Is anyone reading this book? Give me a sign.

According to normal logic, since Li Zhong had the Red Cloud Seal and the protective robe, he should have been able to leave safely. Now, however, Li Zhong’s wounds had healed. He surmised that perhaps the Red Cloud Seal had played a significant role, or the robe’s effects were still lingering, preventing Li Zhong from escaping.

“I’ll tell you this—the Red Cloud Seal is powerful, but it’s only a sixth-grade magical artifact,” Li Zhong mocked coldly.

Naturally, he would never reveal to Wang Lun that he still had a trump card. This card was meant for saving his life, and unless absolutely necessary, he didn’t want to use it.

“My artifact isn’t just a sixth-grade item; it’s a seventh-grade one, only a step away from advancing to the eighth-grade,” Li Zhong declared arrogantly, his intent to show off obvious.

But the very next moment, Wang Lun made his move, seizing Li Zhong and twisting his neck, then tossing his body to the ground some distance away.

Li Zhong’s arms were ruined, his whole body wracked with unbearable pain. He lay on the ground, struggling for some time but unable to rise.

He glared at Wang Lun in unwillingness, wishing he could immediately leap up and tear Wang Lun to pieces.

Alas, he could not.

He hadn’t expected that even with his life-saving artifact, Wang Lun would so easily break through.

“Hmph, Wang Lun, you won’t walk out of here alive today!” Li Zhong spat venomously.

Wang Lun glanced at him.

“My master is inside this cave; he could come out at any moment. You’re doomed!” Li Zhong continued to provoke him.

“What about your junior apprentice?” Wang Lun retorted.

“He…” Li Zhong was instantly at a loss for words.

His junior apprentice was none other than the capital’s foremost martial expert—Lin Chong!

If Lin Chong were present, would he ever allow Wang Lun to behave so arrogantly?

“Who is your junior apprentice?” Wang Lun asked coldly.

“That’s none of your concern. Let me go now and I’ll spare your life!” Li Zhong, still intent on threatening Wang Lun, barked.

Wang Lun ignored him, approaching step by step.

Seeing this, Li Zhong was startled.

His strength was no match for his uncle-master, and now Wang Lun showed no fear of his threats. If Wang Lun really killed him, he would have no recourse at all.

Panic flared within him.

Wang Lun had already killed him once—would he strike again?

Li Zhong felt his scalp prickling.

By now, Wang Lun stood before him. In despair, Li Zhong called out to Bai Zongnan, “Master, could you save my life? I will repay you in kind.”

But Bai Zongnan merely crossed his arms over his chest, watching the two as though enjoying a show, not intending to intervene.

Wang Lun glanced over with concern. “Lu Da, I am executing this villain today in service of the court. If you interfere now, you are opposing the imperial authority!”

Bai Zongnan stroked his bald head and laughed. “No matter. Go ahead and kill him first. When you’re done, I’ll kill you. Simple enough, isn’t it?”

The logic was impeccable.

Wang Lun frowned. “You know the situation here. If we joined forces, what are our chances?”

“What do you think?” Bai Zongnan replied with a sly smile.

Wang Lun fell silent.

Bai Zongnan’s attitude was unwavering. Under such circumstances, he would not compromise, for to do so would mean surrendering to Bai Zongnan’s whims.

Wang Lun said nothing, and Bai Zongnan was happy to watch.

He didn’t know Wang Lun personally, but Wang Lun’s strength had left a deep impression. If not for Wang Lun, Li Zhong would not have been so gravely injured, nor would he be in such a passive position, perhaps he might have even escaped.

Therefore, he was more than willing for Wang Lun to kill Li Zhong.

Li Zhong did not realize that Wang Lun had already discovered their hiding place.

He had not entered recklessly. The underground passage was a secret tunnel—once inside, one could easily lose their way. Besides, he had a companion on the outside from whom he did not wish to miss any news.

As a result, a cultivator had appeared here, engaged in a heated quarrel with Li Zhong.

At that moment, he vaguely sensed that this person must be the “fat sheep” Li Zhong was searching for.

So Wang Lun kept an eye out.

Now, he was certain Li Zhong was fleeing with this fat sheep, and he had followed the trail.

“My argument with this person shouldn’t have been detected. This is the last time,” Wang Lun warned himself silently.

He was no reckless brute; he understood the importance of restraint and that such moments demanded calm, lest he make a mistake.

“I’ll give you a chance to live. Hand over the Red Cloud Seal, and I won’t kill you. I’ll even help you heal your wounds. What do you say?” Wang Lun offered.

Li Zhong shook his head, his expression cold and ruthless.

“Never!”

He knew the Red Cloud Seal was a sect treasure, collected by himself and his uncle-master after much time and effort—priceless beyond measure.

“Then you’re as good as dead,” Wang Lun said. “My patience is limited. I won’t wait any longer. If you refuse to cooperate, you’ll die.”

Li Zhong was stunned, then roared, “Wang Lun, have you lost your mind? If you kill me, you won’t escape either! The people behind me won’t spare you!”

Wang Lun sneered.

Dealing with a cultivator at the early stage of energy transformation posed no pressure at all.

Yet Li Zhong seemed oblivious to Wang Lun’s true strength.

Wang Lun stopped wasting words, drew out his silver needles, and pierced several key points on Li Zhong’s body.

“Wang Lun, what are you doing?” Li Zhong felt his blood freeze, his strength drain, and his vision blur.

“You forced my hand,” Wang Lun said, withdrawing the silver needles. “I will use you to cultivate and raise my own power.”

He wasn’t foolish enough to duel alone with the opponent.

Earlier, Li Zhong had cast spells—not attacking him directly, but triggering the fire-attributed spiritual energy in the air. Wang Lun guessed this was deliberate, meant to lure him into an open space.

But what Li Zhong didn’t know was that his own formidable body could easily withstand the fire spiritual energy. He could repel and dissipate it simply by mobilizing the energy in his dantian.

Moreover, during Li Zhong’s spellcasting, Wang Lun had sealed his acupuncture points, preventing him from self-destructing his nascent soul.

Li Zhong was now like a fish awaiting slaughter on the chopping block.

“You… you dare?!” Li Zhong’s eyes widened in rage.

That he was being reduced to mere medicinal material for Wang Lun’s cultivation was a humiliation beyond all measure.

Wang Lun paid him no heed.

If this wretch had any backbone, he wouldn’t have conspired with Li Zhong. Since he was here, Wang Lun had no choice but to harvest this “immortal herb.”

Li Zhong’s body grew thinner and thinner, shrinking quickly from nearly six feet one to barely five feet seven.

He was overwhelmed with terror.

His physical body was withering away at an alarming rate.

Meanwhile, Wang Lun sat cross-legged before him, eyes closed and at ease, as though practicing the Body-Tempering Formula.

But Li Zhong knew Wang Lun wasn’t truly meditating; he was using the Body-Tempering Formula to heal his wounds.

“My… my junior apprentice is Lin Chong. Please… spare me…” Li Zhong’s voice faded into weakness.