Chapter 29: Grim

Shen Chen was fleeing in front, while Lin Hai and his group were chasing from behind. On the surface, it seemed like a life-and-death chase, and the one in a sorry state was clearly Shen Chen. At least, that was what Lin Hai and the dozen or so inner disciples thought.

However, Lin Hai soon couldn't keep his smile. Shen Chen's speed was too fast, even for him, a Sixth Rank Fusion Blood expert, who felt he might be left behind.

Behind him, the dozen or so inner disciples were even further behind, lagging a considerable distance. They weren't weak, but Shen Chen had just learned the Shadow Fox Steps from Yu Mian Yaohu, one of the five elders of the Flowing Cloud Sect, Sima Ya.

This made the speed gap between them extremely large. The Fusion Blood stage was a phase in a martial artist's body tempering, during which any movement technique could give a martial artist a significant advantage. Unfortunately, not all disciples had Shen Chen's good fortune.

Movement techniques were always hard to come by!

Soon, Lin Hai and the dozen or so inner disciples also vaguely sensed something amiss.

"This kid seems to have learned a movement technique, and his speed is astonishing!" An inner disciple, following behind Lin Hai, said with a fluctuating expression.

"That movement technique looks like it has the flavor of Elder Sima's famous skill. It couldn't be..." Another inner disciple added.

Yu Mian Yaohu, the Jade-faced Demon Fox, rarely displayed her skills within the Flowing Cloud Sect, but her famous Shadow Fox Steps were known to everyone, making many disciples and enforcers drool.

It wasn't surprising that the inner disciple could recognize it at first glance!

"Don't talk nonsense. Elder Sima is of such high status, how could she favor this kid? Alright, focus on chasing that kid!" Lin Hai quickly spoke, stopping his followers from discussing the movement technique Shen Chen was using.

Although he strongly denied that Shen Chen was using the Shadow Fox Steps, a fierce jealousy flashed in Lin Hai's eyes the moment he spoke, even though he didn't notice it himself.

Having been an inner disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sect for many years and a direct disciple of one of the five elders, Xiao Zhenhai, Lin Hai couldn't fail to recognize that Shen Chen was using the Shadow Fox Steps, a technique that Sima Ya had kept secret.

But despite the facts, Lin Hai was extremely unwilling to admit it.

He had once begged Elder Sima for the Shadow Fox Steps, even asking his master Xiao Zhenhai to intercede, but all his efforts were in vain, and Sima Ya refused him!

Moreover, Lin Hai knew that the Shadow Fox Steps were not only desired by him but also by the top ten inner disciples, all of whom were envious. Unfortunately, Sima Ya was not only alluring but also proud, and she would never easily give away her unique skill. No one had succeeded so far.

Now, a kid who had only been in the sect for a few months had received Sima Ya's unprecedented favor.

How could Lin Hai not hate and envy him? So much so that, burning with jealousy, he refused to believe that Sima Ya had really given the Shadow Fox Steps to Shen Chen...

"Brother Lin Hai, don't worry. Although Eagle Sorrow Gorge is vast, it has sheer cliffs on both sides, making it impossible to pass. That kid is desperately fleeing west, which is extremely foolish and a path to his own death!"

Just as Lin Hai was brooding over Shen Chen learning the Shadow Fox Steps, an inner disciple comforted him, thinking Lin Hai was worried about not catching up with Shen Chen, and hit the nail on the head!

"Heh heh... Is that so? It seems that kid is about to despair!"

Lin Hai sneered, and the jealousy in his heart subsided slightly.

The disciple's words woke him up. If Sima Ya had given the Shadow Fox Steps to Shen Chen, then it was perfect. Before torturing Shen Chen to death, he could force him to hand over the technique he had long coveted, achieving two goals at once!

...

In front, Shen Chen didn't know that Lin Hai was already eyeing his Shadow Fox Steps. In fact, the Shadow Fox Steps he was using were already at the limit of his body's blood energy, making it difficult to completely shake off Lin Hai, but at least he wouldn't be caught!

Actually, it wasn't Shen Chen's fault. He had already cultivated the Shadow Fox Steps to a high level, and the technique was indeed powerful. Unfortunately, Shen Chen was only at the Third Rank Fusion Blood stage, so he couldn't use it as skillfully as Sima Ya, who could move without a trace.

However, this didn't affect his plan. Shen Chen wasn't truly trying to escape from Lin Hai. The path in Eagle Sorrow Gorge was blocked, and a short escape was useless. Shen Chen wouldn't forget this; he knew exactly what he wanted to do.

After about a quarter of an hour, Shen Chen's pace finally slowed down.

There was no more path ahead. A few hundred meters away was a large river, where twelve iron-armored rhinos were playing in the water. This area was their territory, and a few meters behind the river was a cliff that soared into the clouds.

Shen Chen roughly estimated that the cliff was at least several hundred feet high. Even the sect master of the Flowing Cloud Sect couldn't cross it, let alone a Fusion Blood disciple like him. Only the legendary top martial artists could do so.

Clearly, there was no path ahead.

"This is the place..."

Shen Chen didn't plan to escape south along the river. He slowed down, waiting for Lin Hai and his group to catch up.

"Ha ha! Keep running, you little brat! Weren't you good at running?"

Soon, Lin Hai arrived first, sword in hand, advancing step by step, his face as cold as water, eyes full of mockery, like a hunter watching his prey struggle!

In Lin Hai's eyes, Shen Chen was already a dead man. The only difference was that he needed to force Shen Chen to reveal the Shadow Fox Steps before he died!

"No way out, huh? You little brat, we couldn't catch you with so many of us!"

Soon, the dozen or so inner disciples also caught up, panting. They all looked at Shen Chen with ill intent. The situation had reached this point, and they didn't want any more trouble.

"Attack together! Capture this kid alive!"

At this point, and in the isolated Eagle Sorrow Gorge, Lin Hai naturally wouldn't fight Shen Chen one-on-one. In fact, he brought so many inner disciples to ensure absolute success.

After all, if the sect master found out about the murder of a fellow disciple, the consequences would be severe. The only way was to leave no traces and ensure everything was done perfectly!

"Kill!"

As Lin Hai's voice fell, the dozen or so inner disciples, who had been holding back, immediately burst into action. Their fists and feet moved, and their weapons clashed, each using their strongest techniques.

They were determined to resolve the situation quickly!

"Want to kill me? Hmph! I don't think it will be that easy!"

Facing the fierce attack of so many inner disciples, Shen Chen wasn't panicked, but his face showed the strain of being cornered.

"Clang!" He raised his wrist, and a three-foot iron sword was drawn. The sword shadow flickered, and the奇妙的剑法，源自瀚海潮汐诀，在这一刻在沈辰手中大发神威，竟然生生挡住了十几名内门弟子的合攻。

“呃……”

不过沈辰其实也不好受，在十几名内门弟子一轮接一轮的攻击下，他喉咙泛甜，似乎有一口鲜血随时都有可能夺口而出。

不过，每次都被沈辰强咽了下去，尽管身上多处已经皮开肉绽，但眼下还不是崩溃的时候，必须再坚持一会儿。

“好小子，几日不见，你倒是长能耐了！”

不远处，眼看十几名追随自己的内门弟子联手之下，竟然几个回合之内都没有拿下沈辰，林海有些心惊，目光阴沉。

他不得不承认，这小子确实有些能耐，修炼天赋不容小觑，才时隔短短半个月，剑法便已经精进到了这等地步。

若非这段时间以来，自己也在师傅肖振海的压迫下废寝忘食的修炼，修为同样提高了不少，再与这小子交锋，恐怕鹿死谁手，还真不一定！

然而愈是如此，林海便愈发不会放过沈辰，他已经感受到了威胁，今日，这小子必须死！！

“雷灭万世！”

下一霎，林海毫无征兆的飞身跃起，手中的长剑划出道道雷光，直指沈辰的背后。

“刺啦！刺啦！刺啦……”

长剑划过，空气中阵阵破风声响起，夹杂着刺耳的雷鸣，林海的这一剑，威力比之半个月前更甚几分。

加之雷灭万世乃是林海成名技——雷霆十三剑中的最强杀招，除却血手狂徒肖振海亲传的紫电神雷斩之外，可以说已经是林海修习功法中最大的底牌。

这一招一旦发出，恐怕就算是融血境七八重的武者，都不敢轻易正面对抗。

修为只有融血境三重，沈辰纵使再妖孽，当然也不可能从容不迫的对抗林海这招更甚以往的雷灭万世。

更何况，眼下他正与十几名内门弟子缠斗，那一剑又是从背后袭来，根本腾不出手全力应对。

不过沈辰别无选择，想要吸引这些家伙上钩，不付出点血的代价，恐怕是不可能了！

“幽冥鬼斩！”

当下，沈辰也不管出手角度难度有多大，魅影狐步一动，而后借着魅影狐步从十几名内门弟子包围中挣脱出来的刹那，他原地旋转开来。

幽冥鬼斩再现，比之半月之前更为纯熟了几分，沈辰犹如陀螺旋转开来的身影中，剑锋在他周身撩起了一圈犀利的剑芒，迎上了林海刺来的雷霆一剑！

这些时日来，因为林海这个大敌一直虎视眈眈，沈辰没少钻研幽游九斩，也算是有了一些小小的心得。

故而，此番尽管准备时间不多，可沈辰施展出来的幽冥鬼斩，依旧比上次更有威势！

“锵！”

下一霎，金属碰撞的尖锐刺耳声响起，沈辰和林海的剑尖如同针尖对麦芒一般在空气中碰撞，火花飞溅，磅礴的血气扩散开来。

沈辰和林海随即皆是被震飞了出去，不过沈辰最惨，他因为身上多处有伤，又是前后受敌，不死已经算是万幸的了。

这样的局面，如果再来一次的话，纵使是沈辰潜力再如何妖孽，也唯有含恨陨落！

刚才那一击，他已经受伤不轻，肋骨断了好几处，胸口隐隐作痛，无法再继续那般鏖战了，而眼下，依旧是十几个内门弟子虎视眈眈的对付他一人。

这等局面非常不利，随时可能命丧黄泉！

“时候也差不多，该让我那些帮手上场了…”沈辰心头暗暗冷笑，不露痕迹的向后瞥了十二头铁甲犀群一眼，并没有因为伤势而一蹶不振。

恰恰相反，他已经等到了最佳时机，他隐约注意到，在他们这边不断交战的惊扰下，有几头成年铁甲犀，已经开始隐隐躁动了！

翻页上AD开始

翻页上AD结束

---

The wondrous sword technique, derived from the Sea Tide Formula, unleashed its full power in Shen Chen's hands, actually blocking the combined attack of the dozen or so inner disciples.

“Ugh…”

However, Shen Chen was also in a bad state. Under the relentless attacks of the dozen or so inner disciples, he felt a sweet taste in his throat, as if a mouthful of blood was about to burst out.

But each time, he forced it down. Although he had many wounds, it wasn't time to collapse yet; he had to hold on a little longer.

“Good kid, a few days haven't passed, and you've grown quite capable!”

Not far away, seeing that the dozen or so inner disciples he led had not taken down Shen Chen in just a few rounds, Lin Hai was somewhat alarmed, his gaze dark.

He had to admit that this kid indeed had some ability, and his cultivation talent was not to be underestimated. In just half a month, his sword technique had improved to this level.

If it weren't for the fact that he had been pushed to the limit by his master Xiao Zhenhai, improving his cultivation significantly, a confrontation with this kid might have had an uncertain outcome!

However, the more capable Shen Chen became, the more determined Lin Hai was to not let him go. He had already felt the threat, and today, this kid must die!!

“Thunder Annihilation!”

In the next moment, Lin Hai leaped up without warning, his long sword drawing streaks of lightning, aiming directly at Shen Chen's back.

“Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh…”

As the sword sliced through the air, the sound of breaking wind mixed with the sharp crackle of lightning. Lin Hai's sword was even more powerful than it was half a month ago.

Moreover, Thunder Annihilation was Lin Hai's signature move, the strongest killing technique among the Thirteen Thunder Swords. Apart from the Purple Lightning Divine Thunder Slash, personally taught by the Blood-handed Rogue Xiao Zhenhai, it was Lin Hai's greatest trump card.

Once this move was unleashed, even a martial artist at the Seventh or Eighth Rank Fusion Blood stage would not dare to face it head-on.

With only Third Rank Fusion Blood cultivation, Shen Chen, no matter how talented, could not calmly counter Lin Hai's Thunder Annihilation, which was even more powerful than before.

Moreover, he was already engaged in a fierce battle with the dozen or so inner disciples, and the sword was coming from behind, leaving him no time to fully defend.

However, Shen Chen had no choice. To lure these guys into his trap, he had to pay a price in blood!

“Ghost Slash of the Netherworld!”

At that moment, Shen Chen didn't care about the difficulty of the angle. With a movement of the Shadow Fox Steps, he broke free from the encirclement of the dozen or so inner disciples and spun on the spot.

The Ghost Slash of the Netherworld reappeared, more refined than it was half a month ago. As Shen Chen spun like a top, his sword blade created a circle of sharp sword light around him, meeting Lin Hai's lightning-infused sword!

Over the past few days, with Lin Hai as a constant threat, Shen Chen had spent a lot of time studying the Nine Ghost Slashes, gaining some insights.

Therefore, despite the limited preparation time, the Ghost Slash of the Netherworld Shen Chen used was even more powerful than before!

“Clang!”

In the next moment, the sharp sound of metal clashing rang out. Shen Chen's and Lin Hai's sword tips met like needles and wheat awns, sparks flying, and a vast amount of blood energy spread out.

Shen Chen and Lin Hai were both thrown back, but Shen Chen was the worst off. With multiple injuries and being attacked from all sides, he was lucky to be alive.

In such a situation, if it happened again, even with Shen Chen's extraordinary potential, he would only meet a tragic end!

That blow had already left him seriously injured, with several broken ribs and a painful chest, making it impossible for him to continue the intense battle. And now, he still had to face the dozen or so inner disciples who were eyeing him with hostility.

This situation was extremely unfavorable, and he could die at any moment!

“The time is right, it's time for my helpers to make their move…” Shen Chen secretly sneered, glancing back at the group of twelve iron-armored rhinos without showing any signs of his injuries.

On the contrary, he had waited for the best moment. He had noticed that, disturbed by their constant battles, a few adult iron-armored rhinos were beginning to show signs