The Prodigies War
chapter-514

Clouds had suddenly come down, and it started to drizzle. Fog suddenly started to form, and there was a dampness in the air.

A jeweled carriage carrying Lin Xun and Lin Zhong navigated through the cobweb-like streets at a leisurely pace.

Along the way, they occasionally heard screams and thunder-like deafening sounds of battle.

However, they quickly ceased like nothing had happened.

Lin Xun calmly sat in the carriage because he didn’t need to guess to know that the ambushes along the way were from either the Chi, Zuo or Qin Clans.

Or perhaps, all three clans had joined forces.

They lay in ambush because they knew that Lin Xun would hold a conference in Stone Cauldron Alms.

Lin Xun just didn’t expect them to be so impatient. They had clearly realized that he had become a huge threat to them due to his rapid rise, and they couldn’t allow him to grow anymore.

“Fortunately, Stone Cauldron Alms has dispatched many people. Otherwise, we would have to face unpredictable fierce battles along the way…”

Lin Xun lifted the curtain inside the carriage and peered into the distance. He happened to see a blood-red flower blooming afar—it was tragic but somehow beautiful.

Lin Zhong reminded him, “Young Master, don’t let your guard down. They must have come prepared.”

Lin Xun nodded, “Uncle Zhong, in the empire’s history, has a top aristocratic clan ever been destroyed?”

“I don’t think so.” Lin Zhong shook his head.

Then, he suddenly smiled bitterly. “Young Master, have you forgotten that our Lin Clan was also one of the high clans five hundred years ago, but now…”

Lin Xun fell silent, falling into deep thought.

The jeweled carriage continued to clatter along the streets. Although it was calm along the way, they both knew that bloody battles were breaking out in places they couldn’t see.

Chi!

Suddenly, the carriage screeched to an abrupt halt and the wheels rubbed fiercely against the ground. At the same time, the driver cried out, “Watch out!”

Boom!

A terrifying power struck, creating a destructive force. Caught in the storm, the jeweled carriage was being crushed to smithereens.

Without any hesitation, Lin Xun and Lin Zhong darted out of it.

At the same time, the jeweled carriage densely covered with runes exploded into pieces.

Lin Xun’s eyes narrowed.

Fortune God Shi had personally arranged the jeweled carriage for Lin Xun, and it was strong enough to withstand a full-strength attack of a Heaven Ascension cultivator, which meant that the attacker had to possess Cyclic Derivation strength!

As expected, a fierce battle was taking place in the distance. The old man driver was battling a black-robed figure.

It was a battle between great cultivators of the Cyclic Derivation Stage. The techniques, skills and attacks were all utterly terrifying as it drew upon the power of the great Dao.

Lin Xun’s heart sank. Although Stone Cauldron Alms had dispatched secret forces to protect him, the enemies had sent out terrifying cultivators to kill him.

Cyclic Derivation cultivators!

They were regarded as pillar-like existences of the aristocratic clans and wouldn’t be dispatched rashly.

Shua!

Suddenly, a shaft of blinding sword light flashed across the sky, brimming with murderous intent.

At that moment, an indescribable sense of danger rushed to Lin Xun’s heart. His pupils rapidly shrank, and he felt stinging pain all over his skin.

Another Cyclic Derivation cultivator!

More than one great cultivator of the Cyclic Derivation Stage had been dispatched!

“You want to die!” Lin Zhong thundered as he soared into the sky.

Then, with a clang, Shattered Tragedy Spear rose into the sky, pouring out a hazy gray aura to shroud Lin Zhong.

Rumble—

Another fierce battle broke out.

Meanwhile, Lin Xun noted that the owner of the blinding sword light was also covered in black robes with their face concealed.

They were in the Forbidden City, the capital of the empire. Although they were on the deserted borders, it was still within the territory of the Forbidden City.

However, the enemy dared to wait in ambush and even dispatched powerful Cyclic Derivation cultivators. That suggested that they would risk everything in order to kill Lin Xun.

“It will be troublesome if another great cultivator of the Cyclic Derivation Stage comes…” A grave expression crossed Lin Xun’s handsome face.

As if fulfilling Lin Xun’s worries, an unfortunate thing happened. His vision blurred before four pillars of light descended from the sky!

In an instant, everything before him changed. He had fallen into an illusion, a vast expanse of whiteness with only four stone pillars towering into the sky, each occupying the four poles.

Each one was covered with inscriptions of ancient diagrams and patterns and emitted a terrifying sealing force.

Shua!

Lin Xun instantly performed the Hornless Ice Dragon Step, attempting to break free. But regardless of how he maneuvered, he couldn’t escape the seal of the four stone pillars!

In other words, the illusion had imprisoned Lin Xun like a cage.

“Time is precious. Little guy, it’s time for us to talk.”

Suddenly, a figure emerged, also clad in a black robe. Spirals of black light rose from their body and blurred out their face.

As expected, it was another Cyclic Derivation cultivator!

Lin Xun’s heart felt incredibly heavy. He knew a life-threatening danger had descended upon him.

“You won’t be so lucky anymore. Under the imprisonment of the Four Coiling Dragon Pillars, even a Life Death Stage King won’t be able to do anything for a good while.” The black-robed man’s voice was gravelly with a touch of cold detachedness.

“What do you want to talk about?”

Lin Xun instantly regained his composure as he could tell that the other party did not intend to attack him right away.

“It’s very simple, release your spirit power and restrain your spirit. If you do as I say, not only can I guarantee that you will live, but you will also live well.”

The black-robed man clasped his hands behind his back as his tall and figure stood spear-straight. He resembled a king of hell with the frightening black light swirling around him.

“Do you want to control me?” Lin Xun scrunched his brows.

The black-robed man scoffed condescendingly. “This is your only way to continue living. Otherwise, do you think I would negotiate with you instead of killing you immediately?”

He seemed very conceited as though he had absolute control of the situation and wasn’t the least worried that Lin Xun could play any tricks.

“What if I don’t agree?” Lin Xun’s calm eyes flashed with a cold light.

“Don’t try to stall for time. You will have to agree today—”

The black-robed man vanished from the spot, and when he appeared, he was right in front of Lin Xun, clutching his neck and lifting him up.

The speed was too incredible. It was as though he was a ghost or he had teleported. He perfectly demonstrated the power of the Cyclic Derivation Stage and allowed Lin Xun no chance to struggle let alone fight back!

“If I apply even the tiniest bit of force, your life will end in a split second. Little guy, let’s face it, even if you have heaven-defying talent, you haven’t fully grown yet. Killing you is as easy as slaughtering a chicken,” remarked the black-robed man leisurely.

He didn’t try to insult Lin Xin, but instead unintentionally looked down on him.

To a great Cyclic Derivation cultivator, a Spirit Sea teenager was indeed very insignificant.

However, Lin Xun seemed unusually calm even if a hand was around his throat, and he was about to suffocate. “Do you know the consequences of doing this?”

Crack!

Before his voice faded, he grunted in agony, color drained from his face, and his forehead beaded with cold sweat. The black-robed man had snapped his left arm.

Unquestionably, the black-robed man was a cruel person. His threats were direct and his means of forcing Lin Xun to submit were ruthless!!

The black-robed man chuckled. “Little guy, you are too naive. You must know that I have already considered the consequences since I dared to take action today.”

Lin Xun only saw the enemy’s white teeth, which made them look even more frightening.

“It seems that whatever I say today will be useless. I either submit or die, is that right?” Lin Xun endured the pain and squeezed out a smile.

“Correct, you are a smart kid so I believe you will make a choice that is good for you and me.” The black-robed man nodded.

“Pah!” Lin Xun spat out a mouthful of saliva at the man’s chin. It scratched his skin and left a trickle of crystal clear liquid.

“Old man, your delusions are so beautiful.” Lin Xun’s smile became brighter.

The black-robed man didn’t respond but it was obvious that the spat had completely enraged him.

Perhaps, he had never thought that someone would spit in his face ever since he started cultivating so he couldn’t contain his anger.

A young man awaiting his death dared to humiliate him in such a despicable way. Even an immortal would be provoked!

Bang!

Lin Xun was blasted to the ground, and his bones almost shattered. He couldn’t help but let out an agonizing grunt again.

The black-robed man grinned sinisterly. “There’s no hurry. I still have a lot of time to torture you before you submit!”

He stomped on Lin Xun and crushed his left hand with a crackle. Bright-red blood flowed down his left arm.

The black-robed man let out a satisfied groan as he listened to the shattering bones and sputtering blood. Then, he raised his foot and aimed for Lin Xun’s right hand.

Lin Xun swiftly rolled to the other side.

The black-robed man tutted. “Look, a maggot is writhing on the ground, but unfortunately, I can’t stop until I am done venting my anger.”

As he was speaking, he stepped on Lin Xun again to utterly humiliate and torture him.

“Old thing—! You think I don’t dare to kill myself?” Lin Xun roared, forcing himself to sit up.

The black-robed man looked taken aback.

Suddenly, a black puff shot out from Lin Xun’s hand.

The black-robed man casually stretched out his hand and caught the black light.

“Haha, you are still trying to launch a sneak attack? Kid, your bones are really tough! I hope a young man with tough bones like you will be satisfied with torture!” The black-robed man laughed. When he opened his hand and saw a bead of grain-sized worms, he laughed even louder.

The black robed man taunted, “Worms? Haha, do you think you can turn the situation around with these worms?”

However, Lin Xun nodded seriously. “Of course.”

While the black-robed man stared at Lin Xun blankly, the insects in his palm seemed to be awakening from a deep slumber as they burrowed into the skin and flesh of his palm before tunneling into his bloodstream!

They—

The black-robed man trembled inwardly and his face blanched. His years of battle experience helped him sense extreme danger.

He frantically mobilized his power to drive the insects out of his body.

To his surprise, even if his Cyclic Derivation cultivation allowed him to smash mountains and split seas, he couldn’t do so.

The insects seemed invisible and not real. They penetrated everything and couldn’t be stopped or blocked!

No!

The black-robed man shuddered. What kind of damn insects are they? Why are they so mysterious?

Before he could understand what was going on, he felt a sudden, sharp pain in his mind-sea, as if it was being torn apart by a bolt of lightning. He shrieked and writhed around wildly.

That wasn’t all. The insects raced toward his mind-sea like sharks smelling blood and constantly gnawed at and tore at his Spirit.

Even if the Spirit of a Cyclic Derivation cultivator was powerful, it couldn’t fend off such an attack.

“No, no, no—!”

He frantically clutched the sides of his head as he screamed. His body violently twitched from the agonizing pain like he had gone crazy.

Even Lin Xun was horrified. They were the God Devouring Insects that he acquired from the forbidden area of the Blood Wasteland in the Ancient Spirit World. He had brought them back by sealing them in his body.

However, he had never expected them to be so frightening. Not even a great cultivator of the Cyclic Derivation Stage was able to fend them off!