Chapter 16: The Hunter at His Back!

Zhang Xuan gazed at the cave dwelling, a flash of excitement swiftly passing through his eyes. "The Thunderous Manor—legend speaks of a powerful Heavenly Spirit Realm expert who once perished in the Purple Lotus Mountains, but before dying, left behind a lifetime of knowledge within a cave dwelling. This must be it!"

Behind him, the others were equally thrilled.

“Father, if our Zhang family monopolizes the treasures of Thunderous Manor, we could leap to the top of the four great families!” A handsome youth stepped forward, his brows filled with longing.

His name was Zhang Lin, Zhang Xuan’s son and heir to the Zhang family.

Zhang Lin’s spirit beast was a formidable fourth-tier Blue-tailed Poison Scorpion, known far and wide.

And Lin Ninger was to be betrothed to Zhang Lin as a concubine!

“That’s right. The Lin family is severely weakened this time. After we seize the treasures inside Thunderous Manor, we’ll swallow up the Lin family!” Zhang Xuan laughed heartily. “Everyone, stay alert!”

“Yes!” The group nodded in unison.

Zhang Xuan then summoned his spirit beast and led the charge into the cave dwelling.

Everyone followed inside, not even leaving a lookout behind!

It seemed the Zhang family was confident the Lin family, beset by internal and external troubles, would not intervene.

Once everyone had ventured deep into the cave, Lin Chen slowly emerged from the bushes, his gaze flickering uncertainly.

Lin Ninger, exhausted beyond measure, was still asleep on his back.

Closing his eyes, Lin Chen reached out with his consciousness to connect with the cave’s vegetation.

Fortunately, there was some moss inside. Though feeble, it offered Lin Chen a degree of perception.

Swift as a shadow, Lin Chen quickened his pace and slipped inside.

Suddenly, a roar echoed from the cave—a beast was concealed within.

The roar shook the cave, causing it to tremble repeatedly.

“This is bad. A sixth-layer Earth Spirit Realm beast! A Cold Scale Bear!”

“Kill it! Strike together and slaughter this beast!”

Chaotic shouts rang out, followed by the sounds of spirit beasts clashing fiercely.

The ferocious beast roared with tremendous intensity.

Through the moss’s perception, Lin Chen watched the entire battle unfold.

The Cold Scale Bear stood five meters tall, its strength formidable, its body covered in scales as hard as ice.

Each swipe of its paw shattered rocks, sending shards flying through the void.

“Kill it. Better if both sides suffer damage. Either way, it benefits me in the end,” Lin Chen murmured, a faint smirk curling his lips.

His fighting spirit was rising bit by bit.

He had already planned everything for the future.

But before leaving Fanyun City, there were still people and matters to resolve.

A tremendous crash reverberated through the cave.

Lin Chen sensed the Cold Scale Bear had broken through the encirclement, slapping Zhang Lin squarely.

Despite the Blue-tailed Poison Scorpion desperately shielding him, Zhang Lin couldn’t evade the blow.

He spat a mouthful of blood, his body crippled as he was thrown backward.

Pain contorted his face into a grotesque mask.

“Lin’er!” Zhang Xuan’s fury blazed; he unleashed his Ghostfire Silver Serpents toward the Cold Scale Bear.

The serpents flicked their forked tongues and bit into the bear’s nape with razor-sharp teeth.

This time, they shattered the bear’s scales and successfully injected venom.

Realizing the danger, the Cold Scale Bear roared in rage and charged wildly at a Zhang family elder.

The impact slammed the elder into the cave wall, leaving a bloody mess.

Staggering, the bear soon collapsed lifelessly.

An elder moved to skin the beast, but Zhang Xuan stopped him. “Wait until we’ve taken the treasures before dealing with this brute!”

“How is Lin’er?” Zhang Xuan asked, attempting to help his son up.

“Father, don’t worry about me. You all keep going. The longer we stay, the more complications arise,” Zhang Lin waved weakly, excitement shining in his eyes.

“If I can obtain the techniques left by that expert’s legacy, I will rise swiftly to become the number one prodigy in the Great Cang Kingdom. Then, even Su Huanxue will bow before me!”

“Good,” Zhang Xuan nodded, then led five elders deeper into the cave.

They had slain one Cold Scale Bear, but who knew what other dangers awaited?

Zhang Lin was severely wounded and would only slow them down. No one could care for him.

Better to let him rest here.

Sitting cross-legged, Zhang Lin circulated his inner energy to heal his injuries.

He had not joined any sect yet because he was waiting.

Waiting to acquire the inheritance of this place’s expert, then intending to rush to the imperial city to participate in the trial held by the Li Fire Sect.

Among the five kingdoms, though many sects existed, only the Li Fire Sect caught his eye.

“Once I join the Li Fire Sect, Su Huanxue, you’ll have no choice but to obediently kneel before me!” Zhang Lin’s expression twisted into a sickly excitement, his body trembling slightly from the intense anticipation.

But at that moment, a figure suddenly appeared before him—completely unexpected.

Zhang Lin’s smug smile froze instantly, as if doused with cold water, his scalp tingling uncontrollably.

He never imagined it would be him.

“Lin... Lin Chen! Why is it you...?” Zhang Lin’s voice was hoarse. He tried to retreat, but the unbearable pain pinned him down.

Lin Chen!

Once the number one prodigy of the Great Cang Kingdom.

After being ruined by the Wind Sword Sect, reduced to a shadow of a man.

It was him.

Carrying Lin Ninger on his back, Lin Chen approached coldly. “I heard you asked your family to propose making my sister your concubine?”

Each word cut like a knife through Zhang Lin’s heart.

“Lin Chen, this wasn’t my idea. It was your Lin family...” Zhang Lin weakly tried to explain, so terrified he forgot to call for help.

Lin Chen stepped forward; vines immediately shot into Zhang Lin’s forehead.

Ruthless.

Decisive.

The vines greedily absorbed Zhang Lin’s life essence.

After a few breaths, Lin Chen withdrew the vines and closed his eyes to assimilate the energy.

“You’ve grown increasingly ruthless, kid,” the small sapling teased.

Lin Chen nodded but said nothing.

Having adapted over time, he no longer resisted such things.

After enduring so many ups and downs, his heart had hardened.

As long as it made him stronger, he could kill without hesitation and bear endless scorn.

To protect those he wished to protect, he was willing to sacrifice everything.

In the past, he always considered his family first.

It was this damned world that forced him to grow!

After slaying Zhang Lin, Lin Chen narrowed his eyes, sliding along the cave wall like a ghost and pressing deeper inside.

He was like a patient hunter.

Until his prey was caught, he would not make a sound.