and seductive, the black gauze clinging to her curves, accentuating her alluring figure.
Her captivating face, veiled by the transparent black gauze, exuded an irresistible charm.
“Sir!” Ren Yinshan, still shaken, glared at the woman. “That’s Tang Qianmen, an incense master of the Zhaoxiao Courtyard! Don’t underestimate her! Her techniques are dangerous!”
“Oh~ I haven’t shown my face in years, yet someone still remembers my name?”
Tang Qianmen chuckled, crossing her arms, pushing her ample bosom upwards. “Seeing you two waiting here in this dilapidated ruin… I presume you’ve anticipated our arrival?”
“Isn’t that obvious?” Lin Tianlu’s gaze was calm. “Of course, if you’d like to pretend this is a chance encounter, I have no objections.”
“Quite the smooth talker.”
Tang Qianmen’s figure dissipated again, reforming on a nearby dead tree, her legs crossed elegantly, her thin skirt swaying in the breeze, offering tantalizing glimpses of her alluring figure.
She leaned forward, her ample bosom heaving, and propped her chin on her hand, smiling playfully. “Too bad you’ll be dead soon, pretty boy~”
Ren Yinshan’s heart sank at her mocking words, and she clenched her hands within her sleeves.
But the oppressive auras of the two Savage Realm demons left her no opening for a counterattack. She could only tentatively pluck the zither strings, sending out two invisible blades of energy.
Ting, ting!
Two crisp sounds.
Tang Qianmen flicked them away with her fingertips, while the hunched old man didn’t even flinch, the blades passing through him harmlessly like a gentle breeze.
Ren Yinshan’s expression turned grim.
These two… would be difficult to deal with!
“Such techniques… truly Savage Realm.”
Tang Qianmen chuckled, idly stroking her fingers. “Little girl, try not to die too horribly. Instead of struggling, why not surrender? I promise you’ll experience… unimaginable pleasure~”
“Whether I live or die isn’t up to you.”
Lin Tianlu stepped forward, shielding Ren Yinshan, a calm, polite smile on his face. “But one thing’s for sure… you two won’t be leaving this ruined inn.”
Tang Qianmen’s lips curled into a sinister smile. “Such confidence… I’m curious to see what you’re capable of, scholar.”
“—Enough with the idle chatter.”
A cold, raspy voice echoed like a curse, carrying an oppressive pressure that could crush a mortal’s soul.
The hunched old man approached, each step heavy and deliberate, his skeletal hands raised, as if countless screaming ghosts were swirling within them, coalescing into two dark flames that crawled up his arms and shoulders.
This was Wei Yanshan, the other Savage Realm demon, as infamous as Tang Qianmen.
He raised his head slightly, his face a skull beneath the swirling Yin energy, a gruesome smile twisting his lips.
“Lin Tianlu… spared by the Luo Xing, surrounded by rumors… but upon closer inspection, you’re nothing special. Since you dare to stand in my way, you and that girl can die together. I’ll extract your souls and make you a pair of… lovebirds in hell.”
“Before you utter such terrifying threats, old man, perhaps you should cover your face.”
Lin Tianlu waved his hand, a gust of wind scattering the debris before them, his tone slightly mocking. “Your appearance would give children nightmares.”
“Hmph…”
Ignoring Wei Yanshan’s cold chuckle, Lin Tianlu turned to Ren Yinshan and smiled. “Miss Ren, the night is lovely. Why don’t you play a tune for me?”
“Eh?”
Ren Yinshan was stunned, thinking she had misheard him.
Even Wei Yanshan and Tang Qianmen paused, surprised by his words.
What was he doing?
Asking for music before a battle?
“S-Sir? Why suddenly—”
“It’s a rare opportunity to spend a night in these old mountains. It would be a shame not to enjoy some music. Play a few tunes to set the mood, and consider it… a battle cry for me.”
Lin Tianlu smiled, waving his hand as he stepped forward. “Simply put, give me some background music.”
Ren Yinshan stared at his back, her eyes wide with surprise.
Then, she bit her lip, placed her zither on the table, and her trembling fingers began to pluck the strings, woven from Yin energy.
Zheng
A clear, melodious tune echoed through the forest, a lively melody flowing like water.
Calming her mind, Ren Yinshan played her favorite piece, her eyes downcast.
She didn’t know the purpose of this, but an inexplicable connection with Lin Tianlu filled her with unwavering faith. She didn’t hesitate.
A warmth spread through her chest, a sense of excitement and anticipation. She believed that this man would overcome this danger!
“—Is he mad?”
Tang Qianmen’s seductive smile vanished, replaced by a puzzled frown.
Facing a formidable foe, this scholar was asking for music, and not even a battle song, but a simple, pleasant melody.
And he was walking towards them so casually, as if willingly walking towards his death.
“Or… does he have some sort of plan? Is he prepared for this?”
She licked her lips, glancing at Ren Yinshan, who was playing the zither with complete focus.
The already alluring woman seemed even more captivating now, lost in her music.
Since this scholar wanted to fight, she might as well capture this woman first.
Tang Qianmen sneered inwardly.
If this woman fell into Wei Yanshan’s hands, she would be tortured and mutilated. It would be better for her to… savor her essence first.
She had caught the woman off guard earlier. Her soul was unstable, her strength greatly reduced. Capturing her would be child’s play.
But just then, Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious, his eyes flashing like lightning, and he shouted, “Stay where you are!!”
“Gah!?”
Tang Qianmen’s face paled, and she collapsed onto the tree branch, her body paralyzed, her eyes wide with shock.
An immense pressure, like the weight of the heavens, descended upon her, crushing her will and spirit, leaving her helpless, like an ant beneath a giant’s foot.
The seemingly frail scholar suddenly seemed like a towering giant, his gaze piercing through the darkness, a single look enough to make her lose her composure.
“…”
Her Yin energy dissipated.
The techniques she had prepared vanished from her mind.
Tang Qianmen’s mind went blank for a moment, then she snapped back to reality, a chilling fear gripping her heart, her body trembling, a whimper escaping her lips.
The fear subsided as quickly as it had come, as if nothing had happened.
She checked herself instinctively, but found no injuries. That shout… had been just a warning.
But…
She gulped nervously, the playful smile vanishing from her face, replaced by a wary expression. She crouched on the branch, her eyes filled with fear and unease.
Had she imagined that? Was it the music? Or had the scholar used some strange technique?
But she couldn’t sense any Yin energy fluctuations from him, no aura of power or mastery. He possessed some basic martial arts skills, but those were useless against a Savage Realm demon like her.
Even if all the rumors were true, even if he had defeated a Crimson Beast and repelled a Soultaker, his cultivation should be within the Savage Realm. She should be able to sense it.
What was…
“Tang Qianmen, to think you would be so easily cowed.”
Wei Yanshan’s mocking laughter echoed through the night. “A mere shout from a mortal scholar, and you’re trembling like a leaf? Or perhaps… you’ve finally found a man to your liking, and his voice alone is enough to make your knees weak?”
“…”
Tang Qianmen didn’t respond. Her gaze remained fixed on Lin Tianlu, as if she had forgotten about her companion.
Even though she had a ‘mission,’ this strange scholar had completely captured her attention.
Whether it was curiosity or fear…
“Hmph!”
Wei Yanshan scoffed, displeased.
He looked at Lin Tianlu, who was approaching, and grinned, spreading his fingers. “Boy, do you know what happens to those who show off?”
“What happens?”
“You… will die a horrible death. Your women will be violated, and the tens of thousands of people in this county will be buried with you!”
Wei Yanshan’s sinister laughter echoed through the night as he brought his palms together, the strange flames merging, creating a mystical diagram, his body bathed in fire.
“With your meager skills, you dare to block our path to Changling? How laughable. I’ll show you… true power!”
Hum!
A massive blood-red formation appeared above them, an oppressive pressure descending, crushing the leaves and debris to the ground. The ground beneath Lin Tianlu’s feet began to crack and crumble.
Wei Yanshan grinned, pointing two fingers downwards. “I’ll break your legs first—”
Crack!
The blood-red formation shattered, destroyed by a single punch.
“…”
Wei Yanshan’s smile froze as he watched Lin Tianlu land gracefully.
He casually brushed his clothes.
“That technique is quite practical… good for smoothing out wrinkles.”
Lin Tianlu stretched his neck, glancing at the crater he had created. “But I’ll have to fill that hole later. Someone might get hurt.”
“Y-You, how…”
“Old man, let’s skip the pointless chatter.”
Lin Tianlu smiled, cracking his knuckles. “Didn’t you just boast about your power? Our spar… has just begun.”
Wei Yanshan’s heart lurched, a sense of panic rising within him. He channeled his Qi, and multiple blood-red formations appeared around him, a torrent of oppressive energy surging outwards, the wind howling.
He intertwined his fingers, his face contorted in a snarl. “Iron King Crimson Core Formation, crush—”
Before he could finish, a fist slammed into his face, shattering his bones.
“—Ugh!!”
Wei Yanshan didn’t even have time to react before he was sent flying, coughing up black blood, crashing into a boulder dozens of meters away. The boulder exploded, the sound echoing through the mountains.
Lin Tianlu smiled gently, his eyes gleaming, a faint, golden aura emanating from his body.
“Old man, how did that taste? Powerful enough for you?”
Chapter 256: Two Savage Realm Demons, What is Power?
The woman in black narrowed her eyes, about to speak, when she felt a strange force pulling her off balance.
“Eh?” Surprised, she released Ren Yinshan and stumbled like a puppet, landing on a nearby bench.
Lin Tianlu pressed down on her shoulder, and she finally regained her composure.
But she wasn’t flustered. Instead, a seductive smile played on her lips. “Quite skilled for a scholar. Such precise control of force… even those so-called Grandmasters pale in comparison.”
“Your footing was simply unsteady. Perhaps a bit too much… indulgence has weakened your legs.” Lin Tianlu replied dryly.
The woman vanished like a mirage, reappearing at another table, her eyes narrowed. “Such words to a lady… how very rude.”
Looking closely, her attire was indeed revealing and seductive, the black gauze clinging to her curves, accentuating her alluring figure.
Her captivating face, veiled by the translucent gauze, exuded an irresistible charm.
“Sir!” Ren Yinshan, still shaken, glared at the woman. “That’s Tang Qianmen, an Incense Master of the Zhaoxiao Courtyard. Don’t underestimate her! Her techniques are dangerous!”
“Oh my~ I haven’t shown my face in years, yet someone still remembers me.” Tang Qianmen chuckled, crossing her arms beneath her ample bosom. “Seeing you two waiting here in these ruins… I presume our plans have been… compromised?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Lin Tianlu replied calmly. “Of course, if you’d prefer to call this a chance encounter, I have no objections.”
“Such a smooth talker.” Tang Qianmen’s form dissipated, coalescing into black mist that drifted to a nearby dead tree. She sat down gracefully, crossing her legs, her thin skirt swaying in the breeze, offering tantalizing glimpses of her alluring figure.
She leaned forward, her ample bosom heaving, and smiled playfully. “Too bad you’ll be dead soon, pretty boy~”
Ren Yinshan’s heart sank at her mocking tone, and she clenched her hands within her sleeves.
The oppressive aura of the two Savage Realm demons left her no opening for attack. She tentatively plucked the zither strings, releasing two invisible blades of energy.
Ting, ting!
Two crisp sounds.
Tang Qianmen flicked them away effortlessly, while the hunched old man didn’t even flinch, the blades passing through him harmlessly.
Ren Yinshan’s expression turned grim.
These two would be tough opponents!
“Such power… truly Savage Realm.” Tang Qianmen chuckled, idly toying with her fingers. “Little girl, don’t die too horribly. Surrender now, and I promise you’ll experience… unimaginable pleasure~”
“My life isn’t yours to take.”
Lin Tianlu stepped in front of Ren Yinshan, a calm smile on his face. “But I can guarantee… neither of you will be leaving this place.”
Tang Qianmen smiled sinisterly. “Such confidence… I’m eager to see what you’re capable of, scholar.”
“—Enough chatter.” A cold, raspy voice descended like a curse, carrying a soul-crushing pressure.
The hunched old man approached, each step heavy and deliberate, his skeletal hands raised. Screaming faces swirled within them, coalescing into dark flames that crawled up his arms and shoulders.
This was Wei Yanshan, as infamous as Tang Qianmen.
He raised his head, his face a skull beneath the swirling Yin energy, a gruesome smile twisting his lips. “Lin Tianlu… spared by the Luo Xing, a man of many rumors… but upon closer inspection, you’re nothing special. Since you dare to obstruct me, you and that girl can die together. I’ll extract your souls and make you a pair of… lovebirds in hell.”
“Before you utter such terrifying threats, old man, perhaps you should cover that face.” Lin Tianlu waved his hand dismissively, sending a gust of wind that scattered the debris before them. “You’d give children nightmares.”
“Hmph…” Ignoring Wei Yanshan’s chilling chuckle, Lin Tianlu turned to Ren Yinshan and smiled. “Miss Ren, the night is lovely. Why don’t you play a tune for me?”
“Eh?” Ren Yinshan was stunned, wondering if she’d misheard.
Even Wei Yanshan and Tang Qianmen paused, surprised.
What was this scholar doing?
Requesting music before a fight?
“S-Sir? Why suddenly—”
“It’s not every day I get to spend a night in these old mountains. It would be a shame not to enjoy some music. Play a few tunes to set the mood. Consider it… a battle cry for me.” Lin Tianlu smiled, waving his hand as he stepped forward. “Simply put, give me some background music.”
Ren Yinshan stared at his back, momentarily stunned.
Then, she bit her lip, placed her zither on the table, and her trembling fingers began to pluck the strings, woven from Yin energy.
Zheng
A clear, vibrant melody echoed through the forest, a lively tune flowing like water.
Calming her mind, Ren Yinshan played her favorite piece, her eyes downcast.
She didn’t understand his reasoning, but an inexplicable connection with Lin Tianlu filled her with unwavering faith. She didn’t hesitate.
A warmth bloomed in her chest, a sense of excitement and anticipation. She knew, somehow, that this man would prevail!
“—Is he mad?”
Tang Qianmen’s seductive smile vanished, replaced by confusion.
Facing a powerful foe, this scholar was asking for music, a cheerful melody, not a battle song or a defensive technique.
And he was walking towards them so casually, seemingly without a care.
“Or does he have some sort of plan? Is he prepared?”
She licked her lips, glancing at Ren Yinshan, who was playing the zither with complete focus.
The already alluring woman seemed even more captivating now, lost in her music.
If this scholar was so eager to fight, she might as well capture this woman first.
Tang Qianmen sneered inwardly.
If this woman fell into Wei Yanshan’s hands, she would be tortured and mutilated. It would be better for her to… savor her essence first.
She had caught the woman off guard earlier. Her soul was unstable, her strength diminished. Capturing her would be easy.
But in that instant, Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious, his eyes flashing like lightning, and he roared, “Stay where you are!!”
“Gah!?”
Tang Qianmen froze, her voluptuous body paralyzed, her eyes wide with shock.
An immense pressure, like the weight of the heavens, crushed her, shattering her will and spirit, leaving her helpless, like an ant beneath a giant’s foot.
The seemingly frail scholar suddenly seemed like a towering colossus, his gaze piercing through the darkness, a single look enough to make her lose her composure.
“…”
Her Yin energy dissipated, the techniques she had prepared vanishing from her mind.
Tang Qianmen’s mind went blank for a moment, then a wave of chilling terror washed over her, a coldness she had never experienced, so intense that she almost screamed, only managing a whimper, her body trembling uncontrollably.
The fear receded as quickly as it came, as if nothing had happened.
She checked herself instinctively, but found no injuries. The shout… had been just a warning.
But…
She gulped, her playful demeanor vanishing, replaced by wariness. She crouched on the branch, fear and unease flickering in her eyes.
Had she imagined that? Was it the music? Or some strange technique used by the scholar?
But she couldn’t sense any Yin energy from him, no aura of power. He possessed some basic martial arts skills, but those were useless against a Savage Realm demon like her.
Even if the rumors were true, even if he had defeated a Crimson Beast and repelled a Soultaker, his cultivation should be within the Savage Realm. She should be able to sense it.
What was…
“Tang Qianmen, to think you’d be so easily cowed.”
Wei Yanshan’s mocking laughter echoed through the night. “A mere shout from a mortal, and you’re trembling? Or have you finally found a man to your liking? Is his voice alone enough to make your knees weak?”
“…” Tang Qianmen didn’t respond, her gaze fixed on Lin Tianlu, as if she had forgotten about her companion.
Despite their mission, this strange scholar had completely captivated her, whether out of curiosity or fear.
“Hmph!” Wei Yanshan scoffed, displeased.
He glared at the approaching Lin Tianlu and grinned, spreading his fingers. “Boy, do you know what happens to those who show off?”
“What happens?”
“You die. Your women are violated, and this entire county is buried with you!” Wei Yanshan sneered, bringing his palms together. The strange flames merged, forming a mystical diagram, his body wreathed in fire. “With your pitiful skills, you dare to block my path? How laughable! I’ll show you… true power!”
Hum!
A massive, blood-red formation appeared overhead, an oppressive pressure crushing down, the leaves and debris falling still. The ground beneath Lin Tianlu’s feet cracked and crumbled.
Wei Yanshan grinned, pointing two fingers down. “I’ll break your legs first—”
Crack!
The blood-red formation shattered, destroyed by a single punch.
“…” Wei Yanshan’s smile froze as Lin Tianlu landed gracefully.
He casually brushed his clothes. “That technique is quite useful… good for smoothing out wrinkles.” Lin Tianlu stretched his neck, glancing at the crater he had created. “But I’ll have to fill that hole later. Someone might get hurt.”
“Y-You, how…”
“Old man, let’s skip the pointless chatter.” Before Wei Yanshan could finish, Lin Tianlu smiled, cracking his knuckles. “Didn’t you just boast about your power? Our spar… has just begun.”
Wei Yanshan’s heart lurched, and he instinctively channeled his Qi, multiple blood-red formations appearing around him, a torrent of oppressive energy surging outwards, the wind howling.
He intertwined his fingers, snarling. “Iron King Crimson Core Formation, crush—”
Before he could finish, a fist connected with his face, shattering his bones.
“—Ugh!!”
Wei Yanshan didn’t even react before he was sent flying, coughing up black blood, crashing into a boulder dozens of meters away. The boulder exploded, the sound echoing through the mountains.
Lin Tianlu smiled gently, his eyes gleaming, a faint golden aura emanating from him.
“Old man, how did that taste? Powerful enough for you?”
