In a hurried moment, the red-faced middle-aged man mobilized the inner breath within his body, and a crimson protective shield appeared in front of his chest, intending to forcibly withstand Zhong Lin’s punch.
The violent sound shook the entire Purple Bamboo Forest, and the ferocious Qi Force splashed in all directions.
Taking advantage of this moment, the red-faced middle-aged man took a deep breath, and a force as powerful as fierce flames suddenly erupted from him.
With both palms upright, the surrounding temperature seemed to rise faintly. Suddenly, with a clear shout, he targeted Zhong Lin and rushed forward like a shooting star chasing the moon.
Everywhere his feet landed, it was as if sparks scattered everywhere, and suddenly the rising heat formed a powerful heatwave. These heatwaves rolled and fluttered in the air, like a fire dragon exuding endless majesty.
Zhong Lin sneered inwardly, turned his body, and suddenly stepped out with a strange footwork.
This footwork wasn’t complicated; its only characteristic was speed.
One step, two steps, three steps.
After taking the third step, he became unstoppable, leaving countless afterimages with his feet in this bamboo forest, as if covering all the space in this area at the same time.
"Dragon Subduing Palm."
Zhong Lin struck out with his palm, and the inner heart of the dantian surged, as a dragon-shaped Qi Force burst out from the center of his palm.
A golden dragon-shaped phantom shuttled through layers of void, heading straight for the red-faced middle-aged man’s chest.
This Hand Skill was somewhat similar to the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms from novels in a past life, except it didn’t have many moves; there was only one move.
This was a True Qi Martial Arts Skill of the Upper Third Grades, a Martial Arts Skill given to Zhong Lin by the Gu Family of Linyue, which he learned without much effort.
Today was also the first time trying it.
Feeling the terrifying palm strike, the red-faced middle-aged man also changed his expression dramatically, showing a look of panic.
Not seen making any moves, on the contrary, he withdrew all defenses, stood where he was, and shouted to the sky.
"Yin Daoyan, if you don’t come out now, I’ll really be beaten to death."
Just as the words fell, a crimson Sword Radiance shot over from a distance, directly striking Zhong Lin’s dragon-shaped Qi Force, dispersing it.
Yin Daoyan also strode over from a distance, stepping on bamboo leaves, as if immortal.
"Late, late, Lian Shan, how did you become so miserable?"
"Yin Daoyan, you still dare to show yourself? Don’t think I don’t know you arrived early, just hiding in the dark to watch me make a fool of myself."
The red-faced middle-aged man said irritably to Yin Daoyan.
Zhong Lin also descended and cupped his hands, saying: "Master."
Yin Daoyan waved his hand at Zhong Lin and continued to mock the red-faced middle-aged man: "Who would’ve thought you couldn’t even beat my disciple, you say both with Third Grade cultivation, why is there such a gap, and you’re a veteran Elder."
Seeing the red-faced middle-aged man’s embarrassed expression, Yin Daoyan laughed even more joyfully until his face turned darker and darker, and only then did Yin Daoyan stop.
"Come, Zhong Lin, let me introduce you, this is Elder Lian Shan of Wind Fire Peak, the Master of that drunken boy from when you went up the mountain." Yin Daoyan explained with a laugh.
Elder Lian Shan also spoke: "Zhong Lin, right! I have no habit of peeking, it’s just that your Master has written to me more than once to brag about you, so I came to secretly observe you. You are truly a young genius, your reputation is well-deserved, and to cultivate to Third Grade Inner Breath at such a young age really makes me feel old."
Hearing this, Zhong Lin quickly cupped his hands and said: "Zhong Lin greets Elder Lian Shan, I apologize for any offense just now, and please forgive me."
"No harm, no harm, I deserved it, blame your unreliable Master, he clearly arrived early, yet deliberately hid to watch me make a fool of myself."
After saying that, he glared fiercely at Yin Daoyan.
Yin Daoyan stroked his beard and smiled, not minding Elder Lian Shan’s complaints at all.
"Enter through the front door, and you won’t sneak around, getting beaten is what you deserve."
Yin Daoyan mockingly scolded and continued: "Zhong Lin, Elder Lian Shan is not proficient in Martial Arts, but excellent in Alchemy Dao, unmatched in Sword Cauldron Sect in Alchemy, even slightly better than me as his teacher. If you have a chance, you should learn more from him."
Upon hearing this, Elder Lian Shan’s eyes widened angrily: "What do you mean slightly better? It’s you who can only see my back, alright? Let’s compete! Loser is the grandson."
Zhong Lin now somewhat understood why Wang Kaiwen acted unruly guarding the mountain, able to get himself drunk. With a Master , it’s not surprising his disciple’s temperament wouldn’t stray far.
After a round of jesting, the three of them returned to the courtyard in the Purple Bamboo Forest, and Senior Sister Gu and Mei Weixuan were awakened by the commotion and ran over.
Through the introduction of Gu Yourong, Zhong Lin also gained a preliminary understanding of this Elder Lian Shan.
Elder Lian Shan is one of the nine great Elders of Sword Cauldron Sect, the Peak Master of Wind Fire Peak, with Third Grade Inner Breath Realm cultivation, and a Fourth Grade Pill Master.
The Qi Cultivation Heart Method he cultivated is the "Fiery Sun Heart Scripture," a fire attribute Qi Refinement method, and the inner breath cultivated carries a fiery sun energy, which greatly enhances alchemy.
This is also why his complexion is red, due to the cultivation technique.
Moreover, this cultivation technique also has unique features in combat, with extremely explosive inner breath, naturally having attribute enhancements.
It is just that Elder Lian Shan is not skilled in Martial Arts, seldom making a move, which is why Zhong Lin could suppress him in battle.
The commotion made by Elder Lian Shan also left the others with little desire to continue resting, so Yin Daoyan took Zhong Lin and Mei Weixuan to the Main Peak to meet the Sect Master.
In the entire Sword Cauldron Sect, the Main Peak is undoubtedly the highest mountain. All along the journey, every Sect Disciple they passed greeted Yin Daoyan with utmost respect, bowing with hands lowered, not daring to show any negligence.
A moment later, they arrived at a separate courtyard in the Main Peak.
Just outside the courtyard gate, a deep voice rang out from within.
"Elder Yin, please come in."
Without hesitation, Yin Daoyan pushed the door open and entered, followed closely by Zhong Lin and Mei Weixuan.
As they looked up, they saw a middle-aged man, though slender, stood steady like a mountain.
This middle-aged man wore a blue brocade robe, a golden belt around his waist, snow-like hair, and a pair of eyebrows like swords. He stood tall, as if a sword piercing the sky, just a glance made Zhong Lin’s eyes sting.
This made Zhong Lin extremely shocked, could this be the strength beyond the First Grade?
Just watching for a moment made one feel fear of making a move.
Mei Weixuan on the side was even worse off, with eyes already red, tears streaming down.
This was Yu Jinglei, the current Sect Master of Sword Cauldron Sect.
"Greetings to the Sect Master."
Yin Daoyan respectfully saluted, not daring to show the slightest negligence.
Zhong Lin and Mei Weixuan followed suit, bowing their heads, not daring to look up even with their eyes.
"Elder Yin, no need for such courtesy."
The Sect Master’s voice was deep and gentle, without any trace of the Sword Intent fear present on his body.