Lin Feng's expression darkened as he saw the four unwanted arrivals, a cold light flashing in his eyes.
Seeing Lin Feng step out instead of fleeing, the four men paused in surprise. Han Tie's eyes glinted savagely as he sneered,
"Heh, since when did you grow a spine? Did you really think a broken artifact and a worn-out talisman could let you stand against us? Hah! Know your place!"
Lin Feng's pupils contracted slightly at Han Tie's words before understanding dawned on his face. He stared at Han Tie and asked,
"You even know about that… so it was Cao Yang who told you? And yesterday's ambush—he was behind that too?"
"Oh?" Han Tie hadn't expected such composure or the question. After a momentary pause, he snorted coldly. "Seems you're not entirely stupid. Fine, I'll tell you. Yesterday, Cao Yang did tip me off about you carrying three spirit stones. A paltry sum, but I needed stones urgently for my breakthrough. So I 'collected' them. Cao Yang got one for his trouble. Simple as that… What? Planning revenge? Heh, you won't live to see it!"
Han Tie spoke while subtly signaling his men. They began advancing toward Lin Feng.
"So it was him… All for a single low-grade spirit stone…"
Lin Feng's eyes held grim confirmation. Yesterday's robbery had sparked his suspicion of betrayal—how else would they know about his stones and his route? Earlier at the Treasures Pavilion, Cao Yang's uneasy reaction had deepened his suspicion. Han Tie's admission now ignited murderous intent. Cao Yang's greed nearly killed me yesterday. Today, he sold me out again. He wants me dead. He deserves to die.
But Cao Yang could wait. Lin Feng's gaze sharpened as his enemies closed in. Suddenly, his left hand snapped up—he wouldn't yield the initiative.
"A talisman! Watch out!!"
Han Tie, ever vigilant, saw the motion and the flicker of flame. His face tightened as he shouted the warning.
Whoosh!!
A basketball-sized fireball erupted from Lin Feng's hand, screaming toward Han Tie's face!
Han Tie, already dodging as he shouted, felt the heat brush his ear. The fireball struck the ground behind him with a THUD!, blasting a washbasin-sized crater.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three more fireballs shot out almost simultaneously. Flames flashed as the other three men scrambled back, narrowly avoiding hits. Forewarned by Cao Yang about the secondhand Chain Fireball Talisman, they'd been wary. Lin Feng had fired at each, missing all.
Lin Feng's eyes flickered with panic. He took a fearful step backward instead of launching more fireballs.
Seeing this, Han Tie's sneer deepened. "Idiot!! His talisman's spent! Grab him! Don't let him escape!"
"Stay back!" Lin Feng's voice cracked with terror. His right arm jerked upward.
Whoosh!!
A streak of cyan light shot from his sleeve, aimed straight for Han Tie's face!
"Hmph!" Han Tie's eyes held mockery. He'd anticipated this move. A slight tilt of his head dodged the projectile. He didn't press forward but sidestepped right. The cyan streak whizzed back, slicing through the space he'd just occupied.
Han Tie clearly knew about the Returning Gauntlet and its homing projectile—Cao Yang had betrayed every detail. The Green Swallow Dart held no surprise.
Clang!
The dart snapped back into the gauntlet's magnetic mount. Lin Feng pressed against the doorframe, his expression pure dismay and terror.
"What? Out of tricks? Then die! Kill him!"
Han Tie bared his teeth in a cruel grin, signaling his men.
Convinced Lin Feng was helpless, the three rushed in. Two fanned out, blocking escape routes, while the sharp-faced, wiry man charged directly. To him, the paralyzed Lin Feng was already dead. He lunged, leaping like a beast pouncing on prey.
His razor-sharp nails, like eagle talons, aimed for Lin Feng's throat—a move fueled by Qi Refining layer 4 or 5 cultivation.
Just one meter away, he saw Lin Feng's terrified mask shatter, replaced by a vicious smile.
"No!!"
Panic surged, but it was too late. Lin Feng's left hand flashed. Heat roared outward.
"AAGHH!!"
CRACK!
A fireball slammed into the man's face. Flames erupted. The blast hurled him five meters backward. As he crashed down, fire engulfed him, transforming him instantly into a shrieking human torch.
"Second Brother!!!"
The abrupt horror froze the others. Han Tie's pupils shrank, staring in disbelief at the writhing figure.
Ssssizzle…
The screams cut off in seconds. Only the grotesque, charred corpse remained, flames still licking, filling the courtyard with the nauseating stench of burned flesh and scorched earth.
Lin Feng himself recoiled, shocked by the Chain Fireball Talisman's raw power. The sight of the blackened body churned his stomach. No mercy now. He crushed his revulsion, cold determination flooding back. His left hand snapped out again.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three more fireballs screamed toward the stunned enemies.
"Impossible!!"
Icy dread shot down Han Tie's spine. The boy deceived us! Cao Yang deceived us! The talisman wasn't spent! Rage and grief warred within him as he saw Second Brother's husk. He forced himself backward, dodging the incoming fireball.
"AAGHH!!"
Another scream pierced the air. Han Tie whirled. The squat "Third Brother," distracted by Second Brother's death, moved too slowly. Fire engulfed his right arm… then his entire body.
Another death.
"NOOOO!!!"
Han Tie roared, features twisted. He stomped hard. BOOM! The packed earth cratered. He launched himself at Lin Feng like a crossbow bolt.
"DIE!!"
Lin Feng's eyes widened. Despite his mere Qi Refining Layer 3 cultivation, his reflexes were superhuman. He kicked off the ground, executing an inelegant but effective "donkey roll" sideways.
CRASH!!!
Han Tie's fist, carrying his full power, obliterated the wooden door where Lin Feng had stood.
Still prone, Lin Feng didn't rise. His left hand flicked. Two more fireballs shot out—not at Han Tie, but at the tall, thin "Fourth Brother" trying to flank him.
"More?!"
The man scrambled desperately, avoiding the twin fireballs. Hatred for Cao Yang burned hotter than the flames. Useless talisman?! This is a damn brand-new, fully-charged one!
"AAAAGH!"
He never got his chance for revenge. As he dodged the second fireball, the third slammed home. His despairing shriek was drowned out by the roar of flames consuming him.
The final scream snapped Han Tie's frayed sanity. He stood paralyzed, staring blankly at the three smoking pyres that were once his brothers.
Lin Feng scrambled to his feet, backing away quickly, putting distance between them.
"DEAD… YOU'RE DEAD!! I WILL RIP YOU APART!! AAAARGH!!"
Lin Feng's movement snapped Han Tie into focus. His eyes flooded blood-red. Madness contorted his face. His clothes billowed unnaturally as if pushed outward by an invisible force.
Qi emission—a sign of late-stage Qi Refining! Driven beyond fury, the Qi Refining Layer 6 cultivator teetered on the brink of breaking through to Layer 7!