NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 65 - Be Gentle
The sudden sight of a severed head flying through the air stunned everyone present.
When they turned back, Xiao Lingchen had already sheathed his Phoenix Sovereign Sword.
In the True Martial Space, he’d spent five of those ten years battling skeleton soldiers. The constant nourishment of killing intent had honed his body.
Even though he’d kept suppressing his cultivation to solidify his foundation, he’d reached the peak of the ninth level of the Dao Palace Realm—only a step away from the Delusion Breaking Realm!
More importantly, his strength now far surpassed what it once was. His sword strikes were sharper, more decisive.
Elder Xinghe, a mere third-level Delusion Breaking Realm weakling, had naturally fallen to a single slash!
The elders from the various sects stood in stunned silence, awed by Xiao Lingchen’s ruthlessness.
Only Elder Yun Zhu felt a surge of joy amid his shock. In just three months, Xiao Lingchen’s power had grown again. With such talent, Taixuan Sect was on the rise!
In that moment, Elder Yun Zhu decided inwardly: once they returned, he’d find a time to name Xiao Lingchen the sect’s Holy Son.
But for now, they needed to get back.
Elder Yun Zhu quickly led Xiao Lingchen to the teleportation array. Activating it, he whisked them back to Taixuan Sect.
Meanwhile, the Taixuan Sect elders and disciples holding off the Tianyan Sect forces learned that Elder Yun Zhu had escaped with Xiao Lingchen. They promptly withdrew.
The Tianyan Sect members fumed with rage. When they saw Elder Xinghe’s corpse, their fury erupted into madness!
“Taixuan Sect!”
“Xiao Lingchen!”
“We’ll never coexist with you!”
“Argh!!!”
On the other side, Elder Yun Zhu and Xiao Lingchen arrived back at Taixuan Sect.
Stepping out of the teleportation array, Elder Yun Zhu finally exhaled in relief. “Good thing we moved fast. Otherwise, we’d have faced a massive fight today!”
Xiao Lingchen shrugged nonchalantly. “No matter. If it came to a fight, I’d just slaughter those small fry.”
He wasn’t boasting. His current strength was leagues beyond what it had been. Unless Tianyan Sect’s strongest, Sect Leader Duan Wushang, showed up, no one else posed a threat.
Elder Yun Zhu shot him an exasperated glare. “You make it sound so easy. Do you know Tianyan Sect mobilized nearly half their forces to take you down this time?”
“Though Duan Wushang didn’t come, they brought their sect’s treasured artifact, the Danyang Pearl—a heaven-grade treasure! When activated, it emits red light that boosts the strength of those it touches by thirty percent for three hours. It also releases black light that weakens those struck by thirty percent for the same duration.”
“With that kind of advantage swinging the odds, how confident are you now?”
Xiao Lingchen’s heart tightened at Elder Yun Zhu’s words. He hadn’t expected the Danyang Pearl to have such effects!
Good thing Elder Yun Zhu had warned him. He’d be better prepared when he faced Tianyan Sect for revenge.
Elder Yun Zhu waved a hand. “Enough about that for now. We’re back safe—that’s what matters.”
“Tell me, did you gain any opportunities in the True Martial Space these past three months?”
Xiao Lingchen nodded. “Naturally.”
But before he could elaborate, Elder Yun Zhu cut in. “Good to know. No need to tell me the details.”
“The opportunities in the True Martial Space are rare and powerful. Unless necessary, keep them to yourself—they might become your trump cards someday.”
Xiao Lingchen nodded, warmed by the elder’s care. Elder Yun Zhu felt like a doting elder, always looking out for him.
Elder Yun Zhu continued, “Alright, that’s settled. Head back for now.”
“You’ve worked hard these three months. Rest up properly. As for revenge, there’s no rush—take your time to recover first.”
“If Tianyan Sect dares come knocking in the next few days, Taixuan Sect isn’t some pushover!”
“Go on!”
After bidding farewell, Xiao Lingchen started toward the back mountain.
But before he reached the base of the mountain, someone blocked his path.
Looking closely, it was none other than Ning Huanhuan.
Today, she wore a white gown with a goose-yellow ribbon tied at her waist. Her long hair cascaded down, and her fair skin gleamed like crystal in the sunlight.
Maybe it was her outfit, or maybe it was Xiao Lingchen’s imagination, but she seemed curvier than before—her figure more voluptuous, exuding a mature charm.
Spotting Xiao Lingchen, Ning Huanhuan’s face twisted with fury. Her eyes glared like bells as she drew her sword and lunged at him!
He effortlessly deflected her strike. “What are you doing?” he asked helplessly.
Ning Huanhuan gritted her teeth, glaring daggers. “Xiao Lingchen, you finally show your face! I thought you were dead!”
“Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you? Why didn’t you reply to my transmissions?”
Xiao Lingchen sighed and explained, “I’ve been in the True Martial Space for three months. Did you forget? I was the grand competition’s first place.”
Ning Huanhuan snapped, “As if I need you to tell me that! I know! I’m talking about before you left!”
“The competition ended, and it was three days before the True Martial Space opened. I sent you countless transmissions—why didn’t you reply once?”
“Did you use me up, find me boring, and toss me aside?”
Xiao Lingchen quickly protested, “I never said that!”
“Right after the competition, I had to prepare for the True Martial Space. I just didn’t have time to reply.”
As he spoke, he flicked her sword aside with a finger. Stepping forward, he pulled Ning Huanhuan into his arms.
“You… what are you doing?” she stammered, flustered by the sudden warm embrace, struggling to break free.
Xiao Lingchen smirked playfully. “Three months apart—haven’t you missed me to death?”
Blushing with a mix of shame and anger, Ning Huanhuan shoved him away. “W-Who missed you? Don’t talk nonsense!”
He raised an eyebrow, teasing, “Oh? Not at all?”
“Fine then. I was planning to make it up to you once I got back. But if that’s how you feel, forget it.”
“I need to report to my master anyway. I’ll take my leave.”
With that, he turned to go.
But the next second, Ning Huanhuan grabbed him back. “Don’t go!”
Xiao Lingchen turned, grinning wide.