Chapter 404: No One Else Will Do!
As soon as Liu Xiaolin uttered those words, the expressions on everyone’s faces became priceless.
"Don’t be nervous?" "Not holding back?" Kid, do you have any idea what you’re saying? You’re telling a Sect disciple that you won’t go all out! Aren’t you afraid he’ll punch you to death?
"Kid, scram!" Qing Yun, clearly infuriated, snapped. "Or I might just cut you down where you stand!"
"You use a sword, too?" Liu Xiaolin’s eyes lit up, and he began to clap his hands with glee. "Then let’s hurry up and start! I’ve been wanting to test myself for ages, but Godfather would never let me."
Seeing the expression on Liu Xiaolin’s face, Qing Yun was stunned. Is this kid an idiot?
"Kid, if you’re scared, just admit defeat now! Don’t use a child as a shield!" Qing Yun pointed at Lin Mu, his expression full of contempt.
"Why don’t you try to beat him first?" Lin Mu said with a smile. "Frankly, it’s not just you. Even your master wouldn’t be his match in swordsmanship alone."
"Insolent!" Qing Yun roared. "My master is a venerable Elder of the Crane Immortal Sect! How dare a commoner like you make such a comparison!"
"Are you going to fight or not? Quit wasting time!" Liu Xiaolin said, a hint of impatience in his voice.
A murderous glint flashed in Qing Yun’s eyes. "Since you’re so eager to die," he said coldly, "I’ll grant your wish! Watch my sword!"
As his voice fell, Qing Yun slapped the longsword on his back.
CLANG!
The longsword unsheathed, and Qing Yun gripped it tightly, instantly executing a signature sword technique of the Crane Immortal Sect.
"Why is Senior Brother Qing Yun using that move? It’s a fatal technique, designed to kill in a single strike!" another Crane Immortal Sect disciple exclaimed, unable to bear the thought.
"Let’s wait and see," Elder Liu said, his expression grave. He stood ready to intervene at a moment’s notice. If the boy can’t handle it, I will step in.
Though death and injury were common in disputes between Martial Artists, killing a child would tarnish the reputation of the Crane Immortal Sect.
Long Ao, however, merely sneered, completely unconcerned. It’s just a kid. So what if he dies? It serves that Lin Mu right for humiliating me over and over.
Dai Yongqing was positively ecstatic. Others might not know, but this kid is a little monster! He’s incredibly skilled for his age and kills without batting an eye. He terrifies me to my very bones. If one of the experts from the Crane Immortal Sect gets rid of him, it’ll solve all my problems for good.
Liu Xiaolin stood his ground, watching Qing Yun’s sword thrust toward him. A strange look flickered in his eyes. He felt as if his opponent’s technique was riddled with openings. With this thought, he subconsciously raised his hand and pointed toward a specific spot.
To the onlookers, it looked as if Liu Xiaolin was foolishly trying to block a sword with his bare finger. Su Ke’er couldn’t help but cry out in alarm. "Xiao Lin, get out of the way!"
Liu Zijian panicked and started to rush forward to pull his son back.
"Qing Yun, do not harm the child!" Elder Liu shouted, his body blurring as he moved to intercept his disciple’s attack.
At that exact moment, however, a chilling sensation crawled up everyone’s spines, making the hair on their bodies stand on end. A sharp and pure stream of Sword Qi had suddenly erupted from a single point.
It came from the tip of Liu Xiaolin’s finger.
From that small, chubby fingertip, a wisp of Sword Qi, visible to the naked eye, silently materialized and shot forward.
"This is..." Elder Liu cried out, his face a mask of utter disbelief. "Qing Yun, watch out!"
His warning came too late.
Although Qing Yun had no intention of actually killing Liu Xiaolin, his attack was one of the Crane Immortal Sect’s most powerful sword techniques, a move from which there was supposedly no return.
SLASH!
Just as his blade was about to connect, a deep sense of unease bloomed in his heart. To his horror, Qing Yun saw a beam of Sword Qi shoot from the child’s hand and collide with his sword.
CRACK!
The blade instantly fractured before shattering into pieces. The Sword Qi, however, continued onward, charging toward him like an unstoppable force.
"No!" The shadow of death enveloped him. Qing Yun screamed in terror.
"Move!" A large hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder and flung him away.
It’s Master!
Qing Yun landed hard on the ground and scrambled to look up. He witnessed a shocking scene. A terrifying aura exploded from his master as his potent True Qi gathered and poured into the hilt of his shattered sword. But even so, Qing Yun watched with wide eyes as his master’s desperate counterattack was obliterated by that single stream of Sword Qi.
His master grunted as the last remnants of the sword disintegrated and the Sword Qi finally dissipated. He was forced back several steps, leaving a trail of deep, clear footprints in the ground.
"This..." Qing Yun’s face went deathly pale, his eyes filled with horror. Even Master couldn’t block a single attack from him? Just how powerful is that child?
Everyone gasped, including Liu Zijian himself. He knew his son was impressive; he’d heard Elder Brother Mu mention something about a ’sword body.’ But he had never taken it to heart, always treating his son as a normal child. After this incident, however, he suddenly recalled details he had previously ignored.
It seemed Xiao Lin had never liked playing with children his own age. When they sent him to kindergarten, it took only a few days for him to infuriate all the teachers and students, forcing them to bring him home. His daily speech and mannerisms were like those of an adult—he was far too mature, not at all like a child. Now I finally understand. My son is no ordinary person! He couldn’t even walk or talk at age three, not until he met Elder Brother Mu...
Liu Zijian turned his head to look at Lin Mu, who simply offered him a smile. Liu Zijian tried to smile back but couldn’t shake a hollow, complicated feeling inside.
Liu Xiaolin retracted his finger. Seeing that Elder Liu, though pale, was unharmed, he let out a sigh of relief. "Good thing I didn’t use my full strength. My dad would have definitely yelled at me."
Hearing this, Elder Liu nearly lost control of his internal injuries and almost coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Liu Zijian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This kid... did he learn to be so infuriating from me or from his godfather?
"Xiao Lin, get back here right now!" Liu Zijian couldn’t help but scold him. No matter how powerful his son was, their relationship as father and son remained unchanged.
"Oh," Liu Xiaolin replied, skipping as he turned to leave.
"Wait!" Elder Liu called out urgently.
"What? You still want to fight?" Liu Xiaolin turned back, his expression innocent.
"No, no, no." Elder Liu waved his hands frantically. "I just see that you are a one-in-ten-thousand genius of the Sword Dao! If you are willing, I can take you back to the Crane Immortal Sect to cultivate!" Fearing a misunderstanding, he quickly added, "Rest assured, I am not deceiving you! I swear it on my life!"
Everyone stared at Liu Xiaolin in disbelief. This child is a one-in-ten-thousand prodigy of the Sword Dao? Is this a movie?
Regardless, the opportunity to cultivate at the Crane Immortal Sect was a dream for countless people.
However, Liu Xiaolin simply shook his head. "I can’t. My godfather said only he can teach me. No one else is allowed to."