He tried to call out his identity, hoping it would make the young man before him hesitate—maybe even spare him.
But Lin Yi didn't give him the chance to finish.
Bang!
A fist, heavy as a hammer, came crashing down from above, slamming squarely onto Tang Xiao's head.
A crisp crack echoed—then his skull burst open like a smashed watermelon, blood and brain matter splattering in all directions.
His body wobbled, then toppled backward with a dull thud.
He never moved again.
[You have slain a cultivator of the Meridian Clearing Realm. Violence Points +600.][Total Violence Points: 9200.]
Fang Yu and Fang Qiong both stood frozen, their minds blank, ears buzzing.
Tang Xiao—the eldest young master of the Tang family from Qingfeng City—was dead.
Just like that?
A chill crept up both their spines.
Lin Yi, meanwhile, clapped his hands clean, as if brushing off dust.
"Let's go," he said flatly. "Time to pick the Crimson Jade Fruits."
That finally snapped the siblings out of their stupor. They hurriedly nodded.
Especially Fang Qiong—her eyes no longer held the slightest trace of contempt, only deep reverence.
Like a frightened kitten, she followed quietly behind Fang Yu, not daring to say another word.
Moments later, the three reached a mountain ravine.
"I'll pick the Crimson Jade Fruits," Fang Qiong offered eagerly, hurrying toward the stone wall.
But just then—
Whoosh!
A massive shadow shot out from the depths of the ravine like lightning, stirring up a foul wind that reeked of blood.
The three turned their heads—
A giant serpent, its scales glimmering silver-white and its body thick as a water barrel, lunged toward them with terrifying speed.
"Not good!" Fang Yu's face went pale. "That's a Tier-3 beast—a Silver-Scale Python! Run!"
A Tier-3 beast's strength rivaled that of a cultivator at the third stage of the Meridian Clearing Realm—far stronger than Tang Xiao.
Fang Yu didn't even dare to resist. He turned and bolted.
Fang Qiong's face drained of color as she fled in terror.
But Lin Yi—he didn't retreat.
Instead, he advanced.
His expression calm, steady as still water, he walked straight toward the charging python.
"Brother Lin!" Fang Yu shouted anxiously.
Lin Yi had defeated Tang Xiao, sure—but that python was a completely different level of threat!
"Little brother, what are you—"
His words froze on his lips. His eyes widened in disbelief.
Lin Yi's figure suddenly dipped. His legs tensed—and then—
Boom!
The ground trembled as he launched himself upward like a fired cannonball.
His fist came crashing down from the sky like a falling mountain, slamming into the python's massive skull.
Bang!!!
A deafening roar exploded through the ravine.
The Silver-Scale Python's body stiffened in midair.
Its eyes, wide as fists, flashed with confusion—then the light within them dimmed.
A moment later, it crashed heavily onto the ground, convulsed twice, and lay still.
Fang Yu and Fang Qiong both sucked in a sharp breath.
Just moments ago, they'd feared Lin Yi couldn't handle the beast.
Yet with a single punch—
He had slain a Tier-3 monster.
This young man… was terrifying.
A monster in human form.
Lin Yi walked up to the stone wall, plucked all the Crimson Jade Fruits, and tossed three of them toward the siblings.
"Yours."
Fang Yu and Fang Qiong finally snapped out of their daze and hurriedly waved their hands.
"No, no—those belong to you, Young Master. We didn't do anything to deserve them," Fang Qiong refused quickly.
She now felt both respect and fear toward Lin Yi.
Lin Yi's expression suddenly turned cold.
"If you don't take them," he said flatly, "I'll kill you both right now."
The siblings stiffened instantly, their faces turning pale.
What kind of terrifying threat was that?!That was one brutal way of insisting someone accept a gift!
Then Lin Yi's lips curved into a smile.
"Relax. Just a joke."
He turned and started walking out of the ravine.
Fang Yu and Fang Qiong exchanged a look, their emotions a tangled mess—fear, shock, and disbelief. They didn't dare to decline again.Carefully tucking the Crimson Jade Fruits into their robes, they hurried after Lin Yi.
After leaving the ravine, the three continued deeper into the South Mang Ridge.
After some time, Fang Yu couldn't hold back anymore.
"Master Lin," he said, "you've killed the eldest young master of the Tang family. They won't let this go easily. Shouldn't you find somewhere else to lay low for now?"
Fang Qiong quickly nodded in agreement.
"He's right, Master Lin. The Tang family is one of the great houses of Qingfeng City—on the same level as ours, but with far deeper roots. Their strength is nothing to underestimate."
Lin Yi only smiled faintly.
"There's no need. My purpose in coming to Qingfeng City is precisely to visit the Tang family."
"What for, Master Lin?" Fang Qiong asked curiously.
Lin Yi didn't hide anything.
"I killed the Tang family's Great Elder and Third Elder. And now, their eldest young master has fallen to me as well," he said evenly. "I'll have to visit their estate myself and see what kind of attitude they plan to take."
He paused briefly before adding, his tone calm but chilling, "If I don't like their attitude, I'll erase the Tang family from this world."
At that, Fang Yu and Fang Qiong were completely stunned.
So this youth had come to Qingfeng City… to destroy the Tang family?!
"But Master Lin," Fang Yu stammered, "the Tang patriarch, Tang Hao, is said to have already broken through the fifth layer of the Meridian Clearing Realm. His strength runs deep… and there's still the old patriarch—someone even more terrifying—sitting behind the scenes."
Fang Qiong didn't dare continue, but the implication was clear:How could Lin Yi possibly fight against such monsters?
Lin Yi didn't even slow his steps. His voice was indifferent, calm as still water.
"I'll kill them all the same."
…
The three pressed on.
Every beast they encountered along the way was first or second tier—and a single casual punch from Lin Yi swatted aside each one.
Before long, they emerged from the South Mang Ridge.
Not long after, a towering city gate came into view. Built of dark-blue stone, its structure was imposing yet simple. Three large characters were carved into the archway: Qingfeng City.
Lin Yi glanced up at it and murmured to himself, "So this is Qingfeng City. It's far grander than Qingshan County."
As they approached the gates, an armored city guard stepped forward, blocking Lin Yi's way. His gaze immediately fell on the wooden box in Lin Yi's hand.
"Open the box for inspection!" he barked.
Lin Yi's brow creased slightly.Inside that box was Tang Yun's severed head—something he couldn't possibly show.
He quietly produced a small pouch of silver and handed it over.
"Officer, please," he said evenly. "It's just some worthless herbs inside. Best not to open it."
The guard weighed the pouch in his hand, then suddenly tossed it to the ground. Silver scattered across the dirt.
"Don't play games with me. Open it—now!"
Seeing the situation, Fang Yu quickly stepped forward with a nervous smile.
"Officer, he's a friend of the Fang family. It really is just medicine inside—please, be lenient."
"The Fang family?" the guard sneered. "Your Fang family doesn't have a shred of influence with the City Guard. Stop wasting my time. Open it, or get lost."
Lin Yi's eyes went cold.
"In that case," he said, his tone turning razor-sharp, "I'll just break through by force."