Chapter 16

After taking several deep breaths, Lin Xun finally calmed down. At this moment, he had a strong impulse to return home as soon as possible and thoroughly study the mysterious portal in his mind.

Lin Xun knew that as long as he could unravel the secrets of the mysterious portal, he might be able to trace the cause of the anomaly in the "Four Heart Points."

Thinking of this, Lin Xun quickened his pace.

However, just as he returned to Fuyun Village, a mournful cry echoed from afar.

"Xiao Liuzi!"

Ying Hao's face changed drastically, and he shouted in shock.

Xiao Liuzi was his son, whose real name was Ying Liuer, and he was only nine years old. How could Ying Hao not recognize his son's cry?

What has happened?

Without hesitation, Ying Hao rushed over in a hurry.

Lin Xun was taken aback but quickly followed.

In the center of the village was a spacious open area. Due to the frequent training of the village children here, it had become the village's "training ground."

It was just past dawn, and on any other day, the village children would gather here to practice martial arts under the supervision of the village chief, Xiao Tianren.

However, today was different. A group of children stood there, their faces pale and their eyes filled with fear.

Not far from them, Lu Ting was wielding a flexible whip, viciously beating a child on the ground. The child's clothes were torn, and his exposed skin was lacerated, causing him to scream in agony.

The other children were clearly terrified, probably never having seen such a bloody and brutal scene.

It wasn't hard to guess that the child being beaten was Ying Hao's son, Ying Liuer.

"Stop! What are you doing?"

When Ying Hao rushed over and saw this, he was instantly enraged, charging forward like a madman.

Ying Liuer was his only child, and seeing him beaten to this extent, how could Ying Hao, as a father, remain indifferent?

Slap!

Lu Ting coldly glanced at Ying Hao, and with a flick of his wrist, the long whip coiled and struck Ying Hao's chest with great force, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground, leaving a fiery red whip mark on his chest.

"Lu Ting, what are you doing?"

Ying Hao roared as he stood up, but he didn't dare to rush forward again. He was just an ordinary person and no match for Lu Ting.

"What am I doing? As the village guard, I am responsible for guiding the children in their martial arts training. However, your Xiao Liuzi not only questioned what I taught today but also refused to listen to my instructions. Such behavior deserves severe punishment!"

Lu Ting sneered, and as he spoke, he struck another blow with the whip on the ground, where Ying Liuer lay. The force of the whip was so brutal that it made Ying Liuer tremble and scream in pain, his voice hoarse.

"Stop! You'll kill Xiao Liuzi if you keep this up!"

Ying Hao's eyes were bloodshot with rage.

The other children couldn't bear to watch, and many had already closed their eyes in fear.

"Even if he dies, it will be his fault! If I don't teach this brat a lesson today, he will cause a lot of trouble in the future!"

Lu Ting's expression was indifferent as he raised the long whip and struck again.

As a cultivator at the True Martial Second Level, his strength was immense. Even if he held back, such a beating would leave Ying Liuer with serious injuries, possibly even a disability.

Swish!

The long whip moved through the air with vicious precision.

Ying Hao roared and, without hesitation, threw himself in front of Ying Liuer, using his body to shield his son. Clearly, he knew he was no match for Lu Ting and could only use his body to protect his son from the punishment.

However, the long whip, which was about to strike, was caught by a hand, sparing Ying Hao from the whip's lash.

Ying Hao looked up and saw that Lin Xun had appeared in front of him, holding the long whip with his bare hand.

Seizing the opportunity, Ying Hao quickly scooped up Ying Liuer from the ground and moved to the side.

"Brat! It's you again!"

When Lu Ting saw Lin Xun, his face darkened, and his eyes were filled with icy hatred. He couldn't forget the humiliation of being defeated by Lin Xun last night.

Without a word, Lu Ting flicked his wrist, and the long whip broke free from Lin Xun's grip, whirling through the air with a loud crack, aiming for Lin Xun's face.

This strike was not held back; it was infused with spiritual energy, and the long whip moved like a venomous snake, the sound of it slicing through the air piercing the ears.

Fast! Fierce! Accurate!

From the moment Lin Xun appeared, Lu Ting attacked directly, showing no mercy.

However, Lin Xun was even faster. With a metallic clang, a flash of green light appeared, and the long whip was severed by a single slash.

Bang!

At the same time, Lin Xun stepped forward, his right elbow extended like a mountain pressing down, striking Lu Ting's neck with great force, sending him flying backward and crashing to the ground, his face covered in dirt and his appearance utterly wretched.

"Trying to kill me!"

Lu Ting roared, his lungs almost bursting with anger. The battle last night left him extremely frustrated, believing that he had been caught off guard.

Thus, when he saw Lin Xun this time, he immediately used his full strength, but he never expected that Lin Xun's blade was so sharp, severing his whip in an instant and catching him off guard, leading to this outcome.

At this moment, Lu Ting's neck was in excruciating pain, almost broken, but he didn't have time to think about it. He tried to get up and continue the fight.

However, in an instant, his body froze, and he dared not move a muscle.

A pale green blade was pressed against his neck, the sharp edge causing his skin to break out in goosebumps.

Lu Ting didn't believe that Lin Xun would dare to kill him, but he didn't want to take the risk. He could only glare at Lin Xun with venomous eyes and grit his teeth, "Brat! If you have the guts, kill me!"

Ying Hao and the other children were stunned, never expecting that this thin, weak-looking teenager, who had only been in Fuyun Village for a few days, could defeat the mighty Lu Ting in the blink of an eye!

After all, Lu Ting was a cultivator, with the cultivation of the True Martial Second Level, Inner Strength!

In the eyes of the villagers of Fuyun Village, someone like Lu Ting was beyond the ordinary, an existence that could not be provoked.

But now, Lu Ting had been defeated!

And by a twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy in an instant!

The atmosphere was heavy, with only Lu Ting's heavy breathing breaking the silence.

Lin Xun indeed had the intention to kill, having grown up in a dark and cruel environment, knowing that one must never show mercy to an enemy.

But in the end, he held back. Although Lu Ting was a cultivator, he was still a villager of Fuyun Village. Lin Xun had only been in the village for a few days, and if he killed Lu Ting rashly, he would immediately face the opposition of the entire village.

Lin Xun put away the pale green short blade, a smile appearing on his lips as he helped Lu Ting up, saying apologetically, "Brother Lu Ting, I apologize for my actions. I acted out of concern for Xiao Liuzi, not wanting to see him suffer. I hope you can understand."

Lu Ting was taken aback, looking at the young man who was bowing to him in apology, seemingly unable to react. But then he coldly snorted and said through gritted teeth, "Don't be so fake with me, I'll get you for this!"

With that, he turned and left.

Lin Xun narrowed his eyes, watching Lu Ting's figure gradually disappear, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, but it quickly vanished.

"Brother Lin Xun, thank you for your help today."

Ying Hao hurriedly stepped forward, expressing his gratitude.

Lin Xun couldn't help but sigh, smiling bitterly, "It's nothing. I didn't expect Brother Lu Ting to be so ruthless. Although I stopped him from continuing his brutality, it seems he now hates me."

Ying Hao said indignantly, "Brother Lin Xun, everyone saw your actions. If Lu Ting dares to come after you, he will be coming after all of us!"

The nearby children, though silent, had seen everything. As long as they didn't lie, they would not turn against Lin Xun.

Lin Xun smiled and said, "Let's not talk about this now. Quickly check on Xiao Liuzi's injuries and treat him as soon as possible to avoid any long-term effects."

Ying Hao's face turned worried, and without further ado, he said goodbye to Lin Xun and hurriedly took the severely beaten Ying Liuer away.

Lin Xun did not leave but stood there, deep in thought.

Sure enough, not long after, Village Chief Xiao Tianren appeared. He seemed to have already understood the situation and said to Lin Xun, "It's not your fault, don't worry about it."

Lin Xun smiled and bowed, "With these words from Uncle Xiao, I am relieved."

"However..."

Xiao Tianren hesitated for a moment and then lowered his voice, "You need to be careful. Lian Rufeng left Qian Qi behind when he left last night. Qian Qi has the cultivation of the True Martial Third Level, and his personality is extremely cruel and vicious. Compared to him, Lu Ting is nothing."

Qian Qi?

Lin Xun silently pondered this name and memorized it.

Although he now had the cultivation of the True Martial Second Level, Inner Strength, he could only suppress someone like Lu Ting. If he were to face Qian Qi, who was at the True Martial Third Level, Opening the Mansion, he would be at a disadvantage.

Thinking of this, Lin Xun couldn't help but sigh. Ultimately, his strength was still too weak...

"Of course, as long as I am here, I will not let them act recklessly." Xiao Tianren patted Lin Xun's shoulder, comforting him.

Lin Xun smiled and changed the subject, "Uncle Xiao, I dare to say that since Lian Rufeng left Qian Qi and Lu Ting behind, it means that Lian Rufeng and his group will not return in the short term. They left these two to monitor the village."

Pausing, Lin Xun continued, "However, if they return after this period, it will be..."

Xiao Tianren immediately understood, his eyes widening in shock. This young man had such a keen insight, able to deduce so much from a single statement, leaving him in awe.

Could this be one of those legendary geniuses with "near-demonic intelligence"?

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